How many times have you found yourself in the wine store looking for something that can best be described as not too sweet but not too dry? Finding that perfectly balanced, semi-sweet wine is tricky, especially considering many off-dry wines contain added sugar. Finding a producer committed to faultless semi-sweet winemaking craftsmanship is a daunting task.
Enter the Dr. Loosen Estate, a family owned estate over 200 years old, located in the Mosel region of western Germany. Mosel Valley is one of the most esteemed regions of Germany’s 13 Anbaugebiete, or wine-growing regions. The valley’s slopes are steep and south-facing, allowing for optimal sunlight and maximum grape ripeness. The blue-gray slate soil of the region helps maintain heat, while the overall cool climate of the region preserves acidity within the fruit.
The family produces a range of wines covering the entire spectrum of sweetness, from bone dry (trocken) all the way to Grand Cru Single Vineyard dessert wines. The Loosen family’s vines are some of the top rated in Germany, farmed with organic fertilizer and extremely selective cropping. Fruit selection is extremely particular, with only the best quality grapes making the cut.
Dr. L Riesling is the entry-level cuvée of the Loosen Bros. Estate. This 100 percent Riesling is extremely fruit driven, with an incredibly well-balanced sweetness. The winemaking techniques are sustainable, and take place in stainless steel to preserve the natural acidity and fruit-forwardness of the grapes. Fermentation is halted by chilling of the must, resulting in a residual sweetness of 43.2 grams of sugar per liter. These deeply concentrated, mouthwatering wines linger on the palate, and at low 8.5 percent alcohol, this bottle is the perfect wine for lunch. The 2015 vintage conditions were nearly ideal in the Mosel, with ideal sugar-acidity rations and optimal yields.
The wine pairs gorgeously with Asian cuisine, fruit salads, and desserts, yet also stands strongly on its own as an aperitif.
