While best known for its beer, Diekirch is now reclaiming its winemaking heritage. On Monday, local enthusiasts planted 1,000 vines on the terraced slopes of the Härebierg, marking the return of viticulture to the region after over 300 years.
The “DiWäin” project, spearheaded by the non-profit “Dikricher Wäifrënn” (“Diekirch Wine Friends”), features four disease-resistant Piwi grape varieties. The inauguration ceremony was attended by Minister of Viticulture Martine Hansen and Diekirch Mayor Charel Weiler.
Supported by the IVV Wine Institute and ASTA soil laboratory, the initiative “blends tradition with innovation,” as stated by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Viticulture on its Facebook page.
The grape varieties selected are hybrids that are naturally resistant to disease without the use of pesticides. Their name - “Piwi” – comes from the German term “pilzwiderstandsfähig”, which means “fungus-resistant”.
These first 1,000 plants should enable the production of “Fiederwäissen” new wine within three years. “Fiederwäissen” designates a beverage in the earliest stage of the winemaking process that is still undergoing fermentation. It is made from the latest grape harvest and only available in autumn.
The first traditional wine from Diekirch should be available within four years.
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