Tasting Room Radio

Sandra Oldfield with 3 Women of Wine/Evan Saunders presents two new Blasted Church Reds.   THE SHOW   Sandra Oldfield is a welcome force.  Sandra is the co-founder of Elysian Projects. (with her husband and pal Kenn) I love exchanging info and ideas with her but mostly I ask questions and get OUT of the way. Several months ago Sandra suggested we spotlight BC’s Women of Wine. This weeks she returns with stories and features on Women leading the growing  Wine Club movement and her three favourite Wine Clubs (and why they work for her)   Terry Meyer Stone – Mayhem Wines, Meyer Family Wines & The Garagiste Movement.   Severine Pinte – Winemaker at Le Vieux Pin   Leslie D’Andrea – Co-founder/Wine Community Leader at Noble Ridge     At the very end of this two part feature we touch on the  recent loss of her Father and the post that followed. (Her Post can be found at) www.sandraoldfield.com www.elysianprojects.com #BCWineChat   Evan Saunders – Winemaker at Blasted Church Speaking of women as leaders in the BC Wine Industry – how about Evelyn Campbell at Blasted Church? But as Evelyn writes on their website: I’ve had good fortune of finding highly talented, visionary and highly motivated individuals. I grant them full trust, and support them with the resources required to perform their very best for our winery endeavour. A philosophy that has helped Blasted Church thrive.  We welcome  one of those high motivated individuals Evan Saunders- Winemaker.  Trained in micro-biology  at U Vic on Vancouver island, then straight to Ontario and the  well known winemaking courses at Brock. On site training followed at Osoyoos Larose in Oliver and the ground-breaking Pinot at  Kosta Browne In California. Even worked his way up from student to cellar rat to assistant and is now a fully developed   human being. He brings with him two of his latest reds. (I’M RECOMMENDING BOTH. What a great way to celebrate the end of Winter) 2017 – Merlot  (89% Merlot 11% Malbec) Plums. Dark ripe berries. Dark Chocolate.  Serious texture in the mouth and a long finish. Outstanding tannins. Think steaks, tomato based pasta, burgers…ribbbbbs. $27.00  (874 cases)   2017 Syrah (94% Syrah. 3% Viognier 3% Roussanne)   The Viognier and Roussanne were co-fermented with the Syrah. Bringing the nose alive! Left on skins for up to 3 weeks. Oak was  also a mix – French, American and Hungarian. 14 months in barrel then racked to tanks, blended and back in barrel for another 4 months. So!  Was it worth it?   Oh Hell yes.   Black berries of all shapes and sizes on the nose with a bacon chaser. Same in the mouth. Wonderful texture and tannins. Loooong finish. This is a wine to open and celebrate,  then hide the other bottles for at least a couple of years.   $29.50  (2262 cases)   Evan also teases us with what’s coming later in the Spring 2018  Killer Cab Franc 2020 Rose – (Blaufränkisch) Nebbiolo Others.. www.blastedchurch.com FYI Office Hours: 9am – 5pm Monday – Friday Wine Shop Hours: 10am – 5pm Monday – Friday NOTE! We are now closed for tastings and open for sales only weekdays 10am – 5pm. If you are making a pilgrimage from afar, please call us first as Winter hours may vary. Before your visit, please review our Safety Plan for more information.  

    THE SHOW   The Press Release said:   The BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF) is honoured to be the beneficiary of a new initiative by Naramata’s  Nichol Vineyard and Winery. Starting immediately, the Naramata winery will donate $10 from the sale of every case of its 2019 Pinot Gris to the local charity. Cases of  the wildly popular Nichol Vineyard 2019 Pinot Gris may be purchased online for home delivery; shipping is free within B.C. or across Canada with a purchase or 2 or more cases.   Our guests are: Dana Lee Harris – Executive Director of BC Hospitality Foundation  www.bchospitalityfoundation.com Matthew Sherlock – Director Sales and Marketing Nichol Vineyard/Partner Lock and Worth   www.nicholvineyard.com www.lockandworth.com   Think about it – wait staff, the kitchens, cleaners, front of house, hotel staff and their families.  Covid 19 has crushed a lot of lives and dreams. We’re telling this story because people and businesses are stepping forward to help and support each other., Nichol Pinot Gris is one of the most popular wines in BC…here’s a chance to buy a case or two  and help those around you. While we’re talking to Matt Sherlock we’ll also talk about the Nichol portfolio and the sneaky good Lock and Worth (This winery is truth in winemaking. I love them for the honesty with which they create.) They are actually admitting to miscreating and then selling a white blend that wasn’t supposed to be a blend…and you can find it at $13.00 in selected stores. It’s a Chard and Semillon. Return buyers indicate its damn good.   The last story is the return of John Glavina to TRR.  He’s the Co-Founder of Giant Head Winery in Summerland. John and his partner Jinny Lee continue to offer  better and better wines. Some are sold out (always a good sign) and several are gems you want to seek out. They have two levels of wines   Giant Head and Canyonview. Giant Head offers solid entry wines at affordable prices. The Canyonview line is the very best on offer.   Welcome back John Glavina    STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:   Luke Whittall – Valleys of Wine Black Swift opens its doors Wines of BC – an update.                

Western Living Food /Travel Editor Neil McLennan : Top 40 Foodies of 2021 This is the  14th edition of  Western Livings Foodies of the Year and it’s safe to say, it’s been a tough year for most everyone in the hospitality industry across Western Canada. But despite the closures, restrictions and seemingly endless hurdles, the foodies of the West still managed to make their mark and do all of us proud. Western Living’s Top 40 Foodie  winners will be announced Wednesday, March 10, 2021.   With the invaluable assistance and lung power of Food and Travel Editor Neil McLennan, we present Western Livings  2021 Foodies of the Year Finalists: these are 40 of the tastemakers, innovators and damn good cooks that wowed their  editorial team. Congratulations to each and every one of you.   * Katherine Backman (Nora’s Non-Dairy <https://www.norasnondairy.com/> , Vancouver) The beloved cashew-based Nora’s is only three years old but it’s already in 250 retailers in B.C. and Alberta, including Whole Foods Market, Nesters Market and SPUD.ca, and has sold more than 100,000 pints of its ice cream.   * Ned Bell & Kate Colley (The Naramata Inn <https://naramatainn.com/> , Naramata) The former Four Seasons chef and Oceanwise ambassador is no stranger to this list, but he and wife Colley (along with partners Marie Wiesner and Paul Hollands) have taken the all-potential, but never-quite-there circa 1907 Naramata Inn and transformed it into the perfect small wine country inn. Great food, a killer wine list and charm and history galore—it’s the lodging the area’s been longing for. * Tess Bevernage and Tom Robillard (Hānai Family Table <https://www.hanaifamilytable.com/> , Vancouver) In a year when all but the most selfish of us stayed put in our home provinces, what a godsend it was to have these two recent O’ahu transplants cooking up all the Hawaiian classics—from garlic Furikake Chicken to Spam Musabi to perfect macaroni salad—once a week from their East Georgia shared commissary to a legion of tropically deprived fans.   * Bread & Butter Collective (Social Issues, Victoria) Spearheaded by some of the biggest names in the city (Sterling Grice of Part & Parcel, the Big Wheel Burger team) this initiative is focussed reimagining the Victoria food scene addressing issue with compensation, returns and community engagement.   * @actual_daddy (Good Pizza <https://linktr.ee/Goodpizzayvr> , Vancouver) The industry veteran—real name Alexander Cashin—started making homemade pizzas on his night off, posting them on Instagram and then donating profits to local charities helping those in need. It proved so popular that it’s morphed into an actual business: Good Pizza started serving the public in late January 2021.   * Antonio CayonneAndrew Jameson and Sean Reeve (Say Mercy! <https://www.saymercy.ca/> , Vancouver) The Southern-meets-Italian spot had just opened when Covid hit, but the team (who also own the Mackenzie Room) responded by starting the Staff Meal program, which allowed industry people and first responders to access low-cost healthy meals via takeout (and made reasonably priced containers of deliciousness for the rest of us). Plus Cayonne found time to star in a Hallmark Movie – no kidding.   7.Taylor Chobotiuk (Tacofino <https://www.tacofino.com/> , numerous locations in B.C.) The head of people at Tacofino spearheaded the Shift Change series of events, and when Covid hit moved them online to help the industry open up a discu...

Four of the  Best Experts Recommend  Valentines Wines:   THE SHOW   We welcome back –  Daenna Van Mulligan – The Wine Diva Ben Sigurdson – Winnipeg Free Press Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator DJ Kearney – Director of Wine Terminal City Club/Educator   Its Valentines Weekend and what better time to talk wines than now. Whether you’re buying for yourself or the love of your life – when it comes to wines, everyone could use a helping hand.   I’ve invited four of the very best wine minds in Canada. They judge, they review, educate and mentor. Best of all, they’re friends. I asked  a basic question – What would you recommend to pour over the Valentines weekend and frankly, whenever romance is in the air.   Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva You can always find her at www.winediva.ca  and www.winescores.ca Blue Mountain Rose Brut $40 (winery/private) Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut $90 BCLS Segura Viudas Cava $16.99 ($14.99 special until March 6) BCLS   Ben Sigurdson – Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/biographies/304912291.html @bensigurdson   Benjamin Bridge NV Brut Rose – Nova Scotia, $33, private wine  stores in BC.   Spade and Sparrows 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon – California , $29 private wine store Wine spearheaded by Alberta-born Kaitlyn Bristowe, who appeared on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, as well as Dancing With the Stars.   Amalaya 2019 Malbec – Argentina (Calchaqui/Salta), $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond $21.99 BCLDB * 97 pts Decanter World Wine Awards   Bodegas Atalaya 2019 “Laya” – Spain (Almansa) $13.99, Liquor Marts and beyond , $16.99 BCLDB   Tommasi 2017 Poggio al Tufo “Rompicollo” – Italy (Tuscany) – $19.99, Liquor Marts and beyond (Manitoba), $22.99 BCLDB   (Also recommended Synchromesh, Covert Farms, Wolf Trap Red) Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator . Co-founder of Top Drop. Consultant. Freelance Writer. Broc Cellars ‘Happi’ 2018 Chenin Blanc ~ $45   Little Farm 2018 Blind Creek Vineyard Rosé  ~$26   Unsworth Sparkling Rose Brut  ~$19.49 LTO $15.97 until March 6   Creek & Gully 2019 Pet Nat Cider https://creekandgully.com/product/2019-fortuna/   @kurtiskolt covers all platforms http://www.kurtiskolt.com/     DJ Kearney – Director of Wine Terminal City Club. WSET Educator.  PICA Instructor Unsworth Charme de L’Isle Rose $25.00 Cedar Creek Chard 2019 – $16.99 sale price Bartier Bros Cab Franc 2019 $26.99 sale price Quails’ Gate Optima 2019 – $34.99   https://winebc.com/dj-kearney/ @djwines https://www.tcclub.com/socialize/     STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:   Valleys of Wine Giant Head Church and State Spring Releases Is your restaurant open?                    

Christa-Lee McWatters (Time) – Christine Coletta (Narrative) – Jay Drysdale (Bella)    THE SHOW   Three true wine leaders in the Okanagan bringing new releases you’re going to want to try and buy.   Christa-Lee McWatters – GM of  5 Vines Cellars. (TIME Winery and 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 new releases from TIME Winery. The Whites. 2018  Brut  Method Covee 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.                         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. Although just released,  I’d advise to get it while you can.   2018 Cabernet Franc (34.99)  So good it just takes three words – Find-Buy-Taste. 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 food with the same bang.  https://www.fivevinescellars.com/Wines/TIME-Winery  

JOHN SKINNER PAINTED ROCK/DAVIN de KERGOMMEAUX WHISKY UPDATE   THE SHOW  John Skinner – Co-founder of Painted Rock   In a normal year, Wine Align hosts their annual National Wine Awards. 2020 was not a normal year. Their team decided to put together a “Guide to Canada’s Best Wines” At Painted Rock they had already sold out their Chardonnay, Rose and Cabernet Sauvignon. So, they submitted their Merlot,  Syrah, Cab Franc and Red Icon. They were all judged Top Ten and the 2017 Red Icon was judged the Top Red Wine. A blend that 3 of the judges gave 5 stars for value. And the 2017 Red Icon was the only Canadian Wine that made the 2020 Wines of the Year in Decanter Magazine. All of these awards are remarkable considering that in August of 2020  the winery was in danger of being overrun and burned to the ground by another summer firestorm. Spotter planes and fire fighting helicopter crews and front line firefighters on the ground saved Painted Rock and their neighbours. John sent them away with boxes of wine. The firefighters then sold the wine at auction to support the local  foodbank. One more thing.  Just weeks ago John was skiing Whistler hard, the way he’s always done and at top speed he collided with a skier who crossed his run without looking. Whistler first responders located him, attended to his condition and got him off the mountain and to a hospital.  Thanks to them and his friends, he’s recovering nicely.  It was that kind of year. Let’s get caught up with John Skinner and Painted Rock! www.paintedrock.ca Davin de Kergommeaux  – Whisky Update Its been a while since Davin and I hooked up. Likely the release of his latest book The Definitive Guide to Canadian Distilleries! I know that the Canadian Whisky Awards would normally happen in the next little while in Victoria. Again, this is not a normal time. For 2021 it will be late February. Getting caught up with Canada’s Whisky expert involves scanning the websites of over 200 distilleries and then trying to pin the man down.  He’s busy with on line  Zoom tastings  and book events  etc. Davin is keen to talk about the burgeoning micro distillery scene, coast to coast. Reviews on Wayward (Krupnik), Shelter Point (The Collective) (Ripple Rock). The new Odd Society 5 year barrel program. We finish with his recommendations for best New Whisky  in Canada and three whiskies to taste before “your lights go out” Davin is the world’s leading authority on Canadian whisky, and has been called “Canada’s unofficial whisky ambassador” as well as being named one of the most influential Canadians in Food and Drink by The Globe and Mail in 2016. He is a former contributing editor to Whisky Magazine, and has contributed to or co-authored eight other books about whisky, spirits, and cocktails. He now writes full-time, and is regularly featured in many websites and publications, including Whisky Advocate. Davin De Kergommeaux is the founder and chairperson of the prestigious Canadian Whisky Awards and publishes comprehensive tasting notes on his website. www.canadianwhisky.org STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Bella Bubble – Jay Drysdale brings the goods. Haywire releases Enrico Winery – in the Cowichan The new Black Swift Winery  

PROTECTING THE NARAMATA BENCH/AMPERSAND DISTILLERY   THE SHOW Tasting Room Radio was created in a studio barn on the Naramata Bench in 2007. We were attracted by the space, the people and the farming community.  Since we moved back to the Coast in 2011 we’ve become aware how The Bench has grown. In some cases, not in a good way. The good news is the food/restaurant  possibilities have become much better,  sustainable farming has become the norm. The wines have truly become better and better.  Some World Class. Accommodation has improved and grown with the area. With success comes some serious challenges. Wine fans from all over dream of living part of the year in wine country.  No problem unless building that housing could seriously affect the whole of Naramata Bench. Let’s face it. From April to October the Okanagan Valley can be swarmed with visitors. The Naramata Bench and its single road on a busy day can be challenging for the wine fan and the farmer. Now comes “the development” on Spiller Road. Just at that S shaped “crash corner” at Red Rooster. High on that hill a housing community is taking shape and it threatens the locals and their vineyards. A Penticton petition calling to “preserve and protect” Penticton’s Naramata Bench has gathered close to 15,000 signatures . The 121 acre site located beside the local land fill boasts  324 single and multi-residential housing units. Some residents aren’t impressed. “Allowing the Naramata Bench to be developed beyond the current agricultural density would forever change the look and feel of the area. It would take away from the destination as a sought after recreational area, affect wildlife, the natural abundance and ultimately affect all of the businesses in the area in a negative way,” reads the petition started by Josie Tyabji on Change.org. We thought it was time to share this conflict with you, the wine fan. We have interviews with : Lindsay O’Rourke  Co-Founder of Tightrope Winery. Gjoa  Taylor & John Bilodeau from Gjoa Vineyards Duncan McCowan  President of Hillside Estate Winery and Bistro Chef Ned Bell  Naramata Inn. (recorded before Christmas but gives a sense of how special  Naramata Town and area are) https://naramatainn.com/ www.tightropewinery,ca https://www.gjoasvineyard.com/ https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/ www.preservenaramatabench.com   BUT FIRST: We start this weeks Tasting Room Radio with a revisit to the sparkling Ampersand Dis...

David Hawksworth –THE COOKBOOK Liam Mayclem – The Foodie Chap. SF  THE SHOW David Hawksworth – Hawksworth The CookBook It’s a beauty this one. Everyone seems to need something different from new cookbooks. Photos, recipes, stories about the author, and how recipes came to be. How easy or difficult. How well researched. There seems to be many potholes that cookbooks fall into. This is not one of those books because David Hawksworth is not one of those chefs.   “On opening a new cookbook, I get in the passing lane and speed to the recipes. But when I cracked open Hawksworth The Cookbook by David Hawksworth and Stephanie Noel I stayed in the slow lane, captivated by Hawksworth’s story interspersed through the book.”  Mia Stainsby Van Sun As a leader in contemporary Canadian cuisine, Chef Hawksworth’s restaurants, Hawksworth and Nightingale, have been fixtures of Vancouver’s dining scene for the past 10 years, aweing diners with the intricate, beautiful, and refined dishes that have become synonymous with his name. In this book, he shares for the first time the artfully developed recipes that have brought him unparalleled success over the years, and challenges readers to recreate these dishes for an unforgettable dining experience.   “I have been a fan of Chef David Hawksworth’s precise French school-style, and Pacific Northwest ingredient-driven cuisine for over 20 years. This book is an incredible tool, full of secrets and techniques, for all cooks to up their game—at home and at work. Well played.” —CHEF DAVID MCMILLAN, JOE BEEF RESTAURANT GROUP Hawksworth is a celebration of Chef Hawksworth’s career to date, with recipes ranging from his time training in London with Michelin-starred chefs, to Ouest, the first restaurant where he served as head chef, to opening his own fine-dining restaurant. The book’s simpler and more casual recipes reflect the family-style dishes served at Nightingale and the casual fare of Bel Café (a downtown lunchtime go-to destination). The recipes included require varying levels of skill and time commitments. Casual foodies and adventurous cooks alike will find new culinary pleasures with Chef Hawksworth as their guide. Winner of 2012 and 2013 Vancouver Magazine Restaurant Awards Restaurant of the Year and Chef of the Year and for four consecutive years, Best Upscale Dining, as well as enRoute magazine’s top three Best New Restaurants, and Maclean’s magazine Restaurant of the Year; Hawksworth has anchored himself at the helm of the Vancouver – and Canadian – dining scene. This interview takes you through David’s beginnings, how little he knew about cooking when he got to London, the lessons learned from Michelin starred chefs, and how he lived his dream once back on the West Coast. There’s the great story about Willie Mitchell (then a Canuck) and his wife dining at West with the new owners of the Hotel Georgia, a building David had always admired and dreamt about making it his home base. His life changed that night. We welcome back a chef, a friend, and fishing partner David Hawksworth. https://hawksworthrestaurant.com/  Liam Mayclem – The Foodie Chap. San Francisco. Liam has been on Tasting Room Radio many times. We met when we both did movie junkets together in LA and NY. In between films and interviews, we talked about food and wine then movies. Emmy Award-winning radio & TV personality,  Liam is best known as the host of EYE ON THE BAY on CBS 5 and as “The Foodie Chap” celebrating San Francisco Bay Area culinary stars daily on #1 KCBS Radio. Annually, Liam hosts the main stage at EAT DRINK SF – a gathering for SF food fans.  He also hosts the culinary stage at BOTTLE ROCK NAPA VALLEY.

Winter White Wines –  A Winter What? THE SHOW It was a comment about a year ago.  A winemaker used the phrase “I’m making Winter Whites”. “A Winter White – what is that?” Well,  it’s a white wine that has enough texture and mouthfeel to pair with Winter roasts, stews, soups, root vegetables etc.       This hour is dedicated to focusing in on white wines than can carry their weight through the Winter. I sought out winemakers and wine experts who could explain Winter Whites and then recommend wines that we could get our hands on! Most of us switch from summer whites to increasingly heavier reds when the Winter cool and wet sets in. Fair enough. They go well with stews, soups, confit, Cassoulet and oven birds. A Winter White has to have weight, texture and the ability to pair with all those dishes. Fat Chards come to mind, Chablis, some Pinot Gris and Chenins, specifically Vouvrays Rieslings from Alsace, Soave from Italy, Mondavi Fume. White blends from Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2 Bench White from Tinhorn  Creek.(Semillion,Chard, Sauv Blanc, Viognier and Muscat) Ava from Le Vieux Pin Yalumba Y Series Viognier.   I could go on. Please don’t forget to include Bubble, Rosé and Roussanne Our guests include: Chris Reilly – Head Sommelier at (David Hawksworth’s)  Nightingale Restaurant in Vancouver https://hawknightingale.com/   Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson – Drinks Editor Winnipeg Free Press https://www.winealign.com/profile/43820-Ben-MacPhee-Sigurdson Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator,  Wine Writer.  Judge. http://www.kurtiskolt.com/ Rhys Pender – Master of Wine  https://www.mastersofwine.org/en/meet-the-masters/profile/index.cfm/id/dfb8a043-5e4b-e211-a20600155d6d822c Michaela Morris – Wine writer and judge  https://michaelamorris.ca/ Jason Parkes – Winemaker The Hatch, etc.   https://thehatchwines.com/  Valeria Tait –Gold Hill Winery and 2House  www.goldhillwinery.com Kathy Malone – Winemaker at Hillside https://www.hillsidewinery.ca/ Kathy Malone       Here’s Chris Reilly’s List: 2016 Clos du Soleil Capella Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon Similkameen Valley 2013 Haywire Vintage Bubb Okanagan Valley 2016 Gustave Lorentz Pinot Gris Alsace France 2016 Pietradolce Carricante Etna Bianco Sicily Italy 2017 Yalumba “Y” Series Viognier South Australia Australia Here’s Ben MacPhee-Sigurdson’s List :   d’Arenberg The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne (McLaren Vale, Australia) $23 Guigal 2016 Cotes du Rhone white (Cotes du Rhone, France) $29 60% Viognier, 15% Roussanne, 10% Marsanne, 8 % Clairette, 5% Bourboulenc, 2% Grenache blanc. Torres 2017 Esmerelda (Catalunya, Spain) $16.99 BCLDB Moscatel and Gewurztraminer, spice and stone/tropical fruit with a hint of sweetness. Testalonga Baby Bandito “Keep on Punching” Chenin Blanc (Swartland, South Africa) FYI The Winemakers have lots of suggestions.  – One name that pops up 3  times is Ava from Le Vieux Pin. STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON: Zoom tasting at Yalumba Fonseca Zoomathon from Portugal Taylor Fladgate – Zoom from Portugal Doin’ The Douce in North Vancouver.  Douce Diner David Hawksworth – The Cookbook (Next week)

Tour Number 2 of New Zealand begins in Hawkes Bay where Syrah is King..through the legendary Gimblett Gravels… and finishes on the south Island  in Nelson at NZ’s first Maori owned and operated winery.   THE SHOW   Part 1 of our wine tour of New Zealand took us through the Auckland area and on to Hawkes Bay and that’s where we begin Part 2.   Elephant Hill  is a stunning and innovative winery estate and restaurant located on the idyllic Te Awanga coast, in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand.     They create 2 very fine chardonnays  Sauv. blanc, a white & red blends called Le Phant Blanc/Rouge and a 5 star Viognier and they favour Syrah on the Red side.. We sit down in their fabulous restaurant with Viticulturist Jon Peet and sales and marketing leader Vince Labatt.  http://www.elephanthill.co.nz/     Pask Winery Staying in the Hawkes Bay area on North Island NZ we head for Pask On our tour of NZ #1 we talked to Kate Ranburnd the famous winemaker at Pask. This time we take to the Gimblett Gravels fields and meet the guys who grow in that stunning region.   At Gimblett Gravels  Pask’s 59 hectares of vineyards are located on Gimblett Road where Chris Pask was first to plant in the region. It’s now known as the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District®. Formed over 100 years ago when the Ngaruroro River changed its course, the light, stony soils of the region are low in nutrients, completely free draining, and create the perfect environment for growing premium quality grapes. Their  very first vintage of 1985 Cabernet Sauvignon was awarded 5 stars in Cuisine Magazine. Since then Pask wines have consistently enjoyed gold medal and  trophy success in London, Australia, Asia, the United States, Canada and New Zealand across a range of varietals and winestyles. Pask has been a member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) since its inception.                       John recognized the outstanding potential of Hawkes Bay’s Gimblett Gravels winegrowing district and in 1993 Trinity Hill became one of the region’s early pioneers, planting grape vines on a barren plot on the former bed of the Ngaruroro River. The first Gimblett Road wines, barrel-aged, were released in 1998 (vintage 1997); Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot and Syrah, to critical acclaim and a number of gold medals and trophies. In 2000, a further 20 hectare parcel of prime Gimblett Gravels land was purchased, named “Gimblett Stones” where Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot plus areas of Tempranillo, Syrah and Viognier were planted. By 2001 The Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association was set up with 34 wineries and winegrowers from a “terroir”-defined area of the old Ngaruroro Riverbed, including Gimblett Road. Trinity Hill was and remains a founding member. In 2002, the first vintage super-premium wine Homage Syrah was made. When it was released in 2004 it received critical acclaim world-wide. The 2006 vintage of Homage Syrah won the Supreme Award at the Air New Zealand Wine Awards in 2007. John Hancock is our guest! http://www.trinityhill.com/ http://www.gimblettgravels.com/     Sileni Estates     Sileni Estates is a major vineyard and winery development in Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand’s oldest established vineyard area. The first vintage was in 1998.  Sileni boasts a state of the art winery designed to c...

Kurtis Kolt & The Wine Diva with Outstanding Bottles and Bubbles   THE SHOW   As the Holidays get closer I’ve always found myself drawing closer to friends. It’s never planned, it just happens. It may be because of shared experiences and moments or flat out long time friendships. Whateverrrrr! I sent out two invites this week.  One to Kurtis Kolt. Vancouver based wine consultant, occasional writer for VanMag, a wine educator and top tier Wine Judge. And a friend. I asked if he would bring with him a list of wines that impressed him over the year and that could be found at most BC Liquor Stores. Kurtis said Yes.   He Suggested 4 Whites – One Pink – 4 Reds. Something for everyone.  Please find the list below.. I also wanted to ask Kurtis about the state of BC Restaurants and Wineries in 2020 and how we can help both in 2021.   Domaine Martin Jund Edelzwicker – Alsace, France, $31.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/15782   Pewsey Vale Eden Valley 2018 Riesling – Eden Valley, Australia, $19.99 LTO til January 2, $21.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/617126   Anthonij Rupert Wines Protea Chenin Blanc – Western Cape, South Africa, $14.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/777953   Bartier Bros. 2019 Semillon, Okanagan Valley, B.C., $16.97 LTO til January 2, $19.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/245910   Domaine Lafond Roc Epine 2018 Tavel, Rhône Valley, France, $27.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/110411 Tenuta Castellaro Ypsilon Rosso, Sicily, Italy, $35.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/143498   Robin Ridge 2018 Gamay, Similkameen Valley, BC, $22.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/484907   Marchesi Di Barolo 2014 Barolo, Piedmont, Italy, $59.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/378729 Langmeil Valley Floor 2017 Shiraz, Barossa Valley, Australia, $30.99 LTO til January 2, $34.99 https://www.bcliquorstores.com/product/564450   Thank You Kurtis @Kurtis Kolt The second friend I reached out to was Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva   If you’ve heard Daenna on TRR over the years you’ll know that she LOVES her Bubble. So when Daenna said Yes, I focused on an end of the year/gift giving Best Bubble List.  I’ve posted the list below. (The complete list can be found at winediva.ca) Okanagan Crush Pad ‘Narrative XC Method’ Sparkling, Okanagan Valley BC N/A See Ya Later Ranch Sparkling Brut, Okanagan Valley, BC $23.99 Freixenet ‘Cordon Negro’ Gran Seleccion Cava, Spain $16.49 Freixenet Prosecco, Veneto Italy $20.00 Segura Viudas Brut Reserva, Penedes Spain, NV $16.99 Valdo Prosecco di Valdobbiadene Superiore “Marco Oro”, Veneto Italy $23.99   Play Estate Winery ‘Teatro’ Moscato Frizzante, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A Steller’s Jay ‘Mountain Jay’ Brut, Okanagan Valley BC $22.99   Blue Mountain Vineyard and Cellars Brut Rose,

The Wine Diva Returns with her Top 50 for 2020  and Ian Tostenson on BC’s Restaurants   THE SHOW   Top 50 Wines for 2020  – Daenna van Mulligan   The Wine Diva Daenna makes her lists. Lots of them.   Three  weeks ago it was Holiday Budget Bottles ($16 dollars or less) This week its Daenna’s Top 50 Wines for 2020.     (Over $20 and 92 Points or higher) “These special bottles are great gift options or to stock your own cellar with.   After this year you might want to hoard them for your own pleasure because we all need spoiling”  The Wine Diva (prices may vary, some wines may be sold out) *for the n/a prices please go to www.winediva.ca and look under Wines, then wine lists)   Chateau Lynch-Moussas Grand Cru Classe, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France $90.00 Domaine des Deux Roches, ‘Vielles Vignes’, Pouilly-Fuisse, Burgundy, France $50.00  Penner~Ash Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, WA $60.00  Corcelettes Estate Winery ‘Talus’, Similkameen Valley, BC N/A  Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California $55.00  Foxtrot Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A Copain ‘Les Voisins’ Chardonnay, Anderson Valley, California $50.00 Schrader Cellars ‘Double Diamond’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif. N/A  Township 7 Vineyards and Winery ‘Seven Stars Equinox’, Okanagan Valley N/A Ruffino Riserva Ducale Oro, Gran Selezione Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy $48.99 Araldica ‘Corsini’ Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy $45.00 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy $60.00 Tedeschi ‘Marne 180’ Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy $59.00 Bollinger Champagne ‘Special Cuvee’, Champagne, France $89.99  Langmeil ‘Valley Floor’ Shiraz, Barossa Valley Australia $34.00 CedarCreek Platinum ‘Block 5’ Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley $35.00 Aldegheri Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto Italy $65.00 Hester Creek Estate ‘Garland’, Golden Mile Bench, Okanagan Valley BC N/A Lunessence Winery & Vineyard Marsanne Roussanne Viognier, Okanagan Valley BC N/A  Tantalus Vineyards Old Vines Riesling, Okanagan Valley BC $31.00 Clos du Soleil ‘Grower’s Series’ Middle Bench Vineyard Syrah, Similkameen Valley, BC N/A Mission Hill Family Estate ‘Jagged Rock Vineyard’ Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC $45.00 L’Acadie Vineyards Prestige Brut Estate, Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia $55.00 Quails’ Gate Estate Winery Syrah ‘The Boswell’, Okanagan Valley BC N/A Anthony Buchanan Wiines ‘Ashlyn’ Pinot Noir, Okanagan Valley, BC $32.00 Painted Rock ‘Red Icon’, Skaha Bench, Okanagan Valley BC $55.00 Burrowing Owl Estate Winery Cabernet Franc, Okanagan Valley BC $35.00 1 Mill Road ‘Home Block’ Pinot Noir, Naramata Bench, Okanagan Valley, BC N/A SpearHead Pinot Noir ‘Saddleblock’, Okanagan Valley BC $40.00 Jim Barry ‘The Lodge Hill’ Shiraz, Clare Valley Australia $35.00 Vasse Felix Chardonnay, Margaret River, Australia $50.00 Penfolds ‘Bin 407’ Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia $100.00 Stag’s Hollow Pinot Noir, Shuttleworth Creek Vineyard, Okanagan Falls, BC N/A   www.winediva.ca   NEXT WEEK – Bubble for the Holidays   Can our Restaurants survive?  – Ian Tostenson President/CEO BC Restaurant and Food Services Association. (BCRFA) While we all hunker down and try to work how we’ll survive this pandemic and the economic fall out,

The Hatch. Hillside. Moon Curser. Enrico.  A new Season of TRR.   THE SHOW  Tasting Room Radio began during harvest 2007 on the Naramata Bench. In a studio. In a barn. Surrounded by vineyards and growers, a bird blasters and really fine people. We begin our 14th year by welcoming the sponsors for 2021. If we’re going to be talking about someone for a year they should either be friends or businesses/people that we admire. So here are the four friends of TRR for 2021.  We thank them for the belief in the show and the support they kindly provide. Hillside Winery – Kathy Malone  Senior Winemaker (Naramata Bench) Hillside was one of the original wineries of the Okanagan and the third I believe on the Naramata Bench. “Grow the best quality fruit possible, pick at optimum physiological ripeness, ferment cool, and intervene with nature only when necessary…simple, elegant. Simple, elegant, yes, but easy? Definitely not. Natural, beautiful wine is not manufactured—rather, it is carefully guided through natural phases to become the glorious essence of the effects of sun and soil on specific grape varieties. It is our belief that great wines start in the vineyard, and to this end, we use only the best quality fruit available from our twenty acres of grapes densely planted on hillside terraces surrounding the winery. We also have partnerships with select vineyards along the Naramata Bench.” A year after Meg and I moved to The Bench, Kathy Malone left Mission Hill and became the head winemaker at Hillside, just down the road from us. Kathy brings stories of farming the bench &  the ups and downs of seasons. They’ve just had a brand refresh with new labels and packaging with three tiers of wines. Hillside Series Heritage Series Single Vineyard/Small Lot Series   Kathy walks us through their Sensory Tasting Experience, Seasonal Saturdays at THE BISTRO and the Holiday Gift Guide. Tasting Room open ?Wed/Sunday 12-5:00 Bistro open Thursday/Sunday 5-7:30   www.hillsidewinery.ca The Hatch  –  Jason Parkes  Lead Winemaker   Develin Barker – Wine Club Conductor (West Kelowna) Talking about everything going on at The Hatch is like going on tour with band of gypsies. The leader is winemaker Jason Parkes. He seems to be several personalities at the same time. So its no surprise that The Hatch is merely the tip of the Iceberg. The Hatch etc has returned to TRR for another year. Once inside Hatchland you can follow the Yellow Brick Road to: Gobsmacked The Hobo Series Screaming Frenzy Black Swift Vineyards Crown and Thieves It’s the home of the band Proper Man And the new JASON PARKES CUSTOM WINE CLUB, featuring 7 different wine options. They’ve built and just opened a new home for Black Swift Wines. It’s freaking amazing. Next they’ll build and open a new home for Crown and Thieves. There’s Truck 59 Ciderhouse and Food trucks like The SmokeShow.   Does it sound like fun?  You bet! But here’s the best part – THE WINES ARE KILLER GOOD. No fooling around great!   Merry Hatchmas!! www.thehatchwines.com www.propermanband.com Moon Curser – Beata.Chris Tolley  Founders. Chris is Winemaker.  (Osoyoos Bench)   In 2003 both Beata and Chris completed a Post Graduate Degree in Viticulture and Oenology at Lincoln University is Christchurch NZ. In 2004 Beata and Chris started small and well under the radar after their move from Calgary. Chris a software designer, Beata a Chartered Accountant. The Moon Curser name pays tribute to the Gold Smuggling history of Osoyoos which is ri...

Sandra Oldfield, Kurtis Kolt , Rhys Pender. Helping Restaurants and Wineries in the year ahead   THE SHOW 2020… a year like no other. We all have hunkered down and completely changed our lives in order to survive the Covid19 virus. Perhaps lost in all this is the fact that restaurants and wineries are struggling to stay open and stay alive. We have gathered three of the voices that need to be heard.  They speak on behalf of families struggling to keep their businesses open. Struggling to pay staff and suppliers. We try to answer the basic question  –  HOW CAN WE HELP? I’ve asked Sandra and Kurtis and Rhys to give us the lay of the land.  Where are the needs, who’s adapting well and what the year ahead looks like. I also took the time to ask them to recommend wines they’ve tasted recently that people should know about.   Kurtis Kolt  Kurtis is  a Vancouver-based wine consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges wine competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, and so on. Kurtis’ background is in running restaurants around Vancouver, eventually managing Gastown’s Salt Tasting Room until 2010 when he received the ‘Sommelier of the Year’ award at the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival. Kurtis has various certifications and credits through London’s Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis. He is  also the co-founder of Top Drop, dubbed “the nerdiest, most awesome wine festival in Canada.”.   Wines Kurtis would like to  recommend: 2018 Cerasuolo Dabruzzo Tiberio 2018 Morgon – Mathieu & Camille Lapierre 2018 – Road 13  Chenin Blanc Chip off the Old Block   KurtisKolt.com @kurtiskolt   Sandra Oldfield Sandra and Kenn Oldfield established Elysian Projects to give a hand up to BC wineries and tourism businesses.  They work in a wide range of areas including organizational effectiveness, business analysis and planning, recruitment, mentoring and innovative sales and marketing ideas.  At the heart of every project they accept is the belief that people come first and from there success will follow.   Many of you know Sandra from her over 30 years in the wine business. She made 20 vintages as winemaker at Tinhorn Creek and became the  CEO. She lead the way for BC’s first sub appellation – The Golden Mile Bench. She currently suits on the Ministers Council for Tourism BC,  has agreed to be on the  board for Thompson Valley Tourism and  just wrapped up the 2020 edition of Fortify, a business conference for the beverage industry. Check out her weekly #bcwinechat  – It’s a Hoot.. Two actually.   When asked to recommend a wine she suggested  Bill Eggert’s Fairview Cellars Two Hoots a Cab/Merlot blended specifically for daily consumption. True. #bcwinechat https://elysianprojects.com/   Rhys Pender Rhys Pender MW is a wine educator, freelance wine writer, wine judge and consultant to the industry. Working in the wine trade since age 14, Rhys’ career has included experience in the vineyard, cellar, wine retail, education and hospitality – providing knowledge in all facets of the business.

Holiday Budget Bottles from The Wine Diva & The Bard of Oliver Michael Bartier of Bartier Bros.   THE SHOW   Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva Her website www.winediva.ca has become one of the “go to” wine sites in Canada. We are happy to have Daenna van Mulligen  return to the show with the first of several wine lists. (Daenna loves her lists) This list is called Holiday Budget Bottles 2020 ($16.00 or less) Pretty much everyone is looking to stock up for the Winter and Daenna  takes care of those needs. She has personally tasted every one of these wines and only the best tasting and best value wines make the list. Yes, you can make a list as we talk OR you can go to www.winediva.ca ..click on wine ..and click there for Wine lists. All the bottles are shown and tasting notes appear BUT if you look up in the top right corner it says You can print this.. I urge you to print and save the list. Trust me, it will come in handy as Christmas approaches. For you and your gift giving.   . See Ya Later Ranch ‘Luna’, Okanagan Valley, BC $ 15.99 .Farnese ‘Fantini’ Primitivo, Puglia Italy $ 12.99 .McWilliam’s “Stolen Colt ‘Shiraz, NSW, Australia $ 15.99 . Tiger Horse Old Vine Cinsault, Western Cape, South Africa $ 14.99 .Easter Romeo & Juliet Red Passimento, Veneto Italy $ 15.99 . Grown Wild ‘Rapturous Red’, Okanagan Valley, BC $ 15.99 . Undurraga ‘8 Rios’ Sauvignon Blanc, Chile $ 11.99 . Santa Carolina ‘Carolina’ Reserva Pinot Noir, Leyda Valley, Chile $ 13.99 . Bodegas San Alejandro ‘Pablo’ Old Vine Garnacha, Calatayud Spain $ 17.00 . Oops ‘Spicy Splendor’ Carmenere, Central Valley Chile $ 14.00 . Terra Ventoux ‘Les 5 Terroirs’ Vieilles Vignes, Ventoux, Rhone Valley $ 15.00 . Five Vineyards by Mission Hill, Chardonnay, Okanagan Valley, BC $ 14.99 . Spier ‘Signature Collection’ Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch South Africa $ 13.99 . Aureliano Negroamaro, Salento, Puglia, Italy $ 15.00   . Nederburg ‘The Winemaster’s’ Sauvignon Blanc, Western Cape South Africa $ 13.99 . Santo Cristo Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain $ 16.00 . Three Monkeys ‘Fresh & Fuity’ Rose, Spain $ 13.50 . Felix Solis ‘Run Rafa Run’ Tempranilla, Spain $ 9.00 . Acheron ‘Footprint The Long Walk’ Shiraz, South Africa $ 12.99 . Trapiche Reserve Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina $ 14.99 . Sanguinhal ‘Sottal Leve’, Lisboa, Portugal $ 16.00 . Leyda Rose, Leyda Valley, Chile $ 15.99 . Rupert Wines ‘Protea’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape South Africa $ 14.99 . Spier ‘Stormy Bay’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Western Cape, South Africa $ 13.00   www.WineDiva.ca   Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros  (Oliver) “We are from and of this valley. We grew up here, we know it, we love it, and we are responsible to it.” – Michael & Don Bartier Michael Bartier grew up in the Okanagan Valley, leaving as a young man for his education. After receiving a degree from the University of Victoria and working in wine sales on Vancouver Island for a few years, he and his wife Jodi returned home to the Okanagan. While looking for a “real job”, Michael accepted casual work in a winery cellar. And, since he’s still in the cellar, you could say he hasn’t found a real job yet. Through distance learning at Washington State University and University of California Davis, Michael worked his way into a winemaking position. He quickly made a name for himself: first as a maker of white wi...