Latest news with #Mosel
Al Arabiya
04-07-2025
- Al Arabiya
Authorities to attempt to reopen Mosel river in Germany to shipping
Attempts will be made on Friday and over the weekend to reopen the river Mosel in west Germany on a limited scale to inland waterways freight shipping after an accident with a vessel damaged a lock, navigation authorities said on Friday. Shipping was stopped on the river, an important transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France, after an accident involving a passenger vessel on Wednesday damaged a lock at Sankt Aldegund between Koblenz and Trier. Attempts are now starting to see if the lock can still be used for vessel transits on a limited scale after an initial assessment of damage, said a spokesperson for river navigation authority GDWS. The first test transits through the lock could be made over the weekend. If this is not feasible, attempts are planned to reopen the lock with temporary water control barriers. But this would be a slower process than using the damaged lock, possibly with each ship needing around an hour to transit the lock. About 50 inland waterways freighters are currently stranded on the river, called the Moselle in France. First efforts will be concentrated on enabling the stranded ships to pass through the lock to reach their destinations. But the aim is to allow normal sailings to resume, the spokesperson said. It is still not possible to say when the lock can be fully repaired. A similar lock accident on the Mosel in December that halted shipping led futures exchange operator Euronext to suspend physical delivery to river ports in eastern France for its rapeseed futures.
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Riesling Wine's 590th Anniversary: Toast Purity, Precision, & Passion
Two glasses of Riesling wine with a Mosel river valley vineyard in the background. getty Riesling is Germany's most iconic grape, celebrated worldwide for producing some of the most nuanced, age-worthy white wines on the planet. It's deeply tied to Germany's wine identity and has been cultivated there for centuries. This year marks the 590th anniversary of Riesling's documented cultivation in Germany, although it was likely cultivated much earlier. Below is a brief overview of the history of the Riesling grape and tasting notes on a representative sample of Riesling wines. Origins Riesling's birthplace is likely the Rhine region of Germany. The first documented mention of Riesling dates to March 13, 1435, in a cellar inventory from Rüsselsheim, near the Rheingau. By the 15th and 16th centuries, Riesling had spread through the Rhine and Mosel valleys, prized for its ability to thrive in steep, slate-rich vineyards and its capacity to express terroir with remarkable precision. Over the centuries, Riesling became the backbone of Germany's top vineyard sites along the Mosel, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Pfalz, and Nahe. It was so highly regarded that, during the 18th and 19th centuries, great German Rieslings often commanded higher prices than First Growth Bordeaux and Burgundy Grand Crus. Today, it represents about 25% of Germany's vineyard capacity. Riesling is highly expressive of terroir. Vineyards on slate, limestone, or sandstone impart distinct mineral notes, aroma, and taste profiles. Its naturally high acidity keeps wines vibrant and age-worthy. Riesling also offers a wide range of styles from bone dry to ultra-sweet. Additionally, it is among the longest-lived white wines. Top Rieslings can evolve in the bottle for decades, producing honeyed, petrol, and dried fruit nuances. The varietal's resilience in cool climates, its naturally high acidity, and its ability to ripen slowly while retaining aromatic complexity made it perfect for Germany's challenging northern vineyards. It can excel in styles ranging from bone-dry Trocken to progressively sweeter Kabinett, Auslese, Spatlese, Beerenauslese, Trockenbeerenauslese, and Eiswein — often from the same vineyard. Riesling is also widely used in Germany to craft sparkling wines. Aroma and Taste Profile Riesling is intensely aromatic. Young dry examples show lively notes of green apple, lime, lemon zest, pear, and white peach along with floral hints of jasmine and honeysuckle. Aged Riesling develops its signature kerosene/diesel note — a prized trait for serious fans, often emerging naturally from the grape's high concentration of specific aroma precursors. Riesling is defined by its marked acidity, a perfect counterpoint to its natural sweetness and fruitiness, lending even the ripest, sweetest examples a fresh, acidic backbone. Dry versions are crisp and mineral-driven, with flavors of fresh orchard fruit and citrus, often accompanied by herbal notes and a distinct wet stone minerality. Sweeter styles feature flavors of ripe apricot, honey, candied citrus peel, and exotic spices, balanced by that signature acid snap. The finish is usually long, clean, and mouthwatering with lingering fruity notes. View over the Riesling vineyards near Bingen with the sights Mäuseturm, Rheinknie and Burg Ehrenfels getty Below is a brief description and tasting notes on a selection of German Riesling wines that illustrate the range of their aroma and taste profile. Karl Haidle, Ritzling, 2021 Riesling Trocken, 12% ABV, 750 ml. Karl Haidle is a standout Swabian estate in Württemberg, renowned for its elegant dry Rieslings and expressive terroir-driven wines. 'Ritzling' is their fresh, youthful, bone-dry style, perfect for everyday sipping. It makes an excellent aperitif. The wine is pale straw, featuring crisp aromas of green apple, lime zest, and a hint of crushed slate minerality. The palate is tangy and mineral-driven, with notes of tart pear, citrus peel, and a bracing, clean finish. A classic Trocken style Riesling with mouthwatering acidity, a refreshing edge, and lingering orchard fruit notes. Dönnhoff, Oberhäuser Leistenberg, Riesling Kabinett, 2021, 8.5% ABV, 750 ml. Dönnhoff is a legendary Nahe estate renowned for its precise and expressive Rieslings. Oberhäuser Leistenberg is a steep, sheltered vineyard that produces refined Kabinett wines, characterized by delicate sweetness balanced with vibrant acidity. The wine is light gold, featuring aromas of white peach, lemon blossom, and wet stone. The palate showcases crisp green apple and ripe pear, with a hint of sweetness, typical of Kabinett-style Rieslings, balanced by pronounced acidity. It's elegant and flavorful, with a subtle finish and lingering minerality. Monchhof, Mosel Slate, Riesling Spätlese, 8% ABV, 750 ml. One of the Mosel's oldest estates, dating back to 1177, Monchhof crafts classic Mosel Spätlese: a lightly sweet, delicate, and intensely mineral wine from the region's signature slate soils. The wine is a pale yellow, featuring notes of peach, apricot, and honeysuckle. The palate showcases ripe stone fruit, hints of tangerine, and a touch of floral honey, offset by crisp acidity. The finish is subtly sweet, balanced by vibrant freshness and a clean, lingering slatey note. Selbach-Oster, Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese, Schmitt, 2019, 8% ABV, 750 ml. Selbach-Oster's Auslese from the steep Schlossberg vineyard highlights the Mosel's ability to make lusciously sweet wines with great finesse. The 'Schmitt' parcel often produces tiny yields of botrytized berries. The wine is golden yellow, featuring aromas of canned peaches, honeycomb, and orange marmalade. It's lush and viscous on the palate, showcasing apricot, mango, and spicy ginger. The rich sweetness is balanced by lively acidity, resulting in a silky, lingering, and luxurious finish. A glass and bottle of a late harvest Riesling white wine on a barrel with a vineyard in the background getty Dr. Loosen, Riesling Beerenauslese, 2017, 7% ABV, 375 ml. Dr Loosen is one of the Mosel's most respected producers. This Beerenauslese is made from individually hand-selected, botrytized berries — a rare, luscious dessert wine. The wine is a rich, deep gold featuring intense aromas of dried apricot, honeyed figs, and caramelized orange peel. The palate is ultra-rich and syrupy, with layers of honey, spiced tropical fruit, and candied ginger. A racy acidity balances the sweetness, resulting in a luscious, age-worthy wine with a lingering, honeyed finish. Dr. Loosen Bros, Riesling Sparkling, 12% ABV, 750 ml. Dr. Loosen Bros crafts this fresh, lightly off-dry sparkling Riesling using the Charmat method. It's a crisp, easy-drinking sparkling wine that showcases bright Mosel fruit. The wine is a pale straw with a lively mousse, featuring aromas of green apple, lemon-lime, and white flowers. It's crisp and fruity on the palate with citrus and ripe pear notes, and a touch of sweetness balanced by zesty acidity. It's light-bodied, refreshing, and excellent as an aperitif. Riesling is one of the world's most iconic wines. Although produced all over the world, whether your preference is for lusciously sweet or bone-dry wines, still or sparkling, there is a Riesling wine tailor-made for your palate. What better way to celebrate the 590th anniversary of Riesling's cultivation than to explore the diversity of Germany's Riesling wines? More From Forbes Forbes The World-Class Riesling Wines Of The Finger Lakes Region Forbes The Top Rieslings, According To The San Francisco International Wine Competition Forbes The World's 50 Best Wines, According To The Decanter World Wine Awards
Forbes
25-06-2025
- General
- Forbes
What's The Difference Between Riesling And Moscato? Here's Everything You Need To Know
Famous German quality white wine riesling, produced in Mosel wine regio from white grapes growing on ... More slopes of hills in Mosel river valley in Germany, bottle and glasses served outside in Mosel valley It starts innocently enough: you're standing in the wine aisle, peering at rows of cheerful white bottles. You want something fruity, maybe slightly sweet, something that won't clash with the spicy takeout you ordered or the lemon bars you baked on a whim. You reach for a Riesling—no, a Moscato. Wait, aren't they kind of the same thing? Not quite. If you've ever been caught in that moment of indecision, hovering between these two bright, aromatic whites, you're not alone. Both Riesling and Moscato have long histories, legions of fans, and reputations for being the 'fun wines'—floral, fruity, and perfect for sipping on patios or pairing with tricky foods. But lumping them together just because they share a spot in the sweeter spectrum does them both a disservice. These wines are not twins. They're not even siblings. Think of them more like distant cousins—raised on different continents, with different personalities, but who occasionally show up to the same party in floral prints and charm everyone in the room. One is crisp, high-acid, and unexpectedly complex. The other is juicy, frothy, and built for pleasure. One can age for decades; the other is best popped open while the sun's still out. One is the darling of sommeliers and spicy food lovers; the other is brunch's best friend. So how do you choose between them? More importantly—do you have to? Let's swirl, sniff, and sip our way through the differences between Riesling and Moscato, and find out which one belongs in your glass (or maybe… both). Sugar Isn't the Whole Story Bartender pouring white wine from bottle into glass indoors, closeup. Space for text At first glance, Riesling and Moscato can seem like cousins at the dessert table—floral, fruity, and often lower in alcohol than your standard Chardonnay. But while both wines tend to show up on the sweeter side, sugar is where their similarities start and stop. Riesling, hailing originally from Germany's Rhine region, is famously versatile. It can be dry, off-dry, sweet, or dessert-level unctuous. Moscato, short for Moscato d'Asti if you're talking about the Italian classic, is generally predictable: low in alcohol (around 5–6%), lightly sparkling, and sweet like a ripe peach plucked at peak summer. Think of Riesling as the jazz musician of the white wine world—full of nuance, structure, and improvisation. Moscato? She's the pop star. Fun, bright, effervescent, and unapologetically herself. Side-by-Side in the Glass white wine with grapes on old wooden table If you were to blind-taste them (and I recommend you do), here's what you might notice: Pairing Possibilities Two glasses of white wine with Brie and Prosciutto ham Because of its acidity, Riesling pairs beautifully with spicy foods—think Thai curry, Szechuan dishes, or Nashville hot chicken. Dry or off-dry Rieslings cut through heat like a citrus blade. Moscato, with its lower alcohol and juicy sweetness, is perfect for brunch spreads, fruit tarts, or as a solo sipper when you don't want to overthink things. Bottle Picks for the Curious Palate bottles of white wine in the supermarket Dry Riesling: 2019 Trimbach Riesling (Alsace, France) – Zippy and dry, this wine offers green apple, lemon peel, and a slight herbal note. It's crisp, food-friendly, and a reminder that not all Riesling is sweet. Pairs beautifully with grilled shrimp or goat cheese. Off-Dry Riesling: Dr. Loosen 'Blue Slate' Kabinett Riesling (Mosel, Germany) – Lightly sweet with juicy peach, tangerine, and slate minerality. A classic Kabinett that balances sugar with striking acidity. Try it with spicy Korean fried chicken or sushi. Classic Moscato: Vietti Moscato d'Asti (Piedmont, Italy) – A benchmark bottle: delicately sparkling, low in alcohol, and bursting with orange blossom, fresh pear, and sweet herbs. Perfect with panna cotta or just a hot afternoon. Fun New World Moscato: Barefoot Moscato (California) – Widely available and extremely budget-friendly. Expect a straightforward, sweet sip of peach and melon. It's not complex, but sometimes that's exactly what you want. So—Riesling or Moscato? If you like a wine that evolves in the glass, plays well with dinner, and walks the tightrope between sweet and structured, go for Riesling. If you're looking for something easy, crowd-pleasing, and just a little bubbly, Moscato is your best bet. And if you can't decide? There's no rule against keeping both in your fridge. Your taste buds—and your guests—will thank you.
