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February 11th, 2023- Anthony Gismondi & The National Wine Awards of Canada

February 10, 2023 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:37:27

hello

The National Wine Awards of Canada – 2022

With Co-Founder Anthony Gismondi.

 

THE SHOW:

 

 Our guest is the highly respected wine writer, reviewer, and industry leader Anthony Gismondi.

Anthony Gismondi

Anthony Gismondi is a Canadian wine journalist and one of North America’s most influential wine voices. His twice-weekly column in The Vancouver Sun, which he has written since 1989, is read across Canada through Postmedia Network, reaching close to 10 million readers.

His comprehensive wine review website www.gismondionwine.com, one of the first such sites on the internet, features over 30,000 tasting notes, added daily. It is an important resource for trade and consumers in Canada and 114 other countries.

Anthony hosts BC Food & Wine Radio Show the longest-running, weekly wine and food show on Canadian radio for 25 years. The one-hour show is broadcast on 20 radio stations across British Columbia and is available everywhere as a podcast on Apple, Google, Spotify, and more.

Gismondi is the co-founder of the annual National Wine Awards of Canada, the largest and broadest competition for Canadian Wine since its inception 21 years ago. Anthony continues to run the annual event as co-chair. He is also the editor of the Canada wine section in the world’s best-selling wine book Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book. In addition, Anthony is a much sought-after moderator and consultant.

 

He will occasionally post as ‘The Spitter”

NWAC2022_icon

The 21st running of the National Wine Awards of Canada wrapped up on June 23 in Niagara.  After much deliberation and number checking,  the results rolled out on July 15th, starting with Sparkling Wines. 

The rest of the category results were rolled out throughout the rest of July, with the final Platinum, Best Performing Small Winery, and Winery of the Year announcements coming at the end of the month.  (We’ve included links to all the results below)

Co-Head Judges Anthony Gismondi and David Lawrason

The 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada were founded by David Lawrason and Anthony Gismondi, ‘The Nationals’ are the largest and most respected Canadian wine competition.

In 2022, 24 judges tasted 1,890 entries from more than 250 wineries. Canadian wine is indeed gathering acclaim internationally, but ‘The Nationals’ is the most important peer competition local wineries can enter.

With nearly every producer of note in the country competing, making it to the top ten of any category list is special. Getting on the annual list of the Top 25 Wineries in Canada is one of the most sought accolades in the business.

nwac22_judgesadmin

Judges and Admin Staff of the National Wine Awards of Canada

The entries came from eight provinces. British Columbia had the highest representation with 137 wineries entered, Ontario came second with 87, followed by wineries from Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

The wines were all served blind (producer, origin, and price were not revealed) but identified and organized into flights by grape variety or style. The top medalists were tasted in multiple rounds by many different judges.

The judges only tasted a limited quantity of wines each day so their palates could stay fresh and focused, and the wines were served in high-quality glasses at just the right temperature. All this was to ensure that each wine was treated with the respect it deserves.

Finally, after an exhilarating series of announcements on July 29 WineAlign were thrilled to conclude their results with Canada’s Winery of the Year, the Top 25 Wineries in Canada, the Top 10 B.C. Wineries and the Top 10 Ontario Wineries.

 

Congratulations to all the winners of the 2022 National Wine Awards of Canada!

 

FINAL RESULTS:


https://www.winealign.com/awards/2022/07/29/2022-nwac-results/

 

Medal Winners by Category:

Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Sauvignon
Chardonnay
Cider
Gamay
Icewine & Late Harvest
Mead, Fruit Wine & Fortified
Merlot
Orange Wines (extended skin contact)
Pinot Gris/Pinot Grigio
Pinot Noir
Red Blends
Red Single Varieties – Others
Riesling
Rosé
Sauvignon Blanc
Sparkling
Syrah
White Single Varieties – Others
White Blends

www.gismondionwine.com

https:/ww.winealign.com/awards

https://twitter.com/bcfwradio?lang=en

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Meet the Maker

Culmina and Laughing Stock

Every Chef needs a Farmer  Every Farmer needs a Chef

Kitten Swish with Brad Royale

Van Wine Fest

 

 

 

 

Mulligan Stew Feb 4th 2023- Welcome to February!

February 3, 2023 Mulligan Stew

hello

First four tracks from:

Tedeschi Trucks

Ray Charles

Keb Mo

Billy Joel Live

The Last Four tracks from:

New Gord Downie and Bob Rock (Two new songs)

Earth Wind and Fire  (Lost Maurice White)

New U2

And the most-played song of the 20th  Century..

Can you guess?

 

IN BETWEEN –

New music from Rory Block/Michael Kaeshammer/Mariel and T Buckley.

Got some John Fogerty/Buddy Miller/Jason Isbell/Bob Marley Live/Brandi Carlile/Nathanial Rateliff & Night Sweats/Norah Jones/ Garry Moore/Steely Dan/Heptones/Dan Auerbach/Los Lobos

And a salute to Drummer Hal Blaine with Paul Simon/The Ronettes/The Beach Boys

Enjoy! It was a bag of fun putting this together.

-TDM

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – The Stew Terry David Mulligan CKUA
Love has something else to say Tedeschi Trucks Band Let me get by
you are my sunshine Ray Charles Modern sounds in country and western music
Good to be (home again ) Keb Mo Good to be
The river of dreams Bill Joel Bill Joel Live
The Stew with TDMulligan Next – Dan Auerbach – Los Lobos
We got to get out of this place Dan Auerbach Echoes of Vietnam
Framed Los Lobos Native Son
I shall be released The Heptones Nightfood in Partytime
Thank You Coyotes Banff for 25 years of support
I’ll take you there Rory Block Ain’t nobody worried
Mulligan Stew – Year 27 [email protected] @tdmulligan
if you be my baby Gary Moore Blues for Greeny
Kid Charlemagne (live) Steely Dan North East Corridor Live
I got a feeling (live) Norah Jones Let it be EP
Down by the riverside Michael Kaeshammer The Warehouse Sessions
Coming Up on The Stew New Gord Downie remembering Hal Blaine, Bob Marley & Maurice White
Is there nowhere Gord Downie and Bob Rock The Raven and Red Tail Hawk EP
Bobcaygeon Mariel and T Buckley single
Have you ever seen the rain John Fogerty The long road home
The Stew Year 27 CKUA Next – The Night Sweats
Survivor Nathanial Rateliff/Night Sweats The Future
Angel from Montgomery Buddy Miller, Brandi Carlile. Lone Bellow Cayamo songs at Sea
Marry Me (live) Jason Isbell. Paterson Hood etc Live at Shoals Theatre
Mulligan Stew Dot Ca Coming up Hal Blaine tribute and Beach Boys
Mother and Child Reunion Paul Simon Paul Simon
God only knows The Beach Boys Pet Sounds
Be my baby The Ronettes Best of
The Stew @ckua @tdmulligan
Stir it up (live) Bob Marley Live
with or without you U2 Songs of Surrender
Lustre Parfait Gord Downie and Bob Rock Lustre Parfait
September Earth Wind and Fire September
Deane House River Cafe Thank You
You’ve lost that Lovin’ Feeling The Righteous Brothers Best of

 

February 4th, 2023- Angus An/Kurtis Kolt. Creative pairings at New Fat Mao/Fort Berens Releases  

February 3, 2023 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:45

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Angus An/Kurtis Kolt. Creative pairings at New Fat Mao/Fort Berens Releases

 

THE SHOW

  

Fat Mao—meaning “prosperous cat” in Cantonese—is a casual open-kitchen concept by Chef Angus An, dishing up Thai-style noodle soups plus southeast Asian sides and drinks.

Flavourful made-from-scratch broths and locally sourced noodles are accompanied by smaller dishes of B.C. seafood, house-made tofu, and seasonal vegetable salads. Chef Angus recommends customizing your noodles with your choice of spicy sauces, oils, and tangy vinegars to personalize your own fun, comforting, and interactive meal.

 

“Fat Mao is an ode to the small storefronts handed down through several family generations that specialize in making one single dish over and over,” explains An. “I want our guests to pull up a stool and enjoy a bowl of their favourite noodle soup with a good novel for years to come.”

 

While the small and focused downtown menu features many fan favourites from the original Fat Mao, it will also offer a handful of tempting dishes from ceviche to rotating flavours of shaved ice that are exclusive to the new location.

Debut highlights include braised brisket noodles served with Asian celery and fried garlic; Nam Ngaio—a Northern-style tender pork-rib noodle dish with pork-blood cake, red cotton tree flowers, and fermented soybean; Albacore tuna ceviche with aromatic herb dressing and crispy taro; and Thai-tea shaved ice for a sweet finish, served with grass jelly and condensed milk with Thai iced-tea panna cotta.

 (Fat Mao Noodles –  Downtown Vancouver)

Angus An – Chef. Author. Restaurant founder.

The list of award-winning restaurants created and launched by Angus and his wife Kate is truly impressive.

Gastropod (Top 200 in the World – Zagat)  Rebranded to Maenam (best Thai 8 years running- Top 25 in  Canada & 2016 VanMag Restaurant of the Year)

Now, Angus and Kate have created Longtail Kitchen/Fat Mao/Freebird Chickenshack/Sen Pad Thai/Popina Canteen and  Fat Mao Noodles.

AngusAn KurtisKolt

Kurtis Kolt –  Has enjoyed consulting on the wine program at Maenam in Vancouver along with leaping into random adventures with chef/proprietor Angus An through various pursuits, from James Beard House dinners to pop-up Sherry bars. Now Angus has opened a second Fat Mao location in downtown Vancouver and he’s fully on board.

It’s a tricky food and wine room in that customers are in and out quickly. There’s simply not time to choose,  open and pour wines so Kurtis gathered together fine wines in cans and MagBags. This is like the food and wine version of a high-wire circus act. Every dish is an orchestra of flavors and textures. The challenge for Kurtis is – which of the many flavors and spices do you want to pair your wines with?

As for the wines…

Sharply priced wines ($6-$21) are available at Fat Mao Downtown in a wide variety of serving sizes: by-the-glass in three, six, or nine ounces; and by the can in 250 mL (5 oz) single-servings, 375mL (12+ oz) ‘half bottles’, and 473 mL (16 oz) equal to a couple of glasses. Notable wines featured on the current list include selections from British Columbia’s JoieFarm, Orofino, Birch Block, and Averill Creek, plus contemporary Californian gems like Ferdinand Albariño and Matthiasson’s Barbera-driven ‘Tendu’ Rosé.

Loved this conversation – It Rocked, just like Fat Mao.

Visit fatmaonoodles.com and follow @fatmaonoodles on Instagram for more information and up-to-date specials.

www.kurtiskolt.com

 

Rolf De Bruin  Co-Founder & Co-Owner Fort Berens Estate Winery   (Lillooet)

#3 Best Small Winery in Canada

Heleen and Rolf  / Fort Berens

 

It’s a routine I’ve been engaging in for many years now. Checking in with Fort Berens Estate Winery in Lillooet.

As I drove through the Lillooet area one year on a trout fishing trip, I could hear Harry McWatters distinctive voice in my ears…

”keep an eye out on that rangeland, could be a fine place for vineyards”  Harry was right.

For 12 years now Rolf De Bruin and his wonderful wife Heleen have been leading a hard-working vineyard and wine-making team out on Highway 99 between Whistler and Cache Creek/Kamloops.  High Country.  Cold in the Winter. Usually the hottest place in Canada in the Summer.  They have winemaking essentials.  Lots of land, heat, and water.

Rolf has been planting additional vineyards and we’re now starting to see more Reserve Estate wines in Spring and Fall.  One day, all the wines will come from the estate.  That’s the plan, Stan.

Right in the middle of the pandemic, they managed to find, hire and transport a new winemaker/viticulturist Alex Nel.  All the way from South Africa.

Alex Nel Winemaker

Keep in mind that the 2021 growing season included “the heat dome”. In Lillooet, they dealt with the highest temperature ever recorded in June, then came the wildfires.  The vineyards managed to avoid the fires but they essentially shut down to survive The Sun and rebounded when the heat normalized.

When the town of Lytton was ravaged by wild fires, Fort Berens created a Pinot Gris release from one of the vineyards that the fires didn’t damage.

100% of the monies raised went to support industry partners through Lytton Strong When a silent auction and corporate sponsorship dollars were added,  a total of $164,000 had been raised.

They immediately started rebuilding the Lytton outdoor pool, where the community always gathered. (did I mention it’s the hottest place in Canada?)  Good people!! Congratulations all.

 

 

 

Here are the latest releases from Fort Berens

 

  •  Meritage 2020 (available now)
  • Cabernet Franc 2020 (available now)
  • Pinot Noir 2021 (available now )
  • Riesling Reserve 2021 (will be released in March 2023)
  • White Gold 2021 (will be released in March 2023)

 

 

www.fortberens.com

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Van Wine Fest 2023

Haywire releases

The Mezcal of Oaxaca

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Lt Governors Awards

EP 242 | WHITEHORSE-Tales from New Album ‘Im not Crying You’re Crying’

January 28, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Jimmy would be so proud!

His Mom and Dad are guesting on the  Mulligan Stew Podcast.

Jimmy is the 10-year-old son of Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet of Whitehorse. Jimmy likes the music his Mom and Dad make so much that he’s sitting in on drums during house rehearsals.

Luke and Melissa have just released their 8th album I’m not crying You’re crying.

What started as a possible lockdown country covers project quickly turned into writing their own songs, as though they were writing and singing in the 70s. In Nashville.

What’s best about this album is they sound like they’ve been writing and singing country all their musical life. Which is what they did.

When they met and started Whitehorse it was as a country band. So, they’ve come full circle. Through the blues and back into country.

This podcast tells the tales of those years and their relationship.

It’s a winner and so are Jimmy’s parental unit.

www.whitehorsemusic.ca

January 28th, 2023: A Spirits Special – The Five Bottle Bar Book and Single Malt 006 from Eau Claire.  

January 28, 2023 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:51:20

hello

A Spirits Special – The Five Bottle Bar  and Single Malt 006 from Eau Claire.

 

THE SHOW

 

Eau Claire Master Distiller Caitlin Quinn.

Caitlin Quinn

 

This edition of TRR started with the arrival of a handsome  bottle of  Eau Claire Single Malt Whisky 006 (Bottle 1681)

 

It’s the sixth single malt release from Eau Claire Distillery’s award-winning whisky program and their  first six-year-old batch release.

Aged in New European Oak (Hungarian), Ex-Bourbon (American) & Ex-Sherry(French)barrels. They made 3000 bottles total. $109 in Tasting Room.

This is such a sip to celebrate.

Caitlin and I talk about the aroma notes of caramel, berries and Granny Smith Green Apple

Taste of Butterscotch,  Cloves and spice.

Think about it – Caramel and Butterscotch in a sip.

With a long finish.

There’s also a reference under style I Liked – Moreish.

I thought it referred to the historical  Moors.  Caitlin replied  

“No. It means more please!”

 

Two interesting points Caitlin makes…

This Single Malt won Best Canadian Single Malt Whisky of the Year –

New York International Spirits Competition – 2022

And

Because of the extremes of cold in Winter and heat in Summer in Turner Valley, the cellaring of these spirits makes them age more rapidly.

I think the Turner Valley malted barley helps.

Thank you Mother Nature.

 

Caitlin also tells us about what’s coming later on this year.

 

www.eauclairedistillery.ca

 

The Five Bottle Bar – Reference Book from Author and Ampersand co-founder Jessica Schacht

When the book arrived I knew we had another spirits feature show.

Jessica presents  a collection of cocktail recipes that rely on just five bottles to build your bartending style with ease and confidence.

Five bottles around which your inner bartender can emerge with skill, savvy and a little flare for the dramatic when it’s called for.

Jessica Schacht believes with a little curation and mastery of the basics, we can succeed at elevating the everyday and cultivating a good cocktail hour.

Jessica Schacht – Author

The bottles? 

Gin, Whiskey, Sweet and Dry Vermouth, and Campari (plus bonus recipes for Bubbly). The setting: living room, backyard, window seat, and the wild beyond.

The mixologist? You!!

In this beautifully photographed collection, Jessica Schacht, co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company, presents her take on classics (like the G & T, the Old Fashioned, the Martini, and the Negroni), collections (sours, punches, and such), and contemporaries (a few inventive new drinks to pique your creativity).

There’s a chapter of zero-proofs in part inspired by the abundance of new alcohol-free spirits on the market now, and another dedicated to keeping your vacation drinks game classy, from the airplane to the B&B to the beach.

In addition to the recipes The Five-Bottle Bar supplies a solid foundation in bartending basics. Tools, techniques, suggestions on glassware and garnishes, the condensed history of spirits, and tips for setting up your minimalist bar cart.

 

Jessica also recommends The Five Bottle Bar – by region.

For British Columbia:

Ampersand Gin

Stillhead Rye Whisky

Imperative Dry vermouth

Esquimalt Wine Co. Sweet Vermouth

The Woods Amero

 

Jessica Schacht is the cofounder of the multigenerational family-run Ampersand Distilling Company and author of the History Glass column in the Cowichan Valley Voice. She is grateful to live in the Cowichan Valley in the home she shares with her husband and sons.

This is a fun, engaging read.

We intend to reconnect with Jessica when the heat of The Sun finally returns to our lives.

 

www.ampersanddistilling.com

www.touchwoodeditions.com

www.cowichanvalleyvoice.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Fort Berens new releases

Okanagan Wine Festivals

Lt. Governors Awards

Vancouver Wine Festival

Fat Mao Downtown

Angus An and Kurtis Kolt

 

 

 

 

 

Mulligan Stew Jan 28th 2023-Special Guests Whitehorse

January 27, 2023 Mulligan Stew

hello

Special guests on the Saturdays Stew – By the time they hit the air on The Stew, Whitehorse will be proclaimed #1 on the CKUA Top 30.   I believe they’ll be there for a while.

Their new album I’m not crying You’re crying is getting rave reviews – everywhere.

And Next week they’ll be showcasing in London at AmericanaUK. 

In this Saturday interview, they drop some word bombs that will linger including Luke proclaiming that they will now be a working  Country band. 

They’re gifted singers, songwriters, and musicians. But best of all they’re fine people and an absolute joy to interview.

The Jimmy they mention is their 10-year-old son. He is home-schooled by his parents, joins them on tour, started playing piano during the lockdown, and insists on playing his drum kit when they practice.

Best of all, the complete interview – all 40 minutes, will be on the Mulligan Stew Podcast and the Terry David Mulligan YouTube Channel…

 PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – Whitehorse Guests Terry David Mulligan CKUA
Mississippi Version 2 Bob Dylan Fragments
She got some money Eddie 9V Little Black Flies
Busted Willie Nelson I don’t know a thing about love
Hang Loose Alabama Shakes Boys and Girls
Can’t turn you loose Otis Redding Very best of
Thank you Deane House & River Cafe Todays Guests – Whitehorse New album I’m not crying You’re Crying
Building a Mystery (live) Sarah McLachlan Live Acoustic EP
You going to make me lonesome when you go Barney Bentall (and Valentino Trapini) Cosmic Dreamer
Pay it no mind Sarah Jarosz World on the ground
Don’t Stop Fleetwood Mac Rumours
That’s what love will make you do Marc Broussard/Joe Bonamassa SOS 4: Blues for your soul
Snow Bank The 50/50 Draw (to Feb 2) Whitehorse Guests today Bring a new album
After Midnight JJ Cale Naturally
Runaway soul (live) Ruthie Foster Live at Antone’s
Backdoor Man The Doors The Doors
Coming up Snarky Puppy and Whitehorse Interview
Tio Macaco Snarky Puppy We like it here
Mulligan Stew Van Morrison starts Hour Two check out our 50/50 draw by Feb 2
Coming UP – Whitehouse Interview with Melissa and Luke New Album I’m not crying You’re crying
Stormy Monday / Lonely Avenue Van Morrison Rolling with the Punches
Wrap it up Kurt Elling/Charlie Hunter/Nate Smith Guilty Pleasures EP
I can’t give everything away Spoon single
This is The Stew with TDMulligan [email protected]
Going down to sing in Texas Iris Dement Working on a World
Coyotes Banff Thank You Supporting CKUA for 25 years
Promised Land Chuck Berry Best of
Pride (in the name of love) U2 Songs of Surrender
Whitehorse Interview Luke Doucet-Melissa McClelland I’m not crying You’re crying
Division 5 Whitehorse I’m not crying You’re crying
Whitehorse Interview Complete Interview on MulliganStew Podcast and tdm youtube channel
If the loneliness don’t kill me Whitehorse I’m not crying You’re crying
Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland Whitehorse I’m not crying You’re crying
Lock it Down Whitehorse I’m not crying You’re crying
Whitehorse Interview Complete interview on MulliganStew Podcast and tdm YouTube Channel
The Road Whitehorse I’m not crying You’re crying

Mulligan Stew Jan 21st 2023- We play the music for our dear friend David Ward!!

January 20, 2023 Mulligan Stew

hello

We play the music for our dear friend David Ward!!

(and remember David Crosby)

The photo  above is of David, Allison Brock and myself hosting Wide Cut Stew at Coyotes in Banff.

Below is of David and I creating a live Mulligan Stew from several Fundraisers ago. It’s in the Calgary Studio. As of Saturday it will be called the David Ward Production Studio. Our thoughts are with his family.

We start this Jan 21 edition of The Stew with Aretha Franklin Live in Paris…a song and a moment that sparks the listener with joy, happiness, and the weight of her loss.

She’s actually singing about herself and her marriage “liar and a cheat..never know why I let you do these things to me”

AND WE’RE OFF –

  • New Springsteen
  • Keb Mo
  • Leon Russell
  • Dr John and Lukas Nelson
  • Tower of Power
  • Colin James
  • The National with Bob Weir (live)
  • Paul Simon (live)
  • Leonard Cohen (live)

New music from:

  • Artic Monkeys
  • Dan Mangan
  • King of Foxes
  • Julianna Riolino
  • Ariel Posen

Plus…

Watchhouse

Brandi Carlisle

John Hammond and Tom Waits

Blue Rodeo

Jimi Hendrix – He recorded All along the Watchtower on Jan 21, 1972

and

David Crosby and Graham Nash  –  a demo of Deja Vu

PLAYLIST:

Mulligan Stew – Year 27 The Stew – in Honour of David Ward TDMulligan
Never loved a man. The way I love you (live) Aretha Franklin Aretha in Paris
Don’t play that song (live) Bruce Springsteen Only the strong survive
Lone Ranger Julianna Riolino All Blue
Road of Love Keb Mo Muscle Shoals. Small town. Big sound
Coyotes Banff Just won best breakfast menu – Banff –
A song for you Leon Russell Leon Russell
I walk on guilded splinters Dr John – Lukas Nelson (OTReal) Things happen that way
Little Words Watch House Such a Jubilee
CKUA The Stew with TDM @tdmulligan
Call me the breeze (live) Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Live at the Fillmore
Helpless (live) The Band with Neil Young The Last Waltz
The Stew TDM don’t forget 5050
219 John Hammond (Tom Waits) Wicked Grin
The Stew Year 27 A large Welcome to you
The Joke Brandi Carlisle By the way, I forgive you
DeJa Vu (Demo) David Crosby and Graham Nash DeJa Vu  (50th Anniversary)
This is Mulligan Stew  Remembering David Ward
Knock yourself out Tower of Power East Bay Grease
Can’t you see what you’re doing to me Colin James Open Road
I know you rider (live) The National with Bob Weir Day of the Dead
Deane House River Cafe Thank you
I think about you Blue Rodeo Many a Mile
Seven Years King of Foxes Twilight of the Empire
in your corner Dan Mangan Being Somewhere
Perfect Sense Artic Monkeys The Car
The Stew Coming UP Paul Simon. Leonard Cohen Drifters
Thunder Island Jay Ferguson Thunder Island
The Boxer (live) Paul Simon – Jesse Dixon Singers and Urubamba Live Rhymin’
Mulligan Stew please sent requests to – [email protected]
save the last dance the Drifters best of
save the last dance (live) Leonard Cohen Live in Dublin
The Stew TDM –
All along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix Electric Ladyland
Boogie Bot Ariel Posen Mile End 2

January 21st 2023 Kimberly Hundertmark – New GM at Okanagan Wine Festivals

January 20, 2023 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:34:39

hello

Kimberly Hundertmark – New GM at Okanagan Wine Festivals/Winter Festival events start Sunday

THE SHOW

It was perhaps 12 years ago when Jason Priestley and I were shooting Hollywood and Vines TV with producer Chad Oakes. Our journey took us to Niagara and their yearly wine festival.

Our host was Kimberly Hundertmark, Executive Director of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festivals. Immediately,  we were hitting the ground running, just to keep up.

While Kimberly watched over our television interviews and necessary production, she was also leading the team members who were running her festival events.

We were much impressed with Kimberly’s drive and leadership. She had created a framework that turned Niagara’s Wine festivals into “don’t miss” events.

Kimberley Hundertmark

We also got to meet her husband, winemaker Jeff Hundertmark.

Between events we answered questions they had about BC Wines and how the future was looking out West.

Something clicked because in 2017  they said a long goodbye to their friends in Niagara and showed up in the Okanagan Valley.

Geoff to continue making wines and Kimberly taking on wine and hospitality teamwork.

It was only a matter of time before the valley realized what they had in these two delightful and driven people!

Jeff is now the head winemaker at Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co and Kimberly had been named the new GM of Okanagan Wine Festivals.

Boom!!

 

This feature interview with Kimberly is more like a celebration.

Not only is she going to make the Okanagan Wine Festivals better than they’ve ever been, she’s going to lead the reimagining of what those wine and food festivals will look, smell, sound  and feel like.

 

2023 starts with the reimagining of the Winter Wine Festival

 

The Okanagan Wine Festivals will partner with Predator Ridge to deliver  a Burgundy inspired event Sunday  January 22  featuring festival partners well known for their  Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.

 

The Grande Finale takes place January 27 and 28 with event partners in Penticton and Oliver.

 

Sensation– An Eve for the Senses on January 27th  at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and will feature wine and culinary pairings!

 

On Saturday, January 28th,  the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival will move south to The District  Wine Village in Oliver.

The afternoon’s programming will include District partners as well as festival wineries  showcasing curated experiences as part of the TASTE Passport.   

Each TASTE Passport includes six vouchers which are redeemed for an elevated tasting  experience from the participating beverage partners. This is a one stop tasting experience  unique to the Winterfest program.

“The launch of the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival is long overdue. The Okanagan Valley’s  wine industry is positioned to help build shoulder season visitation alongside our partner  stakeholders.

Extended visitation and audience reach has a substantial impact on local  economy, particularly during the winter months. The time is right, and the Okanagan Wine  Festival is committed to a festival re-imagined” says Kimberly Hundertmark, General Manager.

 

All tickets are available through thewinefestivals.com.

 

www.thewinefestivals.com

We welcome Kimberly Hundertmark (and the guy she brought with her)

 

Mark deVere – Mondavi Ambassador/ Master of Wine

Second guest is Mark deVere.  Master of Wine representing Robert Mondavi Wines at the 2022 VanWineFest

For those who may not know, the very first winery that signed on for the very first VanWineFest was Mondavi.

Robert himself attended.

Whoever speaks on behalf of this world famous winery had best  come equipped with stories,  insights and deep history.

These days the storyteller is Mark deVere Master of Wine and Mondavi Ambassador.

Enjoy!!

https://robertmondaviwinery.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Crush Pad becomes Haywire –

New Releases

 

Five Bottle Bar

Fort Berens

Black Swift and Jason Parkes Customs

Van Wine Fest

 

 

 

EP 241 | Jann Arden from the Archives-We Revisit Calgary Junos and Feeding My Mother

January 20, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Two Words – Jann Arden.

Long time friend. A completely singular artist.

In concert she’ll have you laughing so hard it will be through tears.

Then she sings – man does she sing – and you’ll find yourself freely flowing more tears.

I have been blessed to have had a close-up focus on Jann’s  career and her very full life.

(including early on, busking in a doorway in cold and wet Gastown, Vancouver and getting sucker punched by a pedestrian for singing Christmas Carols. Years later,  she’s creating her next hit album and looking down from The Warehouse studios, she can see that exact doorway.)

For over 35 years Jann and I have crossed paths and occasionally stopped to talk with a microphone or camera between us.

While I was busy telling music and film stories Jann was nominated for 19 Junos ,  winning 8.  She won MuchMusic awards and now is on Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Jann’s  been acting, hosting, judging, recording, and touring with her small group and with orchestras large and small.

Basically, with the support and guidance of manager Bruce Allen, Jann Arden has become a Canadian Super Star.

These two interviews are from our archives.

The first is from April 2016 – at the Junos in Calgary where she was co-hosting.

I attended a press conference and she was completely surrounded by the media ..so I went off to the corner and found the only two chairs in the room, with a small table.

I set up my field recorder and waited.

When she was done, Bruce walked Jann over and we had a chat. Here’s the exchange of ideas and thoughts.

Juno Interview-Terry David Mulligan, Corey Wood, and Jann Arden

The second interview is from Dec 2017…Jann’s on tour and I wanted to talk to her about her book Feeding My Mother: Comfort and laughter in the kitchen as my Mom lives with memory loss. 

Together, Jann  and her Mom were  a force. Her Mom was losing a battle to memory loss and Jann was doing her best to comfort, feed  and love her best friend.

This interview has stayed with me for the last 5 years. Heartbreaking and revealing,

Thank You Jann.

 

NEXT WEEK – Whitehorse

EP 240 | Shawn Edwards on the 2023 Critics Choice Awards

January 14, 2023 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

It’s movie award season…

One after the other nominations and awards are presented to films,  actors, musicians, art direction, directors, and veterans of the industry.

The next awards gathering is this Sunday, Jan 14 in LA.

It’s the Critics Choice Awards on The CW and streamed on the Net. 7-10 Eastern – slight delay on the West Coast. Hosted by Chelsea Handler

These awards have weight and meaning as they’re voted on by the critics who screen hundreds of films annually.

Choosing one critic to guest is as tough as voting but there’s none better than Shawn Edwards on  News 4 Kansas City.

He’s one of the founders of Critics Choice and the driving force behind The annual Celebration of Black Cinema and TV.

Enjoy the ride It’s a film cage match.

www.criticschoice.com

https://www.instagram.com/sedwardskc/?hl=en