The tiny stretch of vineyards along Luxembourg's Moselle River, just 42km of slopes producing some of Europe's most distinctive white wines and Crémants, remains remarkably unknown to the wider wine world. On The Lisa Burke Show this week, three experts who are changing that perception joined Lisa to demystify Luxembourg wine and invite you to come taste it yourself.
Jean Cao, a Mexican-born consultant oenologist who has worked in Saint-Émilion, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the Languedoc, now advises Luxembourg's independent winemakers through the OPVI. His verdict after years of global experience?
"In terms of quality, we are completely comparable to other regions. We don't have the historical name yet - we are working on that - but if we taste blind, we are really, really close."Jean Cao
Some of us, who do not grow up with a wine 'education' might feel inadequate around such experts when tasting wine, but these three make it very easy to understand:
"A good wine is just you open, you taste, and you have the time to talk with your friends. The wine will not be the centre of the conversation. If the wine is talking, it's not a good one."Jean Cao
Jeff Konsbrück and Mathieu Schmit represent Luxembourg's new generation of organic winemakers. Jeff, whose family sold grapes for generations, took the entrepreneurial leap to produce his own wines on 14 hectares, all hand-harvested. His Crémant 'Kinnekskummer' blends Champagne-style grapes with a touch of Riesling for acidity.
Mathieu, seventh generation at Domaine Schmit-Fohl, studied in Champagne before returning to farm 16 organic hectares with his brother Nicolas. Their philosophy is terroir-driven, mineral wines, plus experiments like 'Tout-Nü', a natural wine, and newly planted Merlot responding to climate change.
"We are a region too small to be one against the other. We have to rise up together."Mathieu Schmit
The three are united by a mission to make Luxembourg wine approachable. "You don't need anything special, just identify if you like it", Jean insists.
Visitors can drop into Jeff's wine bar (Wednesday–Friday 4–9pm, Sundays 2pm onwards) or book a tasting at Schmit-Fohl. And on 8 May, the Privat Wënzer Uncorked event offers 100 wines from 20 independent producers aboard the Marie-Astrid boat in Ehnen, €15 entry, public transport encouraged. A walking dinner follows at 5pm with top cuvées and five gastronomic dishes.
Consultant oenologist Jean Cao and organic winemakers Jeff Konsbrück and Mathieu Schmit reveal why Luxembourg wines deserve global recognition.
