RURALE PétNat Melsheimer 2022
Why it's worth a try
RURALE is Thorsten Melsheimer’s playful PétNat. From hand-picked Riesling and Spätburgunder in the vineyards around Reil, slow fermentation in large wooden casks creates natural bubbles and subtle funk. Citrus, green apple, and a whisper of bread crust meet crisp minerality. Light, vibrant, and full of Mosel character: unpredictable and utterly charming.
Melsheimer
Riesling That Defies Gravity and Steals Hearts
The Melsheimer family has been clinging to the steep slate slopes of the Mosel for five generations, and not just figuratively. Based in Reil, they’ve turned farming on near-vertical vineyards into an art form. Thorsten Melsheimer took the reins in the ‘90s and led the charge toward organic and later biodynamic farming, long before it was cool. Goats mow the grass, butterflies roam free, and the vineyard feels more like a wild garden than a factory. It’s hands-on, slow-growing, and full of heart, just the way they like it!
Riesling is their everything. On terrain so steep and so rich in slate, each tiny terrace yields its own flavor story. Their signature Mullay‑Hofberg captures the region's essence in a racy, elegant dry Riesling, while their single-vineyard bottlings (and experimental sparkling wines) showcase microclimate magic and terroir drama: bright, mineral, expressive, electric even.
WINE REGION
Mosel: Germany's Iconic Riesling Paradise
The Mosel is a renowned wine region in western Germany, celebrated for its steep vineyards along the Mosel River and its focus on Riesling.
Riesling is the dominant grape, producing wines that range from dry to sweet, with vibrant acidity and expressive fruit flavors.
The vineyards are planted on steep, slate-rich slopes, benefiting from a cool climate that preserves acidity and enhances the aromatic profile of the wines.
