Tasting Room Radio

September 26th, 2015 … Top Drop!

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TOP DROP Vancouver..Year 2.

THE SHOW

 

It’s the return of Top Drop Vancouver, a unique, two-day event bringing together international, terroir-focused wineries, craft breweries, cideries, gastronomy & more.

Top Drop 2

Top Drop Vancouver continues its focus on sustainably-farmed, handcrafted wines offering a distinct sense of place, without heavy-handed winemaking trickery to get in the way.

Now in its second year, Top Drop Vancouver is a two day trade and consumer event being held at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and various Vancouver restaurants  bringing together a collection of small, hands on wineries, craft breweries, cideries and food purveyors who are passionate about their craft.

We quote Our Host Kurtis Kolt:   (from his column in the Georgia Straight)
“Our focus is terroir-influenced, handcrafted wines, and the people behind them.

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

“We believe in the importance in farming one’s own fruit and/or being constantly engaged with grape-growers to ensure sustainability and a high standard of viticultural practices.

We believe in wines that reflect their vintage, and wines that aren’t suffocated by vinicultural trickery.

We believe in winemaking decisions that are made by a winemaker, and not by a board of directors or marketing team.

We believe in those who take chances.

We believe these kinds of wines, honest wines of integrity, need a time and place to have their story told.
We also believe craft beer, cider, along with authentic and sustainable produce, dairy, meat and seafood are part of the same conversation, which is why we’re proud to showcase some of our best in those areas.”

 

The event took place at the Roundhouse in downtown Vancouver.

In the limited time and resources we had at hand..I was able to talk to and get stories from the following guests:

 

Kurtis Kolt – Organizer,  fearless leader and Wine Expert  http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kate Durisek – Co-Owner Howling Moon Cider House   Oliver BC www.howlingmoon.ca

David Lancelot – Wine Buyer Cask and Barrel  Kelowna BC   www.thecaskandbarrel.ca

Shawn Bachynski – Red Truck Beer – Vancouver, B.C.  www.redtruckbeer.com

Mark Davidson – Global Education Director  Wine Australia  www.wineaustralia.com

Tyler Harlton – Owner/Winemaker TH Wines  – Okanagan Valley, B.C.   www.thwines.com

José Lovaglio Balbo    Winemaker   Vaglio Wines – Salta Argentina   http://www.joselovaglio.com/

Anthony Truchard – Truchard Vineyard – Carneros, California  www.truchardvineyards.com

Jean Benoit DesLauriers – Wine Maker Benjamin Bridge   Gaspereau Valley Nova Scotia   https://www.benjaminbridge.com

Shirley Brooks – Elk Cove  Willamette Valley Oregon  www.elkcove.com

Paul  M  Brunner   Owner Blue Grouse Estate Winery  Duncan BC  www.bluegrouse.ca

 

 

http://www.topdropvancouver.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Finding a new Vancouver radio Home at Roundhouse Radio

Harry McWatters – What Next?

Garth Eichel  – A new book on the Naramata Bench

Wine Laws in Canada – Mark Hicken (Lawyer)  & Sandra Oldfield  (Tinhorn Creek)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 19th, 2015 – Judgement of BC ! Chef Michael Smith Interview

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The Winner of the Judgement of BC – Reds.   CC Jentsch, Amber Jones and their Syrah

It’s a Sommelier Showdown..with Chef Ned Bell and the Wines of Chile.

The Wines of Chile’s Santa Carolina  Takes a Mulligan

Chef Michael Smith – The Latest Book – Family Meals!!

 

THE SHOW

 Battle of the Sommeliers

 It’s a great line up  in the Vancouver studios of Roundhouse Radio.

Chef Ned Bell from Yew at the Four Seasons.

 

Ned-Bell

Ned-Bell

 

Three of the best Sommeliers in Vancouver all compete to pair Ned’s food with Chile’s Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Carmenere.

This is a fabulous roundtable discussion about the very subject that most wine fans wants to know about..

Pairing food and wine to make a sensational blend.

 Our Sommeliers are:

First Course – Lisa Haley – Boulevard/Sutton Place Hotel / Chardonnay

Second Course –  Steven Lane – Yew at Four Seasons – Pinot Noir

Third Course – Sean Nelson – Vij’s Vancouver –  Carmenere

 

Sean Nelson  Vij

Sean Nelson Vij’s

Everyone who attended was considered a judge.

Looking for three elements – creativity, flavour harmony and complexity.

The Winner was – Sean Nelson, who wins a trip to Chile.  Congrats!!

If you’re looking for food and wine pairing tips..this is your segment.

www.winesofchile.org

 

CC Jentsch – Syrah wins The Judgment of BC

 

Chris Jentsch

Chris Jentsch

 

 The spelling of Judgement aside..it truly was a momentous event.

Steven Spurrier..from London’s Decanter magazine and the man who set in motion The Judgment of Paris in 1976.

“The shot heard round the World”

That event became the basis of the film Bottle Shock.

Now comes BC’s turn.

12 Chardonnays and 12 Syrah were tasted head-to-head and judged by some of the very best experts available.

6 of those Chards and Syrah were from BC.

The highest ranking BC wine – white or red – was the 2013 Syrah from CC Jentsch Cellars on the Golden Mile south Okanagan.

It beat out syrah from Barossa, France, Santa Barbara, Hunter Valley, Walla Walla.

“For me wine is the three ‘P’s’: the place, the people and the product. British Columbia ticks all these boxes with exuberance, elegance and conviction.” noted Steven Spurrier.

Steven Spurrier & Amber Jones

Steven Spurrier & Amber Jones

 

“It was a courageous tasting. The point was about discovery and learning, not about winning or losing. It’s about pushing ourselves in our wine regions” noted DJ Kearney, curator of the event. “The global benchmark wines were of a very high caliber. It was important to be challenged by high quality international wines, and we were. And we will do it again. We must do it again.”

 

I tracked down co-owner  Chris Jentsch (yench) and his winemaker Amber Jones and we had great fun reliving the event, the results and what it all means for them, the BC wine industry and for us..the consumer.

This just in – the Syrah 13 won a Decanter Gold as well as the North American Regional trophy winner for the Best Red.

 

Keep a close eye on these guys..pssst..they have a wine club..

 

www.ccjentschcellars.com

www.winediva.ca

 

Santa Carolina – Takes  A Mulligan…

 

Santa Carolina in Santiago

Santa Carolina in Santiago

Santa Carolina is an integral part of Chile’s wine history, with a tradition of 140 years. It was established in 1875 by Luis Pereira Cotapos, who named it after his wife Carolina Iñiguez. Today, more than a century later, Santa Carolina is owned by the Larraín family and has become one of the country’s most important and recognized wineries. Among its facilities located in the heart of the city of Santiago, the colonial-style house and underground cellar stand out.  Built by the French architect Emile Doyère using bricks and a mixture of lime and egg whites known as ‘cal y canto’, they were declared a national monument in 1973.

With over 2,000 hectares located in Chile’s main winegrowing valleys, Santa Carolina produces wines of great personality and complexity that seek to achieve the greatest terroir and fruit expression.  Its extensive portfolio offers excellent-quality wines in all price segments.

 Chile-wine-cork

Santa Carolina is one of the national sponsors of the 2015 Canadian Pacific Women’s Open (http://www.cpwomensopen.com/)

The Western leg was held on  August 17-23, 2015 at the prestigious Vancouver Golf Club in Coquitlam. The tournament attracts the most talented athletes of the LPGA who  compete for the prize purse of $2.25 million USD.

Of course my first question was “what’s a Chilean winery doing on a Canadian women’s golf tour?  And off we went.

Guests are Joaquin Pettinelli (Export manager for Canada, Africa & Middle East) and Paola Korach (marketing manager)

 

Joaquin  Pettinelli  Santa Carolina

Joaquin Pettinelli Santa Carolina

While the golfers golfed we three sat off to the side and tasted our way through a number of Santa Carolina wines.  It was a good day all round.

Santa Carolina Reserva Sauvignon Blanc   $12.29  Leyda Valley – Stainless Steel Tanks

Santa Carolina Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon  $12.29  8 months on Oak

Santa Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir  $12.29  6 months on Oak

B Blend  $14.29  Carmenere, Grenache, Merlot  2/3 use barrels. 6-8 months.

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After you taste these wines..you catch yourself re-checking the prices and asking  the same question I asked

Paola Korach  Santa Carolina

Paola Korach Santa Carolina

“How do you make such solid wines for that price?”

 Looking for whites and reds that stand up to tasting expectations and still keep money in your pocket??  Santa Carolina is a great place to start.

 Twitter: @carolinawines, Facebook and Instagram @carolinawines

www.carolinawinebrands.com

 

Chef Michael Smith – Talking about Family meals. The book and the Fact!!

 Chef Michael Smith.  Family Meals

Love this conversation.

Michael talks about his family and how they gather and dine..what it means to them.

And then follows up with yet another book about – Family Meals. 100 easy everyday recipes

It appears to be a tradition that’s being lost by many families too busy to stop and dine together.

My thanks again to Michael Smith. For his smarts and his kindness.

 

Spicy Kale Chips

Country Stew. City Stew

Spaghetti meatballs and Sausage

Meatless Mondays

Sweet Potato Chick pea stew

Chili glazed sweet potatoes

Garden Hodgepodge

A Freezer filled with local Maritime Gins

http://chefmichaelsmith.com/cookbook/family-meals/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 The Biggest story is the fact that Tasting Room Radio has a new home in Vancouver.

Early in October Roundhouse Radio 98.3 FM   will launch itself on-air and TRR will re-launch with it Saturday Mornings at 10am Pacific.

 

Top Drop Year Two. Great wines.

Harry McWatters – What is he up to?

Update on Wine Laws with Mark Hicken and Sandra Oldfield (Tinhorn Creek)

NZ in an Hour

Argentina in an Hour

 

Twitter:  @tdmulligan

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 12th, 2015 – Royal Wood at Therapy Vineyards

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Sommelier Jacques LaCoste reveals the pours at The Victoria Wine Festival.

Music and Wine. A perfect Pair. The music is from Royal Wood and the wine from Steve Latchford at Therapy Vineyards.

Graydon Ratzlaff checks in from Recline Ridge in Salmon Arm.

The Wine Diva reviews her latest wines.

THE SHOW

 The Wine Diva

It’s fair to say that Daenna van Mulligen tastes well over a 1000 wines during the year. At some point we have to stop her long enough to review some of her recent reviews.

And that’s how we start this edition of TRR.

For the complete list – there are  a lot of wines there – just go to  www.winediva.ca

For  a more in depth look at the World of Wine check out her sister site www.winescores.ca

Victoria Wine Festival Sept 25-26th

 

Victoria Wine Festival

Victoria Wine Festival

In a beautiful indoor meets outdoor setting in the courtyard of The Parkside Hotel ,  the Victoria International Wine Festival showcases a wide selection of local and global spanning wines that will satisfy all wine fans.  Bonus: the festival floor is also equipped with ‘informational sommeliers’ that are ready to answer any wine related questions guests may have. Attendees can also enjoy tapas and artisan coffee from local restaurants and vendors located throughout the venue.

Our guide is  Festival Sommelier Jacques LaCoste. (Lure)  Vancouver Island  2011 Sommelier of the Year Award.

Victoria’s premier wine event showcases 100 wineries from 12 countries, pouring 350 wines over the span of two days. For more information please visit www.vicwf.com

Victoria, BC

Victoria, BC

 

Steve Latchford and Royal Wood. /What a Pair!!

 

Steve Latchford - Therapy

Steve Latchford – Therapy

The Players are Therapy Winemaker Steve Latchford and the fine  singer/songwriter Royal Wood.

Royal Wood

Royal Wood

Steve has always wanted to do a “special project”. He wanted to pair music and wine and when he heard Royal say on CBC radio that he was taking a sommelier course that he knew he had his musician.

Therapy Vineyards

It took two years to design and create that special project. Magnums of Marselan. A cross of Cab and Grenache.

They called the project Vanguard Wines 2013. Old Wounds New Scars. (title of a Royal Wood song)

Only 200 bottles made. Every bottle comes with a special CD of Royals Songs. Songs that relate to the wine and the artists involved, along with a number of photos on the label from Dave Moorman. Available only at the winery..on the Naramata Bench.

www.therapyvineyards.com

www.royalwood.ca

and we finish with Graydon Ratzlaff – owner/winemaker at Recline Ridge.

Graydon Ratzlaff  Recline Ridge

Graydon Ratzlaff Recline Ridge

Graydon Ratzlaff Recline Ridge

Part of the Shuswap Wineries, Recline Ridge has been known for its award-winning range of cool-climate, fruit-forward white wines, including Ortega, Siegerrebe, Optima, Kerner, and Shuswap Serenade (from Madeline Sylvaner and Madeline Angevine).  Red wines include locally-grown Marechal Foch and Grande Pinot (Pinot Meunier). The best news I can pass on is – they’re tasting room is open all year round. Just outside Salmon Arm.

Try the Kerner..it’s amazing.

 

www.reclineridgewinery.com

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Chile’s Santa Carolina

John Clerides

Argentina in an Hour

NZ in an Hour

 

 

 

 

September 5th, 2015

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The Judgement of BC.  It’s Bottleshock all over again.

Steven Spurrier pours BC against the best in the World

Guests include wine judges and experts  Daenna Van Mulligen The Wine Diva, DJ Kearney and Kurtis Kolt.       

THE SHOW

 The Wine Diva Daenna van Mulligen I thought said it best on her very popular website winediva.ca

 Steven Spurrier

“There are good days, great days and days you’ll never forget.

Little did I know, August 25, 2015 would be one of those.”

Here’s an excerpt of her column:

Precisely 25 years after the formation of the BC VQA(Vintners Quality Alliance) on August 24, 1990 and, after two years of planning, Wines of British Columbia accomplished a massive coup.

They brought Steven Spurrier, the British wine expert from the United Kingdom to spend five comprehensive days in British Columbia’s wine country and get to know what we’re all about.

He got up close and personal and liked what he saw.

“For me wine is the three P’s: the place, the people and the product. British Columbia ticks all these boxes with exuberance, elegance and conviction.”

~Steven Spurrier
Spurrier, who has accomplished much in his life of wine, is also the founder of Academie du Vin and Christie’s Wine Course. He is currently the consulting editor of Decanter Magazine.

 

Read the entire article HERE:

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Recline Ridge

Chile’s Santa Carolina

The Wine Diva’s latest reviews

John Clerides

Singer Songwriter Royal Wood partners with Therapy Vineyards.

 

August 22nd- Brewery & The Beast!

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It’s the third annual Brewery and the Beast – Vancouver Edition!!!

 THE SHOW

 On Sunday, July 26th Vancouver and Whistler’s top chefs fired-up their grills and sharpened  their knives for the summer’s meatiest event, Brewery and the Beast. More than 40 of Vancouver’s most-lauded and award-winning chefs will gather at the outdoor venue to showcase the finest meat inspired cuisine. Guests enjoyed an exciting selection of whole animal roasts, charcuterie, classic BBQ, ethnic, traditional, modern, and exotic dishes prepared from an assortment of conventional and rare cuts of protein.

Guests cast their eyes on the legendary Phillips Brewing Company 35-tap “Gypsy” wagon that will be tapped-up and offering a high-quality selection of craft brews to pair with the chefs creations.

Phillips - The Truck

 

Also available to thirsty carnivores was the  cider from the prized Left Field Cider Co. and premium wines from Mission Hill Family Estate Winery, as well as non-alcoholic options, such as Phillips homemade sodas, specialty coffees, and refreshing iced teas.

Brewery & The Beast strives to strengthen the connection between the consumer and provider, and aims to highlight the importance of ethical farming practices in the local region. Founding sponsor, Two Rivers Specialty Meats, supplies participants with the majority of protein for the event and sources only the highest quality meat from farmers and producers in BC and Alberta.

Jason Pleym  Two Rivers

Jason Pleym Two Rivers

 

Brewery & The Beast donates partial proceeds from each event to the BC Hospitality Foundation and partial proceeds are also donated to The Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship Foundation

From the creators of Culinaire, Victoria’s Premier Food Tasting Experience, Brewery & The Beast is a meat-centric event focusing on education and promotion of local farms and ethically raised meat, while highlighting preparations by local chefs. 17 Black Events, the masterminds behind some of the most celebrated food events in British Columbia, are proud to share their passion for food with others. Showcasing the talents of chefs from some of the top restaurants in the province, Brewery & The Beast is meat like you’ve never tasted it before. www.breweryandthebeast.com

 

Two Rivers Meats

Two Rivers Meats

The next B&B takes place Sunday Aug 23 in Calgary and then off to Victoria for the closer.  Check out the website..  www.breweryandthebeast.com 

 

Our guests include:

 Rob Belcham – Campagnolo

Steve Edwards – BLVD

George Siu – Memphis Blues

Scott Gurney – Founder

Scott van Wyke – Phillips Brewing

David Hawksworth – Hawksworth

Trevor Jordan – Homer St Café

Robbie Kane – Café Medina

Jason Pleym – Two Rivers

Theresa Pederson – Left Field Cider

Chef Rob Holland – Tap and Barrel

Rockin Ronnie Sewchuck –  Johnsons

 

 

 

August 15th- summer sippers!

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The Wine Diva has Summer Sippers and Picnic Wines.  North Van’s Dinner on the Pier. Brad Makepeace from Hugging Tree and Abbotsford’s newest winery Singletree.

And one clever  trouble maker who knows his wines. John Clerides from Marquis Wine Cellars.

 

THE SHOW

John Clerides is the team leader behind Marquis Wine Cellars on Davie in Vancouver. One great wine destination.

He really knows his wines..and makes no bones about telling winemakers when their wines are less than stellar.

John also is committed to hold the  bureaucrats  and provincial politicians accountable for the odious state of our liquor regulations and embarrassing tax grabs.

This is just part of a 30 minute rant we recorded at the new home of TRR,  Roundhouse Radio which is  coming to Vancouver airwaves in  early September.

We’ll be on air  Saturday mornings at 10am. 98.3 FM.

www.marquiswines.com

 

John Clerides

John Clerides

 

Daenna van Mulligen/The Wine Diva  tastes over one thousand wines during the course of the year and that’s her job.  Think about it.

Doing her  job very well makes it easier for all of us looking for that special wine.

Daenna  loves making lists. The latest is Summer Sippers and Picnic Wines

Here’s the final line – up.   You can follow along on her website..and even print the list up.

www.winediva.ca

 

The Wine Diva

The Wine Diva

Charles Smith ‘Kungfu Girl’ Riesling, Washington State USA $20.99

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gamay Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $21.00

Bellingham ‘The Bernard Series’ Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region South Africa $22.29

Averill Creek Gewurztraminer, Cowichan Valley Vancouver Island B.C N/A

Maison des Bulliats Gamay Regnie Grand Cru, Beaujolais France $21.99

Wynns Coonawarra Estate Chardonnay, Coonawarra Australia $18.00

Bartier Bros. Semillon, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00

Santa Carolina Reserva Pinot Noir, Calsablanca Valley, Chile $12.19

Invivo Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand $19.00

Martini & Rossi ‘Extra Dry’ Vermouth, Italy $7.99

Gehringer Brothers ‘Private Reserve’ Pinot Noir, Okangan Valley BC $16.00

Blue Grouse Pinot Noir, Cowichan Station, Vancouver Island $23.00

Spier ‘Signature’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.90

Okanagan Crush Pad ‘Narrative White’ Okanagan Valley BC $17.00 34. CedarCreek Estate Winery Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $24.95

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Dinner on the Pier and Hugging Tree Wines

 Hugging Tree

 With the recent success of pop-up dinners in Vancouver’s Downtown core, businesses are now expanding to bring the concept to suburban neighborhoods.  Next Thursday  August 20th  guests will experience the event of a lifetime and first of its kind in North Vancouver: a 150-person long table dinner on the Lower Lonsdale pier.

Surrounded by the picturesque beauty of the North Vancouver harbour, and seated at an enormous table at the end of the pier, guests will enjoy a special feast inspired by BC’s ocean.

Dinner on the Pier

The goal is to gather people together and give back by raising awareness and money for this year’s charity, Growing Chefs who provide nutrition and food education programs into North Vancouver elementary schools.

Growing Chefs

Growing Chefs

Young entrepreneur and co-founder of The Juicery Co. Alex Troll is spearheading this initiative with other local business favourites.

And from our Similkameen Coverage a single interview was left over..please welcome Brad Makepeace from Hugging Tree Winery

http://www.lowerlonsdale.ca/event-dinner-on-the-pier/

https://www.facebook.com/huggingtreewinery

www.huggingtreewinery.com

SingleTree Wines – Fraser Valley

In the late 1800s, the Singletree, the single harness yoke, was an essential tool for pioneering farmers. It allowed those who saw the potential of the Mt. Lehman area to use horses to clear the land, and make way for farming; no easy feat.

The Etsell family identifies with these early farmers, and while they have access to modern amenities, they are proud to carry on the tradition of working the land with their family. After gaining vast experience growing produce and operating a thriving turkey farm, Garnet and Debbie Etsell have now ventured into BC’s exciting wine industry with Singletree Winery. Along with their son Andrew.

You are invited to visit Singletree, taste, and take in the sights and flavours of Fraser Valley wine country.

We welcome Garnet and Andrew Etsell

www.singletreewinery.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Brewery and the Beast – The Vancouver gathering..  (Next week)

Royal Wood –  Gets his own wine

John  Clerides – Marquis Wine Cellars goes on a rant

 

 

 

 

August 1st, 2015 Summer wines…

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The Wine Diva returns with a bag of summer wines ..and Rob Clark & Ocean Wise celebrate 10 years with All Star chefs at River Cafe in Calgary.

THE SHOW

 

The Wine Diva

The Wine Diva

The Wine Diva – Daenna van Mulligen loved her Summer Wines..  www.winediva.ca

light crisp white, yummy full-bodied Chards and Viognier, bubbles and rose.

plus reds that take the heat well.

A toast to Summer

A toast to Summer

ALL pre tasted and tested.Guest wineries included:

  • Painted Rock Chardonnay
  • Black Hills Alibi
  • Moon cursor  Afraid of the dark
  • Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs
  • Le Vieux Pin – Ava
  • Robert Mondavi  Reserve Fume Blanc
  • Haywire  Canyonview Pinot Noir
  • Poplar Grove  Blanc de Noir
  • Tinhorn Creek Oldfield series 2Bench Rose
  • Belle Glos  Oeil de Perdrix  Pinot Noir Blanc
  • Bench 1775  Glow
  • Chateau Bonnet Chenas Beaujolais
  • St – Germain Elderflower Liquor
  • Kono Sauvignon Blanc
  • Tyrrell’s Wines Vat 1  Semillion  Hunter Valley 

Enjoy!!

Ocean Wise celebrates with all star chefs at River Cafe Calgary

 

River Cafe

It was the hill that saved River Cafe

Our friend Rob Clark, the much honoured and awarded  Vancouver chef hosted 7 of his friends, the star chefs of Calgary in a celebration of 10 years of Ocean Wise sustainable seafood.

Chef Rob Clark

Chef Rob Clark

It’s the kind of gathering you would expect in Vancouver but to see this kind of passion for our oceans in land locked Alberta is remarkable.

Ocean Wise Poster

Ocean Wise Poster

It was Rob Clark who helped t create the wildly successful Spot Prawn Festival and then focused on saving our ocean fisheries through Ocean Wise and the Vancouver Aquarium, guest chefs include

Andrew Winfield – River Cafe

Darren MacLean – Shokunin

Daniel Northcott – Catch

Duncan Ly  – Yellow Door

Eric Giesbrecht   – Oyster Tribe

Paul Rogalski/Jamie Harling – Rouge

Sal Howell = Owner River Cafe

Bruce Soley – River Café Sommelier

 

www.rivercafe.com

http://www.oceanwise.ca/

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Tasting Room Radio debuts on Roundhouse Radio  98.3FM in Vancouver early in September

Brewery and the Beast – working “the room”

Royal Wood

 

 

 

 

 

July 25th, 2015 Clare Valley Australia, Bella Bella and Texas BBQ

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We start in Clare Valley Australia, then just outside Bella Bella on the BC Coast and end up in Parksville, Vancouver Island  talking Texas BBQ.   Let’s Go!

 

THE SHOW

 

Nathan Waks – Owner/ Exec Director Kilikanoon Wines  Clare Valley Australia..

 “This is one of the most brilliantly run wineries in Australia, and the quality of the entire portfolio is impressive thanks to the enviable talents of winemaker Kevin Mitchell.”

Robert Parker Jnr

  He’s had quite a life..

An important and innovative member of Australia’s musical establishment over the last three decades, solo cellist, chamber musician, principal cellist and administrator Nathan Waks is one of our most colourful classical musicians.

Nathan Waks-Kilikanoon

Nathan Waks-Kilikanoon

 

Nathan Waks began his studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He won the ABC National Concerto Competition and travelled to Europe to further his musical education, training with Mstistlav Rostropovich in Moscow and Paul Tortelier in Paris.

From being the youngest Principal Cellist of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at age 19 to performing as a soloist with major Australian orchestras, Waks has enjoyed a career that has featured recording of film scores including the score for My Brilliant Career. He has organized concerts for singers Frank Sinatra, Rod Stewart and Tiny Tim.

He is a founding member of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the Australian Music Centre and has held directorships at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, Symphony Australia, the Australia Council and the Australian National Academy of Music.

He has toured to more than 50 countries and recorded for a decade with The Sydney String Quartet. Presently he creates new music with Waks Generation, a collaboration with DJ and son, Sam, and is working on a musical project with composer Charlie Chan.

Nathan Waks is now proprietor and Executive Director of Kilikanoon and Seppeltsfield wineries.

Nathan plays a David Tecchler-made 1723 cello.

 

http://www.kilikanoon.com.au/

 

West Sport Fishing at King Pacific Lodge.

 King Pacific

There is no other British Columbia fishing lodge which compares to WEST.

WEST Sport Fishing’s “King Pacific Lodge” at Milbanke Sound is a BC salmon lodge created as a testament to the friendship of the many anglers and friends George and Lisa Cuthbert have come to know over the past twenty-five years.

 

King Pacific Lodge

King Pacific Lodge

Chris Burns the co-host of Sport Fishing Adventures phoned and asked me to join him on this trip.

Chris Burns and our guide Tommy Tyee

Chris Burns and our guide Tommy Tyee

 

After I picked up the phone I started packing and planning.

Took my trusty recorder because the one thing I did know about KP Lodge was that they had a much talked about food and wine program – plus I love great fishing.

Orca  Milbanke Sound

Orca Milbanke Sound

You fly South terminal at Vancouver Airport. Land in Bella Bella then hop into a helicopter and 7 minutes later you’re

at the lodge.

What a sensational destination with a great staff and best of all – the fishery is exactly 2-3 minutes away.

 

lodge

lodge

Our guests include

Chris Burns – BC Lions Radio. Sotheby’s Realty, Sport Fishing Adventures TV.

Chef Steve DeMore

Meagan Beaton – Guest Services and Wine Host

George Cuthbert – Co-Owner

 

http://kingpacificlodge.com/

 

…and finally we talk to Parksville.

Parksville

If you take the island Highway North of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island ..one of the first off ramps takes you to Parksville..beautiful town right on the Beach.

 

Traditional Texas BBQ -  The Kitchen

Traditional Texas BBQ – The Kitchen

If you’re lucky, there’s a truck doing BBQ off to the right…and you have to drive through a cloud of BBQ smoke.  If you turn in, this storys for you.

If you just see it as smoke – keep driving.

The sign on top says Traditional  Texas BBQ and its owned by Lynn and Rick Allen.

Not only is the BBQ bang on but Lynn makes and sells fabulous sauces..available only at the truck.

Loved talking to these guys..my kind of people.

Their twitter handle is BBQ_Texas

FB is Texas-BBQ

 

Heading to Vancouver Island…don’t miss the experience.

And please enjoy the interview.

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Tasting Room Radio is heading for a new Home

Roundhouse Radio 98.3 FM in Vancouver.

Station signs on Sept 1st.

 

 

 

 

July 18th, 2015 – Australia and more…

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner B

 An Hour of World Class/All Star guests from Australia with The Wine Diva @  2015 Vancouver International Wine Festival.

THE SHOW

The vineyarxds of OZ

February of this year the featured region at the 2015 Vancouver Wine Festival was Australia and the featured varietal was Syrah. Talk about a beautiful pairing!!

The buzz after the festival was how the Australians completely took over the city,  the tasting room, the restaurants and in the bars.

Nobody markets themselves better than the Australians  and lately very few countries can claim to making better wines.

 

Canada’s premier wine show marks  its 37th anniversary .  14 countries  170 wineries  8 days  1,750+ wines  25,000 participants 2015 theme country (Australia): 55 wineries from 20 distinct regions pouring 220 wines  2015 global focus (Syrah): 170+ expressions of Syrah from around the world in The Tasting Room

 

TDM and Wine Diva

TDM and Wine Diva

 

Rarely does a wine festival guest list get any better than the one below…

 

 

 

 

Joining the Host Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva are:

Wine-Diva

Wine-Diva

 

(all Barossa group)

Yalumba – Jane Ferrari  www.yalumba.com
Thorn-Clarke – Sam Clarke (owner)  www.thornclarkewines.com.au
Wolf Blass – Chris Hatcher   www.wolfblasswines.com

Mark Davidson  – Brand Ambassador Wines 0f Australia  http://www.wineaustralia.net.au/

Mark Davidson - Wines of Oz

Mark Davidson – Wines of Oz

 

Hardy’s – Bill Hardy (family member)  hardyswines.com

McWilliams –  Craig Stevenson  www.mcwilliamswine.com
Henry’s Dive Vignerons – Kim Longbottom (owner)  www.henrysdrive.com

Harry Hertscheg – managing director VIWF  vanwinefest.ca

Bernard Hickin – Jacob’s Creek www.jacobscreek.com/ca
Tyrell’s – Bruce Tyrrell  https://www.tyrrells.com.au
Wynns – Sue Hodder   www.wynnlasvegas.com

Chris Waters – Editor Vines Magazine  www.vinesmag.com

Wakefield wines – Justin Taylor  (family & company director) Clare  www.wakefieldwines.com
Evans and Tate (Lovedale)   – Greg West www.evansandtate.com.au
Longview – Mark Saturno (owner) Adelaide Hills  www.longview.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Texas BBQ in Parksville

Salmon Fishing at King Pacific Lodge

Wines paired with Music at Interstellar Rodeo

Ocean wise gathering at The River Cafe in Calgary

Nathan Waks  Kilikanoon Wines Clare Valley Oz

July 11th, 2015 – Garagiste!

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Garagiste North  – The small guys wine festival

The Show

GAR-aH-Jeest NOrTH…

the coolest wine festival ever

Garagiste-poster-2015

Garagiste-poster-2015

 

What is a garagiste? (gar-ah-jeest).  It started out in France (of course) where it was a derogatory phrase for those avante garde and crazy mavericks making wine in their garage and outside the highly regulated system. Gradually and grudgingly came the acknowledgement that something really interesting was happening with these small case lot artisan wines, and a movement was born.

 

Anarchist. River Stone. SEVEN DIRECTIONS. NAGGING DOUBT. CoRCeleTTes. Roche. SynCHROmesh. Kraze Legz/Skaha  ROCHE. Niche.

 

Couldn’t fit everyone in but we are committed to bringing you all these stories over the course of the year.

They are all driven, passionate winemakers who qualify by producing under 2000 cases a year and use only BC Fruit.

Small they may be but these wineries have an effect on the future of BC wines.

They take the time and commitment to grow different varietals, use experimental methods and take chances in the cellar that few others would or could. When you find one you like it’s best to buy and hold because all productions are small.

 

Our guests are:

Terry Lynn Meyer – Organizer and pouring Anarchist Mountain

One of the smallest wineries with the biggest view.  Anarchist is owned by Andrew Stone and Terry Meyer Stone and sits overlooking Lake Osoyoos on Anarchist Mountain.  At an elevation of 1700 ft, their micro terroir brings cool evening temperatures and some of the longest degree days in the valley to their small case lot production of old vine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

www.anarchistvineyard.com

 

Ted Kane  – River Stone

River Stone is a small, family owned and operated vineyard and winery near Oliver. Winemaker, owner and garagiste Ted Kane started making wine when he was 18. He and his wife Lorraine moved to Oliver to fulfill his long held dream to grow Bordeaux red varietals and one day own their own winery. Check out their two Bordeaux blends: Stones Throw and Corner Stone and for the white lovers don’t miss out on Splash!

www.riverstoneestatewinery.ca

 

Rob Westbury – Winemaker Nagging Doubt

Nagging Doubt is a small artisan winery located in South East Kelowna on a 5.8 acre vineyard. Winemakers Rob Westbury and Mark Simpson create the wines by hand using a combination of modern and centuries old techniques to produce unique small case lot wines. Not to miss is their Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Merlot and red blend–The Pull.

www.naggingdoubt.com

working the room

working the room

 

 

Gerry Thygesen – Co-Owner and winemaker of Skaha/KrazyLegz

 

Gerry and Sue Thygessen are the Proprietors of a beautiful vineyard above Skaha Lake in Kaleden. Steep slopes of shale and fossilized sandstone with lake influences encourage the vines to concentrate flavours in the ripening fruit resulting in elegant, well-balanced fruit forward wines.  For this pour Gerry is talking about his Skaha Wines.

 www.krazelegz.com

 

Daniel Bontorin – Seven Directions. Rose` Specialist

 

Daniel was the winemaker at Le Vieux Pin before be departed to consult and make his own rose.

With a total case production of 375 cases, this Small Guy virtual winery has a big heart.

There’s no winery to visit, which makes the opportunity to sample in person rare.  Daniel remarks that you can buy his Rose at Volcanic Hills, West Kelowna .  Specializing in single vineyard, single variety Rose wines, Daniel Bontorin and Kritine Witkowski use 100% BC grapes, are 100% VQA and 100% cool.  They  have made  their 2013 Zweigelt Rosé and 2014 Pinot Noir Rosé with two more new roses coming.

www.sevendirectionswine.ca

 

Dylan Roche – co-winemaker/co-owner  Roche

Dylan and Penelope Roche relocated from Bordeaux in 2011. Penelope was Director and Winemaker at her family’s Grand Cru Chateau in Bordeaux before coming to Canada. Dylan studied in Burgundy and apprenticed in Burgundy and New Zealand before Bordeaux and the Okanagan. With this prestigious background they still say farming is their priority, they make the wine from the fruit they farm. They make exceptional Pinot Gris, Rose and Pinot Noir. All I can say is “wow” – Find them. Buy them! Want to taste where Canadian wine may be headed? Start right here!!

www.Rterroir.ca

Roche Wines

Roche Wines

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James Schlosser – co-owner and winemaker  Niche

 

James Schlosser of Niche Wine Co of West Kelowna poured at the Small Guys Wine Fest. James and Joanna Schlosser call themselves ‘ farmers who love making (and drinking) wine’. They harvest grapes from small batch crops and their wines benefit from gravity, smarts and a few strong hands. They are passionate about Pinot Noir but also big fans of Gewürztraminer, Rose and Marechal Foch.

www.nichewinecompany.com 

 

Alan Dickinson – Winemaker  Synchromesh Wines  

 Synchromesh

A small family run operation in Okanagan Falls focused on terroir driven, world class Riesling, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. Alan and Amy Dickenson have quickly been carving a name for themselves. They approach their whole business with a holistic philosophy and minimal intervention to produce fabulous wines.

www.synchromeshwines.ca

 

 

www.garagistenorth.com 

 

 

Stories we’re working on:

 

Texas BBQ in Parksville

Salmon Fishing at King Pacific Lodge

Wines paired with Music at Interstellar Rodeo

Ocean wise gathering at The River Cafe in Calgary

The Wine Diva Returns

The Wine Diva at 2015 Vancouver Wine Festival