Moselle Valley Wine Region

Poets and authors have used euphoric words to describe the pure beauty of the Moselle Valley wine region since the Roman Empire. Julius Caesar's remarks, complimenting regions' beautiful landscapes and superb wines, may not be lyrical, but they are no less meaningful. Luxembourg's wine sector is known across Europe as the "hidden jewel." Winegrowing, of course, cannot dazzle with a numeric indication due to the duchy's tiny size, but its quality is outstanding. The vineyards of the Moselle Valley wine region are situated along the Moselle River in a narrow strip of 300-400 meters wide and 42 kilometres long, with a total area of about 1200 hectares.

If you take a leisurely stroll along the Moselle Valley “wine trail”, you'll pass by several wineries and wine cellars, eventually becoming a genuine Moselle wine connoisseur. This travel guide is all you need while you are planning your trip to the Moselle Valley wine region in Luxembourg.

Find out about Wine Tasting & Tours in Moselle Valley Luxembourg to enjoy if you visit the region.

Where is Moselle Valley Wine Region?

What makes the Moselle Valley Wine Region special?

Places to visit in Moselle Valley Wine Region

What to eat in the Moselle Valley Wine Region?

The Moselle Valley wine region, on the other hand, is the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg's lone wine area. The Moselle Valley wine region, wedged between France and Germany, has already accomplished enough. Its singularity stems from the incredible fusion of two civilizations, the result of which was the development of new wine culture.

Where is Moselle Valley Wine Region?

The unhurried Moselle River connects the wine-growing regions of Germany, France and Luxembourg. For more than 2000 years, the famous Moselle Valley wine region has been made in this fertile river valley. It's worth mentioning that the Mosel River's shore is also home to the famed German wine region Mosel, which shares a similar name as the blog's protagonist. Regardless, each of them has a distinct role in the wine industry.

Moselle Valley wine region vineyards are located on the western bank of the Moselle River, their strip begins near the town of Schengen at the French border and ends near Wasserbillig at the border with Germany. Beautiful river vistas, ancient winemaking communities, and gastronomy that mixes modern culinary techniques with regional cuisine characterize this region.

Moselle Valley Wine Region Map

You can also check out our interactive map of the Moselle Valley Wine Region to discover wineries with open cellar doors.

What makes the Moselle Valley wine region special?

“Quality is never an accident, but the result of intelligent effort”

The quality of Luxembourg's winemaking was established through consciousness. The size of vineyards was decreased by a third after low-quality plots were removed; the productivity and density of planting vines were properly managed, and the cultivated types were entirely updated. In Luxembourg, types that were formerly deemed secondary and unimportant in France and Germany have been resurrected as cult varieties.

Wine-making cooperatives were formed to help with the selling of the produce. In 1925, the Institut d'état Viti-Vinicole (IVV) was founded in Remich to undertake research and provide guidance to winemakers. A handful of Luxembourg wineries have committed to making wine that meets or surpasses even tougher regulatory criteria than those necessary for Marque Nationale, having developed robust quality control.

Unique Terroir Expressed in the Outstanding Wines

The Moselle coast's distinctive terroir is ideal for cultivating white grapes and plays an important role in the creation of Luxembourg wines. Wines from the northern portion of the nation are regarded to be more crunchy and require more bottle age, whilst wines from the southern half are believed to be more delicate and should be consumed sooner. The wine is so popular that Luxembourgers consume 70% of their own output. It's light, elegant, and has a bright, fresh fragrance. The chilly temperature, weak mineral soils, and low yields combine to create a distinct kind of wine that has been dubbed Moselle in ancient literature.

Fun fact: Luxembourgers hold the world record for the volume of wine consumed. They lead the world in per capita consumption, with 66.6 liters drank in 2019.

Wine Classification of Moselle Valley Wine Region

The Moselle Valley wine region does not have an appellation system since there is the only wine-growing area, but there is a national classification system called the Marque Nationale ("Appellation d'origine protégée (AOP) – Moselle luxembourgeoise"), which certifies the wine's origin and quality. However, Moselle Valley wine region has a clear classification for the production of sweet wines that are produced in extremely limited quantities:

• Vendanges tardives / Spätlese — wine made from grapes affected by the noble rot Botrytis;
• Vin de glace / Äiswäin - ice wine or Eiswein;
• Vin de paille / Stréiwäin - straw wine made from dried grapes.

What to expect from wines of Moselle Valley Wine Region?

The winemaker tries to emphasize the varietal character, the clarity of the fruit, the refinement of the petals, the elegance of minerality, and the sophistication of the wines of the cold Moselle Valley wine region. This is especially notable for the wines from Auxerrois and Riesling. But it also served as the basis for Luxembourg's success story in the world of sparkling wines: Crémant.

As a rule, Luxembourg wines are fully fermented and dry. But, in any case, it is hardly possible to find in the duchy low-alcohol wines with a light sweetness, made by stopping fermentation, which has earned fame as the calling card of the Moselle Valley wine region.

A quick reference guide to wines of Moselle Valley Wine Region

Wineries to Visit in Moselle Valley wine region

Caves Bernard-Massard

The house of Caves Bernard-Massard is the main producer of sparkling wines in Luxembourg in the Moselle Valley wine region. This is a family-run business that has been run by the family for over 5 generations. The ethos at Caves Bernard-Massard is to create sparkling wines of impeccable quality while respecting the local traditions and promoting social and environmental sustainability and progress.

Domaine L&R Kox

The Domaine L&R Kox is a family-run winery located in the small, beautiful city of Remich on Moselle River’s left bank in the Moselle Valley wine region. The winery is one of the most innovative estates in Luxembourg! The son of the winery’s founder, Laurent Kox was one of the pioneers in the elaboration of “Crémant de Luxembourg” with the appellation “Moselle Luxembourgeoise”. 

Read more about Wineries in Moselle Valley Wine Region to visit.

Explore the best Wine tour guides in the Luxembourg Moselle Valley and discover Guided wine tours in this picturesque region.

Natural Beauty in the Moselle Valley Wine Region

Biodiversum Haff Reimech Remerchen - Where nature meets futuristic architecture

Biodiversum Haff Reimech Remerchen is located in the Moselle Valley wine region. Visitors are welcome to come and learn about the birds and plants found here, as well as other Luxembourg nature conservation sites, environmental preservation, and sustainability. Combining your visit here with a birding tour of the natural reserve, which is important for the enormous diversity of bird species and the abundance of wildlife and flora, is an excellent option.

The Butterfly Garden or Jardin des Papillons - Piece of a heaven with day-fliers

The Butterfly Garden is a must-see for everyone who appreciates nature's beauty and is located in the Moselle Valley wine region. Take a stroll around the tropical garden, which spans over 600 square meters and is home to hundreds of exotic butterflies, in the wine town of Grevenmacher. The Butterfly Garden is a slice of heaven where 30 to 40 different kinds of butterflies flutter-free thanks to the tropical environment in the glasshouse, where you can experience the butterfly's amazing life cycle.

Natural conservation area “Strombierg”

Strombierg is a natural reserve with a lot to offer in the Moselle Valley wine region. This former plaster mining site has been transformed into a nature conservation park with a 4.5-kilometre educational nature trail. It is home to a diverse range of protected plant species as well as a diverse range of wildlife. There are a lot of old beeches around, and they come in a variety of forms. The route is clearly marked and begins beneath the Schengen bridge and provides visitors with a good opportunity to see protected plant species and local wildlife. 

Cultural Wonders to Discover in Moselle Valley Wine Region

Musée ''A Possen'' - folklore museum in Bech-Kleinmacher

Located in Moselle Valley Wine Region, discover 1200m2: a full house of a winemaker, the history of wine production and shoemaking workshops, cooperage, and weaving as well as a wonderful collection of antique dolls, teddy bears, miniature railways and other antique toys.

Musée et Maison du Vin - Enter the world of wine treasures of Luxembourg

In Ehnen, Moselle Valley Wine Region, the Wine Museum is housed in an old winery from the 18th and 19th centuries. You can learn about the Grand Duchy's viticulture heritage and the year-round activities in the vineyards and cellars. Your tour through historic craftsmanship is completed by an antique forge, a weights and measures office, a distillery, and a cooperage. Entering the world of wine also entails appreciating, observing, and tasting it. 

Discover the Moselle Valley Wine Region on board the MS “Princesse Marie-Astrid” 

Onboard the MS "Princesse Marie-Astrid," you'll get a whole different viewpoint on the gorgeous Moselle Valley wine region. This beautiful and opulent yacht, built-in 2010 for 500 people, is reminiscent of the legendary longliners of the past. Everything onboard has been thoughtfully designed to ensure your comfort. Vineyards, lovely villages, mild slopes, and woodlands will gently pass you by while you enjoy the superb cuisine on board.

3 Wonderful Foods to Discover in Moselle Valley Wine Region

Luxembourg's cuisine is described as "French quality in German abundance" by the Luxembourgers themselves.  The cuisine is distinguished by its close ties to local ingredients. It's a simple meal with a focus on local ingredients. Below we discover the top-3 traditional foods of the Moselle Valley wine region.

Judd mat Gaardebounen - Smoked Collar of Pork With Broad Beans

It is a delicious meal of smoked pork collar and broad beans that is one of Luxembourg's most well-known national foods. It's linked to the village of Gottingen in Germany's southeast, where the locals are famed for their famous broad beans, earning them the moniker Bounepatscherten.

Kuddelfleck - Luxembourgish Tripe

Kuddelfleck –  a national cuisine prepared from pre-cooked tripe or cow's stomach, covered in breadcrumbs and fried in fat or oil," according to the official Luxembourg dictionary.

Friture de la Moselle - Freshwater fish dish

Various types of tiny fish are battered and fried till golden and crispy in this meal. After seasoning the fish with salt and pepper, they are soaked in lemon juice, and then coated in a flour-egg batter before being deep-fried. Friture de la Moselle is generally served with simply lemon slices on the side, and the fish is traditionally eaten with one's fingers.

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