Mosel - wine shops / estate visits

WINE TALK
1

I will be visiting the Karthauserhof estate in Trier tomorrow afternoon, which was the only estate we contacted kind enough to allow us to visit the estate on a Saturday afternoon on very short notice.

I would like to take the opportunity to visit some wine shops in the area which have interesting selections of Old Rieslings for sale (the new vintages are not that hard to find in Belgium/Luxembourg). Does anyone happen to know of such wineshops around Trier? That would be very much appreciated.

Also curious to know how tastings at estates in Germany compare to those in France. I am used to visiting smaller domaines in Burgundy (a visit is planned for next weekend!), but I am curious to know how things are in Germany - does anyone happen to have visited estates in both countries?

2

I’m not sure of your definition of “near Trier”, but Rieslinghaus Bernkastel (formerly Weinhaus Porn) in Bernkastel-Kues has a splendid selection of vintages. Last time I was there, Frau Kropf had a couple of 1959’s, as well as '75, '76, and others. Newer vintages too, of course.

Tastings can run a number of ways depending on the winery. I’ve had tastings that were almost semi-commercial, and have had others that were us and the Weingut in the cellar with a corkscrew. Size of the property and season of the year will greatly impact how it goes. Like in France, the smaller producers prefer an appointment. Some of the larger ones insist upon it (Loosen, or Leitz for instance), but others have a tasting room (SA Prum, Molitor, Weil).

3

I’d second Jeff’s recomendation in Bernkastel, for the place formerly known as Weinporn.

Have a great trip!

4

“Das Weinhaus” in Trier, Brückenstraße, just opposite the house, where Karl Marx was born. Hard to miss.
Talk to the very friendly owner, Mr. Büsching, hes has got several older vintages of the greatest estates, some tucked away in the cellar. Prices are very reasonable.

Eric

5

Another vote for Rieslinghaus Bernkastel. I spent more time there than my wife should have had patience for, but she was a trooper.

6

Thanks for the advice - I will go to the Weinhaus in Trier this time, as Bernkastel seems to be a 45 minute drive in the wrong direction, but the Rieslinghaus also seems like a great destination when visiting the estates around that area!

Eric, since you live in Trier, you are not by any chance coming to the Coche-Dury tasting in Luxembourg with Raphaël?