The Vineyards of Moselle Wine Region
Now the German government is implementing, what has sat dormant for the last 50+ years, construction of a bridge with a four lane motorway right smack in the middle of some of these famous vines. Many opposing this construction say it can also cut off some of the water supply used to irrigate many of the vineyards. Others state this bridge/motorway’s design is well, just plain ugly and certainly does not fit in with this pristine area. They say it is a monstrosity and they could be right. With what would become one of Germany’s biggest bridges and motorways, with a design made from the 60s, the bridge itself will be over 500 feet tall, 95 feet wide, and 1 mile long per the BBC report below. This will now be part of one of the most beautiful landscapes in Germany, where tourists flock to see its picturesque rivers, valley, vineyards, and to taste the well known Riesling in tranquility.
As Mosel is between Luxembourg and other urban cities, and its close proximity to France, proponents state that the bridge and motorway will ease traffic between Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium where there are over 20,000 cars passing through. Some of the proponents state that this will increase tourism and aid the local economy. The opposition claims it will harm their way of life, economy, and wonder why tourists would want to overlook a hideous motorway and bridge. This area is not only a tourist destination for those seeking fine wine and R&R, but this is also true for most of Germany’s citizens as well.
Mosel Rieslings have become the most sought after among wine enthusiasts and others for its unique colors and taste. Many have proposed to make this area designated as a historical landmark, as some of the vineyards were planted by the Romans over 2,000 years ago, but the government has failed to recognize it as such. Could it be that by becoming a historical site that it would have protected this area from what is happening now? Think I know the answer to that one. Most of the vineyards and wineries have been under the same families for hundreds of years where they still tend to the grapes by hand.
This motorway project is being built at an expense of over 385 million dollars (280 million plus Euro) with some numbers coming in at well over $400 million (319 million plus Euro)*. So why is this being built now? In my opinion it is because of Germany’s economy that is why. This project would certainly help aid in lowering the high unemployment figures while also increasing production of goods and services, at least in the construction field for the short term. It could even be a short term boost to the Mosel Valley’s economy. However, the questions remain on what actually happens after the project is built. It is a bit like at the end of the film “The Candidate” when after all the smoke and mirrors die down of the well marketed political campaign of which he wins, he then asks “What do we do now?”
Is this motorway/bridge going to be beneficial for the Moselle region in the long term or not? Will the water supply really be affected? Will vineyards have to decrease production of this coveted grape? Will some of the wineries and/or vineyards go out of business? Will this actually hurt or benefit the local and/or national economy? What affect, if any, will this have on tourism? How will this project affect this pristine valley’s environment and its number one crop, wine grapes? There are so many questions and do not believe that most have seen or heard concrete answers from non-objectionable sources, yet.
My question is why did the opponents wait so long? From what I have been able to ascertain, it is unclear if they had much warning that this 50+ year old project that was sitting on a shelf was being implemented now. As in the United States, we are often confronted with midnight hour decisions made by our government that are under the radar because of the media cycle. However, the media seem to be awakening, as are the opponents, but it is probably too late. The equipment is in place, the labor force is showing up, and the grading and paving is underway.
There are many resources that know far more about this than I do and have provided you with links for your information representing, from what I can see, both sides of the story. As with everything, there are pros and cons — so you judge for yourself. In my own opinion, it certainly benefits the national government at least in the short term and mostly those unaffected by its construction at the expense of the small vineyards and the beauty of this valley. You cannot stop progress, sometimes, but I think all the opponents want is time to be consulted, get facts and figures, and perhaps find another way of doing this, in other words a plan that will benefit all parties affected by this.
We will just have to wait and see in the long term, if we are all still alive then, how this will affect these precious Rieslings and the (once?) beautiful Moselle Valley.
LINKS (both pro and con):
Article from the Telegraph.co.uk
Article from the BBC with Videos
There are also a few new groups on Facebook supporting the International Riesling Rescue efforts that I found after writing this article. I actually just joined to keep informed myself. They can provide some information, at least from the opponents viewpoint:
Support International Riesling Rescue
Protest Against the New Mosel Bridge
*US Dollars to the Euro conversion (as of 7/2/10)This article is copyright protected. All Rights Reserved.
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