Location and Landscape
The Detzemer herb garden lies around the municipality of Detzem in the wine-growing region of Mosel. The vineyard site covers around 140 hectares. Alongside a few steep plots, the terrain is predominantly shaped by gently sloping and flat areas of vines. The vineyards, including sun-exposed slopes above Detzem, are farmed both in steep and in flatter, gently sloping sections.
Soils and Grape Varieties
The soils consist of deep, weathered slate with varying structure, as well as sandy and clay-rich deposits. In individual plots, slate-weathering soils and sandy gravel are found. Cultivated grape varieties include Riesling, White Burgundy (Weißburgunder), Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir) and Dornfelder. In addition, Grauburgunder and Chardonnay are documented. Riesling is the most important grape variety of the site.
Wine Style
Wines from the Detzemer herb garden combine freshness, delicate expression of fruit, balanced body and a pronounced, at the same time fine acidity. Dry and off-dry Rieslings are documented, as well as Riesling ice wine and Riesling sparkling wine (Sekt).
History and Vinification
A historic Mosel map from 1906 shows the vineyards around Detzem, including the herb garden. The name is associated with the medieval practice of herb gardens for spiced wines. Documented cultivation measures include reduced vine pruning, fertilising according to requirements, intensive care and selective harvesting. A Riesling Sekt from 2008 was hand-harvested, selected, gently pressed as whole grapes, fermented in stainless steel, matured on the lees for more than 20 months and produced using the traditional method.
