Joh. Jos. Prüm has been the benchmark for the Middle Mosel for over a century: its wines are a byword for delicacy, freshness and longevity. In short, they are a joy to drink. The estate comprises 20 hectares, and it principal sites are in the Wehlener Sonnenuhr, across the river from the elegant villa where the family lives and the wine made, and the Graacher Himmelreich; it also has holdings in Zeltingen and Bernkastel. Manfred Prüm took over in 1969, and since 2003 has been handing over control to his daughter Katharina.

The Mosel wine region, located in western Germany along the winding Mosel River and its tributaries, is one of the country’s most celebrated viticultural areas. Known for its steep, terraced vineyards—some of the steepest in the world—it benefits from a cool continental climate moderated by the river, which reflects sunlight and retains warmth, aiding grape ripening. Long, sunny autumns allow for extended hang time, producing grapes with intense aromatics and balanced acidity.

Soils are dominated by heat-retaining slate, both blue and red varieties, which store warmth, promote excellent drainage, and impart distinctive minerality to the wines. This terroir, combined with the region’s climate, creates ideal conditions for Riesling, the star grape of the Mosel. Smaller plantings of Müller-Thurgau, Elbling, and Pinot varieties also exist, though they play a supporting role.

Mosel wines are celebrated for their lightness, finesse, and purity of fruit. Rieslings range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, often displaying aromas of green apple, white peach, lime, and floral notes, underpinned by a hallmark slate-driven minerality. The best examples show vibrant acidity and remarkable ageing potential, developing honeyed, petrol-like complexities over time. The region’s wines are prized for their elegance, balance, and ability to vividly express their unique origin.

Riesling is one of the world’s most esteemed white grape varieties, originating in Germany’s Rhine region during the 15th century. Celebrated for its purity of expression, Riesling thrives in cool climates and is known for its remarkable balance of acidity, aromatic intensity, and ageing potential.

Viticulturally, Riesling is a hardy, late-budding vine well-suited to steep, well-drained slopes. It ripens slowly, allowing it to develop vibrant acidity and a complex flavour profile. The grape is highly expressive of terroir, producing distinctive wines based on soil type, climate, and winemaking style.

Germany remains Riesling’s spiritual home, particularly in regions like the Mosel, Rheingau, and Pfalz. It is also widely grown in Alsace (France), Austria (notably in the Wachau and Kamptal), Australia’s Clare and Eden Valleys, and the Finger Lakes and Washington State in the USA. In each of these regions, Riesling produces wines of great character and diversity.

Riesling styles range from bone-dry to lusciously sweet, including sparkling and late-harvest versions. Classic flavours include green apple, lime, white peach, and jasmine, often with mineral or petrol-like notes as the wine ages. Its naturally high acidity makes it an excellent partner for a wide range of foods, including spicy cuisine and aromatic dishes.