Tasting Room Radio

December 22nd, 2018- Three Questions for Wine  Experts

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Three Questions for Wine  Experts – Wine/Trends/Gifts

THE SHOW

 

DJ Kearney –  Global Wine Consultant. Sommelier. Educator (New District)

DJ Kearney

-Wines of the Year  (see lists below)

-Trends from 2018 heading into 2019

-Wine Gifts that work for everyone.

It’s fair to say, there are a lot of year end lists going around.

Films, books, foods, albums and of course wine

I thought I’d jump into the season with Three Questions I wanted to ask.

Then I got lucky.

I was able to find Rhys Pender.  Master of Wine  (last week)

And then in quick succession DJ Kearney and Kurtis Kolt. Both top flight
wine consultants and educators.

DJ has been teaching about wine as long as I have known her. She currently
consults for NewDistrict.ca and many others. She organizes the annual
Judgement of BC competition.

If there’s any judging to do, she’s always first call.

Here’s DJ’s recommended Wines of the Year

DJ Kearney’s hit list:

@djwines

BC choices:

Haywire Free Form Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – #10 in Decanter Magazine’s most
exciting wines of 2018  (natural)

Martin’s Lane Fritzi’s Vineyard Riesling 2015 $75.00 winery direct

Ricco Bambino Syrah 2017  – $55.99 NewDistrict.ca – 2018 silver medal winner
at the Lieutenant Governor’s Wine Awards – 11.7% alcohol which makes this
lean and lithe, classic cool-climate Syrah.

Corcelettes Micro Series Pinot Noir 2016  $36.00 New District

Deep Roots Syrah 2016 $35 winery

Canadian choices:

Benjamin Bridge – any and all sparkling wines!

Tawse Laundry Vineyard Cabernet Franc – New District $44.99

Closson Chase The Brock Chardonnay – BCL  $23.50

Global highlights:

Champagne Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV – $69.99 BCL – everything done by hand
even for the NV!

Emiliana’s Coyam from Chile $29.99 BCL – this is a go-to gift every year.
Biodynamic and delicious.

White Bordeaux:  Clos Floridene 2015 for $39. At BCL – wonderful, gently
oaked Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon for the dinner table or host gift

China – Silver Heights at BCL – check this out – China is making wonderful
wine and I hope we get access to more and more of the good ones

Uruguay – Bodegas Garzon is an amazing project on the coast – Alberto
Antonini is the consulting winemaker and the range is thrilling. Look for
the Albarino, Sauvignon Blanc, Marselan, Tannat!  The astonishing Reserve
Tannat is at the BCL for $24.99, and the Cabernet Franc is available there
too.

@djwines

Kurtis Kolt – Vancouver based Wine Consultant. Wine Column Georgia Straight.
Co-Partner in Top Drop Vancouver. Sommelier.

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis  is a Vancouver-based freelance wine consultant, writer, and
competition judge. Certified by London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust and
the Court of Master Sommeliers, his enthusiasm and experience have resulted
in many high-profile opportunities, from contributing to Decanter magazine
and appearing at New York’s James Beard House, to leading wine festival
seminars and beyond.

Twitter: @KurtisKolt
Instagram: @KurtisKolt

www.KurtisKolt.com

Best wines of the year (Canada and Beyond)

Catena White Stones Chardonnay, Argentina –
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/333260

A Sunday In August Cabernet Franc, BC –
https://www.asundayinaugust.com/ourwines-1/

Marchesi di Barolo 2013 Barolo, Piedmont, Italy –
<http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/378729>
http://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/378729

Tiberio Cerasuolo D’Abruzzohttp://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/169885

Trends from 2018

Natural Wine just keeps going!

Bubble!

Pink!

Wine gifts. (what to take/leave/gift)

The new Wine Folly book

Reidel Wine Glasses

Kurtis Kolt // KurtisKolt.com <http://www.kurtiskolt.com/>  // TopDrop.ca
<http://www.topdrop.ca/>

 

Madeline Puckett  – Wine Folly/The Master Guide (co-founder)

Madeline Puckette is a wine sommelier and visual designer whose electrifying
info graphics and congenial writing has garnered an enthusiastic following
from wine beginner to expert.

Madeline Puckette Wine Folly

Madeline  is the creator and cofounder of winefolly.com, a site dedicated to
learning about wine. Additionally, her work has been applied in
organizations, including The Court of Master Sommeliers and the Guild of
Sommeliers to help wine professionals learn.

This is just a quick chat with Madeline.

I hope to read the book over the Holidays and return here with a feature
interview very soon.

“the best introductory book on wine to come along in years.”

Dave McIntyre (Washington Post)

https://winefolly.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Wine Folly

Best of BC’s Field Blends

Kutatas – Salt Spring Island

The Wine Diva – Year end wines and Bubble. (Next)

December 16th, 2017-Jan Arden-Feeding My Mother

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More than just  a  cookbook from Jann Arden.  Plus The Comeau Case  with Christine Coletta, Rob Summers & Chef Rod Butters.

The SHOW

 

Jann Arden – Feeding My Mother: Comfort and Laughter in the Kitchen as my Mother Lives with memory loss.

 “Jann Arden is one of the most honest and talented women I’ve ever met, and her love for her mother is so rich.” —Chef Lynn Crawford

Even though Jann and I have known each other for 30 years it didn’t make the book any easier to read.

The pain of watching her Mother fade away commands each and every page of this cookbook and then you turn the page and it’s

a recipe for split pea soup.

We talk about dealing with the slow loss of her Mother and Candy Grams for Mongo.

That’s exactly what a Jann Arden concert is like..crazy fun one moment and heart wrenching  the next.

As each day steals more and more of her Mother’s  memory, it’s her  kitchen  and the food in it that connects her Jann and her Mother.

Amazing book.

Fascinating performer.

Wonderful friend.

www.jannarden.com

https://penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/562454/feeding-my-mother#9780735273924

 

Christine Coletta – Co-Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad. The Comeau Case

 Christine calls in from Ottawa where she was a very involved by-stander in the Supreme Court of Canada discussion about Canadian Wine laws. It was The Comeau Case. Forty Seven lawyers in one courtroom. It was a big deal.

Supreme Court Justices

We all have  7 months to wait for the Court’s decision on how wine moves throughout Canada and why it hasn’t moved since 1927.

Most of those lawyers were representing Greed. The remaining legal’s were speaking on behalf of you and I.

Good Luck.

In the meantime, here’s Christine’s take.

 http://www.macleans.ca/opinion/gerard-comeaus-free-the-beer-case-shows-canada-isnt-a-true-economic-union/

https://www.freemygrapes.ca/

https://okanagancrushpad.com

 

Rob Summers – Senior Winemaker/Hester Creek Vineyards

 Great guy.  Loves what he does.

And what he does is blend some of BC’s best wines.

If you haven’t tried “The Judge” I urge you to charge your glass. One of Canada’s best red blends..

Rob takes us through his Character Red and White, his singular Trebianno and the Lieutenant Governors awarded Reserve Merlot Block 2.

One of Canada’s best wineries – Hester Creek. On the Golden Mile. South Okanagan.

www.hestercreek.com/

 

Chef Rod Butters – Terrafina (at Hester Creek)/ Raudz/Micro/The Okanagan Table!

Rod Butters

Rod is on a roll.

A year ago he partnered with Hester Creek to turn their tasting room and patio  into Terrafina, an Italian leaning bistro with a much to like menu.

Terrafina was added to his other properties Raudz and Micro in Kelowna.

Then came his first cook book.

The Okanagan Table. The Art of Everyday Cooking

( I get a sense he’s not done yet)

It all seemed to start in 1996 when he became the opening chef at the glorious Wickaninnish Inn,  Tofino.

Chef and I talk about all of those properties and passions plus  what’s ahead.

Rod and his team won 7 awards in the 2017 Okanagan Life Best Restaurant Awards.

 

His cookbook is in the running for a world cookbook award.

What’s not to like?

 http://www.raudz.com/

http://www.chefrodbutters.com/

www.terrafinarestaurant.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Nothing. Zero. Its Christmas time.

We’ll head back to New Zealand for a

Two parter.

 

 

December 9th, 2017 – A Thousand Stories!

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The Wine Diva’s Top 100 under $20 plus Winemaker Bob Blue on 1000 Stories & Bonterra

 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine DIva

 

Just in time for Christmas and the Holidays…Wines 89 points or better and all $20.00 or under. What’s not to LIKE?

 

Daenna van Mulligen

 

 

 

Over the course of her tasting year Daenna always starts a Top 100 wine list. These wines have passed her taste test and they’re affordable.

 

We can’t fit in all 100 wines but there are at least 25 wines here..of all kinds and countries.

Plus Daenna throws in 3 more just to finish it off.

 

If you go to www.winediva.ca you can follow along..Also, at the top of her page there’s a link to a printable list.

 

Print it up, stick it in your bag!

  • Sperling Vineyards ‘Market White’, Okanagan Valley BC
    N/A
  • Torres ‘5G’, Campo de Borja Spain
    $16.99
  • Bodegas Valparaiso ‘Finca El Encinal’ Ribera del Duero, Spain
    $18.00
  • Bartier Bros. Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC
    N/A
  • Blue Grouse Estate Winery ‘Quill’ Pinot Gris, Duncan British Columbia
    N/A
  • Falernia Carmenere Reserva, Elqui Valley Chile
    $19.99
  • Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC
    $18.00
  • Paul Mas Viognier, Languedoc France
    $12.99
  • Selbach Riesling ‘Fish Label’, Germany
    $16.99
  • The Wolftrap Syrah~Mourvedre~Viognier, Robertson South Africa
    $13.99
  • Masi Passo Doble, Tupungato Argentina
    $14.49
  • Yealands Estate ‘Land Made’ Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand
    $19.99
  • Bodegas Borsao Garnacha, DO Campo de Borja Spain
    $13.99
  • Road 13 ‘Chip Off the Old Block’ Chenin Blanc, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC
    N/A
  • Yalumba ‘The Y Series’ Shiraz Viognier, South Australia
    $17.99
  • Nathalie Bonhomme ‘el petit bonhomme blanco’, Rueda Spain
    $13.49
  • Clos du Soleil Rose, Okanagan Valley
    $20.00
  • Louis.M.Martini Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma County California
    $17.99
  • Quails’ Gate Estate Winery ‘Lucy’s Block’ Rose, Okanagan Valley BC
    N/A
  • Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Pink Mile Rose’, Okanagan Valley BC
    N/A
  • Tantalus Vineyards Rose, Okanagan Valley BC
    $20.00
  • Tinhorn Creek ‘Oldield Reserve’ Rose, Okanagan Valley BC
    $20.00
  • Bodegas Olivares Rosado ‘Finca Hoya de Santa Santa Ana’, Jumilla Spain
    $10.00
  • C.C Jentsch Cellars ‘The Chase’, Okanagan Valley BC
    $20.00
  • CedarCreek Estate Winery Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC
    $18.00

or  pocket..it’s invaluable until the next list comes along.

Thank You Daenna.

Bob Blue – California Winemaker at Bonterra and 1000 Stories Bourbon barrel aged Zinfandel

 

Bob Blue – Bonterra

Iconic winemaker Bob Blue on the phone from Mendocino.  Bob is showcasing his most recent project – 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-aged Zinfandel, which has just launched in BC.

 A graduate from UC-Davis, Bob is considered a pioneer in the organic wine arena and is the founding winemaker for Bonterra, America’s #1 Organic wine. Bob was mentored by Paul Dolan and Dennis Martin and traveled to Bordeaux, Burgundy, Australia and the Rhone to broaden his sense of style. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Drinks Business Green Awards in 2014, recognizing him for his 25-year commitment to the highest standards of organic viticulture.

Bonterra

 

100 stories opens with vanilla and cherries, hints of barnyard.  A sweet attack followed quickly by pepper, cooking spices, vanilla? AND Twizzler. (Liquorice)

By the time you taste that first mouthful you are engaged. Welcome to BC Bob!!   http://www.1000storieswines.com/

 

The second half of the interview is all about Organic wines..their growth and rise in popularity.

Because Bob has been an industry leader in organic wines for almost 30 years he’s the guy to talk to about how organic wines won all of us over.

Winery of the Year in 2014 from Wine Enthusiast.

http://www.bonterra.com/

STORIES WERE WORKING ON:

Jann Arden – It’s a cook book and NOT a cook book. Its about cooking for her Mom, who’s dealing with memory loss.

Christine Coletta – “Come and get me Copper!”   A report from Ottawa and the Supreme Court battle over Canada’s odious wine laws.

Moon Cursor

Hester Creek

 

 

 

 

December 2nd, 2017 – The  Wines of  Bloom – Tantalus- Laughing Stock

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The  Wines of  Bloom and Arterra Wines buy Laughing Stock

 

Hello December!!

 

Jay Wright – President and CEO of Arterra Wines Canada

Another Okanagan Winery has been scooped up by a much larger company.

Arterra Wines Canada announced this week an agreement to acquire Laughing Stock Vineyards on the Naramata Bench.

Arterra have been in the BC wine business for more than 30 years with top end vineyards like Black Sage and Sunrock and wines such as Sumac Ridge, See Ya Later, Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin Okanagan and Nk’Mip Cellars.

Laughing Stock’s Bordeaux Blend Portfolio is considered one of the best blends in Canada and their Syrah Ain’t too shabby either.

Founders Cynthia and David Enns will continue on at the winery.

Our guest is Jay Wright, the President and CEO of Arterra Wines Canada.

 

Jay Wright

 

Bloom VQA Wines in Vancouver (Golden Mile)   

Adrian Cassini – Cassini Cellars

 It’s sometimes  best when you walk into a room where close to 100 wineries are pouring,  to work the room alphabetically. Unless of course you forget to spit.

We start with the winemakers from the C’s (The A’s and B’s didn’t have winemakers available)

Adrian Cassini

The hottest C winery this year is Cassini on the Golden Mile Bench. After winning 7 Gold and 5 Silver they were named winery of the year at Intervin and have had an astonishing year in the awards circuit. A record 2 Lieutenant Governors Awards and 2 more Gold in LA.  Our guest is the visionary owner/winemaker Adrian Cassini.  cassini.ca 

Chris Jentsch from CC Jentsch also on the Golden Mile Bench

 

Character guy makes character wines.  His winemaker Amber Pratt has taken  on a much tougher job, being the Mom of three children.

Chris has downsized a bit but still he’s a full time working owner and grower. Jentsch continues to win award after award and if you haven’t tasted their Syrah or The Chase, you have a treat waiting for you.

www.ccjentschcellars.com

 

Gene Covert from Covert Farms

 Beautifully located at  McIntyre Bluff in South Okanagan.

Covert Farms

Gene and his family operate a 4th generation 650 acre organic farm, vineyard, and winery. Their organically-grown wine portfolio includes Roussanne/Viognier, Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon, Rosé, as well as  proprietary red blends, The Bluff, MDC and the iconic, Amicitia.

Yes,  they work tough hours and even tougher conditions but nobody has more fun doing it that the Covert Clan. It shows in their wines.     covertfarms.ca

Next  Pacific Breeze, Therapy and Spierhead.

 Pacific Breeze – Maurice Hamilton  Founder/Owner  Pacificbreezewinery.com  What started years ago as a home based hobby wine has turned out to be a very successful New Westminster based winery. Named Winery of the Year in 2010.  Pacificbreezewinery.com

Therapy Vineyards – Mike Boyd  New owner  therapyvineyards.com  At the far end of the Naramata Bench.  Very popular destination for wine fans. Come meet the new owner and hear his plans.

therapyvineyards.com

Spierhead Winery – Bill and Marina Knutson  Owners  spierheadwinery.com  Just outside Kelowna.

Spierhead makes fine Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay but they really specialize in Pinot Noir.

2016 Golden Retreat, Pinot Noir Cuvee, Pinot Noir GFV Saddle Block and standard Pinot Noir.

Rated Top 10 wineries in Canada, BC and best small wineries in Canada.    spierheadwinery.com

David Paterson – Winemaker/GM  Tantalus

Tantalus is situated on the eastern slopes of the Okanagan Valley, overlooking the shores of Lake Okanagan and Kelowna.

 

Originally known as Pioneer Vineyards, the site was first planted to table grapes in 1927 and today is known as the oldest continuously producing vineyard in British Columbia

David Paterson is a Kiwi and a Canadian, having been born in Vancouver. He received his winemaking degree from Lincoln University NZ & following time spent working in the local NZ industry he travelled the wine world gaining experience at premium wineries in Oregon, France & Australia.

David Paterson

 

He landed at Tantalus in 2009 and with seven successful vintages under his belt with the winery he took on the role of GM as well in 2016. Prior to joining Tantalus, David was working with celebrated South Australian producer Henschke Cellars. 

As such he got to work the vineyards at the world famous Hill of Grace.  Riesling has always been the leader at Tantalus however, through  David’s guidance Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Blanc de Noir have caught our attention.  www.tantalus.ca 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Hester Creek

Moon Cursor

Bob Blue – Bonterra/1000 Stories (Bourbon Barrel Aged Zin)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 18th, 2017

hello

Meet the new tribute person at Meyer Family Vineyards..

Plus we talk Fort Berens, Canadian Whisky and Taylor Fladgate.

The SHOW

JAK Meyer/Donovan Tildesley

In 2008, JAK and Janice Meyer launched the release of their inaugural Chardonnay at a reception held at the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design. The 2006 single vineyard Chardonnay from their estate vineyard on “Old Main Road” in Naramata commemorated the beginning of their “Tribute Series” Chardonnay.

The “Tribute Series” is dedicated to a Western Canadian or organization for an outstanding achievement in their field and as a way of encouraging or honouring the legacies of these Canadians, JAK and Janice will make a contribution toward a not-for profit foundation, endowment or scholarship on behalf of the honouree.

Over the last decade, Meyer has paid tribute to the following Canadian individuals & organizations through the launch of their “Tribute Series” Chardonnay: Emily Carr, Bill Reid, Steve Yzerman, Kenny McLean, Sonja Gaudet, Winnifred Mary Stewart, Kelly Hrudey, Hawksworth Young Chef Scholarship and in 2014, JAK’s parents Art & Viv Meyer.

Their 2016 vintage marks the eleventh “Tribute Series” Chardonnay; and this year Meyer is proud to recognize Donovan Tildesley, accomplished blind Paralympic swimmer.

 

Donovan’s career highlights include a Bronze medal at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, five Golds and one Silver medal at the 2002 IPC World Championships, 2 Silvers and one Bronze medal at the 2004 Athens Paralympics, and a Bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics where he was also named flag bearer for Team Canada. In 2012,

Donovan Tildesley

JAK & Janice Meyer will donate $5,000 in Donovan’s name to The Foundation Fighting Blindness, Canada’s largest not for profit donor to researching cures for retinal diseases.

The funds will be earmarked to the “Dr. Robert K Koenekoop Ocular Genetics Laboratory” for research into cures for Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) which is the eye condition affecting Donovan.

Meyer produced 697 cases of the 2016 “Tribute Series” Chardonnay and even went to the lengths of including braille on the label..

To purchase this wine or other newly released Meyer wines, visit them online at www.MFVwines.com

Rolf de Bruin Fort Berens co-founder

I found Rolf on his way  from the home base in Lillooet to Whistler and Cornucopia. He was about to debut 2015 Red Gold..his sensational blend that is the flagship of FB.

43% Cab Franc/31 Cab Sauv/26% Merlot.

And 28% of the Cab Franc was made passimento style. Those grapes were air dried until they were like raisins. Then they were allowed to ferment and become Red Gold.  Many of the same properties and components as Amaretto. Price is around $45.00.  Loved this  blend.

Rolf and I also talk about their Reisling, Pinot Gris and the bagfull of awards theyve won this year.

Rolfs partner in life and wine is Heleen Pannekoek.

www.fortberens.ca

Davin de Kergommeaux Canadian Whisky (The New Portable Expert) Second Edition

This fully updated and revised edition of the award-winning Canadian Whisky invites you on a journey across Canada and back through time to discover the story of this unique spirit. Independent whisky expert Davin de Kergommeaux weaves a passionate  narrative, beginning with the substance of Canadian whisky—grains, water, and wood—and details the process of how it’s made and how to taste it. He traces the fascinating history of the country’s major distilleries and key visionaries, and introduces the present-day players—big and small—who are shaping the industry through both tradition and innovation.

Davin de Kergommeaux

Davin de Kergommeaux is an independent expert who has been writing, talking, and teaching about whisky in all its forms and flavours for two decades. He is the world’s leading authority on Canadian whisky, and has been called “Canada’s unofficial whisky ambassador” as well as being named one of the most influential Canadians in Food and Drink by The Globe and Mail in 2016.

He is a former contributing editor to Whisky Magazine, and has contributed to or co-authored eight other books about whisky, spirits, and cocktails.

He now writes full-time, and is regularly featured in many websites and publications, including Whisky Advocate.

De Kergommeaux is the founder and chairperson of the prestigious Canadian Whisky Awards  which takes place at the Victoria Whisky Festival every January and publishes comprehensive tasting notes on his website, www.canadianwhisky.org

Cynthia Opsal Canadian Brand Manager  for Taylor Fladgate Partnership.

The feature regions at the 2018 VanWineFest are Spain and Portugal.

This year Taylor Fladgate is celebrating 325 years of being in the port wine business. Their   inception was 1692.  It’s a family owned business, never having been sold nor being a publicly traded company, still in the hands of descendents of the original families.   Obviously a unique business having weathered centuries of politics, governments, wars, etc.  The represent the very best of Portuguese craft.

Taylor 325  Reserve Tawny Port is a special edition and once it’s gone, it’s done.  So the collector aspect is very much there and the bottle shape is beautiful with historical ties to it.  On the nosedry fruit, figs, plums, pears, Christmas spice. In the mouth, Toffee, Gingerbread, layers of everything.

 It makes for a great holiday gift idea.

Cynthia fills us in on Taylors 10-20-30-40 and 50 year old tawny, on the Century of Port Box set (Thats the 10 to 40 half bottles totaling 100 years)

Much to talk about..and keeping the Holidays and VanWineFest in mind..lots of good ideas here.

http://www.taylor.pt/en/catalogue/port-wine/very-old/325th-anniversary/325th-anniversary/

www.taylor.pt/

 

 

STORIES WERE WORKING ON:

The Okanagan Table Rod Butters

(he doesn’t know it yet)

Christine Coletta

Moon Curser

November 11th, 2017 – Whistlers Cornucopia & Vancouver Wine Festival

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Updates on Whistler’s Cornucopia and VanWineFest 2018 plus Kristian Eligh finds his “inner Chef”

And Part Two of our Pinot Noir special.

THE SHOW

 

Whistler’s Cornucopia Food and Wine Festival

 Samantha Rahn is the Wine Director at Araxi Restaurant in Whistler, former Sommelier of the Year and now Cornucopia Ambassador.

Who better to talk to about the annual gathering in Whistler?

Samantha Rahn – Araxi

The festival started on Thursday but Sam and I will let you know what happens this weekend and all next week and into next weekend.

One of the best things about Cornucopia is it attracts really good wines, winemakers and all the best industry experts AND it’s in Whistler.

So..do the drive up. Park THE CAR and walk to the tastings and dinners. Perf!!

 

www.whistlercornucopia.com

https://www.araxi.com

Samantha Rahn (@SamanthaRahnGC) · Twitter

 

Harry Hertscheg – VanWineFest Executive Director

Sid Cross and Harry Hertscheg

Just in time for Christmas!

Advance tickets are on sale for the 2018 Vancouver International Wine Festival until December 15th.

Festival kicks off February 24th and wraps up March 4.

177 wineries.

16 countries

Featured regions are Spain and Portugal.

1 in 3 wineries from those countries are new to Vancouver.

Harry explains where the savings are right now and especially what getting a Gold Pass means.

(Access to 6 tastings. Delta Lounge. Festival VIP Reception)

If you paid for all of them it would be $721.00   The Gold Pass right now is only $480.00

So much to talk about with Harry –  Have a listen and make your plans.

https://vanwinefest.ca/

Chef Kristian Eligh –  Brown’s Culinary Development Chef

 

Kristian Eligh

We met when Kristian was working side by side with David Hawksworth in the Hawksworth and Nightingale kitchens and then on the road as the lead chef during the Hawksworth Young Chefs Scholarship Competition.

Kristian is acknowledged as a top flight chef – one of the very best. He also had the best hair!

I admit I was amazed when Kristian walked away from the nightly buzz of Hawksworth to become the Culinary Development Chef for the  Browns Social Houses.  Currently 62. Soon to be 65 restaurants!

 

The conversation starts with my first question “what went into your thinking about moving from such different kitchens and programs?”  His answer was from the Chef Dino Renaerts Play Book.

My second question was “how did you change the menu and what were your “stars”?”

Chef also walks us through their new Winter menu and spills the beans on their new location at The Queen E Plaza.

 

http://brownssocialhouse.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Pinot Noir Celebration Part 2

Ran out of room on last week’s show..here are the final interviews.

3 Pinot makers and a top shelf wine guy.

Luke Smith – Howling Bluff

Andy Johnson – Averill Creek

Bryant Mao – Wine Director  Hawksworth/Nightingale

Gustav Allander – Foxtrot

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Rolf de Bruin  – Fort Berens.  The awards stack up

JAK Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards. 2 new chards.

Donovan Tildsley – Meyer Tribute Chardonnay

Davin de Kergomeaux – Canadian Whisky (The Book)

 

November 4th, 2017 – The Judgement & a Pinot Party!

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Two Stories.  The Judgement of BC and BC Pinot Noir Celebration.

With a cast of All-Stars.

 

 

 THE SHOW

 

The Judges visit Tinhorn

 

It’s the third annual Judgement  of BC.  Presented by Wines of BC

12 from around the World and 12 from BC. Poured head to head to see where BC stands in comparison.

This year we tasted the two most grown  varietals in BC  Pinot Gris and Merlot

 

12 BC Wines against 12 acknowledged global benchmarks. We are proud to announce BC’s Checkmate Black Rook Merlot 2013 from the Okanagan Valley ranked first among the flight of Merlot, and Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2016 from Marlborough, New Zealand came out on top for the flight of Pinot Gris with BC placing third, fifth and sixth.

Hosted by the BC Wine Institute, and curated by celebrated Vancouver wine expert and Director of Wine at NewDistrict.ca DJ Kearney, the Judgment of BC third edition event took place last Friday in Summerland, during which 22 international and national wine judges tasted and ranked 24 wines.

The Judges

So much to talk about..

Each judge had to set aside the style of Pinot Gris that they preferred and just start fresh.

And the merlot judging has big bold dark fruit go head to head..with no sign of  lighter style.

One esteemed judge could only identify  2 BC wines out of 24 in a blind tasting.  The mind and palette play tricks on you.

 

Guests include:

 DJ Kearney – New District.ca

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine

Richard Hemming  – Master of Wine

Sid Cross – Food and Wine Educator and judge

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Expert

Michaela Morris – Wine Expert

And Yours Truly

 

Here are the results…

PINOT GRIS RESULT ORDER

  1. Kim Crawford Pinot Gris 2016 | Marlborough, New Zealand | 13% | $19.49
  2. Domaine Zind Humbrecht Pinot Gris Turkheim 2014 | Alsace, France | 13% | $41.00
  3. 50thParallel Pinot Gris 2016 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 13.5% | $19.90
  4. King Estates Pinot Gris 2015 Willamette Valley, Oregon | 13.5% | $26.49
  5. Gray Monk Pinot Gris 2015 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 13.4% | $16.99
  6. Arrowleaf Cellars Pinot Gris 2016 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 13.9% | $20.99
  7. Pfaff Steinert Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2012 | Alsace, France |13.5% | $30.99
  8. Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio Vigneti del Dolomiti IGT 2015 | Italy | 12.5% | $25.99
  9. Blue Grouse Estate Pinot Gris 2016 | Vancouver Island, BC | 13.5% | $22.00
  10. Haywire Switchback 2015 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 13.6% | $26.99
  11. Poplar Grove Pinot Gris 2016 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 13.1% | $16.99
  12. Santa Margarita Pinot Grigio Valdadige DOC 2016 | Italy | 12.5% | $19.99

 

MERLOT RESULT ORDER

  1. CheckMate Black Rook Merlot 2013 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 14.4% | $85.00
  2. Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot 2013 | Napa Valley, California | 14.5% | $63.99
  3. La Stella Maestoso 2012 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 14.6% | $90.00
  4. Sterling Merlot 2013 | Napa Valley, California | 14.2% | $29.99
  5. Château Haut Carles 2010 | Fronsac, Bordeaux, France | 15% | $64.99
  6. McIntyre Heritage Reserve Merlot Ardua 2012 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 15.5% | $80.00
  7. Casa Lapostolle Cuvée Alexandre Apalta Vineyard 2012 | Colchagua, Chile | 14.5% | $33.99
  8. Burrowing Owl Merlot 2014 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 14.8% | $30.00
  9. Intersection Merlot Silica 2013 | Okanagan Valley, BC | 14.8% | $29.00
  10. Charles Smith The Velvet Devil Merlot 2015 | Washington State | 13.5% | $19.99
  11. Château de Ferrand 2011 | Saint-Emilion Grand Cru, Bordeaux, France | 14% | $51.99
  12. Culmina Merlot 2014 | Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC | 14% | $35.00

 

 

http://www.winebc.com/judgment-bc

Pinot Party. Christine Coletta & Curtis Krouzel

The BC Pinot Noir Celebration.  Linden Gardens,  Kaleden, BC

The fourth annual BC Pinot Noir Celebration brought  together 34 of the province’s best Pinot Noir producers to celebrate the varietal that is defining the region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More than 300 guests  sipped, swirled and discovered the nuances of BC’s Pinot Noirs on Saturday, August 19th at Linden Gardens  in Kaleden. The event paves the way for provincial, national and international recognition of BC Pinot Noirs as a wine of excellence.

There were lively breakout sessions, special key note speaker with special keynote speaker Master of Wine Richard Hemming.

Pairing only the best foods were  Cameron Smith & Dana Ewart from Joy Road Catering, Alex Sielmann  from Frog City Café, former Okanagan Chef Matt Batey  & Mike Bernardo from Vij’s and Sutra in Victoria.

 

 

Our guests include:

 Barb and Iain Phillip – Wine Experts

Chris Turyk – Unsworth

Jak Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards

Christine Coletta – Haywire and OK Crush Pad

Thorsten Allander – Foxtrot

Doug Reimer – Mirabel

Leslie d’Andrea – Noble Ridge

Jeff Martin – La Frenz

Curtis Krouzel – 50th Parallel

DJ Kearney – with the wrap.

 

We couldn’t fit everyone in.

So next week we’ll complete the story with…

Andy Johnson – Averill Creek

Luke Smith – Howling Bluff

Bryant Mao – Hawksworth

Gustav Allender – Foxtrot

 www.bcpinotnoir.ca 

  

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Canadian Whisky

Okanagan Crush Pad

Fort Berens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

October 28th, 2017- Napa Wildfires… how we can help.

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Liam Mayclem[/caption]

 

He’s been hosting fundraising events in the Bay area and gives us an update on what conditions are like in Napa/Sonoma and what we can do to help those in need…

There’s a huge fundraiser coming up next week before American Thanksgiving called ChefsGiving… and all the restaurants will be donating portions of their take.

 

 

I’m hoping Vancouver’s culinary teams would consider doing the same.

www.redwoodcu.org/northbayfirerelief

https://www.facebook.com/chefsgiving/

https://twitter.com/chefsgiving

 

Chef Kristian Eligh

Kristian Eligh. Browns Social House

Kristian went from being the right-hand guy for Chef David Hawksworth and 5-star dining to being the Culinary Development Chef at the ever-expanding Browns SocialHouse Group.

One job required focused exacting fine dining and the other demanded consistent menu choices across 60 plus restaurants and 60 plus chefs/kitchens.

Both tough jobs. That’s why He’s the Guy!!

Kristian takes us through what is required for that many culinary teams to get it right…the first time.

And what he’s brought to the menu that was a hit from day one.

He also has the best hair in food. No.  Not in food but in the food world!  Sorry!

www.brownssocialhouse.com

Pouring multiple wines from Planeta and Boutinot.

and we finally get to air a two label pour that happened when we still had SUMMER.

The location was Cinara..great small Italian bistro in the  300 block Pender.  http://cinara.ca/

The bar was completely filled with bottles from Planeta and Boutinot.

The tasting was the brainchild of The Wine Syndicate Group. http://thewinesyndicate.ca/

Pouring and talking about Planeta are

Jeff Curry and Cameron Walker – Partners at The Wine Syndicate  https://planeta.it/en/

 

And taking us through the huge story that is Boutinot is

Megan Cole.. WSET instructor and Canadian Manager for the family label.

http://www.boutinot.com/

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

  • Crisis in our restaurant industry
  • BC wines making inroad around the World
  • Winter White Wines.

 

 

October 21st 2017-InterVin/Lure/The Fighting Five

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InterVin/Lure/The Fighting Five

 

InterVin 2017 – The Gold Medal Rundown with The Wine Diva

Chef Ned Bell releases his cookbook book LURE. He wants your attention.

The Fighting Five take on The Supreme Court. I couldn’t be happier.

 

 

THE SHOW

 

Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

It’s the results of the 2017 Intervin wine awards.

 

Terry and Daenna

65 wines struck gold at the 2017-18 InterVin International Wine Awards, an intensive three-day blind tasting competition. 1,200 wines from 16 countries judged by a panel of distinguished sommeliers, wine writers and winemakers.

“The increase in gold medal winners at this year’s InterVin wasn’t a matter of our standards slipping. The overall wine quality surged, thanks to incredibly strong categories of Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Syrah,” says  Christopher Waters, editor of VINES Magazine and head judge of the InterVin International Wine Awards. “InterVin Gold Medals are awarded only those wines judged to be truly exceptional.”

 

Which is why Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva joined me to talk about the Gold Medal Winners.

Here are the top 10 wineries from this year’s competition…

 

  • Cassini Cellars 
  • Church & State
  • Wolf Blass
  • La Frenz
  • Taylor’s
  • Nk’Mip
  • Quails’ Gate
  • Peller (Niagara)
  • Inniskillin
  • Cedar Creek

 

www.winediva.ca

 www.intervin.ca

  

Chef Ned Bell    LURE.  Sustainable Seafood Recipes from the West Coast.

Every chef has a cookbook in them. Ned’s was far more than recipes and photos.

He’s on a mission.

To change our thinking on the World’s oceans and the fish and shell food in them.

He is seriously committed to holding restaurants, chefs, governments, industries and all of us accountable.

WE are the keepers of this planet and WE must make our living here sustainable.

 

Make no mistake, Ned’s also making sure that when you do buy local and sustainable he’s got the recipes to make the table rock.

It’s a really fine book and when you’re thinking about Holiday gifts, this book not only gives the owner all the info to set a great table but reminds them that we must leave the planet and its oceans as we found them for our children.

Ned is a force. On today’s show he’s also a leader, a speaker and someone who must be paid attention to.

 

 

But it’s also a book.. you know, words on paper.  Nothing that can harm you.

http://www.figure1publishing.com/book/lure/

http://www.chefsforoceans.com/

 

Shea Coulson – Represents The Fighting Five

Five small BC wineries have been granted permission to intervene by the Supreme Court of Canada in the inter-provincial shipping of liquor case R. v. Comeau. The Supreme Court will hear the case in early December 2017.

 

  1. v. Comeauis the first court case in which any winery in Canada has had an opportunity to address the legal barriers to inter-provincial shipping of Canadian wine.

 

Shea Coulson, of Coulson Litigation, will speak for 50th Parallel Estate, Liquidity Wines, Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery, Okanagan Crush Pad Winery and Painted Rock Estate Winery, who advocate on behalf of small BC wineries.

Shea Coulson

R. v. Comeau is the first court case in which any winery in Canada has had an opportunity to address the legal barriers to inter-provincial shipping of Canadian wine.

These provincially created barriers severely impede the businesses and financial viability of small wineries in British Columbia by prohibiting wineries from shipping to consumers in other provinces.

Curtis Krouzel (50th Parallel Estate), Ian MacDonald (Liquidity Wines), Jim D’Andrea (Noble Ridge Vineyard and Winery), Christine Coletta (Okanagan Crush Pad Winery), and John Skinner (Painted Rock Estate Winery) each run wineries that produce less than 50,000 cases of wine (at 12x750ml bottles) annually, and each makes wine exclusively using 100% Canadian grown grapes.

These five producers head a coalition of more than 100 small wineries from British Columbia (The Coalition of Small BC Wineries) who seek to change the law governing inter-provincial shipping of wine and liquor across Canada.

All wineries in the Coalition have limited national distribution due to inter-provincial trade barriers. These barriers pose an existential threat to small wineries, which need national distribution to build a sufficient revenue base for long-term survival. As such, the Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v. Comeau will determine the fate of the BC wine industry for decades to come.

 

 

  1. v. Comeau will also impact hundreds of other small wineries in other provinces across Canada and has the potential of opening up inter-provincial trade of Canadian liquor, and specifically “direct to consumer” selling, in every province in Canada.

“My clients’ aim is to inform the Court about the significant negative impact on small BC wineries created by inter-provincial barriers that prohibit shipment of wine to Canadians across the country, and why it is of fundamental importance to the future survival of the industry to remove these barriers.

Whichever way the Court decides, R. v. Comeau will have a monumental effect on the Canadian liquor industry and addresses questions at the heart of Canada’s federalist constitution.”

 

https://www.coulsonlitigation.com/

 

http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadas-supreme-court-to-hear-from-small-bc-wineries-650585523.html

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Napa/Sonoma Fires Update from several sources.

Chef Kristian Eligh – Brown Social House

 

October 14th, 2017-Vanessa & Victoria!

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It’s the Vanessa and Victoria Show!

Vanessa Wines and Victoria Wine Festival

THE SHOW  

 

We spend some quality time at the fourth annual Victoria Wine Festival.

It was such fun to walk these rooms and meet old friends. Discover new wines.

Pouring on the day were:

Peter Lindenlaub  Caymus Wines  (Wagner Family ) www.caymus.com

Jacques LaCoste – Co-Founder

Paul Brunner – Blue Grouse (Cowichan) www.bluegrouse.ca

Chris Turyk – Unsworth Vineyards (Cowichan)www.unsworthvineyards.com

Robert Ketchin – NZ Wine Growers (Canada) https://www.nzwine.com

Curtis McBride – 689 Wines/Killer Drop (Napa) www.689cellars.com

Katrina O’Reilly Ryan – Chayee Bourras (Argentina) http://www.bodegabourras.com.ar/

www.vicwf.com

 

 Vanessa Vineyards  (Similkameen Valley)

 This is a winery to follow.

They have made it known that Vanessa Winery will be nothing less than the best Red Wine makers in Canada.

Vanessa is making wines in a valley that looks like a Mars landscape.  Tough conditions but if the vines survive and dig deep..perfect for exceptional fruit.

Have a look at the winemaking pedigree.

The master wine maker is Howard Soon, one of the groundbreaking originals in BC Wines.

Howard Soon

 

 

His signature winery was Sandhill, where he made Small Lots offerings that became the stuff of legends.

One of the reasons he was so successful was his ability to recognize the perfect wine growing regions of The Okanagan.

 

 

One of the vineyards that Howard worked with was The Vanessa Vineyard in the Similkameen Valley.

Howard was also smart enough to work with old friends Richard Cleave and Roberts Goltz… who know the valley better than ANYBODY.

 

We talk to Howard Soon, and  co-owners Suki Sehcon and John Welson.

John Welson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is going to be a fantastic story to follow.

http://vanessavineyard.com/

(Our apologies for the audio issues on this video)
 

STORIES WE ARE WORKING ON:

  • The Wine Diva judges The Intervin Wine Awards
  • Ned Bell   Lure – The Book
  • Chef Kristian Eligh – From Hawksworth to Browns..