Location and classification
The Kloppenberg is a single vineyard site in the municipality of Mommenheim in Rheinhessen. The wine-growing site belongs to the Nierstein area and the larger site of Gutes Domtal.
Topography and soils
The site lies at around 157 metres above sea level and extends from 140 to 160 metres above sea level. About half of the area is sloped, the other half is level. The name refers to a hill or an elevation.
The soil is classified as marl-Pelosol from calcareous, clayey deposits of the Tertiary Sea. It is described as deep, strongly calcareous clay with a high proportion of source clay, as well as marl and clayey loam.
Grape varieties and wine style
Spätburgunder is documented for the Mommenheim Kloppenberg. For the three Mommenheim sites of a local wine-growing business, including the Kloppenberg, Riesling, Cabernet Mitos and Weißburgunder are also mentioned.
The marl-Pelosol is associated with full-bodied, dense and rich wines with moderate acidity and a creamy texture. As ripened fruit profiles, mango, apricot and honeydew melon are described.
Name and documented maturation
The name of the wine-growing site is documented around 1290 as vor cloppenberg and is derived from the Middle High German word for hill or elevation. For bottling of the 2022 vintage made from Spätburgunder, around 18 days of traditional must fermentation in open vessels, gentle pressing and 15 months of maturation in 600-litre barrels and used barriques are documented. The maturation also included biological acid reduction in the barrel, two rackings, no filtration and a low addition of sulphur.
