Wéingut Max Ferdinand Richter, Germany
The sharp 'V' of the Mosel valley cuts through the landscape leaving steep slopes where the vineyards are planted. It offers great potential for wine, but a greater challenge to cultivate and harvest. Using all their accumulated knowledge over the generations, the Richters’ fastidiously work the land, focusing on small crop sizes, all-natural fertilizers and other sustainable practices to achieve a pristine crop each year. The work in the cellar shows the same attention to detail, with gentle pressing and slow temperature-controlled fermentation in traditional old oak barrels (fuders). This careful, deliberate process preserves the quality of the grapes, develops the unique character of the single-vineyard cuvées, and gives the wine exceptional longevity.
Viticulture
The challenge of cultivating vines on the steep, slate slopes of Mosel is overcome by fastidious handwork, small crop sizes, all-natural fertilisers and sustainable farming practices. Additionally, all harvesting is done by hand.
Winemaking
Vinification starts with gentle pressing and slow temperature controlled fermentation in traditional old oak barrels (fuders). This careful, deliberate process preserves the quality of the grapes, develops the unique character of the single-vineyard cuvees, and gives the wine exceptional longevity.
- Use of organic fertiliser and a philosophy of "Great wines are produced in the vineyard, not in the cellar".
- Vintage is later than most growers in the region and all picking is done by hand.
- Mosel wine doesn't get much better than this!