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Zell on the Mosel
The Mosel valley is mostly open to the southwest and protected on the
north and east. It also lies protected from the rain by the Eifel and
the Hunsrück. This gives it a special climate where frosts in spring
(late frosts) or in the autumn (early frosts) are very rare. In other
words, it is an ideal climate for Riesling, the grape needing the
longest growing season, and having the highest quality.
Archaeological finds have proven that the Celtic Treverians already
grew grapes for wine in this region. The actual development of Mosel
wine began with a decree by the Roman Emperor Probus (278-280 AD) which
allowed for its general cultivation.
A good climate is not the only thing necessary for good wine. Soil
also plays a decisive role. After the widening of the Trier valley,
with its colorful and steep sandstone sides, the Mosel starts
cutting deeply through the Rhenish slate mountains and meandering with
extreme twists and turns ("Central Mosel"). The deep Kasten valley in
the central Mosel area with its blue-green Hunsrück slate is
characterized by its steep bulging and gentle "slip-off" slopes making
it ideal for viticulture.
Photo: The long, well-preserved old town of Zell is grouped on both
sides of Schloß- and Balduinstraße with the Zell castle and medieval
houses worth seeing. At the Lindenplatz with the pedestrian bridge stands
the church St. Petrus, behind which you can see the famous vineyard
"Zeller Schwarze Katz".
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