A tragedy unfolds in Germany's Mosel region
I visited the Mosel for the first time in May. It's one of the world's most spectacular wine regions, making wines that are unique: crisp, mineralic off-dry Rieslings, as well as sweet yet beautifully balanced Rieslings of incredible intensity. It's one of the wonders of the world.Yet for some bizarre reason, there are plans (now at the very advanced stage) to put a huge great bridge over this viticultural treasure, causing irreperable damage. It's a tragedy.
Mike Steinberger has written a great article on the subject here in Slate magazine, outlining the issues.
This weekend there was a protest against the bridge, with Hugh Johnson (pictured) and leading German wine writer Stuart Pigott delivering speeches.
Who is to blame? It's the Rheinland-Pfalz government. This High Mosel Bridge, carrying the B50 road is, in Johnson's words, 'a folly.' I don't know if anything can be done about this, but if it comes to pass it will be deeply sad.
Added later: here's a video of Hugh's speech -
posted by Jamie @ 10:46 PM
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6 Comments:
Well don't give up hope yet - if Hugh's involved then there's potentially some very, very serious backers for the winemakers in store. Now for him to use his decades of contacts to save the Mosel...
I hope so. I've seen the mock-up of what the view might be like with the bridge in place, and it's hideous.
I wish there was something more we could do about it.
I sent a letter of protest here:
http://www.bundeskanzlerin.de/Webs/BK/En/Service/Contact/contact.html
I can't verify it will be counted, but it can't hurt.
@ Owen : Hugh doesnt have in Germany that reputation and floowing in Germany than he has in the UK for instance .
He has done some pretty bad criticism about German wine lately whioh doesnt help.
Not sure if a letter to the german chancellor would help. probably more to the president of Rhineland Palatine
Iris
You can join an online petition at the website of Der Feinschmecker, Germany's leading culinary magazine, at http://www.der-feinschmecker.de/go/moselprotest.
In English, it says: Yes, I protest against the building " Hochmoselübergangs". I agree with the fact that for this purpose my data are handed over to the federal state government by Rhineland-Palatinate.
I should have added that if you do so, look for 'Vereinigts Königsreich von Grossbritannien' under Land (country). This is a literal translation of 'United Kingdon of Great Britain'.
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