Posts Tagged ‘ernst loosen’

Have You Tried Our J.L Wolf Wines?

Thursday, September 6th, 2012

If you’re a Dr. Loosen fan, you may be interested to know that Ernst Loosen also makes wines under the J.L. Wolf label.

Founded in 1756, the J.L. Wolf estate was a very successful and highly regarded winery for more than two centuries. It entered an especially glamorous era with the construction of its Italianate estate house and villa in 1843. Ernst Loosen took over the vineyards in 1996.

In 1996, Ernie took over the historic J.L. Wolf estate so he could make traditionally crafted Rhine wines to complement the Dr. Loosen Rieslings he produces in the Mosel. In the classic style of the Pfalz region, J.L. Wolf wines are more full-bodied than Mosel wines, with higher alcohol and rich flavors of ripe fruit and stone.

The Pfalz region lies between the Haardt Mountains and the Rhine river, directly north of France’s Alsace region. As in Alsace, the mountains protect the area from harsh Atlantic weather, making it one of the warmer and drier areas of Germany. In this climate, achieving full ripeness is possible in nearly every vintage.

To preserve the naturally high quality of the vineyards, Ernie emphasizes sustainable viticulture, gentle handling during harvest and traditional winemaking techniques in the cellar. This enables him to produce pure, mineral-inflected wines that express the authentic terroir of the Pfalz.

J.L. Wolf: Estate-Grown Rieslings

J.L. Wolf uses an unofficial, Burgundy-style classification of its vineyards. Typically, two wines are made from each J.L. Wolf vineyard—one in the traditional dry (trocken) style and one in the fruity style, with residual sweetness. Only the fruity wines are labeled as Prädikat wines. In most vintages Wachenheimer Kabinett, Wachenheimer Belz Spätlese and Pechstein Auslese are produced.

Villa Wolf: Value-Priced Varietal Wines

Our newly updated label for Villa Wolf wines.

Villa Wolf label is a value-priced line of varietal wines that show the true character of each variety as it is grown in the warm and sunny Pfalz region. Villa Wolf wines re made from J.L. Wolf estate fruit supplemented with grapes from contracted growers. Varieties include Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Riesling, Silvaner and Pinot Noir (red and rosé). Like the Dr. L from Dr. Loosen, these are excellent glass pour wines, as well as great values on the retail shelf.

Villa Wolf has been recognized as a “Value Brand of the Year” by both Wine & Spirits and Wine Enthusiast. Our Villa Wolf Rosé is a popular summer wine and a great value for backyard grilling, picnics and parties.

Learn more about JL Wolf and Villa Wolf wines at these sites.

Loosen Bros. USA

J.L. Wolf Wine Estate

Ernst Loosen Visits Total Wine Stores in Seattle, USA

Monday, August 20th, 2012

Love this fun pic of Ernie and pals when he poured at Total Wine Stores in Seattle last week. More than 200 people attended!

August 11: Ernst Loosen & Jay Somers at New Seasons in Happy Valley, Oregon

Tuesday, July 31st, 2012

Oregon fans! The Dynamic Duo of Ernie Loosen & Jay Somers is coming to New Seasons Grocery in Happy Valley. A great chance to meet the vintners up close & personal and, of course, taste a great selection of their wines.


Saturday, August 11
4-6 pm.
New Seasons Happy Valley store

Here’s the line-up of wines you’ll be tasting:

J. CHRISTOPHER
2011 Cuvee Lunatique Chardonnay
2011 Christo Irresisto Rose
2010 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
2010 Nuages Pinot Noir

DR. LOOSEN
2009 Villa Wolf Dry Riesling
2011 Villa Wolf Pinot Noir Rosé
2011 Dr. L Riesling
2010 Dr. Loosen Riesling Kabinett Bernkasteler Lay
2010 Dr. Loosen Riesling Spätlese Ürziger Würzgarten
2006 Dr. Loosen Riesling BA

Learn more about these wines at www.loosenbrosUSA.com.

Hope to see you there!

Love it With Loosen Friday: Erdener Treppchen Auslese

Friday, May 4th, 2012

If you’re friended with us on Facebook, you may already know that Eric Asimov of the New York Times did a story last week titled “Sweetness that Bites Back: Auslese Rieslings from the 2010 Vintage.”

The NYT Dining section wine panel tasted 20 of the vintage and guess which one came out #1 out of all 20? We’ll let Mr. Asimov tell you:

“Our No. 1 bottle was the Erdener Treppchen from Dr. Loosen, which had so many layers of flavor it seemed almost four-dimensional.”

We are honored to be chosen!

And to honor the choice, we dedicate this week’s Love It With Loosen Friday to foods that pair well with our Erdener Treppchen 2010.

Here are some pairing suggestions from our team:

ERNIE LOOSEN: “I like the Erdener Treppchen Auslese with a very traditional dessert here on the Mosel. My Grandma and also my Mum did this dessert always at communion. My Mum prepared it last Sunday again for the communion of my little niece, Julia. The dessert is a wine cream made with Riesling that you pour over local red peaches. The red peaches are from our own tree, which my Mum cans into preserving jars after harvest.”

IAN DICK: “I’d drink this wine in like 30 years and enjoy it with with Ernie’s mom’s sauerbraten.”

KIRK WILLE: “Auslese is pretty sweet, but the 2010 has raging acidity, keeping it racy and balanced. It’s not a big sticky like BA, though, and would work well with richer things like Indian curries, a country pâté, or chicken liver mousse. Also sharp, rich cheeses, like gorgonzola or bleu. It also can work well with fruit-based desserts that aren’t too sweet. And, of course, it is fantastic on its own as a juicy, cleansing interlude – liquid sorbet!”

What would you like to pair it with?

Learn more about Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Auslese.

Learn more about the Erdener Treppchen vineyard.

Summer of Riesling is Nearly Here!

Wednesday, April 25th, 2012

Acidhounds get ready! With June just around the corner, hundreds of the finest restaurants and wine bars in the Northern Hemisphere are getting ready to celebrate “Summer of Riesling,” from June 20 to Sept. 21 by offering Riesling by the glass and bottle.

In 2011, the original goal was to get participation by 75 restaurants. The final tally: 222,
or triple the goal. For 2012, the goal is 500.

“The enthusiasm was incredible,” says our pal Manhattan restaurateur, acidhound and Riesling fanatic of Terroir Wine Bars Paul Grieco, who created the Summer of Riesling concept and orchestrated the 2011 national program.

“This was not a hard sell at all,” Grieco says. “So many of my colleagues love Riesling and know
how versatile it is with many foods, and they just said sure, we’re in.”

If you love Riesling–or if you want to love Riesling: you’ve got a lot to look forward to. Restaurants and bars will be offering special flights of Rieslings, tastings, Riesling dinners, and filling their wine lists with very special bottles.

If you’re in the wine trade: get in on the action! Participants get publicity and support, including special “Summer of Riesling” t-shirts, temporary Riesling tattoos, buttons, window stickers, and lots of information about Riesling.

Our Operations Manager, Clifford Robben, was so excited about Summer of Riesling that he couldn't wait for his temporary tattoo and went for the real thing.

Loosen Bros. USA is Here to Help You Celebrate

And, of course, we hope you’ll include Rieslings from Dr. Loosen, J.L. Wolf, Weingut Robert Weil, and Von Schubert/Maximin Grünhaus in your celebration, all available from Loosen Bros. USA. And, of course, don’t forget the excellent wines of our Eroica Riesling partner, Chateau Ste. Michelle.

SPECIAL in JULY:31 DAYS OF GERMAN RIESLING

And for those of you with a particular affection for 60 percent of the world’s Riesling vineyards, don’t forget that July brings a special event within Summer of Riesling: 31 Days of German Riesling. In July, participants will highlight their passion for the wines of the Mosel, the Pfalz and beyond.

To learn all about Summer of Riesling, visit www.summerofriesling.com, or follow the fun on Facebook and Twitter. Information also is available on the International Riesling Foundation’s web site, www.drinkriesling.com.

Come Fly With Us!

Saturday, March 31st, 2012

If you enjoy tasting a flight of Dr. Loosen wines, imagine how much fun it can be to taste Dr. Loosen while you’re in flight.

We are very pleased to announce that the following airlines now serve Dr. Loosen. So if you’re flying with any of them, be sure to ask for glass.

And remember, most Rieslings have a lower alcohol content than other types of wines, so you can enjoy your in-flight beverage with fewer jet-laggy side effects. Wheels up!

Oman Air serves 2006 Dr. Loosen Beerenauslese in first class.

Qatar Airways serves Dr. Loosen Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese in business class.

Malaysia Airlines serves Dr. L Riesling Kabinett.

EVA Air serves Dr. Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Kabinett.

EVA Air

Singapore Airlines serves Dr. L Riesling.

Here Comes the Loosen Bros. USA Portfolio Tour 2012!

Friday, March 30th, 2012

For the Wine Trade in Chicago, Boston & New York City — We are happy to announce that Loosen Bros. USA, the national importer for Dr. Loosen, will be taking our small but growing band of top-drawer winemakers to your cities, April 16-18.

In each city, we’ll have an extensive selection of our wines for you to taste, and you can get the real dirt straight from these winemakers who, like Ernie Loosen, are committed to the idea that terroir is real and a wine’s place of origin matters.

We look forward to showing you our current range of wines from:

CHICAGO
Monday, April 16, from 11 am to 4 pm
Tenzing Basecamp, 165 North Morgan, Chicago

(We will be part of Tenzing Wine & Spirits’ annual portfolio tasting.)

Attending Winemakers:

  • Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen (Mosel) & Villa Wolf (Pfalz)
  • Wilhelm Weil, Robert Weil (Rheingau)
  • Nicolas Potel, Domaine de Bellene & Maison Roche de Bellene (Burgundy)

To attend the tasting, or for more information, please contact: Doug Krenik, Director of Sales, Loosen Bros. USA 720-237-8170 or doug.krenik@drloosen.com.

BOSTON
Tuesday, April 17, from 11 am to 4 pm
Catalyst Restaurant, 300 Technology Square, Cambridge

Attending Winemakers:

  • Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen (Mosel) & Villa Wolf (Pfalz)
  • Wilhelm Weil, Robert Weil (Rheingau)
  • Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus (Ruwer)
  • Nicolas Potel, Domaine de Bellene & Maison Roche de Bellene (Burgundy)
  • Jay Somers, J. Christopher Wines (Oregon)

To attend the tasting, or for more information, please contact Ian Dick, NE Region Sales Manager, Loosen Bros. USA 413-429-7063 or ian.dick@drloosen.com.

NEW YORK
Wednesday, April 18 – noon to 4 pm
The Lamb’s Club, 132 West 44th Street, Manhattan

Attending Winemakers:

  • Ernst Loosen, Dr. Loosen (Mosel) & Villa Wolf (Pfalz)
  • Wilhelm Weil, Robert Weil (Rheingau)
  • Carl von Schubert, Maximin Grünhaus (Ruwer)
  • Nicolas Potel, Domaine de Bellene & Maison Roche de Bellene (Burgundy)
  • Jay Somers, J. Christopher Wines (Oregon)

To attend the tasting, or for more information, please contact: Ian Dick, NE Region Sales Manager, Loosen Bros. USA 413-429-7063 or ian.dick@drloosen.com.

Please feel free to pass the invitation on to your friends and colleagues in the wine trade.

A Special Roche de Bellene Burgundy Dinner at Petit Maison in Scottsdale, Arizona

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Scottsdale, Arizona fans! Join us for a very special “Beware the Ides of March” Burgundy dinner at Petit Maison Restaurant. Hosted by our national sales manager, Brian “The Harlanator” Harlan.

Date: March 15th
Time: 6:30 pm
Place: Petit Maison Restaurant Scottsdale AZ
Cost: $185 inclusive
To Reserve: Call 480.991.6887

The dinner will feature the wines of internationally reknowned Burgundy Winemaker Nicolas Potel of Maison Roche de Bellene, a member of our “Friends of Ernst Loosen” portfolio as well as Dr. Loosen Rieslings.

“Beware the Ides of March” Dinner Menu

amuse bouche
Dr. L Sparkling Riesling NV learn more

1st
tahitian vanilla-cured salmon with shaved watermelon radish and dehydrated honey
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Bourgogne Chardonnay learn more

2nd
saffron poached mano leon scallop with aleppo pepper crust and nasturtium pistou
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Meursault learn more

3rd
roasted monkfish with parsnip puree and spanish chorizo
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Puligny Montrachet learn more

4th
rabbit loin creppenitte with oregon chanterelles and golden beets
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Bourgogne Pinot Noir learn more

5th
duck confit ravioli with confit of apricots
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Volnay learn more

6th
sous vide veal loin with shaved perigord truffles
Maison Roche de Bellene 2009 Gevrey Chambertin learn more

7th
wild berry pave
Dr. Loosen “BA” 2006 Beerenauslese learn more

Don’t miss out. Reserve your seats today!

Ernst Loosen with Pals in Burgundy

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Burgundy is one of Ernie Loosen’s great loves, and every year he makes a trip there with a small group of friends. This year the gang toured Rousseau, DRC, Mugnier, Claude Dugat, Clos de Tart, and Domaine Leflaive.

Enjoy Ernie’s pics of this year’s tour and to read more about it, visit LE BLOG DU GRAND JURY. (And if you don’t speak French, Google translator helps. Bon chance!)

(left to right) Wang Yi, Roger Christian, Roberto Schneuwly, Claude Dugat, Enzo Vizzari, Oruzzio Vagnozzi, Ernst Loosen

In the cellar at Clos de Tart

Ernie is a huge fan of Burgundy and keeps a large cellar.

At dinner.

Tasting Grands Echezeaux 2011. Formidable!

Ernst Loosen in Florida

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Ernie Loosen and our Southeast Sales Manager Sarah Noble did a swing through Florida in February, teaching Riesling seminars and visiting with customers and vendors. Enjoy these pics from their trip, and if you want to see even more, check out the photo album on our Facebook page.

More about the companies featured in these photos at: B-21 Wine Merchants in Tarpon Springs, Sideberns Restaurant in Tampa, and Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami.

The "Mad Winemaker of the Mosel" himself at B-21 Wine Merchants in Tampa, Florida

Ernie Loosen with B-21 wine expert Shannon Sprenthall

Ernie teaches a Riesling seminar at Sideberns Restaurant & Wine Shop in Tampa

Ernie and Kevin Pelley, Wine Director at Sideberns in Tampa

Ernie and Chateau Ste. Michelle Winemaker Bob Bertheau in fine form at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach. Ernie and Bob were in town to do their "Riesling Roadshow" for their joint venture, Eroica Riesling.

Tasty goodness at Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach.

Ernie and Selected Brands Rep Amy Cairns. Read our feature story on Selected Brands at http://www.drloosen.com/blog/?p=2169