Audio

EP 180 | Jr. Gone Wild

October 30, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Guest is Founder of Jr Gone Wild – Original member Mike McDonald

The band was founded in Edmonton in 1982.

They recorded their first album, Less Art More Pop, in 1986.

Junior won an Alberta Recording Industry Award for best rock band in 1994.

They recorded several albums, leading up to Simple Little Wish, which was released in early 1995. The band broke up later that year.

Jr. Gone Wild reformed in 2013 and played a reunion show that was a wild success and the band started to perform live again and re-released their debut album Less Art More Pop!

From 1983-1995, Jr. Gone Wild helped introduce Canada to a new musical genre, alternative country. Over the course of five acclaimed albums, the Edmonton, Alberta band fused elements of folk and rock with a punk attitude, while building a devoted fan base through epic live shows. Now, after 25 years, original members Mike McDonald (guitars/vocals), Steve Loree (lead guitar), and Dave “Dove” Brown (bass) have reunited with McDonald’s nephew Quinton Herbert on drums for the really good Still Got The Jacket.

Our guest and original member Mike McDonald brings the stories from all those years. Plus four tracks from the album which is released November 12th.

Dodge -Behind the Wheel – Girl in the crowd – Fly at Night!

Junior are doing a family-friendly acoustic show on November 20 in Edmonton The Starlight Room with Forbidden Dimension etc It’s free but you have to get a ticket online, the rules man. Please invite your friends and family. It’s the same day as their  album release show and they  want all their friends with kids to have a chance to hear them  and get a little Jr. Gone Wild t-shirt

Hi Calgary, there are still a few tables for Jr Gone Wild  Sunday, November 21st. It’s an album release show at the Ironwood but they are going fast so they have added a second matinee show.

Jr Gone Wild – November 21 at 2:00 and at 7:45

Their  good buddy Boots Graham will open both shows with his lonely guitar.

 

https://jrgonewild.com/

EP 162 | Leeroy Stagger-Dystopian Weekends 

October 23, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

Hello all:

As I explained when this show first ran in June – I jumped the gun BY MONTHS.

This Summer, I was so eager to let music fans hear Leeroy’s interview and new music, I completely forgot about the release date in October!!!

A senior moment to be sure.

It was supposed to come out in December 2020 which is why there are several Christmas songs included.

Here’s a comment from Amplify Music magazine:

 Despite a delayed release date, cancelled tours and a few more COVID-induced bumps along the way, Leeroy Stagger’s 12th full-length album Dystopian Weekends is available now on all digital streaming platforms. To celebrate the release of the album, Leeroy will perform 2 Dystopian Weekends livestream shows on November 6th and 7th through Side Door Access. Get more information and tickets here.

“Touring is so up in the air right now,” says Leeroy. “I had a burning desire to play these songs with a band, and my bandmates Tyson and Ryland happened to be in town for a few days so we got everyone together, including Nick on the drums and a few new friends to play the Dystopian Weekends material. I think the fans will enjoy it.”

Dystopian Weekends contains songs of environmental degradation, greedy land developers, Christmas songs about junkies and alcoholics, songs about race wars in America, modern day dust bowl songs of fleeing political ideology, break-up songs, and songs honouring dead friends. It all seems a bit much on paper, but Leeroy’s skillful song writing and musicianship have honoured it all in a very beautiful, relevant, and artistic way.

Oct 23st, 2021 – Christa-Lee McWatters (Time) – Christine Coletta (Narrative) – Jay Drysdale (Bella) 

October 21, 2021 Tasting Room Radio 01:02:20

hello

Christa-Lee McWatters (Time) – Christine Coletta (Narrative) – Jay Drysdale (Bella) 

THE SHOW

 

Three BC wine leaders in the Okanagan and releases you’re going to want to find,  try and buy.

 

Christa-Lee McWatters – GM of  5 Vines Cellars. (TIME Winery/Kitchen. Evolve. McWatters Collection)

Christa-Lee McWatters

TIME-CabFranc2018-TechSheet   TIME-CabSauv2018-TechSheet

Being the daughter of Harry McWatters, British Columbia wine pioneer, Christa-Lee has had a rich understanding and love for BC wine since birth. She was involved in planting vineyards with her father and sister Darrien on the Black Sage Bench in the early 1990s.

Since 2000, Christa-Lee held key roles in sales, marketing, and hospitality for several successful Okanagan wineries, until stepping in as director of marketing and sales for her family’s enterprise ENCORE Vineyards in 2014.

 

After her father’s passing in 2019, Christa-lee assumed the position as CEO until the parent company was purchased by Five Vines Cellars. Christa-Lee continues to manage the three wine labels and downtown winery in Penticton but still finds time to give back to her industry through the British Columbia Wine Institute, Summerland’s Bottleneck Drive Winery Association, Canadian Vintner’s Association, the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society, BC Hospitality Foundation and Les Dames d’Escoffier, BC Chapter.

Getting caught up with CL includes 2021 releases from TIME Winery.

The Whites.

2018  Brut  Method Cuvee Clos  (34.99)

It engages with notes of toast and lime and a wonderful tiny bubble texture in the mouth invites you to let it linger around your tongue.  Love this.

TIME Brut

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Meritage White  (25.00) – An perfect equal split between Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon. I  found melon and mandarin on the nose but the texture had such a lovely tropical fruit entry that lead to a nice texture and finish.

A true barrel-aged  Winter White that can only get better with cellaring for a couple of years.

The Reds

2017  Fourth Dimension (35.00)  When you blend well-made Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc many things can happen. They can end up fighting each other for dominance or with the careful blending exhibited in this blend the varietals reward with Cherry and Raspberry on the nose and cracked black pepper and spice. Long slow finish.  Again. Let it Linger.

“Time is the Fourth Dimension”   Al Einstein

 

2018 Syrah (39.99) Greeted by bold ripe blackberry and hints of mint on the nose.  Rich flavors of fresh black currant and ripe plum cracked black pepper and a taste of cinnamon on the way out. This could be your next favorite red. Cellaring for a couple of years will reward big time.

 

2018 Cabernet Sauvignon  (39.99) Everything you want and expect in a classic Cab. Cassis, blackberry, vanilla, pepper!  Boom. This well-structured big red wine compliments beautifully with BBQ  and engaging pasta.  I’d advise to get it while you can.  If you find this one – buy it.

 

2018 Cabernet Franc (34.99)  So good it just takes four words – Find-Buy-Taste – Repeat.  If you need more words,  how about this –  aromas of raspberries, ripe cherry, and pepper on the nose,  taste includes, plum, black fruit, with soft tannins and finish. Think pairing food with the same bang. Love this Cab Franc. I knew I would because the guy who planted it – Harry McWatters – was crazy for good Cab Franc. Just like me.

 https://www.fivevinescellars.com/Wines/TIME-Winery

Christine Coletta Co-Founder of Okanagan Crush Pad  and Narrative Wine

Everyone in B.C.’s food & wine industry knows Christine Coletta.

Christine Coletta

 

Innovator, community champion, visionary, land steward— She is an ongoing force.

Christine, or CC as she is known by many, has earned awards and accolades throughout her illustrious career. She was named  One of Wine’s Most Inspiring People for 2020 by Wine Industry Advisor.

Christine is one of the founding members of the BC Wine Institute and the BC VQA program, and she has helped to mentor a number of professionals in the food and wine industries over the last 30 years.

 

Through her crush work at Okanagan Crush Pad, she has also been involved in the start of a number of new wineries in BC.

Her guidance, support, and mentorship have landed her the nickname, “Godmother of BC Wine.”

 

Okanagan Crush Pad is the home of

Haywire Wines

Free Form

Bizou and Yukon

And  

Narrative

Today CC brings the 2021 releases from Narrative.

 

 

2019 Viognier/Syrah except its 80% Viognier and 20% Syrah

(spice, pepper, raspberries, and strawberries. Lots of rich  texture)

 

Viognier I was impressed by this release a while back and had to ask CC about it.

Slow fermented in concrete.  Yummy!

 

2018 Syrah Viognier.  It’s quite a process to get this wine just right.  Syrah co-fermented with Viognier in clay amphora. On skins for 90 days. Some of the Syrah is in concrete which brings out the spice and texture. It’s crazy good.

 

2016 Syrah (organic)  Grown in the South Okanagan  Spends lots of time in concrete. It’s soft in the mouth with notes of white pepper.

There’s a surprising lift in the mouth mid-palette. Not the usual dark chocolate.

THIS is a Syrah you want to find and it’s one of Narrative’s Winter Reds. Best of all it’s been in bottle for 2 extra years.

 

Check out the Okanagan Crush Pad website for information on Virtual Tastings, Special 6 packs, and an opportunity to join a panel of tasters.

https://okanagancrushpad.com/

 

Jay Drysdale –  Bella Wines (Naramata Bench)

“I moved to the Okanagan in 2004 and quickly fell in love with everything related to the BC wine industry.  I see a world-class wine region in BC and understand we are still in our infancy, comparatively speaking.  This is our “wild west” era and we should enjoy this time of exploration, trial, and error.”

Jay Drysdale and Wendy Rose

“In the ten short years I have been watching, and involved with, the B.C. wine industry, quality has increased and our voice is getting louder and stronger.  I’m honored to be a part of this growing and evolving community.”  Jay Drysdale

Jay Drysdale is a geekmeister.

He will talk about Gamay and bubble for hours and when you think of Jay and his love Wendy Rose you have to think of Bubble because that’s what they do. As many releases as you can taste in a day. As many clones as you need to know..

Bella makes and releases

The Vineyard Series  – specific vineyards. Many in small batches

Pet Nat

Trad Nat

Bella Reserve

 

In order to give Jay room to expand his storytelling, we’ve given him two segments and we go over multiple wines each with their own story, terroir, season, and results.

Trust me on this – they are one of the most interesting wineries and couples in BC wine. Every bottle, every release has a surprise in it. If it’s not the nose it’s the taste or the color in the bottle. If you happen to ask Jay about say,  one of his Gamay Rose,  sit down and get comfortable because your Jay Jam is about to begin.

 

Fabulous wines and totally unique to BC.  Start with the 2019 Mariani Vineyards Clone 509 and stash a bottle of Pet Nat.

 

www.bellawines.ca

 

STORIES WE ARE WORKING ON:

Summerhill

Clos du Soleil Whites

Church and State

Tightrope

Hester Creek

 

 

 

 

.

 

EP 179 | Adrian Sutherland

October 16, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

When The Magic Hits is Adrian Sutherland’s debut solo album.

The first single Magic Hits was written by Adrian along with previous collaborators, brothers Chris & Matt Gormley.

Seven tracks on the album were produced, engineered, and mixed by Canadian-born Colin Linden, who worked remotely from Nashville while Adrian remained isolated in northern Attawapiskat First Nation. Colin lent his legendary guitar talents and back-up vocals to the tracks, helping bring Adrian’s songs to life with a whole new depth of heart and soul.

Two album tracks were produced, engineered, and mixed by Tim Vesely at The Woodshed Studio in Toronto. Adrian worked remotely with Vesely, who plays guitar and bass on the recordings.

When The Magic Hits features co-writes with Chris Gormley (The Trews) and Matt Gormley (Daylight for Deadeyes), Tim Vesely (Rheostatics), Colin Cripps (Blue Rodeo), Jay Semko (The Northern Pikes), Scott Dibble (Hemingway Corner), and Serena Ryder.

Adrian is far removed from studios and handy technology. People who live in the North need to be very resourceful. Just like Adrian.

He got a Sea Can donated. The same large metal containers that ship products by rail and sea all over the World.

He outfitted the inside into a recording studio. And instead of satellite dishes on the roof, he put a forest of moose antlers.

Other communities and artists

The songs are really well written, sung, and recorded. Smart to have Colin Linden pulling the whole thing together from Nashville.

Adrian walks us through several of the songs from When the magic hits. They include Nowhere to run which he wrote about his Mother who survived being sent to Indian Residential School. Another is Walk with me about walking with a friend around the entire shore of James Bay. A long and very hard journey.

When asked, Adrian leaves us with an invite to check out his music – in Cree.

Discover a great new voice. Adrian Sutherland!!

October 16th, 2021- 812 Wines.  20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Governors Winners.

October 15, 2021 Tasting Room Radio

hello

812 Wines.  20 Platinum. Here’s 5 of the very best 2021 BC Lt. Gov Winners.

 

THE SHOW

 The press release said..

“A panel of judges from Canada and the US tasted more than 800 wines, and awarded gold, silver, and platinum medals to 90 British Columbian wineries”

I know most of these judges. They cannot be fooled or influenced. They take great pride in getting the winners right.

12 of the 14 judges have been guests on Tasting Room Radio. I pay attention to what they have to say.

On and off the air.

Congratulations to all the wineries and to Tim Pawsey – Winner of the Harry McWatters Award.

There simply wasn’t time to talk to all 20 Platinum winners but we were able to stalk and corner…

 

 

Wine of the Year winner David Patterson – GM & Winemaker of Tantalus 2018 Old Vines Riesling (East Kelowna)

David Patterson

 

Grant Stanley – Winemaker at Spearhead Winery. . (East Kelowna) 3 Platinum Pinot Noirs

Grant Stanley

 

Lorin Inglis – GM at ENRICO Winery (Cowichan Valley) 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris

TDM and Lorin Ingles

 

Jeff Hundertmark – Head Winemaker Mt Boucherie  (West Kelowna) 2020 Original Vine Semillon/2018 Reserve Syrah

Jeff Hundertmark

 

Gaurev Maan – Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine (Frazer Valley)

The Mann Family

 

Elan Morris – GM OK Wine Festivals. (Kelowna)

Here is the complete 2021 Platinum List – Congratulations All.

  • Arrowleaf Cellars – 2019 Riesling
  • Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – 2019 Syrah
  • CedarCreek Estate Winery – 2020 Platinum Home Block Rosé
  • Chain Reaction Winery – 2019 Tailwind Pinot Gris
  • ENRICO WINERY – 2020 Shining Armour Pinot Gris
  • Inniskillin Okanagan Estate Winery – 2018 Estate Riesling Icewine
  • Kismet Estate Winery – 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve
  • Liquidity Wines – 2020 Rosé
  • Maan Farms Estate Winery – 2020 Raspberry Table Wine
  • Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Terroir Collection Vista’s Edge Cabernet Franc
  • Mission Hill Family Estate – 2019 Perpetua
  • Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2020 Original Vines Sémillon
  • Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery – 2018 Reserve Syrah
  • Silhouette Estate Winery – N/V Boyd Classic Cuveé
  • Silkscarf Winery – 2017 Syrah-Viognier
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Saddle Block
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Cuveé
  • SpearHead Winery – 2019 Pinot Noir Golden Retreat
  • Tantalus Vineyards – 2018 Chardonnay
  • Three Sisters Winery – 2019 Rebecca

The full list of medal winners can be found on the Okanagan Wine Festivals Society website.

Tantalus.ca

Enricowinery.com

Spearhead.ca

mtboucherie.com

maanfarms.com

thewinefestivals.com

 

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Summerhill Revisit

Walking the Tightrope

Hester Creek

Church and State

 

 

 

 

EP 178 | Bahamas

October 9, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast

hello

This is, I believe, the 4th interview I’ve had the pleasure of doing with Afie Jurvanen!

From the very first listen I heard a unique and gifted singer and songwriter.

Blessed with a voice that is like no other and a great personality that allows him to make fun of himself – in song.

Ah but what songs.

Get prepared to love the songs you love -even more.  Imagine the confidence it takes to create music with some of the world’s best musicians but doing it long distance in separate studios.

Best of all this is just Volume 1.  The rest of these sessions may set my hair on fire.

Afie takes us through several tracks. How they got recorded and best of all his place in today’s music.

Enjoy

Bahamas (Afie Jurvanen) is currently in New York City  on his American Sad and Solo Tour and Friday Oct 8 he released highlights from his celebrated Live To Tape studio collaboration series in the form of digital EPs and a special vinyl edition.
The first digital EP, Live To Tape, Volume I, highlights the Nashville sessions. Featuring performances with Grammy Award winners The 400 Unit, and The Secret Sisters backed by legendary Nashville musicians Gene Chrisman (Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson), Dave Roe (Johnny Cash, Sturgill Simpson), and Russ Pahl (Kacey Musgraves, Glen Campbell).

Created during the pandemic, Live To Tape captures Bahamas performing in-studio from Halifax, Nova Scotia with acclaimed artists performing remotely from studios in Nashville, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Perth, Toronto, and other locations. Other collaborations with Bahamas include Lucius, Australia’s Teskey Brothers, Madison Cunningham, Greensky Bluegrass, members of Dawes along with revered session musicians such as Nathan East (Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Gus Seyffert (Beck, Adele), Joey Waronker (REM, Atoms for Peace), Bob Glaub (Jackson Browne, Bob Dylan), Russ Kunkel (Joni Mitchell, John Lennon) and many more.
The Globe and Mail have called Bahamas an “unassuming giant” of Canadian music, averaging over 3.5 million regular monthly listens on Spotify alone, with more than half a billion streams to date.

His most recent release Sad Hunk received the 2021 JUNO Award for Adult Alternative Album of the Year. A seven-time JUNO nominee, Jurvanen also received this accolade for Bahamas Is Afie in 2015, when he was also named Songwriter Of The Year.

“I Got You Babe” by BAHAMAS & The 400 UNIT [https://Bahamas.lnk.to/IGYB]

October 9th, 2021 – Pairing wines with Thanksgiving foods.

October 9, 2021 Tasting Room Radio

hello

Pairing wines with Thanksgiving foods.

 

THE SHOW

Two great friends join me for a Thanksgiving pairing session.

 

pumpkins and gourds as decorations in autumn

Of all of the questions I’m asked,  the most consistent is – “what do I pair with food?  vegan,  lamb, pasta, salmon, dessert?”

I was thinking about beautiful fall days and everyone’s Thanksgiving weekend. Our lunch and dinner plans.

 

That’s when I thought of two names:

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

Chef Mark Filatow – Waterfront Bistro (Kelowna)  – waterfrontrestaurant.ca

 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva

 

Daenna has been the longest running regular guest we’re ever had on TRR. If you go to her very popular website  you can find reviews, articles and a crazy list of wines.

Daenna suggested her list  “Perfect Pairings -pairings with white meat.”  Talking chicken, turkey and pork and off we went! Each one of these wines has been poured, tasted and scored by The Wine Diva.  Daenna brings the reasons why she chose these wines and you can find the complete list with commentary and bottle shots  at www.winediva.ca

 

  • O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars Unoaked Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Spearhead Pinot Noir Cuvee, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Provenance Series’ Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Estate Cuvee Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley
  • Pfaffenheim ‘Tradition’ Pinot Gris, Alsace, France
  • Hester Creek Pinot Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC
  • O’Rourke’s Peak Cellars ‘Block 11’ Riesling, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Fort Berens Estate Winery Dry Riesling, British Columbia
  • Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Estate Cuvee Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Spearhead Chardonnay ‘Saddle Block – Clone 95’, Okanagan Valley BC
  • Red Rooster Winery Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Brut, Lombardy, Italy
  • Sea Sun Chardonnay, California
  • Covert Farms Family Estate Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC
  • Scattered Earth Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa

 

 Chef Mark Filatow  – Waterfront Restaurant

A chef at rest-

Mark Filatow is GM & proprietor  of Waterfront Restaurant,  culinary champion, sommelier and wine judge. Occasional fisherman.

This is not your normal interview. We know each others secrets,  so its best to just talk and let the words fall where they may.

Chef didn’t have a Thanksgiving menu in place because he’s closed Sunday and Monday.

So, I went to the main items  of his current menu. Plus Mark is serving traditional Thanksgiving turkey dinner at his home – to the very people he lives with. We paired wines with that food as well.  Thank you Chef.

Happy Pairing  and A Very Happy Thanksgiving! 

 

·      MAIN COURSES

·      GRILLED PEPPERCORN CRUSTED HERITAGE ANGUS FLAT IRON

Fork Mashed Sieglinde Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, Sauce Bordelaise

·      CHARRED GINDARA SABLEFISH FILLET WITH PRAWNS

Toasted Cornmeal Gnocchi, Crab & Ginger Broth, Kimchi Aioli

·      COCONUT RICE CAKES & VEGETABLE CURRY

Lime Yogurt, Spicy Cashew, Onion Pakora Crumb

www.waterfrontrestaurant.ca

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

Platinum winners – Just announced Left Gov. Awards

Hester Creek

Church and State

Summer Hill

Tightrope

 

 

October 2nd, 2021 – Our first NO/LOW Special!

October 1, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio

hello

Our first NO/LOW Special   (a sober October)

 

THE SHOW

 

“a true sparkling Chardonnay. Noughty feels much more like an adult celebratory drink”

Jancis Robinson

“It is, hands down, the best alcohol-free sparkling wine I have ever tasted and one of the best alcohol-free wines I’ve tasted overall”

Wine Enthusiast

 Sophisticated no-alcohol and low-alcohol (no/low) options have never been more in demand, as people increasingly embrace the sober-curious, moderation, and health-conscious trends.  They’re searching out beverage alternatives for a host of reasons whether it’s health, personal, or faith-related, and they don’t want to compromise on experience or great taste.

Young and old, fit and foodies, high-performance and hedonist; we all still want to share a round of drinks with friends, just without the side effects that come from alcohol… because let’s be honest no one likes a hangover.

No matter who’s research you come across, the trend for No alcohol/Low alcohol is heading up. Up 31% by 2024.

The drinks world is experiencing a non-alcoholic revolution. Having gained momentum over the past couple of years, the interest in and consumption of no-alcohol drinks is continuing to rise across the globe…

At first glance, it appears to be driven by a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle and there’s no question the movement is gaining many fans.

The range of drinks has grown significantly over the past 10 months, and now includes an array of non-alcoholic lagers and ales, still and sparkling wines, pre-blended cocktails, spirits, tonics, mixers, and more.

This special is dedicated to the person who has been telling me to cover no/low for years – Meg Mulligan!!

Today’s guests are:

Amanda Thomson – CEO Thomson and Scott. (UK)  www.noughtyaf.com

Amanda is the CEO and founder of Thomson and Scott. She is at the leading edge of the global shift to alcohol-free drinking. Her first No release was Noughty, the first alcohol-free, organic, vegan, halal, low sugar sparkling wine.

Amanda Thomson

Amanda is also driving the debate for greater transparency in wine production and labeling and wants consumers to push to know what’s on their bottles. ‍
After countless years of really bad non-alcoholic offerings in Canada, you/we finally have a great choice in Noughty and others.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay (grapes from La Mancha, Spain)

Pale color with a crisp & ripe apple nose. Tight bubbles. A light sweetness on the edges.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rose  (grapes from la Mancha, Spain)

100% Tempranillo. Great colour with berries on the nose. Balance and acidity in the mouth. Delightful.

 

Mark Kuspira – Soft Crush (Calgary)  www.softcrush.ca

Mark is the founder of Crush Imports a wine and spirits import agency in Calgary.

 

July 16th of this year he launched Soft Crush, bringing sophisticated No/Low alcohol releases for Canadian consumers searching out high-quality alternative beverages.

Mark saw a gap in the market for flavorful and authentic no/low beverages.

Mark brings the stories  behind:

Big Drop (UK) Alcohol-free craft beer. (bolder hoppier flavors) www.bigdropbrew.com

Pine Trail Pale Ale/Paradiso Citra IPA/Galactic Dark Noir

Odd Bird (Sweden) Working with French and Italian vineyards. They make their wines the same as everyone else – then – they take out the alcohol. Keeping the flavor. www.oddbird.com

Spumante Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Veneto, Italy)

Blanc de Blanc Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Languedoc-Roussillon France)

We also talk about a new release of a  Benjamin Bridge Piquette and others.

Lots of discussion of who the new No/Low consumers are. Many are driven by wellness and health reasons. Some by faith or a need to stay clear-headed for the changing world around them.

We take the whole hour to try and tell this trending story.

(Thank You Corey Wood)

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

Thanksgiving wines

Church and State

Summer Hill – Home of the Oot ‘n Oots (Kelowna)

Tightrope.. (Naramata Bench)

Hester Creek – (Golden Mile)

Restaurant update

 

 

EP 177 | Whitehorse

October 1, 2021 Mulligan Stew Podcast, Uncategorized

hello

Last Saturday I had Melissa McClelland and Luke Doucet – Whitehorse – on Mulligan Stew CKUA Radio.  www.whitehorsemusic.ca

We shook the place up “real good” but this is the complete interview. Room for both Melissa and Luke to expand on the “Happy Hour Live”  experience from their living room during the lockdown.

They walk and talk us through their new album Strike Me Down and then we get really specific about

“what is Rock and Roll now”?

What is the new album in January?

Are you playing Massey Hall?

Tour dates in 2022?

Enjoy!!

October 2nd, 2021 – Our first NO/LOW Special!

October 1, 2021 Audio FIle, Tasting Room Radio

hello

Our first NO/LOW Special   (a sober October)

 

THE SHOW

 

“a true sparkling Chardonnay. Noughty feels much more like an adult celebratory drink”

Jancis Robinson

“It is, hands down, the best alcohol-free sparkling wine I have ever tasted and one of the best alcohol-free wines I’ve tasted overall”

Wine Enthusiast

 Sophisticated no-alcohol and low-alcohol (no/low) options have never been more in demand, as people increasingly embrace the sober-curious, moderation, and health-conscious trends.  They’re searching out beverage alternatives for a host of reasons whether it’s health, personal, or faith-related, and they don’t want to compromise on experience or great taste.

Young and old, fit and foodies, high-performance and hedonist; we all still want to share a round of drinks with friends, just without the side effects that come from alcohol… because let’s be honest no one likes a hangover.

No matter who’s research you come across, the trend for No alcohol/Low alcohol is heading up. Up 31% by 2024.

The drinks world is experiencing a non-alcoholic revolution. Having gained momentum over the past couple of years, the interest in and consumption of no-alcohol drinks is continuing to rise across the globe…

At first glance, it appears to be driven by a desire to lead a healthier lifestyle and there’s no question the movement is gaining many fans.

The range of drinks has grown significantly over the past 10 months, and now includes an array of non-alcoholic lagers and ales, still and sparkling wines, pre-blended cocktails, spirits, tonics, mixers, and more.

This special is dedicated to the person who has been telling me to cover no/low for years – Meg Mulligan!!

Today’s guests are:

Amanda Thompson – CEO Thompson and Scott. (UK)  www.noughtyaf.com

Amanda is the CEO and founder of Thompson and Scott. She is at the leading edge of the global shift to alcohol-free drinking. Her first No release was Noughty, the first alcohol-free, organic, vegan, halal, low sugar sparkling wine.

Amanda Thompson

Amanda is also driving the debate for greater transparency in wine production and labeling and wants consumers to push to know what’s on their bottles. ‍
Finally, after many years of really bad non-alcoholic offerings in Canada, you/we finally have a great choice in Noughty.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Chardonnay (grapes from La Mancha, Spain)

Pale color with a crisp & ripe apple nose. Tight bubbles. A light sweetness on the edges.

Sparkling Non-Alcoholic Rose  (grapes from la Mancha, Spain)

100% Tempranillo. Great colour with berries on the nose. Balance and acidity in the mouth. Delightful.

 

Mark Kuspira – Soft Crush (Calgary)  www.softcrush.ca

Mark is the founder of Crush Imports a wine and spirits import agency in Calgary.

 

July 16th of this year he launched Soft Crush, bringing sophisticated No/Low alcohol releases for Canadian consumers searching out high-quality alternative beverages.

Mark saw a gap in the market for flavourful and authentic no/low beverages.

Mark brings the stories  behind:

Big Drop (UK) Alcohol-free craft beer. (bolder hoppier flavors) www.bigdropbrew.com

Pine Trail Pale Ale/Paradiso Citra IPA/Galactic Dark Noir

Odd Bird (Sweden) Working with French and Italian vineyards. They make their wines the same as everyone else – then – they take out the alcohol. Keeping the flavor. www.oddbird.com

Spumante Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Veneto, Italy)

Blanc de Blanc Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Wine (Languedoc-Roussillon France)

We also talk about a new release from Benjamin Bridge and others.

Lots of discussion of who the new No/Low consumers are. Many are driven by wellness and health reasons. Some by faith or a need to stay clear-headed for the changing world around them.

We take the whole hour to try and tell this trending story.

(Thank You Corey Wood)

 

STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:

SummerHill – Home of the Oot n Oots (Kelowna)

Tightrope.. (Naramata Bench)

Hester Creek – (Golden Mile)

Restaurant update