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Last comments on the VanWineFest from Master wine expert Tony Aspler, Pascal Madevon at Culmina, Will Flatt pours Cannonball,  Christine Coletta at Okanagan Crush Pad , The Stag’s Hollow story and the guys behind the hugely successful Railtown Café.

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THE SHOW

Wine fest Follow Up

After spending two jammed packed hours interviewing winemakers and principals  at the 38^th Vancouver International Wine festival I took the opportunity to return the next day with my trusty hand held microphone and sought our people I’d missed..

In a very active and invigorating room I had a chance to slow down and talk to:

My buddy Will Flatt. He’s moved around quite a bit but every time he shows up he’s always pouring the  most interesting wines.

He’s currently representing Dream Wines.  The home of Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Peter Michael, Colgin Cellars etc.

Wicked Willie Flatt

This time he’s pouring Cannonball and from that label a sensational blended rose called Angels and Cowboys. Sonoma fruit..some Estate growing.

A field blend of Grenache, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo.

Alexander Valley/Dry Creek area. WoW.

The  Cannonball Chardonnay – 70% Russian River. It’s a 50/50  Stainless Steele and new Oak.  Lovely..delicious wine.

Willy takes us through the reds as well.. Great start to the show.

www.drinkcannonball.com

www.dreamwines.ca

Tony Aspler – Master wine expert

Tony Aspler

We finally found Tony Aspler with a spare 5 minutes. He was surrounded by people who wanted his opinion on the 100’s of wines in the room.

They had to wait for a second because I only get to see Tony once every TEN YEARS.

Tony Aspler has been writing about wine for over 35 years.

He was the wine columnist for The Toronto Star for 21 years and has authored 15 books on wine and food, including The Wine Atlas of Canada, Vintage Canada, The Wine Lover’s Companion, The Wine Lover Cooks, Travels With My Corkscrew, and Tony Aspler’s Cellar Book. Tony’s latest book is The Five Minute Wine Book.

In December 2007, Tony was awarded the Order of Canada.

In 2012 Tony was the first Canadian to be inducted into the New York Media Wine Writers Hall of Fame. In that year Tony was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.

Wine royalty my friends.

http://www.tonyaspler.com/

Christine Coletta – Haywire

Christine Colletta

I found Christine Coletta from Okanagan Crush pad surrounded by her peers as she was talking to a well-placed politician and there was a serious back and forth going on.

So, I started a conversation with Julian Scholefield about the wines he was pouring from Haywire and OCP, then just barged into Christine’s posse and fired off some questions about um- wine!

And a pinot planting above the winery that could be a World Class site.

We talked wine laws and heading to New York for a “natural” wine symposium.( She was invited by the organizers after they tasted  her “natural” wines.)

She’s there right Now.

www.haywirewinery.com

Pascal Madevon – Winemaker at Culmina

Pascal Madevon – Culmina

Turn the audio up a bit because Pascal’s French accent seems to get thicker when he talks about his vineyards.

That’s because he gets excited and speedy.

We all got to appreciate his winemaking skills as the winemaker and blender at Osoyoos Larose.

Now he’s working with Donald Triggs at Culmina.  What a pair. With so many winemaking skills between them it’s no wonder the wines are so good.

www.culmina.ca 

Stag’s Hollow/OK Falls  Larry Gerelus and Linda Pruegger

Established in 1995, Stag’s Hollow is a family-owned winery in Okanagan Falls. Stag’s Hollow includes two vineyards…the Estate Vineyard and Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard….that are within 2 kms of each other.

The team at Stag’s Hollow has researched and sought out grapes, both new and old, suited to the area soils and microclimate. Hands-on owners, Larry Gerelus & Linda Pruegger, along with Winemaker, Dwight Sick, believe their passion and involvement in every aspect of the vineyard and winemaking process has created wines that express the terroir of Stag’s Hollow Vineyard and their Grower Partner.

Linda and Larry – Stags Hollow

2013 Cachet No. 4 – David Lawrason  Wine Align – 90 points

2012 Syrah – Brad Royale  Wine Align – 92 points

2013 Tempranillo – David Lawrason , Wine Align – 91 points

Besides talking about all of their wines..we touch on Okanagan Falls and their plan to get the wine fans attention.

Many just drive through this region on their way “someplace else”.

Trust me..there’s more than Ice Cream in OK Falls.

http://stagshollowwinery.com/

www.ofwa.ca

Railtown Café and Catering / Dan Olson and Tyler Day

Railtown-Cafe

This is yet another edition of “walking the neighbourhood”

The broadcasting home of Tasting Room Radio is Roundhouse Radio at 714 Alexander St..5 blocks East of Gastown in Vancouver.

There are a growing number of great new restaurants taking over what had been decaying or empty spaces in the East End.

Not anymore.

The Mackenzie Room Just ask Luigi, Belgard Kitchen and the truly successful Railtown Café and Catering.

The true sign of success in the hospitality business is when people will wait for their food. The regulars brings books, laptops, newspapers etc..

You don’t ever wait long and the reward is just the best food..

Dan Olson  and Tyler Day are chefs and cop-partners.

Dan explains that when he was cooking in LA..he was watching people try to change the salads etc on the menu to fit their needs..

They decided to make the Railtown menu just like that..put all the ingredients in front of the customer and let them make up their menu.

The finishing touch is,  the culinary talents on display are  top notch. Like, really really good. With passion and focus!

Most of the food is taken out..people with busy lives..eating at their desks..but man it’s fun to just sit there and watch the human flow.

The buzz in the room is catchy..Feeling less than stellar?

Spend 20 minutes inside Railtown café..with a salad or killer pulled pork sandwich and the rest of your day will be a breeze.

Can you imagine how good the catering is?

And that is why the boys will announce on this show when and where the next TWO locations will open in Vancouver.

They are that popular.  Enjoy!!!

www.railtowncafe.ca

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Australian thriller Crush – set in a vineyard.

The wine shipping outlaw

And other stuff.

hello

It’s  Hour TWO of our round table coverage of the 38th Annual Vancouver International Wine festival.

An All-Star cast of winemakers, journalists and principals from all over the Wine World.  Enjoy!!

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THE SHOW

Living the life

Hour Two of this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival begins with my wine friends around the table.

(Thank You to Technical Producer Julia Graff)

DJ Kearney – World Class wine expert, educator  and judge.  @djwines.

DJ Kearney

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Columnist Georgia Straight. Educator and expert. www.kurtiskolt.com

Kurtis Kolt

Rhys Pender  – Wine Plus Educator. Co-Owner/Winemaker of Little farm Wines www.littlefarmwinery.ca

Rhys Pender

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Columnist for Vines Magazine. Judge and expert.  www.winediva.ca www.winescores.ca

The Wine Diva

Matt Dumayne – Haywire Winemaker.  Summerland BC  www.haywirewinery.com

Andrew Windsor – Tinhorn Creek Winemaker.  Golden Mile BC  www.tinhorn.com

John Freeman – Winemaker  Waterbrook.  Walla Walla, Wash www.waterbrook.com

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant – La Crema Winemaker. Sonoma www.lacrema.com

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant La Crema

Adam Mettler  –   Winemaker  Michael David Winery (Lodi) www.michaeldavidwinery.com

Adam Mettler – Lodi

Mark de Vere –  Master of Wine. Robert Mondavi (Napa)  www.robertmondaviwinery.com

Richard Sowalsky –   Winemaker Clos Pegase  (Calistoga) www.clospegase.com

Richard Sowalsky – Clos Pegase

Marilisa Allegrini –  Allegrini  (Italy) www.allegrini.it

Maralisa Allegrini

Ermenegildo  (Joe)  Giusti  – Giusti (Italy)  www.giustiwine.com/en

Stefano Benini –  Marchesi de’Frescobaldi (Italy) www.frescobaldi.it

Gabriele Tacconi – Ruffino (Italy)  www.ruffino.com

David Scholefield – (Narrative Wines  BC/ Expert) https://okanagancrushpad.com/buy-narrative–wine/

David Scholefield

Leah Bickford – Marquis Wine Cellars. Italian Wine Expert  www.marquis–wines.com

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Tony Aspler – Wine Journalist/Judge

Pascal Madevon – Culmina

Christine Coletta – Okanagan Crush Pad

Will Flatt – Cannonball Wine. Angels and Cowboys (Sonoma)

hello

It’s one of the best wine festivals anywhere. The 38^th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival  Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from  Feb 20- March 1

For eight years TRR has set up a studio on the floor of the Trade Tasting on the Thursday and invited the World to sit in.

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THE SHOW

The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 156 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. In 2016, the theme country will be Italy.

The heart of the festival is the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 776 wines are available for sampling, with an additional 164 wines available at two trade tastings. More than 625 additional wines will be served at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner + auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top Vancouver restaurants and hotels.

The Italian table will represent an all-star moment.  Tedeschi/Ricasoli/Dogliani

Hour One:

• Michaela Morris – House Wine
• Stevie Kim – VinItaly
• Gurvinder Bhatia – Quench Wine Editor – Edmonton
• Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva
• Harry Hertscheg – Executive director of Festival
• Riccardo Tedeschi – Tedeschi Amarone (family owner/winemaker) Veneto/Valpolicella –
• Barone Francesco Ricasoli (32nd generation Ricasoli) Tuscany/Chianti Classico –
• Fiorenzo Dogliani – Batasiolo.  Piedmont  CEO   (Richardo March.. Export Director)
• Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva
• Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros  BC
• Chris Wyse – Burrowing Owl  BC
• Harry McWatters – Time  BC
• Ezra Cypes – Summerhill  BC
• Thomas Perrin – Famille Perrin  France

• Jim Robertson – Stoneleigh  NZ
• Eduardo Montresor  – Montessor .  Veneto Italy
• Loren Gil – Gil Family Estates  Spain

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NEXT WEEK HOUR TWO

•  Daenna van Mulligen
• DJ Kearney
• Kurtis Kolt
• Rhys Pender
•  Matt Dumayne –  WM  Haywire
• Andrew Winsor –  WM  Tinhorn Creek
• John Freeman – WM Waterbrook (Washington)
• Kirk Brewer – Gruet Winery (New Mexico)
• Poplar Grove – Stefan Arnason, Winemaker
•  
• David Phillips – Michael David Winery (Cali)
• Mark DeVere – Mondavi (Cali)
• Ted Seghesio – Seghesio  (Abigail Smith
•   
• Marilisa Allegrini  – Owner-CEO – Allegrini
• Ermenegildo Giusti – Owner – Giusti
• David Scholefield – Haywire  Advisor
• Stefano Benini – Int Export Director/Family member Marchesi De’Frescobaldi 
• Gabriele Tacconi – WM –  Ruffino (1^st visit to Canada)

hello

What’s with STONE’D  – the new red and white from Stoneboat?

The Three Amigos .  Three Chilean wines pour at Wildebeest..Carmen. Casa Silva. Montes.

Food and wine writer Michael White battles illness. His friends meet at Medina March 9

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THE SHOW

 Jay Martiniuk /  Stone’d Wines

The press release that came with the review wines said: Our Stoneboat vineyard has a stubbornly rocky terrain. By necessity, we enlist the help of “Stoners” to help clear the rockery. It’s a tough job and by the end of the day one is, well, “stone’d”.  Stone’d wine is a fine reward for a genuinely hard day’s work.

The name Stone’d is well suited beneath the images of two blissfully relaxed individuals with glassy gems in their eyes. With a uniquely rugged, stony landscape, Stone’d takes on a whole new meaning. It becomes the ambiguously playful tier of the Stoneboat family of wines, with a whimsical, modern twist on Stoneboat Vineyard’s history and a celebration of their stubborn landscape.

 Get your rocks off!!

Soon as the bottles hit the trade Facebookers and tweeters were having at it.

Good..Bad..Interesting!  what do you think?    @tdmulligan

The Red is Pinotage and Pinot Noir

The White a blend of 6 whites.

Both for $19.00

We talk to Jay Martiniuk..winemaker and family member.

Stone’d Wines

www.stonedwines.com

The Three Amigos/ Chile pours in Vancouver

Canada loves Chilean wines..and Chile values Canada as a best customer.

It’s a great fit..

6 wineries poured this week at Wildebeest on Hastings.  They were here as part of the TED conference.

Before the room became a sea of humanity and a wine spitting contest..i was able to sit down and talk to

Sebastian Labbe. Winemaker from Carmen  www.carmen.com/en

Ignacio Vial. From Casa Silva  www.casasilva.cl

Sebastian Alvial from Montes  www.monteswines.com

Each has 2 wines to talk about and special releases coming this year.

 www.winesofchile.org

 Michael White Benefit – Medina –  March 9, 2016

Michael White

Luminaries from the hospitality and media industries are banding together to support one of their own at Café Medina on Wednesday, Mar. 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. as they host Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White.

This past August, White — a former senior editor overseeing food and drink coverage at Vancouver Magazine and award-winning author of music biography Popkiss: The Life and Afterlife of Sarah Records — was days away from departing from the magazine to embark on a series of special projects when he began suffering painful and constant spasms in his neck muscles that caused his head to pull backward and convulse involuntarily. He was soon diagnosed with a form of cervical dystonia, or spasmodic torticollis, a rare and debilitating chronic neurological movement disorder.

With no medical coverage and faced with the sudden loss of his livelihood and independence, a number of supporters — including the BC Hospitality Foundation — stepped forward and donated much-needed funds for White to travel to clinics in both Toronto and New Mexico, where he sought specialized treatments for the incurable condition.

In keeping with that spirit, friends, associates and former colleagues are continuing the goodwill groundswell for White by organizing Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White, a reception-style fundraising event featuring canapés provided by Café Medina, cheese and charcuterie by La Grotta Del Formaggio and dessert by Bella Gelateria.

Guests will sip on wine donated from See Ya Later Ranch and bid on silent auction items from a number of supporters, including: ARC Restaurant, Bel Café, Boulevard Kitchen & Oyster Bar, Café Medina, Fairmont Empress, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Fairmont Vancouver Airport, Helijet, Frilly Lilly, Joe Fortes, L’Abattoir, Le Creuset, Minami, Odd Society Spirits, Railtown Cafe, Royal Dinette, Sai Woo, Tacofino, The Westin Bayshore, Thomas Haas Chocolates & Pâtisserie, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards, Vancouver Brewery Tours and many more.

This week Michael White sat down with me in a very busy Medina to talk about how he has  battled his rare affliction. How it’s completely changed his life. How his friends and people he has never met have helped him along the way..and what his future plans are.

And then a follow up with Medina owner Robbie Kane.

Robbie Kane – Medina

Tickets to Writer, Blocked: A Benefit for Michael White cost $49 per person plus tax, and may be purchased via Eventbrite: writerblocked.eventbrite.ca. Cash donations via Eventbrite are also appreciated.

All proceeds from ticket sales and silent auction items will be donated to Michael White as he continues to seek specialized treatment, and to supplement living costs while he is unable to generate income through employment.

http://www.medinacafe.com/news/

Thank YOU!!

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Next two weeks…

Two One hour Specials from the 38^th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival

We’ll post the guest list early next week