Audio

EP 188 | Joey Landreth ‘All That You Dream’

December 25, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

The very first time I heard The Bros Landreth my heart jumped “those boys were raised on Little Feat (One of the very best bands to ever step onto a stage. Anywhere)

They were led by the late Lowell George. Lead singer, primary writer, singular guitarist.

When I got to interview Joey and brother David, they spun a story of growing up in Winnipeg. Their father was a well-known working musician and the house was filled with Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, Poco records but the most popular were the early 70’s albums by Little Feat. (Little Feat. Sailin’ Shoes. Dixie Chicken. Feats don’t fail me now)

It was a true musical education.

This all leads us to this Podcast featuring Joey Landreth and his new solo album All that you dream.

It’s a tribute to Lowell George and Little Feat. A “thank you” if you will.

Turns out, we’re the ones who should be saying thank you. It’s a beautiful table full of the Little Feat Dixie Chicken. One generation saluting another.

The Bros are headed back to Europe for tour dates (listed here)

Remarkably they are even bigger stars in Europe than here but that imbalance will surely change this year when this killer solo album is joined by the next Bros Landreth album, in the Spring!

Note:  check out Joey in episode #52

Dec 25, 2021 -The Okanagan Reconnect – (The Repeat) Week One!

December 25, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:59:48

hello

The Okanagan Reconnect –  (The Repeat) Week One

(A 5-week series repeat presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association)

 See Full Video below!

The SHOW

 It’s been close to two years since Tasting Room Radio toured the vineyards and restaurants of the Okanagan.

TRR started its 14-year existence on the Naramata Bench in 2007.  Since leaving the valley we’ve stayed in touch through Zoom, Phone, Text, What’s app, Skype, email, and in person. The in-person was usually in Vancouver or Victoria when wineries poured for the media and public.

I truly missed traveling through the Okanagan, walking the vineyards, seeing and smelling the cellars, and listening to the winemakers and winery principals tell great stories of bud break, harvest, and release days. The past year and a half also included a heat dome, wildfires, and Covid19.

With the assistance and support of TOTA –  The Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association – On Aug 3 we headed back to the Okanagan.

Rather than drive around to 20 plus wineries and losing valuable interview time to the driving, we decided to try and base ourselves at our sponsor locations.

The Hatch in West Kelowna, Hillside Winery and Bistro on Naramata Bench, Moon Curser in Osoyoos, and Noble Ridge in OK Falls.

This first week we called The Hatch our home.

Winery Guests were asked to bring a red and white to feature.  They included:

 

Mark Filatow – Executive chef and Sommelier Waterfront Wines Restaurant (Kelowna) waterfrontrestaurant.ca

Mark Filatow

David Patterson – GM and Winemaker at Tantalus Vineyards (East Kelowna) Tantalus.ca

David Patterson Tantalus

2018 Chardonnay and 2019 Pinot Noir

Jason Parkes – Founder of The Hatch Wines  (West Kelowna) (also Black Swift/Crown and Thieves/Screaming Frenzy) The HatchWines.com

Jason Parkes The Hatch

Grayson Riordan, Mikayla Jones, Graham Dell – (Manager Black Swift/Manager The Hatch/CFO) blackswiftvineyards.com

Grayson Mikayla and Graham. The Hatch

2017  Crown and Thieves Arch Doxy Cab Franc   2020  Black Swift Pinot Blanc

Ellen Walker-Mathews – new CEO of TOTA (Kelowna)

Ellen Walker-Mathews

Jeff Hundertmark – Chef Winemaker of Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co mtboucherie.com/rustwine.com

Jeff Hundertmark

 

Rust Wine 2020 Chardonnay  &  2019 Solus

Christine Coletta, Matt Dumayne and (standing) Duncan Billing  – Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines/OCP Winemaker and Director of Viticulture

Duncan, Matt and Christine… OCP and Haywire

2019 Narrative Chenin Blanc  Haywire 2019 Gamay Rose  okanagancrushpad.com

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Okanagan Reconnect Week Two ( at Hillside Naramata Bench)

Rickard & Jill Branby – Sperling Vineyards

Jay Drysdale – Bella Wines (Naramata)

Marcus Ansems – co-founder/winemaker/master of wine  Daydreamer Wines (Naramata)

Chef Ned Bell and Sommelier Emily Walker – Naramata Inn

Penelope and Dylan Roche – Roche Wines (Naramata)

Kathy Malone and Evan Robertson – Winemaker Hillside Winery and Bistro Executive Chef

 

Okanagan Reconnect  5 week series  presented by Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association

 

EP 187 | Benjamin Cleary Writer, Director ‘Swan Song’

December 18, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

 

In the recently released film Swan Song,  Oscar winner  Mahershala Ali plays Cameron, an illustrator involved in a happy marriage,   father of one with another on the way.  He’s also terminally ill. This being the future, a medical procedure exists which allows Cameron to be cloned and have his memories and DNA  implanted in the clone. The clone then returns to Cameron’s wife Naomie Harris and family, so that they don’t have to deal with the grief of losing him.

In his first leading role, Mahershala Ali takes on a demanding role. Playing both  Cameron and his clone. Taking the stereotypical double role, he shaped it with such an amazing level of sensitivity and genuine craft, that he matched his work in his Oscar-winning Moonlight and The Green Book roles. He’ll very likely be in the middle of the Critics Choice and Oscar races yet again.

Swan Song also stars Glenn Close, Adam Beach, Awkwafina and is written for the screen and directed by our guest this week  Academy Award winner Benjamin Cleary

 

December 18th, 2021- The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

December 17, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:04:27

hello

The Wine Diva’s Top 50 Over $20 & Best Bubbles Plus Fitz Wines

 THE SHOW

Even though it’s been a completely eventful year we still arrive at perhaps the best season of the year.  Hanukah,  Christmas,  the Holidays, and New Year’s Eve. If ever there was a great time to heal and recommit to family and friends this is the one.

If you’re considering those important last-minute gifts – the ones that say “Thank You” – great wine and sparkling wines can’t be beaten.

Daenna van Mulligen through her websites, winediva.ca, and winescores.ca has tasted 100’s of wines every month of 2021 and her year-end lists are a fantastic resource. This week it’s the Top 50 over 90 points and over $20.00

 

To start The Show we head to Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards just south of Peachland.  You can’t miss the gateway sign at the entrance of Greata Ranch.

Our guest is Gordon Fitzpatrick, the president of the winery.

Gordon Fitzpatrick and TDM

Grew up in Vancouver.  Father Ross became a Senator.  Gordon worked for a future Prime Minister. Spent 10 years in mining (gold!). Came to the Okanagan in 1996 to run CedarCreek Estate Winery.  Helped shape the BC wine industry as the Former Chair of the BC Wine Institute.

The family sold Cedar Creek with their eyes firmly on the almost forgotten Greata Ranch Estate above Okanagan Lake.   It was a  former peach-producing estate that had been left to wither but Gordon had a dream to reclaim the land and rebuild the home base as a producer of bubble and still wines.  Voila!  Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards.  They have a quickly expanding portfolio.

Here are the latest releases from Gordon and the team at Fitzpatrick.

Greata Ranch – Fitzpatrick Winery

2017 Fitz Brut  Their signature Cuvee (Pinot Noir. Chard. Meunier)  Bottle aged. 24 months on lees. $32.50

2019 Fitz Cremant soft and yummy.  $24.50

2020 Big Leap Chardonnay.  Ripe stone fruit.  Caramel.  Texture.  50% Stainless steel and 50% Neutral French oak.  $24.50

2018 Sudden Inversion Meritage “we turned the valley upside down” 70% Merlot. 20% Cab Franc 10% Cab. 14 months on Oak  (some new) $28.50

Also, keep an eye out for the Fitz Reserve Sparkling wines.

The glorious Blanc de blanc – Blanc de Noir – and Blanc de Noir Special Rose

 

www.fitzwine.com

 

Wine Divas Top 50 Wine List for 2021  (Year 15)

All more than 90 points and over $20.00..

ALL tasted and reviewed by Daenna van Mulligen.  The full list can be found at  www.winediva.ca  and www.winescores.ca

daenna van mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Belle Glos Pinot Noir ‘Clark & Telephone’, Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara, Calif. $62.99

Seghesio Family Vineyards Zinfandel, Sonoma California $36.99

Meyer Family Vineyards ‘Micro Cuvee’ Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Pentage Winery Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Lake Sonoma Winery Dry Creek Zinfandel, Sonoma County California $25.99

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Robin Ridge ‘Falcon’ Merlot, Similkameen Valley BC N/A

Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Valpolicella, Veneto $57.99

Carmel Road Pinot Noir, Monterey, California $30.00

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Home Block Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC $55.00

Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A

Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc, Bordeaux, France $45.00

Cambria Estate Winery ‘Julia’s Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley, California $38.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley N/A

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Moon Curser Tannat, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Phantom Creek Estates ‘Red’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Hester Creek ‘Limited Edition The Judge’, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quartz & Yarrow Sustainable Red, Okanagan Valley, BC $36.00

Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery ‘Summit’, British Columbia N/A

SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Saddle Block’, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00

Laughing Stock Vineyards ‘Portfolio’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Quails’ Gate Chenin Blanc, Okanagan Valley $25.00

Unsworth Vineyards Pinot Noir, Vancouver Island, British Columbia $35.00

Painted Rock Syrah, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $42.99

Domaine Drouhin ‘Arthur’ Chardonnay, Dundee Hills, Oregon $43.99

Lake Breeze Winery ‘Cellar Series Mistral’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

 

Wine Diva Sparkling Wines of 2021

McWatters Collection Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $65.00

Time Estate Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Chronos Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00

Gray Monk Odyssey White Brut Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $26.00

Jackson-Triggs ‘Entourage’ Grand Reserve Brut, Niagara Peninsula N/A

Philipponnat ‘Royale Reserve Rose Brut’, Champagne, France $109.99

Pentage Winery ‘Fizz Blanc’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Rigel’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Polaris’, Okanagan Valley N/A

Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Sirius’, British Columbia N/A

Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99

CedarCreek ‘Platinum’ Sparkling Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Unsworth Vineyards ‘Charme de L’ile’ Rose Brut, Vancouver Island, BC $25.99

Da Silva Vineyards and Winery ‘Isabella’ Frizzante, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Stoneboat ‘Piano’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $25.00

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘Fitz’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Hester Creek Estate Old Vine Brut, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Covert Farms Family Estate Sparkling Zinfandel, Okanagan Valley, BC $35.00

Marques de Monistrol ‘Monistrol Seleccion Especial’ Cava, Penedes, Spain $18.00

Louis Bouillot ‘Perle d’Aurore’ Cremant Brut Rose, Bourgogne, France $26.99

Evolve Cellars Pink Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC N/A

Evolve Cellars Effervescence, Okanagan Valley BC $19.99

Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards H’s Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A

Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Gold Label Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00

 

www.winediva.ca

www.winescores.ca

 

 

EP 186 | Eric Wright – The Fretless

December 10, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Eric Wright, a founding member of the Juno winning The Fretless,  is the guest. Their latest album is called Open House.

The Fretless is Trent Freeman (Fiddle/Viola), Karrnnel Sawitsky (Fiddle/Viola), BenPlotnick(Fiddle/Viola), and Eric Wright (Cello).

Open House is a 10 song vocal collaboration album and the first project that The Fretless feature vocals on all the tracks and in such a prominent role.  They teamed up with Dan Mangan for a spin on his single “Troubled Mind“. Up next was Celeigh Cardinal featured on a version of William Prince’s “Earthly Days“, Nuela Charles on a gorgeous rendition of “Stay“. And most recently The Bros. Landreth on a version of their song “Let It Lie”  and 6 more artists.

Outreach and inspiring the next generation of string players is very much a part of The Fretless ’ethos. They continue to support numerous fiddle camps, masterclass’ and workshops around the world, not only as instructors but as mentors. Over the past few years, they have connected with notable organizations such as the Calgary Youth Orchestra and the Luxembourg Youth Orchestra, creating and performing full orchestral arrangements of Fretless tunes.

Eric says the Fretless are modern folk. To the ear, they sound like a rock band with violins, violas, and Eric on cello.  They happily share their creative space with other artists.

I’ve chosen four to talk about and play

  • Dan Mangan – Troubled Mind
  • Celeigh Cardinal – Earthly Days
  • Nuela Charles  – Stay
  • The Bros Landreth – Let it lie

December 11th, 2021-The wonderful world of wine with DJ Kearney

December 9, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:48:38

hello

The wonderful world of wine with DJ Kearney

 

THE SHOW

  

DJ Kearney – Director of Wine/Terminal City Club

(Wine Education Specialist, Mentor, Wine Judge, Consultant)

DJ Kearney

DJ Kearney has trained over a thousand sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirit Education Trust and has consulted for many global wine marketing bodies — including Wines of Chile, Wines of South Africa, Wines of California, Jura Wines, Sopexa, and Wines of Argentina — while leading educational master-classes for these entities around North America.

DJ  judges, moderates, present at wine festivals and competitions around the globe. She brings a truly global perspective to her work. She holds a Bachelor of Arts., the WSET Diploma, and the ISG Sommelier Certification. She has been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine and critic/contributor/judge for Wine Align.

Pinot Gris goes National | Godello

As we approach the end of a very different year I hope that everyone is safe and well.

It was also time to get a perspective on how the wines turned out. All the wines.

BC, Canada, and The World! Who better to ask than DJ Kearney.

 

Long-time friend and the leading edge of wine knowledge in today’s World.

 

I asked DJ to comment on the recent 2021 Wine Align final results.

WineAlign (@WineAlign) / Twitter

She was there – in Penticton – tasting and judging 100’s of Canadian wines.

On today’s Tasting Room Radio DJ brings wines that she recommends make great gifts – for friends or yourself.

Then her Wines of the Year and what she was going to pour over the Holidays.

Tasting Room Radio became The DJ Kearney Show!

  • PIERRE PAILLARD – LES PARCELLES BOUZY GRAND CRU 750 ml | SKU: 477372 France $67.99
  • POL ROGER – RESERVE BRUT 750 ml | SKU: 51953 France  $73.99
  • PENEDES CABERNET SAUVIGNON – TORRES MAS LA PLANA 2015 750 ml | SKU: 315838 Spain $67.99 on sale from $72.99 On Sale (until Jan 1)
  • CHABLIS – WILLIAM FEVRE CHAMPS ROYAUX 2018 750 ml | SKU: 25270 France $36.99
  • CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA – MAZZEI SER LAPO 2015 750 ml | SKU: 176842 Italy  $29.99 down from  $32.99 On Sale (until Jan 1) 

POL ROGER - RESERVE BRUT French Sparkling Wine

 

 

Our BC conversation:

Syrah

Riesling

Chardonnay

Cab Franc

Sparklings

 

DJ and I finish with a question we always ask ourselves.

Will BC wines ever be truly available in Ontario and other provinces and will Ontario wines show up  on shelves in BC?  If you’re a wine fan, perhaps you could ask your local member of parliament.

@djwines

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

  • A replay of the five-week Okanagan Reconnect
  • Fitzpatrick Wines
  • Fort Berens
  • Kitsch
  • Gold Hill
  • Update on Vancouver Wine Fest
  • Canadian Whisky Championships (Victoria)
  • Chain Reaction Winery

 

EP 185 | Shawn Edwards

December 3, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

The Critics Choice Association will present the annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television on Monday, Dec 6 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel LA.

Since 2014, the Celebration of Black Cinema has honored standout achievements in Black filmmaking.

This year, for the first time, the awards ceremony will also celebrate achievements in television.

Our guest, as in the past 3 years,  is Shawn Edwards, Executive Producer. He’s based in Kansas City.

I rode the movie junket buses with Shawn for many years – to and from screenings and after-parties.

Shawn was always talking about this dream he had.  To celebrate Black filmmaking and cinema.

As the world around us changed (BLM) the celebration changed from fantasy to fact.

And here we are Year Four.  Honorees include:

Halle Berry, Anthony Anderson, Barry Jenkins, Jennifer Hudson, Antoine Fuqua

Plus Will Smith, Ruth Negga, and many more.

The broadcast can be seen on KTLA-TV Los Angeles (which is available on many cable providers across Canada)

#criticschoice #celebrateblackcinema

The Critics Choice Association is the largest critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing almost 500 media critics and entertainment journalists. It was established in 2019 with the formal merger of the Broadcast Film Critics Association and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, recognizing the intersection between film, television, and streaming content. For more information, visit: www.CriticsChoice.com.

December 4th, 2021- Budget wine gifting for The Holidays with The Wine Diva!

December 3, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 00:58:29

hello

Budget wine gifting for The Holidays with The Wine Diva!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a Good Bottle of Wine

 

 

THE SHOW:

Daenna van Mulligen

For 15 years Daenna van Mulligen (The Wine Diva) has created her Top 100 wines.  For 15 years we’ve welcomed the audio version of her choices.  All wines have been tasted and scored – www.winescores.ca  Those receiving 89 points or better and under $20.00 make the list.

When I saw her 2021 list get posted – www.winediva.ca – I knew once again it was time for The Wine Diva to make her seasonal appearance on Tasting Room Radio.

Daenna is a highly respected wine judge and reviewer who tastes every day of the year. Her tasting notes are always a great read and her instincts about where wine is headed and labels to keep an eye on always find their mark.

If you go to the Wine Diva website, you’ll see a heading of WINES. Click on that and on the drop-down list click on wine lists. Just a note,  there’s a link that says print up as a shopping list.  I highly recommend doing this. Keep it handy for easy reference at home or when shopping and you’re facing a wall of wines.

Keep in mind when you read her rave reviews,  that all wines mentioned here are under $20.00  Several are steals.

On the interview, I divided up her wines into three categories –

Roses,  Reds and Whites!

The last segment of the show is Daenna taking us through her Wines of the Year.

The Wines of Christmas Past, Present and Future | Wine Enthusiast

Here are the wines we talked about 

From Top 100 under $20 list… 

  • Jose Maria da Fonseca ‘Periquita’, Portugal $10.99
  • Red Rooster Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC, Custoza, Verona Italy $16.99
  • Oops ‘Voluptuous Beauty’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley Chile $15.99
  • Intrigue Wines ‘I Do’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Medici Ermete ‘Concerto’ Lambrusco Reggiano Frizzante, Emilia-Romagna, Italy $19.99
  • Undurraga ‘Sibaris’ Reserva Especial Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley Chile $17.99
  • Murphy-Goode Cabernet Sauvignon, California $20.00
  • Robin Ridge Gamay, Similkameen Valley BC N/A
  • Bodegas Piqueras Castillo de Alamansa Reserva, Alamansa Spain $15.99
  • Red Rooster Winery Cabernet~Merlot, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Ryder Estate Pinot Noir Rose, Central Coast California $19.99
  • Luccarrelli Primitivo, Puglia Italy $15.99
  • Luccarrelli Negroamaro, Puglia Italy $15.99
  • Errazuriz ‘Max Reserva’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcagua, Chile $19.99
  • Cirro Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough New Zealand $20.00
  • Vina Chela Reserve Malbec, Mendoza Argentina $15.99
  • Bizou + Yukon ‘Savvy~Gris’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Bizou + Yukon ‘Pinkie’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Gris, British Columbia $20.00
  • Hester Creek Viognier, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • IMBZZL ‘Ruse’ Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC $19.99
  • Soito Wines ‘Taleiga’ Dao Tinto, Dao Portugal $20.00
  • Spearhead Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Journey’s End ‘Bees Knees’ Chenin Blanc~Viogner, Mount Rozier, Western Cape South Africa $15.00
  • Quails’ Gate Chasselas~Pinot Blanc~Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $19.99
  • Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.99
  • Bartier Bros. Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $17.99
  • Lake Breeze Winery Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A
  • Township 7 ‘7 Blanc’ Okanagan Valley, BC $18.00
  • Sandhill Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00
  • Pentage Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC N/A
  • CedarCreek Estate Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $18.99
  • Intrigue Wines Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley BC $17.00
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Chardonnay, British Columbia $20.00
  • Noble Ridge Reserve Pinot Grigio, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A
  • Evolve Cellars Viognier, Okanagan Valley N/A
  • Meyer Family Vineyards Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC $20.00
  • Quails’ Gate Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $18.99
  • Mayhem Wines Sauvignon Blanc Okanagan Valley N/A
  • Yalumba ‘Y Series’ Viognier, South Australia $16.99

The Wine Diva Wines of the Year etc

 

Wine gifting –

California wines (assorted)

Arrowwood

Belle Glos

Cambria Estate Pinot

Monte del Fra Amarone Lena di Mezzo

 

Wines of the year.

MFV Micro Cuvee Pinot Noir

Chateau de Rauzan~Gassiers ‘L’Orme’, Haut~Medoc,

Da Silva Cab Franc

(plus wines from my TOP 50)

 

New Years pour.

Philipponnat Royal Reserve Rose

Seven Stars Sirius

 

 

NEXT WEEK –

DJ Kearney guests with her lists and recommendations/observations on the year

 

 

 

 

 

EP 184 | Stevie Van Zandt pt2

November 27, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Who, what and when was the “Big Bang” of Popular music?

Who changed rock into an  “art form” in 1965 and with what song?

What songs did Steve suggest to close the Sopranos?

How much did Sopranos change his life?

What does Steve consider the world’s “universal music” and who is the star of that music?

All those opinions and lots more from Steve van Zandt are included in his new autobiography Unrequited Infatuations.

It’s a great read.

We all know about growing up pals with Bruce Springsteen and forming the E Street Band but this book reveals all of the other stories and events that shaped not only his life but in no small part the history of the World. (Think of  his single  Sun City and the dismantling of Apartheid government in South Africa and the release of Nelson Mandela)

Steve van Zandt is in the Rock Hall of Fame. Frankly, he’s a human Rock Hall.

He’s an actor and an activist, a musician, and a mentor. He’s Miami Steve van Zandt and this is his story Part two

November 27th, 2021- The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

November 26, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:00:13

hello

The Hatch becomes Jason Parkes Customs/Emily Walker Wine List/New Emandare pours

 

THE SHOW

 Jason Parkes is….

  • A  former member of a punk band whose van broke down and he needed money to fix it – so he made wine.
  • the hub of an ever-expanding wheel.
  • The dark star at the center of a distant universe
  • Lead singer of the house band Proper Man
  • Founder,  winemaker, visionary winery owner who surrounds himself with like-minded thinkers and doers.

Actually,  his greatest talent is being a husband and father.  From that family base comes his strength to start The Hatch, then create, build, open, or buy  Hatching Post Brewery, Crown and Thieves, Black Swift Vineyards, Screaming Frenzy, Truck 59 CiderHouse,  Smoke Show by JPC, Gobsmacked, and Jason Parkes Customs.

Team JPC

JPCustoms will become the new name of the overall company.

That’s why it was time to slow the man down long enough to talk things through and get a sense of what the road ahead looks like.

There are very few BC wineries expanding at this rate. Not just creating new wines and new destinations but whole new concepts in how to reach people, how to entertain them, and at times speak an entirely different language.  Best of all, the wines are as memorable as the man.

“do you feel lucky?  Well do ya,  punk?” 

“Dirty” Harry Callahan

 

www.jpcfanclub.com

 https://www.facebook.com/jasonparkescustoms/

 

Emily Walker  – Wine Director Naramata Inn

(a video of Emily’s interview and her wines can be found below)

Emily Walker – working it

 Imagine you’re Emily Walker and you are the Wine Director of the historic Naramata Inn in the village of Naramata.

The Inn is surrounded by 100’s of wineries. As far as the eye can see.

Naramata Heritage Inn

Every one of those wineries would like to be on Emily’s wine list but only a select few are chosen.

It’s those choices I wanted to know more about.  Many of the wines she chooses are small lots. Perhaps as few as 25 cases.

But in between those hard-to-find wines, you’ll find gems that we can all search for. They’re all worth the chase.

Emily Walker is up to the task. Running wine programs at The Four Seasons Vancouver, the group Sommelier at all Tap and Barrels, and the opening of the Fairmont Pacific Rim in time for the Winter Olympics. Emily Walker brings all that big room experience into a dining room built-in 1907. You are going to love the experience.

I asked Emily to choose a handful of wines to tell us about.

Lightning Rock  –  2021 Rose Pet-Nat  $29 (Summerland)

No sugar. No yeast. Whole cluster & double pressed. One night on skins. Fermented in concrete tanks. Cloudy. Lower alcohol. Yummy!

www.lightningrockwinery.com

2020 Lightning Rock Rose Pet-Nat

CoolShanagh  2018 Chardonnay (Naramata Bench)

Pedro Parra,  renowned soil expert proclaimed their soil conditions Top 15% in the World.  Matured in a combination of new oak, concrete, and stainless steel… Notes of nutmeg and caramel. Mighty texture and finish. Award-winning chardonnay!!

www.coolshanagh.ca

 

Scout Vineyards  Syrah  $39 (Similkameen)

Made in Georgian Clay Vessels.  Neutral oak. Unfined and unfiltered. A very different wine. Unpolished. Layered and textured.

And gorgeous. Special Syrah from a very special spot.

 

Nichol Vineyards  St Laurent.  A medium-dark red. The oldest St Laurent in Canada. Ripe blueberry and cassis on the nose.  Tannins, acidity, and pepper in the mouth.  Unfined & unfiltered. Cellared in Neutral French Barrique.

www.nicholvineyard.com

 

Fox and Archer Pinot Noir  Around $29 (Naramata Bench)

The home of Diane Fox and Tyson Archer..  They make three Pinot Noirs on one of the highest vineyards on Naramata Bench.

Emily brought The Creekside. Grown in a dry creek bed. They also make a Malbec.

Small batch winemaking.   Clones 828 and Pommard 91.  Aged for 10 months in 25% new oak, 25% Neutral oak, and 50% stainless steel.

A wine to be proud of.

www.foxandarcherwines.com

 

Mike Nierychlo  Co-founder (with wife Robin)  and winemaker of Emandare Wine (Cowichan Valley)

Team Emandare

 

It was raining ugly when Mike showed up for a quick pour.

I turned on the recorder and Mike took it from there.

He was pouring his new releases from Emandare.

2020 Alice  $40 Traditional Method Rose made from 100% Cowichan Pinot Noir. Named after Robin and Mike’s 2nd daughter.

20ALICE

Strawberry, peach, and citrus scents and flavors abound. It is a great pour but very little was made. If you see it – buy it.

A big congratulations to everyone involved. Especially the label artists.

2020 Estate Pinot Noir – Mike and Robin’s original vines. Some 20 years in the ground now. They present a juicy, cherry, and cranberry-driven experience. Also, a texture that surprises. These are very happy vines.

2020 Estate Marechal-Cabernet Foch. $35  Flavours of ripe blackberries and black current. Cracked pepper delights.

2021  (From the Valley) – Farm  Fresh Foch. $25  85% M. Foch and 15% Pinot Noir. It’s Mike’s Beaujolais.

Or because it’s from the Cowichan Valley it’s perhaps  Cowjolais.  It’s very drinkable. Restaurants are going to love this as a house pour.

Mike explains “from the valley”.  It’s a neighborhood thing.

www.emandarevineyard.com

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Church and State

Holiday liquids (for them and you)

Wines of the Year

Stocking up for Christmas and New Years