serge fischer institut viti- vinicole, remich vineyards along the mosel valley

Serge Fischer Institut viti- vinicole, Remich

Vineyards along the Mosel Valley

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole

Founded in 963 Independent since 1839 Constitutional monarchy 2586 km2 480.000 inhabitants 320.000 working inhabitants 130.000 commuters from Belgium, France and

Germany

Luxemburg in figures


Luxemburg


History fifth century A.D): Excavations from that

time proof that there has already been vine growing along the Mosel valley

1880: Revival of Luxembourg viniculture vineyards produce

up to 90% from the

Elbling vine, mostly

destined for export to

Germany


History 1911: “Fédération des associations viticoles du

grand-Duché de Luxembourg” 1918: the Treaty of Versailles ends Customs

Union with Germany 1921: first wine producers cooperative 1925: state institute of viniculture (Institut Viti-

Vinicole)


History 1935: Quality Wine System“Marque

Nationale” created by law 1959: extension of the “Marque

Nationale”: quality designations “Vin classé”, “Premier Cru” and “Grand Premier Cru”.

1965: wine-growers

solidarity fund (Fonds de solidarité

viticole)


History 1988: “Marque Nationale” extended to the

Luxembourg sparkling wines. 1991: Marque Nationale “Crémant de Luxembourg” 2000: Marque Nationale “Vin de glace”; “Vendages

tardives”; “Vin de paille”


Vineyards 1300 ha vineyards, 450 producers The Moselle forms a

natural boundary

from Luxembourg

to Germany between

Schengen and Wasserbillig Along these 42

kilometres the height

above sea level drops

from 142 to 129 metres.


Soil Remich canton: Keuper layers preponderate

valley is fairly wide open, rounded and softly dropping slopes wines are full-bodied and harmonious like the

landscape Grevenmacher canton: mainly limestone rock

slow erosion has created a narrower valley with steep dolomitic slopes

lively and elegant wine


Région viticole


Vineyards

Vine: noble cultured plant many climatic demands, in particular

regarding temperature, the amount of precipitation and the hours of sunshine.


Vineyards Thanks to its geographic

position, the geological properties of its soil and the predominant moderate sub-atlantic climatic zone, the Moselle valley satisfies excellently the conditions for this type of cultivation


Varieties

Riesling 163, 74 ha 12,67 % Pinot Gris 166, 61 ha 12,89 % Pinot Blanc 139, 27 ha 10,77 % Auxerrois 176, 32 ha 13,64 % Pinot Noir 84, 04 ha 6,50 % Gewürztraminer 14, 35 ha 1,11 % Rivaner 397, 48 ha 30,75 % Elbling 136, 07 ha 10,53 %


Varieties


Riesling “king of wines” Bunch: small to medium-sized Grapes: small, round and

yellowish-green in colour ripens late wine of distinctive refinement,

breed and of lovely elegance Bouquet: particularly exquisite

and delicate 13% of the vineyards


Pinot Gris vine originated from mutations of

Pinot Noir. bunch: medium-sized, compact grapes of medium thickness, pink

shade with a grey reflection ripens medium late unmistakable typical wine, full-

bodied, rich in various extracts

which make up its opulence 14 % of the vineyards


Pinot Blanc mutation of the Pinot Gris variety bunch: medium-sized, compact grapes compressed, colour yellowish-green ripens medium late pleasant freshness, elegant,

convincing clinging softness 11 % of the

vineyards


Auxerrois bunch is of medium size grapes are of light-yellow

shade, medium-sized, Ripens medium early wine has an excellent body,

distinctive bouque very durable, elegant and

fruity 14% of the vineyards


Pinot Noir intended for red, rosé and

white wines. Bunches: medium-sized,

compact constitution grapes are of medium size,

dark blue ripens medium late very fruity with elegant

bouquet 7 % of the

vineyards


Gewürztraminer Bunch: small to medium and

compact grapes small, round to oval,

reddish-grey shade ripens late wine with an unmistakable

aroma, fruity bouquet,

great elegance 19%


Rivaner average-size bunch carries

medium-size yellow-green

grapes Ripens early pleasant mild wine with

typical fragrance. wine is drunk when young 29% of the

vineyards


Elbling cultivated since Roman times large dense bunches large, egg-shaped grapes ripens medium early Light, fresh wine with a typical

acidity

which makes it an excellent

thirst-quenching wine 9 % of the vineyards


Since 2004 Pinot Noir précoce Dakapo St Laurent


The « Marque Nationale »= Label for local quality wines

Governmental Quality Controls: analytical examinations in the laboratory an organoleptic test by the neutral board of expert

tasters of the “Marque Nationale” The wine originates from the area of the Luxemburg

Moselle


LABEL for wines


LABEL for Crémant


Organoleptic test: Tasting

The special grade mentions are awarded according to the points gained as follows: 12,0 to 13,9 points: Quality wine “Marque

Nationale - Appellation Contrôlée”; 14,0 to 15,9 points:Quality wine “Marque

Nationale - Appellation Contrôlée” with the grade “Vin classé”;

16,0 to 17,9 points:grade «Premier cru”. >18pts : grade « Grand Premier Cru


Special grade mentions


Sparkling wines label affixed to a bottle = guarantee for the

consumer because: cuvée consists entirely of wines of which each

one complies with the regulations for the production of quality wines originating at the Luxembourg Moselle

the sparkling wine fulfils the qualitative conditions of Luxembourg law and EU


Sparkling wines

Sparkling wines can be produced either: - by the “traditional method” of fermentation in the bottle, or - by the “tank fermentation process” when fermentation takes place in a closed vessel


Crémant de Luxembourg The cuvée of basic wines must comply

with the quality standards applicable to quality wines

A maximum of 100L must can be extracted out of 150 kg grapes

Second alcoholic fermentation in bottle Bottle ageing min. 9 month Min CO2 pressure of 4 bar Max total SO2 allowed: 150 mg/l


Producers 2006

Part of the vineyards Ha %

Wine producers cooperative 804,2 61,9%

Private vintners 274,1 21,1% Wine trade 220,9 17,0%

Total 1.299,2 100%


Les Domaines de Vinsmoselle cultivate a vineyard area of about 804

hectare and cover all the notable appellations of the Luxembourg vine growing area

co-operative movement in the Luxembourgish vine growing district goes back to the beginning of the twenties

produce several varieties of the“ Crémant de Luxembourg “


The Private Vintners 54 domains belong to owners who sell grapes

and make wine (274 ha = 21,1%) the wines are sold primarily to private

customers and catering businesses. the private vintners founded the O.P.V.I., i.e.

their own professional association, to represent their interests and to concern themselves with the problems of wine-growing and

production


The Traditional Wine Trade associated themselves with well-known

domains and entered supply contracts for grapes with vintners in their area.

221 ha = 17,1% of the vineyards


Develop-ment of the vine

LMW Stage of development 37 years

Bud swell 15/04 Young shoot 29/04 4-leafstadium 16/05 8-leafstadium 01/06 Beginning of blossom 22/06 End of blossom 29/06 Period of blossom (days) 7 Bunches developed 19/07 Beginning of ripeness 19/08 Beginning of harvest 23/09


Export 50% Export:

60%-65% Belgium 30% Germany

serge fischer institut viti- vinicole, remich vineyards along the mosel valley

Documents

medium early wine

mediumsized grapes

medium size grapes

marque nationale vin

medium late pleasant

marque nationale crmant

pinot blanc139

pinot gris166