Wine tasting and apple season
You can't have failed to notice that the Moselle Region has more than 3,000 acres of grapes or that the slopes of Vergers de Steinsel are covered in lush red apples. You've still got time to sample these home-grown and locally produced delights this September and October.
Fete aux Pommes
Hooray! The orchards on the slopes of Steinsel will once again be open for apple picking. There will be a special Fete aux Pommes on the weekends of 24/25 September and 1/2 and 8/9 October. You can pick apples from 25,000 trees that hold 12 varieties. The orchards will be open from 10.00 until 18.00.
You can also buy apple produce including juice, apple brandy and dried apple rings, and food and drinks will be available so you can make a day of it.
If you want to make your own Viz (freshly pressed juice) with apples from your garden or the orchards, you can do so with Eppelpress in Eppeldorf. To make an appointment you can call them on 691 836 185 and then visit with your apples Monday to Saturday between 10: 00-12: 00 and 14:00-18: 00. You must have a minimum of 200kg of apples, and they recommend you taste them first to ensure they are juicy. The family business also sells apple juice, honey and other products.
If you prefer to try some local cider you can head to Ramborn, for a tour of their traditional orchards, which contain 100 different apple varieties. Tours and tastings take place Wednesday to Sunday 14.00 to 16.00, and you can find out more here.
You can pick your own fruit from communal and some privately-owned trees that have a yellow ribbon tied around them. A joint venture between the Ministry of Agriculture and local municipalities, designed to tackle food waste, you can find a map of places participating in Gielt Band here.
Wine festivals and tasting days
Sample an Elbling, Rivaner, Auxerrois, Riesling, Gewürztraminer or a Pinot Gris or Blanc or Noir – and, of course, the nation's favourite, Crémant – at the 72nd Wine and Grape Festival on 9-11 September at Grevenmacher.
Friday's celebrations kick off with the crowning of the Wine Queen at 20.00, whilst Saturday and Sunday see concerts and animations for children.
Just remember to appoint a designated driver.
Luxembourg is an artisan wine-producing nation, and the wine sector is still dominated by small family enterprises.
There are some 450 grape producers in the Grand Duchy, but just over 50 have their own wineries, and many work in co-operatives.
You can find a list of wine-growers here, and you can book a wine-tasting here.
If you miss the Wine Festival, catch the Riesling Open 16-18 September, or the Hunnefeier grape festival in Schengen on Sunday 16 October.
Walking the wine region
If you prefer to walk the wine region, the Nature and Wine Discovery circular walk in the Kelsbaach area of Grevenmacher unearths the region's rich history of viticulture through 15 educational stations over a 4.3km walk that includes some stunning views of the Moselle Valley.
You can find more walks in the wine region here. For more information on Luxembourg's more unusual wines, including its ice wine, read our article here.
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