Location and climate
The Erdener Treppchen lies on the steep slopes of the Middle Moselle on the left bank of the Moselle, directly opposite the town of Erden in the region Mosel. The mostly southerly orientation, specified in the VDP profile as south-west to south-south-west, and the slope gradient of 50 to 80 percent shape the location. It extends at around 110 to 260 metres above sea level. The annual rainfall in the area is generally below 700 millimetres; cold air from the Eifel is largely kept out.
Soil and cultivation
The subsoil consists of Devonian marine sediments that have been converted into slate. Predominant is clay-rich slate with red, blue, brown, yellowish and reddish colouring. The soil is very thin and, between the vines, shows numerous pieces of slate; the VDP profile specifies weathered red slate with a clay component, blue slate and a high proportion of rock.
Rock outcrops, walls and steps divide the vineyard into small plots. Many of the dry-stone walls and steps were built by hand and are maintained. The walls store heat. Riesling is trained according to the VDP profile in single-post systems.
History and name
The name refers to a stone staircase that, centuries ago, made access to the steep vineyard possible. During land consolidation work, a Roman wine-press building was discovered in 1992 and excavated in 1993. The site dates from the middle of the third century AD. A second wine-press facility found nearby in 1998 is about a century older and is regarded as the oldest known evidence of Roman viticulture along the Moselle.
Classification
In the VDP, the Erdener Treppchen is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE. In the VDP profile, Riesling is listed as a classified grape variety, and it states a classified area of 42 hectares.
