The Wehlener Sundial

Over the weekend I went on a few virtual vineyard tours in preparation for WBW #30. In Germany, on a slope above the Moselle, facing the town of Wehlen, I found the Wehlener Sundial. The vineyards around the sundial are hot, steep, rocky, and worked almost entirely by hand. I know very little about German wines, but found the 2002 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Reisling-Kabinett from Dr. H. Thanisch to be a fine introduction. I haven't yet read a good explanation for how the Moselle winemakers can get such ripe-tasting, fruity wines with only 8-9% alcohol. Good stuff. The physiography of the Moselle region is equally fascinating.