Tasting Room Radio

January 22nd, 2021- The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

January 22, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:56:33

hello

The 5th and final week of Okanagan Reconnect

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

THE SHOW

We come to the last show in a series that started August 21st (you remember August, right?)

The master plan was to reconnect with the people,  wineries and food of the Okanagan after a two-year hiatus.

So many changes, many Covid related.

 

Thankfully we found an excellent  supporting partner in TOTA – The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association. They sure know their territory. Top shelf management.

To my delight, I also got to re-connect with long-time friend  CEO Ellen Walker-Mathews and discovered the invaluable assistance of Rob Grifone. My thanks to both.

 

For week five we find ourselves back at our home base at Moon Curser Vineyards in Osoyoos. Got to stay and do the interviews at their fabulous Hideaway.

The whole thing is on Corey Wood’s video. (see below)

 

 

 Our final guests are:

 Beata and Chris Tolley – Our hosts at their gorgeous winery and the co-founders of Moon Curser Vineyards  www.mooncurser.com

Beata & Chris Tolley

 

Moon Curser

Pouring  2020 Arneis (the little rascal of Piedmont. A flinty white)  and 2019  Dead of Night

(a spectacular blend of Tannat and Syrah. Spicy/Opulent)

 

Paula Cooper – It was Paula’s  last day as winemaker at CC Jentsch (Golden Mile). Now she’s at  Lakeside.  (Osoyoos)  www.lakesidecellars.ca   www.CCJentschcellars.com

 

Paula Cooper

Just a note that Paula came by at my request,  as I wanted to salute her work at CC Jentsch and to honor her mentor Chris Jentsch who passed away recently.

The vineyards are up for sale now and likely the new owners will rebrand. This week’s Tasting Room Radio is dedicated to Chris and CC Jentsch.

Things got  emotional on both sides of the microphone.  We thank Paula for hanging in. Thanks also to Michael J McCoy for keeping CC Jentsch open until the end.

Chris and Betty Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Co-founders of Lariana Cellars (Osoyoos)  www.larianacellars.com

At first taste, I knew these were special wines. When I discovered their mentors were Richard Cleave and Senka Tennant, that explained everything.

Dan and Carol listened and learned well. They brought and poured 2020 Viognier (one of the very best expressions in all of Canada) and 2018 Carmenere (glorious pepper heaven. 70% French Oak 27% new)

Dan and Carol Scott. Lariana

 

And that’s it –  25 interviews captured in one week and spread out over five weeks of shows. Now it’s time for you to do your own reconnect.

When it’s safe to do so please consider making plans to do your own week in the Okanagan Valley.

Senka Tennant Lariana

Remember to check out www.totabc.org  All the safety and planning info is there.

 

Lariana vineyards

Thank you TOTA.  Thank you, guests, Corey Wood and Meg.

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

A visit to Four Shadows

Dwight Sick at Moraine

Nathan Todd at  Foxtrot

 

January 15th, 2022- Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

January 14, 2022 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio 00:52:19

hello

Week Four of our Okanagan Reconnect (OK Falls)

Presented by The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

The SHOW

 

Because…

Tasting Room Radio started its audio life in a studio in a barn on the Naramata Bench and…

Hadn’t been back to the Okanagan since  Fall 2019 and

the pandemic kept us from returning,  it was time to Reconnect to the Okanagan.

(The Vista in OK Falls)

Week Four finds us with a  home base at the very popular Noble Ridge in Okanagan Falls.

All the interviews are on video. On our website and our YouTube Channel.

Our guests this week include:

John Skinner – co-founder of Painted Rock www.paintedrock.ca (OK Falls)

John Skinner. Painted Rock Winery   (Jon Adrian  Photo)

John poured the aptly named 2018 Red Icon and truly wonderful 2020 Chardonnay. Both are world-class.

Terry Meyer Stone – co-founder of Mayhem Wines and family member of Meyer Family Wines. (OK Falls)

www.mayhemwines.com

www.mfvwines.com

For Meyer Family Terry pours:

2019 Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay (again World Class) and 2019  McClain Creek Pinot Noir (simply marvelous)

For Mayhem Wines Terry pours

2019 Pinot Gris (better? – you bet)  and 2019 Anarchy (Wow. Huge Merlot with a touch of Cab Franc. Oak heaven)

John, Terry, and TDM

Leslie D’Andrea – co-owner of Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

Benoit Gauthier – Winemaker Noble Ridge

(My apologies to Benoit for calling him Bernard.  A Senior moment!)

Terry. Leslie D’Andrea Benoit Gauthier. Noble Ridge

www.nobleridge.com

Leslie/Benoit pour

2016 The One Sparkling (sublime)   and 2017 Kings Ransom Pinot Noir (what a beauty)

The One

Thank you Noble Ridge for hosting and putting on A SHOW. Thank you, Okanagan Falls!

And Thank you to Ellen, Rob, and all at The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association.

www.TOTABC.org

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Okanagan Reconnect Week Five

Beata and Chris Tolley  – Moon Curser

Paula Cooper – CC Jentsch

Dan and Carol Scott – Lariana Cellars

 

 

 

January 8th, 2022- The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

January 7, 2022 Tasting Room Radio

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Three. South Okanagan

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

What an adventure. Talking, traveling, and tasting our way through the Okanagan.

Moon Curser is our home base this week. Spectacular place! What a great winery Beata and Chris Tolley have created.

They’ll join us for a sit-down interview in Week Five

www.mooncurser.com

 

We Re-Connect with –

John Weber –  Co-owner and winemaker at Orofino Vineyards  (Similkameen Valley)

John Weber

John brings two of his best wines. The  2019 Chardonnay (Fantastic) and his 2020 Gamay (Sublime)

(check out the interview on video. On our website or our YouTube channel)

www.orofinovineyards.com    

@orofinowinery

 

Bill Eggert – Owner & winemaker at Fairview Cellars. (Golden Mile)

This is not Bill Eggert. But it IS  his tasting room at Fairview Cellars.

Wild Bill brings two nice surprises. 2020 Sauvignon Blanc (Sauv/Sem) “my oyster wine”

And the engaging  2019 Crooked Post Pinot Noir. (Interview also on video)

This is Bill Eggert.

www.fairviewcellars.com

@fairviewcellars

Justin Hall – Estate Winemaker at Nk’Mip (Osoyoos)

With many fine wines to choose from, Justin poured the beautiful 2019 QQ Pinot Noir and the delightful 2020 White Merriym.  (Interview also on video) 

 

www.nkmipcellars.com   

@Nk’MipCellars

 

Justin Hall  Nk’Mip Estate Winemaker

Executive Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro at Tinhorn Creek (Golden Mile)

Jeff talks about the staffing problems that all restaurants have been having. It’s tough  times  in the Okanagan and some restaurants are cutting down hours and days in order to stay open. Jeff is revealing,  enlightening, and a damn fine chef.

www.tinhorn.com

 

@miradororesto

 

Jeff Van Geest

 

Thank You TOTA – www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Next Week –

At Noble Ridge (OK Falls)

Leslie D’Andrea Owner  Noble Ridge

Benoit  Gauthier Winemaker/Vineyard Manager  Noble Ridge

John Skinner – Owner Painted Rock (OK Falls)

Terry Meyer Stone – Pres Mayhem Wines. Also pouring Meyer Family (OK Falls)

 

 

 

 

January 1 2022- The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two

December 30, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:58:12

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect Week Two – at Hillside,  Naramata Bench.

(Presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

THE SHOW

It’s week two of our Okanagan Reconnect!

This week we are gathering at Hillside Winery and Bistro  on the Naramata Bench

FYI – Tasting Room Radio was conceived in a studio in a barn on The Bench in 2007.

So we’ve come full circle.

Our winery and food guests were asked to bring two wines to profile.

 

Rickard and Jill Richardson Branby – Sperling Vineyards  (East Bench Kelowna)

(Final interview from last weeks show)

Rickard & Jill Richardson Branby-Sperling

Sperlingvineyards.com  Sperling Organic 2018 Pinot Noir & Sperling Pet Nat

Jay Drysdale –  co-founder and winemaker Bella Wines

Celebrating 10 years of making fine wines.

Jay Drysdale and Josie

Bellawines.ca Estate Chardonnay made ancestral method and 2016 Reserve Eastside Trad Method

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems – co-founder and winemaker Daydreamer Wines

Master of Wine Marcus Ansems (Daydreamer)

Daydreamerwines.ca 2019 Amelia (Syrah/Viognier) & 2019 Orange Wine (100% Viognier)

Exec Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramatainn.ca

Chef Ned Bell

Emily brought L-ST Projects Ambient Chardonnay (Alyssa Hubert) & 2020 jocko a light Cab Franc (Kelsey Rufiange Echo Bay) BRAVO to both.  Thanks Emily.

Emily Walker

Penelope and Dylan Roche –  co-founders/winemakers of Roche Wines

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines

www.rterroir.ca    2020 Pinot Gris Texture & Nuances (Bordeaux Blend) (such promise)

Kathy Malone – Chief Winemaker Hillside Winery  hillsidewinery.ca

Chef Evan Robertson. Kathy Malone Winemaker & Shelann Sleegers Wine Club Hillside Winery and Bistro

2020 Muscat Ottonel & 2015 Mosaic (Bordeaux Blend) History in a bottle

Evan Robertson – Exec Chef  Hillside Bistro/Shelann Sleegers – Wine Club Manager 

 

 Associate Producer Corey Wood has edited video versions of the interviews with Jay Drysdale, Marcus Ansems, Ned Bell, and Emily Walker. They can be found on YouTube https://youtu.be/uralP29wDOE

THANK YOU TOTA!

https://www.totabc.org

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK

At Moon Curser

John Weber – Orofino

Bill Eggert – Fairview Cellars

Justin Hall – Nk’Mip Cellars

Chef Jeff van Geest – Miradoro

 

Dec 25, 2021 -The Okanagan Reconnect – (The Repeat) Week One!

December 25, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:48

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect –  (The Repeat) Week One

(A 5-week series repeat presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

 See Full Video below!

The SHOW

 It’s been close to two years since Tasting Room Radio toured the vineyards and restaurants of the Okanagan.

TRR started its 14-year existence on the Naramata Bench in 2007.  Since leaving the valley we’ve stayed in touch through Zoom, Phone, Text, What’s app, Skype, email, and in person. The in-person was usually in Vancouver or Victoria when wineries poured for the media and public.

I truly missed traveling through the Okanagan, walking the vineyards, seeing and smelling the cellars, and listening to the winemakers and winery principals tell great stories of bud break, harvest, and release days. The past year and a half also included a heat dome, wildfires, and Covid19.

With the assistance and support of TOTA –  The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association – On Aug 3 we headed back to the Okanagan.

Rather than drive around to 20 plus wineries and losing valuable interview time to the driving, we decided to try and base ourselves at our sponsor locations.

The Hatch in West Kelowna, Hillside Winery and Bistro on Naramata Bench, Moon Curser in Osoyoos, and Noble Ridge in OK Falls.

This first week we called The Hatch our home.

Winery Guests were asked to bring a red and white to feature.  They included:

 

Mark Filatow – Executive chef and Sommelier Waterfront Wines Restaurant (Kelowna) waterfrontrestaurant.ca

Mark Filatow

David Patterson – GM and Winemaker at Tantalus Vineyards (East Kelowna) Tantalus.ca

David Patterson Tantalus

2018 Chardonnay and 2019 Pinot Noir

Jason Parkes – Founder of The Hatch Wines  (West Kelowna) (also Black Swift/Crown and Thieves/Screaming Frenzy) The HatchWines.com

Jason Parkes The Hatch

Grayson Riordan, Mikayla Jones, Graham Dell – (Manager Black Swift/Manager The Hatch/CFO) blackswiftvineyards.com

Grayson Mikayla and Graham. The Hatch

2017  Crown and Thieves Arch Doxy Cab Franc   2020  Black Swift Pinot Blanc

Ellen Walker-Mathews – new CEO of TOTA (Kelowna)

Ellen Walker-Mathews

Jeff Hundertmark – Chef Winemaker of Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co mtboucherie.com/rustwine.com

Jeff Hundertmark

 

Rust Wine 2020 Chardonnay  &  2019 Solus

Christine Coletta, Matt Dumayne and (standing) Duncan Billing  – Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines/OCP Winemaker and Director of Viticulture

Duncan, Matt and Christine… OCP and Haywire

2019 Narrative Chenin Blanc  Haywire 2019 Gamay Rose  okanagancrushpad.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Okanagan Reconnect Week Two ( at Hillside Naramata Bench)

Rickard & Jill Branby – Sperling Vineyards

Jay Drysdale – Bella Wines (Naramata)

Marcus Ansems – co-founder/winemaker/master of wine  Daydreamer Wines (Naramata)

Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramata Inn

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines (Naramata)

Kathy Malone and Evan Robertson – Winemaker Hillside Winery and Bistro Executive Chef

 

Okanagan Reconnect  5 week series  presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

December 18th, 2021- The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

December 17, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:04:27

hello

The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

 THE SHOW

Even though it’s been a completely eventful year we still arrive at perhaps the best season of the year.  Hanukah,  Christmas,  the Holidays, and New Year’s Eve. If ever there was a great time to heal and recommit to family and friends this is the one.

If you’re considering those important last-minute gifts – the ones that say “Thank You” – great wine and sparkling wines can’t be beaten.

Daenna van Mulligen through her websites, winediva.ca, and winescores.ca has tasted 100’s of wines every month of 2021 and her year-end lists are a fantastic resource. This week it’s the Top 50 over 90 points and over $20.00

 

To start The Show we head to Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards just south of Peachland.  You can’t miss the gateway sign at the entrance of Greata Ranch.

Our guest is Gordon Fitzpatrick, the president of the winery.

Gordon Fitzpatrick and TDM

Grew up in Vancouver.  Father Ross became a Senator.  Gordon worked for a future Prime Minister. Spent 10 years in mining (gold!). Came to the Okanagan in 1996 to run CedarCreek Estate Winery.  Helped shape the BC wine industry as the Former Chair of the BC Wine Institute.

The family sold Cedar Creek with their eyes firmly on the almost forgotten Greata Ranch Estate above Okanagan Lake.   It was a  former peach-producing estate that had been left to wither but Gordon had a dream to reclaim the land and rebuild the home base as a producer of bubble and still wines.  Voila!  Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards.  They have a quickly expanding portfolio.

Here are the latest releases from Gordon and the team at Fitzpatrick.

Greata Ranch – Fitzpatrick Winery

2017 Fitz Brut  Their signature Cuvee (Pinot Noir. Chard. Meunier)  Bottle aged. 24 months on lees. $32.50

2019 Fitz Cremant soft and yummy.  $24.50

2020 Big Leap Chardonnay.  Ripe stone fruit.  Caramel.  Texture.  50% Stainless steel and 50% Neutral French oak.  $24.50

2018 Sudden Inversion Meritage “we turned the valley upside down” 70% Merlot. 20% Cab Franc 10% Cab. 14 months on Oak  (some new) $28.50

Also, keep an eye out for the Fitz Reserve Sparkling wines.

The glorious Blanc de blanc – Blanc de Noir – and Blanc de Noir Special Rose

 

www.fitzwine.com

 

Wine Divas Top 50 Wine List for 2021  (Year 15)

All more than 90 points and over $20.00..

ALL tasted and reviewed by Daenna van Mulligen.  The full list can be found at  www.winediva.ca  and www.winescores.ca

daenna van mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Belle Glos Pinot Noir ‘Clark & Telephone’, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Calif. $62.99

Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma California $36.99

Meyer Family Vineyards ‘Micro Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Pentage Winery Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California $25.99

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Robin Ridge ‘Falcon’ Merlot, Similkameen Valley BC N/A

Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Valpolicella, Veneto $57.99

Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Monterey, California $30.00

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Home Block Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $55.00

Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc, Bordeaux, France $45.00

Cambria Estate Winery ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, California $38.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley N/A

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Moon Curser Tannat, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Phantom Creek Estates ‘Red’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Hester Creek ‘Limited Edition The Judge’, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quartz & Yarrow Sustainable Red, Okanagan Valley, BC $36.00

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery ‘Summit’, British Columbia N/A

SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Saddle Block’, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00

Laughing Stock Vineyards ‘Portfolio’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley $25.00

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Painted Rock Syrah, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $42.99

Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, Oregon $43.99

Lake Breeze Winery ‘Cellar Series Mistral’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

 

Wine Diva Sparkling Wines of 2021

McWatters Collection Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $65.00

Time Estate Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Chronos Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Gray Monk Odyssey White Brut Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $26.00

Jackson-Triggs ‘Entourage’ Grand Reserve Brut, Niagara Peninsula N/A

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Pentage Winery ‘Fizz Blanc’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Rigel’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Polaris’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Sparkling Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Unsworth Vineyards ‘Charme de L’ile’ Rose Brut, Vancouver Island, BC $25.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery ‘Isabella’ Frizzante, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Stoneboat ‘Piano’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Hester Creek Estate Old Vine Brut, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Covert Farms Family Estate Sparkling Zinfandel, Okanagan Valley, BC $35.00

Marques de Monistrol ‘Monistrol Seleccion Especial’ Cava, Penedes, Spain $18.00

Louis Bouillot ‘Perle d’Aurore’ Cremant Brut Rose, Bourgogne, France $26.99

Evolve Cellars Pink Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC $19.99

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards H’s Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gold Label Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00

 

www.winediva.ca

www.winescores.ca

 

 

December 11th, 2021-The wonderful world of wine with DJ Kearney

December 9, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:48:38

hello

The wonderful world of wine with DJ Kearney

 

THE SHOW

  

DJ Kearney – Director of Wine/Terminal City Club

(Wine Education Specialist, Mentor, Wine Judge, Consultant)

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney has trained over a thousand sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and has consulted for many global wine marketing bodies — including Wines of Chile, Wines of South Africa, Wines of California, Jura Wines, Sopexa, and Wines of Argentina — while leading educational master-classes for these entities around North America.

DJ  judges, moderates, present at wine festivals and competitions around the globe. She brings a truly global perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts., the WSET Diploma, and the ISG Sommelier Certification. She has been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine and critic/contributor/judge for Wine Align.

Pinot Gris goes National | Godello

As we approach the end of a very different year I hope that everyone is safe and well.

It was also time to get a perspective on how the wines turned out. All the wines.

BC, Canada, and The World! Who better to ask than DJ Kearney.

 

Long-time friend and the leading edge of wine knowledge in today’s World.

 

I asked DJ to comment on the recent 2021 Wine Align final results.

WineAlign (@WineAlign) / Twitter

She was there – in Penticton – tasting and judging 100’s of Canadian wines.

On today’s Tasting Room Radio DJ brings wines that she recommends make great gifts – for friends or yourself.

Then her Wines of the Year and what she was going to pour over the Holidays.

Tasting Room Radio became The DJ Kearney Show!

  • PIERRE PAILLARD – LES PARCELLES BOUZY GRAND CRU 750 ml | SKU: 477372 France $67.99
  • POL ROGER – RESERVE BRUT 750 ml | SKU: 51953 France  $73.99
  • PENEDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON – TORRES MAS LA PLANA 2015 750 ml | SKU: 315838 Spain $67.99 on sale from $72.99 On Sale (until Jan 1)
  • CHABLIS – WILLIAM FEVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX 2018 750 ml | SKU: 25270 France $36.99
  • CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA – MAZZEI SER LAPO 2015 750 ml | SKU: 176842 Italy  $29.99 down from  $32.99 On Sale (until Jan 1) 

POL ROGER - RESERVE BRUT French Sparkling Wine

 

 

Our BC conversation:

Syrah

Riesling

Chardonnay

Cab Franc

Sparklings

 

DJ and I finish with a question we always ask ourselves.

Will BC wines ever be truly available in Ontario and other provinces and will Ontario wines show up  on shelves in BC?  If you’re a wine fan, perhaps you could ask your local member of parliament.

@djwines

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

  • A replay of the five-week Okanagan Reconnect
  • Fitzpatrick Wines
  • Fort Berens
  • Kitsch
  • Gold Hill
  • Update on Vancouver Wine Fest
  • Canadian Whisky Championships (Victoria)
  • Chain Reaction Winery

 

December 4th, 2021- Budget wine gifting for The Holidays with The Wine Diva!

December 3, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:58:29

hello

Budget wine gifting for The Holidays with The Wine Diva!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Bottle of Wine

 

 

THE SHOW:

Daenna van Mulligen

For 15 years Daenna van Mulligen (The Wine Diva) has created her Top 100 wines.  For 15 years we’ve welcomed the audio version of her choices.  All wines have been tasted and scored – www.winescores.ca  Those receiving 89 points or better and under $20.00 make the list.

When I saw her 2021 list get posted – www.winediva.ca – I knew once again it was time for The Wine Diva to make her seasonal appearance on Tasting Room Radio.

Daenna is a highly respected wine judge and reviewer who tastes every day of the year. Her tasting notes are always a great read and her instincts about where wine is headed and labels to keep an eye on always find their mark.

If you go to the Wine Diva website, you’ll see a heading of WINES. Click on that and on the drop-down list click on wine lists. Just a note,  there’s a link that says print up as a shopping list.  I highly recommend doing this. Keep it handy for easy reference at home or when shopping and you’re facing a wall of wines.

Keep in mind when you read her rave reviews,  that all wines mentioned here are under $20.00  Several are steals.

On the interview, I divided up her wines into three categories –

Roses,  Reds and Whites!

The last segment of the show is Daenna taking us through her Wines of the Year.

The Wines of Christmas Past, Present and Future | Wine Enthusiast

Here are the wines we talked about 

From Top 100 under $20 list… 

  • Jose Maria da Fonseca ‘Periquita’, Portugal $10.99
  • Red Rooster Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC, Custoza, Verona Italy $16.99
  • Oops ‘Voluptuous Beauty’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile $15.99
  • Intrigue Wines ‘I Do’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99
  • Undurraga ‘Sibaris’ Reserva Especial Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley Chile $17.99
  • Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, California $20.00
  • Robin Ridge Gamay, Similkameen Valley BC N/A
  • Bodegas Piqueras Castillo de Alamansa Reserva, Alamansa Spain $15.99
  • Red Rooster Winery Cabernet~Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Ryder Estate Pinot Noir Rose, Central Coast California $19.99
  • Luccarrelli Primitivo, Puglia Italy $15.99
  • Luccarrelli Negroamaro, Puglia Italy $15.99
  • Errazuriz ‘Max Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua, Chile $19.99
  • Cirro Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand $20.00
  • Vina Chela Reserve Malbec, Mendoza Argentina $15.99
  • Bizou + Yukon ‘Savvy~Gris’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Bizou + Yukon ‘Pinkie’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Gris, British Columbia $20.00
  • Hester Creek Viognier, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • IMBZZL ‘Ruse’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC $19.99
  • Soito Wines ‘Taleiga’ Dao Tinto, Dao Portugal $20.00
  • Spearhead Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Journey’s End ‘Bees Knees’ Chenin Blanc~Viogner, Mount Rozier, Western Cape South Africa $15.00
  • Quails’ Gate Chasselas~Pinot Blanc~Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $19.99
  • Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.99
  • Bartier Bros. Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $17.99
  • Lake Breeze Winery Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Township 7 ‘7 Blanc’ Okanagan Valley, BC $18.00
  • Sandhill Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Pentage Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC N/A
  • CedarCreek Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $18.99
  • Intrigue Wines Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley BC $17.00
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Chardonnay, British Columbia $20.00
  • Noble Ridge Reserve Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A
  • Evolve Cellars Viognier, Okanagan Valley N/A
  • Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC $20.00
  • Quails’ Gate Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $18.99
  • Mayhem Wines Sauvignon Blanc Okanagan Valley N/A
  • Yalumba ‘Y Series’ Viognier, South Australia $16.99

The Wine Diva Wines of the Year etc

 

Wine gifting –

California wines (assorted)

Arrowwood

Belle Glos

Cambria Estate Pinot

Monte del Fra Amarone Lena di Mezzo

 

Wines of the year.

MFV Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir

Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc,

Da Silva Cab Franc

(plus wines from my TOP 50)

 

New Years pour.

Philipponnat Royal Reserve Rose

Seven Stars Sirius

 

 

NEXT WEEK –

DJ Kearney guests with her lists and recommendations/observations on the year

 

 

 

 

 

November 27th, 2021- The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

November 26, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:13

hello

The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

 

THE SHOW

 Jason Parkes is….

  • A  former member of a punk band whose van broke down and he needed money to fix it – so he made wine.
  • the hub of an ever-expanding wheel.
  • The dark star at the center of a distant universe
  • Lead singer of the house band Proper Man
  • Founder,  winemaker, visionary winery owner who surrounds himself with like-minded thinkers and doers.

Actually,  his greatest talent is being a husband and father.  From that family base comes his strength to start The Hatch, then create, build, open, or buy  Hatching Post Brewery, Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards, Screaming Frenzy, Truck 59 CiderHouse,  Smoke Show by JPC, Gobsmacked, and Jason Parkes Customs.

Team JPC

JPCustoms will become the new name of the overall company.

That’s why it was time to slow the man down long enough to talk things through and get a sense of what the road ahead looks like.

There are very few BC wineries expanding at this rate. Not just creating new wines and new destinations but whole new concepts in how to reach people, how to entertain them, and at times speak an entirely different language.  Best of all, the wines are as memorable as the man.

“do you feel lucky?  Well do ya,  punk?” 

“Dirty” Harry Callahan

 

www.jpcfanclub.com

 https://www.facebook.com/jasonparkescustoms/

 

Emily Walker  – Wine Director Naramata Inn

(a video of Emily’s interview and her wines can be found below)

Emily Walker – working it

 Imagine you’re Emily Walker and you are the Wine Director of the historic Naramata Inn in the village of Naramata.

The Inn is surrounded by 100’s of wineries. As far as the eye can see.

Naramata Heritage Inn

Every one of those wineries would like to be on Emily’s wine list but only a select few are chosen.

It’s those choices I wanted to know more about.  Many of the wines she chooses are small lots. Perhaps as few as 25 cases.

But in between those hard-to-find wines, you’ll find gems that we can all search for. They’re all worth the chase.

Emily Walker is up to the task. Running wine programs at The Four Seasons Vancouver, the group Sommelier at all Tap and Barrels, and the opening of the Fairmont Pacific Rim in time for the Winter Olympics. Emily Walker brings all that big room experience into a dining room built-in 1907. You are going to love the experience.

I asked Emily to choose a handful of wines to tell us about.

Lightning Rock  –  2021 Rose Pet-Nat  $29 (Summerland)

No sugar. No yeast. Whole cluster & double pressed. One night on skins. Fermented in concrete tanks. Cloudy. Lower alcohol. Yummy!

www.lightningrockwinery.com

2020 Lightning Rock Rose Pet-Nat

CoolShanagh  2018 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench)

Pedro Parra,  renowned soil expert proclaimed their soil conditions Top 15% in the World.  Matured in a combination of new oak, concrete, and stainless steel… Notes of nutmeg and caramel. Mighty texture and finish. Award-winning chardonnay!!

www.coolshanagh.ca

 

Scout Vineyards  Syrah  $39 (Similkameen)

Made in Georgian Clay Vessels.  Neutral oak. Unfined and unfiltered. A very different wine. Unpolished. Layered and textured.

And gorgeous. Special Syrah from a very special spot.

 

Nichol Vineyards  St Laurent.  A medium-dark red. The oldest St Laurent in Canada. Ripe blueberry and cassis on the nose.  Tannins, acidity, and pepper in the mouth.  Unfined & unfiltered. Cellared in Neutral French Barrique.

www.nicholvineyard.com

 

Fox and Archer Pinot Noir  Around $29 (Naramata Bench)

The home of Diane Fox and Tyson Archer..  They make three Pinot Noirs on one of the highest vineyards on Naramata Bench.

Emily brought The Creekside. Grown in a dry creek bed. They also make a Malbec.

Small batch winemaking.   Clones 828 and Pommard 91.  Aged for 10 months in 25% new oak, 25% Neutral oak, and 50% stainless steel.

A wine to be proud of.

www.foxandarcherwines.com

 

Mike Nierychlo  Co-founder (with wife Robin)  and winemaker of Emandare Wine (Cowichan Valley)

Team Emandare

 

It was raining ugly when Mike showed up for a quick pour.

I turned on the recorder and Mike took it from there.

He was pouring his new releases from Emandare.

2020 Alice  $40 Traditional Method Rose made from 100% Cowichan Pinot Noir. Named after Robin and Mike’s 2nd daughter.

20ALICE

Strawberry, peach, and citrus scents and flavors abound. It is a great pour but very little was made. If you see it – buy it.

A big congratulations to everyone involved. Especially the label artists.

2020 Estate Pinot Noir – Mike and Robin’s original vines. Some 20 years in the ground now. They present a juicy, cherry, and cranberry-driven experience. Also, a texture that surprises. These are very happy vines.

2020 Estate Marechal-Cabernet Foch. $35  Flavours of ripe blackberries and black current. Cracked pepper delights.

2021  (From the Valley) – Farm  Fresh Foch. $25  85% M. Foch and 15% Pinot Noir. It’s Mike’s Beaujolais.

Or because it’s from the Cowichan Valley it’s perhaps  Cowjolais.  It’s very drinkable. Restaurants are going to love this as a house pour.

Mike explains “from the valley”.  It’s a neighborhood thing.

www.emandarevineyard.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Church and State

Holiday liquids (for them and you)

Wines of the Year

Stocking up for Christmas and New Years

 

 

November 20th, 2021- Island Cider Tour/Time Family of Wines/Eau Claire 005/Sandra Oldfield

November 19, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:57:50

hello

Island Cider Tour/Time Family of Wines/Eau Claire 005/Sandra Oldfield

THE SHOW

It’s been a wild week!

Floods

Food

Rare Full Moon

Cider

Whiskey

Wine

And

Sandra Oldfield.

 

Jay Jordan – GM Cascadia Liquor Quadra Victoria.  (WSet 2 – Spirit Specialist)

Jay Jordan

I came across a Jay Jordan blog he posted in late  September on the Cascadia website.

He called it Island Hopping Cidery Tour.  https://cascadialiquor.com/blogs/blog/vancouver-island-cider-tour

I was ready for his tour.  I Love my ciders and admire the artists who create them. Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands are blessed with many choices. Many destinations. Best of all it has always been a home for heritage orchards and hundreds of different apples for cider making.

Cider pour

Saanich

Jay starts with Saanich  where Growers Cider first started in 1922.

Also  in Saanich

Junction Cidery – Their first cider was rhubarb. Lots more coming.

www.junctionvictoria.com

Sea Cider Farm and CiderHouse – Made their first cider in 2007. One of BC’s leading cideries.

www.seacider.ca

 

The Gulf Islands

The Gulf Islands were once the apple farming capitol of BC. That’s why you can find 450 different types of heritage apples on these island jewels.  Salt Spring Island has a yearly Apple Fest (Oct 2021)

https://saltspringmarket.com/salt-spring-island-event/salt-spring-island-apple-festival/

 

Pender Island

Twin Island Cider –  Voted the Best Cider at the last BC Cider Festival. Harvest antique and heritage fruit from orchards on Pender, Mayne, and Saturna Islands. Some of those orchards were planted almost 150 years ago. Matt and Katie are using old-school techniques plus Pet Nat and small-batch offerings. Very different and surprising ciders.  Bravo!!

www.twinislandcider.com

Salt Spring Island

Salt Spring Wild –  Working with over 450 varieties. Some are over 100 years old. A crazy hopped apple and bitter orange rosemary.

www.saltspringwildcider.com

Ciderworks – 10 years of planting heritage apples.  3,500 trees and 365 varieties.  The ciders show amazing balance and complexity.

www.ciderworks.ca

 

Cowichan Valley

 Valley Cider – North of Duncan. Bruce McKinley creates small-batch ciders using wine and beer techniques.

Very authentic and fun releases such as a bacon-infused cider called Oink. www.valleycider.com

 

Merridale Cidery and Distillery-  Very popular destination. (right beside Unsworth Vineyards)  In the Cowichan Valley. Making classic English pub cider.

Also a very busy distillery. (Cow Gin anyone)

www.merridale.ca

 

Thank You Jay Jordan.   www.cascadialiquor.com

 Caitlin Quinn – Master Distiller.  Eau Claire Distillery  Turner Valley, Alberta

Caitlin Quinn

The return of a fine whisky maker, Caitlin has created Eau Claire’s  newest release

Eau Claire Single Malt Whisky Batch 005.

Alberta’s first single malt is batch distilled in the traditional way.  In her Glaswegian accent, Caitlin says “Batch 005 is a throwback to Batch 002 with the reintroduction of ex-Sherry Casks in this blend. I believe it will turn out to be a lot of peoples favorite batch so far”

Nose – burnt sugar, dark chocolate

Taste – Nutty, white pepper, toffee

Finish – Long and warm.

Barrell aged in New Hungarian Oak, Ex-Bourbon American Oak, Ex-Sherry French Oak.

 

Think Gifting this year. For your friends or yourself.

https://eauclairedistillery.ca/

 

Christa-Lee McWatters – GM Time Family of Wines. (Penticton)

Christa-lee Mcwatters

A follow-up interview to our Wine Align interviews last week.  The Nationals awarded Time Family of Wines in Penticton 8 Bronze medals and their 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon was named Top 10 in Canada.

I found a very busy Christa-Lee at the winery dealing with the remnants of this year’s harvest and planning for next year. (It never ends)

The bronze winners were

Evolve

Evolve Effervescence (King Family Vineyards)

2020 Spontaneity (P Gris/S Blanc/Ortega)

2018 Cab Franc

2018 Fourth Dimension (Merlot/Syrah/C Franc/Cab)
Chronos

2020 Semillon

2020Sauvignon Blanc

2020 Rose (Made in two batches)

2020 Chardonnay  (No Oak. All Stainless Steele)

 

Christa-lee also spent a quiet reflective moment talking about a release coming that may be the last one made by her late Father Harry McWatters.

 

www.timewines.ca

 

Sandra Oldfield – Elysian Projects co-founder. Okanagan

Sandra-Oldfield

Sandra teaches, mentors, advises, and leads by example.

When I get a chance to talk to her  I simply ask the first question and get out of the way.

We talk:

Wine Align Awards

Wine Recommendations ($)

Unsworth Bubble

Corcelettes

Mayhem

2017 Little Straw BFF – Blaufrankisch and Marechal Foch

Noble Ridge – The Kings Ransom Series

Noble Ridge The One – Award-winning sparkling (99 Points)

And fixing the staffing problems in the winery business.

www.elysianprojects.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON… 

The return of Emily Walker  (Naramata Inn Wine Director)

Church and State

Wine Gifts

Year-end lists.