Read About Riesling Rendezvous!

July 28th, 2010

riesling-rendezvousIf you didn’t make it to Riesling Rendezvous 2010 at Chateau Ste. Michelle earlier this month, you can still read all about it.

Here is a selection of articles written by media people who attended. Reading them is like taking a mini-course about Riesling!

WineBusiness.com - All About Riesling

Decanter.com - Global Warming “Boon” for Riesling

Richard Leahy’s Wine Report - Finger Lakes, Michigan, Ontario Rieslings Shine at Riesling Rendezvous

Michigan By the Bottle - North By Northwest

Wine Peeps Blog - Riesling Rendezvous: Ageability of Riesling

Vint-ed - Swirls: Tasting My Way Through the Riesling Rendezvous

The Wine Economist - Riesling’s Rising Tide

CBS Good Morning South Florida Reviews Wolf and Dr. L

July 21st, 2010

Check out this fun vid of Matt Horbund (A Good Time With Wine) reviewing our JL Wolf Pinot Gris, our Villa Wolf Gewürztraminer and Dr. L Riesling.

To see more of Matt’s on air wine reviews, click here.

More Fun Pics From 2010 Loosen Customer Tour

July 20th, 2010

Here are some more great pics from our 2010 Customer Tour. Enjoy!

On the Bingen Ferry: Crossing the Rhine on the little ferry from Bingen to Rüdesheim, on our way to Weingut Robert Weil. Pictured (l to r) are Brian harlan, Loosen Bros. USA national sales manager; John Metz, Jr., owner of Aqua Blue, Atlanta; Ron Mumford, J&P Wholesale, Las Vegas; Stephen Hoppin, Southern Wine & Spirits, Colorado.

Crossing the Rhine on the little ferry from Bingen to Rüdesheim, on our way to Weingut Robert Weil. Pictured (l to r) are Brian Harlan, Loosen Bros. USA national sales manager; John Metz, Jr., owner of Aqua Blue, Atlanta; Ron Mumford, J&P Wholesale, Las Vegas; Stephen Hoppin, Southern Wine & Spirits, Colorado.

Martina Weil welcomes the group: Martina Weil, wife of Wilhelm Weil, greets the tour group at the estate’s very modern Vinothek.

Martina Weil, wife of Wilhelm Weil, greets the tour group at the estate’s very modern Vinothek.

In the Weil Vinothek: The group enjoys a welcoming glass of Riesling Sekt (sparkling wine) at the Robert Weil Vinothek.

The group enjoys a welcoming glass of Riesling Sekt (sparkling wine) at the Robert Weil Vinothek.

The group at Robert Weil: Here’s the whole group, neatly arranged on the front porch of the Robert Weil manor house. From left to right: Ian Dick, East Coast Sales Manager for Loosen Bros. USA; Ken Winn, Signature Wine & Spirits, Chicago; Deb Donohoe & Chris Forniciari, Classic Wine Imports, Boston; Roberta Nemo & John Metz, Jr., Aqua Blue, Atlanta; Ron Mumford, J&P Wholesale, Las Vegas; Doug Krenik (hiding behind the post), Midwest Sales Manager for Loosen Bros. USA; Brian Harlan, our National Sales Manager; Stephen Hoppin, Southern Wine & Spirits, Colorado; Wendy Stuckey, winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle; Ernie Loosen; Stefan Bieber, cellarmaster at Weingut Robert Weil; Marie-Charlotte Weil, daughter of Wilhelm and Martina; Martina Weil, our host.

Here’s the whole group, neatly arranged on the front porch of the Robert Weil manor house. From left to right: Ian Dick, East Coast Sales Manager for Loosen Bros. USA; Ken Winn, Signature Wine & Spirits, Chicago; Deb Donohoe & Chris Forniciari, Classic Wine Imports, Boston; Roberta Nemo & John Metz, Jr., Aqua Blue, Atlanta; Ron Mumford, J&P Wholesale, Las Vegas; Doug Krenik (hiding behind the post), Midwest Sales Manager for Loosen Bros. USA; Brian Harlan, our National Sales Manager; Stephen Hoppin, Southern Wine & Spirits, Colorado; Wendy Stuckey, winemaker for Chateau Ste. Michelle; Ernie Loosen; Stefan Bieber, cellarmaster at Weingut Robert Weil; Marie-Charlotte Weil, daughter of Wilhelm and Martina; Martina Weil, our host.

Deb Donohoe & Kirk Wille: One of the great things about this annual tour is all the great people we get to meet. Here's Loosen Bros. USA VP Kirk Wille at the Weil estate with Deb Donohoe from Classic Wine Imports in Boston.

Deb Donohoe & Kirk Wille: One of the great things about this annual tour is all the great people we get to meet. Here's Loosen USA VP Kirk Wille at the Weil estate with Deb Donohoe, from Classic Wine Imports in Boston.

Team Loosen at Weil: Posing with our good friends and colleagues at Robert Weil (l to r) Brian, Ian, Martina, Kirk, Marie-Charlotte, Doug, Ernie, Stefan.

Posing with our good friends and colleagues at Robert Weil (l to r) Brian, Ian, Martina, Kirk, Marie-Charlotte, Doug, Ernie, Stefan.

Dr. Loosen & Robert Weil Wines to Be Featured at MoonFish in Orlando July 16

July 14th, 2010

moonfishJoin us for the Ultimate Riesling Experience with the Wines of Dr. Loosen & Robert Weil At MoonFish Restaurant in Orlando, Florida.

Friday, July 16th
6:30pm

MENU AND PAIRINGS

Course 1
Dr. L Riesling

Yellow fin Ahi Tuna Tar Tar
With Fresh CIlantro, thinly sliced California Jalapenos, Hass Avocado,
and Fresh Mango Puree
______________________________________________

Course 2
Loosen Estate Kabinett

Espresso Encrusted Wagyu “Kobe” Beef Tenderloin
With Hoisin Cream and spicy Asian Garlic Mashed Potatoes
______________________________________________

Course 3
Robert Weil Trocken

MoonFish Lobster Encrusted Sea Bass
with Balsamic reduction and Szechwan Green Beans
______________________________________________

Course 4
Loosen Beerenauslese Riesling

Double Chocolate Cherry Brioche
With Amarena Cherries and sweet Riesling reduction
______________________________________________

$50 per person
(Tax & Gratuity not included)

Limited Space • Reservations (407) 363-7262

BBC Stories Report on Fight to Stop Monster Mosel Bridge

July 14th, 2010

mosel-bridge

The BBC recently did a series of stories quoting Ernie Loosen on the worldwide protest to stop construction of a bridge that will threaten the world’s most valuable Riesling vineyards and ruin the entire character of the lovely Mosel Valley.

Please view these stories and add your voice to the protest.

Anger Over Riesling Road Scheme Plans. (video)

Rescuing the Riesling. (article)

Winemaker on Riesling Motorway Bridge Plan. (video)

Erdener Prälat Takes First Place at Kapalua Wine Idol

July 7th, 2010

erdener-pralat-labelOur National Sales Manager, Brian (”The Harlanator”) Harlan attended the Kapalua Wine & Food Festival on Maui in June. Here’s his report:

The 2010 Kapalua Wine Festival featured a seminar entitled “Wine Idol: The Master Sommelier Challenge”, hosted by Geoff Kruth, MS, of the Farmhouse Inn in Forestville, California. Seven Master Sommeliers each selected a wine for the competition. The wines were poured in the order below and each sommelier had up to five minutes to pitch their choice.

PANEL MEMBERS:

* Fred Dame, MS
* Blakesley Chappellet
* Michael Jordan, MS

THE MASTER SOMMELIERS AND THEIR WINE SELECTIONS:

Shayne Bjornholm, MS, Washington State Wine Director
2007 Simonnet-Febvre Chablis Premier Cru “Vaillons”, France

Brian Cronin, MS
2009 Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtikos, Greece

Michael Jordan, MS, Word Vineyards
2006 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir “Rochioli River Block”, RRV

Greg Harrington, MS, Gramercy Cellars
2007 Gramercy Cellars Syrah “John Lewis”, Walla Walla

Emily Wines, MS, Kimpton Restaurant Group
1998 Robert Mondavi Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

Joe Spellman, MS, Justin Winery
2007 Justin ‘Savant’ (Cabernet/Syrah), Paso Robles

Jay Fletcher, MS, Southern W&S of Colorado
2006 Dr. Loosen Erdener Prälat Auslese, Mosel, Germany

***

Jay Fletcher told the Prälat Bishop story in glorious detail with Michael Jordan urging him on. Jay said: “You want to know why the priest on the label is so happy? He gets to drink Erdener Prälat each and every vintage!”

Several members of the audience commented the Prälat “is the best wine we’ve tasted all weekend.”

The Dr. Loosen Erdener Prälat was awarded First Place. Second Place was the Williams Selyem Pinot Noir.

Wine Spectator’s Harvey Steiman Declares Eroica “A Hit”

July 7th, 2010

wine-spectator-logoeroica_bottle1If you’re not yet familar with our joint venture with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Eroica Riesling, be sure to try a bottle soon.

Here’s what Wine Spectator’s Harvey Steiman had to say about it recently.

“Most recently, I popped a 2005 for guests to drink before dinner and through a first course of spaghetti dressed with asparagus pesto (Mark Bittman’s recipe from a recent New York Times article). Under its top layer of white grapefruit and floral character, the wine showed plenty of minerality, which rose up more prominently against the mild asparagus flavor. 90 points, non-blind. It was a hit.”

Read the rest of the article here.

Ernie and Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson

June 22nd, 2010

ernie-andrea-john-300Here’s a fun photo of Ernie Loosen with Master Sommelier Andrea Robinson and her husband, John.

Ernie met up with them at a Safeway Elite store in Livermore, CA, where Andrea interviewed Ernie for an upcoming video series she’s doing about Riesling.

Keep a watch on Andrea’s site, www.andreawine.com, to see the vid.

Photo credit: Ken Dyleski, Safeway 1257 Wine Manager, 1554 First St., Livermore, CA 94550

Are you a vendor of Dr. Loosen wines? Email us to be featured on the blog.

A Winery in Progress: J. Christopher & Appassionata Vineyards

June 16th, 2010

Work is proceeding apace on our joint venture with Jay Somers: J. Christopher Winery & Appassionata Vineyards in Newberg, Oregon. Ernie flew in last week to see the progress. Check out these pix. Lots more to come!

Ernst Loosen, Jay Somers and vineyard consultant, Stirling Fox, at the newly planted Appassionata Vineyard.

Ernst Loosen, Jay Somers and vineyard consultant, Stirling Fox, at the newly planted Appassionata Vineyard.

New Vine: The recent heavy rains have been beneficial for the newly planted vines, which are covered by grow-tubes to protect them from nibbling varmints.

New Vine: The recent heavy rains have been beneficial for the newly planted vines, which are covered by grow-tubes to protect them from nibbling varmints.

The Beehive: A few oak trees were removed from prime vineyard areas. One of them had a very large beehive in it, which could be as old as 50 years. Our very resourceful excavation company (Matt Pihl Excavating) found a way to move the entire trunk of the tree to another location on the property. The hive is still thriving!

The Beehive: A few oak trees were removed from prime vineyard areas. One of them had a very large beehive in it, which could be as old as 50 years. Our very resourceful excavation company (Matt Pihl Excavating) found a way to move the entire trunk of the tree to another location on the property. The hive is still thriving!

Winery Foundation: Ernie, builder Andy Scott, Jay Somers and Stirling Fox view the foundation of the new J. Christopher winery building. On June 14 the first of the pre-cast barrel caves were set in place.

Winery Foundation: Ernie, builder Andy Scott, Jay Somers and Stirling Fox view the foundation of the new J. Christopher winery building. On June 14 the first of the pre-cast barrel caves were set in place.

Monster Mosel Bridge Updates

June 9th, 2010

Here are two articles worth reading on the Mosel Bridge that will potentially destroy some of the world’s most treasured vineyards.

Catherine Hickley, Bloomberg.com: Monster Cold-War Bridge Sparks Protests by Mosel Winemakers. Click here to read.

Hugh Johnson, The Independent: A priceless region in wine terms – but of little value to the government. Click here to read.

road-to-the-bridge-300And here is a photo that Kirk Wille took during last week’s customer tour. This is a view from high up in Ürziger Würzgarten, across the river to the Autobahn exit under construction (the big gouge across the hillside). This is the access to the new Autobahn that dumps down into the village Lösnich. They haven’t started the actual bridge construction yet, but connecting roadwork like this is proceeding on both sides of the river.