Luxembourg

The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg (Groussherzogtum Lëtzebuerg in Luxembourgish) in the west of Central Europe with the capital Luxembourg covers 2,587 km². It borders France to the south, Belgium to the west and Germany to the east. Together with neighbouring Belgium and the Netherlands, it forms the Benelux countries.

History

The wine-growing history of this country is closely linked to that of the Moselle, as this river forms the border with Germany over a length of 36 kilometres. To the east, on the other bank, lies the German Moselle wine-growing region. The Romans introduced viticulture to the entire region as early as the 1st century BC.

In the Middle Ages, the founding of many monasteries led to an upswing. An extremely cold winter in 1709 almost completely destroyed the vineyards. Following a decision at the Congress of Vienna in 1815, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg had to cede all the vineyards on the other side of the river. From 1880, there was a great upswing due to a customs agreement. Luxembourg wines were exported to Germany as a base wine for sparkling wine or as a blended wine. However, this came to an end after the First World War.

Viticulture

Climatically, the wine-growing regions are located on the northern edge of European viticulture. The vineyards are divided into around one hundred vineyards with a width of 300 to 400 metres over 40 kilometres along the banks of the Moselle from Schengen to Wasserbillig. They are located in the eastern cantons of Remich (with the main communes of Remich, Schengen and Wintrange) on alluvial soils and Grevenmacher, where limestone soils predominate. The limestone soils are particularly suitable for Pinot varieties. The cold temperatures result in longer ripening times and strongly fluctuating yields. The high yield limits are 140 hl/ha for Rivaner and Elbling, and 120 hl/ha for the other varieties. The acidic Elbling is mainly processed into Crémants.

Origin & wine qualities

There is the comprehensive appellation designation "Moselle Luxembourgeoise" and "Crémant de Luxembourg" for sparkling wines produced according to the Champagne method. The "Marque Nationale des Vins Luxembourgeois" was introduced in 1935. The "Marque Nationale - Appellation Contrôlée" label guarantees the state control of origin and quality on the basis of an analytical and sensory test according to a 20-point system with at least 12 points.

With 14 points, a wine reaches the category "Vin classé", with 16 "Premier Cru" and with 18 "Grand Premier Cru". The criteria introduced in 2001 for "Vendange Tardive"(late harvest), "Vin de Glace"(ice wine) and "Vin de Paille"(straw wine) are based on Oechsle. The "Vins Barrique" are mostly wines made from Chardonnay. Mainly single-varietal white wines are produced, the grape variety is noted on the label alongside the municipality and often also the location.

Vineyards

In 2022, the vineyards covered 1,295 hectares of vines, from which 82,000 hectolitres of wine were produced. The grape variety index (Kym Anderson statistics):

Producers

In just 20 years, the number of producers has fallen from 1,200 to less than 500, as many small estates have sold their land. "Les Domaines de Vinsmoselle" is an association of six winegrowers' co-operatives with 450 grape suppliers. The "Organisation Professionnelle des Vignerons Indépendants (OPVI)" was founded in 1966 with around 50 winegrowers. The "Charta" was founded by seven winegrowers in the 2007 vintage. They are committed to natural wine production with strict rules such as no enrichment or organic fertilisation and a maximum yield limit of 60 hl/ha. This is around half of the legal requirements in Luxembourg.

Wineries and merchants are organised in the "Fédération des Producteurs Négociants". Well-known producers include Mathis Bastian, Claude Bentz, René Bentz, Bernard-Massard, Caves Gales, Alice Hartmann, Jean Ley-Schartz, Caves St-Remy-Desom, Clos des Rochers, Clos Mon Vieux Moulin, Château de Schengen, Aly Duhr et Fils, Pundel-Hoffeld, Pundel-Sibenaler, Henri Ruppert, Krier Frères, Paul Legill, Jean Schlink-Hoffeld, Schmit-Fohl, Schram & Fils, Schumacher-Knepper, Schumacher - Lethal & Fils, Steinmetz-Jungers, Stronck-Pinnel, Sunnen-Hoffmann and Thill.

Map: © Goruma
Vineyards: By Ipigott - Own work, CC0, Link
Source 1st paragraph: WIKIPEDIA Luxembourg