Calmont - once again Photo

Photographer’s Note

I already showed you this cliffy slope on the left riverbank of Moselle. It is called Calmont and its is the steepest vineyard of Europe - and perhaps of the world. You can see a photo taken from the river bank HERE. I'm always again fascinated by this 290 metres high slope with its wineyards with an inclination up to 65°. The grape variety grown here on still 13 hectares of shale soil is Riesling.

Already the Romans practized winegrowing here and some years ago a Roman sanctuary of the 2nd century was excavated on top of Calmont. Its name probably derives from the Latin words "calidus" and "mons", that means "warm" or even "hot" mountain.

There's a fixed rope route along the whole slope (3 kilometres) which however should be used only by skilled hikers with surefootedness and it's absolutely necessary to be free from giddiness. Please look here. Left hand you can see a part of the path.

Because of the heating of the slope which was formed by nature like a huge concave mirror and the thus rising warm air there's a favoured starting point for paragliders on top of Calmont. My photo was taken from there.

Do you see the small cars down in the valley?

In workshop you can see a wider view.

saxo042, snunney, jlbrthnn, holmertz, edge, ktanska has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

jasmis (50440) 2009-11-06 0:41

Real verigo. Superb presentation.
Regards my dear friend.
Fine WS, as well.

saxo042 (15694) 2009-11-06 0:43

Good morning Frank,
This is surely one of the most beautiful valleys in the world! I like your high POV here, usually you are down by the river and looking up alomg the slopes. Is the harvest finished now? Good links too!
Kind regards
Gunnar

Budapestman (41974) 2009-11-06 0:47

Hi Frank,
great view with spectacular POV, the compositon of the photo is very impressive, beautiful shot of this panorama with splendid details. Have a nice day!
George

bema (8760) 2009-11-06 1:01

Guten Morgen Frank,

beeindruckende Hanglage, da ist kein Vollernter gefragt, da zählt noch der persönliche Einsatz..
würde aber auch nur angeseilt dort arbeiten wollen...
schöner Blickwinkel und ein beeindruckendes Bild..

schönes Wochenende, Gruß Bernd

snunney (34914) 2009-11-06 1:06

Hello Frank,
A superb downwards point of view on this valley where the cars down below look like so many ants following a trail! The curving road and river add much dynamism to the image. I like the soft light and tones. Thanks for sharing.

Guenther (6837) 2009-11-06 2:16

Guten Morgen Frank,

wow das ist ja ein beeindruckendes Bild! So steil angelegte Weinberge gibt's ja nicht einmal bei uns in Südtirol! :-) Ja und Rhein haben wir auch keinen... Die sanften Herbstfarben im Vordergrund sind eine nette Ergänzung, ein sehr schönes Bild aber das ws-Bild gefällt mir fast noch besser: ein atemberaubender Weitblick, der wäre eigentlich ein eigenes Posting wert!

Schönes Wochenede aus einem nassgrauen Bozen
Günther

jlbrthnn (38011) 2009-11-06 4:01

Hello Frank,
To gather the grapes these vines, should not be of a great facility. I imagine that it is necessary to be careful and not to have the giddiness. These are the most spectacular vines that I ever saw. The point of view and framing are effective to describe this situation. I appreciate the natural colors and clearness. Cheer.
Have a nice day
Cordially
Joël

hrschwartz (694) 2009-11-06 6:38 [Comment]

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wolf38 (12823) 2009-11-06 7:24

Hallo Frank. Das besondere an diesem schönen Photo ist die außergewöhnliche Perspektive von oben. Gut gemacht und sehenswert. Viele Grüße und ein schönes Wochenende, Wolfgang.

holmertz (9671) 2009-11-06 10:50

Hello Frank,
A most breathtaking view, which I would hesitate to look up in real life. Also very interesting additional photos. Actually I find this photo a bit lacking of contrast and saturation, which in my mind is better in the ws. The colours of the ws are quite clearer than in this one.
Regards,
Gert

edge (480) 2009-11-06 12:58

Hello Frank, Extraordinary view of this area. Obviously you are at a great height with your camera as the autos appear insignificant on the street below. Lots of charm in ths shot and the vineyards look very steep. The river definitely adds to the shot and also creates the depth of the picture. Outstanding shot. Regards, Roger

ifege (1797) 2009-11-06 22:40

Brilliant point of view Frank showing these amazing vineyards.
cheers
Ian

danyy (68802) 2009-11-07 0:05

Bonjour Frank,
une photo qui! manque un peu de dash au niveau des couleurs, un peu effacées sans doute par une brume légère. Une vue en tous cas qui donne le vertige par ce rendu de l'altitude impressionnant.
My best regards.
Daniel.

ktanska (16581) 2009-11-09 4:38

Hi Frank,
That is steep! Wine farming on such terrain must have special challenges. Well framed showing the curving river on the corner and illustrating the main point well.
Kari

adelune (2) 2009-11-11 7:01 [Comment]