Dr. Loosen Kinheimer Rosenberg Trocken GG 2023

Located on the steep slopes overlooking the Middle Mosel, the Kinheimer Rosenberg vineyard is part of the historic heart of the Dr. Loosen estate, near the village of Kinheim, Germany. This south to southwest-facing hillside rests on typical decomposed slate soils of the region, which store heat and promote slow and steady grape ripening. The vines, often old and deeply rooted, benefit from the temperate microclimate of the river, yielding dry wines of great mineral precision and marked territorial expression.

Sourced from vines planted on the steep slopes of Kinheimer Rosenberg, the grapes are hand-harvested at full ripeness to preserve the integrity of the berries. After gentle pressing, the must ferments slowly with indigenous yeasts in large, old foudres, which helps maintain the aromatic purity of the Riesling and the mineral expression of the terroir. Aging continues on fine lees in these same containers, with a late racking, to refine the texture, gain complexity, and naturally stabilize the wine before bottling.

This wine reveals notes of ripe citrus, stone fruit, and crisp apple, enhanced by delicate floral touches and a mineral dimension typical of Mosel slates. Spicy and slightly smoky nuances complete the bouquet. On the palate, the wine is precise, driven by a lively acidity, a chiseled texture, and a long, saline finish that highlights the purity of the 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.