Audio

EP 330 | Christmas in The Round Revisited (Year 3-2017)

hello

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays All

From  1974 to 1979 I was lucky enough to host Great Canadian Goldrush on CBC Radio  National.

Every Christmas we had a Christmas Jam – in the studio. Produced by Susan Englebert. (with assistance from Claire Lawrence)

Except for the mixed drinks, it was nothing fancy but it was an hour of heart-felt stories and songs.

The artists included Roy Forbes and Shari Ulrich.

After a handful of years, we lost our leader. Producer Susan Englebert lost her battle with Cancer.

We dedicate each of these Christmas show in  her memory.

When Goldrush left the air, Christmas Jam disappeared UNTIL Roundhouse Radio in Vancouver came on air, I had a studio to capture this magic.

I talked to Shari, Roy, and Barney Bentall and they all signed on for a reconnect.

We got 3 years of Christmas in the Round recorded and then Roundhouse went dark.

Keeping the tradition alive, this year we present Year 3 of Christmas in the Round  (2017)

and Next Week the tradition continues with The Trans Canada Highwaymen.

 

This Week –

The Lineup includes

Jim Byrnes

Shari Ulrich

Barney Bentall

Bill Henderson (Chilliwack)

Craig Northey   (Odds and Steven Page Trio)

On percussion Geoff Hicks (Colin James, Barney, Cuddy, Byrnes, Northey etc)

Rob Becker (guitar/vocals)

Kirby Barber (guitar/vocals)

Roy Forbes was unavailable in Year 3 BUT I found him hiding in Year One

He brings with him two songs and the slide guitar of Shaun Verreault from Wide Mouth Mason.

And yes..he does tell the story and rolls out his Christmas Classic Mince Meat Tart

EP 329 | Talking B.C. Wine with Liam Mayclem “The Foodie Chap” in SF!

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(Jason Priestley – tdm – Liam Mayclem)

Liam Mayclem and I met doing interviews at  film junkets weekends in LA, NYC, Chicago etc.

Me from Vancouver. He from San Francisco.

We talked about two things -Movies and Wine.

(The shot above was from our  Hollywood and Vines shoot with Liam)

Now,  Liam moves at a speed most humans couldn’t and wouldn’t abide.

He’s become an essential key to San Francisco’s dynamic hospitality, culinary and wine communities.

The Host of Food Chap, CBS radio and TV. His foodie chap podcast etc. and any charity that needs a razor sharp auctioneer or host or both.

Liam has always stayed in touch and always keen to know about the BC wine industry and food scene.

Here’s Liam’s latest podcast interview – with your truly.

 

www.bookliam.com

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Liam Mayclem (@liammayclem)

EP 328 | 2024 The State of BC Wine -With Winemakers, Owners, Wine Growers and Master of Wine Opinions

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We’re nearing the end of a volatile year in BC Wine.
It featured wildfires, floods, COVID, road closures, price, tax and wage increases and two cold snaps over two Winters.
Vineyards were damaged or destroyed by the freeze. Wineries and growers were facing a 2025 with little or no wines to cellar and sell. The Wine Industry and Government leadership came up with a plan to allow BC Wineries to harvest next year’s fruit this year in Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario and The Cowichan Valley.
As long as the label states “Crafted in BC” and the process is transparent.
Will BC wine fans buy their favourite labels if the fruit comes from another region?
If they like the new juice, will they still embrace their original BC wines?
What gets replanted, and what new varietals will we see growing in the new BC?
So much to consider.
Which is why we’ve invited four of the most connected leaders from the BC wine industry to share opinions, suggestions and creative ideas over the course of an hour.
They are:
Cristine Coletta:  Co-Owner Okanagan Crush Pad.  For 9 years,  executive director of the BC Wine Institute!
Specialist in marketing and branding wine.   www.okanagancrushpad.com

Christine-Coletta-OCP

DJ Kearney – Wine Director The Terminal City Club. Wine Educator at large. @djwines  www.tcclub.com

DJ Kearney

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine. Co-owner of Little Farm Wine. Similkameen Valley www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender

Lauren Skinner Buksevics– Director of Sales and Marketing Painted Rock. Okanagan Falls.  Member of the Wine Growers of BC Board. @paintedrocklaur  @paintedrockwine www.paintedrock.ca
lauren skinner

Lauren Skinner

November 30th, 2024 The State of BC Wine -With Winemakers, Owners, Wine Growers and Master of Wine Opinions

hello

We’re nearing the end of a volatile year in BC Wine.
It featured wildfires, floods, COVID, road closures, price, tax and wage increases and two cold snaps over two Winters.
Vineyards were damaged or destroyed by the freeze. Wineries and growers were facing a 2025 with little or no wines to cellar and sell. The Wine Industry and Government leadership came up with a plan to allow BC Wineries to harvest next year’s fruit this year in Washington, Oregon, California, Ontario and The Cowichan Valley.
As long as the label states “Crafted in BC” and the process is transparent.
Will BC wine fans buy their favourite labels if the fruit comes from another region?
If they like the new juice, will they still embrace their original BC wines?
What gets replanted, and what new varietals will we see growing in the new BC?
So much to consider.
Which is why we’ve invited four of the most connected leaders from the BC wine industry to share opinions, suggestions and creative ideas over the course of an hour.
They are:
Cristine Coletta:  Co-Owner Okanagan Crush Pad.  For 9 years,  executive director of the BC Wine Institute!
Specialist in marketing and branding wine.   www.okanagancrushpad.com

Christine-Coletta-OCP

DJ Kearney – Wine Director The Terminal City Club. Wine Educator at large. @djwines  www.tcclub.com

DJ Kearney

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine. Co-owner of Little Farm Wine. Similkameen Valley www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender

Lauren Skinner Buksevics– Director of Sales and Marketing Painted Rock. Okanagan Falls.  Member of the Wine Growers of BC Board. @paintedrocklaur  @paintedrockwine www.paintedrock.ca
lauren skinner

Lauren Skinner

Ep 327 | Stories of Touring , their solo album ‘As The World Fades Away’ and Launching the Blue rodeo Documentary ‘Lost Together’

hello

Jim Cuddy guests on Mulligan Stew Saturday.

He’s on stage Saturday with The Jim Cuddy Band at the National Art Center Ottawa and Wednesday next at Massey Hall.
Then Jim and Blue Rodeo partner Greg Keelor head for The Whistler Film Fest Dec 6-8
For the premier of their documentary Lost Together.

2025 will be a celebration of Blue Rodeo’s 40th anniversary.
Lots to talk about.
Complete interview on Mulligan Stew Podcast and terrydavidmulligan YouTube channel

 
 

 

 

 

 

EP 326 | Life On The Edge. Lisa Ahier (Top Chef Canada)

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Lisa Ahier is known far and wide as the owner and chef at Sobo in Tofino.
Sobo is the kind of dining and room you like so much, you send all your best friends there.
It’s the centre of the town. Locals meet at Sobo for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Lisa has moved on from Sobo and is now making notes for her third book and has become the darling of this years Top Chef competition.
Five shows in and she’s still there, the oldest competitor since they started years ago.
We have lots to talk about – lean in, it’s a hoot.

EP 325 | The Last Roundup with Barney Bentall

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Barney Bentall is bringing The Last Roundup through the West. Next Friday at Bella Hall in Calgary.
It’s the final tour of the Caribou Express.


Over 20 years of seasonal touring,  Barney and various members of Caribou Express raised Millions for charities all across Canada.
Especially, serious money for food banks late in the year when they really need it.
Barney gives us an update on the last lineup, the lives of his Express friends over the years and final thoughts on what lies ahead for the rocker and rancher.

www.barneybentall.com

TRR Nov 9 2024 Poplar Grove Merlot Celebration and two Whiskies – Sons of Vancouver & Rupert’s from Eau Claire

hello

THE SHOW

Welcome to Tasting Room Radio.
In the 17 years we’ve been creating and broadcasting TRR most of the stories and interviews have been about wine  & food.
Slowly but surely, we’ve added tales of cider, no/low wines, and the wild and wonderful world of whisky.
So here’s the mix this week -an exceptional Poplar Grove Merlot and two whisky houses.  Sons of Vancouver and Eau Claire.

We lead with a special release of Poplar Grove Merlot (2014) and the release of 2020 Merlot. Recorded On Merlot Day.
Chris Holler – VP/GM/Farmer  Poplar Grove – Naramata Bench
Along with Hillside, Poplar Grove is one of the originals on The Bench. Prime vineyards and strong leadership.
Now under the direction of the next generation of The  Hollers Family ...our guest is Chris Holler
Chris and I go over the quick history of Poplar Grove, especially its relationship to Merlot (thank you, Ian Sutherland)

Chris Holler and Family

Chris takes us through two Merlot releases..
Poplar Grove Merlot 2020 – Gone are the plum and vanilla notes from 2019.   The 2020 has dark ripe fruit, cherry, blackberry, currant and white pepper.
Engaged acidity and tannins to dream about.  $34.70 (at winery)
The star of the releases is the Merlot from the Poplar Grove Library Collection  2014. It takes its place in  the rest of the “collection” –
The Cabernet Franc and the flagship blend The Legacy.
 
Poplar Grove is the first winery to launch a formal library program, where they hold back a considerable amount of age-worthy wines each year and release them for sale a decade later. Very distinctive bottles and labels are constructed as metal medallions.
The 2014 growing year was the second hottest on record.
Originally it was ruby red, with eucalyptus and sage on the nose.
10 years later is brick red in colour, with notes of dried berry, ripe plum, the palate welcomes raspberry, big cherry and forest floor.
88% Merlot, 5% Cab, 5% Cab Franc, 2% Malbec  $82.52 at Winery.

James Lester -SOV

Sons Of Vancouver Realms of Rye

James Lester – Partner and co-founder of Sons of Vancouver
 
James returns to Tasting Room with another simply outstanding whisky.
The Realms of RYE. 
All tasting notes and flavours in each whisky have been amplified through the fermentation, maturation and blending process only.
The label has the mystery of a great short story. The bottle has 100% Canadian Rye matured in ex-bourbon and a new oak cask.
Lots of ripe fruit, java, fresh-picked mint and Quebec maple syrup.
The palate completes engages the senses. Everything you want in a craft whisky is right here.
If they enter this gem in the Canadian Whisky Awards in January in Victoria..they could very well win their second Whisky of the Year award.
Changing the expectations of craft whisky in Canada, one bottle at a time.
Thank you James….

Caitlin Quinn – Distiller/Blender Eau Claire Distillery

Caitlin Quinn – Distiller/Blender Eau Claire Distillery – Turner Valley, Alberta
 
Just like James, Caitlin has been with us several times before.
You’ll be reminded when she starts to speak in her thick Edinburgh accent.
When she starts talking about her whisky, Caitlin gets excited and her words spill over each other. But you get the sense that she loves what she does. It shows in the whisky.
Caitlin brings with her Rupert’s Exceptional Canadian Whisky – Awarded Best Canadian Whisky at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition
dark brown sugar, and vanilla on the finish. Notes of candied ginger. Overall, engaging and smooth.
This delightful whisky will also be considered for Canada  Whisky of the Year in January at the Canadian Awards.
Thank you to all at Eau Claire Distilling.  Well Done
Thank you Caitlin

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Howling Bluff
Ucluelet fishing and Pluvio dining
More Hatch Wines
Fort Berens
Artema Releases
Latest from Hester Creek

November 2nd, 2024 – Wine releases from the Naramata Bench

hello

THE SHOW

This week  we reconnect with the wineries of the Naramata Bench.

Like many others in the BC wine community, The Naramata Bench was also hit with heartbreaking losses of their prime vineyards due to a killer Winter deep freeze.

Even as they pour the wines this year, we’re still talking about the growing season last year and how each and all with survive.

The pouring and presenting of Spring wine releases is an annual traditional event.  Talking about failed bud breaks, the loss of complete vineyards and the big question – what to do next?

Many changes coming to BC Wine farming.

What to plant?  Where to plant? How to survive the crisis?

New Varietals, new Blends and new owners/makers/farmers.

As tough as the next couple of years may be,  none of that showed itself in the first of the year  pour at Vancouver Community College on West Pender.

The Bench is a very tight community. Even though they are all hyper-competitive, when it comes to showcasing their individual wines  The Naramations pull together as a team. Impressive,  to say the least.

 

One thing to keep in mind – there a many wines available from BC wineries. Some pull from past vintages and many have wines stockpiled.

Here are the guests for Part One – talking Spring Wines and Vineyard Survival!!

 

  • Colin Ross – President of Bench Wineries (Tightrope)
  • Tyson Archer –  (co-founder) Fox and Archer
  • Emma Roberts – (GM) Howling Bluff
  • Bob Ferguson – (co-founder/winemaker)  Kettle Valley

Kathy Malone – Hillside Winery

  • Kathy Malone – (Winemaker) Hillside Winery and Bistro

Marcus

(Marcus Ansems/Daydreamer)

  • Marcus Ansems – (Winemaker Co-owner) Daydreamer Wines
  • Richard Da Silva – (Owner-Winemaker)  Da Silva Vineyards and Winery
  • Lyndsay O’Rourke (co-founder/winemaker) Tightrope Winery

Dylan Roche-Roche Wines

  • Dylan Roche – (co-founder/co-winemaker) Roche Wines
  • Graham Pierce – (winemaker) Ruby Blue

Rebecca Mikulic

  • Rebecca Mikulic  – Three Sisters Winery

Robert Van Westen

  • Robert Van Westen – (co-founder/winemaker)  Van Westen Vineyards
  • Lauren Bunckle – (Asst Winemaker) Elephant Island Winery
  • Wilbert Borren – (co-owner/winemaker) Four Shadows Vineyard and Winery
  • Will Hardman – (co-founder/winemaker) Deep Roots Winery

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 Ucluelet and Pluvio Food Experience

Sons of Vancouver Realms Rye

More Hatch wines

Fort Berens

Howling Bluff 

Artema Releases

Poplar Grove – a Merlot Moment

 

 

EP 325 | Greg Keelor and Jim Cuddy from Blue Rodeo & Jim brings his new solo album

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Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor…when they’re together on stage it’s a partnership to behold.
Both know well when to lean in for a lyric or harmony support.
Offstage, it’s a wild and crazy ride. Even when they agree, they disagree. They remain friends and literally remain family.
This interview was done many weeks before the songwriter’s Hall of Fame induction so the comments will be of interest.
Jim Cuddy is currently on his All the World Fades Away tour with his fine singing and songwriting son, Devin.
Nov 3 Red Deer
Nov 4  Lethbridge
Nov 6  Banff
Nov 7 Winspear Edmonton
Nov 9  Mission
Nov 10 Kelowna
Nov 12 Orpheum Vancouver
Nov 13 McPherson Victoria
Nov 14 Parksville

It doesn’t matter whether you see Jim Cuddy at Bo’s in Red Deer on the 3rd or at Massey Hall on the 27th. It’s the same engaging and memorable night.
FYI – Jim is singing a bit and signing a lot of his albums at select Indigo Stores across the country.
Nov 7 in Edmonton then…
Kelowna
Robson Store in Vancouver
Victoria

Details
Jim hooks up with Greg December 28 in Oshawa, then once around the neighborhood in Niagara, Windsor, Kitchener, and….Budapest in April.
Greg is laying low and likely writing songs and recording his new solo album.  Just guessing but it is what he does. He does it beautifully.
Enjoy
Details