Pinot Noir is perhaps not a wine that first comes to mind when you think of the Mosel Valley. After all Germany's Mosel Valley is considered to be one of the best places in the world for Riesling. During a recent #winelover Mythos Mosel excursion we explored the Middle Mosel. This included an evening event at Dr. Loosen winery where I was introduced to Daniel Twardowski's Pinot Noir wines. Indeed the opportunity to taste Mosel Valley Pinot Noir was not something I expected.
The Mosel Valley, one of 13 German wine regions, is divided into three wine growing sections (Upper Mosel, Middle Mosel, and Lower Mosel). The Mosel is fifth in size, and third largest in terms of wine production. The valley's continental climate makes it ideal for growing Riesling, with over 60% of Mosel Valley vineyards devoted to its production. White grape varieties planted account for over 90%, this leaving less than 10% of the area for red grape varieties, like Pinot Noir and Domfelder, which have been grown in the area since the 1980's.
Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir
Given only one third of Mosel Rieslings are exported it was important for me during our #winelover visit to taste the full range of Riesling wines produced here. Also, knowing the statistics, in the case of Pinot Noir, it would indeed be rare to encounter a Mosel Pinot Noir outside Germany. Fortunately during our #winelover visit to Dr. Loosen winery there were Mosel Pinot Noir wines on the list to taste. I certainly took advantage of the fact that there were Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines were available for tasting.
Pinot Noir, known as Spätburgunder in Germany, with climate change has been edging into that sweet spot, where Germany has slowly become one of the top Pinot Noir producers in the world. While Pinot Noir from Germany's southern wine growing regions is not uncommon Pinot Noir is indeed not the norm for the Mosel. Given that Mosel Pinot Noir wines are still rare I was delighted to see it on the list of the wines available for tasting.
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood |
Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir
Given only one third of Mosel Rieslings are exported it was important for me during our #winelover visit to taste the full range of Riesling wines produced here. Also, knowing the statistics, in the case of Pinot Noir, it would indeed be rare to encounter a Mosel Pinot Noir outside Germany. Fortunately during our #winelover visit to Dr. Loosen winery there were Mosel Pinot Noir wines on the list to taste. I certainly took advantage of the fact that there were Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines were available for tasting.
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski Wines © Spaswinefood |
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| Wine List, Dr. Loosen Reception © Spaswinefood |
Earlier Spaswinefood discussed some the Mosel Rieslings available for tasting however, for now I will share the Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir vintages on the list.
Daniel Twardowski while a newcomer is described as visionary and talented. He produced his first vintage in 2011. He takes a very hands-on approach to winemaking. He uses a Burgundian approach to producing Pinot Noir from his three hectare vineyard.
Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir 2011
Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir 2014
Weingut Daniel Twardowski, Pinot Noir 2015
Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines have been well received by critics. The wines have also been described as having good aging potential. Personally, I was struck by the overall richness and body of these wines.
Mosel Valley Pinot Noir: A Pleasant Surprise That evening at Dr. Loosen, tasting vintage Riesling and hanging out there was a sense of excitement. After all, we had come to explore Riesling at its best. The Pinot Noir wines were indeed a pleasant surprise for me. It was a special bonus to share this experience with fellow #winelovers.
Besides the fantastic wine list, there was stand up dinner that evening, catered by Kate & Kon.
The great wines and delicious party food made it the perfect finale for our first Mythos Mosel day.
As the sun went down that late spring evening, it was time to savor those moments.
After a very rich Riesling filled day, discovering Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines was in deed a special treat. The future of Pinot Noir wines in the Mosel do indeed look promising.
I appreciated the unique opportunity to discover Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines at Dr. Loosen during the Mythos Mosel. This post is part of a series on Spaswinefood’s travels in the Mosel Valley. I would like to thank Jan Matthias Klein for hosting and organizing this #winelover event. I invite you to join me in my travels in the Mosel Valley, Germany and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir © Spaswinefood |
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir 2015, 2014 & 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski, Ardoise Pinot Noir 2011 © Spaswinefood |
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski, Ardoise Pinot Noir 2014 © Spaswinefood |
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| Weingut Daniel Twardowski, Ardoise Pinot Noir 2015 © Spaswinefood |
Mosel Valley Pinot Noir: A Pleasant Surprise That evening at Dr. Loosen, tasting vintage Riesling and hanging out there was a sense of excitement. After all, we had come to explore Riesling at its best. The Pinot Noir wines were indeed a pleasant surprise for me. It was a special bonus to share this experience with fellow #winelovers.
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| Wine Conversations, Dr. Loosen © Spaswinefood |
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| Flying Dinner Menu, Kate & Kon © Spaswinefood |
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| Courtyard, Dr. Loosen © Spaswinefood |
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| Sunset, Dr. Loosen © Spaswinefood |
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| Mythos Mosel Hangout © Spaswinefood |
I appreciated the unique opportunity to discover Daniel Twardowski Pinot Noir wines at Dr. Loosen during the Mythos Mosel. This post is part of a series on Spaswinefood’s travels in the Mosel Valley. I would like to thank Jan Matthias Klein for hosting and organizing this #winelover event. I invite you to join me in my travels in the Mosel Valley, Germany and elsewhere at Spaswinefood.
Sharon
Mosel Valley, Germany
May 2018
© Spaswinefood
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| Dr. Loosen & Friends © Spaswinefood |
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