Understanding Mosel Wines

Editor's note: Robert Dentice, who subscribes to my site, recommended Eric Steinberg's Understanding Mosel Wines to members of Wine Berserkers. I happened to come across his recommendation on this forum, but I had never heard of Steinberg's book before. Robert emailed me that I could download a Kindle for Mac and buy the e-book via Amazon.com. After a look inside, I was pleasantly surprised and decided to take the plunge and buy it. Steinberg's e-book helps the reader to better understand Mosel wines (as the title says), with all its complexities.

Understanding Mosel Wines is a guide to the fine Riesling wines of the Mosel region. The work, which is intended for enthusiasts of these wines, as well as for those who are unfamiliar or barely familiar with them, includes discussions of the history of wine-making in the Mosel and recent trends in its production and marketing. It also provides practical information, such as the classification and nomenclature of Mosel wine that will assist the consumer in determining the qualities of particular examples of the wines. In the three chapters that are devoted to the villages, vineyards, and wine estates of the Mosel proper and its two tributaries, the Saar and the Ruwer, more than 65 of the most important estates are discussed individually. The book also offers advice about purchasing, aging, and serving Mosel wine. Understanding Mosel Wines is the first book originating in the United States on German wines since the last edition of Frank Schoonmaker’s seminal work The Wines of Germany appeared decades ago. ♦

Eric Steinberg is a former professor of philosophy and administrator at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. He has continually enjoyed fine Mosel wines since 1971.