Location and landscape
Kasel lies on the right bank of the Ruwer in the lower Ruwer Valley, about 8 to 9 kilometres east of Trier. The Ruwer is a right-hand tributary of the Moselle; Kasel belongs to the wine-growing region Mosel. The town extends into a side valley and is surrounded by steeply rising vineyards. The municipality’s area lies at approximately between 145 and 210 metres above sea level.
Winegrowing and soils
According to the municipal data for 2022, around 55 hectares of vineyard area are located in the Kasel cadastral district. Slate determines the vineyard soils and supports the cultivation of Riesling. The steep slopes and slate store heat during the day and release it again at night. The Kaseler Hitzlay is described as the steepest vineyard site in the Ruwer Valley, while the Kaseler Nies’chen is considered the best-known site in the valley.
In the Nies’chen there are deep, blue- to copper-coloured Devonian clay slate with a high mineral content and good water retention. The Hitzlay has shallow to medium-depth, stony slate weathering soils. Alongside Riesling, Kasel also grows Weißburgunder, Grauburgunder and Spätburgunder.
Wines and origin
The Kasel Rieslings are described as fresh and mineral, and show a fine fruit acidity influenced by slate soils and the regional climate. Rieslings from the Nies’chen are considered expressive, elegant and spicy-mineral. Kasel belongs to the protected designation of origin Mosel and also lies in the area of the protected geographical indication “Landwein der Ruwer”.
History
Kasel is first documented in 973 in a confirmation deed by Emperor Otto II for the Oeren monastery in Trier under the name “Casella”. Archaeological finds include remains of Roman settlement, fragments of ceramics and an early Roman burial ground near the Timpert area. Since the early Middle Ages, monasteries in Trier owned vineyard land in Kasel; among the preserved buildings is the former St.-Paulin estate, which is now known as the Pauliner Hof.
