Graacher Domprobst Dry GG 2023

Located on the steep slopes of the Moselle, the Graacher Domprobst vineyard overlooks the village of Graach, between Bernkastel and Wehlen, in the heart of Germany's wine region. This Grosse Lage classified hillside benefits from predominantly south to south-west exposures, offering generous sunshine while remaining cool thanks to the influence of the river. The soils are composed of decomposed slate, rich in minerals, which give the wine its tension and precision. The Dr. Loosen estate cultivates often old vines there, deeply rooted in these steep terroirs.

The Riesling grapes are hand-harvested on the steep slope of Graacher Domprobst, with careful sorting to retain only perfectly ripe and healthy berries. After gentle pressing, the must ferments slowly thanks to indigenous yeasts. The wine is then aged on fine lees in large old wooden foudres, in order to preserve the purity of the fruit, the mineral tension, and the precision of the terroir, before being bottled without artifice.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, crisp green apple, and stone fruit, complemented by delicate floral touches, a smoky mineral frame, and subtle spicy nuances. The palate is direct and precise, supported by a lively yet harmonious acidity, with a crystalline body, a slender texture, and a long, salivating, and slightly saline finish that highlights the purity of the slate terroir.

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.