Tasting Room Radio

October 16th, 2021- 812 Wines.  20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Governors Winners.

October 15, 2021 Tasting Room Radio

hello

812 Wines.  20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Gov Winners.

 

THE SHOW

 The press release said..

“A panel of judges from Canada and the US tasted more than 800 wines, and awarded gold, silver, and platinum medals to 90 British Columbian wineries”

I know most of these judges. They cannot be fooled or influenced. They take great pride in getting the winners right.

12 of the 14 judges have been guests on Tasting Room Radio. I pay attention to what they have to say.

On and off the air.

Congratulations to all the wineries and to Tim Pawsey – Winner of the Harry McWatters Award.

There simply wasn’t time to talk to all 20 Platinum winners but we were able to stalk and corner…

 

 

Wine of the Year winner David Patterson – GM & Winemaker of Tantalus 2018 Old Vines Riesling (East Kelowna)

David Patterson

 

Grant Stanley – Winemaker at Spearhead Winery. . (East Kelowna) 3 Platinum Pinot Noirs

Grant Stanley

 

Lorin Inglis – GM at ENRICO Winery (Cowichan Valley) 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris

TDM and Lorin Ingles

 

Jeff Hundertmark – Head Winemaker Mt Boucherie  (West Kelowna) 2020 Original Vine Semillon/2018 Reserve Syrah

Jeff Hundertmark

 

Gaurev Maan – Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine (Frazer Valley)

The Mann Family

 

Elan Morris – GM OK Wine Festivals. (Kelowna)

Here is the complete 2021 Platinum List – Congratulations All.

  • Arrowleaf Cellars – 2019 Riesling
  • Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – 2019 Syrah
  • CedarCreek Estate Winery – 2020 Platinum Home Block Rosé
  • Chain Reaction Winery – 2019 Tailwind Pinot Gris
  • ENRICO WINERY – 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris
  • Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery – 2018 Estate Riesling Icewine
  • Kismet Estate Winery – 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve
  • Liquidity Wines – 2020 Rosé
  • Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine
  • Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc
  • Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Perpetua
  • Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2020 Original Vines Sémillon
  • Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2018 Reserve Syrah
  • Silhouette Estate Winery – N/V Boyd Classic Cuveé
  • Silkscarf Winery – 2017 Syrah-Viognier
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Saddle Block
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Cuveé
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Golden Retreat
  • Tantalus Vineyards – 2018 Chardonnay
  • Three Sisters Winery – 2019 Rebecca

The full list of medal winners can be found on the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society website.

Tantalus.ca

Enricowinery.com

Spearhead.ca

mtboucherie.com

maanfarms.com

thewinefestivals.com

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Summerhill Revisit

Walking the Tightrope

Hester Creek

Church and State

 

 

 

 

October 9th, 2021 – Pairing wines with Thanksgiving foods.

October 9, 2021 Tasting Room Radio

hello

Pairing wines with Thanksgiving foods.

 

THE SHOW

Two great friends join me for a Thanksgiving pairing session.

 

pumpkins and gourds as decorations in autumn

Of all of the questions I’m asked,  the most consistent is – “what do I pair with food?  vegan,  lamb, pasta, salmon, dessert?”

I was thinking about beautiful fall days and everyone’s Thanksgiving weekend. Our lunch and dinner plans.

 

That’s when I thought of two names:

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva   winediva.ca – winescores.ca

Chef Mark Filatow – Waterfront Bistro (Kelowna)  – waterfrontrestaurant.ca

 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Daenna has been the longest running regular guest we’re ever had on TRR. If you go to her very popular website  you can find reviews, articles and a crazy list of wines.

Daenna suggested her list  “Perfect Pairings -pairings with white meat.”  Talking chicken, turkey and pork and off we went! Each one of these wines has been poured, tasted and scored by The Wine Diva.  Daenna brings the reasons why she chose these wines and you can find the complete list with commentary and bottle shots  at www.winediva.ca

 

  • O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Spearhead Pinot Noir Cuvee, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Provenance Series’ Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Estate Cuvee Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley
  • Pfaffenheim ‘Tradition’ Pinot Gris, Alsace, France
  • Hester Creek Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC
  • O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars ‘Block 11’ Riesling, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Dry Riesling, British Columbia
  • Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Spearhead Chardonnay ‘Saddle Block – Clone 95’, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Red Rooster Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Brut, Lombardy, Italy
  • Sea Sun Chardonnay, California
  • Covert Farms Family Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Scattered Earth Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa

 

 Chef Mark Filatow  – Waterfront Restaurant

A chef at rest-

Mark Filatow is GM & proprietor  of Waterfront Restaurant,  culinary champion, sommelier and wine judge. Occasional fisherman.

This is not your normal interview. We know each others secrets,  so its best to just talk and let the words fall where they may.

Chef didn’t have a Thanksgiving menu in place because he’s closed Sunday and Monday.

So, I went to the main items  of his current menu. Plus Mark is serving traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner at his home – to the very people he lives with. We paired wines with that food as well.  Thank you Chef.

Happy Pairing  and A Very Happy Thanksgiving! 

 

·      MAIN COURSES

·      GRILLED PEPPERCORN CRUSTED HERITAGE ANGUS FLAT IRON

Fork Mashed Sieglinde Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Sauce Bordelaise

·      CHARRED GINDARA SABLEFISH FILLET WITH PRAWNS

Toasted Cornmeal Gnocchi, Crab & Ginger Broth, Kimchi Aioli

·      COCONUT RICE CAKES & VEGETABLE CURRY

Lime Yogurt, Spicy Cashew, Onion Pakora Crumb

www.waterfrontrestaurant.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Platinum winners – Just announced Left Gov. Awards

Hester Creek

Church and State

Summer Hill

Tightrope

 

 

October 2nd, 2021 – Our first NO/LOW Special!

October 1, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio

hello

Our first NO/LOW Special   (a sober October)

 

THE SHOW

 

“a true sparkling Chardonnay. Noughty feels much more like an adult celebratory drink”

Jancis Robinson

“It is, hands down, the best alcohol-free sparkling wine I have ever tasted and one of the best alcohol-free wines I’ve tasted overall”

Wine Enthusiast

 Sophisticated no-alcohol and low-alcohol (no/low) options have never been more in demand, as people increasingly embrace the sober-curious, moderation, and health-conscious trends.  They’re searching out beverage alternatives for a host of reasons whether it’s health, personal, or faith-related, and they don’t want to compromise on experience or great taste.

Young and old, fit and foodies, high-performance and hedonist; we all still want to share a round of drinks with friends, just without the side effects that come from alcohol… because let’s be honest no one likes a hangover.

No matter who’s research you come across, the trend for No alcohol/Low alcohol is heading up. Up 31% by 2024.

The drinks world is experiencing a non-alcoholic revolution. Having gained momentum over the past couple of years, the interest in and consumption of no-alcohol drinks is continuing to rise across the globe…

At first glance, it appears to be driven by a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle and there’s no question the movement is gaining many fans.

The range of drinks has grown significantly over the past 10 months, and now includes an array of non-alcoholic lagers and ales, still and sparkling wines, pre-blended cocktails, spirits, tonics, mixers, and more.

This special is dedicated to the person who has been telling me to cover no/low for years – Meg Mulligan!!

Today’s guests are:

Amanda Thomson – CEO Thomson and Scott. (UK)  www.noughtyaf.com

Amanda is the CEO and founder of Thomson and Scott. She is at the leading edge of the global shift to alcohol-free drinking. Her first No release was Noughty, the first alcohol-free, organic, vegan, halal, low sugar sparkling wine.

Amanda Thomson

Amanda is also driving the debate for greater transparency in wine production and labeling and wants consumers to push to know what’s on their bottles. ‍
After countless years of really bad non-alcoholic offerings in Canada, you/we finally have a great choice in Noughty and others.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay (grapes from La Mancha, Spain)

Pale color with a crisp & ripe apple nose. Tight bubbles. A light sweetness on the edges.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rose  (grapes from la Mancha, Spain)

100% Tempranillo. Great colour with berries on the nose. Balance and acidity in the mouth. Delightful.

 

Mark Kuspira – Soft Crush (Calgary)  www.softcrush.ca

Mark is the founder of Crush Imports a wine and spirits import agency in Calgary.

 

July 16th of this year he launched Soft Crush, bringing sophisticated No/Low alcohol releases for Canadian consumers searching out high-quality alternative beverages.

Mark saw a gap in the market for flavorful and authentic no/low beverages.

Mark brings the stories  behind:

Big Drop (UK) Alcohol-free craft beer. (bolder hoppier flavors) www.bigdropbrew.com

Pine Trail Pale Ale/Paradiso Citra IPA/Galactic Dark Noir

Odd Bird (Sweden) Working with French and Italian vineyards. They make their wines the same as everyone else – then – they take out the alcohol. Keeping the flavor. www.oddbird.com

Spumante Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Veneto, Italy)

Blanc de Blanc Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Languedoc-Roussillon France)

We also talk about a new release of a  Benjamin Bridge Piquette and others.

Lots of discussion of who the new No/Low consumers are. Many are driven by wellness and health reasons. Some by faith or a need to stay clear-headed for the changing world around them.

We take the whole hour to try and tell this trending story.

(Thank You Corey Wood)

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Thanksgiving wines

Church and State

Summer Hill – Home of the Oot ‘n Oots (Kelowna)

Tightrope.. (Naramata Bench)

Hester Creek – (Golden Mile)

Restaurant update

 

 

October 2nd, 2021 – Our first NO/LOW Special!

October 1, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio

hello

Our first NO/LOW Special   (a sober October)

 

THE SHOW

 

“a true sparkling Chardonnay. Noughty feels much more like an adult celebratory drink”

Jancis Robinson

“It is, hands down, the best alcohol-free sparkling wine I have ever tasted and one of the best alcohol-free wines I’ve tasted overall”

Wine Enthusiast

 Sophisticated no-alcohol and low-alcohol (no/low) options have never been more in demand, as people increasingly embrace the sober-curious, moderation, and health-conscious trends.  They’re searching out beverage alternatives for a host of reasons whether it’s health, personal, or faith-related, and they don’t want to compromise on experience or great taste.

Young and old, fit and foodies, high-performance and hedonist; we all still want to share a round of drinks with friends, just without the side effects that come from alcohol… because let’s be honest no one likes a hangover.

No matter who’s research you come across, the trend for No alcohol/Low alcohol is heading up. Up 31% by 2024.

The drinks world is experiencing a non-alcoholic revolution. Having gained momentum over the past couple of years, the interest in and consumption of no-alcohol drinks is continuing to rise across the globe…

At first glance, it appears to be driven by a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle and there’s no question the movement is gaining many fans.

The range of drinks has grown significantly over the past 10 months, and now includes an array of non-alcoholic lagers and ales, still and sparkling wines, pre-blended cocktails, spirits, tonics, mixers, and more.

This special is dedicated to the person who has been telling me to cover no/low for years – Meg Mulligan!!

Today’s guests are:

Amanda Thompson – CEO Thompson and Scott. (UK)  www.noughtyaf.com

Amanda is the CEO and founder of Thompson and Scott. She is at the leading edge of the global shift to alcohol-free drinking. Her first No release was Noughty, the first alcohol-free, organic, vegan, halal, low sugar sparkling wine.

Amanda Thompson

Amanda is also driving the debate for greater transparency in wine production and labeling and wants consumers to push to know what’s on their bottles. ‍
Finally, after many years of really bad non-alcoholic offerings in Canada, you/we finally have a great choice in Noughty.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay (grapes from La Mancha, Spain)

Pale color with a crisp & ripe apple nose. Tight bubbles. A light sweetness on the edges.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rose  (grapes from la Mancha, Spain)

100% Tempranillo. Great colour with berries on the nose. Balance and acidity in the mouth. Delightful.

 

Mark Kuspira – Soft Crush (Calgary)  www.softcrush.ca

Mark is the founder of Crush Imports a wine and spirits import agency in Calgary.

 

July 16th of this year he launched Soft Crush, bringing sophisticated No/Low alcohol releases for Canadian consumers searching out high-quality alternative beverages.

Mark saw a gap in the market for flavourful and authentic no/low beverages.

Mark brings the stories  behind:

Big Drop (UK) Alcohol-free craft beer. (bolder hoppier flavors) www.bigdropbrew.com

Pine Trail Pale Ale/Paradiso Citra IPA/Galactic Dark Noir

Odd Bird (Sweden) Working with French and Italian vineyards. They make their wines the same as everyone else – then – they take out the alcohol. Keeping the flavor. www.oddbird.com

Spumante Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Veneto, Italy)

Blanc de Blanc Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Languedoc-Roussillon France)

We also talk about a new release from Benjamin Bridge and others.

Lots of discussion of who the new No/Low consumers are. Many are driven by wellness and health reasons. Some by faith or a need to stay clear-headed for the changing world around them.

We take the whole hour to try and tell this trending story.

(Thank You Corey Wood)

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

SummerHill – Home of the Oot n Oots (Kelowna)

Tightrope.. (Naramata Bench)

Hester Creek – (Golden Mile)

Restaurant update

 

 

September 25th, 2021- The Naramata Shuffle!

September 24, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:46:47

hello

THE NARAMATA SHUFFLE

(Foxtrot. Moraine. Four Shadows)

 

THE SHOW

We hope you enjoyed our five week, 25 interview road trip through the Okanagan.

Along the way we ran into our pal Tina Baird from the Naramata Bench Wineries Association.

We’ve known each other a long time. Through film sets, festivals and movie premiers.

During our day on the Naramata Bench Tina somehow got us a table at the Naramata Inn for dinner.

As we departed an incredible meal, Tina  let me know that if I had any extra time she had three stories she thought wine fans  would appreciate.

Her suggestions became this show. Thank you Tina!

 

This weeks guests are:

Dwight Sick.   Chief Winemaker Moraine Winery (Naramata Bench) www.morainewinery.com

 

Really fine winemaker. 10 years at Stag’s Hollow. Now the Chief winemaker at Moraine on the Bench.

Pouring 2018 Reserve Riesling. Clone 49 (elegant. beautiful long finish)  2019  Pinot Noir Clone 777. (Classic Bench Pinot. Bliss)

“this bench is like Goldilocks. Not too hot. Not too cold. Just right”  Dwight Sick

 

Nathan Todd  President and GM  Foxtrot Winery (Naramata Bench) www.foxtrotwine.com

Even though he made his name working in very serious wine sales out of  New York City he did have a early connection to the Okanagan Valley.  Harvesting  fruit to make ends meet.

Years later  he blind tasted a Foxtrot Pinot. It may have changed his life. He never forgot that wine and years later convinced his wine friend Douglas Barzelay to eventually buy the winery from the Allander family.  Barzelay is one of the  World’s leading authorities on Burgundian wines. Their wine consultant is Veronique Drouhin from Domaine Joseph Drouhin. Torsten Allander’s son Gustav was retained as winemaker. Quite a team.

Nathan poured:

2 versions of Foxly Rose 2019/2020 (both instantly likeable. $24)

An Estate Vineyard 2019 Pinot Noir.  (everything a great Pinot should be. texture. balance. Defines a long finish.)

Nathan Todd Foxtrot

Wilbert and Joka Borren – Co-founders/Co-owners of Four Shadows. (Upper Bench . Naramata) www.fourshadowsvineyard.com

What a great story. Joka and Wilbert were pig farmers in Lacombe Alberta with four growing sons. They dreamed of moving to the Okanagan and being farmers there. That’s exactly what they did. They bought a forgotten vineyard on Upper Bench and decided to bring back the vineyards and plant their own vines to then sell the fruit to wineries.

Wilbert and Joka Borren

Along the way it made much more sense to become a winery and Four Shadows was born. The name is from a photo of their four sons.

Did I mention they had no wine knowledge but they knew how to farm pigs. I mean, how tough can it be to grow grapes?

They had amazing mentoring from Lindsay and Graham O’Rourke at Tightrope and consultant Pascal Madevon.  It paid off. They learned well.

You say “Pigs to Pinot”  They say “Swine to Wine.”

They poured

20o20 Rose 2020  Riesling Classic, 2020 Riesling Dry, 2020 Riesling sparkling, 2018 Pinot Noir  and 2018 Merlot.

 

Thank you Tina Baird, Naramata Bench. Thank you Barry and Carol Beecroft for “the swim”.

 

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON:

Soft Crush brings the no/low

A return to Summerhill

What now with restaurants?

September 18th, 2021- The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

September 18, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:56:45

hello

The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

THE SHOW

We come to the last show in a series that started August 21st (you remember August, right?)

The master plan was to reconnect with the people,  wineries and food of the Okanagan after a two-year hiatus.

So many changes, many Covid related.

 

Thankfully we found an excellent  supporting partner in TOTA – The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. They sure know their territory. Top shelf management.

To my delight, I also got to re-connect with long-time friend  CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews and discovered the invaluable assistance of Rob Grifone. My thanks to both.

 

For week five we find ourselves back at our home base at Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. Got to stay and do the interviews at their fabulous Hideaway.

The whole thing is on Corey Wood’s video. (see below)

 

 

 Our final guests are:

 Beata and Chris Tolley – Our hosts at their gorgeous winery and the co-founders of Moon Curser Vineyards  www.mooncurser.com

Beata & Chris Tolley

 

Moon Curser

Pouring  2020 Arneis (the little rascal of Piedmont. A flinty white)  and 2019  Dead of Night

(a spectacular blend of Tannat and Syrah. Spicy/Opulent)

 

Paula Cooper – It was Paula’s  last day as winemaker at CC Jentsch (Golden Mile). Now she’s at  Lakeside.  (Osoyoos)  www.lakesidecellars.ca   www.CCJentschcellars.com

 

Paula Cooper

Just a note that Paula came by at my request,  as I wanted to salute her work at CC Jentsch and to honor her mentor Chris Jentsch who passed away recently.

The vineyards are up for sale now and likely the new owners will rebrand. This week’s Tasting Room Radio is dedicated to Chris and CC Jentsch.

Things got  emotional on both sides of the microphone.  We thank Paula for hanging in. Thanks also to Michael J McCoy for keeping CC Jentsch open until the end.

Chris and Betty Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Co-founders of Lariana Cellars (Osoyoos)  www.larianacellars.com

At first taste, I knew these were special wines. When I discovered their mentors were Richard Cleave and Senka Tennant, that explained everything.

Dan and Carol listened and learned well. They brought and poured 2020 Viognier (one of the very best expressions in all of Canada) and 2018 Carmenere (glorious pepper heaven. 70% French Oak 27% new)

Dan and Carol Scott. Lariana

 

And that’s it –  25 interviews captured in one week and spread out over five weeks of shows. Now it’s time for you to do your own reconnect.

When it’s safe to do so please consider making plans to do your own week in the Okanagan Valley.

Senka Tennant Lariana

Remember to check out www.totabc.org  All the safety and planning info is there.

 

Lariana vineyards

Thank you TOTA.  Thank you, guests, Corey Wood and Meg.

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

A visit to Four Shadows

Dwight Sick at Moraine

Nathan Todd at  Foxtrot

No/Lo

September 11th, 2021- Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

September 10, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:52:40

hello

Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

The SHOW

 

Because…

Tasting Room Radio started its audio life in a studio in a barn on the Naramata Bench and…

Hadn’t been in the Okanagan since  Fall 2019 and

The pandemic kept us from returning.  I felt it was time to Reconnect to the Okanagan.

(The Vista in OK Falls)

Week Four finds us with a  home base at the very popular Noble Ridge in Okanagan Falls.

What a line-up!  Plus all the interviews are on video. On our website and our YouTube Channel.

Our guests this week include:

John Skinner – co-founder of Painted Rock www.paintedrock.ca (OK Falls)

John Skinner. Painted Rock Winery   (Jon Adrian  Photo)

John poured the aptly named 2018 Red Icon and truly wonderful 2020 Chardonnay. Both are world-class.

Terry Meyer Stone – co-founder of Mayhem Wines and family member of Meyer Family Wines. (OK Falls)

www.mayhemwines.com

www.mfvwines.com

For Meyer Family Terry pours:

2019 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay (again World Class) and 2019  McClain Creek Pinot Noir (simply marvelous)

For Mayhem Wines Terry pours

2019 Pinot Gris (better? – you bet)  and 2019 Anarchy (Wow. Huge Merlot with a touch of Cab Franc. Oak heaven)

John, Terry, and TDM

Leslie D’Andrea – co-owner of Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

Benoit Gauthier – Winemaker Noble Ridge

Terry. Leslie D’Andrea Benoit Gauthier. Noble Ridge

www.nobleridge.com

Leslie/Benoit pour

2016 The One Sparkling (sublime)   and 2017 Kings Ransom Pinot Noir (what a beauty)

The One

Thank you Noble Ridge for hosting and putting on A SHOW. Thank you, Okanagan Falls!

And Thank you to Ellen, Rob, and all at The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

www.TOTABC.org

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Okanagan Reconnect Week Five

Beata and Chris Tolley  – Moon Curser

Paula Cooper – CC Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Lariana Cellars

 

 

 

September 4th, 2021-The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

September 3, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:57:49

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

What an adventure. Talking, traveling, and tasting our way through the Okanagan.

Moon Curser is our home base this week. Spectacular place! What a great winery Beata and Chris Tolley have created.

They’ll join us for a sit-down interview in Week Five

www.mooncurser.com

 

We Re-Connect with –

John Weber –  Co-owner and winemaker at Orofino Vineyards  (Similkameen Valley)

John Weber

John brings two of his best wines. The  2019 Chardonnay (Fantastic) and his 2020 Gamay (Sublime)

(check out the interview on video. On our website or our YouTube channel)

www.orofinovineyards.com    

 

Bill Eggert – Owner & winemaker at Fairview Cellars. (Golden Mile)

Fairview Cellars

Wild Bill brings two nice surprises. 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Sauv/Sem) “my oyster wine”

And the engaging  2019 Crooked Post Pinot Noir. (Interview also on video)

Bill Eggert

www.fairviewcellars.com

 

Justin Hall – Estate Winemaker at Nk’Mip (Osoyoos)

With many fine wines to choose from, Justin poured the beautiful 2019 QQ Pinot Noir and the delightful 2020 White Merriym.  (Interview also on video) 

www.nkmipcellars.com

Justin Hall  Estate Winemaker

Executive Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)

Jeff talks about the staffing problems that all restaurants have been having. It’s prime time in the Okanagan and some restaurants are cutting down hours and days in order to stay open. Jeff is revealing,  enlightening, and a damn fine chef.

www.tinhorn.com

Jeff Van Geest

 

Thank You TOTA – www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Next Week – Okanagan Reconnect Week Four

At Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

John Skinner – Painted Rock (OK Falls)

Terry Meyer Stone – Meyer Family & Mayhem Wines (OK Falls)

Leslie D’Andrea and Bernard Gauthier – Noble Ridge Wines (OK Falls)

 

 

 

August 28th, 2021 – The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two – Naramata Bench

August 27, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:07:15

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two – Naramata Bench

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

It’s week two of our Okanagan Reconnect!

This week we are gathering at Hillside Winery and Bistro  on the Naramata Bench

Tasting Room Radio was conceived in a studio in a barn on The Bench in 2007.

So we’ve come full circle.

Our winery and food guests were asked to bring two wines to profile.

 

Rickard and Jill Richardson Branby – Sperling Vineyards ( final week 1 guest)

Rickard & Jill Richardson Branby-Sperling

Sperlingvineyards.com  Sperling Organic 2018 Pinot Noir & Sperling Pet Nat

Jay Drysdale –  co-founder and winemaker Bella Wines

Jay Drysdale and Josie

Bellawines.ca Estate Chardonnay made ancestral method and 2016 Reserve Eastside Trad Method

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems – co-founder and winemaker Daydreamer Wines

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems (Daydreamer)

Daydreamerwines.ca 2019 Amelia (Syrah/Viognier) & 2019 Orange Wine (100% Viognier)

Exec Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramatainn.ca

Chef Ned Bell

Emily brought L-ST Projects Ambient Chardonnay (Alyssa Hubert) & 2020 jocko a light Cab Franc (Kelsey Rufiange Echo Bay) BRAVO to both.  Thanks Emily.

Emily Walker

Penelope and Dylan Roche –  co-founders/winemakers of Roche Wines

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines

www.rterroir.ca    2020 Pinot Gris Texture & Nuances (Bordeaux Blend) (such promise)

Kathy Malone – Chief Winemaker Hillside Winery  hillsidewinery.ca

Chef Evan Robertson. Kathy Malone Winemaker & Shelann Sleegers Wine Club Hillside Winery and Bistro

2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle

Evan Robertson – Exec Chef  Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager 

 

 Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTube https://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE

THANK YOU TOTA!

https://www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK

At Moon Curser…(Osoyoos)

John Weber – Orofino (Similkameen)

Wild Bill Eggert – Fairview Cellars (Golden Mile)

Justin Hall – Estate Winemaker   Nk’Mip (Osoyoos)

Chef Jeff Van Geest – Miradoro. Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)

 

 

August 14th, 2021-SUMMER SPIRITS with Davin De Kergommeaux

August 13, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:06:16

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SUMMER SPIRITS with Davin De Kergommeaux

THE SHOW

 My spirits education began and ended with the same bottle of  Lemon Gin.

My brother Denis and I were the youngest members of the Kamloops Rube Band.

All the other band members were college-age or dads.

Denis and I tried to keep up with “the boys” when we did parades or road trips.

As much as we liked the first taste of lemon gin, we HATED ourselves the morning after.

 

For me, it only took one bottle and I never went back to spirits. That is until I met Davin de Kergommeaux at the Canadian Whisky Championships in Victoria.

Davin has been an author and whisky reviewer/judge for over two decades.

Davin De Kergommeaux

His books Canadian Whisky The Portable Expert, The New Portable Expert, and The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries are invaluable to those of you seeking support and deep information on whisky and spirits.

www.canadianwhisky.org

So.  When I decided to do a Summer Spirits special – Davin was a natural co-host.

I asked two things of him:

Please recommend spirit makers who are also storytellers

and…   stop me when I get stupid.

He was great on the first ask and on the second request,  Davin almost gave up on me.

 

Davin’s recommendations were

Caitlin Quinn – Head Distiller at Eau Claire Distillery, Turner Valley, Alberta.

Negroni. Old Fashion. Rupert’s Whisky Sassafras.

www.eauclairedistillery.ca

Caitlin Quinn – Eau Claire

 

Jake Clark –  Consumer Engagement Manager  Strait and Narrow – Custom Handcrafted Gins/Pacific Coast Cocktails

Grapefruit Rosemary/Pear Rhubarb/Peach Elderflower/Lemon Lavender  (Makers of 1908 Gin)

www.straitandnarrow.com

 

Bob Baxter – President & Co-founder Yukon Brewing Company

Spiked Seltzers –  Cherry and Lime/Pineapple Ginger/Raspberry/Basil/Mango Hibiscus and a great Lemon Lavender Radler (German Shandy)

www.yukonbeer.com

Bryce Parsons – Master Distiller  Last Best Brewing. Calgary.

The man who created 52 different gins in one year.

Last Best Afterglow Gin & Soda – Savage Love  Tom Collins – Fortunella Citrus Iced Tea

 

www.lastbestbrewing.com

 

Colin McDougall – Corby’s Spirits Portfolio Consultant.

JP Wiser’s 18-year-old Whisky and Lot 40 Dark Oak 100% Rye Whisky

The man is a storyteller. Enjoy the tales.

www.corby.ca

 

Thank you Davin De Kergommeaux, Letittia King, Rob Roycroft and Heather Gillespie at Yukon Brewing.

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

The Okanagan Re-Connect

A food and wine tour of The Okanagan.  At Least 20 winery interviews over 3-4 weeks

Next week

Chef Mark Filatow – Waterfront Wines

David Patterson – Tantalus

Jason Parkes – The Hatch

Sperling Vineyards

Ellen Walker Mathews – TOTA

Christine Coletta/Matt Dumayne – Haywire/OCP

 

Mixology at Duncan Firehall