Location on the Upper Moselle
Nittel is a municipality on the Upper Moselle, about 24 kilometres south of Trier. Here, the Moselle forms the border with Luxembourg. In addition to Nittel, the municipality includes the incorporated local districts of Köllig and Rehlingen.
Landscape and Climate
The vineyards extend from the Moselle bank and the area around the village up to distinctive dolomite and limestone rocks. Nittel is located in a sheltered position between the Gutland plateaus, with a continental, mild climate. The limestone and dolomite rock store heat and encourage warm conditions in the vineyards.
Winemaking on Muschelkalk
Nittel is one of the larger wine-growing municipalities on the Upper Moselle and has around 290 hectares of vineyard area. Elbling accounts for about 75 per cent of the cultivated area and is the municipality’s characteristic grape variety. On Muschelkalk soils, Auxerrois, Weißburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) are also grown; Riesling plays a smaller role.
Elbling and History
Nittel’s Elbling is described as a dry, lively, fresh and acidity-emphasising white wine and is also used to make sparkling wine. Nittel is documented as early as around 1000 and 1034. In Rehlingen, a Roman tile kiln from the second or third century was excavated. Above Nittel stands the pilgrimage chapel of St Rochus, first mentioned in 1432.
