NV Dr Loosen Sekt Sparkling Riesling, Germany

The Dr. Loosen estate has been in the same family for over 200 years. When Ernst Loosen (pronounced "loh-zen") assumed ownership in 1988, he realized that with ungrafted vines averaging more than 60 years old in some of Germany's best-rated vineyards, he had the raw materials to create stunningly intense, world-class wines. To achieve this, Ernst dramatically reduced crop size and stopped all chemical fertilization, preferring only moderate use of organic fertilizers. He insisted on fully mature fruit that had been very strictly selected. He also turned to gentler cellar practices that would allow the wines to develop their full potential with a minimum of handling and technological meddling. Ernst's focus is on the clear expression of terroir from each of the distinctive vineyards owned by the estate. All of Dr. Loosen's six major vineyards were designated as "Erste Lage" (equivalent to Grand Cru) in the 1868 Prussian classification of Mosel vineyards. Dr. L Sparkling Riesling is 100% pure Riesling — the crisp, fruity grape that has made German wine famous for centuries. We make it using the Charmat method, where the second fermentation is done in a pressurized tank to keep the bubbles in the wine. This produces bright, clean sparkling wines in a more affordable way, which makes it possible to offer this charming bubbler at a very nice everyday price.