The Mosel river (or Moselle, depending on which side of it you are) is more than 550km long and it passes through three European countries: France, Luxembourg and Germany. Along its valley in all three countries, the river creates a very fertile and favourable terroir for the cultivation of grapes. The main cities through which the Mosel river passes through, or close to, are Nancy and Metz in France, Koblenz and Trier in Germany and of course, Schengen in Luxembourg.
There are many amazing wineries that you can easily discover by driving along the Mosel Wine Route. To unite the efforts in promotion of the region, the wineries along the Mosel river got united under the first cross border wine tourism project - Via mosel'. The aim of this project is to help visitors get more knowledge about the Mosel region as a whole - the Greater Region that touches three different countries. Via Mosel focuses on putting together the best wineries along the Mosel Valley in three countries and on the regions' unique architecture. Get ready to visit wineries with outstanding architecture, taste their incredible wines and learn more about the distinctive features of the Mosel Valley in France, Luxembourg and Germany.
Grape Varieties and Wines along the Mosel Wine Route
Mosel Wine Route accross France, Germany and Luxembourg is dominated by white grape varieties.
German Mosel is dominated by Riesling and Müller-Thurgau. Riesling is an aromatic grape variety that is capable of creating wines of different styles with different sweetness levels. A characteristic of all Mosel wines is their high acidity and clearly defined flavors. The wines produced in this region are normally bottled in the traditional long hock-style (also known as Rhine) green bottles. A large proportion of the Mosel wines is a result of the extensive plantations of Müller-Thurgau grape variety, which is typically used for the production of sweet wine.
While in Luxembourg Moselle is famous for the local grape variety Elbling. It is one of the oldest Luxembourg grapes and it used to dominate the hillsides of the Moselle Valley. Rivaner, Auxerrois, Riesling and Gewürztraminer are also grown here to produce fruity aromatic wines with intense minerality and a great balance between sweetness and acidity.
Villages and Typical Architecture of Mosel Valley
Mosel Wine Route invites you to discover the villages and wineries with unique architecture unique to Mosel Valley. Traveling along the Mosel River, you will observe many hilltop castles and wine villages dominated by half-timbered houses surrounded by vineyards on the hillsides of the river.
Mosel Wine Route in France
The Mosel river has its source in France, in the Vosges mountains and then flows towards Luxembourg and Germany through the Lorraine region.
Lorraine was a popular wine region up until the 20th century when its large wine estates began to disappear. However, there are still active domains in Lorraine and they are part of the Via Mosel’ wine tourism project. The two main wine-growing regions in Lorraine are Côtes de Toul and Côtes de Moselle. The most famous wine from Côtes de Toul is called Gris de Toul and it pairs great with a delicious local dish called the Quiche Lorraine.
Two great cities to visit while you discover the French side of the Mosel Wine Route are Nancy and Metz. To be fair, the Mosel river doesn’t ‘touch’ Nancy, but since it has always been the seat of the Dukes of Lorraine, it is still considered an important city in the route. Nancy is mostly famous for having three monuments listed in the UNESCO World Heritage List: Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d’Alliance.
Going further north, you will arrive in Metz, a city with more than 2000 years of history. You can’t miss the incredible Saint Etienne Cathedral and walk on the banks of the Mosel river inside the city.
Discover more about the villages and wineries to visit in the French part of the Mosel Wine Route on Via mosel' official website. Also if you pass by Metz in April, pay a visit to Salon Des Vins Et De La Gastronomie de Metz - local festival dedicated to promotion of regional gastronomy culture.
Mosel Wine Route in Luxembourg
Luxembourg might be one of the smallest countries in Europe, but it can offer excellent quality wines and its wineries are ready to welcome all the visitors who want to learn more about this part of the Mosel Wine Route. The Moselle Valley in Luxembourg was even praised by the Roman emperor Julius Caesar, who apparently got to see the wine region and possibly tasted some wines as well!
What makes the Moselle Valley special is the constant work of local winemakers towards qualitative great wines. The quality that characterizes wines from Luxembourg was achieved thanks to years of studying and a high level of consciousness.
Here’s a list of WineTourism.com’s partner wineries along the Mosel Wine Route in Luxembourg:
Schlink Domaine Viticole is located in the Luxembourg Moselle wine region. The winery is a family-owned business, founded in 1911. Now 4th generation is running it and will host you with a very friendly attitude.
PASSION, RESPECTING THE VINEYARD, CREATIVITY AND OENOLOGICAL COMPETENCE
These four keywords summarise the approach of the family-owned Domain Laurent & Rita Kox, situated in the small picturesque town of Remich on the left bank of the Moselle river.
The house of Caves Bernard-Massard is the main producer of sparkling wines in Luxembourg. This is a family-run business that has been run by the family for over 5 generations.
The Wellenstein Winegrowers' Cellars were founded in 1930. Today, this site is the largest of the four sites of Domaines Vinsmoselle but above all the most significant in Luxembourg.
Domaines Vinsmoselle is Luxembourg's first wine and crémant producer.
The house of Caves Bernard-Massard is the main producer of sparkling wines in Luxembourg. This is a family-run business that has been run by the family for over 5 generations.
Fervent ambassador of the traditional method as advocated by Benedictine monk Dom Perignon, the Caves St Martin have remained, since 1919, a true pioneer in the search for excellence and caretaker of ancestral know-how, thereby contributing to the prestige of the "Perle de la Moselle" region.
Caves Poll-Fabaire Wormeldange
Founded between 1927 and 1930 and designed in an Art Deco style, the Wormeldange Cellars became 1991 the center for the elaboration of the prestigious POLL-FABAIRE Crémants. This Luxembourg local delicacy is produced according to very precise and specific production rules that make it an unforgettable taste experience.
Luxembourg is mostly famous for its crémants (sparkling wines) that you can taste at the wineries which are members of the Mosel Wine Route. These wineries are located close to three beautiful villages in Luxembourg’s Moselle Valley: Ahn, Ehnen and Remerschen. Ehnen is pretty famous for its festival Wënzerdag (Winemaker’s Day), which is held on the third Sunday of July. Remember the date and get ready to pack your bags to discover the Moselle Valley.
Read more about the Moselle Valley wine region in our travel guide.
Mosel Wine Route in Germany
The Mosel wine region in Germany has been among the best white wine-producing regions in Europe. The wine region boasts spectacular landscapes with terraced vineyards, medieval castles, small charming towns and villages and, of course, one of the best Riesling you can try in the whole country (or even the whole of Europe!).
A characteristic of all Mosel wines is their high acidity and clearly defined flavours. Indeed, Rieslings from the German side of the Mosel river have a high level of acidity to balance the sugar in the grapes helping to create balanced, fruit-forward notes in the wines.
Thanks to Via Mosel’s route with its partner wineries in Germany, you can visit many gorgeous villages and beautiful cities. Two of the most famous villages in these wine regions are Treben Trarbach and Bernkastel-Kues, which make up the real heart of the Mosel wine region. Koblenz and Trier are the biggest cities touched by the Mosel river in Germany and both of them are definitely worth a visit. By the way, Koblenz is a home to one of the most unique wine events - Electronic Wine Koblenz. Taking place in June, people from all over the world come to experience unusual pairing of local Riesling wines with techno music. If you are open to modern club culture as well as traditional wine tastings, then it is a Must-Visit event for you.
Read more about the Mosel wine region in our travel guide.
Here’s a list of WineTourism.com’s partner wineries along the Mosel Wine Route in Germany:
Fascinated by the charming landscapes of Koberner and surrounded by vineyards and a castle, Dötsch Haupt Winery has its roots in the Mosel Valley. The vines express the region’s originality in which they are grown with interesting slate soils and long warm growing days.
Weingut Wwe Dr. H. Thanisch, Erben Müller-Burggraef
With vineyards located along the magnificent Mosel River, Dr. H. Thanisch Winery resides in Germany’s beautiful town of Bernkastel. Sun-drenched vineyards benefit from slate-filled soils in the region, producing some of the most exquisite Rieslings in the world.
Beautified by the steep slopes of Klüsserather Bruderschaft, F-J Regnery Winery is located in the south-facing rolling hills of the Mosel Valley. Along with the production of wines, the estate produces the highest quality Brandy, Riesling Grappa, and Verjus.
Located right at the banks of the Mosel, winery Kerpen has been run by the family for eight generations and it has been in family ownership for 250 years. Mosel is the world’s biggest Riesling producing region where the best effort is put forward to preserve the unique flavors of the region.
The Mönchhof (the “Monks House or Monks Court”), formerly a possession of the Cistercian Abbey at Himmerod, is one of the oldest wine estates in the Mosel valley. As early as 1177, documents signed by Pope Alexander III show the abbey owned vineyards in and around the village of Ürzig.
A family of winemaking history that directs their passion toward making organic wine and a sustainable future.
At Diehart Weine, you will discover organic freshness and beautiful surroundings where you can enjoy the best wines.
S.A. Prüm Winery is beautifully situated on the banks of the Moselle river in the Bernkastel-Kues region. The visitors will be welcome by the team members of the winery. On the guided tour, the visitors will get a chance to taste some of the best wines crafted here.
Weingut Cluesserath-Weiler is a German family run vineyard located in the heart of Trittenheim. The winery has been built on a long tradition of producing the highest quality Riesling wines. It is located on six hectares of land on the best terroir of the Moselle Valley.
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