Location on the Saar
Kanzem is a winegrowing community on the lower Saar, at the outlet of the Wiltingen Saar meander. The town is located on an artificially created island site between the Saar Canal and the natural old Saar arm. This is protected as a nature reserve; paths run through vineyards, former gravel pits, meadows and fields. Kanzem belongs to the Mosel winegrowing region, which also includes the Saar valley.
Winegrowing and climatic conditions
Winegrowing in Kanzem has a long tradition and shapes the community’s economic activity. The south-facing location of the Kanzemer Altenberg benefits from the proximity to the Saar, which contributes to moderating temperatures as well as to light and warmth conditions. For the Kanzemer Sonnenberg, long sunshine hours and a contribution from the Saar Canal to frost protection are described.
Soils and vineyard sites
The Kanzem Altenberg shows strongly weathered Devonian slate. The site Hörecker also consists of Devonian slate, which has a high iron content there. Hörecker faces south-southeast, lies at about 240 metres above sea level and has a documented slope inclination of 89 per cent. For Altenberg and Hörecker, Riesling is documented as a classified grape variety; the community links the most important Kanzem vineyard sites with Saar Riesling wines.
History and classification
Kanzem was first mentioned in writing in 1030. Until the French Revolution, the town belonged to the rule of Wiltingen in the Duchy of Luxembourg. The Altenberg and Hörecker sites are classified privately by the VDP as VDP.GROSSE LAGE. This classification is private and is not part of the statutory German winegrowing classification.
