Bernkastel-Kues

About Bernkastel-Kues

Bernkastel-Kues straddles the Mosel where the river loops through Germany's most celebrated Riesling country. The right-bank Bernkastel received its town charter in 1291 and preserves a storybook Marktplatz of leaning half-timbered houses, watched over by the ruined Burg Landshut; the left-bank Kues was the birthplace of the philosopher Nicholas of Cusa, whose 15th-century St. Nikolaus-Hospital still stands. Above the town rise some of the world's most storied vineyards, above all the tiny, steep Bernkasteler Doctor, on blue Devonian slate that yields Riesling of piercing minerality and finesse. The region's cool climate and dramatic slopes produce everything from bone-dry to lusciously sweet late-harvest wines, with legendary estates such as Joh. Jos. Prüm and Dr. Loosen nearby. Each autumn the Mittelmosel wine festival fills the old town, making it the essential base for Mosel Riesling.

Practical details

Wine tourism notes

Bernkastel-Kues is the picture-postcard capital of the Middle Mosel, straddling both banks of the river amid some of Germany's most famous Riesling vineyards, including the legendary Bernkasteler Doctor. The steep blue-slate slopes here produce racy, mineral, often delicately sweet whites.

Regional cuisine

Classic Mosel fare of the vintner's table — Winzersteak and rustic pork dishes, Riesling-poached river fish, potato specialities and Zwiebelkuchen with Federweißer at harvest, all built around the local Riesling.

Canonical attractions

• the half-timbered Marktplatz and Spitzhäuschen in Bernkastel
• the ruins of Burg Landshut overlooking the valley
• the St. Nikolaus-Hospital and Cusanus museum in Kues
• the steep Doctor vineyard and Mosel wine walks

Editorial notes