CMS Advanced Sommelier Germany Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Prep

In Mosel, the soils largely come from slate bedrock, and two slate colors are typically cited as the main types: dark blue Blauschiefer and red Rotschiefer. The blue slate is the iconic Mosel soil—a Devonian formation that weathers into shallow, well-drained soils on steep slopes. This texture concentrates flavors and acidity in Riesling, giving the wines a striking mineral edge and tensile concentration. The red slate occurs in iron-rich bands within the same slate belt, weathering to a reddish hue while still providing excellent drainage. The presence of red slate adds subtle variation in texture and warmth to those site expressions, but both slates contribute to the characteristic Mosel minerality.

Other color variants you might hear about exist in different regions or contexts, but in Mosel the two most recognized slate types are the dark blue and the red slates, which is why that pairing is the best answer.