Site and classification
Bruderberg is an officially registered single vineyard site in Mertesdorf, in the Ruwer area of the Mosel winegrowing region. The site faces east to south-east, lies at an altitude of 140 to 150 metres, and has a slope of 60 to 75 per cent.
Soil and viticulture
The documented soil consists of blue Devonian slate. Bruderberg is one of three contiguous single-vineyard sites owned and farmed by the winery Maximin Grünhaus. The winery describes these sites as the coolest of the three owing to their south-easterly exposure. Wild herbs and grasses are grown between the vines; in addition, intensive canopy management is carried out.
Classification and style
The classified grape variety listed is Riesling. The VDP lists Bruderberg, Maximin Grünhaus, as a VDP.GROSSE LAGE with a classified area of 1.32 hectares. The winery associates the wines with lively fruit, herbal and saline aromas, as well as a slender, youthful profile.
Name and vinification
The name Bruderberg forms part of the winery’s three-part naming system, which is based on the hierarchy of the former monastery associated with Maximin Grünhaus. In the wine-growing sites register for Rhineland-Palatinate, the site is recorded under wine-growing site number 450115. For the Großes-Gewächs wines, a selection is made in the vineyard, spontaneous fermentation is carried out, and the subsequent evaluation of each parcel of juice is performed before barrels are chosen for bottling. Where possible, the winery ferments in small individual barrels; if the quantity of harvest is sufficient, parts of the must are matured in traditional 1,000-litre Fuder barrels.
