Weekly Show

September 2nd, 2017 – The Judgement & A Pinot Party!

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

With a cast of All-Stars.

 Heads UP *** – TRR will move to 11am starting next Saturday on Roundhouse Radio. Followed by Fong on Food at Noon.

 

 THE SHOW

 

The Judges visit Tinhorn

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

The Judges

So much to talk about..

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

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

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

 

Guests include:

 DJ Kearney – New District.ca

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine

Richard Hemming  – Master of Wine

Sid Cross – Food and Wine Educator and judge

Kurtis Kolt – Wine Expert

Michaela Morris – Wine Expert

And Yours Truly

 

Here are the results…

PINOT GRIS RESULT ORDER

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

 

MERLOT RESULT ORDER

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

 

 

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

Pinot Party. Christine Coletta & Curtis Krouzel

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

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

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

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

 

 

Our guests include:

 Barb and Iain Phillip – Wine Experts

Chris Turyk – Unsworth

Jak Meyer – Meyer Family Vineyards

Christine Coletta – Haywire and OK Crush Pad

Thorsten Allander – Foxtrot

Doug Reimer – Mirabel

Leslie d’Andrea – Noble Ridge

Jeff Martin – La Frenz

Curtis Krouzel – 50th Parallel

DJ Kearney – with the wrap.

 

We couldn’t fit everyone in.

So next week we’ll complete the story with…

Andy Johnson – Averill Creek

Luke Smith – Howling Bluff

Bryant Mao – Hawksworth

Gustav Allender – Foxtrot

 www.bcpinotnoir.ca 

  

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Sandra Oldfield – Introduces The Creek

Planeta and Boutinot pour in Vancouver

Rod Butters gets The Book out

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 26th, 2017 – The Hatch goes top 10!

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Tasting Room Radio Post Banner

   The Hatch was named 9th best winery in Canada and 5th in BC.

And IS this the weekend  to Lick Your Plate?

 

THE SHOW

Some wine fans follow labels, some follow grapes, some follow regions and some follow Winemakers.

Can I please suggest one winemaker  you may want to follow?  Jason Parkes!

First of all he’s born in Peachland, so the man knows his fruit.

jason-parkes-customs

 

 

He’s fronted two punk bands. OK, that has nothing to do with wine-making but there’s a do-it-yourself attitude in the punk/post-punk community and that works in a vineyard/cellar…

 

He started making wine in the Okanagan to pay the bills and get his band’s van back on the road.

 

Now, after multiple harvests, he’s gathered around him a great team of growers, cellar hands and winemakers.

It shows in the wines he creates.

The Hatch

  • Black Swift
  • Contempt by Pamela Anderson
  • Screaming Fenzy
  • Gobsmacked
  • Talking Stories

and countless more.

2016 WINE ALIGN AWARDS OF CANADA, THEY WERE NAMED THE 9TH BEST WINERY IN ALL OF CANADA. 5TH BEST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA.

http://www.winealign.com/awards/2016/07/27/2016-nwac-top-25-wineries-in-canada/

Here’s what they say about themselves..

The Hatch is the absolute culmination of the wants and dreams of a select, rare and bizarre cadre of people who are unconcerned about the convention and now have a chance to show the world exactly what real wine, real hospitality and real people are all about. ‘the hatch’ is the direct confluence of all our favourite arts.

the-hatch

The liquid arts, the visual arts and the living arts; finally together and together forever.

That answers the ‘what’, but also asked is the ‘why’. Why ‘the hatch’? Because the time is long overdue for something like this to enter your life, and more-so; to make your life that much better. Now it’s time to shut-up and go drink some wine.

 

Jason Parkes brings lots of stories to the edition of Tasting Room Radio. Great fun.  Fabulous wines.

Drink the future!!

 

https://thehatchwines.com

 

 

Lick Your Plate  –  Authors Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat

 Yes,  they are sisters and best friends, they each have 3 kids and they live within 5 blocks of each other.

authors-julie-albert-and-lisa-gnat

julie and lisa

 

These sisters  create a force in any kitchen. Julie writes… Lisa Cooks.

Julie and Lisa have  released their third cookbook Lick Your Plate. A follow up to Bite Me and Bite me Too!

The girls write about food and family (family first).

They talk with me about Sloppy Joe’s, Baja Fish Tacos, Slutty brownies and the fact that it takes  Twinkies 45 seconds to explode in a microwave!

We do take time to go back and remember their Grandmother.  Alice Leiberman welcomed them into her kitchen and very likely set this whole career in motion.

We also get sidetracked into their fave MuchMusic VJ, Bon Jovi and what BC wines I’m recommending to these two Torontonians

Lick Your Plate offers 160 original recipes, several 30-minute dinner ideas, tips, tricks, mouthwatering visuals, funny anecdotes, drool-worthy descriptions of every recipe, and is perfect for everyone from the beginner to the well-seasoned home cook.

“We’re not Martha telling someone to make the eight-hour broth, but we’re also not Rachael Ray saying put cheese on toast. There is that happy medium,” says Gnat, who developed the recipes.

The sisters say they understand the importance of accessible recipes, where all the ingredients can be bought in one shop.

“We love and admire ‘the foodie’ and we’re happy to sit down to a gourmet meal. And we are all about fresh flavours and great food. But we also live in the real world with six kids between us. We don’t always have that sort of time and inclination to go on a goose chase for fig paste,” says Julie.

 

http://www.bitememore.com/

http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/252970/lick-your-plate-by-julie-albert-and-lisa-gnat/9780147529886/

 

Todays Wild Salmon Celebration – Fisherman’s Wharf  Granville Island

 

There are a lot of local food and wine events to finish off August but this one may be the best.

Some of ther very best chefs across the country are teaming with some of our best local chefs to create salmon and seafood dishes that can be eaten right on the docks at Fisherman’s Wharf. Six perfect dishes paired with 5 perfect wines.

All the info you need can be heard from today’s guests …

 

Chef Robert Clark  – The Fish Counter

Chef Jessie McMillan,  Campagnolo Roma, Vancouver

Chef Charlotte Langley,  Scout Canning, Toronto

 

Today at 6PM..The first annual Wild Salmon Celebration will be taking place at False Creek Fisherman’s Wharf  from 6 to 9 p.m.

Hosted by the Chefs’ Table Society of B.C. and the B.C. Salmon Marketing Council, this outdoor dinner offers  seafood dishes created by top chefs from across Canada working with local chefs.

See Chef list below.

The main theme of this al fresco meal is salmon.  BBQ salmon with sesame seeds with  dashi  glaze, cured salmon with risotto &  pickled field cucumber, and salmon poké bowls, etc.

See Wine list below

 

Must be drinking age. Tickets are $49.00 per person.

 

 

CHEFS

 

Lee Cooper, L’Abattoir (Vancouver)

Ryan Bissell, North Arm Farm (Pemberton) and Erin Vickars, Outer Shores Expeditions

Charlotte Langley, Scout Canning (Toronto, ON) with Steve Duyzer, Vancouver Fish Company (Vancouver)

Nathan Middleton, The Home of the Brave (Toronto, ON) with Jesse McMillan, Campagnolo Roma (Vancouver)

Tyler Shedden, The Chase Hospitality Group (Toronto, ON) with Robert Clark, The Fish Counter (Vancouver)

Peter Zambri, Zambri’s (Victoria, BC) with Lucais Syme, Cinara (Vancouver)

 

 

WINES

 

 

Culmina Family Estate Winery,

Covert Farms Family Estate,

Haywire Winery at Okanagan Crush Pad,

Sage Hills Estate Winery

Tinhorn Creek Vineyards

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: 

On the Labour Day Long Weekend

The Judgement of BC – who won what

The BC Pinot Noir Celebration – 34 PN makers in one lovely park.

 

 

August 19th, 2017-Charles Smith,

hello

The Dark  Prince of Walla Walla Charles Smith makes Wines of Substance

Chef Meets BC Grape

Plus Vikram Vij and Jill Spoor

THE SHOW

 

Chef Meets BC Grape / Okanagan

The Taste of the Okanagan signature tasting event  Chef Meets BC Grape will take place on Saturday, August 26 at the historic See Ya Later Ranch in Okanagan Falls where guests are invited to spend the day with celebrated star chefs and various award-winning BC winemakers.

The day will include a variety of food stations prepared by the country’s top chefs Chefs Mark McEwan, Nicole Gomes Top Chef winner and many more.  Also  master class wine education seminars with Rhys Pender plus  food and wine pairing demonstrations over 40 BC VQA Wines to sample and much more.

Have a listen to these guests and then make your plans.

Nicole Gomes – Top Chef Canada Winner Nicole Gourmet/Cluck and Cleaver Calgary

Trevor Bird – Fable Kitchen and Fable Diner.   Vancouver  Finalist Top Chef Canada

Josie Tyabji – BC Wine Institute.

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine. Little Farm Wines.  Educator. Judge. Husband.

Tickets and info at

www.chefmeetsbcgrapeokanagan.com

Charles Smith – Wines of Substance

 

Sir Charles Smith

 

The man who created

K Vintners

ViNO

SIXTO

B.Leighton

CasaSmith  and more.

Has now created Wines of Substance http://www.kvintners.com/

 In celebration of their  new, special release, barrel-aged K Vintners Jet City Riesling, they are hosting the first-annual Jet City Riesling Revolution on Saturday, August 26 at Charles Smith’s Jet City in Seattle.

Bringing together 18 premier wineries primarily from the Pacific Northwest and a few favorites from Germany to showcase the best Riesling including Charles & Charles Riesling, the famed Kung Fu Girl Riesling, and K Vintners Jet City Riesling, which is only available for a limited time at the event and in the Jet City tasting room. Following the tasting, performances by Calexico and a rare solo act from Isaac Brock, Modest Mouse front man, making this a truly one-of-a-kind event.

Local food trucks – The People’s Burger, Sam Choy’s Poke To the Max, Nacho Mama’s and more – will be serving signature dishes.

Tickets are available online now for $45 and $55 at the door if not sold out prior to the event. Follow @KickAssWaWine on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for updates. Ticket price includes complimentary Riesling tasting from 4:30pm-6:30pm and live performances.


“Riesling has been one of my favorite varietals,” said Charles Smith, winemaker, and owner of Jet City. “We’re excited to bring together so many producers and a killer music lineup to give the varietal a worthy celebration.” Sir Charles


The debut Jet City Riesling Revolution will feature Riesling from winemaker Charles Smith and wineries including: Airfield Estates Winery, Brooks Wines, Charles & Charles, Charles Smith Wines, Dr. Loosen, Fritz Haag, J. Bookwalter Winery, K Vintners, Maximin Grünhaus, Mercer Wine Estate, Milbrandt Vineyards, Pacific Rim, Robert Weil, Ryan Patrick Wines, Savage Grace, Sparkman Cellars, Ste. Michelle Wines Estates and Wit Cellars.

 We found Charles sitting on the end of his dock, fishing and tasting a magnum of Bubble. It was his 56th Birthday!

Not sure how the day turned out.

 Vikram Vij – Vij The Book

 

What kind of person would stop his car in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge and jump out to celebrate being a free man?

This guy.  

 

Vikram Vij

 

Vij reveals the story of Vikram Vij, one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs and entrepreneurs. Co-owner of the world-famous Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, his story is a true rags-to-riches tale of a college dropout from northern India who made it to Europe’s temples of high cuisine, then with a one-way ticket bound for Canada, found fame serving some of the world’s most transcendent Indian cuisine.

 

Vij’s Restaurant, originally a fourteen-seat establishment known for its extraordinary flavours and spice blends, along with a firm no-reservation policy, received accolades from restaurant critics and patrons alike.

A culinary journey that began in India as a boy enjoying the praise of visitors for his chai and biscuits, Vikram’s passion for Indian cooking and his lifelong mission to bring awareness to the culture he left behind have fueled his tireless drive in building a world-renowned food empire.

Driven to succeed, Vikram realized his dream to launch five major initiatives under the Vij’s brand by age fifty, but with challenges and sacrifices along the way.

For the first time, Vikram opens up about his struggles with prejudice, his mentors’ lasting lessons, and the painful demise of his marriage—both the successes and the failures that have shaped and sharpened one of Canada’s most unique and revered culinary talents.

 

That’s what the press release wanted you to know. Fair enough.

I knew some of the story but what I really wanted to know was the rest of the story!!  This interview attempts that reveal.

 

Lamb Popsicles

 

Vikram Vij was born in India and grew up in Amritsar and Mumbai. He studied hotel management in Salzburg, Austria, before moving to Canada to work at the Banff Springs Hotel.

He opened the original fourteen-seat Vij’s Restaurant in 1994, and has appeared on many television shows and regularly cooks for events, including the James Beard Awards gala in New York.

 

A certified sommelier, he is passionate about pairing wines with Indian food. In addition to running Vij’s and Rangoli with Meeru, Vikram is the chef and owner of My Shanti.

 The RAW version of the interview can be heard on TastingRoomRadio.com

 www.vijs.ca

https://youtu.be/DBVGzZD_Yn4   Check out Vikram’s wonderful TedX Talk

 Jill Spoor and Christine Coletta –   Okanagan Wine Campus

 

Jill Spoor

 

Okanagan Wine Campus, created in 2011 by Okanagan Crush Pad, is a mentorship program that provides selected Vancouver Sommeliers with the unique chance to make a small lot wine using the grape variety and style of wine they wish.

The proceeds from the sale of the wine are given to the BC Hospitality Foundation wine scholarship fund to support students pursuing their higher level wine education certification.

 

 

To date, $30,000 has been donated from seven projects including Kurtis Kolt (2010), Owen Knowlton (2011), Terry Threlfall (2012), Samantha Rahn (2013), Mike Bernardo (2014), Jason Yamasaki (2015) and Jill Spoor (2016).

 

Jill Spoor joined Fairmont Pacific Rim in 2011 to open Giovane Winebar, implementing an all-Italian wine program.  Spoor’s enthusiasm and dedication to the wine program at the hotel led her to her role as Wine Director.

Jill Spoor has developed Botanist’s wine program to reflect exclusive terroir-driven wineries that support sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming and winemaking practices.

Recently, Spoor was designated Okanagan Crush Pad Winery’s ‘2016 Harvest Intern,’ and has been hard at work developing her own wine label – a beautiful white blend.

The wine label was designed by her niece Taryn Brown, who is a gifted artist living in Victoria.

Jill recommends pairing with scallop or ling cod from the Botanist menu. Juicy green melon with entrancing high-notes of newly cut grass, fresh thyme and sage. A rounded mouth feel on the mid-palate gives way to a refreshing, zippy lime finish.

Assembled specially by Jill Spoor, Matt Dumayne, David Scholefield and world-renowned terroir expert, Dr Pedro Parra, this blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of what the Okanagan does best.

 

About the blend:

Juicy green melon with entrancing high-notes of newly cut grass, fresh thyme and sage. A rounded mouth feel on the mid-palate gives way to a refreshing, zippy lime finish. Assembled specially by Jill Spoor, Matt Dumayne, David Scholefield and world-renowned terroir expert, Dr Pedro Parra, this blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of what the Okanagan does best.

 

 

Available at select private retail stores, at The Botanist Restaurant, Fairmont Pacific Rim or from WWW.OKANAGANCRUSHPAD.COM

… and Christine Coletta is – one of the leaders in the BC wine industry and the co-owner of Okanagan Crush pad.

Christine Colletta

 

www.okanagancrushpad.com  

www.botanistrestaurant.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: 

  • Planeta and Boutinot pours in Vancouver
  • The Judgement of BC
  • The BC Pinot Noir Celebration
  • The Wild Salmon Celebration

 

August 12 th, 2017- Okanagan Falls Wineries – A dozen reasons to stop and taste!

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Looking for  the best “Patio Wines” AND talking to a dozen  winemakers from Okanagan Falls!

 

THE SHOW

Liquidity

It’s the 5th annual Okanagan Falls  Winery Association Spring Wine Tasting at Earls in Yaletown.

One of the best events in the calendar year.  Everybody shows up. Owners, winemakers and principals.

They pour all their new offerings and the best of their portfolio.  There was even a table filled with nothing but OK Falls Pinot Noir.

At the same time, I was writing my food and wine column for Living Magazine.  The theme in the next issue was looking ahead to Summer. They suggested I recommend Patio Wines.

So, one of the  questions I asked was “What’s your best patio wine?”  (fyi – I’m not a big fan of the term patio wine..I happen to think it sells great/complex wines short, as though they were a throwaway!)

 

Here’s the line up of  wineries and guests .  (in somewhat alphabetical order)

 Blasted Church                  Elaine Vickers/Winemaker                      blastedchurch.com

Blasted Church

Blue Mountain                   Christie Mavety/ family & marketing   www.bluemountainwinery.com

Crescent Hill                      Teresa Murray Wiseman/Owner            www.crescenthillwinery.com/

Kraze Legz/Skaha             Gerry  Thygesen/Owner-WM                www.krazelegz.com/

Liquidity Winery/Bistro Ian MacDonald/Owner                            www.liquiditywines.com/

 

Meyer Family Wines       Janice Stevens-Meyer/Owner                www.mfvwines.com/

Meyer Family

Nighthawk Vineyards      Christy Bibby/Co-Owner                          www.nighthawkvineyards.com/

Noble Ridge                        Leslie/Jim D’Andrea / Owners                www.nobleridge.com

 

Painted Rock                      Lauren Skinner/ Family & marketing   www.paintedrock.ca

Lauren Skinner. Painted Rock

Pentage                                Julie Rennie – Co-Owner

www.facebook.com/Pentage-Winery-179523385395966/

Synchromesh                      Alan Dickinson /Owner-Winemaker    www.synchromeshwines.ca/

Wild Goose                         Roland Kruger                                             www.wildgoosewinery.com/

 

https://www.ofwa.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Vikram Vij – Vij, the book

John Schreiner – ICON.  Flagship Wines from BC’s Best Wineries.

Jill  Spoor with  Christine Coletta.  Jill Creates a White Terroir Blend

Judgement of BC

BC Pinot Noir Celebration

Bloom

 

 

 

August 5th, 2017- Naramata Bench Wineries pour releases … AND … Jeremiah Tower!

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Eight winemakers/owners from The Naramata Bench pour on the Coast and a brief interview with the legendary culinary star Jeremiah Tower (Chez Panisse/Stars)

 

 

The SHOW

 

Some wine fans consider the drive down the Naramata Bench one of the best anywhere.

You have wineries on both sides of the road.  Some above and some below the road.

At the bottom of the slope is the blue jewel known as  Okanagan Lake.  Crisscrossing the road is what’s left of the old Kettle Valley Rail Line..now a famous bike and walking path.

 

You’re surrounded by rows and rows of vines, orchards, beautiful wineries, restaurants and Sun for days.

  Here’s the guest list:

Anthony Buree –  GM Therapy Vineyards  http://therapyvineyards.com/

Kathy Malone –  Winemaker Hillside Winery http://www.hillsideestate.com/

Gavin Miller –  Winemaker Upper Bench Winery (and Creamery) http://www.upperbench.ca/

Valeria Tait – Chief Winemaker Bench 1775  http://www.bench1775.com/

Val Tait

Jeff Martin – Owner/Chief Winemaker  La Frenz Winery  http://www.lafrenzwinery.com/

LaFrenz Jeff and Niva Martin.

Will Hardman – Winemaker  Deep Roots Winery  http://www.deeprootswinery.com/

Garron Elmes – Winemaker Lake Breeze (Small Winery of the Year) https://lakebreeze.ca/

Bob Tennant – Co-Owner Terra Vista Winery https://www.terravistavineyards.com/

All the info you need from the artists who craft Naramata Bench Wines.

www.naramatabench.com

Jeremiah Tower – The Last Magnificent

The new Documentary that opening this weekend –  JEREMIAH TOWER: THE LAST MAGNIFICENT -explores the remarkable life of Jeremiah Tower, one of the most controversial and influential figures in the history of American gastronomy.

Jeremiah Tower

Tower began his career at the renowned Chez Panisse in Berkeley in 1972, becoming a pioneering figure in the emerging California cuisine movement.  After leaving Chez Panisse, due in part to a famously contentious relationship with founder Alice Waters, Tower went on to launch his own legendary Stars Restaurant in San Francisco. Stars was an overnight sensation and soon became one of America’s top-grossing U.S. restaurants.

After several years, Tower mysteriously walked away from Stars and then disappeared from the scene for nearly two decades, only to resurface in the most unlikely of places: New York City’s fabled but troubled Tavern on the Green. There, he launched a journey of self-discovery familiar to anyone who has ever imagined themselves to be an artist.  Featuring interviews by Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Ruth Reichl and Martha Stewart, this delicious documentary tells the story of the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity chef, whose brash personality and culinary genius has made him a living legend.

When you walk into your favourite restaurant and see an open kitchen, farm to table dining, farmers and farms mentioned in the menu that’s just some of the legacy of Jeremiah Tower.

Today’s show has a brief conversation about Chez Panisse and Stars. The entire conversation will air here in two weeks.  Watch for the film!

 

Facebook: Last Magnificent
Twitter: Last Magnificent
Instagram: Last Magnificent

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

Okanagan Falls Wineries  pour in Vancouver

Planeta and Boutinot pour in Vancouver

Repeat of Vikram Vij, John Schreiner and Jill Spoor show

Jeremiah Tower special, DJ Kearney, St Francis: Sonoma Icon

 

 

 

 

July 29th, 2017 – Books and Wine nothing better!

hello

Two books for Summer reading – One from Vikram Vij on his life and career and John Schreiner on BC Icon Wines.

And Sommelier Jill Spoor creates her first wine with Christine Coletta from Okanagan Crush Pad.

THE SHOW

 

Vikram Vij 

 

Vikram Vij

 

What kind of person would stop his car in the middle of the Golden Gate Bridge and jump out to celebrate being a free man?

This guy.

  

Vikram and Meeru

Vij reveals the story of Vikram Vij, one of Canada’s most celebrated chefs and entrepreneurs. Co-owner of the world-famous Vij’s Restaurant in Vancouver, his story is a true rags-to-riches tale of a college dropout from northern India who made it to Europe’s temples of high cuisine, then with a one-way ticket bound for Canada, found fame serving some of the world’s most transcendent Indian cuisine. Vij’s Restaurant, originally a fourteen-seat establishment known for its extraordinary flavours and spice blends, along with a firm no-reservation policy, received accolades from restaurant critics and patrons alike.

A culinary journey that began in India as a boy enjoying the praise of visitors for his chai and biscuits, Vikram’s passion for Indian cooking and his lifelong mission to bring awareness to the culture he left behind have fueled his tireless drive in building a world-renowned food empire. Driven to succeed, Vikram realized his dream to launch five major initiatives under the Vij’s brand by age fifty, but with challenges and sacrifices along the way.

For the first time, Vikram opens up about his struggles with prejudice, his mentors’ lasting lessons, and the painful demise of his marriage—both the successes and the failures that have shaped and sharpened one of Canada’s most unique and revered culinary talents.

 

That’s what the press release wanted you to know. Fair enough.

I knew some of the story but what I really wanted to know was the rest of the story!!  This interview attempts that reveal.

Lamb Popsicles

 

Vikram Vij was born in India and grew up in Amritsar and Mumbai. He studied hotel management in Salzburg, Austria, before moving to Canada to work at the Banff Springs Hotel. He opened the original fourteen-seat Vij’s Restaurant in 1994, and has appeared on many television shows and regularly cooks for events, including the James Beard Awards gala in New York. A certified sommelier, he is passionate about pairing wines with Indian food. In addition to running Vij’s and Rangoli with Meeru, Vikram is the chef and owner of My Shanti.

 

The RAW version of the interview can be heard on TastingRoomRadio.com

 

www.vijs.ca

https://youtu.be/DBVGzZD_Yn4   Check out Vikram’s wonderful TedX Talk

 

John Schreiner – Icon. Flagship Wines from BC Best Wineries

 

John Shreiner

British Columbia now has such an array of high-calibre winemakers that John Schreiner has compiled a book showcasing the icon wines from BC’s best wineries. An icon wine is the very best wine that a producer can make, and the prestige of an icon wine cascades across a winery’s entire portfolio.

 

 

For each wine profiled, readers will learn the behind-the-scenes story of the winery and winemaker, as well as the history, provenance, and inspiration behind each wine. The most recent vintage is listed, along with detailed tasting notes for as many vintages as are available, information on number of cases produced, percentages of varietals in the case of blends, and even the clone number of particular varietals.

My personal favourite is the cellar life of a particular wine. How long to hold on to the wines and when enough is enough.  Drink it NOW!

 

The essential guide for any collector of BC wine, this book is also the culmination of research that illuminates John Schreiner’s passion and unique contribution to BC’s wine region.

 

“BC wine fans love John Schreiner. He’s always been there for us. With the explosive growth of BC wines, he has paved the way for our all-important next step: how to choose and cellar the best of those wines, the icons.” ―Terry David Mulligan, host of  “Tasting Room Radio” program on Roundhouse Radio.

 For John’s follow up comments on wineries that didn’t make the book please read his blog

http://johnschreiner.blogspot.ca/2017/06/why-some-of-best-wineries-are-not-in.html

 

Jill Spoor and Christine Coletta –   Okanagan Wine Campus

Okanagan Wine Campus, created in 2011 by Okanagan Crush Pad, is a mentorship program that provides selected Vancouver Sommeliers with the unique chance to make a small lot wine using the grape variety and style of wine they wish. The proceeds from the sale of the wine are given to the BC Hospitality Foundation wine scholarship fund to support students pursuing their higher level wine education certification. To date, $30,000 has been donated from seven projects including Kurtis Kolt (2010), Owen Knowlton (2011), Terry Threlfall (2012), Samantha Rahn (2013), Mike Bernardo (2014), Jason Yamasaki (2015) and Jill Spoor (2016).

 

Jill Spoor joined Fairmont Pacific Rim in 2011 to open Giovane Winebar, implementing an all-Italian wine program.  Spoor’s enthusiasm and dedication to the wine program at the hotel led her to her role as Wine Director.

Jill Spoor

 

 

Jill Spoor has developed Botanist’s wine program to reflect exclusive terroir-driven wineries that support sustainable, organic and biodynamic farming and winemaking practices.

Recently, Spoor was designated Okanagan Crush Pad Winery’s ‘2016 Harvest Intern,’ and has been hard at work developing her own wine label – a beautiful white blend.

The wine label was designed by her niece Taryn Brown, who is a gifted artist living in Victoria.

Jill recommends pairing with scallop or ling cod from the Botanist menu. Juicy green melon with entrancing high-notes of newly cut grass, fresh thyme and sage. A rounded mouth feel on the mid-palate gives way to a refreshing, zippy lime finish. Assembled specially by Jill Spoor, Matt Dumayne, David Scholefield and world-renowned terroir expert, Dr Pedro Parra, this blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of what the Okanagan does best.

 

About the blend:

Juicy green melon with entrancing high-notes of newly cut grass, fresh thyme and sage. A rounded mouth feel on the mid-palate gives way to a refreshing, zippy lime finish. Assembled specially by Jill Spoor, Matt Dumayne, David Scholefield and world-renowned terroir expert, Dr Pedro Parra, this blend of Riesling, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc is a pure expression of what the Okanagan does best.

 

Available at select private retail stores, at The Botanist Restaurant, Fairmont Pacific Rim or from WWW.OKANAGANCRUSHPAD.COM

And Christine Coletta is – one of the leaders in the BC wine industry and the co-owner of Okanagan Crush pad.

www.okanagancrushpad.com

www.botanistrestaurant.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Planeta and Boutinot pours in Vancouver

Naramata Bench pours in Vancouver

Okanagan Falls pours in Vancouver.

Lots of pouring going on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 22nd, 2017- The 4 “F’s”

hello

The 6th annual Friends. Fishing. Food. Fluids. With Rhys Pender. (MW-Little Farm)  Chef Mark Filatow (Waterfront Bistro)   John Weber (Orofino)

At Skitchine Lodge.   16 Lakes, 21 wines and 2 Tomahawk Chops.

Summerhill Vineyards receives 100 pts for their Ice Wine in SF.   We talk to Ezra Cipes  CEO.

THE SHOW

 

We THINK it’s the 6th  annual summer 4F trip.  No matter.  It’s still the most fun you can have in the summer.

Chef

 

This year, as last,  we head for Skitchine Lodge on the Bonaparte Plateau North of Kamloops.

You have fifteen lakes to choose from. In many cases you are the only boat on that lake.

Some lakes are catch and release, some you can keep 2,4 or 6 trout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most guests never leave with a trout.

Perfect!

 

Yes,  it’s an excuse to go fishing but it’s also about food and wine.  And friends.

John, Rhys, Mark and myself all bring wines we think each other would like. As a result, we have far too many but they all get tasted.

Wines from all over the world. All over Canada and all over BC.

Chef Mark creates a meal that stays in the memory bank for a long time..and always includes two tomahawk chops from Two Rivers Meats. Always done over an open fire and always brilliant.

Our hosts are Mark and Tania Lee and this year Tania is the resort chef.

We talk to both about fishing and food.

 

If you EVER get a chance to visit Skitchine LodgeGO!!!

Good for the soul.

 

https://skitchine.com

https://www.orofinovineyards.com

www.littlefarmwinery.ca

https://waterfrontrestaurant.ca

Ezra Cipes – CEO Summerhill Winery

This very month Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Kelowna received a perfect 100 point score and double gold medal for its “small lot” Semillon ice wine from the San Francisco International Wine Competition. From a field of 4200 entries from 31 countries.

Ezra Cipes is humbled by the awards however he points out that you have to grow great grapes and have exceptional cellar habits to get a perfect score.

Ezra Cipes – C.E.O.

Summerhill is the same winery that earned the Canadian Winery of the Year award and also won the Best Chardonnay in the World at the Chardonnay du Monde in France with over 700 wines entered from 38 countries.

Ezra  and Summerhill exemplify  what it takes to makes great wine. Passion, smarts and a relationship with the Earth.

 

https://www.summerhill.bc.ca

 

 

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 John Schreiner  – BC Icons

Planeta pours in Vancouver

Vikram Vij – His life. His food.

 

 

July 15th, 2017 – BLOOM!

hello

 

We work the room at Bloom : BC’s VQA wineries all pour in the same space and time. It’s a wonderful crash course in our wine choices this year.

If you’re looking for your next favourite wine, this can only help!!

With a cider chaser in the last segment.

THE SHOW

 

BCs VQA wineries have been growing for over 25 years. From 17 wineries in 1990 to 275 as of March 2017.

And each year they welcome over 1 Million visitors.

So, when they gather to showcase their latest releases it’s a big deal. That’s why Bloom was held in the Vancouver Convention Centre.

Here are some facts before we work the room.

We produce 49% white grapes and 51% red.

Pinot Gris leads the  white way with 22% followed by Chardonnay at 20%

The reds are lead by Merlot at 30% and then its Pinot Noir at 21%.

Regions are growing as well  Vancouver Island, Gulf Islands, The Frazer Valley, Similkameen Valley, Okanagan Valley but starting to show themselves are Kamloops, West Kootenays, Lillooet, Prince George and Shuswap.

 

Lots to celebrate this year.

I decided this year to try interviewing the room Alphabetically. I failed miserably.

Also, I was looking for “principals” of wineries. Either owners, growers or winemakers.  If they weren’t pouring I kept walking.

BC Wine Studio/Siren’s Call –  Mark Simpson   bcwinestudio.ca

Cassini Cellars – Adrian Cassini  Owner/Winemaker    cassini.ca

Covert Farms – Gene Covert   Owner/Winemaker    covertfarms.ca

Ex Nihilo Vineyards  – Jeff Harder  Owner/Winemaker  exnihilovineyards.com

Fitspatrick Family Vineyards –  Gordon Fitzpatrick  Owner/Winemaker  fitzwine.com

Fort Berens Estate Winery – Heleen Pannekoek  Owner fortberens.ca

Pacific Breeze – Maurice Hamilton  Founder/Owner  Pacificbreezewinery.com

Therapy Vineyards – Mike Boyd  New owner  therapyvineyards.com

Spierhead Winery – Bill and Marina Knutson  Owners  spierheadwinery.com

www.WineBC.com

Love my Cider – a special segment

I missed BC Cider Fest.  So this is a small but very interesting follow up.

Only two guests but they both have a cool stories

Left Field Cider is a family owned and operated craft cider company run by sisters Kate Garthwaite and Theresa Pedersen. Located on their family ranch north of Merritt, Left Field Cider produces full juice ciders which reflect the natural characteristics of the apples and pears from which they are made. There’s something openly honest and trusting about this family and their cider. It shows itself in the bottle.  Theresa does the interview.   LeftFieldCider.com

 

The other cider and its small company is so complex that I urge you to Google them  They’re called TX O TX which is Basque. Pronounced Choch.

They got our start in the Basque Country of northern Spain. There is a deep respect for local ingredients and traditional methods there. Dry and complex apple cider naturally fermented in ancient oak barrels, bright and cleansing Txakoli born along sea-swept cliff-side vineyards, and the world’s finest seafood hand-picked and preserved at the height of its excellence.

They understand that the most complex and beautiful products are made with a light touch and a whole lot of love for the land of their birth. Though they’ve expanded past the Basque Country they still carry their ethos.

Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night, Txotx Imports will transform Birds & the Beets into Orchard & the Sea; BC’s first and only craft cider house and restaurant. Committed to serving the best ciders from local and international producers, paired with expertly hand-crafted small plates.
Website: orchardandthesea.ca

The team is Kelly and Shawn Pisio and their chef and friend Michael Broadbent.

Shawn is our guest and storyteller.

www.txotx.ca

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

 

John Schreiner – Icons

Planeta Pours in Vancouver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 8th, 2017 – Vancouver International Wine Festival- Part 2!

hello

Last Week’s TRR Hour One was all BC.

This week Hour Two  features winemaking guests from Ontario, Nova Scotia and back to BC.

Chris Waters (Vines Mag) / Daenna van Mulligen (The Wine Diva) /Keith Tyers  (Closson Chase)/ Bruce Nicholson (Inniskillin Niagara)/Charlie Pillitteri (Pillitteri)

Craig McDonald (Trius)/ Bruce Ewert (L’Acadie)/ Jean Benoit Deslauriers (Benjamin Bridge)/  Moira Peters (The Wine Lovers Guide to Atlantic Canada)

HansPeter Stutz  (Grande Pre)

Ezra Cipes (Summerhill)/Val Tait (Bench 1775)/Randy Picton (Nk Mip)/John Skinner (Painted Rock)/Mark Hicken (Vintage Wine Law) and Randy Ullom (Kendall Jackson)

 

THE SHOW

These were the best two weeks for wine fans in Canada!!

Because Canada was the Theme  Region of the 39th Vancouver International Wine Festival.   Hour One was all BC.

This week Hour Two  will feature Ontario and Nova Scotia Wine stars and then we come full circle back to BC to finish off with “The Eastsiders”

Summerhill, Bench1775 and Nk Mip.. plus a Skinner, a Lawyer and a Yank!!

Our guests include:

 Ontario

Daenna van MulligenThe Wine Diva once again joins me on air to hold my wine hand and share her insights..she also brought along

Chris Waters – Co-Founder and Editor of Vines Magazine. Through their InterVin judging they both have a unique view of Canada’s wines.

www.vinesmag.com   www.winediva.ca

 

chris waters

 

Keith Tyers – Winemaker  From Closson Chase in Prince Edward County. Famous for their Chardonnay..now comes Pinot Noir.  One to watch.

www.clossonchase.com

Bruce Nicholson – Inniskillin  Niagara. Spent many years in the Okanagan at Jackson Triggs. Famous for their Ice Wines.  A Pro!  https://www.inniskillin.com/Niagara

Bruce Nicholson

Charlie Pillitteri – CEO/President  of Pillitteri Wines.  Charlie told me “ why bother sending Ontario wines to BC. You’re Homers!!  You drink everything BC makes.”  Fabulous troublemaker. https://www.pillitteri.com

Craig McDonald – Trius Wines.  Ontario Winemaker of the year 2008 & 2016. A legendary risk taker who paid his dues at Villa Maria, Penfolds, De Bortoli, Sokol Blosser in Oregon.  Great guy. https://www.triuswines.com

Nova Scotia

 Vines were planted in Nova Scotia in the 1600’s. Making it one of the first wine regions in North America.

There are now 70 growers and ALL are close to water..mostly the Bay of Fundy.

Welcome to The Annapolis and Gaspereau Valleys.

The acid and minerality in the soil makes it perfect for bubble.

Our guests:

Bruce Ewert – L’Acadie Vineyards. BC Born. Earned his skills through Cal/Oz/BC and Ontario. Created Nova Scotia’s first Traditional Method Sparking Wine in 2008.  Wonderful man and family. www.lacadievineyards.ca

Bruce Ewert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jean Benoit Deslauriers – Winemaker Benjamin Bridge.  A stunning hunk of burning wine love.  “Ben Bridge is the new Canadian sparkling wine star”  Oz Clarke. Their Prestige Brut  won Gold and Top Score at 2010 Wine Awards.

“If a young Hemmingway made wine – he would be  just like JBD!” tdm www.benjaminbridge.com

 

Jean Benoit Deslauriers

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moira Peters – Co-Author of The Wine Lovers Guide to Atlantic Canada.

Along with partner Craig Pinhey she gives the first complete guide to wines now in the Maritimes and where they’re headed.

Great overview.  https://www.nimbus.ca/store/wine-lover-s-guide-to-atlantic-canada-the.html

HansPeter Stutz-  Domaine de Grand Pre owner.  One of the first four wineries on Nova Scotia.  A leader and a legend. www.grandprewines.ns.ca

 

Back to BC

Ezra CipesCEO Summerhill Wines. Bio-Dynamic. Demeter Certified (1st in BC) Director of the BC Wine Institute.

Chaired the Task Force to certify BC’s wine sub-regions. Summerhill is winner of many awards including Worlds Best Sparking Wine and White Wine of the year BC Wine Awards. https://www.summerhill.bc.ca

Ezra Cipes

Valeria  Tait – GM/Chief Winemaker Bench 1775 

Voted Top 10 Best Small Winery in Canada at National Wine Awards.

Val Tait

Because She was a viticulturalist first, very few wine makers have the soil/varietal  knowledge that Val possesses.

She was pouring Spirit a fortified Petit Verdot, Spirit of the Splendid Bastard,  Ice wine and Chill comprised of 7 varietals.

www.bench1775.com

Randy Picton – Chief winemaker Nk Mip (Ink-a-meep) – Canada’s first Aboriginal owned winery.  Current Canadian Winery of the Year.  Amazing wines from a huge success story.  www.nkmipcellars.com

Randy Picton

 

John Skinner – Proprietor of Painted Rock.  A mover and a shaker who produces outstanding wines. Making strides in the Chinese market with his Icon Reds. www.paintedrock.ca

John Skinner

Mark Hicken – Vintage Law Group and Vice-Chair of VanWineFest.

When the wineries want a legal opinion the go-to guy is Mark Hicken.  Mark also reveals the thinking behind the choosing of Canada as the theme region.  www.winelaw.ca

Mark Hicken – Vintage Law Group

 

Randy Ullom – Chief Winemaster  Kendall-Jackson Sonoma  The very popular Californian seems to have found a second home here. He likes us. He really likes us.

Randy Ullom

John, Mark and Randy get into a last minute discussion about a possible trade scuffle between California and BC over our odious wine laws.  www.kj.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

John Schreiner – Icon. Flagship Wines from BC’s Best Wineries

Four F’s/  Food, Fishing, Friends, Fluids @Skitchine Lodge

Bloom – BC wineries pour new releases in Vancouver

Planeta and Boutinot bring their best to Vancouver.

 

 

 

 

 

July 1st, 2017- Vancouver International Wine Festival!

hello

This is our 8th year of covering the Vancouver International Wine Festival.  For them this is Year 39.

Canada is the featured region and it’s going to be a wonderful family gathering with the pace of a gong show.

If you care about how Canadian wines are doing and where our wine industry is headed..this show and next week will hopefully supply answers and focus.

THE SHOW

 

 

Here is the guest line up for Hour One:

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva  www.winediva.ca

Rhys Pender – Master of Wine     www.littlefarmwinery.ca

DJ KearneyNewDistrict.ca  Director of Wine

Kurtis Kolt – The Bottle/Georgia Straight  www.kurtiskolt.com

Howard Soon – Sandhill Wines  www.sandhillwines.ca

Ann Sperling – Sperling Vineyards  www.sperlingvineyards.com

Sandra Oldfield – Tinhorn Creek  www.tinhorn.com

Harry Hertscheg    – Executive Director VIWF  vanwinefest.ca

Christa-Lee McWatters Bond – Evolve  www.evolvecellars.com

Harry McWatters – Time Wines  www.encorevineyards.ca

Chris Jentsch – CC Jentsch Wines  www.ccjentschcellars.com

Gustav Allander – Foxtrot  www.foxtrotwine.com/winery

David Scholefield – Haywire https://okanagancrushpad.com/

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

 

John Schreiner – Icon. Flagship Wines from BC’s Best Wineries

Four F’s/  Food, Fishing, Friends, Fluids @Skitchine Lodge

Bloom – BC wineries pour new releases in Vancouver

Planeta and Boutinot bring their best to Vancouver.