I have a cheap flight (£2.50 return taxes included) to Mosel region of Germany soon, which I may or may not use depending on the weather.

I have been trying some wines from this region from M&S and Tesco. In particular they were Piesporter Michelsberg 1999, 2000 and 2003 vintage. These low alcohol (9%-10%), sweet wines, are quite refreshing and have not gone off as the labels suggest they would if not drunk within one year of bottling.

The interesting thing about these wines, are the grapes used and the climate in which they are grown. The sugar content of the grapes are low, because of the milder climate in the Mosel region compared to most grape growing areas. The other interesting fact is that they are almost as far north as the Champagne region in France, which manages to produce sparkling wines with 13% alcohol by volume.

Why is there such a difference? - It could be due to the variety of grapes. However, the only way to find out is to go and ask some questions while the grapes are being picked.

Please post any interesting wine facts here. I will add to this as I get some more cheap flights (and as I remember all the wine regions I have visited).

Wine is for women and gays.

Wine clubs are for people that are alcoholics, but don't want to be classed as one. I know, I know you will deny it, but someday it's going to become a realisation to you, and when it does you'll find yourself in rehab struggling to say, "My name is _ _ _ _ _ _ and I'm an alcoholic", to then be applauded by some patronising prick.

errm no wine is for people who like a glass of wine once in a while. I prefer beer and ale, .... Guinness mostly but still like a bottle of wine every so often.

A boss of one of my relatives orders over 30 bottles per month.

Hah. Gays.

Wine is to be appreciated. Wine compliments good food.

Other alcoholic beverages are indulged and binged in their own right.

Wine is good.

Swiss Tony isn't.

ETA on Belgian chocolates thread anyone? Bueller?

You sir are a prince among men.

Never try to have sex on satin sheets. Everything - including you - will just slide in an untidy heap onto the floor. And they are always cold too.

I have recently been trying the odd glass of Muscadet Sevre et Maine sur lie.

I came to first notice this wine when I was tasting in a wine warehouse in Calais. I was looking for a cheap wine, which tasted good, and this stood out as a crisp light dry wine which really suited my taste (compared to the sweeter Riesling from the Mosel in Germany).

At 2 Euros a bottle, I snapped up a crate or two. The grapes are primarily grown in the Loire region of France (or at least that is where most of the stuff I have drunk comes from).

It is made from the Melon de Bourgogne grape, and can on some occasions be slightly too acidic for my taste. (it depends on the vintage and the vinyard)

The sur lie part of the wine name, refers to the fact that it is matured on its lees. (the sediment which occurs during fermentation when the yeast dies off and falls to the bottem) Usually wines are decanted off the lees and then left to mature and stabilise.

The Sevre et Maine refers to the region of the Loire valley in Frane.

The Muscadet part of the name, unusually for French wines, refers to the taste of the wine rather than the region. (vin qui a un goût musqué' - 'wine with a musk-like taste' definition)

I have found in the UK that this wine can sell for £5 a bottle in some supermarkets. Quite a bargain, however the vinyard and the quality may not quite be the same. (I have not noticed much difference to be honest).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscadet

I have taken some information from Wikipedia, which gives you that little bit extra.

It is a white, dry wine with about 12% ABV.