hello

 

THE WINE DIVA previews the highlights of the 37^th Vancouver International Wine Festival and

we join Dine Out Vancouver for Mini Tours of  Craft Beer and Distillery shops.  Featuring stops at Bomber Brewing, Strange Fellows. Odd Society and Yaletown Distillery.   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

THE SHOW 

Two big  upcoming events in Vancouver.

Dine Out Vancouver takes place Jan 16 – Feb 1. And The 37^th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival Feb 20 – March 1. 

 

 

As expected The Wine Diva – Daenna van Mulligen – is totally involved in the upcoming Wine festival. She has just posted her recommended highlights at www.winediva.ca

 

 

 

… and she brings those highlights to this week’s Tasting Room Radio show.

Spectacular Dinners, cutting edge Seminars,  plus the essential do’s and don’ts in the tasting room.

Since 1979, the festival has raised $8.3 million for the performing arts in Vancouver. The charitable beneficiary

is Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.

They are expecting 25,000 wine fans.

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 170 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. Every year, this international festival shines the spotlight on one country or region, and that region has more wineries, wines and events than any other. There is also a global focus. For 2015, the regional country is Australia and the global focus is Syrah.  

The heart of the festival is the Acura International Festival Tasting

Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 750+ wines are

available for sampling, with an additional 165 wines available at

the trade tasting. More than 825 additional wines will be served

at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner

+ auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing

affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top

Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

See complete details at www.vanwinefest.ca 

Tasting Room Radio will be presenting two complete shows from the Trade Tasting events. Your host this year – Daenna van Mulligen.

[divider]

Dine Out Vancouver 2015

The 13th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival is bigger and better than ever with more than 70 food-themed events plus a record-setting 277 restaurants dishing up prix fixe menus at $18, $28 and $38 price points (many with BC VQA wine pairings available at an additional cost). The festival runs from January 16 to February 1.

The diverse mix of restaurants participating in the 2015 festival allows diners to sample many of the city’s top-rated restaurants (like Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, West and Chambar), and an impressive array of multicultural flavours (from sushi and Indian to First Nations cuisine), as well as new openings (like Shirakawa, Exile Bistro, Blacktail and Gyoza Bar). From North Vancouver to Langley, Dine Out touches all corners of Metro Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This week we’re taken on a teaser mini tour of craft beer and distillery participants.

Guests include:

Yaletown Distillery – Craig Harris  GM

Odd Society – Mariam Karp  GM

Bomber Brewing – Blair Calibaba  Head Brewer

Strange Fellows Brewing  –  Iain Hill 

Off the Beaten Path – Bonnie Todd

La Grotta Del Formaggio – Rachel Parker

Vancouver Brewery Tours – Ryan MacKay

Famoso – Ryan Chillibeck   

Tourism Vancouver – Lucas Pavan  

 

 

 

 

 

Next week..we talk to three chefs and give you Dine Out restaurant suggestions you can use.

 www.dineoutvancouver.com      

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 Wine Diva has budget bottles UNDER $16

Dine Out Vancouver – The Food coverage

Chefs, Menus, wine pairings

A Wine Diva tour of Sardinia and Piedmont, Italy.

Argentina in an Hour

hello

 
THE WINE DIVA previews the highlights of the 37^th Vancouver International Wine Festival and
we join Dine Out Vancouver for Mini Tours of  Craft Beer and Distillery shops.  Featuring stops at Bomber Brewing, Strange Fellows. Odd Society and Yaletown Distillery.   

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

THE SHOW 

Two big  upcoming events in Vancouver.
Dine Out Vancouver takes place Jan 16 – Feb 1. And The 37^th Annual Vancouver International Wine Festival Feb 20 – March 1. 

 
 
As expected The Wine Diva – Daenna van Mulligen – is totally involved in the upcoming Wine festival. She has just posted her recommended highlights at www.winediva.ca
 

 
 
… and she brings those highlights to this week’s Tasting Room Radio show.
Spectacular Dinners, cutting edge Seminars,  plus the essential do’s and don’ts in the tasting room.
Since 1979, the festival has raised $8.3 million for the performing arts in Vancouver. The charitable beneficiary
is Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival.
They are expecting 25,000 wine fans.
The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 170 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. Every year, this international festival shines the spotlight on one country or region, and that region has more wineries, wines and events than any other. There is also a global focus. For 2015, the regional country is Australia and the global focus is Syrah.  

The heart of the festival is the Acura International Festival Tasting
Room at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 750+ wines are
available for sampling, with an additional 165 wines available at
the trade tasting. More than 825 additional wines will be served
at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner
+ auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing
affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top
Vancouver restaurants and hotels.
See complete details at www.vanwinefest.ca 
Tasting Room Radio will be presenting two complete shows from the Trade Tasting events. Your host this year – Daenna van Mulligen.
[divider]
Dine Out Vancouver 2015
The 13th annual Dine Out Vancouver Festival is bigger and better than ever with more than 70 food-themed events plus a record-setting 277 restaurants dishing up prix fixe menus at $18, $28 and $38 price points (many with BC VQA wine pairings available at an additional cost). The festival runs from January 16 to February 1.
The diverse mix of restaurants participating in the 2015 festival allows diners to sample many of the city’s top-rated restaurants (like Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, West and Chambar), and an impressive array of multicultural flavours (from sushi and Indian to First Nations cuisine), as well as new openings (like Shirakawa, Exile Bistro, Blacktail and Gyoza Bar). From North Vancouver to Langley, Dine Out touches all corners of Metro Vancouver.

 
 
 
 
 
 
This week we’re taken on a teaser mini tour of craft beer and distillery participants.
Guests include:
Yaletown Distillery – Craig Harris  GM
Odd Society – Mariam Karp  GM
Bomber Brewing – Blair Calibaba  Head Brewer
Strange Fellows Brewing  –  Iain Hill 
Off the Beaten Path – Bonnie Todd
La Grotta Del Formaggio – Rachel Parker
Vancouver Brewery Tours – Ryan MacKay
Famoso – Ryan Chillibeck   
Tourism Vancouver – Lucas Pavan  



 

 
 
 
 
Next week..we talk to three chefs and give you Dine Out restaurant suggestions you can use.
 www.dineoutvancouver.com      
 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 Wine Diva has budget bottles UNDER $16
Dine Out Vancouver – The Food coverage
Chefs, Menus, wine pairings
A Wine Diva tour of Sardinia and Piedmont, Italy.
Argentina in an Hour

hello

 

Dying to get to New Zealand but cant seem to get away..Not to worry. We went last year.
TRR presents New Zealand in an Hour 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

THE SHOW 

Last March I had the pleasure of touring various outstanding wine regions in NZ.
What drove the various stories was New Zealand’s remarkable sustainability record.
Tasting Room Radio broadcast four hours of interviews over the course of 2014 but there were so many interviews I realized other shows could be created..
Thus New Zealand in an Hour!!   

94% of all NZ wines are farmed under sustainable practices.
It’s not so much a program as a way of life. New Zealanders are all about being green..
We start in Auckland, then Hawkes Bay, Marlborough and finally Central Otago.
 Our guests include
Auckland:
We talk to our “host” Phillip Manson, the man in charge of New Zealand’s Sustainability efforts.
He’s proud of New Zealand’s reputation. So he should be. www.nzwine.com
On the Ferry heading for  Waiheke Island..just off the coast from Auckland..we visit Mike Spratt at Destiny Bay, maker of only three wines.  three Bordeaux influenced red blends..one of which,  Magna Praemia,  is the most expensive wine in NZ.  Mike, his scientist wife Ann and winemaking son Sean lead a stellar team.  http://www.destinybaywine.com/

mike-spratt-destiny-bay
Before we leave the dormant volcanoes of beautiful Auckland we visit just one more winery.
The most awarded winery in all NZ – Villa Maria!!  www.villamaria.co.nz
Sir George Fistonich has spent five decades at the forefront of New Zealand’s wine industry
that he helped develop. As an icon of the New Zealand wine industry, Villa Maria is known for
bold and industry-changing moves such as moving to 100% screw cap through to the
emphasis on sustainable practices in every area of the family owned company.
Villa Maria Estate was named the supreme winner at the New Zealand Sustainable Business Network awards in November 2012
Here’s  the man himself, Sir George Fistonich.    

 
 
 
 
[divider]
Elephant Hill     Hawkes Bay
 
Elephant Hill is a stunning and innovative winery estate and restaurant located on the idyllic Te Awanga coast, in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.

They create 2 very fine chardonnays , Sauv blanc, a white & red blends called Le Phant Blanc/Rouge and a 5 star Viognier and favour Syrah on the Red side..
We sit down in their fabulous restaurant with Viticulturist Jon Peet and sales and marketing leader Vince Labatt.
The word I get from the NZ wine business is..watch these guys..they’re very good.
 
http://www.elephanthill.co.nz/
[divider]
 Pask     Hawkes Bay    
On our tour of NZ #1 we talked to Kate Ranburnd the famous winemaker  at Pask.
Hawkes Bay is a short flight from Auckland. http://www.hawkesbaynz.com/
Hawke’s Bay’s long, hot summers and cool winters offer the best weather for growing grapes. The climate is dry and temperate. Hawke’s Bay is renowned for its horticulture with large orchards and vineyards on the plains.

Hawke’s Bay is one of New Zealand’s warmest, driest regions and this has made it one of the country’s leading producers of wine; notably red wines – cabernet sauvignon, merlot and syrah – but also with some quite stunning whites.
They are working on being the Syrah Capitol of NZ.  www.winehawkesbay.co.nz/
Pask Winemaker and Managing Director Kate Radburnd is one of New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemakers. She commands an international reputation for her extensive record of award winning wines and her vision and contribution to the industry.
Pask’s 59 hectares of vineyards are located on Gimblett Road where Chris Pask was first to plant in the region now known as the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District®.

Formed over 100 years ago when the Ngaruroro River changed its course, the light, stony soils of the region are low in nutrients, completely free draining, and create the perfect environment for growing premium quality grapes. Their  very first vintage of 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 5 stars in Cuisine Magazine. Since then Pask wines have consistently enjoyed gold medal and  trophy success in London, Australia, Asia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand across a range of varietals and winestyles.
 Kate holds the role of Deputy Chair of the Wine Institute of New Zealand, has been a Director of the Wine Institute of New Zealand and New Zealand Winegrowers since 1999, and is Chair of Judges at New Zealand’s oldest wine competition, the New Zealand Royal Easter Show Wine Awards.
Kate has also been instrumental in the development of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand program and led Pask to be among the first group of wineries in the country to secure ISO environmental accreditation.
Kate  spent five years as Chair of the SWNZ advisory/working group, which at that time saw the introduction of the winery programme under the scheme.
Four of her  labels command the wine world’s attention
Declaration
Gimblett Road
Roy’s Hill
Kate Radburnd
 Loved this interview..Enjoy!!  http://www.pask.co.nz/ 
 [divider]
 YEALANDS  Marlborough   

You want Character?
You want baby goats in the vineyard?
How about a visit to one of NZ most successful organic wineries Yealands. Named after the character owner Pete Yealands.  
Peter’s trademark “can do” attitude is the stuff of legend.
Peter has a track record of making pioneering, innovative plans come to fruition – and his successes have been recently chronicled in a book “A Bloke For All Seasons – the Peter Yealands story”.

He has developed seven of his own vineyard sites in Marlborough, plus several others under contract for other companies. However his entrepreneurial vision extends well beyond grapes. Early on, Peter recognized the potential to farm Greenshell mussels commercially and in 1971 was issued with New Zealand’s first marine farming license. Thanks to his efforts in designing innovative technologies and helping establish aquaculture in the region, marine farming now contributes $160 million a year to New Zealand’s export earnings.
In the mid ’80’s Peter established one of New Zealand’s most successful deer farms, specializing in stud animals and embryo transplants. This 2,000 hectare property in Kaiuma Bay in the Marlborough Sounds won a rural environment award in 2003. 

Peter, wife Vai and son Aaron now focus their energies on building Yealands Estate into a global brand.
Pete was on the road when we got there so our guest today is Michael Wentworth the General manager.
FYI  Yealands makes 1.2 Million cases. All sustainably grown.
[divider]
STAETELANDT –  Dorien Vermaas  Co-Founder  Marlborough.
While Ruud is hands on in the winery, Dorien has had her finger on the pulse of the marketing / sales of StaeteLandt Wines since the beginning. Her background as a marketing manager in larger companies and her love for wine has certainly given her the edge when it comes to understanding this intricate side of the business.

 
Her bright and bubbly personality are a true asset to the company. Along with Ruud, her philosophy is to produce wines of character and integrity – words that sum up her attitude to all she has done for StaeteLandt Wines
 
 
 
[divider]             
FELTON ROAD  Central Otago  

One of the world’s finest Pinot Noirs. No Question.
 This Central Otago icon produces stunning biodynamic wines year after year. These guys really know their stuff.
In 2010 Felton Road was designated a Grand Cru winery of New Zealand. This Grand Cru status, currently only held by two other wineries (including Ata Rangi), recognizes the premier producers of Pinot Noir in New Zealand.
Winemaker Blair Walter is a master of less is more, Pinots are unfined and unfiltered and challenge the very best the world has to offer.
Felton Road is situated on warm, north facing slopes of glacial loess soils in Bannockburn, in the heart of Central Otago. The modern gravity fed winery receives 100% estate grown fruit from its three vineyards that are all farmed biodynamically and are fully certified by Demeter. Minimal intervention in the winemaking with such practices as wild yeast, no fining or filtration, allow the unique vineyard characters to further express their considerable personality.

Since the first vintage in 1997, Felton Road has acquired a formidable worldwide reputation.
Felton Road is one of the legendary names in New Zealand wine. They’re probably the most famous of the Central Otago wineries, making some highly regarded Pinot Noirs.

It was my great pleasure  to spend a number of hours talking to Owner, part time chef and team leader Nigel Greening.
Looking for one of the best wineries anywhere in NZ?  you’ve just found it.  Felton Road.
 www.feltonroad.com  

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

• Argentina in an Hour
• The Wine Diva has the highlights of this year’s Vancouver Int Wine Festival
• Budget bottles under $16.00
• Wines from Spain, Portugal.

 
 

hello

 
Wall to Wall Celebrities..The Smell of Fame!!
Starring Jason Priestley  (90210/Call Me Fitz) , Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo), Bruce McCulloch (Kids in the Hall), Tom Cochrane (New tour and LP) and Adam Cohen (On his Father Leonard and his new Tequila fixation)

THE SHOW

 Not all Tasting Room shows are about wine or food or travel. Sometimes they’re about music,  film and books. And food and wine.
This show is a special cuddle with friends who happen to be famous because what they do – music, film, comedy – they do very well!!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]
 
For example – Jason Priestley.  Jason Priestley A Memoir
 World famous as that wuss Brandon in 90210. Fantastic as Fitz in Call me Fitz.
He’s a really fine director, Father and now  writer.
His 2014 book is called Jason Priestley – A Memoir.
Stories about his years on 90210, sharing an apartment with Brad Pitt, crashing his race car In Kentucky and breaking bones from his feet up and having to learn to walk and talk again and  life after 90210.
Jason is also my co-host/co-exec producer on 3 years of Hollywood and Vines TV.
JP really knows his wines and we LOVE to riff on what we’ve been tasting.
www.harpercollins.com/9780062247582/jason–priestley
www.officialjasonpriestley.com     [divider]
How about – Jim Cuddy (Blue Rodeo and the Jim Cuddy Band)   

We know Jim through his amazing singing and songwriting career with Canada’s Blue Rodeo.
Both Jim and his long time music partner Greg Keelor have been awarded the Order of Canada.
Blue Rodeo have won countless Junos and sold out national  tours.
( Not to forget The Jim Cuddy Band and that growing fan base..)
Jim raises funds for various causes including Canada’s Olympic Team through the Gold Medal Plates culinary competition.
On top of all this glory he also loves his wines He’s always ready with an informed take on the latest wine releases..in Canada and around the World.
We welcome back Jim Cuddy.
www.bluerodeo.com
https://www.facebook.com/jimcuddyband/info     [divider]
Bruce McCulloch is a punk..
 
Bruce’s new book is called Let’s Start a Riot.  How a Young Drunk Punk became a Hollywood Dad.
It’s about to become a TV series and even perhaps a stage play.
Punk debuts on CityTV Jan 21.
Brings his stage tour to Vancouver Jan 28-Feb 1^st at FireHall Arts Centre.
We know Bruce from his brilliant work with Kids in the Hall. He’s a actor, writer, comedian and film director.
 

Bruce has stories about growing up in Edmonton, how Kids in the Hall create and his vast knowledge of women and wine.
http://brucio.com/
 [divider]
 or How about Tom Cochrane….

He’s been a friend ever since we travelled to Africa for World Vision and MuchMusic , many years ago.
Tom and his wife Kathy are spending more and more time in Austin Texas..a great music town.
Its been six years since Tom released his last album but he’s about to reveal his latest collection of songs Take It Home  early in 2015..with a Take it Home  tour I might add.
Tom can now add to his collection of Junos,  Order of Canada and  Walk of Fame induction the name Guest on Tasting Room Radio.
http://www.tomcochrane.com/
 [divider]
and finally  Adam Cohen…
 He’s just a great guy…,Father, Husband, eye candy, singer, songwriter and son of Leonard Cohen.
Imagine setting out to carve a career in the family business..the baggage you have to carry..the constant comparisons between Father and Son.
Thing is – Adam’s ok with all that. He’s come to grips with his songs and his voice.

He writes and sounds like his Dad..that’s just the way it is.
Has a really good new album We Go Home..which took shape in his family home in Montreal.
Last time Adam was on the show he was all over great red wines..
This time he schools yours truly on his new passion –  Tequila!!!
www.adamcohen.com
 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

[divider]

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 New Zealand in an Hour
Argentina in an Hour