This special starts back in Vancouver with a quick chat with Sebastian LeGoff, Service and Wine Director at Cactus Club Cafes. Until April 30 – a dollar from every desert goes to Make-A-Wish. We just wanted to remind you as the days are flying by. And then…it’s off to Argentina and an All-Star line-up. Steven Spurrier, DJ Kearney, Paul Hobbs and Bruce Schoenfeld
THE SHOW When we last left our media bus it was leaving Patagonia and head for the airport and a flight to Mendoza. The Crown Jewel of Argentina. The first voice you hear will be that of our Host. Magdalena Pesce from Wines of Argentina. www.winesofargentina.org She reminds us of Canada’s place in the World of Wine. Almost 10% of all Argentine wine sales happen here. We LIKE this wine, this place and these people. Then it’s off to three character people and three wonderful wineriesJose Manuel Ortega – O Fournier. http://www.ofournier.com/ Candid, forthright, direct, focused, unreserved: all these describe both him and his wines. All based in one of the most striking wineries anywhere. Roberto Timms – Deumayen Wines http://www.bodegasdeumayen.com.ar/
Roberto Timms and Partners
Where to begin. Three high profile businessmen including Roberto created this new winery. They then created a label called Trez, named after the partners initials. Trez makes a reserve Malbec that picked up 92 Points from Rob. Parkers website. Deumayen is pronounced Dayo-Mahgen. They also release a Petit Trez and distribute a Tokaj from Hungary. [divider] Pablo Cuneo – Ruca Malen
Ruca Malen
Pablo Cuneo Ruca Malen
Ruca Malén’s dream began in 1998, when Jean Pierre Thibaud left the chairmanship of Bodegas Chandon in Argentina after 10 years of service. He met Jacques Louis de Montalembert who had also forged an outstanding career in the winemaking industry in his hometown, Burgundy and both men soon discovered that they shared the same dream: to start their own winery in Mendoza. The result was RucaMalén; a winemaker’s paradise at the foot of the Andes range. Bodega Ruca Malén can be defined by three key words: style, elegance and distinction. The Director pf the winery and lead enologist is our guest.. Pablo Cuneo www.bodegarucamalen.comNadia Fournier – Montreal Journalist Guide du Vin. French version of Wine Align
Nadia Fournier
There were four wine journalists on this trip. Nadia arrived from Montreal and brought with her a bright, fresh approach to wine writing. This interview happened in the back on a taxi. Thus the various noises and rumbles. Salute!! https://twitter.com/NadiaFournier [divider] Three of the judges.DJ Kearney – Judge and Wine Expert. Vancouver. Wine Educator, straight shooter, friend.
Famous the World over for being the man who created the Paris Tasting of 1976 between the wines of France and the wines of California. When the Yanks walked away with the top prizes it signaled to the rest of the wine world that indeed you can make great wines in places OTHER than France. The film Bottleshock is loosely based – very loosely – on this moment in time. Mr Spurrier was judging on behalf of Decanter magazine. www.decanter.comBruce Schoenfeld – Wine and Spirits Editor Travel and Leisure Magazine. Over 1 Million readers follow Bruce’s writing.
Paul Hobbs was already well on his way to being one of California’s top wines when he accepted an invitation to visit Chile and Argentina. In Paul’s words “ Over the twenty years that I have been working in South America, I have had the thrill of helping spark an Argentine winemaking revolution that has brought worldwide attention and prestige to the region. As a consultant, I have seen this trailblazing spirit take root in other South American countries, resulting in improved quality and the emergence of a variety of new and intriguing winemaking ventures.”And that’s where we leave this Argentine Special part 2. I’m thinking there may be even more interviews hidden within all we did while there.When I find those stories..I’ll pass them along.My thanks to Wines of Argentina, Dana Lee and Monica Ralphs in Canada for their support. http://www.winesofargentina.org/noticias/ver/2014/02/22/argentina-wine-awards-2014-el-jurado-selecciono-los-mejores-vinos-argentinos/
The wineries of Okanagan Falls pour through Vancouver. Bill Jones and the Deerholme Foraging Book Wines for Spring from Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva
Confused over BC wine laws? Join the Club.
We talk to lawyer Mark Hicken. John Clerides and The Wine Diva.
We talk to one of the finest creative chefs in the World. Ferran Adrian from Spain’s El Bulli.
I’m joined at Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks by Chefs Vikram Vij and Quang Dang.
We talk to Chris Turyk of Cowichan Valley’s Unsworth Vineyards.
James Cambridge from the Frazer Valleys Backyard Vineyards
Daniel Bontorin from The Okanagan’s only Rose specialty house Seven Directions
And as a very special guest – Matt “Blue Buck” Sekeres from TEAM 1040 Vancouver.
Matt Sekeres hosts the mid-day show on Vancouver’s Team 1040. As such, he’s opinionated, influential and entertaining.
Matt Sekeres Team 1040
We talk sports of course but also his Mom, the most memorable single broadcasting day he could remember, also wine and the fact that he’s a flat out Blue Buck beer man through and through. www.team1040.ca
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Yes, the wine laws are slowly changing in British Columbia but so is the weather. Actually the weather is waaaay ahead.
Some of the dumbest bureaucrats in Canada are controlling most of the aspects of food, wine, beer, spirits and lifestyle in BC.
For example..one of the changes involved wine available at grocery stores..except they can’t be within 1 km of an existing licence. Which means only two stores qualify. Nice going. What a gong show.
CBC radio gathered a panel and listeners last week to talk about all the elements in play here.
I went backstage and talked to Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva www.winediva.ca
If you’re looking for clarify amid the confusion please join us.
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On a recent Sunday morning I attended a book-signing with Ferran Adrià, of elBulli, widely regarded as the world’s best restaurant until its closure in 2011. We were gathered to celebrate his new collection of books:elBulli 2005-2011: A Journey Inside the Creative Process of the World’s Greatest Chef.
Raw Interview Here:
The chef is credited with revolutionizing the culinary landscape and widely lauded as one of the most inventive gastronomic pioneers of the 21st century was in North America to promote his new cookbook.
The Cala Montjoi restaurant in northern Spain snagged the title of world’s best restaurant five times by editors and experts at Restaurant magazine, and at its height received more than two million reservation requests a year for 8,000 available seats.
ElBulli shuttered in 2011, a legend in culinary mythology.
When I walked into Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks in Kitsilano Ferran was in a great conversation with chefs Vikram Vij and Quang Dang.
I just turned on the recorder and had at it.
Questions and answers had to be translated from Spanish to English and back again but the message did get through.
For those of us who never tasted the man’s culinary genius..this may be as close as we get.
FYI – I recorded his talk to the room..at just over an hour. You can listen to this exclusive audio. Please find it posted on our website. www.elbulli.com http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferran_Adri%C3%A0
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Three very entertaining guests finish off the show. Chris Turyk, Brand Ambassador for Cowichan Valley winery – Unsworth!! The maker of one of the best Rose in Canada.
Rose
They’re growing by leaps and bounds..and it’s important to stay in touch with this fine new winery.
HOW they got so good so quickly is a story that I’ll be following.
[divider] Speaking of Rose…
Jason Priestley
6-7 years ago Jason Priestley and myself shot Year One of our wine show Hollywood and Vines TV in the South Okanagan.
We made it a priority to visit Le Vieux Pin. We had been charmed by the GM Tony Buree and by their wines.
The highlight was meeting winemakers James Cambridge and Daniel Bontorin who poured us a Rose of such class, we knew the Okanagan had “arrived”.
Daniel Bontorin
Years later I decided to find out where James and Daniel had gotten to.
James is the winemaker at Backyard Vineyards in the Frazer valley. www.backyardvineyards.ca
James Cambridge Backyard Vineyards
…and Daniel has his own label – Seven Directions – based at Volcanic Hills in West Kelowna. www.sevendirectionswine.ca
Daniel’s only making one style of wine – ROSE. And you have to watch for it..because there’s less than 100 cases this year.
So. Two winemakers to keep an eye on..watch for their work. It’s the future in a glass.
Part Two of our Argentina Tour.
We’ll travel and talk to the winemakers in Patagonia and Mendoza. Then finish at the Argentine Wine Awards with Steve Spurrier, Paul Hobbs, DJ Kearney and many many more.
What a line up. Oscar winning actor Richard Dreyfuss. Actor and Director Jason Priestley. Together they create a new film opening this weekend Cas and Dylan. To kick off this year’s baseball season we present Hall of Fame Pitcher and Winery owner Tom Seaver. However, it’s The Wine Diva who kicks things off with lots of pre-tasted wines for Spring!!
Are wine choices seasonal? That question is always being asked. Let’s face it..as Summer approaches we start reaching for lighter/whiter wines after months of Get-me-through-Winter Reds. Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva – is waaaay ahead of us.
wine diva
She’s tasted and tested at least 2 dozen wines for you to consider. This list is a keeper. You can find all her lists at www.winediva.ca
Jackson~Triggs Reserve Viognier, Okanagan Valley BC $13.99
Nk’Mip Cellars Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC $17.99
Trivento ‘Amado Sur’ White, Mendoza, Argentina $14.99
Douglas Green Chardonnay, Western Cape South Africa $12.96
‘Kono’ Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand $16.00
Bartier~Scholefield Rose, Okangan Valley BC $19.00
Codorniu Classico Brut Cava, Spain, NV $14.99
Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay McLean Creek Road Vineyard, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00
Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC $18.00
Road 13 Honest John’s Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $16.99
Clos du Soleil ‘Capella’, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00
Monte Del Fra Corvina Veronese, Veneto Italy $16.00
8th Generation ‘Confidence’ Spumante, Okanagan Valley BC $23.00
Upper Bench Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC N/A
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00
Fetzer ‘Quartz’ White Blend, California $16.99
Arabella Chenin Blanc, Western Cape South Africa $13.00
JoieFarm Gamay, Okanagan Valley BC $24.00
‘Grooner’ Gruner Veltliner by Meinhard Forstreiter, Austria $16.99
Domaine Zinck Pinot Blanc, Alsace France $17.99
Santa Carolina Sauvignon Blanc Reserva, Leyda Chile $12.99
CedarCreek Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $18.00
Steller’s Jay Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $24.99
Jorge Ordonez ‘Botani’ Moscatel Seco, Sierras de Malaga DOC
www.winediva.cawww.winescores.ca [divider] Tom SeaverGeorge Thomas “Tom” Seaver nicknamed “Tom Terrific” and “The Franchise”, is a former Major League Baseballpitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the highest percentage ever recorded (98.84%), and has the only plaque at Cooperstown wearing a New York Mets hat. As of 2010, Tom Seaver and Gil Hodges (played for the Mets in 1962-63) are the only Met players to have their jersey numbers retired by the team (Gil Hodges’ number was retired as a manager even though he also played for the Mets). He won the National LeagueRookie of the Year Award in 1967, and three NL Cy Young Awards as the league’s best pitcher. Seaver is the Mets’ all-time leader in wins, and is considered by many baseball experts as one of the best starting pitchers in the history of baseball. Seaver married the former Nancy Lynn McIntyre on June 9, 1966. They are parents of two daughters. They live in Calistoga, California, where he started his own his 3.5-acre vineyard, Seaver Family Vineyards, on his 116-acre estate on Diamond Mtn Napa in 2002. His first vintage was produced in 2005. He presented his two cabernets, Nancy’s Fancy and GTS, in an April 2010 wine-tasting event in SoHo to positive reviews.
Tom Seaver
www.seavervineyards.com/ Tom Seaver’s vineyard isn’t open to the public, but his powerful flagship GTS Cabernet Sauvignon ($85) and easier-drinking GTS Nancy’s Fancy Cabernet Sauvignon ($65) are available in limited quantities using order forms at seaverfamilyvineyards.com. [divider] All right! What could you possibly need to know about Jason Priestley that you already don’t know. He’s an accomplished film, stage and TV actor. Father of two. Good Canadian Boy (West Coast through and through)
Jason Priestley
He and I are partners in the series Hollywood and Vines TVwww.hollywoodandvinestv.com Just won Best Actor and his series Call Me Fitz just won best comedy at the Canadian Screen Awards 2014. www.callmefitz.caCas and Dylan – which debuts this weekend – is Jason’s first film direction.
Cas and Dylan
It stars Richard Dreyfuss and Tatiana Maslany. An Odd Couple Road Movie.
stars and their director
Jason Priestley joins us..and the last segment is reserved for Richard Dreyfuss. http://www.officialjasonpriestley.com/…and finally we finish with Richard Dreyfuss..JawsClose EncountersAmerican GraffitiThe Goodbye GirlMr Holland’s OpuSAnd many many more films/tv series. Richard gives us the other side of the Cas and Dylan story. Also talks about his work with Steven Spielberg . Saves special mention for the third act of Cas and Dylan – The Payoff!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Dreyfuss
Tonight’s Mulligan Stew playlist is posted here..
It starts with Marvin Gaye and Trouble Man.
That’s a pivotal piece of music in the upcoming Capt America film which opens next week.
Going to feature two tracks from Jimmy Vaughn from his 2001 release Do you get the Blues?
Solid New music from Boy and Bear, Sting and Astral Swans from Calgary.
Two tracks from Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Both were recorded years ago but had to wait until his High Hopes LP to be heard.
Which is why you can hear the late Clarence Clemons and Danny Federici.
Some Alabama Shakes, Bonnie Raitt, Mumford and Sons, Albatross by Fleetwood Mac, Van Morrison’s and the healing has begun and Steve Ray Vaughn at Carnegie Hall.
SPECIAL GUEST is Dan Mangan. He’s just started a new label called Madic and his first signing is Astral Swans from Calgary.
They have an EP out with two tracks..we play them both.
Dan’s been a busy guy.
New Baby
New Album in production
And new label.
We’ll see him this summer for sure.
Good luck to all the Juno Nominees!!!
A Regional Tasting in Buenos Aires. The tasting and spitting through the vineyards in Patagonia and Mendoza. along the way we ate perhaps, a whole cow!
These are the tour highlights Part One. www.winesofargentina.org
This was a whole bunch of fun. Yes there were 32 wineries and over 300 wines tasted but what really made it fun was the attitude and character of the Argentines themselves. Really fine people who do everything with passion.
Located in the Southern Cone of the American Continent, with a population of 42 million inhabitants and a territory that is four times larger thanFrance, Argentina is one of the world’s nature reserves. Privileged with outstanding natural richness and extraordinarily diverse landscapes, Argentina boasts high mountains and plains, lush vegetation and extreme deserts, forests and steppes, glaciers and waterfalls.
This wealth of natural ecosystems includes vast, highly productive grape growing regions stretching at the foot of the Andean strip, to the West of the country, from latitude 22° south to latitude 42° south. The cultivated area covers more than 538,071 acres.
It is in this context, and in the course of five centuries, that Argentina has developed such an extraordinary wine industry. The altitude, the wide range of temperatures, the local know-how, the new technologies and a deeply-rooted popular wine culture lend our wines their unique identity and quality. www.winesofargentina.org
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The objective over the two weeks was to taste and experience the stories of the people who made the wines.
Wall to Wall Malbec
We started with a tasting in downtown Buenos Aires. Featured were wine regions we wouldn’t get to, including Salta.
It was important to get an overview of Argentina today and when I met Master of Wine Andres Rosberg I knew I had my narrator. Guests visited include: Julio Viola – Bodega Del Fin Del Mundo and NQN in Patagonia. www.bodegadelfindelmundo.com
Julio Viola
Thomas Christan – Secreto Patagonico www.secretopatagonico.com Jose Alberto Zuccardi – Familia Zuccardi is one of the World’s Best known winemaking families. In Mendoza.www.familiazuccardi.com
Jose Alberto Zuccardi
Susana Balbo – Domino Del Plata. Makers of Crios and Ben Marco. www.dominiodelplata.com.ar (the first female winemaker in Argentina)
Susana Balbo with the next generation of Balbo
Guillermo Barzi – Humberto Canale. In the Province of Rio Negro. In 27 countries but especially Canada. www.bodegahcanale.com
Familia Barzi at Humberto Canali
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World Malbec Day is Thursday April 17th. On Saturday April 19th we’ll present TRR Tour of Argentina Two. It concludes at the annual Argentina Wine Awards.
Steven Spurrier – Paris show of 1976 and Decanter Magazine Bruce Schonfeld – Travel and Leisure Magazine Wine and Spirits Editor Magdalene Pesce – Wines of Argentina DJ Kearney – Wine Educator and Judge Paul Hobbs – Winemaker in California and Argentina
Even the cellars are spectacular
Juan Jose Canay – President of Bodegas de Argentina Catena Zapata Trapiche
The British Open takes place this weekend. Our first guest is golfing legend Dick Zokol, Director of Golf Operations at BC’s Predator Ridge. Right in the middle of BC wine country Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva – has part 2 of her Summer BBQ wines.Jim Cuddy (Jim Cuddy band/Blue Rodeo) returns to the show. Talking his wild summer and Ontario wines. Spencer Massey the man behind the wonderful wines of Clos du Soleil And we finish with the one and only Vikram Vij..we find the celebrated West Coast chef..working the streets in front of his new food truck.
Dick Zokol It’s the weekend of the British Open and we wanted a golfer to kick off the show. Not just any golfer. We loved the idea of asking Dick Zokol. Canadian golfing legend and director of Golf at BC’s Predator Ridge..located in BC’s wine country.
Dick Zokol
Yes, we talk golf, the Brit Open and even Tiger’s game. Oh yeah..we do talk local wines. http://www.predatorridge.com/
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Are you looking for new wine? Are you looking for wines that have been tasted by The Wine Diva and approved for pairing with anything you BBQ this Summer? Its Part Two of her latest list and As always, Daenna van Mulligen brings The Wine Diva with her.
Daenna Van Mulligen
21. Frescobaldi ‘Pietraregia dell’Ammiraglia’ Riserva Morellino di Scansano Italy, 2008 – (BC – $27.99 ) 22. Fuse Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley California, 2009 – (BC – $39.99 ) 23. Graham Beck ‘The Game Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Robertson South Africa, 2009 – (BC – $19.99 ) 24. Maggio Family Vineyards Petite Sirah, Lodi California, 2009 – (BC – $18.99 ) 25. Masi Campofiorin Rosso del Veronese, Veneto Italy, 2008 – (BC – $19.99 ) 26. Nederburg ‘Winemaster’s Reserve’ Shiraz, Western Cape South Africa, 2009 – (BC – $12.99 ) 27. Quails’ Gate Merlot, Okanagan Valley, 2009 – (BC – $24.99 ; Winery – $24.99 ) 28. Rodney Strong ‘Knotty Vines’ Zinfandel, Northern Sonoma California, 2009 – (AB – $16.00 + price will vary; BC – $23.99 ; ON – $22.95 ; Yukon – $25.90 ) 29. Roodeberg Western Cape South Africa, 2010 – (BC – $11.99 ) 30. Sandhill Cabernet~Merlot, Okanagan Valley BC, 2009 – (BC – $19.99 ) 31. Santa Rita Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley Chile, 2008 – (BC – $15.99 ; AB – $12.00 + price will vary; ON – $13.95 ; Widely Available – $13.00 to $16 across Canada) 32. Secco~Bertani Ripasso Valpolicella Valpantena, Veneto Italy, 2009 – (BC – $21.99 ) 33. Skulls Shiraz, South Australia, 2008 – (BC – $19.99 ) 34. Tenuta Guado Al Tasso ‘Il Bruciato’ DOC Bolgheri, Tuscany Italy, 2008 – (Quebec – $27.95 ; AB – $20.00 + price will vary; BC – $34.99 ) 35. Terra Andina Carmenere~Syrah, Central Valle Chile, 2010 – (BC Private Wine Stores – $9.00 + price will vary; AB – $7.00 + price will vary) 36. Terre degli Svevi ‘Re Manfredi’ Aglianico del Vulture DOC Basiliicata Italy, 2007 – (BC – $19.99 ) 37. The Grinder Pinotage, Western Cape South Africa, 2010 – (BC – $14.99 ) 38. Tolaini Al Passo, Tuscany Italy, 2007 – (BC – $29.99 ) 39. Tscharke Barossa Gold Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia, 2010 – (BC – $19.99 ) 40. Wine Men of Gotham Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia, 2008 – (BC Private Wine Stores – $13.99 ) 41. Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz~Cabernet, Robe Mount Benson Australia, 2009 – (BC Private Wine Stores – $37.00 + price will vary; ON – $34.95 ) www.winediva.ca
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Jim Cuddy Love that Jim Cuddy. Musician. Singer/Songwriter, Father, Hockey Player and wine drinker and collector. Blue Rodeo has just been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. They’re touring the summer away. And so is The Jim Cuddy Band, Jim’s side project. (They’re at Interstellar Rodeo next weekend) As I said at the beginning. Love that Jim Cuddy. Love his music and Love talking to him. Enjoy!! www.bluerodeo.comwww.jimcuddy.com
Jim Cuddy
[divider] Clos du Soleil is a small artisan winery and estate vineyard on the South Similkameen Valley Upper Bench, one of the newest, most exciting emerging appellations in Canadian wine.
They produce premium quality wines in a Bordeaux style ! The Clos du Soleil team includes celebrated Canadian winemaker Ann Sperling and vineyard manager Jean-Felix Boulais, who have a passion for sustainable viticulture using both organic and biodynamic practices. Since its first yield in 2006, the limited-quantity Clos du Soleil wines continue to debut with startling accolades.
During his tasting and pouring visit to Vancouver we had a chance to sit and get the whole story from Team Leader Spencer massey. www.closdusoleil.ca
[divider] Vikram Vij and his street cart … and finally Vikram Vij works the streets of Vancouver.
Vikram Vij with truck
He’s one of the most successful culinary personalities in Canada and yet he’s working the front of house at his new food truck on Georgia Street. Wait till you hear the man work the streets. The truck is called Vij’s Railway Express. It features the food you find in India’s bustling railway Stations. Each week, it’ll be the food of another destination. One week Bombay, another Delhi and another might be Calcutta!! Sounds like fun right?
