The steep, south-facing slopes create the perfect climate for Riesling, allowing the grapes to ripen slowly; the Mosel’s slate soil reflects the sunlight and holds the heat of the day; and the thin topsoil forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients, producing wines of intense quality. In addition, Dr. Loosen owns vines that are well over 120 years old, which results in the production of grapes of higher concentration and richness.
While “blue slate” soil is quite prolific throughout Germany’s middle Mosel region, the iron-rich “red slate” is less common and found mostly near the villages of Erden and Ürzig. And there is something distinctive about red slate, as it imparts a dense, muscular mineral backbone to the wines produced in that particular soil.
This is a beautiful, captivating, and delightfully food-friendly wine… and perfect for warm weather quaffing. It may currently be had for approximately $13.00 - $14.00 per bottle… an utterly outlandish, crime-against-humanity bargain… and there’s plenty of it around. So snatch it up… before I beat you to it.