Bernkastel-Kues in the Mosel

Whilst in the Mosel region we took a meandering boat trip to the charming and characteristic medieval town of Bernkastel-Kues. Offering stunning views of the Moselle River and valley, we enjoyed a stroll up to the Castle Landshut ruins, a former summer residence of the Archbishops of Trier that was destroyed by fire on 8 January 1692. Bernkastel was first documented in the 11th Century and has since been ravaged by plague, fire and the Nazi Kristallnacht yet the 17th Century gabled timber houses still stand today, as well as the Spitzhäuschen from 1416. 

My Uncle 

Creative Vine Growing

Bernkastel-Kues

Castle Landshut

Local Wildlife

Wine tasting in the Mosel

The Moselle river, home to the Mosel wine region, twists and turns for 546km through Germany, France and Luxembourg. The pictures speak for themselves - the Mosel is simply stunning. From the sprawling, hilly vineyards to the medieval villages and castles. 

Making our base staying with a local winemaker, Hans-Joseph Maringer, in Trittenheim, we were treated to a private wine tasting. Famous for its Riesling wines, the steep river bank slopes that are scattered around the Mosel region are considered some of the most labor intensive vineyards in the world. The region is famous for its sweet and semi-sweet wines which have a very high sugar content, occuring naturally due to the production process. We tasted several varieties, notably the Spätlese Kabinett, Jewel and Kerner. Unfortunately conditons weren't right for the most complex and hence expensive Riesling to be produced - the Eiswein, made from grapes picked in a perfect frost, governed by strict rules. 

Köln Cathedral

Germany's most visited landmark - a renowned monument of German Catholicism and Gothic architecture, World Heritage Site, attracting 20,000 people a day.

The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in Northern Europe and has the second-tallest spires and largest façade of any church in the world. 

A true masterpiece...