Moselle Luxembourgeoise

The Luxembourg Moselle follows the river's 42-kilometre border with Germany, from Schengen to Wasserbillig. Vineyards occupy a hilly limestone valley in eastern Luxembourg, with both maritime and continental climate influences. Around Remich, soils include gypsum and Keuper marl; near Grevenmacher, shell limestone is common. Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Auxerrois are important white grapes. Elbling makes still and sparkling wines; still examples can be light in alcohol, with citrus, redcurrant, green-apple and pomegranate aromas. Red wines and Crémant sparkling wines are also made here. The AOP Moselle Luxembourgeoise designation confirms geographical origin and requires wines to pass chemical and sensory checks. Crémant uses hand-picked grapes pressed in whole bunches. It spends nine months in the same winery on its lees, the spent yeast cells left after fermentation.