| | |  | The Wines of Luxembourg | |
Now admit it, you didn't know that Luxembourg had a wine region, did you? But if you look on a map, and find the point where Belgium, France and Germany meet, you will observe that the eastern border of Luxembourg is formed by the Moselle river....and it's a bit of a better bet that you've heard of wines from there. Mostly German ones, admittedly, but it's the same river valley.
History
Luxembourg's wine industry has a long and interesting history. Legend has it that the young Karl Marx, born in the nearby German city of Trier, observed the conditions of workers toiling in the vineyards of the Moselle, and conceived his communist ideas as a means of improving their lives.
Indeed, today most of Luxembourg's wineries are co-operatives, run by the people for the people.
What about the wines!
Unsurprisingly, the wines are very "Germanic" in charcter - they can taste quite sweet to the hardened "Oz Chardonnay" enthusiast. The main varietes grown are:
Rivaner : - the essential component of Black Tower. If you liked that, you'll love this one. Very sweet, in other words.
Elbling : - an ancient grape variety, also known as Kleinberger, which produces a wine that is high in acid and low in strength. Nice for sipping a chilled glass on the balcony before dinner.
Auxerrois : - bit more body to it, and goes well with food.
Pinot Gris : - this researcher's personal favourite. Also known as Tokay Pinot Gris in Alsace. Produces a wine that is slightly spicier and more expensive than its cousin Pinot Blanc. This is the same grape as Italy's Pinot Grigio. Must be served very cold, and goes great with fish.
Pinot Blanc :Cheaper and sweeter than the Pinot Gris.
Chardonnay : although this grape is grown in Luxembourg, it is not that widely available.
Sparkling wines : some of Luxembourg's finest wines are the sparkling bruts, the cream of which find their way onto wine lists across the world.
Rosés : there are a few rosé wines produced.
No reds!Who drinks them? If you examine some statistics on wine consumption in Europe, Luxembourg will top the list of most wine per person. Of, course, as is usual with statistics, this requires a little explanation. Much of the wine PURCHASED in Luxembourg is bought by visitors, many of whom are stocking up on the cheap cigarettes and petrol while they're there. So it does not mean that every Luxembourger is a wino. Oh no.
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