Mosel-Saar-Ruwer Vineyards

Hugh Johnson has proposed a classification of MSR vineyards into "first class" and "great first class" vineyards (besides ordinary ones). The classification was refined by Stuart Pigott in his ``Wine Atlas of Germany". I list here the "great first class" sites of the MSR region. Beware though that like in Burgundy, it is the producer that counts most. Top producers make far better wines from first class sites than average or bad producers from the grand crus. On the other hand, no great MSR wines exist that do not come from a prime site. The detailed classification will remain controversial, but those who'd prefer the consumers not to be aware of the fundamental influence of the site to wine quality - often with the slogan that "quality in the glass" is what should count - should have long realised that this form of cheating is a disservice to everyone involved. Instead of ordinary wines benefitting from the prestige of the top wines, like in Burgundy, the top wines of MSR suffer from being confused with mass produced rubbish. An official vineyard classification would be an important contribution to the the restoration of MSR's good name as a source for many of the finest white wines on the planet.

MSR Crand Cru Vineyards

Scharzhofberg, Saar
Maxim Grünhauser Abtsberg, Ruwer
Karthäuserhofberg (in part), Ruwer
Piesporter Goldtröpfchen (in part), Mosel
Piesporter Domherr, Mosel
Brauneberger Juffer-Sonnenuhr, Mosel
Bernkasteler Doctor, Mosel
Wehlener Sonnenuhr (in part), Mosel
Ürziger Würzgarten (in part), Mosel
Erdener Prälat, Mosel
Erdener Treppchen (in part), Mosel