Handford Wines

The Loosen family, proprietor of the famed Dr Loosen Estate, is one of Germany's finest producers, and has been the subject of many international wine articles and of Jancis Robinson's BBC Wine Course. Great Rieslings, with the harmony of fruit and acidity, make wonderful aperitifs and are a perfect accompaniment to fish and shell fish, and also salty or strong blue cheese. See www. drloosen.de

The Wine

Despite slightly less impressive dry wines, and Kabinetts that do not reach the heights established in those genres by this estate’s 2005s and 2006s respectively, Ernst Loosen and his cellar-master Bernard Schug have nonetheless scored considerable success in 2008, a vintage they describe as temperamentally between 2005 and 2004. As regards style and success rate, the comparison with 2004 seems about right to us. This wine, while not overly complex, is rich and balanced, fruity, and boasts about its Mosel heritage from the word go. Sweet white zesty peach, tropical passion fruit hints, yellow grape fruit and honey suckle - all presented at a great price. Drink now to 2012.

Single Bottle: £8.99

In a case of 12: £8.54