DJ Kearney

December 10th, 2016-Guests include Alex Prud’Homme, DJ Kearney and Harry Hertscheg and more…

hello

Author Alex  Prud‘Homme arrives with tales of Julia Child.  He wrote her first  book My life in France.  Now comes The French Chef in America..it’s the rest of Julia Child’s story.

We taste our way through some of the Canadian wines coming to the next Vancouver International Wine Festival, where Canada is the feature region.

Guests include DJ Kearney and Harry Hertscheg.

And finish with stories on Sea Star, Haywire and Left Field Cider.

THE SHOW

 

Alex Prud’Homme – The French Chef in America:  Julia Child’s Second Act

 

Julia Child is synonymous with French cooking, but her legacy runs much deeper. Now, her great-nephew and My Life in France coauthor  Alex Prud’Homme vividly recounts the myriad ways in which she profoundly shaped how we eat today. He shows us Child in the aftermath of the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, suddenly finding herself America’s first lady of French food and under considerable pressure to embrace her new mantle. Every bit as entertaining, inspiring, and delectable as My Life in France, The French Chef in America uncovers Julia Child beyond her “French chef” persona and reveals her second act to have been as groundbreaking and adventurous as her first.

 

In 2004 Alex helped Julia Child write her memoir, My Life in France, about her “favorite years” — 1948-1954 — when she and her husband Paul lived in Paris and Marseille. (Paul was his grand uncle, his grandfather’s twin brother.) In France Julia experienced “a flowering of the soul” and discovered her raison d’etre in cooking. They  worked together for eight months, until Julia died in her sleep two days shy of her 92d birthday. He spent another year finishing My Life in France, published in 2006. The book reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list.  In 2009, it inspired half of Nora Ephron’s film “Julie & Julia,” which starred Meryl Streep.

In 2014, a decade after working on My Life in France, he circled back to answer a few questions about Julia that had tugged at his curiosity: what was it like for the Childs to retire from the Foreign Service in 1961, and settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts? How did Julia first appear on Public Television in 1963, win an Emmy in 1966, and land on the cover of Time in 1967? And what led her to the White House, the Queen of England, James Beard and Colonial food, to leave Public TV for Good Morning America, and to become America’s first true celebrity chef?

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Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme

Julia reached the peak of her celebrity in the Seventies – epitomized by Dan Aykroyd’s famous “Save the Liver!” parody on Saturday Night Live in 1978 . Researching this era Alex  discovered a trove of articles, scripts, documentary footage, correspondence, and notes about unpublicized or forgotten aspects of the Childs’ lives. Interviewing Julia’s colleagues, he learned how disciplined, hardworking and resilient she was, how deeply she loved her family and friends, the breadth of her culinary knowledge, the depth of her generosity, creativity, curiosity, and natural humor. “The idea,” she said, “was to take the bugaboo out of cooking.”

 

http://www.alexprudhomme.com/about-alex/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Child

https://www.facebook.com/JuliaChild

 

Vancouver International Wine festival – Feature region CANADA (two parts)

 

The 2017 festival runs from Feb 11 through the 19th and as always we will be there.

 

In celebration of Canada’s 150th Birthday, the 2017 festival features Canada as the theme country with 76 wineries from British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, nearly one third of which are participating for the first time. This marks the largest gathering of Canadian wineries ever at an international festival. “VanWineFest 2017 offers an unprecedented showcase of Canadian wineries, principals and wines alongside their international counterparts in the Tasting Room,” says  our guest VIWF executive director Harry Hertscheg. “Let’s celebrate!”

 

Pouring  and speaking on Ontario wines – Magdalena Kaiser Wine Marketing Association of Ontario

Pouring a speaking on Nova Scotia wines – Asha Hingorani.  Canadian Vintners Association

Pouring and speaking on BC Wines – DJ Kearney  NewDistrict.ca

DJ Kearney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part Two – We’re joined by VanWineFest  Executive Director Harry Hertscheg who always comes through  what the audience wants to hear.

Harry gives newbie’s  a quick history lesson and then  on to “The Show”.

If you’re looking for answers about this year’s festival, don’t miss this segment.

 

CANADA 

 British Columbia

8th Generation Vineyard  Lake Breeze Vineyards
50th Parallel Estate Laughing Stock Vineyards
Averill Creek Vineyard Liquidity Wines
Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery Maverick Estate Winery
Bartier Bros. Meyer Family Vineyards
Bench 1775 Mission Hill Family Estate
Black Hills Estate Winery Moon Curser Vineyards
Blasted Church Vineyards Moraine Estate Winery
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Nk’Mip Cellars
C.C. Jentsch Cellars Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Cassini Cellars One Faith Vineyards
CedarCreek Estate Winery Osoyoos Larose
Chaberton Estate Winery Painted Rock Estate Winery
Church & State Wines Pentâge Winery
Culmina Family Estate Winery Poplar Grove Winery
Evolve Cellars Quails’ Gate Winery
Ex Nihilo Vineyards Red Rooster
Fort Berens Estate Winery Road 13 Vineyards
Foxtrot Vineyards Sandhill
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery Sperling Vineyards
Gold Hill SpierHead Winery
Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Stag’s Hollow Winery
Haywire Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Hester Creek Estate Winery
Tantalus Vineyards
Hillside Winery Tightrope Winery
Howling Bluff Estate Winery TIME Winery
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Intersection Winery Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery Unsworth Vineyards
LA FRENZ WINERY Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery

 NOVA SCOTIA

Benjamin Bridge Domaine de Grand Pre 
Blomidon Estate Winery L’Acadie Vineyards
Devonian Coast Wineries Luckett Vineyards

ONTARIO

Château des Charmes Inniskillin Niagara Estate
Closson Chase Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
Colio Estate Wines Pelee Island Winery
Domaine Queylus Pillitteri Estates Winery
Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery Trius Winery

 

 

http://www.vanwinefest.ca/

www.canadianvintners.com

www.winecountryontario.ca

www.newdistrict.ca

 

A trio of artisans:  Sea Star/Haywire/Left Field Cider

 

David Gouge from Sea Star about life on Pender Island and how he’s raised his profile in Vancouver’s best restaurants. www.seastarvineyards.ca

http://seastarvineyards.ca/

 

Christine Coletta. (Okanagan Crush Pad)  After establishing a fine career in wine marketing , CC  reinvented herself as co-owner of Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, a custom winemaking facility that is home to the Haywire and Narrative labels as well as wines made for other vintners.  They were  named Innovator of the Year for 2013 from the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and were also celebrated by BC Business Magazine as one of the Top Innovative Companies in BC for 2013. She was inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

If you’re at all interested in the direction BC wines are headed, then look no further than Christine Coletta and those working with her at Okanagan Crush Pad.

www.haywirewinery.com

https://okanagancrushpad.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa Petersen – Left Field Cider (Logan Lake)  Helping to lead the cider breakthrough in BC  is this female driven Cidery. Cider works with most BBQ dishes, salads and anything with apples in it and it’s also a perfect patio sipper  They are SO left field!!

Theresa Petersen Left Field Cider

www.leftfieldcider.com

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Christmas gifts

Wines of the Year

 

 

 

November 26th, 2016- ” I’ll have what shes having!”

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner B

DJ Kearney brings  New District wine collections called Bubble-licious and “I’ll have what she’s having” for The Holidays.

The final  results of the 9th BC Iconic Reds with John Schreiner and Simon Wosk.

Restaurants under the radar – Todd Braiden at Fat Jacks Boston Bar.  Dude!

Emandare ups the bar in the Cowichan Valley.  Mike and Robin Nierychlo guest!

THE SHOW

 

DJ Kearney –  Director of Wine/New District

 

dj-kearney-new-district

dj kearney- new district

New District’s philosophy is about curation  and it informs everything they do. They  do the leg work for you, to expertly hone in on what matters to you in the world of wine.  Sign up for the weekly newsletter that carefully selects their  best bottles, articles and multimedia content, giving subscribers unique insights into British Columbia’s dynamic emerging wine culture.

And best of all The Curator is DJ Kearney, the best wine educator and expert in the business.

Deej has two offerings this week..plus she has the scoop on their new Store at 41st and Dunbar.

Holiday Bubble-Licious.  3 Wines.

and…

I’ll have what she’s having For The Holidays.  6 Winter Weight  Wines. All handpicked by DJ.

advent-banner-984x500

Check out what’s inside the boxes.. www.newdistrict.ca

new-district

 

9th annual BC Iconic Reds – John Schreiner  and Simon Wosk

john-schreiner-and-the-duke-of-earl

john-schreiner and-the duke-of-earl

 The BC Iconic Reds took place on November 16.   John Schreiner,  organizer Simon Wosk  and up to 80  attendees tasted everything in the room and chose the Top Five Releases  at The Sutton Place Hotel.

2016 Iconic Reds tasting

2016 Iconic Reds tasting

2016  contenders were:

  • Church and State Quintessential 2010
  • CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2013
  • Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2013
  • Clos Du Soleil Signature Red 2013
  • Mission Hill Compendium 2012
  • Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014
  • Cassini Cellars Maximus 2012
  • Hester Creek The Judge 2012
  • Painted Rock Red Icon 2014
  • Lake Breeze Tempest 2012
  • Black Hills Nota Bene 2014
  • Poplar Grove Legacy 2012
  • Mission Hill Quatrain 2012
  • Culmina Hypothesis 2012
  • La Stella Fortissimo 2014
  • Summerhill “OM” 2012
  • NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014
  • Lariana Thirteen 2013
  • Perseus Invictus 2013

 

To find out how the final five won..just listen to the show.

 Our congratulations to Randy Pickton, Justin Hall and their team at NK’Mip Cellars for their first place finish and to all participating wineries for producing such exceptional wines.

 The top 5 scorers, as chosen by attending  tasters, were:      

  1. NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014

 

  1. Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014

 

  1. Clos du Soleil Signature Red 2013

 

  1. Cassini Maximus 2012

 

  1. Hester Creek The Judge 2012

 

Here’s John Shreiners  blog on the competition..

John Schreiner

John Schreiner

http://johnschreiner.blogspot.ca/

Restaurants Under The Radar – Todd Braiden at Fat Jacks Pub  Boston Bar

 I had two thoughts..that there are lots of chefs and restaurants that are my favourites  but some of them – for whatever reason – are below the public’s radar.

I’m torn doing these interviews because I want them to stay available but I also want to let you know they exist and are worth the seeking.

breakfast

Breakfast!

You may remember hearing about a chef who was cooking in Vancouver’s East End in an apartment and you had to find him by word of mouth..the experience was called 2B (the name of the apartment where he cooked.)

One day..he quietly left town and announced he was headed for Boston Bar..in the Frazer Canyon.  Didn’t make sense right?  But if you knew Todd you just had to believe that he knew what he was doing and wished him luck.

todd baiden-fat-jacks

Years later he’s cooking up a storm 6 kms East of Boston Bar at a diner/pub  called Fat Jacks, named after his Father.

He brought the adjoining  Mighty Fraser Motel, back to life and made it a destination stop. Really good rooms.

The man has a wicked  sense of humour and its reflected in the menu.

He also has a bar next door and pours select BC craft Beer.

Both rooms have a BC wine list and any music playing in the bar or bistro  is the best of the best.

 

We  welcome to TRR – The Hell Raiser of Hell’s Canyon  Todd from 2B

http://www.themightyfrasermotel.com/

  

Mike and Robin Nierychlo   – Emandare Vineyards  (Cowichan Valley)

 Mike has always been around the wine business..I first met him when he was doing a wine interview show.

Then he and his wife Robin announced that they had purchased a working vineyard in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island

 

mike-and-robin-emandare

mike-and-robin-emandare

A number of years ago, Mike developed an overwhelming passion for wine. He began to spend every available moment nerding out on all things wine-related! This inevitably led to home wine-making in their garage, and many, many other wine adventures.

As Mike explored the vast world of wine, a desire to one day own a winery was born. Although this dream seemed unrealistic, there was always a sense of possibility.

On Sept. 28, 2013, in the pouring rain, he and Robin  moved onto their  8.5 acre adventure.    They named it Emandare after their last names. M & R.

 “they’re also pioneers on the all-natural front—no irrigation, no commercial yeasts, organic farming techniques, and the bare minimum of sulfur. So far the results are stunning—the future of Island wine rests here.”  Neal McLennan  Vancouver Magazine

We taste and talk the  portfolio of wines of Emandare at Marquis Wine Cellars in Vancouver.

http://www.emandarevineyard.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

We take a look inside The Hatch.

Feature interview with Jason Parkes  Winemaker/Troublemaker

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 26th, 2015- Last Saturdays TRR was so good, so filled with wine info you can use, we’ve decided to repeat the show. Enjoy and cheers to all out there..with special thanks to DJ Kearney Kurtis Kolt Rhys Pender

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner

It’s Wall-to-Wall Wines featuring the reviews and stellar expertise of Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Consultant and teacher DJ Kearney and Georgia Straight Wine Columnist and consultant  Kurtis Kolt.

If you’re looking for Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines for yourself and need to know the best wines of the Year in BC and the world..THIS is your show.

THE SHOW

banner 3

Let’s face it,  this time of year we’re faced with a lot of decisions.

We can’t help you with most of them BUT we can help you with your wine selections.

The guests reviewers on this show are three of the very best in Canada.

Respected by their peers and the industry itself.

We’ll cover gift wines/Wines to take to parties/Budget wines for Yourself/Outstanding wines of the year from BC and the World.

Enjoy!!!  Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year!!

 

DJ Kearney

 

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney

DJ is a judge, writer, instructor and educator at the highest levels in the wine world.

She has just been made Director of Wine at New District, a very new and distinct wine group. (that story next year)

DJ Kearney’s 15 years in the wine industry embrace teaching, wine writing, wine criticism, and wine presentations for festivals and industry trade organizations.  She has trained thousands of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has travelled extensively to the wine regions of the world. Although a global wine expert, she naturally has a special devotion for the wines of her home region. For many years DJ has been an industry advisor and ambassador for B.C. wines, teaching and presenting on behalf of the industry. Recently she toured Decanter’s Steven Spurrier through the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and curated the historic Judgment of B.C. tasting in Vancouver.  For the past several years she’s been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine, and critic/contributor for WineAlign.

 

Gifts: 

The perfect 2-pack:

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa $44.99 (BCLDB)

Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Penedes, Spain $56 +315838 (BCLDB)

Champagne gifts:

Champagne Roederer Brut Premier N/V $61.99 +268771 (BCLDB)

Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Brut Premier Cru Cuis N/V $80 (fine private stores)

What I’m taking to the party:

Chateau La Gravelle Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2014 $16 +411006 (BCLDB)

Pesquié Terrasses Rouge 2013 $17.49 +708750 (BCLDB)

Best of BC:

C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Le Vieux Pin Ava 2014  $25  $34.90 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Little Farm Chardonnay Mulberry Tree Vineyard 2014 $26 +841783 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Moraine Malbec 2013 $24 (and their Pinot Noir 2013, Syrah 2013 and Viognier 2013) (private stores or winery direct)

Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R.D. 2008 $39.90 +402594 (winery direct or private wine stores)

CedarCreek Platinum Riesling Icewine 2014 $53 (winery direct or fine wine stores)

Best Canadian’s to try:

Benjamin Bridge Brut N/V $50 +313106

Thomas Bachelder Niagara Pinot Noir 2012 $60+ (private wine stores)

Best ‘over-deliver’ wine

Emiliana Coyam 2012 Colchagua, Chile $27.49 +845321 (BCLDB)

World Beaters

Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2012 $40 (private wine stores)

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva Valle de Uco 2012 $30.99 +522870 (BCLDB)

Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Damodes 2012 $112 +809343 (BCLDB)

Pio Cesare Barolo 2010 $65 (private wine stores)

Blandy’s 5 year Old Verdelho Madeira  $27 +845818 (BCLDB)

 

DJ Kearney (@djwines) | Twitter

Newdistrict.ca

 

Kurtis Kolt

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

His background is in running restaurants around Vancouver, most recently managing Gastown’s Salt tasting Room  until 2010 when he received the Sommelier of the Year Award at the Vancouver Wine festival.

He’s been profiled by Wine Enthusiast Mag, run the wine program at James Beard House in NY, been a tasting participant at Wine and Spirits Mag and educated through London’s Wine and Spirit Education Trust, The Court of Master Sommeliers and the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

Kurtis is an in demand consultant and advisor.

Currently he’s the Wine Columnist at The Georgia Straight. His column is called The Bottle.

 

Gifts

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver West Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver East Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

BellaWines.ca

 

Parties

Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry – $15.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Budget wines for yourself

Christophe Pacalet 2011 Beaujolais Villages – $20.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Outstanding wines of the year, BC and the World

Clos du Tue-Boeuf 2013 Cheverny ‘Rouillon’ – $27-32 – Private Wine Stores

Robert Mondavi Reserve To Kalon Vineyard 2012 Napa Fume Blanc – $41.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Lock & Worth Winery 2013 Square One Cabernet Franc V.3 – $30 – LockAndWorth.com

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2005 Blanc de Blancs – $199.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kurtis Kolt (@KurtisKolt) | Twitter

 

Rhys Pender

 

Rhys Pender is Canada’s youngest Master of Wine.

Rhys Pender

A passionate educator, wine lover, judge, writer, and grape grower/farmer, Rhys has worked in the wine industry since he was a teenager. In 2004 Rhys began taking on the grueling Master of Wine program. This culminated in Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine in 2010, one of only approximately 300 in the world.
Rhys runs a WSET wine school and consultancy through his business Wine Plus+ and between travelling around the world can be found with his boots in the dirt at his small 4 acre vineyard and winery in the Similkameen Valley – Little Farm Winery. He is a regular contributor to Canadian publications such as Montecristo, Taste, Savour, Wine Trend and Good Life Connoisseur. In addition to judging for Wine Align, Rhys judges wine competitions internationally such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards and the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

 

BEST INTERNATIONAL OF YEAR:

1 Chateau Haut Brion 2010 ($1599, 766618)

2 Ridge Monte Bello2010 ($283, Marquis)

3 Wynns 2010 John Riddoch CabernetSauvignon (~$100, not sure availability)

BEST BC:

4 Orofino 2014 Wild Ferment Syrah – Scout Vineyard ($29, sold out)

5 Van Westen Vineyards 2013 Voluptuous ($30, winery) (current vintage is 2011)

 

GIFT:
6 Château Dereszla 2008 Tokaji Aszú – 5 Puttonyos (500ml) ($44, 285643)

7 Taylor Fladgate 1985 Vintage Port($229.99, 149377)

8 Croft Vintage Port 1994 ($144.99, 686550)

9 Château Carles 2005 Haut-Carles Fronsac, Bordeaux, France ($79, 399253)

10 Mount Pleasant  2007 Elizabeth Semillon ($21, 664862)

11 Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2012 Black LabelCabernet Sauvignon ($21.99  til Jan 2, 502039)

HAVE AROUND HOUSE FOR HOLIDAYS:

 

12 Perrin 2012 Vacqueyras – Les Christins ($23, 585315)

13 Domaine de Babio 2011 Minervois ($17.49, 928531)

14 Château Bonnet 2013 Chénas Beaujolais, France ($21, 821769)

15 Régis Boucabeille 2013 Les Terrasses Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France ($20.49, 464883)

16 José Pariente 2011 Rueda (Verdejo) Rueda, Spain ($28.99, 884502)

17 Grao Vasco 2011  Dao, Portugal ($7.49 special, 14977)

18 Haywire 2013 The Bub ($29.90, winery)

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www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender MW (@WinePlus) | Twitter

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

An Hour in Argentina

An hour in New Zealand

 

 

 

 

December 19th, 2015-Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines

hello

Tasting Room Radio Post Banner

It’s Wall-to-Wall Wines featuring the reviews and stellar expertise of Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Consultant and teacher DJ Kearney and Georgia Straight Wine Columnist and consultant  Kurtis Kolt.

If you’re looking for Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines for yourself and need to know the best wines of the Year in BC and the world..THIS is your show.

THE SHOW

banner 3

Let’s face it,  this time of year we’re faced with a lot of decisions.

We can’t help you with most of them BUT we can help you with your wine selections.

The guests reviewers on this show are three of the very best in Canada.

Respected by their peers and the industry itself.

We’ll cover gift wines/Wines to take to parties/Budget wines for Yourself/Outstanding wines of the year from BC and the World.

Enjoy!!!  Happy Holidays!

 

DJ Kearney

 

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney

DJ is a judge, writer, instructor and educator at the highest levels in the wine world.

She has just been made Director of Wine at New District, a very new and distinct wine group. (that story next year)

DJ Kearney’s 15 years in the wine industry embrace teaching, wine writing, wine criticism, and wine presentations for festivals and industry trade organizations.  She has trained thousands of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has travelled extensively to the wine regions of the world. Although a global wine expert, she naturally has a special devotion for the wines of her home region. For many years DJ has been an industry advisor and ambassador for B.C. wines, teaching and presenting on behalf of the industry. Recently she toured Decanter’s Steven Spurrier through the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and curated the historic Judgment of B.C. tasting in Vancouver.  For the past several years she’s been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine, and critic/contributor for WineAlign.

 

Gifts: 

The perfect 2-pack:

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa $44.99 (BCLDB)

Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Penedes, Spain $56 +315838 (BCLDB)

Champagne gifts:

Champagne Roederer Brut Premier N/V $61.99 +268771 (BCLDB)

Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Brut Premier Cru Cuis N/V $80 (fine private stores)

What I’m taking to the party:

Chateau La Gravelle Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2014 $16 +411006 (BCLDB)

Pesquié Terrasses Rouge 2013 $17.49 +708750 (BCLDB)

Best of BC:

C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Le Vieux Pin Ava 2014  $25  $34.90 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Little Farm Chardonnay Mulberry Tree Vineyard 2014 $26 +841783 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Moraine Malbec 2013 $24 (and their Pinot Noir 2013, Syrah 2013 and Viognier 2013) (private stores or winery direct)

Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R.D. 2008 $39.90 +402594 (winery direct or private wine stores)

CedarCreek Platinum Riesling Icewine 2014 $53 (winery direct or fine wine stores)

Best Canadian’s to try:

Benjamin Bridge Brut N/V $50 +313106

Thomas Bachelder Niagara Pinot Noir 2012 $60+ (private wine stores)

Best ‘over-deliver’ wine

Emiliana Coyam 2012 Colchagua, Chile $27.49 +845321 (BCLDB)

World Beaters

Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2012 $40 (private wine stores)

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva Valle de Uco 2012 $30.99 +522870 (BCLDB)

Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Damodes 2012 $112 +809343 (BCLDB)

Pio Cesare Barolo 2010 $65 (private wine stores)

Blandy’s 5 year Old Verdelho Madeira  $27 +845818 (BCLDB)

 

DJ Kearney (@djwines) | Twitter

Newdistrict.ca

 

Kurtis Kolt

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

His background is in running restaurants around Vancouver, most recently managing Gastown’s Salt tasting Room  until 2010 when he received the Sommelier of the Year Award at the Vancouver Wine festival.

He’s been profiled by Wine Enthusiast Mag, run the wine program at James Beard House in NY, been a tasting participant at Wine and Spirits Mag and educated through London’s Wine and Spirit Education Trust, The Court of Master Sommeliers and the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

Kurtis is an in demand consultant and advisor.

Currently he’s the Wine Columnist at The Georgia Straight. His column is called The Bottle.

 

Gifts

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver West Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver East Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

BellaWines.ca

 

Parties

Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry – $15.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Budget wines for yourself

Christophe Pacalet 2011 Beaujolais Villages – $20.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Outstanding wines of the year, BC and the World

Clos du Tue-Boeuf 2013 Cheverny ‘Rouillon’ – $27-32 – Private Wine Stores

Robert Mondavi Reserve To Kalon Vineyard 2012 Napa Fume Blanc – $41.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Lock & Worth Winery 2013 Square One Cabernet Franc V.3 – $30 – LockAndWorth.com

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2005 Blanc de Blancs – $199.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kurtis Kolt (@KurtisKolt) | Twitter

 

Rhys Pender

 

Rhys Pender is Canada’s youngest Master of Wine.

Rhys Pender

A passionate educator, wine lover, judge, writer, and grape grower/farmer, Rhys has worked in the wine industry since he was a teenager. In 2004 Rhys began taking on the grueling Master of Wine program. This culminated in Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine in 2010, one of only approximately 300 in the world.
Rhys runs a WSET wine school and consultancy through his business Wine Plus+ and between travelling around the world can be found with his boots in the dirt at his small 4 acre vineyard and winery in the Similkameen Valley – Little Farm Winery. He is a regular contributor to Canadian publications such as Montecristo, Taste, Savour, Wine Trend and Good Life Connoisseur. In addition to judging for Wine Align, Rhys judges wine competitions internationally such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards and the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

 

BEST INTERNATIONAL OF YEAR:

1 Chateau Haut Brion 2010 ($1599, 766618)

2 Ridge Monte Bello2010 ($283, Marquis)

3 Wynns 2010 John Riddoch CabernetSauvignon (~$100, not sure availability)

BEST BC:

4 Orofino 2014 Wild Ferment Syrah – Scout Vineyard ($29, sold out)

5 Van Westen Vineyards 2013 Voluptuous ($30, winery) (current vintage is 2011)

 

GIFT:
6 Château Dereszla 2008 Tokaji Aszú – 5 Puttonyos (500ml) ($44, 285643)

7 Taylor Fladgate 1985 Vintage Port($229.99, 149377)

8 Croft Vintage Port 1994 ($144.99, 686550)

9 Château Carles 2005 Haut-Carles Fronsac, Bordeaux, France ($79, 399253)

10 Mount Pleasant  2007 Elizabeth Semillon ($21, 664862)

11 Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2012 Black LabelCabernet Sauvignon ($21.99  til Jan 2, 502039)

HAVE AROUND HOUSE FOR HOLIDAYS:

 

12 Perrin 2012 Vacqueyras – Les Christins ($23, 585315)

13 Domaine de Babio 2011 Minervois ($17.49, 928531)

14 Château Bonnet 2013 Chénas Beaujolais, France ($21, 821769)

15 Régis Boucabeille 2013 Les Terrasses Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France ($20.49, 464883)

16 José Pariente 2011 Rueda (Verdejo) Rueda, Spain ($28.99, 884502)

17 Grao Vasco 2011  Dao, Portugal ($7.49 special, 14977)

18 Haywire 2013 The Bub ($29.90, winery)

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www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender MW (@WinePlus) | Twitter

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

An Hour in Argentina

An hour in New Zealand