For those of you who don’t speak French, here’s a translation of the Villa Wolf part of the segment. (And apologies, we couldn’t get the male commentator’s name from the vid. If you know it, please tweet us (@drloosenwines) or post on our Facebook wall and we’ll correct it pronto.)

Nadia Fournier: So, this morning, we are going to try to change some prejudice… because often with whites we like them dry, and we’re a little nervous when a wine is a little sweet.

Man: Like me, sometime, if you tell me it has a little sweetness… I don’t really like that.

Nadia: There is a country where this is not a fault. In New World wines, this can be undesirable because with higher alcohols they can be heavy. Germany has for a long time produced Rieslings that traditionally have a touch of sweetness… therefore less alcohol, since it is sugar that is fermented into alcohol. So, (a wine at) 11.5% alcohol… around fourteen dollars in the SAQ (Quebec liquor stores). In a screw-cap… which is ideal; you can be sure when you buy a bottle that it won’t be corked.

Man: For sure…

Nadia: …and it’s a perfect morning wine.
(Yes) It’s not heavy… it’s sweet…

Man: True. I have to be honest, I was skeptical, I thought, oh… but you don’t really taste the sweetness. And for the summer, on the terrace, my god…

Nadia: It has a “fruit juice” characteristic, but at the same time, some complexity… there are lots of aromas, very perfumed… not too much, just enough, with an acidity that is very refreshing.

Man: So… a wine from Germany, which is gaining ground on the world stage…

Nadia: Germany is a country, historically very well established. Unfortunately, it’s had a relatively small production, very little red wine, lots of white. The worldwide consumption of white wine is growing in the last few years, so Germany is benefiting. And more and more very good journalists… English, like Hugh Johnson, who we’ve talked a lot about, are speaking favorably… and I think the prejudices are falling by the wayside. (So Germany…)

Man: …very good.

Nadia: You should be hearing more about these wines. The SAQ doesn’t have a lot of selection right now… but there is the Villa Wolf, produced by Ernst Loosen, who is The doctor, worldwide… he has his doctorate in oenology…

Man: He’s a pro…

Nadia: …and he is the specialist, worldwide, in Riesling… one of The specialists.

Man: Okay, you can’t go wrong with this wine then.

Nadia: You can’t go wrong. You’re in good hands.

Man: This would give you a taste for it, then you can go explore many other wines…

Nadia: You start with this and then progress on…

Man: I might try just that.

Nadia: That’s great.

Say hi to the newest member of the Loosen Bros. USA team, Midwest Regional Manager Doug “Kronik” Krenik.

Over the past 20 years, Doug has been associated with almost every aspect of the wine business; importing his own wines, working for local distributors in both sales and education, and directing the wine program of the prestigious Flagstaff House Restaurant in Boulder, Colorado, for six years.

He completed the rigorous Court of Master Sommeliers Diploma Exam in February 2006 and is one of only 169 Master Sommeliers worldwide. Doug is also a Certified Wine Educator (CWE) through the Society of Wine Educators.

Doug currently lives in Colorado with his wife Chris and enjoys cooking, writing, and cycling. He is a veteran of the much-feared Triple Bypass ride which crosses three Colorado mountain passes, all above 10,000 feet. (For you oxygen-rich flat-landers, that’s two miles above sea level.)

He also plays guitar and has been playing in bars and bands since the tender age of 15. When not hosting events such a Beer vs. Wine Throw-Down, he rocks out with a local Colorado cover band.

Why did Doug want to work for Dr. Loosen? Because his passion is site-specific wines.

“Too much wine is soul-less,” he says. “Wines should speak of where they come from, and Riesling is one of the most site-specific wines. It’s the purest expression of the grape that there is.”

And Doug’s favorite food-wine pairing? Currently it’s a Dr. Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Spatlese with an Asian-cuisine-inspired summer peach soup.

If you happen to see Doug at one of our tastings–or maybe with his rock band–give a big wave (or yell “Freebird!”) to our Mile-High Wine Guy.

Loosen Bros. USA VP Kirk Wille will be pouring at the Wine & Spirits Top 100 Tasting in San Francisco on October 13.

Here are the deets:

Date: Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: The Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center
101 Henry Adams Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

If you’re planning to attend, be sure to stop by the Dr. Loosen table for a taste or two and say hi.

The Dr. Loosen Patio

The group goes for a Mosel Cruise

Before the vineyard hike.

Ernie talks about slate

Hiking in Erdener Treppchen

Matt, Wendy, Ian and Ernie

The party is on!

MORE FUN CUSTOMER TOUR PIX ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE.

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

Indian Wine Academy - Rendezvous Highlights Riesling’s Past and Future

JancisRobinson.com - Gallo, Constellation Follow the Riesling trend.

WineReviewOnline.com - Riesling: America’s Favorite Wine Grape?

Wine Beer of Washington State - Riesling Rendezvous Grand Tasting Review

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

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

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)