Weekly Show

June 6th 2015 – Australia’s First Families of Wine

June 4, 2015 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:42:41

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It’s the return of Australia’s First Families of Wine!!

10 iconic wineries who shaped Australian wines. Yalumba / Henschke / d’Arenberg / Tahbilk / McWilliams / De Bortoli / Tyrrel’s / Brown Brothers / Howard Park / Wakefield

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THE SHOW

 Australia’s First Families of Wine

Wakefield Wines

Wakefield Wines

10 multi-generational wine families unlocked rare and revered wines from their private cellars to showcase Australia’s rich wine heritage, modern diversity, and the celebrated wine stories that have become the foundation for future generations. Get a sneak preview of a limited number of wines that are being released from each winery at BC Liquor Stores in June.

Through these exclusive interviews, you will have the rare chance to meet the people behind the wines. Family members from each winery will share wines that provide a glimpse into the past, present and future of Australia’s most iconic winemaking families.

 

And they are all great storytellers..with outstanding stories to tell.

De Bortoli Wines

De Bortoli Wines

 

Their message is all about the farms and rich soils that they work, the quality of the wines they craft and the pride they have in their  history and how it has shaped who they are and what they  stand for.

 

 

McWilliams

 

 

Together, they are the custodians of over 5000 hectares of land that includes some of Australia’s most iconic vineyards, creating premium quality wines that proudly bear their  names.

 

 

Australia’s First Families:

(and the years they first planted)  

Australia

Australia’s First Families of Wine

 

 

www.australiasfirstfamiliesofwine.com.au 

  

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

May 30th 2015 – New Zealand

May 30, 2015 Weekly Show 00:42:57

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The Kiwi’s are coming…InVivo, Wiamia, Stoneleigh, Te Pa!

Then  Alamos from Argentina and Alois Lageder from Northern Italy

And finally Blue Grouse opens a  new tasting room in the Cowichan Valley.

Cheers

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THE SHOW

This time of year the wineries of the World are releasing various vintages and assorted varietals.

This week its New Zealand, Argentina and Italy.

(Next week it’s the First Families of Australian wine)

  New Zealand

 

 

 

 

Our NZ guests include:

Robert Ketchin – Wines of NZ Canada

www.nzwine.com 

Rob Cameron – Invivo   http://www.invivowines.com/

Invivo

Martin Carrington – Wiamia Estates  www.waimeaestates.co.nz

Jim Robertson  Global Wine Ambassador   – Stoneleigh  www.stoneleigh.co.nz

Hawsley MacDonald – Te Pa www.tepawines.com

 

 

  Alamos is one of Argentina’s wines to watch.

Alamos Winemaker Felipe Stahlschmidt finds inspiration for his wines by climbing the snow-covered peaks of the Andes Mountains and gazing at the majestic vineyards that have made Argentina famous in the world of wine.

 

Philipe Stahlschmidt

Philipe Stahlschmidt

“The mountains here create the terruño, or terroir, in our vineyards,” Felipe says. “They keep the storms out of our valleys. They bring us pure water from snowmelt. They make the winds that cool the vineyards. They are an essential part of the nature of this place.”

Felipe believes that great wine represents the terruño of the vineyard. For him, Alamos wines, exuberant and full of character, are a beautiful expression of what nature and humans can create when they work in harmony. Felipe also works to create quality wines that are affordable and pair well with food, handcrafting each Alamos varietal using techniques typically reserved for wines at a much higher price point. The result is a flavorful collection of quality wines at an extraordinary value.

 

After graduating from the prestigious Universidad Nacional de Cuyo in Mendoza with a winemaking degree in 2003, Felipe joined Alamos as an assistant winemaker in 2006. Today, he oversees winemaking for all Alamos wines.

Alamos on left with his family

Alois on left with his family

 Tatiana Nessier was born in Northern Argentina’s remote and breathtaking Salta region, well known for its concentrated wines and rugged landscape. After attending an American high school in Venezuela, Tatiana returned to Argentina to attend Congreso University in Mendoza, where she studied international relations. It was partway through these studies when her passion for wine took root.

Tatiana Nessier

Tatiana Nessier

“At Alamos, we get to meet and talk with some of the best winemakers and viticulturists in Argentina—so it’s very exciting,” Tatiana completed her sommelier studies in 2013 and received the title of international sommelier, endorsed by the prestigious CETT (Tourism and Hospitality University, Barcelona, Spain). “I really appreciate the philosophy of Alamos wines,” she says. “They are easy to drink, offer vibrant fruit and honor the typicity of grape variety and place.”

http://www.alamoswines.com/

 Alois Clemens Lageder – Born in 1987, Alois Clemens Lageder is part of the sixth generation to be involved in the family vineyard Alois Lageder in Alto Adige, Italy.  Lageder’s wine education included travel to Germany, the USA, and France, where he also worked for well-known wineries such as Burgundy’s Domaine Marquis d’Angerville. He holds an executive Master for Family Entrepreneurship from the Zeppelin University in Germany.

Alois Lageder Winery – Alois Lageder is a synonym for the highest standard of quality in viticulture and winemaking, for a sustainable, holistic corporate philosophy, and for a wide spectrum of cultural and artistic activities.  Founded in 1823, and now under the sixth generation of family ownership, the winery is committed to promoting biodynamic agriculture and embraces innovative ideas, as indicated by its newly constructed gravity-fed winemaking complex.

Alto Adige – Located between Alpine and Mediterranean climates, with winegrowing elevations that range from 200 to 1,000 meters (600 to 3,300 feet) above sea level, Italy’s Alto Adige region offers just 5,300 hectares (13,100 acres) of vineyard area but around twenty grape varieties.  It is one of Italy’s smallest winegrowing regions, but produces a disproportionate number of premium, world-class wines.

www.aloislageder.eu

… and finally Blue Grouse in the Cowichan Valley/Vancouver Island is opening a new facility which includes a beautiful tasting room.

Blue Grouse

Blue Grouse

Nestled in the heart of Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley, Blue Grouse is one of Vancouver Island’s first wineries, working with vines originally planted in 1977.  The winery will also be releasing ‘Paula’, a brand new sparkling wine cuvée, named in honour of the owner’s daughter. Our guest is Winemaker Bailey Williamson.

www.bluegrouse.ca

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The First Families of Australian Wine

Sileni  Wines

 

 

May 23rd, 2015 – Spot Prawn Festival!

May 21, 2015 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:42:38

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The Diva does Pink – Great Rose for your Summer!

It’s a party on the fishing docks in Vancouver.  The 9th annual Spot Prawn Festival

Tara O’Grady Author of Seven Spoons.

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 THE SHOW

 Wine-Diva

Wine-Diva

Wine Diva’s Summer Rose

 Rose

Nobody loves rose more than yours truly – unless your name happens to be Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva.

Daenna’s been on the road for the past 3 shows..visiting Chablis and Spain.

So we quickly huddled and decided – let’s talk about wine we both love…ROSE!

Here’s the list taken from Daenna’s very popular website www.winediva.ca

 

  • Mission Hill Five Vineyards Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $14.99
  • Zonin ‘Masseria Altemura Rosamaro’ Brut, Salento Puglia, Italy $25.00
  • 50th Parallel Pinot Noir Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $18.00
  • Kim Crawford Pansy! Rose, Hawke’s Bay New Zealand $15.69
  • Gruet Winery Brut Rose, New Mexico $30.00
  • Haywire Gamay Noir Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00
  • Henkell Rose Fine Sekt, Germany $13.99
  • Quails’ Gate Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $15.69
  • Pentage Winery Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Haywire ‘Pink Bub’, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00
  • The Girls ‘Vivacious Rose’, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Serendipity Rose, Okanagan Valley BC N/A
  • Anna Spinato Oragnic Rose Spumante, Veneto Italy $14.99
  • Famille Perrin Tavel, Rhone Valley France $25.99
  • Poplar Grove ‘Blanc de Noirs’, Okanagan Valley BC N/A
  • Segura Viudas Rosado, Penedes Spain, NV $16.99

 

9th Annual Spot Prawn Festival/Vancouver

 It’s one of the best success stories anywhere.

9 years ago Chef Robert Clark was mad as hell and wasn’t going to take it anymore.

All he wanted to do was serve local Spot Prawns at C Restaurant.

None of the fishing fleet would sell him their prawns. That’s because they could get top dollar in Japan.

Robert got together with Steve Johansson and his vessel Organic Ocean and off they went..

Word got around very quickly that fresh prawns could be bought – live – off the False Creek Docks across from Granville market.

Everything took off from that moment.

Now..1000’s of people make their way there to kick off the season, which is very short. 4-6 weeks and it’s over.

Here’s who we talked to at the kick off last weekend:

 Robert Belcham – Campagnolo

Ryan Bissell – Chair of Festival

Scott Yeager – Pear Tree

Jonathan Chovancek – Café Medina

Ken Liang – Ken’s Chinese Restaurant

Scott Kwan – Kaya Malay Bistro

Mattie Christie – Go Fish

Tom Walmsley – Summerhill Wines

Barry Benson – R&B Brewing
Darren Clay  – Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts (PICA)

 

spotprawnfestival.com

https://chefstablesociety.com

 

Tara O’Brady  – Seven Spoons

 

Tara O

Tara O’Brady Seven Spoons

Seven Spoons is  more than 100 favorite recipes and stories taken  from Canadian blogger Tara O’Brady ..strangely called Seven Spoons.

Seven Spoons reads like a wonderful  notebook . I loved it

 recipe 5 spice steak at bottom of page. 

 

 

“Seven Spoons is so gorgeous and beautifully photographed that I just want to jump right into the pages. I can’t wait to savor these amazing dishes, all with a global bent, starting with breakfast biscuits and spicy, fried Mexican Huevos a la Plaza de Mercado; then moving on to soups and salads with flavors culled from the Middle East and East Asia; then ending with lush, compelling desserts.”

—David Lebovitz, author of My Paris Kitchen

Please welcome to the show the really fine writer/blogger/human   Tara O’Brady

www.sevenspoons.net 

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 STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

NZ Wines

First Families of Australia

Alamos – Argentina

Alois Clements Lageder

Alberta’s chefs

Sileni Estates Hawkes Bay

 

FIVE-SPICE  STEAK

This m1ght smoke up the k1 tchen, but it is worth  1   t. The five-sp1ce powder IS fused to the steak w1th the blistering heat of the pan, mok1 ng for a raspy, s1zzling crust It is finished w1th a qu1ck, flavorsome sauce of herbs, chi es, and r1ce vinegar, rounded  out biJ toasted sesame oil. The onoint1ng works like a late – addition mannode, not onliJ dressing the

meat but aslo seem1ng to keep 1t 1ncred1 bilJ soft and tender.

Serves4 to 6

1 bone-in rib steak,

2 inches (5 em) thick, weighing approximately

1Y:i pounds (680 g)

1Y:i teaspoons Chinese five-spice powder

1 teaspoon medium-grain kosher salt

Y:i teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

1 clove garlic, minced

1-inch (2.5 em) piece of fresh ginger, peeled and minced

1 smallred chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced

1 tablespoon unseasoned rice vinegar

2 teaspoons tamari

1 teaspoon natural cane or Light brown sugar

3 green onions, white and

Light green parts  only, minced

2 Large handfuls of cilantro, Leaves and tender stems, chopped

Season the steak allover w1th the five-sp1ce powder, salt, and pepper. Dab on the sesame  o1lw1th a brush.

Place a large cost-iron pan over med1um-h1gh heat. Once the pan

IS good and hot,lo y 1n the steak. Let 1 t coo k, undisturbed,for 2 to

3 m1nutes, then check for even color and move the steak around

1f necessorlJ. Keep shuffling untilwellbrowned, 2 to 3 minutes more. Flip the steak, and continue to cook unt1 lthe second s1de IS equolliJ charred  and cooked  to your lik1ng. (An Instant-read thermometer 1nserted in the thickest por t,without touc hing bone,should read 120’F [50’C] for med1 um-rore, and w1lltoke opprox1 moteliJ 3 to 5 m1 nutes alter fl1pp1ng to the second s1de.) Set the steak aside and reduc e the heat to medium-low.

Add the garlic, g1nger, and ch1le to the skillet and cook,st1rr1ng, for 1 m1nute. Stir together the r1ce v1negor, tomori, and sugar, then pour 1t 1nto the pan, scrop1ng u p oniJ browned bits and

ollow1ng the liqu1 ds to reduce, about 1 m1 nute. Scrape the sauce

1nto a smallbowlw1th half the green on1 ons and half the Cilantro.

Present the steak whole at the tabel , or slice across the gmn and arrange on a plotter. W1th e1ther, pour some of the sauce over the meat and shower w1 th the reserved green onion and Cilantro. Offer the rest of the sauc e alongside.

 

 

 

 

 

May 16th, 2015- Annual spot Prawn Festival

May 15, 2015 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:42:41

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This weeks show airs at 9am pacific on TSN1410

  Naramata Bench Part Two. Talking with The Hawk!  Chef David Hawksworth. Joel Peterson, The Godfather of California Zin and Chef Robert Clark helps kick off Vancouver’s hugely popular Spot Prawn Festival.

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 THE SHOW

 Joel Peterson  Ravenswood Zin

 

Ravenswood

Ravenswood

Widely regarded as the “Godfather of California Zinfandel,” Ravenswood Founding Winemaker Joel Peterson has been named to the 2011 Vintners Hall of Fame by The Culinary Institute of America (CIA).  The induction recognizes  Joel’s significant contributions to the California wine industry and in particular, his unswerving devotion to and protection of California’s old-vine Zinfandel vineyards—a living testament to the state’s earliest winegrowing history.

 

 

Joel Peterson is one of just three contemporary California vintners to be inducted into the 2011 Vintners Hall of Fame!

Joel Peterson

joel-peterson-bedrock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Following an apprenticeship with Joseph Swan—one of California’s outstanding craftsman of Zinfandel—Peterson founded Ravenswood in 1976 with $4,000, no vineyards and no winery.  His vision from the start was to craft high-quality, complex and spirited Zinfandels that would express the unique character of their specific vineyards.

A key to his success was seeking out vineyards chosen for their location, age, yield and unique flavor characteristics.  By forging collaborative relationships early on with the grower-owners of these exceptional sites (some more than 100 years old), Joel was able to build a distinctive portfolio of single vineyard-designated Ravenswood Zinfandels that together illustrated how well the grape reflects its precise locale.  Since many of these vineyards are also among the oldest in California, Peterson’s wines helped to preserve them.

Ravenswood-Vintners-Blend-Zinfandel-_28V_29-2009-Label

Joel  has also worked tirelessly on behalf of the industry as a whole to build consumer awareness and appreciation for Zinfandel as California’s most historic and authentic wine grape.

More than 30 years following his first harvest, Peterson continues his Zinfandel quest.  He is currently spearheading a project with fellow Zinfandel winemakers and ZAP called the Zinfandel Heritage Blends Project.  The program aims to reestablish California’s most unique and original wine, the Mixed Black Field Blend.  Primarily a blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Cariganne and Alicante Bousche (among many others), Joel believes strongly that the Mixed Black Field Blend was the most interesting and important wine that California made before Prohibition.  As Joel says, it was truly the “once and future wine of California.”

Along with fellow winemakers and the University of California at Davis, Joel is also currently spearheading the Heritage Vineyard Project, which was established to preserve, investigate, propagate and distribute clonal selections from a wide range of California ancient heritage Zinfandel vineyards.

All Hail The GodFather!

 www.ravenswood.com

Naramata Bench Spring 2015  Part Two

Couldn’t fit everyone into last week’s Naramata special..so here’s part two..which features Spring 2015 wines from

 

The Bench

The Bench

 

 

 

 

Luke Smith – Howling Bluff   www.howlingbluff.ca

Stefan Arneson – Poplar Grove and Monster Vineyards   www.poplargrove.ca www.monstervineyards.com

Dick Lancaster – Black Widow Winery  www.blackwidowwinery.com

 www.naramatabench.com

Chef David Hawksworth/ @Hawksworth

 It all started with an email from Barbara-Jo at Books to Cooks.

 

Barbara Jo

Barbara Jo’s Books to Cooks

 

 

 

Hawksworth, David – ISSUE 114 – Art Culinaire

  • Wednesday, May 20, 2015
  • 6:00pm  7:00pm
  • Barbara-Jo’s Books to Cooks

Art Culinaire has been producing a Hard Cover Magazine, four times a year for the past 28 years.  This periodical has been popular mostly with the chef and restaurant community, but is also popular with the culinary traveler.   Issue 56 featured a number of local chefs and restaurants.

This Wednesday evening, we launch Issue 114 with our own David Hawksworth taking the centre stage in both the book and our shop.

Please join us to celebrate with David as he regales us with his culinary adventures.  Thanks Barbara- Jo!

David Hawksworth

David Hawksworth

Once David and I got settled at Hawksworth headquarters we covered a lot of territory.. including Art Culinaire plus a

Recent spate of awards he and his staff have won, Top 100 Restaurants in Canada..Hawksworth #2.

And the new restaurant he’s opening this Fall in one of his favourite heritage buildings on Hastings.

(Here’s a hint..it has a pizza oven, so you know it’s more casual.)

Always love talking to David..

https://hawksworthrestaurant.com

 

 and finally… Sunday brings the hugely popular Annual Spot Prawn Festival at the fishing docks in Kitsilano.

Starting around 10:30/11am

Chef Robert Clark is a co-founder of this event and really was the driving force behind reclaiming our Prawn Fishery.

 

Spot Prawns!

Spot Prawns!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ago Robert discovered that not only were we shipping our local prawns to  Asia, he couldn’t even BUY them for his restaurant.

So off he went to find Steve Johansen and his vessel Organic Ocean. The two of them created their own fishery and the rest is a wonderfully successful story.

I’ll see you on the docks. Bring a bag or bucket for your prawns.

(ps..Roberts cooking instructions..pour boiling water over your prawns and serve 30-45 seconds later. That’s it)

http://www.thefishcounter.com/

www.spotprawnfestival.com

http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2015/04/17/get-ready-for-vancouvers-spot-prawn-festival-2015/

http://www.theprovince.com/news/Spot+prawn+season+opens+with+great+haul/11053486/story.html

@OrganicOcean

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

  • Alamos/Argentina
  • Lageder/Italy
  • Tara O’Brady/Seven Spoons
  • New Zealand pours in Vancouver.
  • and The Return of The Wine Diva

May 9th, 2015 – Naramata Special … Part 1

May 7, 2015 Tasting Room Radio, Weekly Show 00:42:47

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It’s the 7th annual Naramata Bench Wine Tour through Victoria and Vancouver.
Part One features Elephant island. Upper Bench. Bench 1775. Lake Breeze. Tightrope. Hillside. TerraVista. Kettle Valley. Misconduct. Deep Roots.
Red Rooster. Therapy. Van Westen. La Frenz. Serendipity.   

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THE SHOW

Having spent the better part of five years living on the Naramata bench and getting to know most of my neighbours… when they bring their travelling wine road show to Victoria and Vancouver..I just have to be there.

The Bench

The Bench


It’s a two parter, so next week we’ll finish the story with Howling Bluff. Poplar Grove. Monster and Black Widow.
 
 
Naramata Bench is just an exceptional destination..not only for the wine grower but also for  the wine fan.
 
naramata rush hour

naramata rush hour


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Running above Lake Okanagan… East and North of Penticton, BC… it has the perfect soil and climate.
Big heat in the day… cool lake breezes at night.
It has also attracted some of the most interesting winemakers/growers  in the business. They all have a  story to tell.
Here’s the line-up and websites    –     www.naramatabench.com
 

In Victoria:

Del Halliday – Elephant Island   https://www.elephantislandwine.com
Gavin Miller – Upper Bench  www.upperbench.ca
Val Tait – Bench 1775  www.bench1775.com
Garron Elmes – Lake Breeze and Spice Jar  www.lakebreeze.ca
Lindsay O’Rourke – Tightrope  www.tightropewinery.ca
Kathy Malone – Hillside  www.hillsidewinery.ca
Senka Tennant – Terra Vista www.terravistavineyards.com
Tim Watt  – Kettle Valley  www.kettlevalleywinery.com
Richard Da Silva – Misconduct  www.misconductwineco.com
Will Hardman –  Deep Roots  www.deeprootswinery.com
Karen Gillis – Red Rooster  www.redroosterwinery.com/
Steve Latchford – Therapy www.therapyvineyards.com
In Vancouver:
Rob Van Westen – Van Westen www.vanwestenvineyards.com/
Jeff Martin – La Frenz  www.lafrenzwinery.com
Judy Kingston – Serendipity  www.serendipitywinery.com
 


 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

The Naramata Bench Part Two
Hawksworth
Tara O’Brady – Seven Spoons
Argentina
New Zealand
 
 

May 2nd, 2015 – The 36th annual California Wine Fair

May 1, 2015 Weekly Show 0:42:35

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The 36th annual California Wine Fair hits town. We work the room.
Hy’s Vancouver showcase their Table Side Dining..a true throwback.
Charles Baker and Stratus  Wines from Niagara..

 THE SHOW

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 36th annual California Wine Fair

Charlie Cline
 
  Charlie Cline
For 36 years the Wine Institute of California has toured one of their best ever markets…Canada!!
They pour their very best for all those Cali wine fans.
We talk to Charlie Cline..He says he’s the better looking brother of the Cline Boys. They call Sonoma home. They also make Jacuzzi Family Wines, right across the street.
Clinecellars.com – jacuzziwines.com
 
John Wetzel  Alexander Valley Vineyards – Family owner  

Alexander Valley Vineyards

Alexander Valley Vineyards


John is the Sales Manager and Family owner of this iconic winery.
We talk about how they’re handling the water shortage in the Valley.
And, of course, what he’s pouring.
www.avvwine.com
 
 The Silver Fox Returns / Keith Nichols Owner-Winemaker
Can’t miss that head of silver hair, nor should you miss his really fine wines from Paso Robles.
 Keith Nichols
Keith Nichols
Rick Slomka /  Canadian Director WICali
 Team Leader on the day.  The Canadian face and voice of Wines of California
Ray Signorello / Signorello Estate – Owner
 The perfect guy to close the show.  Lives in West Vancouver and on the Golden Mile  in Napa.
Produces a wide variety of top end whites and reds plus hugely popular entry level reds called Edge, Fuse and Trim.
signorelloestate.com 
Ray Signorello

Ray Signorello


 
www.discovercaliforniawine.com
 
 
 
 

Table Side Dining – rediscovered at Hy’s Encore in Vancouver.

bananas-foster
bananas-foster
They just don’t make them like Hy’s anymore.  I’m talking table side dining.
They’re featuring a menu that features selections which are prepared and showcased right at your table.
Their famous Caesar salad, Spinach Salad, Chateaubriand and Steak Diane..followed by Bananas Foster.
Talk about a throwback..this is to be celebrated..encouraged and shared.
Makes you realize what’s been lost in today’s servers and service.
A hands on food experience.
Guests include Neil Aisenstat ..President and son of Hy.
Brett Kawaguchi Wine and Bar Director who supplies pairings
And Senior Server Tim Butt.
www.hyssteakhouse.com

Charles Baker Wines – Stratus Wines

Stratus
He’s responsible for the outstanding wines at Stratus in Niagara and his own label cb Wines.
Stratus is widely respected for their Riesling made from various vineyards in and around the Niagara Escarpment.
Surprises come with their Chardonnay, Stratus white, a strong Cab Franc and their popular Stratus.
His own Charles Baker Riesling is memorable.  Great flavours and finish.

Charles Baker

Charles Baker


www.stratuswines.com
www.charlesbaker.ca
Both vineyards have committed to placing their wines all across Canada.  It’s a big task.
Well worth your time..watch for them!!
 
 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 A one hour special NEXT Week on the Spring tour of the Naramata Bench Wineries.
 We find them pouring  in Victoria and Vancouver.

April 25th, 2015 – Exclusive interview with Russell Crowe!

April 23, 2015 Weekly Show 00:42:46

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An exclusive interview with Russell Crowe who stars in and  directs his first feature film  The Water Diviner, opening this weekend !
Mike Bernardo goes full Beastie Boy with his Mike B Reisling!
Okanagan Falls pours in Vancouver..looking for profile and making new friends! We talk to 6 wineries.
And the return of The Napa Wine making Gunslinger Cameron Hughes.

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THE SHOW

Mike Bernardo – Sommelier of the Year
 

Mike Bernardo - maker of Mike b Riesling

Mike Bernardo – maker of Mike b Riesling


Somebody has to open for Russell Crowe and we think there’s no one better than Mike Bernardo – Sommelier of the Year and maker of Mike b Riesling.
Mike Bernardo fell in love with wine in 1997, working at the five star hotel, the Balmoral, followed by The Atrium, in Edinburgh, Scotland. After returning to Canada he worked at Dock 503 on Vancouver Island as Manager / Sommelier. In January 2001 Mike joined Vikram Vij and Meeru Dhalwala at Vij’s restaurant in Vancouver, where he worked with them to later open Rangoli, the Vij’s production facility for their line of packaged curries (Vij’s Inspired Indian Cuisine), as well as the Vij’s food truck.
Mike’s is currently Director of Operations and Wine Director for the Vij’s Companies. He has lead the Vij’s wine program to win several awards, including the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator and Gold Prize for best wine list from Vancouver Magazine. Mike was responsible for all the wine pairings in “Vij’s: Elegant and Inspired Indian Cuisine”, which won the 2007 Cuisine Canada’s Gold Award for Cookbook of the year. Mike also collaborated on the wine notes for “Vij’s at Home-Relax, Honey”, which won silver for best Indian Cookbook at the World Gourmand Cookbook Awards in Paris, France. In 2014, Mike won The Vancouver International Wine Festival and the Vancouver Magazine’s Sommelier of the Year awards.
In 2014, Mike opened his own restaurant called Sutra, in conjunction with Vij’s, in Victoria, BC. He now splits his time between Vij’s restaurants in Vancouver and Sutra in Victoria.
The Winner of said award is given the very special opportunity to make his/her own wine in partnership with Okanagan Crush Pad.
Mike decided to make a BC Riesling that would not only handle Vij’s half dozen spices in most dishes but would pair beautifully to make the meals even better.
He named the label Mike B in tribute to his favourite band – The Beastie Boys.
www.vijsrestaurant.ca
 
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Russell Crowe – Actor. Director. Singer/Songwriter and Dad!

 When I read that Russell was directing his first ever film I just knew I had to see if I could find him. Find him I did.
Was I Pushy. You bet. But I knew a little something about the man. He has a very big heart and values friendships.
I had the pleasure of being a cast member of Mystery Alaska when it shot years ago in Canmore Alberta.
Russell took me for a beer and included me in the cast and crew gatherings.

Russell Crowe

Russell Crowe


I found him in Chicago surrounded by police sirens and morning coffees.
This film is very special to him. The Water Diviner is part of Australian history…all those soldiers who were sent to invade Turkey at Gallipoli exactly 100 years ago.
 
 
 
Shooting on set

Shooting on set


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Many many men died on both sides..and that’s the story that Russell tells in The Water Diviner. Lead by the tale of a Farmer  looking for his three sons who reportedly were all killed on the battlefield the same day. The film opens April 24th in Canada.
We also talk about his new music group in partnership with Allan Doyle and a couple of wine questions..like how come with acres and acres of farm land, he isn’t making wines.
Please join us for this exclusive phone conversation with Russell Crowe.  Enjoy the film.
www.thewaterdiviner.com 
 
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 Okanagan Falls Wineries pour in Vancouver.

Okanagan Falls
Every year BC’s various wine regions come into Vancouver  and pour with pride their new releases.
For the food and wine industry it’s a chance to stay in touch with the Okanagan and Vancouver Island, renewing friendships and checking out the wines.
For years, Okanagan Falls situated between Penticton and Oliver was the place you stopped for ice cream but not wine.
They’re trying to change all that by making better and better wines.
Adding food and restaurants to their wineries.

Blue Mountain

Blue Mountain


We get caught up with the owners and winemakers from the following wineries:
Alan Dickinson – Synchromesh [email protected] 
Roland Kruger – Wild Goose  www.wildgoosewinery.com 
Elaine Vickers – Blasted Church www.blastedchurch.com
Lauren Skinner – Painted Rock  www.paintedrock.ca
Christy Mavety – Blue Mountain www.bluemountainwinery.com
Gerry Thygesen – Kraze Legz/Skaha and Acting president of OFWA.  www.krazelegz.com
www.ofwa.ca
 
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Cameron Hughes Wines

Cameron Hughes

Cameron Hughes


Cameron Hughes is an American négociant that makes, imports, and distributes ultra-premium wine under five wine labels; The Lot Series, CAM Collection, Hughes Wellman, Greenlip, and Zin Your Face.  
The company was founded by Cameron Hughes and Jessica Kogan in 2001 for one simple reason – to bring truly exceptional wine to the market at real world prices. They  do this by partnering with the finest growers and wineries in the world and delivering consistently high quality wines and the highest degree of service to their  customers. The result is Cameron Hughes is one the most trusted wine brands in the industry, receiving high praise from wine experts and consumers.
Great reviews can be found at  Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate, Wine & Spirits, Wall Street Journal, Food & Wine, New York Times, Forbes Magazine, Cellar Tracker and more. In 2012, Cameron Hughes was nominated for “Innovator of the Year” by the Wine Enthusiast.
Safe to say he changed the game in California.
https://chwine.com 

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STORIES WERE WORKING ON

Rge Rd – Edmonton
Alberta chefs brings the goods to Vancouver
California wine tour
NZ on the coast

April 18th, 2015 … The Canucks!

April 16, 2015 Weekly Show 00:42:54

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Hockey playoffs are starting..so we revisit our Canucks special last year. Jim Benning, Willie Desjardins, Dan Hamhuis, Willie Mitchell and owner Paolo Aquilini.
At the West Coast Fishing Club
And a very special feature on the fascinating Wines of the Jura with DJ Kearney.
What a great line up!   

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 THE SHOW

It’s the 9th annual CAN Fishing for Kids tournament at the West Coast Fishing Club. Haida Gwaii.
First prize $200,000.   

Paolo and his boys

Paolo and his boys


This is a very personal event as Paolo Aquilini, the owner of the Canucks has an autistic  son  Christian,  who joined us on this trip. (He had the 4th or 5th best salmon on the first day).
Interviews last September with the brand new GM Jim Benning, New Coach Willie Desjardins, Canucks and spokesperson Dan Hamhuis, original spokesperson, ex-Canuck and  Florida team member Willie Mitchell.
 
We start with Canucks owner and the driving force behind Canucks Autism Network (CAN)  Paolo Aquilini.
 Paolo could not believe many years ago  that there was no support or recognition for Autism in BC and he  kept pushing the boundaries until the Government & Health Community decided to get on board and do something.
Willie Mitchell releases the Winner

Willie Mitchell releases the Winner


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Fishing For Kids West Coast Fishing Club Tournament has  been a driving force behind the growth and development of the Canucks Autism Network (CAN) since 2009. The remarkable funds raised at this premier charity event have enabled them  to introduce new programs, welcome new families, and offer our adapted programs to even more communities throughout British Columbia. since the organization’s inception in 2008 and the Fishing for Kids Tournament continues to propel CAN down this exciting road of growth.
This top-notch fishing tournament has not only supported them  in their  mission to provide high quality programming, it has made our dream of building a CAN training hub an achievable goal.  It is difficult to put into words the significance of the Fishing For Kids Tournament and the incredible impact it has had on so many lives. They strongly believe in the work that they do and are immeasurably grateful to the event participants, organizers, and sponsors for their part in enriching the lives of families affected by autism in BC.
Big Thanks to
Courtney Hatfield
Tom Cochrane,  Ken Greer and road crew
Rosewood Hotel.
David Hawksworth
Doug Olive/Rob Giroux  Ritchie Bros Auctioneers.
Brian Legge/Terry Cowan  WCFC
Chef Shaun Snelling WCFC
Chris Brumwell  Canucks

Global Wine Expert J Kearney and a Master Class on The wines of the Jura Region.

DJ Kearney
DJ Kearney
French winemaking doesn’t get much more extreme than this.
The Jura, on the French fringes of the Swiss Alps, is hard country. Winters are cold, spring comes late and while summer days are long, the nights are chilly. Fall is vintage time, a scramble to get the grapes ripe and harvested before rains arrive.

Jura Signage

Jura Signage


This tiny wine region is 4,400 acres, similar in size to Yountville in Napa Valley. The Jura lies up against the mountains that separate the watersheds of the Rhine, Rhône and Po rivers.
Historically isolated, the Jura has evolved several distinct wine styles that are now being discovered by the rest of the world.
Leading the charge have been fashion-conscious sommeliers, who seem to thrive on springing surprises on unsuspecting diners.
These wines are becoming more widely available in the U.S and Canada  and more consumers can discover them.
 
“We are a little region with a huge range of wines,” says vigneron Pierre Rolet. “We appeal to drinkers who are happy to experiment.”
The ultimate in oxidative wine is vin jaune (yellow wine). It’s made Jura known throughout the wine world for its extreme concentration and range of flavors, from smoky to yeasty, with intense acidity.
SAMSUNG DIGIMAX A503

SAMSUNG DIGIMAX A503


A handful of Jura winemakers/growers/owners are just finishing up a short tour of the US and Canada.
With the help of  the wonderful wine teacher..’DJ Kearney .. they’ve poured their very different wines and made lots of new friends along the way.
Here’s an loving overview of these wines, the region and the people from The Deej!!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/10863147/Jura-wine-the-grapes-that-took-Manhattan.html
 
 

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON’

Naramata Bench pours on the Coast
Alberta chefs invade Vancouver
California spring pour
NZ heads our way

April 11th, 2015 -Tuscany

April 10, 2015 Weekly Show 00:42:50

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The Wine Diva in Tuscany..what a great lineup of wines..
A leader of the Ventoux Region  in the Southern Rhone..Chateau Pesquie. Our guest Frederic Chaudière, third generation of family.
Ladies who shoot their lunch and BK Wines. The  Oz winemakers Brendan Keyes and Matt Fowles with Mark Davidson.
AND Baseball Hall of Famer..perhaps the greatest starting pitchers EVER and now winegrower Tom Seaver.
Play Ball!!!

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THE SHOW

The Wine Diva
Wine Diva is 11 years old
Daenna van Mulligen has just returned from Tuscany, where she tasted over 300 wines.
 
 
 
 
 
She takes us along with stories of vineyards, regions, wines and of course Florence.

tuscany-vineyard

tuscany-vineyard


Then some chat about new BC wine laws and finally flipping wine store licences and how it all affects us.
www.winediva.ca
 
 

Chateau Pesquie – Ventoux, Southern Rhone

In the mid-1980’s, Edith & Paul Chaudière decided to give up their medical careers (as a physiotherapist and a speech therapist) to take over a family estate. They went on several research trips to other great wine regions (Napa Valley, Bordeaux, Oregon, Burgundy, Piedmont, Rioja…). They completed this academic preparation with vocational training at the wine Institute in Orange, where Paul’s father, Charles Chaudière, was an oenology professor. On the Chaudière side of the family, vine cultivation has been an important tradition for the past 150 years. The Chaudière family emigrated from Alsace to Algeria, when Alsace became temporarily German territory in 1871. There in Algeria, the family acquired land where they began growing vines.
In 2003, Paul and Edith’s two sons, Alexandre and Frédéric, took over the Domaine. They are continuing the family tradition: to harness the potential of the outstanding Ventoux terroir and to make extraordinary wines. Château Pesquié is now a leading estate in the Ventoux AOC and the southern Rhone Valley. The new generation hopes to take it to the next level!
 

Chateau Pesquie

Chateau Pesquie


Our guest Frederic Chaudiere..pouring Chateau Pesquie and Le Paradou!!
 
www.chateaupesquie.com
 
 

Ladies who shoot their Lunch et al – from our friends in Oz.

 

Ladies who shoot their Lunch

Ladies who shoot their Lunch


 
 
 
 
Do you love your Australian wines?
Mark Davidson

Mark Davidson


We start with a mini OZ tour. Mark Davidson is a sommelier who now represents wines of Australia, and he brought with him two of Australia’s cutting edge winemakers. Brendan Keys is from BK Wines Adelaide Hills, and poured his much talked-about Skin and Bones.
Matt Fowles from Strathbogie Range  brought his Ladies who shoot their Lunch (meant to pair with game), and his other wine Are you Game?
Matt Fowles

Matt Fowles


Damn fine question that.
https://www.fowleswine.com
www.bkwines.com.au
https://twitter.com/vintagemd
 

Tom Seaver…  Baseball legend and Winery owner Napa

 

Tom Seaver

Tom Seaver


 Tom Seaver George Thomas “Tom” Seaver nicknamed “Tom Terrific” and “The Franchise”, is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets. In 1992, he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fameby the highest percentage ever recorded (98.84%), and has the only plaque at Cooperstown wearing a New York Mets hat. As of 2010, Tom Seaver and Gil Hodges(played for the Mets in 1962-63) are the only Met players to have their jersey numbers retired by the team (Gil Hodges’ number was retired as a manager even though he also played for the Mets). He won the National League Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, and three NL Cy Young Awards as the league’s best pitcher. Seaver is the Mets’ all-time leader in wins, and is considered by many baseball experts as one of the best starting pitchers in the history of baseball.
Tom  Seaver married the former Nancy Lynn McIntyre on June 9, 1966. They are parents of two daughters. They live in Calistoga, California, where he started his own his 3.5-acre  vineyard, Seaver Family Vineyards, on his 116-acre  estate on Diamond Mtn Napa  in 2002. His first vintage was produced in 2005.  He presented his two cabernets, Nancy’s Fancy and GTS, in an April 2010 wine-tasting event in SoHo to positive reviews.
Tom obviously loves walking vines with his labs..but he also talks lovingly about his days in baseball and a few of the most important mementos in the office with him.
https://www.seavervineyards.com

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Spring releases from
Naramata Bench
Okanagan Falls
And California
 

April 4th, 2015 Island Wineries

April 3, 2015 Weekly Show

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The wines, ciders and meads of Vancouver Island. An even Ten.
Plus Benjamin Bridge and Stratus.  Two of the names to watch in Eastern Canada.
For your Easter Weekend!!
 

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THE SHOW

 In British Columbia’s wine world, the Okanagan is the acknowledged front runner.
However more and more  wine watchers are  paying  attention to the wines, ciders and meads of Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands.
It’s a different terroir from the hotter Okanagan but that doesn’t mean they can’t grow crisp, thoughtful wines.

Island Wineries

Island Wineries


The ongoing dialogue within the wineries has always been..what does the land want to give us?
Which varietal?  That’s one of the questions I asked during these interviews.
Gathering this group is like herding cats BUT one guy knows them all..that’s because Rich Massey represents all of them.
He asked each and every label to show up at Edible Canada on Granville Island and pour their products.
Rich did the rest, getting the word out to fans, media and the trade.
The room was jumping..everybody had something special in the room they had to taste. Bodies moving like a night club.
And in limps yours truly, microphone in hand. I was able to slow down the following people long enough to get their comments..
 Averill Creek  www.avrillcreek.ca
Unsworth   www.unsworthvineyards.com
Alderlea   www.alderleavineyards.ca
Sea Cider    www.seacider.ca
Sea Cider

Sea Cider


Venturi Schulze    www.Venturischulze.com  
Blue Grouse   www.bluegrouse.ca
Mistaken Identity    Salt Spring Island      www.MIV.ca
Cherry Point   www.cherrypointestatewines.com
Tugwell Creek  www.tugwellcreekfarm.com
Tugwell Creek

Tugwell Creek




Garry Oaks  Salt Spring Island www.garryoaks.com
Garry Oaks Salt Spring

Garry Oaks Salt Spring


 
 
 
 
 
 

Benjamin Bridge – Nova Scotia

Stratus and CB Wines – Niagara, Ont.
 I wouldn’t have missed  this tasting for anything . 

BenjaminBridge.Vineyard.

BenjaminBridge.Vineyard.


 
 
First..a vineyard I’m very familiar with as I visited them  during their early years with Jason Priestley for Year Two of Hollywood and Vines TV.
 
 
Its Benjamin Bridge in the beautiful Gaspereau Valley outside Halifax Nova Scotia.
Here’s the whole story as written by Beppi in The Globe and Mail from Sept 2011.  It’s just such a great success story, saddened by the passing of owner Gerry McConnell’s wife Dara.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/food-and-wine/wine/surprise-one-of-canadas-best-wines-is-from-nova-scotia/article627121/
Our guests are:
Ashley McConnell-Gordon – Dara and Gerry’s Daughter and in charge of Marketing
Jean-Benoit Deslauriers – Winemaker
We’re tasting and talking about their Brut , Reserve Brut, Brut Rose, Tidal Bay and Nova 7, a huge success story.
Benjamin-Bridge-Brut-Reserve-800x514
 
 
www.benjaminbridge.com
 
 
 
 

and our last guest is one of Ontario’s most respected winemakers…   Charles Baker.

Charles Baker

Charles Baker


He’s responsible for the outstanding wines at Stratus in Niagara and his own label cb Wines.
Stratus is widely respected for their Riesling made from various vineyards in and around the Niagara Escarpment.
Surprises come with their Chardonnay, Stratus white, a strong Can Franc and their popular Stratus.
His own Charles Baker Riesling is memorable.  Great flavours and finish.
www.stratuswines.com
www.charlesbaker.ca
Both vineyards have committed to placing their wines all across Canada.  It’s a big task.
Both wineries are well worth your time..watch for them!!

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STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Chateau Pesquie from the Ventoux, Southern Rhone
Rioja shows up in BC wine stores, so we talk Spanish wines with The Diva
Celebrate Malbec Day
Tuscany revisited by The Wine Diva