Maximin Grünhaus [MAHK-sih-mihn GRYOON-howss]
A tiny village located on the Ruwer River in Germany’s Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region. It’s actually classified as an orsteil that’s part of the village of Mertesdorf. Maximin Grünhaus has approximately 80 acres that have been owned by the von Schubert family since 1882. The vineyards are broken into three einzellagen (individual vineyard sites)—Bruderberg at the bottom, Herrenberg in the upper section, and Abtsberg, the steep middle section that produces the best grapes. The wines from each Einzellagen are labeled separately, using the village’s name—for example, Maximin Grünhauser Bruderberg. The wines are highly regarded, and those from good vintages are capable of aging for around 20 years.
The New Wine Lovers Companion, 2nd Edition, by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Copyright © (1) 2003, 1995 by Ron Herbst and Sharon Tyler Herbst. Reprinted by arrangement with Barron's Educational Series, Inc.