Serge Fischer Institut viti- vinicole, Remich Vineyards along the Mosel Valley

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Founded in 963 Independent since 1839 Constitutional monarchy 2586 km inhabitants working inhabitants commuters from Belgium, France and Germany Luxemburg in figures

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Luxemburg

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole

History fifth century A.D): Excavations from that time proof that there has already been vine growing along the Mosel valley 1880: Revival of Luxembourg viniculture vineyards produce up to 90% from the Elbling vine, mostly destined for export to Germany

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole History 1911: “Fédération des associations viticoles du grand-Duché de Luxembourg” 1918: the Treaty of Versailles ends Customs Union with Germany 1921: first wine producers cooperative 1925: state institute of viniculture (Institut Viti- Vinicole)

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole History 1935: Quality Wine System“Marque Nationale” created by law 1959: extension of the “Marque Nationale”: quality designations “Vin classé”, “Premier Cru” and “Grand Premier Cru”. 1965: wine-growers solidarity fund (Fonds de solidarité viticole)

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole History 1988: “Marque Nationale” extended to the Luxembourg sparkling wines. 1991: Marque Nationale “Crémant de Luxembourg” 2000: Marque Nationale “Vin de glace”; “Vendages tardives”; “Vin de paille”

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Vineyards 1300 ha vineyards, 450 producers The Moselle forms a natural boundary from Luxembourg to Germany between Schengen and Wasserbillig Along these 42 kilometres the height above sea level drops from 142 to 129 metres.

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Soil Remich canton: Keuper layers preponderate valley is fairly wide open, rounded and softly dropping slopes wines are full-bodied and harmonious like the landscape Grevenmacher canton: mainly limestone rock slow erosion has created a narrower valley with steep dolomitic slopes lively and elegant wine

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole

Région viticole

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole

Vineyards Vine: noble cultured plant many climatic demands, in particular regarding temperature, the amount of precipitation and the hours of sunshine.

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Vineyards Thanks to its geographic position, the geological properties of its soil and the predominant moderate sub-atlantic climatic zone, the Moselle valley satisfies excellently the conditions for this type of cultivation

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Varieties Riesling 163, 74 ha12,67 % Pinot Gris166, 61 ha12,89 % Pinot Blanc139, 27 ha10,77 % Auxerrois176, 32 ha13,64 % Pinot Noir 84, 04 ha 6,50 % Gewürztraminer 14, 35 ha 1,11 % Rivaner397, 48 ha30,75 % Elbling136, 07 ha10,53 %

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole V a r i e ti e s

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Riesling “king of wines” Bunch: small to medium-sized Grapes: small, round and yellowish-green in colour ripens late wine of distinctive refinement, breed and of lovely elegance Bouquet: particularly exquisite and delicate 13% of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Pinot Gris vine originated from mutations of Pinot Noir. bunch: medium-sized, compact grapes of medium thickness, pink shade with a grey reflection ripens medium late unmistakable typical wine, full- bodied, rich in various extracts which make up its opulence 14 % of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Pinot Blanc mutation of the Pinot Gris variety bunch: medium-sized, compact grapes compressed, colour yellowish-green ripens medium late pleasant freshness, elegant, convincing clinging softness 11 % of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Auxerrois bunch is of medium size grapes are of light-yellow shade, medium-sized, Ripens medium early wine has an excellent body, distinctive bouque very durable, elegant and fruity 14% of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Pinot Noir intended for red, rosé and white wines. Bunches: medium-sized, compact constitution grapes are of medium size, dark blue ripens medium late very fruity with elegant bouquet 7 % of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Gewürztraminer Bunch: small to medium and compact grapes small, round to oval, reddish-grey shade ripens late wine with an unmistakable aroma, fruity bouquet, great elegance 19%

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Rivaner average-size bunch carries medium-size yellow-green grapes Ripens early pleasant mild wine with typical fragrance. wine is drunk when young 29% of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Elbling cultivated since Roman times large dense bunches large, egg-shaped grapes ripens medium early Light, fresh wine with a typical acidity which makes it an excellent thirst-quenching wine 9 % of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Since 2004 Pinot Noir précoce Dakapo St Laurent

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole The « Marque Nationale » = Label for local quality wines Governmental Quality Controls: analytical examinations in the laboratory an organoleptic test by the neutral board of expert tasters of the “Marque Nationale” The wine originates from the area of the Luxemburg Moselle

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole LABEL for wines

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole LABEL for Crémant

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Organoleptic test: Tasting The special grade mentions are awarded according to the points gained as follows: 12,0 to 13,9 points: Quality wine “Marque Nationale - Appellation Contrôlée”; 14,0 to 15,9 points:Quality wine “Marque Nationale - Appellation Contrôlée” with the grade “Vin classé”; 16,0 to 17,9 points:grade «Premier cru”. >18pts : grade « Grand Premier Cru

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Special grade mentions

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Sparkling wines label affixed to a bottle = guarantee for the consumer because: cuvée consists entirely of wines of which each one complies with the regulations for the production of quality wines originating at the Luxembourg Moselle the sparkling wine fulfils the qualitative conditions of Luxembourg law and EU

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Sparkling wines Sparkling wines can be produced either: - by the “traditional method” of fermentation in the bottle, or - by the “tank fermentation process” when fermentation takes place in a closed vessel

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Crémant de Luxembourg The cuvée of basic wines must comply with the quality standards applicable to quality wines A maximum of 100L must can be extracted out of 150 kg grapes Second alcoholic fermentation in bottle Bottle ageing min. 9 month Min CO2 pressure of 4 bar Max total SO2 allowed: 150 mg/l

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Producers

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Les Domaines de Vinsmoselle cultivate a vineyard area of about 804 hectare and cover all the notable appellations of the Luxembourg vine growing area co-operative movement in the Luxembourgish vine growing district goes back to the beginning of the twenties produce several varieties of the“ Crémant de Luxembourg “

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole The Private Vintners 54 domains belong to owners who sell grapes and make wine (274 ha = 21,1%) the wines are sold primarily to private customers and catering businesses. the private vintners founded the O.P.V.I., i.e. their own professional association, to represent their interests and to concern themselves with the problems of wine-growing and production

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole The Traditional Wine Trade associated themselves with well-known domains and entered supply contracts for grapes with vintners in their area. 221 ha = 17,1% of the vineyards

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Develop- ment of the vine

Serge Fischer Institut viti-vinicole Export 50% Export: 60%-65% Belgium 30% Germany