Location on the Moselle
Detzem is a wine-growing settlement on the Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate, around 20 kilometres from Trier. After the canalisation of the river, the town includes the second Moselle lock stage with a lock in German territory.
Vineyard sites and soils
Documented Detzem vineyard sites include Maximiner Klosterlay and Würzgarten. The Maximiner Klosterlay is an extremely steep site, oriented to the west to south-west, with soils rich in stones—grey slate—as well as quartzite and local inclusions of iron oxides. In the Würzgarten, there are deep, weathered slate soils with a structure that varies locally, as well as sandy and clay-rich deposits. The vineyard areas are described as being oriented to the south and south-west, with no mountains in the background.
Grape varieties and wine style
In Detzem, Riesling, Weißburgunder, Chardonnay and Rivaner are cultivated. The soil differences between the two vineyard sites are taken into account when selecting the grape varieties. Wines from the Würzgarten are associated with freshness, layered fruit aromas, a well-balanced body and a pronounced, fine acidity. For the Maximiner Klosterlay, fruit, spice and a distinctive acidity are described. A documented method for limiting yields is winter pruning, with a few buds and a single vine-arch.
Historical context
The place name is derived from the Latin term for the tenth milestone on the Roman road between Trier and Bingen. Detzem was first documented as a Frankish royal estate and later came under the Abbey of St. Maximin in Trier. The Maximinerhof then served as the centre of this system of manorial lordship. The vineyards belong to the protected designation of origin for Moselle wines in Rhineland-Palatinate.
