Between the Moselle and the Saar rivers ­ wine-making traditions and Roman heritage

To travel around the west of Germany is to take a journey through the ages, back to a time long before Rome was built. The Moselle region extends from the border between France and Germany to the Rhine. It boasts the oldest town in Germany, a wealth of Roman architecture set against a panoramic backdrop of spectacular landscapes and a rich wine-making heritage. This is Germany's oldest wine region, where vintners produce internationally acclaimed fine wines. The proximity to France and Luxembourg is tangible, the climate is exceptionally mild ­ the Moselle region is truly blessed.

The Roman Road

The Roman conquerors left a rich legacy in the Moselle region: a Roman settlement in Koblenz, stone reliefs and the wine ship sculpture in Neumagen and the Porta Nigra in Trier, a town said to be older than the cradle of the Roman Empire and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. All around the area where the Moselle meets the Rhine, you will find a variety of villas and manor houses, temples and burial sites, historical wine presses and limeworks that date back to Roman times. Following the Roman Road is a fascinating way to explore around 120 ancient attractions along the Moselle and Saar rivers, in the Hunsrück and Eifel regions, in the Saarland and in Luxembourg.

Two millennia of wine growing

In the Moselle region, vineyards cover hills up to 285 metres high, clinging to the steep slate slopes at gradients of up to 68 degrees. Dramatic terraces hewn from the hillside are the hallmarks of the region, while gentle valleys complete the picture of an incomparable wine-growing landscape. The hills frame the Moselle, Saar and Ruwer rivers which have carved a path through the Rhenish slate mountains. There's plenty of opportunity to sample the local wines. Wineries run wine seminars as well as the classic winetasting sessions, educating the palate and acquainting visitors with wines and the ways in which they are made. Popular scenic routes through the vineyard areas include the Moselle Wine Route from Perl to Koblenz, the Saar-Riesling Route from Konz to Serrig and the Ruwer-Riesling Route.

Moselle.Discovery.Route

Walking and cycling are the best ways to explore the Moselle region's natural beauty and historical sights. The Moselle Cycle Route runs for 270km along a wellmaintained, level network of cycle paths, and the 50 cultural and themed trails that make up the Moselle.Discovery.Route offer exciting and adventurous walking tours with fabulous views whichever way you look.

Eltz Castle

The Middle Ages also left their mark on the Moselle region. The area between Cochem and Koblenz is also known as Burgenland (castle country) because of its many medieval castles. One of the most beautiful is Eltz Castle, which looks like something from the pages of a fairytale. Built in the 12th century, it has survived every battle and war unscathed, including the French revolution.

Culinary tales from the Moselle

Boemund II, the Bishop of Trier, lay dying of a serious illness. When the doctors could do no more, a vintner was summoned, who gave him a cask of wine from his best vineyard. The wine is said to have cured the bishop and prompted him to declare:

"This is the true doctor!" From that day on, the Moselle vineyard in question has been known by the name Doctor. Stories such as this abound in the region. The wines are often served with traditional local fare such as wingertseintopf (pork ribs with sauerkraut and bacon) or lighter dishes of freshly caught trout, pike or pike-perch. One speciality that is only available in autumn is the federweisser ­ new wine that has only just begun to ferment ­ served with zwiebelkuchen (bacon and onion flan).