Our Villa Wolf Riesling got some very nice air time on a TV station in Quebec recently. If you speak French, you can watch it here. The Villa Wolf part of the segment starts at about 03:30.
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.
