About
The entry point to Ernst Loosen's Mosel portfolio: an off-dry Riesling at just 8.5% alcohol, with no oak anywhere near it. Pale straw in the glass, green apple, white peach and citrus on the nose, then bright lemon, lime and ripe peach flavours where the slight sweetness is lifted by fresh, balancing acidity. Built for a chill and a spicy dinner — the touch of sugar mellows heat while the acid keeps everything zesty.
The fruit comes from steep slate vineyards along the Mosel, bought from small growers who work to the Loosen standard. Loosen Bros is Ernst and his younger brother Thomas, and the same cellar team that makes the Dr. Loosen estate wines makes this one.
The 2024 season was a hard one. Budburst came early, then frost and a hailstorm cut yields. Summer was cool and wet, which meant disease pressure. The weather turned in time for the final ripening, and strict sorting at harvest kept only clean fruit. The Mosel wines came out bright and low in alcohol.
In the cellar the grapes are pressed straight away and settle naturally before a stainless steel ferment. There is no malolactic fermentation, so the acidity stays sharp. Residual sugar is 41.5 grams a litre against 9.3 grams of acid, so it tastes lighter than the numbers suggest. Vegan friendly.
Producer note
Dr. Loosen is a historic Mosel estate near Bernkastel, run by Ernst Loosen since 1988, farming mostly Riesling across 11 hectares with many vines over 60 years old, including holdings in famed sites like Erdener Treppchen. Dr. L is the non-estate line that carries the house style at an everyday level.
Structure
Grape
Picked on Stef's structure profile.
