Tucked away on a northern stretch of Germany’s Mosel River is a wine region known as “Berelch Burg Cochem”. They are mainly known for super steep vineyards and an increasing reputation for innovative wine making from the next generation of winemakers. New techniques equal interesting wines.
In tasting rooms located throughout the town of Cochem, there is such a variety of Rieslings that it is a real education just being able to sample so many in one spot. Their bouquets and flavors vary from steely to citrus with mineral components, leaving many of us at a loss for words. The flavors go from sweet to downright racy acidity and all ranges in between.
But one of the best surprises from the area is excellent prices. The region around Cochem is not yet as famous for producing wines from like those of Dr. Loosen further to the south, where bottles can go well into the $80 range. With wines selling for mostly under $25, if you find one you like in Cochem, it’s worth the visit.
An excellent sampling of wines of the region is available at the H.H. Hieronimi tasting room right on the Mosel river bank in Cochem. Their staff members speak excellent English and will setup a fine array of wines to sample. And because of the low alcohol level inherent in Riesling wines, you can cover a little more variety in one sitting. One of the best approaches is to start with the dryer Trocken and Kabinett styles first and follow up at the end with the Spatlese late harvest after dinner wines.
Then head into Cochem and be sure to visit a few more “Weinkellers” to appreciate the variety that this lesser known neck of the woods has to offer. They always seem to be having a celebration about something and wine is constantly involved.
Wines from the Mosel region are perfect to enjoy with seafood or you can also pair them with spicy appetizers! Of course, the higher volume labels can be had here in Phoenix at our wine shops, but somehow the Germans know how to make it a little more fun.
Article by Tom Peiffer, Phoenix Wine Shopping Examiner at Examiner.com
View more of Tom’s articles on Examiner.com by visiting his writer’s page.
