Erdener Prälat

The Erdener Prälat is a wine-growing site classified as VDP.GROSSE LAGE opposite the village of Erden Erden in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer winegrowing region. The rocky, steep and rugged south-facing slope extends at an altitude of 110 to 220 metres. The VDP states the slope gradient as 210 per cent, corresponding to about 65 degrees.

The soil consists of iron-rich red slate with clay inclusions; Dr. Loosen describes it as old red Devonian slate. The sheltered location on the bend of the Moselle and between the surrounding vineyards, direct exposure to the sun, and heat storage by the exposed rock create a warm microclimate.

The classified grape variety is Riesling. The area designated by the VDP covers 1.63 hectares. Dr. Loosen documents vines with intact roots that are more than 100 years old in the Erdener Prälat. Sustainable farming and work by hand in the vineyard and at harvest are stated for the wine produced there.

The Prälat previously belonged to the Treppchen vineyard site and was separated from it at the end of the 19th century. Its name recalls the winegrower’s son Prälat Professor Dr. Franz Steffens (1853–1930), from Ürzig. The site produces dry Rieslings as well as Auslese and Botrytis selection wines. Dr. Loosen links it with aromas of mango, passion fruit and bitter almond, as well as with fullness and concentration from finely weathered red slate. An example is the Erdener Prälat GGR.