MundoVino Portfolio Book

German Producers

Clean Slate Mosel, Germany

Clean Slate is the product of a longstanding partnership between Moselland of Bernkastel-Kues, Germany and MundoVino, a business unit of The Winebow Group. Moselland is the largest vineyard owner in the Mosel and one of Germany’s top exporters of Riesling. Clean Slate is made of 100 percent Riesling grapes sourced from selected vineyards throughout the Mosel region. Known for its steep slopes, the region’s exceptional climate and mineral-rich slate soil create the perfect growing conditions for this grape. The thin slate stones of vineyards in the Mosel River Valley are a critical factor in crafting Riesling of exquisite balance. The slate’s ability to reflect and retain heat is essential to ripening grapes in this cool climate, and it is what develops the fresh peach, crisp lime, and subtle mineral flavors of these wines. The cool climate of Mosel’s northerly location allows grapes to ripen very slowly, while the slopes give the vines ideal sun exposure. Further protection comes with the Mosel River’s tendency to hold heat, which keeps vines protected from getting too cold and creating a special microclimate for ideal ripeness levels. The thin, stony topsoil forces the vines to root deep through the rocks for water and nutrients, resulting in wines of excellent minerality and complexity. In the course of harvest, the winemaker, Peter Meurer, makes daily decisions regarding which grapes to pick, based on ripeness and maturation in the different areas of the region. After gentle handling of the grapes, they are then fermented and stored in stainless steel tanks under temperature-controlled conditions. All of this is critical to the development of Clean Slate’s ideal flavor profile. Peter Meurer was born and raised in the small village of Burg, which is located in the Mosel valley and comes from a long linage of winegrowers. He started his career at the Dr. Loosen Esate in Bernkastel- Kues, followed by studies of viticulture and enology at the world-famous University of Geisenheim. After graduation, he took over his family winery and became a member of the jury at the Chamber of Agriculture. Clean Slate is evidence of Peter’s passion of the Mosel region and the Riesling grape. Riesling This über-fresh German offering is a pure expression of Riesling and a wonderful introduction to the Mosel region. The fresh, balanced taste of Clean Slate is achieved by carefully selecting grapes from vineyards throughout the Mosel. The steep blue slate slopes of the Lower Mosel give the wine its minerality while the Middle Mosel provides a hint of spice to complement the characteristic fresh peach flavors of the Upper Mosel. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged four months prior to bottling, Clean Slate’s distinctive white-peach flavors are complemented by lively acidity and characteristic slate- driven minerality that culminate to form the lengthy, flavorful finish.

WINES OF GERMANY

115