Location and classification
Lay is a vineyard site on the Moselle riverbank at the edge of Bernkastel, opposite the district of Kues. It belongs to the town Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle and is classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE. The classified area comprises 9.60 hectares.
Orientation and soils
The vineyard is oriented to the south-southwest and rises from around 110 to 160 metres above sea level. The slope gradient is approximately 50 to 70 percent. The nearby Moselle reflects light into the site and thereby enhances sunshine exposure. The soil consists predominantly of weathered blue Devon slate with a proportion of clay, which contributes to water retention.
Vines and cultivation
In the steeper areas, the vines are frequently trained on traditional single posts. For the site, some very old, own-rooted vines have been documented. Riesling is listed as the classified grape variety. For Dr. Loosen’s Prädikatsweine, the grapes are selected by hand depending on the conditions of the respective vintage.
Wine style and name
Rieslings from Bernkasteler Lay are described as powerful and fruit-focused, with aromas of green apple and cassis. Documented bottlings range from dry Riesling Grosses Gewächs to delicately off-dry or residual-sweet Prädikatsweine from Kabinett to Trockenbeerenauslese. According to the VDP, the name Lay is derived from a Celtic term for slate or slate rock.
