Piwi stands for “pilzwiderstandsfähige Rebsorten”, or fungus-resistant grape varieties. Vision Mosel, a group of friendly winegrowers along the French-Luxembourgish and German Moselle, are calling them “hero wines”. They have gathered together for the first time during a weekend of signature tastings.
What are Piwi wines?
As well as traditional grape varieties, some winegrowers also grow Piwi grape varieties. Piwis are robust grape varieties with increased resistance to fungal diseases, particularly mildew and powdery mildew, the two main diseases affecting Moselle vineyards. An attack by these diseases can lead to massive losses in yield and quality, threatening the very existence of the vineyard. That’s why, in general, phytosanitary measures are necessary for a successful crop.
When Piwis are grown, these special defences help to reduce the use of plant protection products, thereby improving the carbon footprint of winegrowing by reducing tractor journeys and the energy needed to manufacture and transport plant protection products. In this way, growing Piwis makes an active contribution to climate protection and opens up new taste experiences and new potential pleasures.
But until now, Piwis are not yet widespread, and are only known to insiders.
Vision Mosel Initiative
On 17 and 18 March, in Traben-Trabach, 17 winegrowers came together for a signature tasting of Piwi wines. Few figures of those 2 days: 2 countries, 63 wines, 12 PIWI grape varieties and 400 guests (restaurateurs, wine merchants, end consumers, winemakers).
According to the organisers, “the event was a resounding success and proof that wine culture brings people together. 17 winegrowers showed for the first time that the character of the Moselle and the robust grape varieties known as PIWI are a perfect match.”
In any case, the participating winegrowers want to continue their mission to show that winegrowing has a future, and that it makes an active contribution to combining responsibility for environmental protection, climate protection and sustainability with quality and enjoyment.
If you’re interested in these Piwi wines, you’ll be able to taste them at the “Mythos Mosel” weekend on 24-26 May in Trarbach: Friday from 3 to 6pm at the Louis Klein winery and the Piwi-Party on Saturday from 7 to midnight at the Augusta.
Piwi wines in Luxembourg, a few examples
Caves Ries was a forerunner in this field, and now has 15 ares of Merzling and 15 ares of Regent in certified organic Piwi (read our article on Caves Ries here).
In Luxembourg, Domaine KOX planted Piwis in 2010. The first hybrid variety planted was Cabernet Blanc, a variety resulting from a complex cross of an unknown resistant hybrid JS 12417 containing resilience with Cabernet Sauvignon, Silvaner, Riesling and Chancellor. Since then, three vineyards have been planted with this new variety. The second hybrid variety planted by the Kox estate is a red variety, Pinotin, which is the result of a complex cross, similar to that of Cabernet Blanc.
More information (in German): Vision Mosel