Weekly Show

February 4th, 2017 – Superbowl Weekend!

February 3, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:39

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Jason Priestley, Glen Suitor TSN Football Analyst, George Siu Memphis Blues BBQ, Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole Fox Sports One and DJ Kearney all have suggestions for food, wine and Super bowl party tricks

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THE SHOW

It’s Super Bowl Weekend..a readymade excuse to eat, drink and gather with friends and family.

Even if you could care less who’s playing..there’s always a nice buzz around the day.

So, I’ve asked friends – who know this area of expertise very well – to talk about their food and wine plans..where they’re watching the game itself and if they have any suggestions for us.

 

Jay and Dan – Fox Sports One/LA

We know them as Jay and Dan..first with TSN and now with Fox Sports One in LA.

Jay and Dan

Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole are friends on the air and off. They know their sports and their comedy.

Let’s see what they know about Super Sunday dining and drinks..and where will they be. We found them in their cars heading for work at Fox studios.

These boys bring the laughs… always have, always will.  They also have your betting line nailed down.. www.jayanddan.com

 

 

 Memphis Blues BBQ

Park Heffelfinger and George Siu are the owners of Memphis Blues BBQ House..

George Siu and Park-Heffelfinger

You’ll usually find then at their Broadway location or the one on /Commercial..there are lots of others but these two shops have a special “lived in” feel.

Super Sunday will find them crazy busy before first light..people just keep coming for Elvis platters and mounds of ribs and pulled pork..it’s a wild place to be around Super Bowl.

 

I asked Park and George about what people are looking for in their food and especially their drinks.. Don’t let the down home smoke house fool you… these guys are all over their drink lists..always changing wines and beers and bourbons..they’re serious about getting things right.

And as always…funny as hell.  www.memphisbluesbbq.com

 

Jason Priestley you know..he may not be the biggest NFL fan but nobody throws a better party..Hollywood party people.

Jason Priestley

 

Glen Suitor – Suits – was a hell of a defensive back in his playing days. He’s gone on to become the leading colour analyst for TSN  CFL Coverage.  He really knows his wines..and his football.

Suits

DJ Kearney is everywhere.  Director of wine at NewDistrict.ca, high level martial arts athlete and the person who usually is last one

DJ Kearney

out the door and shuts off the lights after the gathering. She has wines for your weekend food and throws in some wines for Valentine’s day.  www.newdistrict.ca

 

and we finish with Frank Gigliotti.  A West Coast legend who’s been a rock label rep, ran the BC Lions, then started making wines – for real – at California Cult Classics.

Frank Gigliotti

It’s a private wine club. You buy into a barrel of high end wine from Napa and it’s yours and no one else’s.

He only uses the two best growers in Napa.  Beckstoffer and Stagecoach.

Grapes are picked at 3am and driven directly to Vancouver..we’re talking great juice.

Finally Frank has been convinced to start a winery – Infinity. It’s TWO YEARS away but this is a label you want to know about.

Top level wines are coming my friends.

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STORIES WERE WORKING ON

3 one hour specials on the Vancouver Wine Festival

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 28th, 2017 Jane Ferrari: Voice of Yalumba!

January 26, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:43

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Jane Ferrari – Voice of Yalumba and Oz

West Chef Quang Dang – goes full truffle

Discover North Van’s Tour de Feast

BRBN from Okanagan Spririts

Jane Ferrari – Heart and Soul of Yalumba   

 

 Meeting Jane Ferrari is unforgettable. Her job title at Yalumba is multifaceted. She is a storyteller, a communicator, a brand ambassador, a legend. Spend an hour with Jane and you’ll find out more about the heritage and culture of Yalumba and the Barossa than most locals learn in a lifetime.

A winemaking graduate from Roseworthy College, Jane joined Yalumba in 1987 and has thrived as promotions manager, wine room manager, storyteller and today is their  wine communicator at large. Her role brings to life the Yalumba story.  In 2004, Jane was announced as the recipient of the Wyndham Hill Smith Award in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to Yalumba. This was followed in 2013 by Yalumba’s highest honour – Jane was named Signatory for Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2010.

Wine Communicators of Australia named Jane Ferrari its 2012 Wine Communicator of the Year for her long-term effort in the global promotion and education of not only Yalumba, but Australian wine in general.

She’s a complete gem!!

jane ferrari (@barossasaint) | Twitter

https://www.yalumba.com/

 West Executive Chef: Quang Dang  – BC Truffle Festival and other stuff

Hunter. Gatherer. Forager. It takes a very unique and highly trained specialist from these parts to unearth a prize like the elusive British Columbia truffle. Enter Dexter – the dog who’s a chef’s best friend in more ways than one. Trained by forager Brooke Fochuk, he’s one of only a couple of four-legged friends in the province who can sniff out these prized nuggets and deliver the bounty of the rainforest floor to the table.
Executive Chef Quang Dang knows a few things about foraging too. When he’s not in the kitchen, he’s likely to be found on a farm or a boat and following Mother Nature’s lead for what’s in season – from hazelnuts to spot prawns. Chef Quang’s passion for all things local is at the heart of  West Restaurants’ philosophy, and the perfect muse to celebrate Dexter’s forest finds in partnership with the Truffle Association of British Columbia. Running from February 4th to 6th, the second annual B.C. Truffle Festival brings together experts from all fields in the industry, and culminates with the best of food and wine. At West, the dinner runs to five delicious courses.

 

Quang Dang West

“We live in such an amazing part of the world – we have the bounty of the land and sea at our backdoor,” says Chef Quang.

“This truffle season is one of the best we’ve had yet, according to Brooke and Dexter. I’m really excited to work with such an array of prized B.C. grown products, from Mediterranean Perigords to Oregon Black and Winter White truffles. This will be the first multi-course B.C. truffle dinner that showcases such distinctive flavour profiles amongst a number of varieties.”

http://westrestaurant.com/

http://www.bctruffles.ca/Home/Festival

www.bctruffles.ca

http://www.bctruffles.ca/

 

Chef Dhruv Jhanjee from North Vancouver’s Tour de Feast.

Chef /Patron  DJ (dhruv jhanjee) originally from India , after hotel school left for the states to hone and learn French and eclectic cuisine.

He  trained in some of the finest restaurants in Charleston (sc) , Michelin starred Daniel in NYC ,as well as Relaix Chateaux Woodlands Inn in Savannah (sc).

Chef Dhruv Jhanjee Tour de Feast

On coming to Canada in 2009 he went on to train at db bistro and Lumeire , before joining Four seasons hotel , where he further honed his skills.

In 2012 , at age 26 he opened Tour De Feast in an industrial area of North Vancouver  with modest means , putting forward the food over ambience. The support of his family has been the driving force in the continued success of the restaurant .

 

 

 

The essence of the restaurant is casual and relaxed  ,where in you are greeted by the family members , but the food is very thoughtful and serious as it shown on the plate.

 

tourdefeast.com/

 

 

Tyler Dyck – CEO of Okanagan Spirits

 Okanagan Spirits  is Western Canada’s oldest craft distillery spanning over a decade in the production of award-winning B.C. spirits. Internationally acclaimed as North America’s only designated World Class Distillery, their  portfolio includes a range of spirits from  (Eau de Vie) as well as  Whiskey, Single Malt, Vodka and Gin plus Canada’s first genuine Absinthe.

 

Tyler was  at the Victoria Whiskey Festival to talk specifically about BRBN, their take on Bourbon.

 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Van Wine Fest  – all star primer on Live from Railtown

Hour One from VanWineFest – all BC Wineries

Hour Two  From VanWineFest – Ontario and  Nova Scotia

 

 

 

 

January 21st, 2017 – Dine Out Vancouver!

January 20, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:40

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Once again, Dine Out Vancouver has kicked  off in Vancouver until Feb 5

Here’s a Primer on how the whole thing works..and we do it in Railtown!!

Featuring Railtown Grill, The Uncommon Café, The Settlement Building and Pidgin (in Gastown)

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THE SHOW

 

About the 15th annual  Dine Out Vancouver Festival:
Produced by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver Festival is Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink. Attracting more than 100,000 locals and visitors, the festival takes over the city with 17 days of culinary events, prix fixe menus at 280-plus restaurants (at $20, $30 or $40 price points), as well as “Dine and Stay” packages and special hotel rates. The festival promotes local and regional ingredients, the wines of British Columbia, and the city’s exceptional culinary talent.  Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2017 runs from January 20 to February 5.
dineoutvancouver.com @DineOutVanFest #dovf

 Dine Out is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to sip, sample and savour Vancouver’s array of exotic flavours (Peruvian, German, Brazilian, Italian, Greek, Ethiopian, Chinese, Japanese and East Indian, to name but a few); try new and buzz-worthy eateries  and return to locally loved haunts. This year, a number of iconic restaurants have joined the Dine Out roster for the first time, including long-standing Kitsilano treasure Bishop’s and world-renowned Vij’s.

I was given the opportunity to be part of a media tour in advance of the kick off. They kindly allowed me to pick the area of Vancouver I wanted to discover and do a show on.

Because Roundhouse Radio is located in Railtown, East of Gastown..I decided that the Railtown Experience was for me.

All of the teams  gathered at UVA Wine Bar opposite the Orpheum at 900 Seymour. The rooms were jammed with excited media and industry professionals waiting to head out into the night.      Frankly, I’m  glad I took my trusty recorder because from that point on – the night was a BLUR!!

 

 

 

 

 

In a matter of 4 hours we travelled in  a bus dressed up a as a Trolley Car and here’s where we went and who we met and interviewed.

Lucas Pavan – Coordinator of Dine Out Vancouver.  Gives us some of the history of the event and how’s its grown. What’s new and what you can expect!!

www.dineoutvancouver.com/    https://www.tourismvancouver.com/

 

Sabrine Dhaliwal –  Bar Manager and Sommelier at UVA Wine Bar.. Explains what Uva is doing for Dine Out and what she’s pouring these days. (She really  knows her stuff) and because Uva is right across from The Orpheum and Commodore Ballroom, her bar gets to pour for  people from all over the World. The question is “how many people do they get to turn on to BC wines?”    https://www.uvavancouver.com/

Sabrine Dhaliwal Uva

Bonnie Todd – Owner & Founder of Off The Eaten Track (Culinary walking tours) Bonnie specializes in talking tours to parts of the City that are outside the tourist haunts.  Neighbourhoods that people wanted to explore.  The ones  with smaller restaurants and cafes..that are interesting and informal and multi-cultural. Ones that perhaps people are nervous about or don’t have a sense of the area but were just as good as the downtown destinations.

Bonnie Todd

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started at The Railtown Café..One of my favourite food stops.

Railtown-Cafe

Bonnie fills us in on  their history, Railtown’s character  and why they have such a loyal clientele and how they have just opened their third location  downtown.

www.Offtheeatentracktours.ca

Then comes an amazing story.  The Uncommon Café at the corner of Jackson and Powell Streets..right across from Oppenheimer Park.  As I explain, it can be a tough neighbourhood so I wanted the owners Luc and Lisa Leimanis to explain how they arrived at this exact corner and an insight on the dialogue that happened with “the locals”.  It’s a Café, a cooking school and a commissary space for local small  businesses who need a kitchen.

Uncommon Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You have to be truly committed to make all this work.  They are and they do..

Luc and Lisa let us get in the kitchen to  create and bake pizza..it was wild.

PS they’re famous for their meatballs and their home cooked meals.

 

www.uncommonssary.com/

Right around the corner at 55 Dunlevy is Vancouver Urban Winery, Belgard Café and Postmark Brewing..all under the one roof called The Settlement Building.  At one time in Vancouver’s history, airplane props were added to planes there  during WW2.

 

We talk to Bonnie Todd and Frazer Rowland the Assistant Retail Manager.

 http://www.settlementbuilding.com/ 

 And we finish in Gastown at Pidgin (east/west/eat/drink)

Our host Brandon Grossutti  Owner/Operator/GM of PIDGIN

Brandon Grossutti.

350 Carrall St  Also a challenging part of town..right across from  the notorious Pigeon Park.

(they were a news item when they opened..as picketers blocked their front door..saying they represented changes in the neighbourhood that they didn’t want. The pickets have gone and Pidgin just keeps getting better)

They are famous for pushing the boundaries of Asian food..with a French plate sense.

Plus, when you sit down, they just bring the share plates..we went through 9 courses..

This was a  fabulous food experience.. Send your friends or better yet, go with them..

 

pidginvancouver.com

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

DJ Kearney, Kurtis Kolt and Rhys Pender take us through what to expect at the Vancouver Wines Festival..

And then we record 2 one hour specials at the Fesatival.

Canada is the feature region and we’ll be knee deep in Canuck wines..

 

January 14th, 2017 – Fastest line-up in Victoria: Pagliaccis!

January 13, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:40

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We’re talking Whiskey (and spirits)!!

Guests include Solomon Siegel from Pagliacci’s and JP Wiser’s Master Blender Dr  Don Livermore!

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THE SHOW

 

Solomon Siegel – Pagliacci’s (Victoria)

 

Full disclosure!!  I have limited knowledge of whiskey and spirits.
During my teen years, my brother Denis and I would travel with the Kamloops Rube Band.  Mostly guys who were in their mid-late 20’s and early 30’s and light years away from me as drinkers.

When we travelled I tried to keep up with the big boys and failed miserably.

It didn’t help that they all seemed to like Lemon Gin.. which curled my toes and caused numbness of the brain.

Thus, when I moved on I left spirits and whiskey behind.

I was far more comfortable with wine and Tasting Room Radio was born.

However, It’s important on Tasting Room  to include everyone in the drinks business and this show is my small way of paying attention.

 

We start with Solomon Siegel, GM of the legendary Pags in Victoria. His Father Howie helped to create this fabulous place.

When I walk into Pagliacci’s on Broad St, I’m transported back to the 1950’s in Brooklyn.

It has a tremendous vibe going on. Autographed photos of all the great baseball stars, signed photos and posters from everyone  Etta James to Louis Armstrong and his band on their tour bus.

The level of conversation in this room is unparalleled.  A buzz few can rival.

The food is involved and delish… huge portions..and now,  with Solly’s smarts,  a wine and drink list that’s really good.

I needed someone to school me on spirits and the new cocktail nation and Solly’s the guy.

Solomon talks me through his new cocktail menu and then the wines and what he pairs with them.

It also helps that he knows Dr Don Livermore our second guest.

www.pagliaccis.ca/

Dr. Don Livermore – Master Blender JP Wiser’s Union 52

 Wiser’s Union 52. It’s exclusive to BC and it’s very limited edition. Created by the Master Blender himself, Dr. Don Livermore. Their  master blender connected  their very  last barrel of 52 year old highland malt scotch with their finest 16 year old Canadian whiskey, resulting in a rich smooth blend. A union of new and old world styles. On the nose, notes of toffee,  sourdough bread, green apples and mesquite. In the mouth Union 52 begins with honey  rich vanilla and smoke.

Dr Don Livermore

 

They made 4386 bottles.

Its fermented, distilled and aged separately then blended.

AND its only available in BC.

Dr Don and I talk Union 52, Wiser’s and whiskey in general.

It’s a Master Class from a Master Blender

 

 

Here’s a review from Beppi Crosariol – The Globe and Mail

 

J.P. Wiser’s Union 52, Canada

SCORE: 94 PRICE: $69.99

“A one-time-only release, Union 52 is as uncommon as whisky gets. A blend of mostly Canadian whisky, matured for 15 years in new-oak barrels, it features a 4-per-cent dollop of 52-year-old Highland single malt. The combination harks back to a time when Canadian blenders were regularly flavouring their whiskies with tiny quantities of imported Scotch. Full-bodied, luscious and smooth, with big caramel, toffee and vanilla flavours from new oak as well as mellow dried-fruit and chocolate characters, it then turns spicy and firm, with a subtle smoky overtone. My kind of chocolate bar. Available only in British Columbia.”

http://www.jpwisers.com/ca/

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

Dine Out Vancouver  Speed eating through Railtown

Railtown Grill/The Uncommon CAFE/The Settlement Building/Pidgin

 The annual Vancouver International Wine Festival

 

 

 

 

 

January 7th, 2017 – THE CALIFORNIANS! They’re backkk!

January 5, 2017 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 0:50:50

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Tasting Room Radio Post Banner B

 

They’re baaaack!!  THE CALIF0RNIANS!!

Cannonball/Merryvale/Lange Twins/Gloria Ferrer & St Francis and as a one off St. Urbans-Hof

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The SHOW

cali vineyards

Once a year our winemaking friends in California pack up the latest releases and tour “up North”

Canada is one of their very best customers and it’s their way of thanking us, with a gentle reminder that California wines are always out there.

Like a wet hug on a dry day.

Here’s the line – up…

Cannonball/Angels and Cowboys  –  Yoav Gilat(Founder/CEO)  Healdsburg

 CANNONBALL WINE CO logo type-01-1519x575

A&C 2012 RED FRONT-689x638

The Cannonball dive is a dive for the people.  It doesn’t discriminate against body type, race, religion, political affiliation, social status, or fashion sense.  And if you’ve never done a Cannonball then you’d better just shut down this computer, go find a body of water, and dive in!  When you’re jumping into the water on a beautiful summer day, with nothing on your mind except leaping high, balling up tight, and making a splash that is going to get as many people wet as possible, that moment you’re in the air might be the best feeling you can have with your swimsuit on.

Cannonball exists because of 2 founding partners – Yoav Gilat and Dennis Hill.  Visionary Yoav brims with more energy than a speeding hummingbird as he oversees the entire Cannonball operation. He brings 20 years of experience in consumer goods and beverages and fell in love with Sonoma and Mendocino when providing strategy/marketing to Blackstone Winery. Fed up with the over-priced, stuffy wine scene, Yoav made it his mission to produce a range of “serious wines that don’t take themselves too seriously”.  He wants you to enjoy the expertly crafted wines whilst being transported back to a time when the only point in life was to have fun. “Dive in and share a splash”. This explains the concept behind the packaging and brand.

Pssst! If you find Angels and Cowboys Rose..buy it. Buy it all.. it’s that good.

www.drinkcannonball.com 

www.angelsandcowboyswines.com

 

Merryvale/Starmont – Rene Schlatter (Owner/CEO) St Helena

 MVV-logo-brandview

Right across the street from Taylor’s Refresher (now called Gott’s) is Merryvale.  1000 Main Street  St Helena

Rene Schlatter and his ever growing family have created wines that get better and better each year.

What started as award winning  Merryvale wines has now grown to a second label Starmont.

 rene

A native of Switzerland, René has lived in the U.S. since 1987.  Since taking the helm of the company in 2008, René has made significant contributions to Merryvale’s sales, marketing, finance, vineyard acquisitions and farming improvements — with particular focus and interest in the quality and expression of each individual wine and vintage.

In recognition of the success of the business, Wine Enthusiast magazine honored René with its prestigious “Person of the Year” Award in 2011.Presented at its Annual Wine Star Awards, the magazine included these comments: “Since 2008, the president of Napa’s Merryvale Vineyards has pioneered green initiatives while preserving the winery’s family legacy and excellence in producing Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.”

“I enjoy drinking wines from all over the world – Bordeaux, Burgundy, Tuscany, Switzerland and, Napa Valley. No matter what the origin I look for purity of fruit, personality, character and a sense of place. For a wine to be great it must stand the test of time.”

http://www.merryvale.com/

Lange Twins  –  Joseph Lange  (International sales/family member)  Lodi

LangeTwins-Feat-Img-e1416585148572

Notes from Randall and Brad Lange

During the 1870’s  Great-Grandparents, Johann and Maria Lange, settled in Lodi and began a family farm growing non-irrigated watermelons with their son, Grandpa Albert. The farm grew year over year and by 1916 they had the  family’s first grape-ranch. It was on this ranch where their  dad, Harold, was born in 1920.

Grandpa and Dad’s farm expanded to include the River Ranch and the DeVries Road Ranch, where the family was raised. They  continued the tradition of working the vineyards and in 1974  decided to farm on our own. It was an exciting time for them because as they grew their business, their  family grew as well. Both married (Randall to Charlene and Brad to Susan) and by 1982 the fifth generation was here! Between our families we have five kids — Marissa, Aaron, Philip, Kendra and Joe.

As the kids grew up on the River Ranch they developed an appreciation for winegrowing by working summers and harvest . After college they each decided to come back to the family farm, so they took the next step and built a winery in 2006.

Today they all have unique responsibilities within the winery and viticulture teams, continuing their agricultural roots and growing their winery and wine brands. As fifth generation winegrowers they look forward to working with the sixth!

LangeTwinsFamilysm

www.langetwins.com

Gloria Ferrer – Juan Furne  (President  Friexenet Atlantic)

GloriaFerrer[1]

Back in the early 80’s there were only a handful of winegrowers planting Pinot Noir in Carneros. And yet, the Ferrer Family knew the key to a world-class méthode champenoise wine would be Pinot Noir.

The Gloria Ferrer winemaking team’s quest for perfection takes them to Champagne where they manage to acquire Pinot Noir and Chardonnay clones.

Gloria Ferrer is not only the first sparkling wine house in Sonoma Carneros, but also the first to plant Champagne clones and the first to plant in Carneros.

Almost thirty years later, with 335 acres under vine, the estate vineyards at Gloria Ferrer produce Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that rival some of the world’s finest.

www.gloriaferrer.com

 

St Francis  – Chris Silva (President/CEO)  Sonoma

chris-silva-04

Fifth-generation Sonoma County native, Christopher Silva is firmly rooted in Sonoma County agriculture. He was raised in a family of Petaluma dairy farmers, and nine years after graduating from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, he retired from practicing law to join St. Francis Winery. At the age of 38, he became President & CEO of St. Francis in 2003. He understands firsthand that a farmer’s footprint and intimate knowledge of the soil, microclimates and terroir of the region are the most important ingredients for healthy vines.

As President & CEO of St. Francis Winery & Vineyards, Chris has a specific focus: crafting world class Sonoma wine. St. Francis is best known for luscious, elegant, fruit driven Sonoma County Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and “Old Vines” Zinfandel.  Additionally, St. Francis was named “#1 Restaurant in America” by Open Table  in 2013 and 2015 in recognition of its farm to table wine and food pairings offered on site to Winery visitors each day.

“Our time at St. Francis will not be measured in years. It will be measured by the contributions each one of us makes—as individuals—to constantly improving the quality of our grapes and our wines. ‘Good enough’ is contrary to our mission.”

 

Chris gives us a Master Class in St Francis ZIN.

 

http://www.stfranciswinery.com/

 

 

St Urbans-Hof  –  Nik Weis  (Owner-GM)

nick weis

and finally..from half a world away – in Germany’s Mosel Region comes Nik Weis Owner and GM of St. Urbans-Hof.

The winery St. Urbans-Hof is one of the most renowned wineries of the growing region Mosel and distinguishes itself by the particularity of owning best positions both on the Moselle and on the Saar. The Weis family who founded the winery in 1947, always focused on quality, which was almost a rarity, especially in the seventies and eighties. Authenticity is for Nik Weis, the grandson of the founder doing a very important feature. According Riesling is exclusively developed, the intervention in the vineyard and cellar are as gentle as possible. The nursery of the estate,  is among the most important in Europe.

It was a privilege to be poured some spectacular wines, including the Wiltinger Alte Reben 2014, which arrives in early spring, as well as some of the older vintages dating back to 1990 from Ockfener Bockstein, Laurentiuslay, Goldtropfchen  and a drop of Eiswein or two.

Urbanshof_NEU

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STORIES WERE WORKING ON

  • The 39th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival

December 31st, 2016 – Vancouver International Wine Festival-Hour 2

December 28, 2016 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:40

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Tasting Room Radio Post Banner

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

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

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THE SHOW

 

Living the life

Living the life

 

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

 

(Thank You to Technical Producer Julia Graff)

 

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

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

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

Rhys Pender

Rhys Pender

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

 

The Wine Diva

The Wine Diva

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

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

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

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

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant La Crema

Elizabeth Douglas-Grant La Crema

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

Adam Mettler - Lodi

Adam Mettler – Lodi

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

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

Richard Sowalsky - Clos Pegase

Richard Sowalsky – Clos Pegase

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

Maralisa Allegrini

Maralisa Allegrini

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

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

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

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

David Scholefield

David Scholefield

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

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

December 24th, 2016- Vancouver International Wine Festival

December 23, 2016 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:44

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

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

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

38th Vancouver Wine festival featuring Italy

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

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

 

Hour One:

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

 

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NEXT WEEK HOUR TWO

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

 

 

 

 

December 17th, 2016 – Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines

December 15, 2016 Weekly Show 00:50:37

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It’s Wall-to-Wall Wines featuring the reviews and stellar expertise of Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Consultant and teacher DJ Kearney and Georgia Straight Wine Columnist and consultant  Kurtis Kolt.

If you’re looking for Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines for yourself and need to know the best wines of the Year in BC and the world..THIS is your show.

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Let’s face it,  this time of year we’re faced with a lot of decisions.

We can’t help you with most of them BUT we can help you with your wine selections.

The guests reviewers on this show are three of the very best in Canada.

Respected by their peers and the industry itself.

We’ll cover gift wines/Wines to take to parties/Budget wines for Yourself/Outstanding wines of the year from BC and the World.

Enjoy!!!  Happy Holidays!

 

DJ Kearney

 

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney

DJ is a judge, writer, instructor and educator at the highest levels in the wine world.

She has just been made Director of Wine at New District, a very new and distinct wine group. (that story next year)

DJ Kearney’s 15 years in the wine industry embrace teaching, wine writing, wine criticism, and wine presentations for festivals and industry trade organizations.  She has trained thousands of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has travelled extensively to the wine regions of the world. Although a global wine expert, she naturally has a special devotion for the wines of her home region. For many years DJ has been an industry advisor and ambassador for B.C. wines, teaching and presenting on behalf of the industry. Recently she toured Decanter’s Steven Spurrier through the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and curated the historic Judgment of B.C. tasting in Vancouver.  For the past several years she’s been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine, and critic/contributor for WineAlign.

 

Gifts: 

The perfect 2-pack:

Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa $44.99 (BCLDB)

Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Penedes, Spain $56 +315838 (BCLDB)

Champagne gifts:

Champagne Roederer Brut Premier N/V $61.99 +268771 (BCLDB)

Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Brut Premier Cru Cuis N/V $80 (fine private stores)

What I’m taking to the party:

Chateau La Gravelle Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2014 $16 +411006 (BCLDB)

Pesquié Terrasses Rouge 2013 $17.49 +708750 (BCLDB)

Best of BC:

C.C. Jentsch Syrah 2013 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Le Vieux Pin Ava 2014  $25  $34.90 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Little Farm Chardonnay Mulberry Tree Vineyard 2014 $26 +841783 (winery direct or private wine stores)

Moraine Malbec 2013 $24 (and their Pinot Noir 2013, Syrah 2013 and Viognier 2013) (private stores or winery direct)

Blue Mountain Blanc de Blancs R.D. 2008 $39.90 +402594 (winery direct or private wine stores)

CedarCreek Platinum Riesling Icewine 2014 $53 (winery direct or fine wine stores)

Best Canadian’s to try:

Benjamin Bridge Brut N/V $50 +313106

Thomas Bachelder Niagara Pinot Noir 2012 $60+ (private wine stores)

Best ‘over-deliver’ wine

Emiliana Coyam 2012 Colchagua, Chile $27.49 +845321 (BCLDB)

World Beaters

Domaine Pattes Loup Chablis 2012 $40 (private wine stores)

Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserva Valle de Uco 2012 $30.99 +522870 (BCLDB)

Domaine Faiveley Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Damodes 2012 $112 +809343 (BCLDB)

Pio Cesare Barolo 2010 $65 (private wine stores)

Blandy’s 5 year Old Verdelho Madeira  $27 +845818 (BCLDB)

 

DJ Kearney (@djwines) | Twitter

Newdistrict.ca

 

Kurtis Kolt

 

Kurtis Kolt

Kurtis Kolt

His background is in running restaurants around Vancouver, most recently managing Gastown’s Salt tasting Room  until 2010 when he received the Sommelier of the Year Award at the Vancouver Wine festival.

He’s been profiled by Wine Enthusiast Mag, run the wine program at James Beard House in NY, been a tasting participant at Wine and Spirits Mag and educated through London’s Wine and Spirit Education Trust, The Court of Master Sommeliers and the Winemaking Program at UC Davis.

Kurtis is an in demand consultant and advisor.

Currently he’s the Wine Columnist at The Georgia Straight. His column is called The Bottle.

 

Gifts

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver West Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

Bella Wines 2013 Sparkling Blanc De Blancs – Oliver East Side – $23.90/750 ml, $14.90/375 ml

BellaWines.ca

 

Parties

Gonzalez Byass Nutty Solera Oloroso Sherry – $15.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Budget wines for yourself

Christophe Pacalet 2011 Beaujolais Villages – $20.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

Outstanding wines of the year, BC and the World

Clos du Tue-Boeuf 2013 Cheverny ‘Rouillon’ – $27-32 – Private Wine Stores

Robert Mondavi Reserve To Kalon Vineyard 2012 Napa Fume Blanc – $41.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

Lock & Worth Winery 2013 Square One Cabernet Franc V.3 – $30 – LockAndWorth.com

Taittinger Comtes de Champagne 2005 Blanc de Blancs – $199.99 – B.C. Liquor Stores

 

http://www.kurtiskolt.com/

Kurtis Kolt (@KurtisKolt) | Twitter

 

Rhys Pender

 

Rhys Pender is Canada’s youngest Master of Wine.

Rhys Pender

A passionate educator, wine lover, judge, writer, and grape grower/farmer, Rhys has worked in the wine industry since he was a teenager. In 2004 Rhys began taking on the grueling Master of Wine program. This culminated in Rhys becoming Canada’s youngest Master of Wine in 2010, one of only approximately 300 in the world.
Rhys runs a WSET wine school and consultancy through his business Wine Plus+ and between travelling around the world can be found with his boots in the dirt at his small 4 acre vineyard and winery in the Similkameen Valley – Little Farm Winery. He is a regular contributor to Canadian publications such as Montecristo, Taste, Savour, Wine Trend and Good Life Connoisseur. In addition to judging for Wine Align, Rhys judges wine competitions internationally such as the Decanter World Wine Awards, Vancouver Magazine Wine Awards and the Dallas Morning News Wine Competition

 

BEST INTERNATIONAL OF YEAR:

1 Chateau Haut Brion 2010 ($1599, 766618)

2 Ridge Monte Bello2010 ($283, Marquis)

3 Wynns 2010 John Riddoch CabernetSauvignon (~$100, not sure availability)

BEST BC:

4 Orofino 2014 Wild Ferment Syrah – Scout Vineyard ($29, sold out)

5 Van Westen Vineyards 2013 Voluptuous ($30, winery) (current vintage is 2011)

 

GIFT:
6 Château Dereszla 2008 Tokaji Aszú – 5 Puttonyos (500ml) ($44, 285643)

7 Taylor Fladgate 1985 Vintage Port($229.99, 149377)

8 Croft Vintage Port 1994 ($144.99, 686550)

9 Château Carles 2005 Haut-Carles Fronsac, Bordeaux, France ($79, 399253)

10 Mount Pleasant  2007 Elizabeth Semillon ($21, 664862)

11 Wynns Coonawarra Estate 2012 Black LabelCabernet Sauvignon ($21.99  til Jan 2, 502039)

HAVE AROUND HOUSE FOR HOLIDAYS:

 

12 Perrin 2012 Vacqueyras – Les Christins ($23, 585315)

13 Domaine de Babio 2011 Minervois ($17.49, 928531)

14 Château Bonnet 2013 Chénas Beaujolais, France ($21, 821769)

15 Régis Boucabeille 2013 Les Terrasses Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France ($20.49, 464883)

16 José Pariente 2011 Rueda (Verdejo) Rueda, Spain ($28.99, 884502)

17 Grao Vasco 2011  Dao, Portugal ($7.49 special, 14977)

18 Haywire 2013 The Bub ($29.90, winery)

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www.wineplus.ca

Rhys Pender MW (@WinePlus) | Twitter

 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NEXT WEEK  Christmas Eve

 

A look back at the 38th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival – with feature region Italy!!

Guests include

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

 

 

Dec 31  New Years EVE show

Hour Two of the 38th Annual VanWineFest.

 

Guests include

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 10th, 2016-Guests include Alex Prud’Homme, DJ Kearney and Harry Hertscheg and more…

December 9, 2016 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:41

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Author Alex  Prud‘Homme arrives with tales of Julia Child.  He wrote her first  book My life in France.  Now comes The French Chef in America..it’s the rest of Julia Child’s story.

We taste our way through some of the Canadian wines coming to the next Vancouver International Wine Festival, where Canada is the feature region.

Guests include DJ Kearney and Harry Hertscheg.

And finish with stories on Sea Star, Haywire and Left Field Cider.

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Alex Prud’Homme – The French Chef in America:  Julia Child’s Second Act

 

Julia Child is synonymous with French cooking, but her legacy runs much deeper. Now, her great-nephew and My Life in France coauthor  Alex Prud’Homme vividly recounts the myriad ways in which she profoundly shaped how we eat today. He shows us Child in the aftermath of the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, suddenly finding herself America’s first lady of French food and under considerable pressure to embrace her new mantle. Every bit as entertaining, inspiring, and delectable as My Life in France, The French Chef in America uncovers Julia Child beyond her “French chef” persona and reveals her second act to have been as groundbreaking and adventurous as her first.

 

In 2004 Alex helped Julia Child write her memoir, My Life in France, about her “favorite years” — 1948-1954 — when she and her husband Paul lived in Paris and Marseille. (Paul was his grand uncle, his grandfather’s twin brother.) In France Julia experienced “a flowering of the soul” and discovered her raison d’etre in cooking. They  worked together for eight months, until Julia died in her sleep two days shy of her 92d birthday. He spent another year finishing My Life in France, published in 2006. The book reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list.  In 2009, it inspired half of Nora Ephron’s film “Julie & Julia,” which starred Meryl Streep.

In 2014, a decade after working on My Life in France, he circled back to answer a few questions about Julia that had tugged at his curiosity: what was it like for the Childs to retire from the Foreign Service in 1961, and settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts? How did Julia first appear on Public Television in 1963, win an Emmy in 1966, and land on the cover of Time in 1967? And what led her to the White House, the Queen of England, James Beard and Colonial food, to leave Public TV for Good Morning America, and to become America’s first true celebrity chef?

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Julia Child and Alex Prud’Homme

Julia reached the peak of her celebrity in the Seventies – epitomized by Dan Aykroyd’s famous “Save the Liver!” parody on Saturday Night Live in 1978 . Researching this era Alex  discovered a trove of articles, scripts, documentary footage, correspondence, and notes about unpublicized or forgotten aspects of the Childs’ lives. Interviewing Julia’s colleagues, he learned how disciplined, hardworking and resilient she was, how deeply she loved her family and friends, the breadth of her culinary knowledge, the depth of her generosity, creativity, curiosity, and natural humor. “The idea,” she said, “was to take the bugaboo out of cooking.”

 

http://www.alexprudhomme.com/about-alex/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julia_Child

https://www.facebook.com/JuliaChild

 

Vancouver International Wine festival – Feature region CANADA (two parts)

 

The 2017 festival runs from Feb 11 through the 19th and as always we will be there.

 

In celebration of Canada’s 150th Birthday, the 2017 festival features Canada as the theme country with 76 wineries from British Columbia, Ontario and Nova Scotia, nearly one third of which are participating for the first time. This marks the largest gathering of Canadian wineries ever at an international festival. “VanWineFest 2017 offers an unprecedented showcase of Canadian wineries, principals and wines alongside their international counterparts in the Tasting Room,” says  our guest VIWF executive director Harry Hertscheg. “Let’s celebrate!”

 

Pouring  and speaking on Ontario wines – Magdalena Kaiser Wine Marketing Association of Ontario

Pouring a speaking on Nova Scotia wines – Asha Hingorani.  Canadian Vintners Association

Pouring and speaking on BC Wines – DJ Kearney  NewDistrict.ca

DJ Kearney

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Part Two – We’re joined by VanWineFest  Executive Director Harry Hertscheg who always comes through  what the audience wants to hear.

Harry gives newbie’s  a quick history lesson and then  on to “The Show”.

If you’re looking for answers about this year’s festival, don’t miss this segment.

 

CANADA 

 British Columbia

8th Generation Vineyard  Lake Breeze Vineyards
50th Parallel Estate Laughing Stock Vineyards
Averill Creek Vineyard Liquidity Wines
Baillie-Grohman Estate Winery Maverick Estate Winery
Bartier Bros. Meyer Family Vineyards
Bench 1775 Mission Hill Family Estate
Black Hills Estate Winery Moon Curser Vineyards
Blasted Church Vineyards Moraine Estate Winery
Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Nk’Mip Cellars
C.C. Jentsch Cellars Noble Ridge Vineyard & Winery
Cassini Cellars One Faith Vineyards
CedarCreek Estate Winery Osoyoos Larose
Chaberton Estate Winery Painted Rock Estate Winery
Church & State Wines Pentâge Winery
Culmina Family Estate Winery Poplar Grove Winery
Evolve Cellars Quails’ Gate Winery
Ex Nihilo Vineyards Red Rooster
Fort Berens Estate Winery Road 13 Vineyards
Foxtrot Vineyards Sandhill
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery Sperling Vineyards
Gold Hill SpierHead Winery
Harper’s Trail Estate Winery Stag’s Hollow Winery
Haywire Summerhill Pyramid Winery
Hester Creek Estate Winery
 Tantalus Vineyards
Hillside Winery Tightrope Winery
Howling Bluff Estate Winery TIME Winery
Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Tinhorn Creek Vineyards
Intersection Winery Township 7 Vineyards & Winery
Jackson-Triggs Estate Winery Unsworth Vineyards
LA FRENZ WINERY Wild Goose Vineyards and Winery

 NOVA SCOTIA

Benjamin Bridge Domaine de Grand Pre 
Blomidon Estate Winery L’Acadie Vineyards
Devonian Coast Wineries Luckett Vineyards

ONTARIO

Château des Charmes Inniskillin Niagara Estate
Closson Chase Jackson-Triggs Niagara Estate
Colio Estate Wines Pelee Island Winery
Domaine Queylus Pillitteri Estates Winery
Hidden Bench Vineyards and Winery Trius Winery

 

 

http://www.vanwinefest.ca/

www.canadianvintners.com

www.winecountryontario.ca

www.newdistrict.ca

 

A trio of artisans:  Sea Star/Haywire/Left Field Cider

 

David Gouge from Sea Star about life on Pender Island and how he’s raised his profile in Vancouver’s best restaurants. www.seastarvineyards.ca

http://seastarvineyards.ca/

 

Christine Coletta. (Okanagan Crush Pad)  After establishing a fine career in wine marketing , CC  reinvented herself as co-owner of Summerland’s Okanagan Crush Pad Winery, a custom winemaking facility that is home to the Haywire and Narrative labels as well as wines made for other vintners.  They were  named Innovator of the Year for 2013 from the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association and were also celebrated by BC Business Magazine as one of the Top Innovative Companies in BC for 2013. She was inducted into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.

If you’re at all interested in the direction BC wines are headed, then look no further than Christine Coletta and those working with her at Okanagan Crush Pad.

www.haywirewinery.com

https://okanagancrushpad.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theresa Petersen – Left Field Cider (Logan Lake)  Helping to lead the cider breakthrough in BC  is this female driven Cidery. Cider works with most BBQ dishes, salads and anything with apples in it and it’s also a perfect patio sipper  They are SO left field!!

Theresa Petersen Left Field Cider

www.leftfieldcider.com

 

 

 

 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Christmas gifts

Wines of the Year

 

 

 

November 26th, 2016- ” I’ll have what shes having!”

November 25, 2016 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:50:41

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DJ Kearney brings  New District wine collections called Bubble-licious and “I’ll have what she’s having” for The Holidays.

The final  results of the 9th BC Iconic Reds with John Schreiner and Simon Wosk.

Restaurants under the radar – Todd Braiden at Fat Jacks Boston Bar.  Dude!

Emandare ups the bar in the Cowichan Valley.  Mike and Robin Nierychlo guest!

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THE SHOW

 

DJ Kearney –  Director of Wine/New District

 

dj-kearney-new-district

dj kearney- new district

New District’s philosophy is about curation  and it informs everything they do. They  do the leg work for you, to expertly hone in on what matters to you in the world of wine.  Sign up for the weekly newsletter that carefully selects their  best bottles, articles and multimedia content, giving subscribers unique insights into British Columbia’s dynamic emerging wine culture.

And best of all The Curator is DJ Kearney, the best wine educator and expert in the business.

Deej has two offerings this week..plus she has the scoop on their new Store at 41st and Dunbar.

Holiday Bubble-Licious.  3 Wines.

and…

I’ll have what she’s having For The Holidays.  6 Winter Weight  Wines. All handpicked by DJ.

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Check out what’s inside the boxes.. www.newdistrict.ca

new-district

 

9th annual BC Iconic Reds – John Schreiner  and Simon Wosk

john-schreiner-and-the-duke-of-earl

john-schreiner and-the duke-of-earl

 The BC Iconic Reds took place on November 16.   John Schreiner,  organizer Simon Wosk  and up to 80  attendees tasted everything in the room and chose the Top Five Releases  at The Sutton Place Hotel.

2016 Iconic Reds tasting

2016 Iconic Reds tasting

2016  contenders were:

  • Church and State Quintessential 2010
  • CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2013
  • Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2013
  • Clos Du Soleil Signature Red 2013
  • Mission Hill Compendium 2012
  • Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014
  • Cassini Cellars Maximus 2012
  • Hester Creek The Judge 2012
  • Painted Rock Red Icon 2014
  • Lake Breeze Tempest 2012
  • Black Hills Nota Bene 2014
  • Poplar Grove Legacy 2012
  • Mission Hill Quatrain 2012
  • Culmina Hypothesis 2012
  • La Stella Fortissimo 2014
  • Summerhill “OM” 2012
  • NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014
  • Lariana Thirteen 2013
  • Perseus Invictus 2013

 

To find out how the final five won..just listen to the show.

 Our congratulations to Randy Pickton, Justin Hall and their team at NK’Mip Cellars for their first place finish and to all participating wineries for producing such exceptional wines.

 The top 5 scorers, as chosen by attending  tasters, were:      

  1. NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014

 

  1. Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014

 

  1. Clos du Soleil Signature Red 2013

 

  1. Cassini Maximus 2012

 

  1. Hester Creek The Judge 2012

 

Here’s John Shreiners  blog on the competition..

John Schreiner

John Schreiner

http://johnschreiner.blogspot.ca/

Restaurants Under The Radar – Todd Braiden at Fat Jacks Pub  Boston Bar

 I had two thoughts..that there are lots of chefs and restaurants that are my favourites  but some of them – for whatever reason – are below the public’s radar.

I’m torn doing these interviews because I want them to stay available but I also want to let you know they exist and are worth the seeking.

breakfast

Breakfast!

You may remember hearing about a chef who was cooking in Vancouver’s East End in an apartment and you had to find him by word of mouth..the experience was called 2B (the name of the apartment where he cooked.)

One day..he quietly left town and announced he was headed for Boston Bar..in the Frazer Canyon.  Didn’t make sense right?  But if you knew Todd you just had to believe that he knew what he was doing and wished him luck.

todd baiden-fat-jacks

Years later he’s cooking up a storm 6 kms East of Boston Bar at a diner/pub  called Fat Jacks, named after his Father.

He brought the adjoining  Mighty Fraser Motel, back to life and made it a destination stop. Really good rooms.

The man has a wicked  sense of humour and its reflected in the menu.

He also has a bar next door and pours select BC craft Beer.

Both rooms have a BC wine list and any music playing in the bar or bistro  is the best of the best.

 

We  welcome to TRR – The Hell Raiser of Hell’s Canyon  Todd from 2B

http://www.themightyfrasermotel.com/

  

Mike and Robin Nierychlo   – Emandare Vineyards  (Cowichan Valley)

 Mike has always been around the wine business..I first met him when he was doing a wine interview show.

Then he and his wife Robin announced that they had purchased a working vineyard in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island

 

mike-and-robin-emandare

mike-and-robin-emandare

A number of years ago, Mike developed an overwhelming passion for wine. He began to spend every available moment nerding out on all things wine-related! This inevitably led to home wine-making in their garage, and many, many other wine adventures.

As Mike explored the vast world of wine, a desire to one day own a winery was born. Although this dream seemed unrealistic, there was always a sense of possibility.

On Sept. 28, 2013, in the pouring rain, he and Robin  moved onto their  8.5 acre adventure.    They named it Emandare after their last names. M & R.

 “they’re also pioneers on the all-natural front—no irrigation, no commercial yeasts, organic farming techniques, and the bare minimum of sulfur. So far the results are stunning—the future of Island wine rests here.”  Neal McLennan  Vancouver Magazine

We taste and talk the  portfolio of wines of Emandare at Marquis Wine Cellars in Vancouver.

http://www.emandarevineyard.com/

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

We take a look inside The Hatch.

Feature interview with Jason Parkes  Winemaker/Troublemaker