Nowhere in Germany do the circumstances for wine growing appear so extreme as in the Saar region: steep slopes, a stoney slate soil, low temperatures and early frost. This should explain the mineral and stealy nature of the Rieslings made at this tributary river of the Moselle. The Lauer family has been growing (solely!) Riesling vines for three generations now in the central zone of the "Ayler Kupp", not surprisingly a well known terroir (or "lage") in Germany. Resulting in very typical, mineral and dry Rieslings that show a constant quality. Why Peter Lauer makes 20 different types of Riesling? Because the climate and the landscape permit it. Mist, for instance, only occurs in the lower plots of the "Ayler Kupp", while the higher vineyards are the steeper ones. Every plot of land has its own character, a character to be found again in the wine it produces. No variety but Riesling allows for such a diversity.
From 2002 we still have a small quantity of the "Senior", the other wines are 2004. These Rieslings are characterized by a very expressive "schieffer" aroma, piquant acids and, thanks to their ripening "sur lie" ("auf der Feinhefe"), a nice structure.

"Hochgewächs" is a category comparable to "Kabinett". The Ayler Kupp is what Germans call a "spitzenlage": steep (50 to 70%) and oriented to the South. The aroma of the Rieslings coming from the "Kupp" is so to say permeated by the slate soil ("schieffer" in German). The "Senior", coming from 75 year old vines in the centre of the "Ayler Kupp", is a Riesling that you can only dream of: a spicy and mineral nose, savoury, acids that you would like to chew on and a very long and pleasant finish. Absolutely top class! (This wine is no longer available, 28/07/2006.)

A golden yellow. Very complex and expressive nose: "schieffer", herbs, honey. A mouthful of nicely rounded fruit and soft acids: ananas, passion fruit, lots of lychee. A very savoury flavour that lasts for a long time.

The Fass 1 originates from a parcel on the east slope of the "Ayler Kupp". Exposed to the morning sun thus, and according to the Lauers this explains the elegance and lightness of this wine. Equally has a very expressive and even spicy nose, and a fresh, savoury and nicely structured flavour.

The "Unterstenberg" comes from one of the top parcels of the "Ayler Kupp", close to the hill top and exposed to the south. Colour is a dark yellow. An intense and mineral nose. A fine flavour of white berries, acids are complex and sophisticated. Beautifully concentrated.