[net.wines] Moselle wines

cwd@ihuxq.UUCP (09/16/83)

Moselles are my favorite wines, but I have a question to some of the more
knowledgable wine consumers. What years in the last decade have been 
outstanding years for moselles? I was told that 1979 was a very good year
and I almost believe it because I can rarely find one. I have also heard
that 1975 and 1976 were good but these wines should be very mature by
now (too mature?). How about the 80's? I know something about sugar content
and shelf life, so lets hear about that too. Thanks in advance.

A wine lover but by no means an expert:     Chris Donahue   ihuxq!cwd

rlp@cbscd5.UUCP (09/19/83)

1979 and 1975 were supposed to be very good years for German
wine.  1976 was supposed to be a truly exceptional year for 
Rhines and Moselles.  It is true that after seven or eight
years the the wine is getting somewhat old, however certain
types (Auslese, Beerenauslese, and Trockenbeerenauslese (TBA))
will actually improve with age and will be drinkable for a while.
(One book suggests putting away a '76 or '71 TBA to drink with
your great-grandchildren!)

				R. L. Platt
				cbscd5!rlp

thomux@abnjh.UUCP (E. Thom) (09/20/83)

The big Moselle years of the last decade are 71, 75 and 76.  Nothing
since 76 can measure up.  If you have some degree of faith that the
wines have been properly stored, I wouldn't worry about any of these
vintages being "too mature", particularly if they are at least spatlese
quality.

Eric Thom
ATT-IS
Morristown, NJ