Archive for March, 2010

Kirk Reports from the Montreal Wine & Spirits Show

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Loosen Bros. USA VP Kirk Wille was on hand at the Montreal Wine & Spirits Show last week.

He says “I was very impressed with the level of sophistication among wine consumers in Québec. They have that French culture behind them that leads them to immediately ask what foods work best with the wines. The response to the wines was really fantastic. And every one of them was able to taste the subtle differences in terroir between the blue slate of Graacher Himmelreich, the red vocanic soil of Ürziger Würzgarten and the red slate of Erdener Prälat.”

Here are some fun pix from the show….enjoy!

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Debut Release of Appassionata Pinot Noir Now Available

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Are you passionate about Pinot Noir? This bottle is for you.

appassionata-2006-label-4002Be the first to try the first release of the first Oregon Pinot Noir produced collaboratively by Ernie Loosen and Jay Somers of J. Christopher Wines. Now available.

Appassionata is the direct result of the friendship between Ernie Loosen and Jay Somers (J. Christopher Wines, Oregon), two dedicated winemakers who share a lifelong passion for Pinot Noir.

The long-awaited wine offers an elegant balance of powerful Oregon fruit and fine Old World structure. Only 100 cases were bottled, so if you want to get some, act fast!

Do I hear $18,000? Loosen package nets big bid at Classic Wines Auction.

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

When the auctioneer’s hammer fell at the 26th annual Classic Wines Auction on March 6 in Portland, Oregon, Loosen raised some serious loot for charity.

At the table with CWA board member Chris Hermann, Ernst Loosen, and Mark Freund from Silicon Valley Bank.

At the table with CWA board member Chris Hermann, Ernst Loosen, and Mark Freund from Silicon Valley Bank.

A trip to visit Dr. Loosen in Germany (four days hosted by Ernie!) was one of the top-selling lots at the auction. The trip, donated by Loosen Bros USA with airfare contributed by American Airlines, sold for $18,000 at the auction, which raised more than $2.3 million for five charities.

l to r): Chef David Machado, Matt Elsen and Bob Liner from Galaxy Wine Co., Co-Chair Michelle Fitzhenry, Washington Wine Ambassador David O'Reilly, International Wine Ambassador Ernst Loosen, California Wine Ambassador Cleo Pahlmeyer, Co-Chair Tim Phillips, Oregon Wine Ambassadors Cathy and Bill Stoller, Chef Jesus Cibrian and Chef Cory Schreiber.

l to r): Chef David Machado, Matt Elsen and Bob Liner from Galaxy Wine Co., Co-Chair Michelle Fitzhenry, Washington Wine Ambassador David O'Reilly, International Wine Ambassador Ernst Loosen, California Wine Ambassador Cleo Pahlmeyer, Co-Chair Tim Phillips, Oregon Wine Ambassadors Cathy and Bill Stoller, Chef Jesus Cibrian and Chef Cory Schreiber.

The Classic Wines Auction is one of the top five charity wine auctions in the United States, according to Wine Spectator magazine. This year’s honorary international ambassador for the event was none other than our own Ernie Loosen.

Another Loosen Bros. USA donation of a weekend in Seattle and tickets to the Riesling Rendezvous, an event co-sponsored by Dr. Loosen and Chateau Ste. Michelle, raised an additional $4,000 at the auction. Read more.

Bienvenue! Dr. Loosen at the Montreal Wine & Spirits Show

Friday, March 19th, 2010

montrealWill you be at the Montreal Wine & Spirits Show next week? (March 25-28)

Be there! It’s the de rigueur event for wine lovers!

kirk-and-his-poleLoosen Bros. USA Vice President Kirk Wille will be pouring at the main tastings Thursday (Mar 25), Friday (Mar 26) and Saturday Mar 27) from noon to 9 pm. Stop by, say hi and have a taste or two!

FREE RIESLING SEMINARS AT THE SHOW
Also, please join Kirk for these cool Riesling seminars.

The Doctor Is In!
The Rieslings of Dr. Loosen

When: Friday, March 26
Time: 6:30 pm
Where: “The Scene” (stage on the main show floor)
Admission: FREE!

Riesling From Washington Terroir
with a Touch of German Skill

A vertical tasting of Eroica Riesling for Ernst Loosen’s joint venture with Chateau Ste. Michelle.

When: Saturday, March 27
Time: 5:15 pm
Where: Hall 2
Admission: FREE!

Friends of Ernie Tour Pix

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

A few random pix from our recent “Friends of Ernie” tour, featuring winemakers from our new “Friends of Ernie” portfolio.

King Ernie in San Francisco

King Ernie in San Francisco: (left to right) Jay Somers, Daniel Gantenbein and Jochen Becker-Köhn putting Ernie on a pedestal in Union Square

Wilhelm Weil (left) and Bruce Sanderson (right)

Wilhelm Weil (left) and Wine Spectator's Bruce Sanderson (right) at the New York tasting.

Loosen Bros. USA Producers in San Francisco. Front: Martha Gantenbein, Sandra Knoll. Back: Jay Somers, Daniel Gantenbein, Ernie Loosen, Jochen Becker-Köhn (sales director for Robert Weil), Wilhelm Weil, Thomas Chaffin (export manager for Weil).

Loosen Bros. USA Producers in San Francisco. Front: Martha Gantenbein, Sandra Knoll. Back: Jay Somers, Daniel Gantenbein, Ernie Loosen, Jochen Becker-Köhn (sales director for Robert Weil), Wilhelm Weil, Thomas Chaffin (export manager for Weil).

What the heck does “Invoke the Hoo” mean?

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

When you read our blog and Facebook posts, you’ll occasionally see us celebrate with the words “Invoke the Hoo!”

This little catchphrase came about when someone asked Loosen V.P. Kirk Wille how to say “woohoo!” in German. Ever-resourceful Kirk plugged “woohoo” into his digital Deutsche translator and what came out was German for “Invoke the Hoo!” We’ve been using it ever since.

Now you know this important Loosen catchphrase, feel free to invoke a little hoo yourself, preferably with a nice glass of Dr. Loosen or J.L. Wolf in hand. Go ahead and try it. It’s fun!

We’re in the Feinschmecker Fifteen!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Invoke the Hoo! The Feinschmecker Wine Guide 2010 has listed both Dr. Loosen and “Friends of Ernie” portfolio member Weingut Robert Weil in its top 15. Wine blogger extraordinaire Christian G.E. Schiller writes all about it here.

Wines & Vines Features J. Christopher

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

ernie-jay-in-bella-vida-4001 Here’s a cool article from Wines & Vines that features Loosen joint venture partner J. Christopher.

Read the article here.

Brian “The Harlanator” at Cincinnati Wine Festival

Friday, March 12th, 2010

the-harlanator1If you’re attending the Cincinnati International Wine Festival this weekend, give yourself a memorable experience and stop by and say hi to Loosen Bros. USA National Sales Manager Brian “The Harlanator” Harlan.

The Harlanator is a walking, talking (okay, well, sometimes shouting) encyclopedia of wine. Try and stump him with a wine question! If you can, we’ll feature you on the blog next week!

New Loosen Bros. USA Website!

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

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Loosen Bros. USA, the US importer of Dr. Loosen, J. L. Wolf and wines from the Friends of Ernie portfolio, has a cool new website. The site is primarily meant for the wine trade, but all wine lovers are welcome.

Check it out at www.loosenbrosUSA.com.