Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Auslese 2024

The Erdener Treppchen vineyard is located on the right bank of the Mosel, opposite the village of Erden, in the heart of Germany's Mosel wine region. This steep, terraced hillside, facing full south to southwest, is planted on decomposed red slate soils that store heat and promote slow, complete ripening of the Riesling. Dr. Loosen's plots occupy some of the steepest slopes, offering ideal conditions for producing wines of great concentration and aromatic finesse.

Made from steep vines on red slate, this Riesling is hand-harvested in successive passes to select overripe and botrytized berries. The grapes are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, then the juice ferments slowly with indigenous yeasts in large oak barrels and stainless steel tanks, at a low temperature, to preserve the aromatic intensity and purity of the fruit. Fermentation is stopped to maintain a balance between residual sugar and acidity, then the wine is aged on fine lees before bottling to refine its texture and complexity.

This wine reveals notes of ripe stone fruit, candied citrus, and exotic fruit, complemented by delicate floral touches and a subtle mineral dimension typical of the Mosel slate. On the palate, the liquor is ample and suave, supported by a lively acidity that balances the sweetness and extends a long and precise finish, leaving an impression of great purity and harmony.

Germany has a long and illustrious history of winemaking. The Romans established the country's first vineyards along the banks of the Moselle River, near the present-day city of Trier. By the third century AD, vineyards had spread to various neighboring valleys, primarily those of the Moselle's tributaries. During the Middle Ages, the Christian church, particularly the Cistercian and Benedictine monasteries, had a significant influence on the development of viticulture and the production of quality wine in Germany. Germany has always been renowned for its excellent white wines: slightly sweet, low in alcohol, but always of high quality. However, in recent years, wine drinkers have tended to prefer drier wines. Consequently, the German market has evolved to cater to all tastes with some splendid dry Rieslings and other white wine varieties, such as Pinot Blanc, Gewürztraminer, and Grauburgunder. Warmer summers and milder winters have also favored rosés and reds, with Pinot Noir being the third most planted grape variety in the country. So, take your pick—from traditional Rieslings to great reds, the range is wide and still expanding. The German wine industry lost its way in terms of quality during the 20th century, expanding plantings onto less favorable sites and increasing yields to levels where quality was severely compromised. However, Germany's greatest wine producers were never completely lost, and since the end of the 20th century, considerable efforts have been made to restore Germany's former glory. Yields are now limited by law, and many leading producers have joined forces to form the VDP association (see German Wine Labels). Members of the VDP are bound by a commitment to focus their efforts on quality rather than quantity. In terms of volume, Germany ranks among the top ten countries in the world for annual wine production. Just over 60% of the wine produced is white, and it is widely acknowledged that the white wines from Germany's best vineyards and most reputable producers are among the finest in the world. German red wines are also gaining in popularity and quality, particularly those made from Spätburgunder, the local name for Pinot Noir. The second most popular red grape variety (in terms of planted hectares, at least) is Dornfelder.