Wines Mosel Dr Loosen - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett - 2024

Dr Loosen’s 2024 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett is a delightful Mosel white, known for its finesse and balance. Crafted from steep, sun-soaked slopes above the village of Wehlen, this wine expresses the hallmark style of the region: lightness of body, vivid fruit, and vibrant acidity. While user data suggests Riesling as the exclusive grape, one can appreciate that Mosel’s Kabinett category typically highlights the variety’s aromatic charm: stone fruit, crisp citrus, and hints of white flowers. The “Kabinett” designation refers to an early-harvested wine, typically less sweet than Spätlese and Auslese categories, lending both an agility and a bright, refreshing finish. Depending on winemaking choices in the 2024 vintage, expect a subtle interplay of ripeness and zesty freshness.

The Mosel region is iconic, tracing its winemaking traditions back to Roman times. Its winding river valley is cloaked in precariously steep vineyards, dominated by a mosaic of slate soils which capture daytime warmth and impart a distinctive minerality to the local wines. The region’s cool, northern climate extends the growing season, allowing grapes to develop captivating aromas and balanced sugar-acid profiles. Wehlener Sonnenuhr, amongst Mosel’s premier sites, is celebrated for producing some of the world’s most refined and age-worthy Rieslings, defined by their interplay of fruit, floral lift, and a signature streak of slate-driven minerality.

For food pairing, the vivacity and delicate sweetness (even in ‘sec’ or dry style, Mosel Kabinett retains a certain fruit-driven charm) make this wine superbly versatile. It pairs excellently with light, aromatic dishes—think grilled trout with lemon and herbs, fresh goat’s cheese salads, or even Asian-inspired dishes such as Thai prawn salad or sushi. Regional specialties like roasted pork with apple or river fish in Riesling sauce are classic partners.

Serve chilled, ideally around 8-10°C. This will enhance the wine’s refreshing acidity and vibrant aromatics, while allowing its complexity to emerge as the wine warms gently in the glass. If cellaring, this Kabinett style will evolve beautifully over 5 to 8 years, developing subtle notes of honey and petrol.