Rhine - Mosel Discovery - Day 7

Day 7

Our last full day. At 07:00 we arrive at Bernkastel, a very famous name for a popular drink when we started drinking wine, now  hard to find. 

Bernkastel by Krisie

Goodness though, Bernkastel is a pretty town -  on both banks of the Mosel connected with a bridge and above it vineyards cover the sides of the gorge.

We haven't booked the optional tour of the old town plus tasting at the vinothek but cross the bridge to the wine museum to find a note on the door to say it's closed. The vinothek next door has been recommended. They have 140 wines on self pour for €23 but it doesn't open till 11:00, the time which we have to be back on board.

So we returned over the bridge to the cobbled streets of the compact old town. 

The old buildings spread out on upper floors because tax was paid on the floor area used, and none has  a smaller ground floor as this place.

It turned into a pleasant sunny day and the waitrons are laying tables on the prow for lunch and had opened the glass walls of the Aquavit lounge. A chef uncovers the barbecue and is grilling chicken breasts.

But we have the fish'n'chips which comes with malt vinegar(!). The batter is crisp and light and eating out in the sun as the boat makes its way along the Mosel's vine covered banks is delightful. We choose  Domaine Wachau Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 2021 (Austria, Wachau).

The included tour of Trier leaves at 13:30 by bus from Wintrich, where  the boat makes a stop just long enough for the tour group to depart. They are due to rejoin the boat  at 18:00 at a brief stop at Schweich with the boat due to arrive in Trier at 20:00.

Piersporter -another famous wine name

It is such a warm sunny afternoon we decide to skip the tour and relax watching the scenery from the sun deck.

The journey is without delay. We see few boats on the river and are not delayed at locks.

Going back to the cabin I discover what is behind the door marked Crew Only by the ice-machine. It's the drinks store.

For our last dinner we reprise Torres' Celeste 2019 (Spain, Ribera del Duero).

After dinner Dan and Krisie walk into Trier and find the old Roman gatehouse and a fair in the town centre.