Tasting Room Radio

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

December 1, 2017 Imported data, Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:48

hello

The  Wines of  Bloom and Arterra Wines buy Laughing Stock

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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 

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Hester Creek

Moon Cursor

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 18th, 2017

November 16, 2017 Imported data, Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:43

hello

Meet the new “tribute” person at Meyer Family Vineyards..

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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 they’ve won this year.

Rolf’s 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 nose…dry 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 Taylor’s 10-20-30-40 and 50 year old tawny, on the Century of Port Box set.  (That’s 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/

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE 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

November 10, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:32

hello

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

And Part Two of our Pinot Noir special.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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!

November 2, 2017 Audio FIle, Imported data, Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:58

hello

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

With a cast of All-Stars.

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

 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 

  

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Canadian Whisky

Okanagan Crush Pad

Fort Berens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

October 26, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:23

hello

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

October 20, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:47

hello

InterVin/Lure/The Fighting Five

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Napa/Sonoma Fires Update from several sources.

Chef Kristian Eligh – Brown Social House

 

October 14th, 2017-Vanessa & Victoria!

October 14, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:33

hello

It’s the Vanessa and Victoria Show!

Vanessa Wines and Victoria Wine Festival

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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)
 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

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..

 

 

Tasting Room Radio Oct 7th 2017-23 floors up. A Mark Anthony Portfolio Tasting

October 5, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:42

hello

 

THE SHOW

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

It was windy and wonderful.

The invite was from The Mark Anthony Group, who distribute beautifully chosen wines to this part of the World.

Would I be interested in interviewing some of their top winemakers from around the World..on the top of the Telus Building on Georgia? Yes Please.

If you’re seeking new fresh wines and winemakers here’s some top level suggestions..

 

Dlynn Proctor – Winemaking Ambassador – Penfolds ( Australia )

Darryl Brooker – Winemaker – Mission Hill Family Estate. (BC)

David Adelsheim – Founder and Director – Adelsheim.  Willamette Valley, (Oregon)

Thibault Brotte – Export manager – Maison Brotte (France)

Vincent Thebaud – Export Director – – Brumont (France)

Rachael Watson – Canada Manager – Henkell Co. (Germany)

Johannes Hasslebach – Winemaker – Gunderloch  (Germany)

We had time to taste and talk about their wines..what were they pouring and why? Whats available in BC and what are the price points.

Several of these guests were missing harvest back home and couldn’t wait to get back but they had a  story to tell. About their wines and their home.

This was such fun.  Touring the Wine World 23 floors up. Did I mention it was Windy??

www.markanthonywineandspirits.ca

 

Thank You Aimee Williams

 

We finish the show with Hometown Blues – in memory of Tom Petty.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

  • Victoria Wine Festival
  • Planeta and Boutinot pour in Vancouver
  • Barone Ricasoli.  The oldest winery in Italy and second oldest in the World
    and where the recipe for Chianti Classico was developed. The history of
    Italian wine in a bottle.
  • Vanessa Winery raises the bar in the Similkameen
  • With winemaker Howard Soon
  • Chef Ned Bell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30th, 2017 Kamloops is not much of a wine town!!

September 29, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:50

hello

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

“Kamloops isn’t much of a wine town”

Hitting the Kamloops Wine Trail

And talking Mushrooms with Bill Jones

“Kamloops isn’t much of a wine town”.

That was the first comment I heard from my old home town when I asked 8
years ago.

Unbelievably Wrong!!

It was a great wine town but they didn’t have any investment in the wine
business.

Now they have their own wine region  (Thompson Valley) and more wineries on
the horizon.

We visit :

Harpers Trail –

The first winery. Opened in 2012.

Owners Vikki and Ed Collett take us through the years to today’s portfolio.

(their Ace-in- the-Hole is Consulting Winemaker Michael Bartier)

Ed and Vicki Collett – Owners of Harper’s Trail

They haven’t just built a winery, they’ve created a destination.

And they’re  not done yet!  More construction coming. Even better wines as
well.

harperstrail.com

Privato Winery

John and Debbie Woodward are the Proprietors  of Privato Winery.

John was a specialist in growing trees for landscaping, thus he was ready
made to do the same with vines.

Debbie is just a force!

Nobody tells the story of Kamloops and Privato better.

She’s the accountant, the marketing department  and is all over harvest and
crush time.

This year alone Privato won:

Gold – 2014 Woodward Collection Tesoro Pinot Noir – All Canadian Wine
Championships 2017

_____

Best Pinot Noir – 2012 Grande Réserve Pinot Noir – BC Best of Varietal
Awards 2017

_____

Silver – 2014 Woodward Collection Tesoro Pinot Noir – BC Best of Varietal
Awards 2017

privato.ca

Monte Creek

It’s a Ranch.  Not a winery that decided to sell itself as a ranch.

Their ranch has 65 acres of vines planted at two estate vineyards,  Monte
Creek and Lions Head,  as well as an impressive  herd of cattle, and horses.

Their fine  winemaker is Galen Barnhardt who grew up in the Shuswap region
but has travelled the World learning his craft.

One walk through this winery and you can see a serious commitment to the
future.  Great destination.

Ten minutes outside Kamloops, conveniently on the highway to The Okanagan
and Alberta.

https://www.montecreekranchwinery.com

www.kamloopswinetrail.com

Thanks to Maatje at   www.tastefullexcursions.ca
<http://www.tastefullexcursions.ca/>  for taking the class of 60 (Nor Kam)
along in such luxury.

Very well done. Wish we were going to Sun Peaks with you in January with
John Schreiner.

Bill Jones – Deerholme Farm

 

and we visit Chef/Author  Bill Jones at Deerholme Farm on Vancouver Island.
Bill wrote the book on foraging for mushrooms.

That season is almost upon us..Bill gives us a primer!

Shrooms my friends…they’re coming!

www.deerholme.com

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

  • Victoria Wine Festival
  • Planeta and Boutinot pour in Vancouver
  • A Mark Anthony Tasting featuring
  • Penfolds  (Oz)
  • Mission Hill (BC)
  • Adelsheim (Oregon)
  • Brotte Domaine Barville  (France)
  • Brumont Chateau Montus (France)
  • Gunderloch Fritz’ Riesling (Germany)
  • Henkell  (Germany)
  • Barone Ricasoli.  The  oldest winery in Italy and second oldest in the World
    and where the recipe for Chianti Classico was developed. The history of
    Italian wine in a bottle.
  • Vanessa Winery raises the bar in the Similkameen
  • With winemaker Howard Soon

September 23rd, 2017- Top Drop Vancouver!

September 21, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:51

hello

Its Top Drop Vancouver 2017.  Kurtis Kolt presents his 4th annual gathering of small, hands on wineries who are passionate about their craft.

“The Most Awesome Wine Event of the Year” – Vancouver Magazine

And the bad boys of smoke,  Park and George from Memphis Blues BBQ bring the do’s and don’ts  of BBQ.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

THE SHOW

  

Top Drop 2017

 Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

Embarking on its fourth year, Top Drop Vancouver was a two day trade and consumer event being held at the Roundhouse in Yaletown and various Vancouver restaurants  bringing together a collection of small, hands on wineries, craft breweries, cideries and food purveyors who are passionate about their craft.  Their  focus is terroir-influenced, handcrafted wines, and the people behind them.

 

This is what Top Drop “believes”

 

TDM and Kurtis

 

– They believe in the importance in farming one’s own fruit and/or being constantly engaged with grape-growers to ensure sustainability and a high   standard of viticultural practices.

-They  believe in wines that reflect their vintage, and wines that aren’t suffocated by vinicultural trickery.

-They believe in winemaking decisions that are made by a winemaker, and not by a board of directors or marketing team.

– They believe in those who take chances.

-They believe these kinds of wines, honest wines of integrity, need a time and place to have their story told.

– They also believe craft beer, cider, along with authentic and sustainable produce, dairy, meat and seafood are part of the same                conversation, which is why they’re proud to showcase some of our best in those areas.

 

We stopped at four seminars:

 

Stranger Things –  (Wildebeest)  Wineries that have stuck their necks out to share something unique with the World. Some of the strangest wines of Top Drop 2017.

 Herdade do Esporão – Alentejo, Portugal  (Pedro Vieira)

Vina Falerina – Elqui Valley Chile   (Paulo Flessati.  Winery Family)

Fattoria Colmone Della Marca  Marche Italy  (Giovanni Meschine. Owner)

Masseria Li Veli – Puglia, Italy  (Giuseppe Gullo, Manager)

 All About Bubble – (Chambar)

Okanagan Crush Pad –  Summerland  ( Christine Coletta co-owner)

Organics and Biodynamics (L’Abbitoir)

(The Brothers Pender)

Tawse Winery – Niagara Escarpment  ( Paul Pender, Winemaker)

Little Farm Winery – Similkameen Valley, BC  ( Rhys Pender MW, Co-Owner/Winegrower)

Of Grape and Site (Cin Cin)

What did the winemaker see in the site, the blend, or the clone that compelled them to make at least two different expressions of the same grape? 

Shane Taylor – Sommelier of the Year (Cin Cin)

ShaneTaylor Cin Cin

Synchromesh Wines – Okanagan Falls, BC.  ( Alan Dickinson, Owner/Winemaker/Farmer)

Bachelder – Burgundy/Oregon/Ontario  (Thomas Bachelder, Winemaker)

Thomas Bachelder – Top Drop

Cambria Estate Vineyard and Winery – Santa Maria Valley, California  (Denise Shurtleff, Winemaker)

Many thanks to Kurtis Kolt for the support and congratulations for 4 years of spectacular growth!!  Top Drop Vancouver,
proudly supporting the B.C. Hospitality Foundation.

(NEXT TOP DROP MAY 17TH 2018)

www.topdropvancouver.com

 

Instagram:

@TopDropYVR

Twitter:

@TopDropYVR

Facebook:

TopDropVancouver

 

 

BBQ  – Do’s and Don’ts

Park Heffelfinger and George Siu  Co-owners of Memphis Blues BBQ.

 

George Siu and Park-Heffelfinger

These guys are not just in the BBQ business..they live it and  breath it.

They talk smoke like some talk wine.

And speaking of wine..their drink menu includes some of the best pairing wines, a great list of bourbons, beer  and whiskey.

Park and George make BBQ fun!!  The boys walk and talk us through the do’s and don’ts of Q.  It’s a Master Class in smoke!!

Multiple locations in BC and Alberta.

January 1999 George Siu and Park Heffelfinger  had a stopover in Memphis while flying from New Orleans. Lunch was a Pulled Pork Sandwich, and it was love at first bite.

Since then, they have attended the World Barbecue Championships in Memphis where they conducted extensive research. They were able to reproduce the recipes at home, and decided to bring Authentic Southern barbeque to Canada.

http://www.memphisbluesbbq.com/

 

 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | RSS

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Victoria Wine Festival

Planeta and Boutinot pour in Vancouver

A Mark Anthony Tasting featuring

Penfolds  (Oz)

Mission Hill (BC)

Adelsheim (Oregon)

Brotte Domaine Barville  (France)

Brumont Chateau Montus (France)

Gunderloch Fritz’ Riesling (Germany)

Henkell  (Germany)

Kamloops Wine Trail

Barone Ricasoli.  The  oldest winery in Italy and second oldest in the World
and where the recipe for Chianti Classico was developed. The history of
Italian wine in a bottle