Hello wine friends, and welcome back! This week we dive into Part Two of my conversation with Ernst Loosen of Dr.Loosen. If Part One was all about Riesling royalty, this one is for the Pinot aficionados. While Ernie is globally known for his Riesling, he’s also been quietly and passionately cultivating a deep connection with Pinot Noir from Germany’s rolling hills of the Pfalz with Villa Wolf, to the expressive soils of Oregon’s Willamette Valley at Appassionata Estate, and now into the sacred vineyards of Burgundy itself with Perron de Mypont.

In this episode, Ernie shares why Pinot Noir captured his heart, the styles he’s chasing, and what makes Pinot from the Pfalz, Oregon, and Burgundy so distinct. 

Stick around until the end, Ernie doesn’t hold back when it comes to sharing his truth.

If you want to skip ahead:

02.24: Origins of Villa Wolf – Established in 1996 to focus on Pinot varieties in Pfalz 

03.30: Pinot varieties have centuries of tradition in the Rhine and Pfalz regions  

04.30: Aged Pinot Noir and Riesling share similar aromas – “sous bois” character  

05.00: Use of “Pinot Noir” vs. “Spätburgunder” depending on export market  

07.00: Tasting and discussing the Villa Wolf Pinot Noir 2022 £12.95 Cheers Wine Merchants

11.30: Comparing German clones with French

14.00: Comparing the terroir Pfalz vs. Mosel  

17.00: Why Pfalz is nicknamed “Tuscany of Germany” 

20.00: Introducing Loosen's Oregon project: Appassionata Estate  

22.00: Appassionata named after Beethoven’s passionate composition  

22.30: Wines aged longer before release, unlike typical U.S. practice  

24.00: Volcanic soils require longer aging before release  

26.30: Longest-aged wines come from basalt-rich plots  

28.00: Ernst acquisition of the Vieux Château de Puligny-Montrachet in 2019 and it’s history in Burgundy

30.32: The style of Pinot Noir that Ernst is crafting

32.30: Whole bunch fermentation vs destemming

34.43: Stem use in winemaking: positives and negatives 

36.30: Ernst’s oak philosophy with Pinot Noir

39.30: Ernst favors 2019 Burgundy vintage and 2014 in Oregon  

41.30: Winemaking focus to avoid high alcohol styles  

42.30: Ernst speaks his truth: Low yields in this current climate does not just mean a better wine

46.24: Where is the world Ernst would want to plant next

47.45: Most memorable Pinot: Domaine Armand Rousseau 1969 Chambertin

49.00: Ernst’s advice for the next generation of winemakers

Any thoughts or questions, do email me: [email protected]

Or contact me on Instagram @eatsleep_winerepeat

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Or come say hi at www.eatsleepwinerepeat.co.uk

Until next time, Cheers to you!

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