Tasting Room Radio

Angus An/Kurtis Kolt. Creative pairings at New Fat Mao/Fort Berens Releases   THE SHOW    Fat Mao—meaning “prosperous cat” in Cantonese—is a casual open-kitchen concept by Chef Angus An, dishing up Thai-style noodle soups plus southeast Asian sides and drinks. Flavourful made-from-scratch broths and locally sourced noodles are accompanied by smaller dishes of B.C. seafood, house-made tofu, and seasonal vegetable salads. Chef Angus recommends customizing your noodles with your choice of spicy sauces, oils, and tangy vinegars to personalize your own fun, comforting, and interactive meal.   “Fat Mao is an ode to the small storefronts handed down through several family generations that specialize in making one single dish over and over,” explains An. “I want our guests to pull up a stool and enjoy a bowl of their favourite noodle soup with a good novel for years to come.”   While the small and focused downtown menu features many fan favourites from the original Fat Mao, it will also offer a handful of tempting dishes from ceviche to rotating flavours of shaved ice that are exclusive to the new location. Debut highlights include braised brisket noodles served with Asian celery and fried garlic; Nam Ngaio—a Northern-style tender pork-rib noodle dish with pork-blood cake, red cotton tree flowers, and fermented soybean; Albacore tuna ceviche with aromatic herb dressing and crispy taro; and Thai-tea shaved ice for a sweet finish, served with grass jelly and condensed milk with Thai iced-tea panna cotta.  (Fat Mao Noodles –  Downtown Vancouver) Angus An – Chef. Author. Restaurant founder. The list of award-winning restaurants created and launched by Angus and his wife Kate is truly impressive. Gastropod (Top 200 in the World – Zagat)  Rebranded to Maenam (best Thai 8 years running- Top 25 in  Canada & 2016 VanMag Restaurant of the Year) Now, Angus and Kate have created Longtail Kitchen/Fat Mao/Freebird Chickenshack/Sen Pad Thai/Popina Canteen and  Fat Mao Noodles. Kurtis Kolt –  Has enjoyed consulting on the wine program at Maenam in Vancouver along with leaping into random adventures with chef/proprietor Angus An through various pursuits, from James Beard House dinners to pop-up Sherry bars. Now Angus has opened a second Fat Mao location in downtown Vancouver and he’s fully on board. It’s a tricky food and wine room in that customers are in and out quickly. There’s simply not time to choose,  open and pour wines so Kurtis gathered together fine wines in cans and MagBags. This is like the food and wine version of a high-wire circus act. Every dish is an orchestra of flavors and textures. The challenge for Kurtis is – which of the many flavors and spices do you want to pair your wines with? As for the wines… Sharply priced wines ($6-$21) are available at Fat Mao Downtown in a wide variety of serving sizes: by-the-glass in three, six, or nine ounces; and by the can in 250 mL (5 oz) single-servings, 375mL (12+ oz) ‘half bottles’, and 473 mL (16 oz) equal to a couple of glasses. Notable wines featured on the current list include selections from British Columbia’s JoieFarm, Orofino, Birch Block, and Averill Creek, plus contemporary Californian gems like Ferdinand Albariño and Matthiasson’s Barbera-driven ‘Tendu’ Rosé. Loved this conversation – It Rocked, just like Fat Mao. Visit fatmaonoodles.

A Spirits Special – The Five Bottle Bar  and Single Malt 006 from Eau Claire.   THE SHOW   Eau Claire Master Distiller Caitlin Quinn.   This edition of TRR started with the arrival of a handsome  bottle of  Eau Claire Single Malt Whisky 006 (Bottle 1681)   It’s the sixth single malt release from Eau Claire Distillery’s award-winning whisky program and their  first six-year-old batch release. Aged in New European Oak (Hungarian), Ex-Bourbon (American) & Ex-Sherry(French)barrels. They made 3000 bottles total. $109 in Tasting Room. This is such a sip to celebrate. Caitlin and I talk about the aroma notes of caramel, berries and Granny Smith Green Apple Taste of Butterscotch,  Cloves and spice. Think about it – Caramel and Butterscotch in a sip. With a long finish. There’s also a reference under style I Liked – Moreish. I thought it referred to the historical  Moors.  Caitlin replied   “No. It means more please!”   Two interesting points Caitlin makes… This Single Malt won Best Canadian Single Malt Whisky of the Year – New York International Spirits Competition – 2022 And Because of the extremes of cold in Winter and heat in Summer in Turner Valley, the cellaring of these spirits makes them age more rapidly. I think the Turner Valley malted barley helps. Thank you Mother Nature.   Caitlin also tells us about what’s coming later on this year.   www.eauclairedistillery.ca   The Five Bottle Bar – Reference Book from Author and Ampersand co-founder Jessica Schacht When the book arrived I knew we had another spirits feature show. Jessica presents  a collection of cocktail recipes that rely on just five bottles to build your bartending style with ease and confidence. Five bottles around which your inner bartender can emerge with skill, savvy and a little flare for the dramatic when it’s called for. Jessica Schacht believes with a little curation and mastery of the basics, we can succeed at elevating the everyday and cultivating a good cocktail hour. The bottles?  Gin, Whiskey, Sweet and Dry Vermouth, and Campari (plus bonus recipes for Bubbly). The setting: living room, backyard, window seat, and the wild beyond. The mixologist? You!! In this beautifully photographed collection, Jessica Schacht, co-founder of Ampersand Distilling Company, presents her take on classics (like the G & T, the Old Fashioned, the Martini, and the Negroni), collections (sours, punches, and such), and contemporaries (a few inventive new drinks to pique your creativity). There’s a chapter of zero-proofs in part inspired by the abundance of new alcohol-free spirits on the market now, and another dedicated to keeping your vacation drinks game classy, from the airplane to the B&B to the beach. In addition to the recipes The Five-Bottle Bar supplies a solid foundation in bartending basics. Tools, techniques, suggestions on glassware and garnishes, the condensed history of spirits, and tips for setting up your minimalist bar cart.   Jessica also recommends The Five Bottle Bar – by region. For British Columbia: Ampersand Gin Stillhead Rye Whisky Imperative Dry vermouth Esquimalt Wine Co. Sweet Vermouth The Woods Amero   Jessica Schacht is the cofounder of the multigenerational family-run Ampersand Distilling Company and author of the History Glass column in the Cowichan Valley Voice. She is grateful to live in the Cowichan Valley in the home she shares with her husband and sons. This is a fun, engaging read. We intend to reconnect with Jessica when the heat of The Sun finally returns to our lives.  

Kimberly Hundertmark – New GM at Okanagan Wine Festivals/Winter Festival events start Sunday THE SHOW It was perhaps 12 years ago when Jason Priestley and I were shooting Hollywood and Vines TV with producer Chad Oakes. Our journey took us to Niagara and their yearly wine festival. Our host was Kimberly Hundertmark, Executive Director of the Niagara Grape and Wine Festivals. Immediately,  we were hitting the ground running, just to keep up. While Kimberly watched over our television interviews and necessary production, she was also leading the team members who were running her festival events. We were much impressed with Kimberly’s drive and leadership. She had created a framework that turned Niagara’s Wine festivals into “don’t miss” events. We also got to meet her husband, winemaker Jeff Hundertmark. Between events we answered questions they had about BC Wines and how the future was looking out West. Something clicked because in 2017  they said a long goodbye to their friends in Niagara and showed up in the Okanagan Valley. Geoff to continue making wines and Kimberly taking on wine and hospitality teamwork. It was only a matter of time before the valley realized what they had in these two delightful and driven people! Jeff is now the head winemaker at Mt Boucherie and Rust Wine Co and Kimberly had been named the new GM of Okanagan Wine Festivals. Boom!!   This feature interview with Kimberly is more like a celebration. Not only is she going to make the Okanagan Wine Festivals better than they’ve ever been, she’s going to lead the reimagining of what those wine and food festivals will look, smell, sound  and feel like.   2023 starts with the reimagining of the Winter Wine Festival   The Okanagan Wine Festivals will partner with Predator Ridge to deliver  a Burgundy inspired event Sunday  January 22  featuring festival partners well known for their  Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.   The Grande Finale takes place January 27 and 28 with event partners in Penticton and Oliver.   Sensation– An Eve for the Senses on January 27th  at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and will feature wine and culinary pairings!   On Saturday, January 28th,  the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival will move south to The District  Wine Village in Oliver. The afternoon’s programming will include District partners as well as festival wineries  showcasing curated experiences as part of the TASTE Passport.    Each TASTE Passport includes six vouchers which are redeemed for an elevated tasting  experience from the participating beverage partners. This is a one stop tasting experience  unique to the Winterfest program. “The launch of the Okanagan Winter Wine Festival is long overdue. The Okanagan Valley’s  wine industry is positioned to help build shoulder season visitation alongside our partner  stakeholders. Extended visitation and audience reach has a substantial impact on local  economy, particularly during the winter months. The time is right, and the Okanagan Wine  Festival is committed to a festival re-imagined” says Kimberly Hundertmark, General Manager.   All tickets are available through thewinefestivals.com.   www.thewinefestivals.com We welcome Kimberly Hundertmark (and the guy she brought with her)   Mark deVere – Mondavi Ambassador/ Master of Wine Second guest is Mark deVere.  Master of Wine representing Robert Mondavi Wines at the 2022 VanWineFest For those who may not know, the very first winery that signed on for the very first VanWineFest was Mondavi. Robert himself attended. Whoever speaks on behalf of this world famous winery had best  come equipp...

New Releases from Township 7 and Hester Creek   THE SHOW We have several friends on board this week. Mary McDermott – Winemaker at Township 7 (Naramata and South  Langley) Mark Hopley and Adair Scott – Winemaker (Hester Creek) and Executive Chef (Terrafina Restaurant – Golden Mile) They bring with them tales of the 2022 vintage season and the resulting harvest. How can we forget the miserable Spring? Wet, foggy, windy, and with no sign of Sun. I kept hearing cautionary remarks that “if we don’t get Sun soon there will be no growing season”. The Sun did show itself in a big way and the season turned out to be over the top. Depending on where you were growing.   Mary McDermott brings three of her new releases today   * New winter releases * 2020 Provenance  Series Chardonnay SRP $25.97 (half in French Barriques and half in Stainless Steel) Rich. Intense. Vanilla/Peach/Spice * 2020 Provenance Series Cabernet Sauvignon SRP $33.97 2 vineyards. (French Oak. 1/3 new) ripe black fruit  and cherries, caramel. * 2020 Benchmark Series Pinot Noir SRP $41.97 Handpicked in OK Falls. (Neutral French Oak) Dark fruit and tannins. Earthy. * New for Township 7 in 2023 – planting more Pinot Noir at their South Langley vineyard for the popular Seven Stars sparkling wines. * new releases coming out – seven stars 2019 Polaris Blanc de Blancs, plus several others this spring and later this summer * new events coming up: Love is Blind Valentine’s weekend (Feb. 11 & 12th) at both South Langley and Naramata Bench wineries * blind wine tasting of four wines (choose from sparkling, all white or all red) includes charcuterie and sweets, * only $36.97/person, contact is  wine@township7.com for reservations or bookings available online shortly) www.township7.com   Mark Hopley Winemaker at Hester Creek Estate  (Golden Mile) Adair Scott – Chef at Terrafina Restaurant at Hester Creek     Any opportunity I get to pair food and wine in an engaged conversation is a good day. As Mark was taking us through the growing/vintage  season I had a thought to ask Chef Adair about how that same season affected his menu and recipe choices. Many guests have talked about how the best pairing is if the grapes, fruit and vegetables are all grown in the same soil it’s a win/win.  Well,  these two artists get to pair like that every season. As Mark took us through the wines, Chef paired his menu choices to create a seamless dining experience. Winemaker Mark Hopley presented his next three releases 2021 Character Red. Handpicked Oliver fruit. A much-loved blend of Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. There’s a unique Merlot clone in there as well, originally from Italy. (Thank you Joe) 8 months in American and French Oak. Blueberries, blackberries, white pepper, and sage on the nose. Palate bursts in your mouth with a  blend of cherry, acidity, smoke, and vanilla.  Here’s the best part – priced under $20 (BC + taxes)   2020  Old Vines Merlot.  A Golden Mile Estate Exclusive. Handpicked, hand sorted, soaked on the skin for 3 days, aged 18 months in French barrels. The result? On the nose cocoa, cherries, and plum. The palate combines dark fruit and cocoa. Layers of “everything”. Lots of tannin, acidity, and texture.$27.99(BC + taxes) 2020 Old Vine Cabernet Franc.  These over 50-year-old vines have established what they are and what they’ll produce. Those roots have grown deep in the Golden Mile soils which produce beautifully concentrated fruit.  Aged 8 months on mostly French Oak. Anise and ripe blackberry on the nose.

A Q&A with new wine called….Q&A   THE SHOW It’s a really great story. Jason Priestley and I co-hosted/co-produced Hollywood and Vines TV for a number of years with our pal Producer Chad Oakes. It was shown in over 90 countries via Travel Channel UK (London) One of our Okanagan shoots was seen in Slovakia by winemaker Michael Mosny and his wife  Martina. They liked what they saw and heard, came to Canada, checked out the Okanagan Valley, and loved it. They said goodbye to their friends in Europe, moved to Oliver, and started a winery,  a very successful label called Winemakers Cut. Several years later I’m doing interviews for Tasting Room Radio in Victoria.  I was impressed with a new winery that had seemingly appeared overnight and could be found in most wine stores and restaurant wine lists. I introduced myself to Michal at the Winemaker’s Cut table and he said “you have no idea why I’m here, do you?” To my amazement, Michal told me the whole story of how Winemakers Cut ended up on that table in front of him. We became good friends. Several years later Michal suggested we make a wine together – to celebrate.  He happened to have the makings of a Bordeaux-inspired blend sitting on oak in his cellar. I asked Jason and he loved the idea. We came up with the name Q&A and things started to roll from there. Well, here we are..   Jason and I have stepped into the world of wine. The difference is, we’re not consumers. We’re partners with winemaker Michal and Winemakers Cut in Oliver BC Jason for several years had been an investor in Black Hills Winery, the maker of the iconic Nota Bene. After the sale of Black Hills, I continued to search for exceptional terroir capable of producing a peerless Bordeaux-style blend. Throughout this journey, I merged paths with Terry and then Michal. Together, we questioned what we already know, over and over again,” said Priestley. “After looking everywhere, all roads lead to one answer and the answer is once again in the Okanagan. This time, the difference is in the details, with a focus on elegance and finesse.” Q&A “I heard about Canadian wine for the first time from Terry and Jason’s international television show, Hollywood and Vines TV, and it quickly became my passion  They are the reason why I decided to move here with my wife in 2012 and make wines in the Okanagan Valley.”   Slovakian-Canadian Michal Mosny is the proprietor of Winemaker’s CUT, an acclaimed winery based in the District Wine Village in Oliver, BC.   Q&A started rolling out in November of 2022. It’s just now beginning to show up on select wine store shelves and restaurant wine lists. Check out qa.wine for more information It’s a Bordeaux-inspired blend .. 45% Cabernet Sauvignon 38% Merlot 13% Cabernet Franc 4% Petit Verdot 100% Yummy! Here’s the first Q&A gabfest on Tasting Room Radio The complete Zoom interview can be heard on Mulligan Stew Podcast and the video on terrydavidmulligan YouTube Channel www.qa.wine www.winemakerscut.ca   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Jackson Family buy another Cowichan Winery (Blue Grouse) Hester Creek Releases JPCustoms new releases Eau Claire Single Malt Whisky 006 Winemakers Cut New Releases Five Bottle Bar –  Book by Jessica Schacht Township 7 – New Releases    

The Last 2022 Wine List from Wine Diva: Top 50 –  91 Points or better   THE SHOW This End of the Year Special started like many ideas do.  Over a glass of wine. I was tasting wines  in preparation  for a winemaker interview. My thought was “let’s do an end of the year “best of” wine special. My very next thought was “ this calls for the Wine Diva” I taste 100’s of wines a year. Daenna Van Mulligan – The Wine Diva tastes 1000’s a year. www.winediva.ca www.winescores.ca So off I went in search of Deanna and her tasting notes and memories of 2022. I’m so thankful I found her and she agreed to look back at the wine year. All three weeks can be found  on Tasting Room Radio at www.mulliganstew.ca Here’s how it all rolled out…     Dec 17th Gift Bottles Sparkling Wines   Dec 24   (Christmas Eve) The Top 100 – Under $20 and 88 points or better.   Dec 31  (New Years Eve) Top 50 Wines of 2022 – 93 points or better: Wine List _top 50 93 pts or better Wine Reviews & Tasting Notes from WineDiva   Once again, we can’t talk about every wine listed on the Top 50  but we certainly tried. HAPPY NEW YEAR! – See you in 2023   Yalumba ‘The Tri-Centenary’ Grenache, Basrossa Valley, Australia $85.00 Monte del Fra Amarone della Valpolicella Classico ‘Lena di Mezzo’, Valpolicella, Veneto $47.99 Painted Rock Syrah, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $52.99 Sperling Vineyards Old Vines Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00 Culmina Family Estate Winery ‘Susser No.18’ Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC N/A Township 7 Vineyards & Winery ”Benchmark Series’ Gewurztraminer, Okanagan Valley BC $30.00 Hester Creek Viognier, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Liquidity Wines Reserve Pinot Noir, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A UpperCase Winery Chardonnay, British Columbia N/A Falernia Pinot Noir Gran Reserva Single Vineyard Aaron, Elqui Valley Chile $26.00 SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Golden Retreat Vineyard’, Okanagan Valley BC N/A Winemaker’s Cut ‘Bohemian’ Petit Verdot, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Ricasoli ‘Castello di Brolio’ Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy $75.00 Castello di Ama San Lorenzo Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Siena, Tuscany, Italy $64.99 Moon Curser ‘Contraband’ Syrah, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00 Gold Hill Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Clos du Soleil ‘Signature’, Similkameen Valley, British Columbia $60.00 Cantina Tollo’ MO’ Riserva, Montepulciano d’Abruzzo $24.99 Red Horses Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvgnon, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Estate Riesling, Okagan Valley, BC N/A CVNE ‘Cune’ Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain $50.00 Nederburg ‘Heritage Heros The Anchorman’ Old Vine Chenin Blanc, South Africa $25.00 Gemtree ‘Dragon’s Blood’ Shiraz,...

2022 Top 100 Wines under $20 And 88 Points or Better   THE SHOW As promised Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva has delivered another End-of-the-Year Wine List. I like this one a lot.. Keep in mind Daenna tastes 1000’s of wines a year. That’s what makes these wines special. All of these wines have been tasted, judged and found to be well made wines. All were $20 or Under and 88  points or better.     Bang for the buck. Aside from being affordable, these  wines are all crafted with passion and skill. We can’t go through all 100 but we’ll do our best. Find all of the Wine Diva’s lists at www.winediva.ca For a deeper dive check out www.winescores.ca Here we GO:     *  Grow Wild ‘Rapturous Red’, Okanagan Valley, BC $16.99 * Monte del Fra Bardolino DOC, Custoza, Verona Italy $17.99 * Oops ‘Spicy Splendor’ Carmenere, Central Valley Chile $12.99 * Gil Family Estates ‘Zagalin’ Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain $13.49 * Petrichor Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley BC $19.99 * Grow Wild ‘Enchanting White’ Okanagan Valley, BC $16.99 * El Petit Bonhomme, Jumilla Spain $17.99 12. Chateau Dereszla Harslevelu, Tokaji, Hungary $20.00 * Augey Merlot~Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux, France $15.00 * Crudo Nero d’Avola~Cabernet Sauvignon, Sicily, Italy $20.00 * Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards ‘The Lookout’ Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * Santo Cristo Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain $17.00 * Escorihuela ‘1884’ Estate Grown Malbec~Cabernet, Mendoza Argentina $19.99 * Les Vignerons du Castelas Rose Rose, Rhone Valley, France $16.99 * Les Vignerons du Castelas Cotes du Rhone Rose, Rhone Valley, France $20.00 * Rupert Wines ‘Protea’ Dry Rose, Western Cape South Africa $15.99 * Harper’s Trail ‘Pioneer Block’ Thadd Springs Vineyard Riesling, Thompson Valley, BC $20.00 * Stag’s Hollow ‘Tragically Vidal’, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Nicosia Grillo, Terre Sicilane, Sicily, Italy $19.99 * Bartier Bros. Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC $18.99 * Gnarly Head Chardonnay, California $20.00 * Undurraga ‘8 Rios’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile $12.99 * Stag’s Hollow Syrah Rose, Okanagan Valley N/A * Quails’ Gate Dry Riesling, Okanagan Valley $19.99 * Sperling Vineyards Pinot Noir Rose, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * Harper’s Trail Rose, British Columbia $20.00 * Fort Berens Estate Winery Rose, Lillooet BC $20.00 * Harper’s Trail ‘Field Blend White’, British Columbia N/A * Sasso dei Lupi ‘Sestavia’ Viognier~Chardonnay, Umbria $19.21 * Cantine Leuci Primitivo, Salento, Puglia, Italy $19.99 * Lakeside Cellars ‘Portage White’, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * Fort Berens Estate Winery Pinot Gris, British Columbia $20.00 * Sandhill Sovereign Opal, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Sandhill Sauvignon Blanc, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Spier ‘Signature’ Merlot, Stellenbosch Western Cape, South Africa $13.99 * Escorihuela ‘1884’ Estate Grown Syrah, Mendoza Argentina $17.99 * Domaine De L’Olivette Rouge, Pays d’Oc, Southern France $17.99 * Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $13.99 * Luigi Bosca ‘La Linda Private Selection’ Old Vines Malbec, Mendoza Argentina $19.99 * Gray Monk Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley BC $19.99 * Terranoble Pinot Noir, Casablanca Valley, Chile $18.99 * Gray Monk Rose, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Quails’ Gate Rose, Okanagan Valley BC $20.00

THE WINE DIVA YEAR END LISTS – This Week. Wine Gifts and Sparkling Wine Daenna van Mulligen We are taking an epic journey to  The Wine Diva’s Palace. Thing is – she lives in the basement. It really belongs to Daenna van Mulligen who created the Wine Diva Web Site. www.winediva.ca and it’s partner site www.winescores.ca   Plus wrote the book Jace’s Journey Daenna van Mulligen is an accredited sommelier, wine judge, wine writer and reviewer, public speaker and a long time friend. Daenna tastes and makes amazing notes on 1000s  of wines  each year. When possible she travels to vineyards all over the World.  She writes stories and reviews for Vines , TASTE, Montecristo and Vitis Magazines. We have been celebrating her Wine Diva  end of the year wine lists for at least 10 years. To experience all of her year end lists just go to www.winediva.ca This year is going to be like a Wine Super Bowl. Are you ready? This week Daenna starts things off with two lists for 2022. GIFT BOTTLES 2022 Special bottles that someone might not buy for themselves. Singular and expressive bottles that are perfect for a special occasion.   THE LISTS! * Robin Ridge Gamay, Similkameen Valley BC * Monte Del Fra ‘Ca Del Magro DOC Custoza Superiore,Veneto Italy $24.99 * Township 7 Vineyards & Winery ‘Benchmark Series’ Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Taylor Fladgate 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Duoro, Portugal $72.99 * Painted Rock ‘Red Icon’, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $80.00 * Massimo Rivetti Family Farm ‘Aurelia’ Arneis, Langhe, Italy $26.99 * Upper Case Winery Chardonnay, British Columbia N/A * Quails’ Gate ‘Stewart Family Reserve’ Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley $49.00 * Clos du Soleil Fume Blanc, Okanagan Valley $22.00 * SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Saddle Block’, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00 * Winemaker’s Cut ‘Bohemian’ Riesling, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Familia Zingarelli ‘Rocca della Macie’ Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy $30.00 * Mazzei ‘Ser Lapo’ Chianti Classico Riserva, Tuscany, Italy $32.99 * Ricasoli ‘Castello di Brolio’ Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Tuscany, Italy $75.00 * Hester Creek Semillon, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Bartier Bros. Grenache~Syrah~Mourvedre, Okanagan Valley BC $45.00 * Lakeside Cellars Cabernet Franc, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * Gold Hill Syrah, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Domaine Gayrard Loin de L’oil, Gaillac, France $34.99 * Barone di Valforte Montepulciano d’Abbruzzo, Italy $23.00 * TerreLab by Gold Hill ‘Winemakers Series’ Tempranillo, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A * Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A * Clos du Soleil ‘Winemaker’s Series’ Middle Bench Vineyard Pinot Blanc, Similkameen Valley, BC N/A * Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Estate Cuvee Chardonnay, Okangan Valley BC $30.00 * Moon Curser Viognier Okanagan Valley BC $25.00 * Township 7 Vineyards & Winery ‘NBO’, Okanagan Valley BC N/A * Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Estate Riesling, Okagan Valley, BC N/A * Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Estate Blanc de Noirs, Okagan Valley, BC N/A * CVNE ‘Cune’ Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain $50.00 * Bellingham ‘The Bernard Series’ Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Coastal Region South Africa $27.00 * Umani Ronchi ‘Fonte del Re’ Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, Marche, Italy $20.99 * Vina Cobos ‘Felino’ Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $24.99

Every Chef Needs a Farmer   Every Farmer Needs a Chef!  The SHOW   We were invited to the third annual Chef/Farmer gathering.  This week at Church and State Winery in Central Saanich. It was presented by Buy BC. The entire concept was created by Lana Popham, Minister of Agriculture and Food. It’s a great fit because she WAS a farmer when the idea came to her. As Minister, she oversees the  Buy BC program. It continues to highlight the many unique and engaging products coming from our own backyards. It’s a direct link between consumers and the creators behind each and every label. (Lana Popham) Our pal Chef Ned Bell is the chef ambassador for Buy BC.  As long as I’ve known Ned, he’s always been pushing the boundaries between Kitchens and Farmers.  There’s nothing he likes more than uniting and collaborating with other chefs, fishers, farmers, and influencers. The man is a game-changer. If you’ve ever dined at his Naramata Inn, you’ll know that he’s also one of our very best chefs. His panel was titled – The Future of Food; Sustainable, Indigenous, Farmed, and Wild. (Ned Bell and TDM)   NOTE:  We couldn’t possibly interview all the Farmers. I think there were over 20 in the room but we will reconnect and do stories on many of them – over the Winter. Our Special Guests this week are:  Robert Belcham – Chef’s Table Society. Chef and Owner Popina Shawn Dirksen – Owner Northstar Organics. His panel was Selling Food to Our City. Small-Scale Diversified Organic Farming. Jared Qwustenuxun Williams – Indigenous Foods Chef, Writer, and Storyteller Ian Tostenson – President and CEO, BC Restaurant and Food Services Assn Michael Verbrugge and Victoria Lake  – Canadian Seafood Processing Chef Ned Bell – Naramata Inn Lana Popham – Minister of Agriculture and Food www.buybc.gov.bc.ca @EatDrinkBuyBC #buyBC #everychefneedsafarmer   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Meyer Family Chardonnay Hester Creek Winemakers Cut What’s Brad Royal up to?          

Jason Priestley and I were shooting year two of Hollywood and Vines with Producer Chad Oakes. It was Jason who suggested Guadalupe Valley in Mexico, and Walla Walla in Washington. So, I paid attention when he said. Let’s head for the Gaspareau Valley… Sure!  Where exactly is the Gaspareau? Just outside Halifax. And they’re growing what wines exactly? They are making sparkling wine and it’s getting local raves. That was many years ago. I was so impressed with the vineyards and the bubble they poured for us, I’ve stayed in touch with the story and the people. Specifically the winemaker Jean-Benoit Deslauriers and the owner Gerry McConnell. So. Its been 3-4 years since we checked in with Benjamin Bridge and in that time they have become one of the best wine stories in all of Canada. In doing so, they have ignited not only the Gaspereau but the rest of the Maritimes and Canada. From coast to coast. We welcome back Jean-Benoît Deslauriers and Benjamin Bridge   Jean-Benoit will be talking about 2018 Brut Rose.. 3 years on the lees  beautiful colour, rose on the nose. On the palate creme de cassis and brioche, creamy mousse…heaven sent!! 2017 Brut  A beauiful straw coloured. Green apple, warm bread on the nose. In the mouth stone fruit, citrus, brioche and a lingering minerality. WoW! 2020 hand crafted small lot Pinot Noir – JB says there’s “a profound sadness to it’s delishiosness ” in this wonderful wine. Mainly because its thriving in the Maritimes because of climate change. Thriving it is…a  clear nose of cedar box & ripe  black fruit. The palete is fresh red fruit and classic tannins.12 months in barrel/12% alcohol. We also talk about Nova 7, Tidal Bay and non-alcohol  wines in the future. www.benjaminbridge.com    

New wines and Spirits at IVSA Victoria THE SHOW Got my semi-annual invite from IVSA – The Import Vintners and Spirits Association..one of the largest representative bodies of beverage alcohol import agents in Canada. The very people who seek out great winemakers and distillers and then represent them to our liquor industry and down the line- you the customer. They’re not really set up for media, but I have always found the room to be filled with new wines and spirits that I know we’ll be talking about later in the year or next year. Best of all , they let me walk around and interview reps, who are mid-pour and telling the story behind the pour. I can’t talk to everyone.  For one thing, every table is filled with new releases and everyone has questions.. The reps have the answers. But I do find friends in the room and they point out a table and say something like “check out those guys over there. Thats a rock and roll table:” And it WAS… So let’s take a walk around the room..at Delta Ocean Point, Victoria. CAM DUKE – Representing Vintage West and Coastal Craft.. We talk about 2020 Ridge Three Valleys Zin Justin Cab 2019  from Paso Robles Boutinot whites Bread and Butter Prosecco Ben Marco  2020 Malbec Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin And Nemiroff Ukrainian Vodka, with the “can’t miss” distinctive national flag on the bottle. In November, A portion of the sale of Nemiroff Vodka goes to United Way to support local Ukrainians.  www.coastalcraft.ca https://vwwinemarketing.com   Peter Crews – New World Wines “for those who seek boutique”  Peter was featuring: Ancien Wines – Pinot Noir (Carneros) Domaine Juliette Avril  2019 Chateauneuf du Pape Red Sheridan Vineyards  2019 Cabernet   (Yakima Valley) Chateau Clamens  2021 Julie Rose (Fronton, France) WoW www.newworldwines.ca   Kim Hewitt  – Hewitt Brand Ambassador Services  Kim had a table full of “everything” but two bottles caught my eye Papalote Mezcal – ( Papa-low-tay) The Brand Ambassador is Cheech Marin – Cheech and Chong.  Tres Papalote is made in Oaxaca, of course! Santo  – a collaboration between Sammy Hagar and Guy Fieri.  Three different Tequilas (Blanco, Reposado & Mezquila) info@hewitt-bas.ca   Kyle Murphy – The Drinks List (VI Territory manager) Celine Clarac – Caves de Rauzan, (France)  6 glasses of Rauzan wine are consumed every second. They have 312 Winegrowers. Celeine poured a 2021 Augey Red. It costs around $13.00 and received a 90 score from Decanter. Also displaying and pouring  Fleur, Augey White, Rose, Red, Chateau Haut Bascia, Chateau Haut – Mazieres Rouge She teased a wine coming in the Spring called L’Agassant.  Meaning troublemaker, impertinent, rebellious. Meant to break the very strict rules of Bordeaux. www.cavesderauzan.com www.thedrinkslist.ca www.ivsa.ca   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Benjamin Bridge – Nova Scotia Meyer Family Vineyards – The New Chards Hester Creek                              

2022 Harvest Season Sparkling Wines This weeks TRR didn’t start out as a bubble special., It’s just the way the boxes opened. Mary McDermott – Winemaker Township 7 (Langley and Naramata Bench) Before she arrived in the Okanagan Mary made sparkling wines at Peller, also spending time at Stratus and Cave Springs. Under her leadership Township 7’s Polaris was named Best Canadian Sparkling Wine at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine world Championships in London in 2016. We welcome the much respected Mary McDermott. T7 (Mary McDermott)  In the Township 7 box were seven stars Rigel  – created from Riesling grown in the Fools Gold Vineyards in North Oliver. That’s the one originally planted by the legendary Richard Cleave. Now farmed by his son in law Mark Antonello. With all those names attached you know that the fruit and the wine will be award winning. This is a bright and yummy sparkling wine. Perfect for oysters, blue cheese, mushrooms. Only 399  6 bottle cases made. $36.97 2018 seven stars Equinox sparkling Brut Rose 100% Pinot Noir grapes went into this outstanding sparkling wine. They came from the highly regarded  Stoneridge Vineyard in Okanagan Falls. It overlooks the Okanagan River and Vaseaux Lake and because its sharing the valley with the river and lake, the heat of an Okanagan Summer isn’t as all consuming here. Its tempered by the coolness of the elevation and proximity to the river. It shows. Equinox is rich and round.  It’s glorious.   350  6 bottle cases. $57.97 And finally the 2019 Benchmark Series Cabernet Franc. Produced from the Raju Vineyard in Osoyoos. I love  Cab Franc and this one is Top 10. Fantastic wine. Cassis, spice, silky and welcoming texture. Medium to full bodied,  this beautifully balanced blend of Cab Franc and a small percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon can be enjoyed now or celebrated years from now. It’s a wine club exclusive. They are very lucky people. 670 cases  –  $43.97   The second box that arrived was from Noble Ridge, Okanagan Falls.  Our guest is  Noble Ridge winemaker Benoit Gauthier It was Merlot harvest day at Noble Ridge. Ben came off the crush pad to walk us through these wines and when done, walked straight out into crush heaven. We thank him for the time. Positive he may not  remember doing this interview.  Leslie D’Andrea co-owner of Noble Ridge sent along a note that said  “although we don’t make “champagne” per se, here’s some  examples of  BC Sparkling Wine to celebrate International Champagne Day Oct 28 There’s also another reason for  celebration,  as we participate in the annual ritual of Harvest and begin the cycle anew.”  The Fizzy One -NV  $24.99 Frizzante style Pinot Gris and Kerner. Full of pink grapefruit and late fall peaches on the nose.  On the palate, ripe berries, pear and light citrus.  The Pink One – 2018 $39.99 Smashing sparkling Rose. 100% Pinot Noir grapes. Method Traditionnelle . Only four hour skin contact. The One – 2017 $39.99 A true Champagne style, comes entirely from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir estate grapes. Reflects the terroir around it. Completely and totally Yummy. Notes of brioche and apple. Engaging texture. Generous and balanced. En Tirage 47 months. www.nobleridge.com www.township7.com Have a great International Champagne Day Friday Oct 28   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:   New releases from Hester Creek Moon Curser Benjamin Bridge (Nova Scotia) Sea Cider wins awards    

It’s The Bartier Bros Show, starring Michael Bartier!!   Just one story today – Michael Bartier – GM and Director of Bartier Bros. Vineyards and Winery (South Okanagan) What started out as a two segment interview with wine legend Michael Bartier almost immediately became this entire edition of Tasting Room Radio. Why, you ask? Because he earned it. From his beginnings in the wine business  Michael Bartier has constantly moved forward. Learning his wine making trade at Washington State and UC Davis. When he did start making wines – for others – he twice won white wine of the year in Canada. He specialized in Chardonnay. Then shifted to making red wines and won two Lieutenant Governor’s awards for his reds. On to the famous Hawthorne Mountain, back home to Township 7 and Road 13. And so, after years of making brilliant wines for others, It was only a matter of time before Michael would be making his own wine and best of all he did it with his brother Don.  Both Bartier Bros were raised in the Okanagan. In 2009 they launched Bartier Bros. I wanted to talk to Michael about the state of BC winemaking, the effect of climate change, how close winemakers came to not growing wine this year because of the wet and cold Spring. The Sun showed up just in time. It was close. How close?  Have a listen. Michael brings us new releases ready for tasting and a Brut  tease that’s coming soon. Plus the new Bocce Court & food plans for next year. They are open 12-4 every Saturday until Nov 12. 1) 2021 Rosé $18.99 2) 2021 Grüner Veltliner $24.99 3) 2021 Chardonnay  $22.99 4) 2020 Cabernet Franc – $29.99 5) 2020 Orchard Row – – $29.99 New Brut – Peach, flint, fresh bread.  $34.99 www.bartierbros.com   STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON  New Releases from  Hester Creek Township 7 Noble Ridge Moon Curser Benjamin Bridge (Nova Scotia)    

Checking in with The Neighbourhood!!   THE SHOW  Tasting Room Radio has been celebrating Canadian wine and food for 15 years. We could not have stayed the course and grown without  the support of our segment sponsors Thus, each year we make a point of making a feature fuss about our neighbors. Thing is, we’d be doing feature stories on them anyway because they’re all winners. When we decided to have a sponsor for each segment we had one bottom line “if we have to talk about someone for a year,  let’s make sure we like them!  As great people and as singular artisans”!  We are honored to welcome our in show  neighbors into the feature spotlight (in the order in which they became available) Jason Parkes Customs – Jason Parkes  (Founder) and Develyn Barker (Dreamer and Doer)  West Kelowna, BC Their story just keeps on growing. Came on board as The Hatch Winery. Well named, as they released well-crafted and accessible wines but they also “hatched” a series of new labels,  all heading in different wonderful directions. The Hatch, Gobsmacked Series, Hobo Series. Then came Black Swift, Crown and Thieves, The Hatching Post, Truck 59 Cider House, and SmokeShow BBQ plus  wines such as  Screaming Frenzy, 14 house beers, The Angel Share rooftop restaurant, The Broken Hearts Club speakeasy (house band is Proper Man, also home to Hangover Church, etc) They have created their own JPC Wine Trail – a 5-hour adventure you will talk about and might even remember. …And the wines? Bigger and better every season!  Beautifully crafted and pushing the boundaries – much like the people who make them! JPC is one of the great success stories in BC wine. Best of all, they did it their way!  Rock on! (there is no known photo of Jason Parkes but he did send this message “wine is just yeast poop” www.jpcfanclub.com www.crownthieves.com www.thehatchwines.com Unsworth Vineyards – Dan Wright (Winemaker) Christle Pope (Manager)  Cowichan Valley, Van Island Mere minutes from our home in Mill Bay, it’s also top of mind when we think, “it’s time for wine and dine” The Turyk Family have created a beautiful destination is perhaps the most gorgeous small farming valley in the area. The bonus is , the wines are outstanding and the restaurant is hugely popular. They have just received a Silver Medal and  91 points for their 2019 Pinot Noir from Decanter Magazine. A first for Vancouver Island winemaking. The new owners have their own family roots deep into the history of Napa and Sonoma. One of the first decisions was to let the Unsworth team carry on making better and better wines and the second was to start production on a new vineyard outside Duncan. The future looks very bright for Unsworth Vineyards – so we have much to talk about! www.unsworthvineyards.com Moon Curser Vineyards – Beata and Chris Tolley (Owners/Founders) Osoyoos, BC At the very bottom of the Okanagan Valley is Osoyoos. It’s right up against the US border and surrounded by some of the very best vineyards in Canada. One of them is Moon Curser. It’s the winemaking passion of Beata and Chris Tolley. It’s also their home. Well, it was,  until they just had to move off-site to get a break from the daily weight of farming. It’s a hard road,  no whining is allowed. In wine circles, they’re famous for the amazing varietals they make – several are the only ones being made in Canada. However, what they do make are wines judged to be as good as anything in Canada.  That’s how they were named The WineAlign  Best Small Winery in Canada in 2019. We’ll be talking Arneis, Viognier,

Van Wine Fest Part Two  (plus 2 very special guests) THE SHOW Walking into the Vancouver Wine Festival at the Convention Centre, as an interviewer,  is like working the field at an All-Star Game. Familiar wine star faces and voices are everywhere. I think I did a dozen interviews and these are the last three.  However,  I needed one more, So I decided to re-run one of my all time favourite interviews. From our coverage of the 2019  VanWineFest on Tasting Room Radio we present California wine royalty. Gena Gallo and her winemaking husband Jean Charles Boisset. Not just talking about their wines but about surviving cancer, raising their twin daughters and their love of Vancouver and the wine fest. Wine Fest Part Two includes interviews with Tony Holler – Owner of Poplar Grove (Naramata Bench) www.poplargrove.ca Ray Signorello – Owner of Signorello Estate  (Napa) www.signorelloestate.com Mark De Vere – Master of Wine.  Robert Mondavi Vineyards (Napa) www.robertmondaviwinery.com Gina Gallo, Vice President, Winemaking – Estate Wines. E. & J. Gallo  www.gallo.com Gina Gallo developed a deep respect for the land early on. After studying winemaking at the University of California at Davis, Gallo became an apprentice winemaker at E. & J. Gallo Winery, under the careful guidance of her grandfather Julio. Today, as the winemaker behind the Gallo Signature Series, she carves out specific blocks on Gallo’s most sought-after vineyards to hand-craft limited batches of wine.   Jean-Charles Boisset, Proprietor, Boisset Collection      www.boissetcollection.com Jean-Charles Boisset was born into the world of wine in Vougeot, Burgundy, France. Under his leadership, the Boisset Collection operates 24 wineries in California, France, and Canada. Decanter magazine has included him on its “Power List” of the 50 most important people in the wine world each year of its publication since 2007. His many honours include Meininger’s International Wine Entrepreneur of the Year, “Innovator of the Year” from Wine Enthusiast Magazine and the first-ever French-American Partnership Award from the French America Foundation.   . STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON * Scorched Earth * Bartier Bros. * Township 7 * Hillside  Estate * Napa/SF * Thanksgiving Wines * Noble Ridge