Loosen turns top vineyards to dry wine

Weingut Dr Loosen is looking to show off the quality of dry Mosel Riesling with the launch of two expressions made from the producer’s top rated vineyards.

Ernie Loosen introduces the new dry styles

The inaugural 2011 vintage of Grosses Gewächs Riesling Reserve wines come from parcels of 100-year-old vines in Dr Loosen’s Ürziger Würzgarten and Erdener Prälat, both Grosse Lagen – or grand cru – vineards.

After being aged on lees with no battonage for between 24 and 36 months in 1,000 litre “Fuder” barrels, the wines were given the name “Reserve” to reflect this extended period of barrel maturation. They were then left to age further for one year in bottle prior to release this month.

Describing the wines as “a unique approach to Grosses Gewächs”, owner Ernst Loosen remarked: “I am returning to the traditions of my great-grandfather who produced exclusively dry Riesling from our best vineyards and aged them for 24 to 36 months in large oak Fuder barrels.”

Although Germany’s Mosel region is more commonly associated with sweeter wine styles, Loosen insisted: “I have always believed that dry German Riesling deserved the same respect internationally as sweet Riesling, which has not been the case up to now. With the Grosses Gewächs Riesling Reserve, I feel we are now at the level of excellence I have been striving for over the last 25 years.”

As a result of his satisfaction with the results from this initial vintage, for the 2012 release Loosen confirmed that he would be adding a third wine, this time from the estate’s plot on the Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard.

An in-depth look by Anne Krebiehl MW at German wine and the ongoing stylistic discussion over sugar levels appeared in November’s issue of the drinks business.