Tasting Room Radio

This is our 8th year of covering the Vancouver International Wine Festival.  For them this is Year 39. Canada is the featured region and it’s going to be a wonderful family gathering with the pace of a gong show. If you care about how Canadian wines are doing and where our wine industry is headed..this show and next week will hopefully supply answers and focus. THE SHOW     Here is the guest line up for Hour One:   Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva Rhys Pender – Master of Wine DJ Kearney – NewDistrict.ca  Director of Wine Kurtis Kolt – The Bottle/Georgia Straight   Howard Soon – Sandhill Wines Ann Sperling – Sperling Vineyards Sandra Oldfield – Tinhorn Creek   Harry Hertscheg    – Executive Director VIWF Christa-Lee McWatters Bond – Evolve Harry McWatters – Time Wines   Chris Jentsch – CC Jentsch Wines Gustav Allander – Foxtrot David Scholefield – Haywire STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:   Hour Two of 39th VanWineFest Includes guests from Ontario and  Nova Scotia

The 39th Annual VanWineFest kicked off on Live From RailTown @RoundhouseRadio Thursday of this week. Guests include DJ Kearney, Rhys Pender, Kurtis Kolt, Harry Hertscheg, Christine Coletta, Joseph Luckhurst (Road 13) and   Chris Turyk (Unsworth)     THE SHOW    Tasting Room Radio has supported the BC and Canadian wine industries for 8 years through broadcast of the Vancouver Wine Festival. This year has the potential to be the best ever. That’s because Canada is the featured wine region. Finally!! For the next three Saturdays we will present the stars of Canadian wine. From BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia. We start with a free-for-all hour in the Roundhouse Radio studios. Like a wine cage match. All shows like this need an overview. A how, why and when. Leading the way are: * DJ Kearney.   Director of Wine at NewDistrict.ca  Acknowledged wine educator and judge. * Kurtis Kolt – Wine Educator, event producer and wine columnist for The Georgia Straight * Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and co-owner of Little Farm Wines. * Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director of VanWineFest. The Man With a Plan * Christine Coletta – marketing expert and now co-owner of Okanagan Crush Pad and Haywire Wines. * Joseph Luckhurst – GM of Road 13 Vineyards. Son of founders Mick and Pam. Moving the winery forward through Rhone style wines.     Chris Turyk – another son of an owner.  A highly trained chef and Sommelier, Chris was named “one to watch” by MacLean’s Magazine. We go around the studio table multiple times..conversations include the history of bc wines, what being featured means to Canadian wines. What they’re pouring at VanWineFest and what wines to try.     [powrpress]     STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON Hour One from  VanWineFest. 14-15 guests.  All the stars from  BC Hour Two from. VanWineFest 15 guests from Ontario, Nova Scotia, California, BC and Germany  

Jason Priestley, Glen Suitor TSN Football Analyst, George Siu Memphis Blues BBQ, Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole Fox Sports One and DJ Kearney all have suggestions for food, wine and Super bowl party tricks THE SHOW It’s Super Bowl Weekend..a readymade excuse to eat, drink and gather with friends and family. Even if you could care less who’s playing..there’s always a nice buzz around the day. So, I’ve asked friends – who know this area of expertise very well – to talk about their food and wine plans..where they’re watching the game itself and if they have any suggestions for us.   Jay and Dan – Fox Sports One/LA We know them as Jay and Dan..first with TSN and now with Fox Sports One in LA. Jay Onrait and Dan O’Toole are friends on the air and off. They know their sports and their comedy. Let’s see what they know about Super Sunday dining and drinks..and where will they be. We found them in their cars heading for work at Fox studios. These boys bring the laughs… always have, always will.  They also have your betting line nailed down.. www.jayanddan.com      Memphis Blues BBQ Park Heffelfinger and George Siu are the owners of Memphis Blues BBQ House.. You’ll usually find then at their Broadway location or the one on /Commercial..there are lots of others but these two shops have a special “lived in” feel. Super Sunday will find them crazy busy before first light..people just keep coming for Elvis platters and mounds of ribs and pulled pork..it’s a wild place to be around Super Bowl.   I asked Park and George about what people are looking for in their food and especially their drinks.. Don’t let the down home smoke house fool you… these guys are all over their drink lists..always changing wines and beers and bourbons..they’re serious about getting things right. And as always…funny as hell.  www.memphisbluesbbq.com   Jason Priestley you know..he may not be the biggest NFL fan but nobody throws a better party..Hollywood party people.   Glen Suitor – Suits – was a hell of a defensive back in his playing days. He’s gone on to become the leading colour analyst for TSN  CFL Coverage.  He really knows his wines..and his football. DJ Kearney is everywhere.  Director of wine at NewDistrict.ca, high level martial arts athlete and the person who usually is last one out the door and shuts off the lights after the gathering. She has wines for your weekend food and throws in some wines for Valentine’s day.  www.newdistrict.ca   and we finish with Frank Gigliotti.  A West Coast legend who’s been a rock label rep, ran the BC Lions, then started making wines – for real – at California Cult Classics. It’s a private wine club. You buy into a barrel of high end wine from Napa and it’s yours and no one else’s.

Jane Ferrari – Voice of Yalumba and Oz West Chef Quang Dang – goes full truffle Discover North Van’s Tour de Feast BRBN from Okanagan Spririts Jane Ferrari – Heart and Soul of Yalumba       Meeting Jane Ferrari is unforgettable. Her job title at Yalumba is multifaceted. She is a storyteller, a communicator, a brand ambassador, a legend. Spend an hour with Jane and you’ll find out more about the heritage and culture of Yalumba and the Barossa than most locals learn in a lifetime. A winemaking graduate from Roseworthy College, Jane joined Yalumba in 1987 and has thrived as promotions manager, wine room manager, storyteller and today is their  wine communicator at large. Her role brings to life the Yalumba story.  In 2004, Jane was announced as the recipient of the Wyndham Hill Smith Award in recognition of the significant contribution she has made to Yalumba. This was followed in 2013 by Yalumba’s highest honour – Jane was named Signatory for Yalumba The Signature Cabernet Sauvignon & Shiraz 2010. Wine Communicators of Australia named Jane Ferrari its 2012 Wine Communicator of the Year for her long-term effort in the global promotion and education of not only Yalumba, but Australian wine in general. She’s a complete gem!! jane ferrari (@barossasaint) | Twitter https://www.yalumba.com/  West Executive Chef: Quang Dang  – BC Truffle Festival and other stuff Hunter. Gatherer. Forager. It takes a very unique and highly trained specialist from these parts to unearth a prize like the elusive British Columbia truffle. Enter Dexter – the dog who’s a chef’s best friend in more ways than one. Trained by forager Brooke Fochuk, he’s one of only a couple of four-legged friends in the province who can sniff out these prized nuggets and deliver the bounty of the rainforest floor to the table. Executive Chef Quang Dang knows a few things about foraging too. When he’s not in the kitchen, he’s likely to be found on a farm or a boat and following Mother Nature’s lead for what’s in season – from hazelnuts to spot prawns. Chef Quang’s passion for all things local is at the heart of  West Restaurants’ philosophy, and the perfect muse to celebrate Dexter’s forest finds in partnership with the Truffle Association of British Columbia. Running from February 4th to 6th, the second annual B.C. Truffle Festival brings together experts from all fields in the industry, and culminates with the best of food and wine. At West, the dinner runs to five delicious courses.   “We live in such an amazing part of the world – we have the bounty of the land and sea at our ba...

  Once again, Dine Out Vancouver has kicked  off in Vancouver until Feb 5 Here’s a Primer on how the whole thing works..and we do it in Railtown!! Featuring Railtown Grill, The Uncommon Café, The Settlement Building and Pidgin (in Gastown) THE SHOW   About the 15th annual  Dine Out Vancouver Festival: Produced by Tourism Vancouver, Dine Out Vancouver Festival is Canada’s largest annual celebration of food and drink. Attracting more than 100,000 locals and visitors, the festival takes over the city with 17 days of culinary events, prix fixe menus at 280-plus restaurants (at $20, $30 or $40 price points), as well as “Dine and Stay” packages and special hotel rates. The festival promotes local and regional ingredients, the wines of British Columbia, and the city’s exceptional culinary talent.  Dine Out Vancouver Festival 2017 runs from January 20 to February 5. dineoutvancouver.com @DineOutVanFest #dovf  Dine Out is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to sip, sample and savour Vancouver’s array of exotic flavours (Peruvian, German, Brazilian, Italian, Greek, Ethiopian, Chinese, Japanese and East Indian, to name but a few); try new and buzz-worthy eateries  and return to locally loved haunts. This year, a number of iconic restaurants have joined the Dine Out roster for the first time, including long-standing Kitsilano treasure Bishop’s and world-renowned Vij’s. I was given the opportunity to be part of a media tour in advance of the kick off. They kindly allowed me to pick the area of Vancouver I wanted to discover and do a show on. Because Roundhouse Radio is located in Railtown, East of Gastown..I decided that the Railtown Experience was for me. All of the teams  gathered at UVA Wine Bar opposite the Orpheum at 900 Seymour. The rooms were jammed with excited media and industry professionals waiting to head out into the night.      Frankly, I’m  glad I took my trusty recorder because from that point on – the night was a BLUR!!           In a matter of 4 hours we travelled in  a bus dressed up a as a Trolley Car and here’s where we went and who we met and interviewed. Lucas Pavan – Coordinator of Dine Out Vancouver.  Gives us some of the history of the event and how’s its grown. What’s new and what you can expect!! www.dineoutvancouver.com/    https://www.tourismvancouver.com/   Sabrine Dhaliwal –  Bar Manager and Sommelier at UVA Wine Bar.. Explains what Uva is doing for Dine Out and what she’s pouring these days. (She really  knows her stuff) and because Uva is right across fr...

We’re talking Whiskey (and spirits)!! Guests include Solomon Siegel from Pagliacci’s and JP Wiser’s Master Blender Dr  Don Livermore! THE SHOW   Solomon Siegel – Pagliacci’s (Victoria)   Full disclosure!!  I have limited knowledge of whiskey and spirits. During my teen years, my brother Denis and I would travel with the Kamloops Rube Band.  Mostly guys who were in their mid-late 20’s and early 30’s and light years away from me as drinkers. When we travelled I tried to keep up with the big boys and failed miserably. It didn’t help that they all seemed to like Lemon Gin.. which curled my toes and caused numbness of the brain. Thus, when I moved on I left spirits and whiskey behind. I was far more comfortable with wine and Tasting Room Radio was born. However, It’s important on Tasting Room  to include everyone in the drinks business and this show is my small way of paying attention.   We start with Solomon Siegel, GM of the legendary Pags in Victoria. His Father Howie helped to create this fabulous place. When I walk into Pagliacci’s on Broad St, I’m transported back to the 1950’s in Brooklyn. It has a tremendous vibe going on. Autographed photos of all the great baseball stars, signed photos and posters from everyone  Etta James to Louis Armstrong and his band on their tour bus. The level of conversation in this room is unparalleled.  A buzz few can rival. The food is involved and delish… huge portions..and now,  with Solly’s smarts,  a wine and drink list that’s really good. I needed someone to school me on spirits and the new cocktail nation and Solly’s the guy. Solomon talks me through his new cocktail menu and then the wines and what he pairs with them. It also helps that he knows Dr Don Livermore our second guest. www.pagliaccis.ca/ Dr. Don Livermore – Master Blender JP Wiser’s Union 52  Wiser’s Union 52. It’s exclusive to BC and it’s very limited edition. Created by the Master Blender himself, Dr. Don Livermore. Their  master blender connected  their very  last barrel of 52 year old highland malt scotch with their finest 16 year old Canadian whiskey, resulting in a rich smooth blend. A union of new and old world styles. On the nose, notes of toffee,  sourdough bread, green apples and mesquite. In the mouth Union 52 begins with honey  rich vanilla and smoke.   They made 4386 bottles. Its fermented, distilled and aged separately then blended. AND its only available in BC. Dr Don and I talk Union 52, Wiser’s and whiskey in general. It’s a Master Class from a Master Blender     Here’s a review from Beppi Crosariol – The Globe and ...

  They’re baaaack!!  THE CALIF0RNIANS!! Cannonball/Merryvale/Lange Twins/Gloria Ferrer & St Francis and as a one off St. Urbans-Hof The SHOW Once a year our winemaking friends in California pack up the latest releases and tour “up North” Canada is one of their very best customers and it’s their way of thanking us, with a gentle reminder that California wines are always out there. Like a wet hug on a dry day. Here’s the line – up… Cannonball/Angels and Cowboys  –  Yoav Gilat(Founder/CEO)  Healdsburg   The Cannonball dive is a dive for the people.  It doesn’t discriminate against body type, race, religion, political affiliation, social status, or fashion sense.  And if you’ve never done a Cannonball then you’d better just shut down this computer, go find a body of water, and dive in!  When you’re jumping into the water on a beautiful summer day, with nothing on your mind except leaping high, balling up tight, and making a splash that is going to get as many people wet as possible, that moment you’re in the air might be the best feeling you can have with your swimsuit on. Cannonball exists because of 2 founding partners – Yoav Gilat and Dennis Hill.  Visionary Yoav brims with more energy than a speeding hummingbird as he oversees the entire Cannonball operation. He brings 20 years of experience in consumer goods and beverages and fell in love with Sonoma and Mendocino when providing strategy/marketing to Blackstone Winery. Fed up with the over-priced, stuffy wine scene, Yoav made it his mission to produce a range of “serious wines that don’t take themselves too seriously”.  He wants you to enjoy the expertly crafted wines whilst being transported back to a time when the only point in life was to have fun. “Dive in and share a splash”. This explains the concept behind the packaging and brand. Pssst! If you find Angels and Cowboys Rose..buy it. Buy it all.. it’s that good. www.drinkcannonball.com  www.angelsandcowboyswines.com   Merryvale/Starmont – Rene Schlatter (Owner/CEO) St Helena   Right across the street from Taylor’s Refresher (now called Gott’s) is Merryvale.  1000 Main Street  St Helena Rene Schlatter and his ever growing family have created wines that get better and better each year.

It’s  Hour TWO of our round table coverage of the 38th Annual Vancouver International Wine festival. An All-Star cast of winemakers, journalists and principals from all over the Wine World.  Enjoy!! THE SHOW     Hour Two of this year’s Vancouver International Wine Festival begins with my wine friends around the table.   (Thank You to Technical Producer Julia Graff)   DJ Kearney – World Class wine expert, educator  and judge.  @djwines.               Kurtis Kolt – Wine Columnist Georgia Straight. Educator and expert. www.kurtiskolt.com Rhys Pender  – Wine Plus Educator. Co-Owner/Winemaker of Little farm Wines www.littlefarmwinery.ca Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Columnist for Vines Magazine. Judge and expert.  www.winediva.ca www.winescores.ca   Matt Dumayne – Haywire Winemaker.  Summerland BC  www.haywirewinery.com Andrew Windsor – Tinhorn Creek Winemaker.  Golden Mile BC  www.tinhorn.com John Freeman – Winemaker  Waterbrook.  Walla Walla, Wash www.waterbrook.com Elizabeth Douglas-Grant – La Crema Winemaker. Sonoma www.lacrema.com Adam Mettler  –   Winemaker  Michael David Winery (Lodi) www.michaeldavidwinery.com Mark de Vere –  Master of Wine. Robert Mondavi (Napa)  www.robertmondaviwinery.com Richard Sowalsky –   Winemaker Clos Pegase  (Calistoga) www.clospegase.com Marilisa Allegrini –  Allegrini  (Italy) www.allegrini.it Ermenegildo  (Joe)  Giusti  – Giusti (Italy)  www.giustiwine.com/en Stefano Benini –  Marchesi de’Frescobaldi (Italy) www.frescobaldi.it Gabriele Tacconi – Ruffino (Italy)  www.ruffino.com David Scholefield – (Narrative Wines  BC/ Expert) https://okanagancrushpad.com/buy-narrative–wine/ Leah Bickford – Marquis Wine Cellars. Italian Wine Expert  www.marquis–wines.com STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:  

It’s one of the best wine festivals anywhere. The 38th annual Vancouver International Wine Festival  Held at the Vancouver Convention Centre from  Feb 20- March 1 For eight years TRR has set up a studio on the floor of the Trade Tasting on the Thursday and invited the World to sit in. THE SHOW     The Vancouver International Wine Festival is one of the biggest and oldest wine events in the world, offering something for every level of wine drinker, collector and trade professional. Winery principals (winemaker, proprietor, senior executive) representing 156 wineries from 14 countries will be in attendance to pour and discuss their wines. In 2016, the theme country will be Italy. The heart of the festival is the International Festival Tastings at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where 776 wines are available for sampling, with an additional 164 wines available at two trade tastings. More than 625 additional wines will be served at special events orbiting the tasting room, including a gala dinner + auction, wine seminars, trade events, and food and wine pairing affairs such as winery dinners, lunches and brunches at top Vancouver restaurants and hotels. The Italian table will represent an all-star moment.  Tedeschi/Ricasoli/Dogliani   Hour One: * Michaela Morris – House Wine * Stevie Kim – VinItaly * Gurvinder Bhatia – Quench Wine Editor – Edmonton * Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva * Harry Hertscheg – Executive director of Festival * Riccardo Tedeschi – Tedeschi Amarone (family owner/winemaker) Veneto/Valpolicella – * Barone Francesco Ricasoli (32nd generation Ricasoli) Tuscany/Chianti Classico – * Fiorenzo Dogliani – Batasiolo.  Piedmont  CEO   (Richardo March.. Export Director) * Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva * Michael Bartier – Bartier Bros  BC * Chris Wyse – Burrowing Owl  BC * Harry McWatters – Time  BC * Ezra Cypes – Summerhill  BC * Thomas Perrin – Famille Perrin  France * Jim Robertson – Stoneleigh  NZ * Eduardo Montresor  – Montessor .  Veneto Italy * Loren Gil – Gil Family Estates  Spain   NEXT WEEK HOUR TWO *  Daenna van Mulligen * DJ Kearney * Kurtis Kolt * Rhys Pender *  Matt Dumayne –  WM  Haywire * Andrew Winsor –  WM  Tinhorn Creek * John Freeman – WM Waterbrook (Washington) * Kirk Brewer – Gruet Winery (New Mexico) * Poplar Grove – Stefan Arnason, Winemaker *   * David Phillips – Michael David Winery (Cali) * Mark DeVere – Mondavi (Cali) * Ted Seghesio – Seghesio  (Abigail Smith *    * Marilisa Allegrini  – Owner-CEO – Allegrini

It’s Wall-to-Wall Wines featuring the reviews and stellar expertise of Master of Wine Rhys Pender, Consultant and teacher DJ Kearney and Georgia Straight Wine Columnist and consultant  Kurtis Kolt. If you’re looking for Gift Wines, Wines for Parties, Budget Wines for yourself and need to know the best wines of the Year in BC and the world..THIS is your show. THE SHOW Let’s face it,  this time of year we’re faced with a lot of decisions. We can’t help you with most of them BUT we can help you with your wine selections. The guests reviewers on this show are three of the very best in Canada. Respected by their peers and the industry itself. We’ll cover gift wines/Wines to take to parties/Budget wines for Yourself/Outstanding wines of the year from BC and the World. Enjoy!!!  Happy Holidays!   DJ Kearney   DJ is a judge, writer, instructor and educator at the highest levels in the wine world. She has just been made Director of Wine at New District, a very new and distinct wine group. (that story next year) DJ Kearney’s 15 years in the wine industry embrace teaching, wine writing, wine criticism, and wine presentations for festivals and industry trade organizations.  She has trained thousands of sommelier candidates throughout North America for the International Sommelier Guild and the Wine and Spirits Education Trust, and has travelled extensively to the wine regions of the world. Although a global wine expert, she naturally has a special devotion for the wines of her home region. For many years DJ has been an industry advisor and ambassador for B.C. wines, teaching and presenting on behalf of the industry. Recently she toured Decanter’s Steven Spurrier through the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys, and curated the historic Judgment of B.C. tasting in Vancouver.  For the past several years she’s been the Drink Editor for Vancouver Magazine, and critic/contributor for WineAlign.   Gifts:  The perfect 2-pack: Hamilton Russell Chardonnay 2014 Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa $44.99 (BCLDB) Torres Mas La Plana Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Penedes, Spain $56 +315838 (BCLDB) Champagne gifts: Champagne Roederer Brut Premier N/V $61.99 +268771 (BCLDB) Champagne Pierre Gimonnet et Fils Brut Premier Cru Cuis N/V $80 (fine private stores) What I’m taking to the party: Chateau La Gravelle Muscadet de Sevre et Maine Sur Lie 2014 $16 +411006 (BCLDB) Pesquié Terrasses Rouge 2013 $17.

Author Alex  Prud‘Homme arrives with tales of Julia Child.  He wrote her first  book My life in France.  Now comes The French Chef in America..it’s the rest of Julia Child’s story. We taste our way through some of the Canadian wines coming to the next Vancouver International Wine Festival, where Canada is the feature region. Guests include DJ Kearney and Harry Hertscheg. And finish with stories on Sea Star, Haywire and Left Field Cider. THE SHOW   Alex Prud’Homme – The French Chef in America:  Julia Child’s Second Act   Julia Child is synonymous with French cooking, but her legacy runs much deeper. Now, her great-nephew and My Life in France coauthor  Alex Prud’Homme vividly recounts the myriad ways in which she profoundly shaped how we eat today. He shows us Child in the aftermath of the publication of Mastering the Art of French Cooking, suddenly finding herself America’s first lady of French food and under considerable pressure to embrace her new mantle. Every bit as entertaining, inspiring, and delectable as My Life in France, The French Chef in America uncovers Julia Child beyond her “French chef” persona and reveals her second act to have been as groundbreaking and adventurous as her first.   In 2004 Alex helped Julia Child write her memoir, My Life in France, about her “favorite years” — 1948-1954 — when she and her husband Paul lived in Paris and Marseille. (Paul was his grand uncle, his grandfather’s twin brother.) In France Julia experienced “a flowering of the soul” and discovered her raison d’etre in cooking. They  worked together for eight months, until Julia died in her sleep two days shy of her 92d birthday. He spent another year finishing My Life in France, published in 2006. The book reached #1 on the New York Times best-seller list.  In 2009, it inspired half of Nora Ephron’s film “Julie & Julia,” which starred Meryl Streep. In 2014, a decade after working on My Life in France, he circled back to answer a few questions about Julia that had tugged at his curiosity: what was it like for the Childs to retire from the Foreign Service in 1961, and settle in Cambridge, Massachusetts? How did Julia first appear on Public Television in 1963, win an Emmy in 1966, and land on the cover of Time in 1967? And what led her to the White House, the Queen of England, James Beard and Colonial food, to leave Public TV for Good Morning America, and to become America’s first true celebrity chef? . Julia reached the peak of her celebrity in the Seventies – epitomized by Dan Aykroyd’s famous “Save the Liver!” parody on Saturday Night Live in 1978 . Researching this era Alex  discovered a trove of articles, scripts, documentary footage, correspondence,

Can a rocker make wine? You bet. Especially if  your name is Jason Parkes!   The Hatch was named 9th best winery in Canada and 5th in BC. And IS this the weekend  to Lick Your Plate?   THE SHOW Some wine fans follow labels, some follow grapes, some follow regions and some follow Winemakers. Can I please suggest one winemaker  you may want to follow?  Jason Parkes! First of all he’s born in Peachland, so the man knows his fruit.     He’s fronted two punk bands. OK, that has nothing to do with wine-making but there’s a do-it-yourself attitude in the punk/post-punk community and that works in a vineyard/cellar…   He started making wine in the Okanagan to pay the bills and get his band’s van back on the road.   Now, after multiple harvests, he’s gathered around him a great team of growers, cellar hands and winemakers. It shows in the wines he creates. The Hatch * Black Swift * Contempt by Pamela Anderson * Screaming Fenzy * Gobsmacked * Talking Stories and countless more. 2016 WINE ALIGN AWARDS OF CANADA, THEY WERE NAMED THE 9TH BEST WINERY IN ALL OF CANADA. 5TH BEST IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. http://www.winealign.com/awards/2016/07/27/2016-nwac-top-25-wineries-in-canada/ Here’s what they say about themselves.. The Hatch is the absolute culmination of the wants and dreams of a select, rare and bizarre cadre of people who are unconcerned about the convention and now have a chance to show the world exactly what real wine, real hospitality and real people are all about. ‘the hatch’ is the direct confluence of all our favourite arts. The liquid arts, the visual arts and the living arts; finally together and together forever. That answers the ‘what’, but also asked is the ‘why’. Why ‘the hatch’? Because the time is long overdue for something like this to enter your life, and more-so; to make your life that much better. Now it’s time to shut-up and go drink some wine.   Jason Parkes brings lots of stories to the edition of Tasting Room Radio. Great fun.  Fabulous wines. Drink the future!!   https://thehatchwines.com     Lick Your Plate  –  Authors Julie Albert and Lisa Gnat  Yes,  they are sisters and best friends, they each have 3 kids and they live within 5 blocks of each other.   These sisters  create a force in any kitchen. Julie writes… Lisa Cooks. Julie and Lisa have  released their third cookbook Lick Your Plate. A follow up to Bite Me and Bite me Too! The girls write about food and family (family first). They talk with me about Sloppy Joe’s, Baja Fish Tacos, Slutty brownies and the fact that it takes  Twinkies 45 seconds to explode in a microwave! We do take time to go back and remember their Grandmother.

DJ Kearney brings  New District wine collections called Bubble-licious and “I’ll have what she’s having” for The Holidays. The final  results of the 9th BC Iconic Reds with John Schreiner and Simon Wosk. Restaurants under the radar – Todd Braiden at Fat Jacks Boston Bar.  Dude! Emandare ups the bar in the Cowichan Valley.  Mike and Robin Nierychlo guest! THE SHOW   DJ Kearney –  Director of Wine/New District   New District’s philosophy is about curation  and it informs everything they do. They  do the leg work for you, to expertly hone in on what matters to you in the world of wine.  Sign up for the weekly newsletter that carefully selects their  best bottles, articles and multimedia content, giving subscribers unique insights into British Columbia’s dynamic emerging wine culture. And best of all The Curator is DJ Kearney, the best wine educator and expert in the business. Deej has two offerings this week..plus she has the scoop on their new Store at 41st and Dunbar. Holiday Bubble-Licious.  3 Wines. and… I’ll have what she’s having For The Holidays.  6 Winter Weight  Wines. All handpicked by DJ. Check out what’s inside the boxes.. www.newdistrict.ca   9th annual BC Iconic Reds – John Schreiner  and Simon Wosk  The BC Iconic Reds took place on November 16.   John Schreiner,  organizer Simon Wosk  and up to 80  attendees tasted everything in the room and chose the Top Five Releases  at The Sutton Place Hotel. 2016  contenders were: * Church and State Quintessential 2010 * CedarCreek Platinum Meritage 2013 * Osoyoos Larose Le Grand Vin 2013 * Clos Du Soleil Signature Red 2013 * Mission Hill Compendium 2012 * Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014 * Cassini Cellars Maximus 2012 * Hester Creek The Judge 2012 * Painted Rock Red Icon 2014 * Lake Breeze Tempest 2012 * Black Hills Nota Bene 2014 * Poplar Grove Legacy 2012 * Mission Hill Quatrain 2012 * Culmina Hypothesis 2012 * La Stella Fortissimo 2014 * Summerhill “OM” 2012 * NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014 * Lariana Thirteen 2013 * Perseus Invictus 2013   To find out how the final five won..just listen to the show.  Our congratulations to Randy Pickton, Justin Hall and their team at NK’Mip Cellars for their first place finish and to all participating wineries for producing such exceptional wines.  The top 5 scorers, as chosen by attending  tasters, were:       * NK’Mip Mer’r’iym 2014   * Laughing Stock Portfolio 2014   * Clos du Soleil Signature Red 2013   * Cassini Maximus 2012

We salute the Winery of the Year –  Nk Mip with Daenna Van Mulligen,  Chief Clarence Louie and Winemaker Randy Picton Ollie Powrie – Viticulturist for Villa Maria. Tall tales of fine wines down under. Valeria Tait – GM and Winemaker for Bench 1775   THE SHOW   Nk’Mip is announced Canadian Winery of the Year in the 2016-17 InterVin International Wine Awards. They also came in second in the International competition against The World. Clarence Louie – Chief of Osoyoos Indian Band.               Randy Picton –  Head Winemaker  Daenna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva        Pronounced “in-ka-meep,” North America’s first aboriginal owned and operated winery overlooks Osoyoos Lake in the Okanagan Valley. Using grapes from the Osoyoos Indian Band’s Inkameep Vineyard managed by Sam Baptiste, winemaker Randy Picton and assistant winemaker Justin Hall produce wines in three tiers: Winemaker’s Series, Qwam Qwmt and Mer’r’iym tiers. The award-winning portfolio includes favourites such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Talon, Dreamcatcher, Merlot, Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Riesling Icewine.   Nk’Mip Cellars story begins with the people of the Osoyoos Indian Band; strong, independent, and proud, with a rich history as the stewards of the desert landscape. Under the leadership of Chief Clarence Louie – who believes that native independence hinges on economic independence – the band owns the winery in partnership with Constellation Brands Canada. The winery is part of an engaging and ambitious development that also includes a resort hotel, spa, golf course and cultural centre, the spectacular 18,000-square-foot winery is nestled in prime terroir overlooking Osoyoos Lake.   The Wine Diva was one of the key members of the InterVin Judging Team – she gives us the inside scoop on how and why they won!! We all talk about three outstanding releases that were awarded Gold Medals. Qwam Qwmt  Merlot   2014  – simply outstanding Qwam Qwmt  Cabernet Sauvignon  2014 – who says we can’t grow Cabs? Qwam Qwmt  Syrah  2014  – Great now but give it 3-5 years it will be World Class. NK’MIP CELLARS 2016 MEDAL WINNERS  2015 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT RIESLING ICEWINE – Gold, InterVin Wine Awards – Silver, British Columbia Wine Awards 2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S DREAMCATCHER – Bronze, InterVin Wine Awards 2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S PINOT BLANC – Silver, InterVin Wine Awards 2015 NK’MIP CELLARS WINEMAKER’S ROSÉ – Bronze, InterVin Wine Awards – Silver, British Columbia Wine Awards 2014 NK’MIP CELLARS QWAM QWMT CABERNET SAUVIGNON – Gold, InterVin Wine Awards – Bronze,

DJ Kearney –wine educator and expert – presents The Advent Wine Calendar Two reports from The Wine Diva and Samantha Rahn (Araxi) on  Cornucopia,  this weekend’s Whistler Wine Festival. Savio Volpe celebrates EnRoute Award and raises $ for Italian Earthquake Communities. Jean Claude Mas on the wines of Domaines Paul Mas.     THE SHOW   Paul Grunberg  –  Co-Owner of Savio Volpe (and  l’Abattoir)    We start this week’s Tasting Room Radio with Paul Grunberg Co-Owner of Savio Volpe, the wildly successful Italian Restaurant in The Frazer Hood Vancouver. From the some of the same team that created L ‘Abattoir in Gastown. They have just been awarded a Top 10 placing in the 2016 Air Canada EnRoute Magazine Best New Restaurants in Canada. Savio has also decided  next Tuesday Nov 15th  to raise funds for devastated towns in Italy from the recent Earthquakes by serving a special pasta dish on the night. AND they celebrate being open and very busy for one full year. Paul graciously fills us in on everything that’s going on. www.saviovolpe.com DJ Kearney – Wine Director at New District     – New District, an innovative B.C.-based online wine marketplace, has released a limited number of their wildly successful Wine Advent Calendars for the 2016 holiday season. Boasting 25 diverse bottles, wrapped and numbered for each day in December leading up to Christmas, the curated pack includes bottles valued up to $100 each. All Wine Advent Calendars purchased by November 20 are guaranteed to be delivered by December 1.   Last year, the Wine Advent Calendar sold out in only five days. Each bottle is hand-picked by New District’s Wine Director, and one of B.C.’s top wine authorities, DJ Kearney – ensuring that each package contains a unique wine experience. Beautifully wrapped in tissue, the 25 bottles come nestled in an elegant wooden case. Beginning December 1, New District will release a daily video (newdistrict.ca) unveiling that day’s wine selection. By the time we get this story on the air, this amazingly successful wine calendar may be sold out..I believe that much  of the popularity is because the wines are chosen by our highly respected guest DJ Kearney. update: The Advent calendar is sold out…  BUT if you call 604 229-3663 , they can create custom wine advent calendars, more info at the website…. Have fun!  The info and number can also be found at www.newdistrict.ca   Deanna van Mulligen – The Wine Diva Samantha Rahn – Wine Director at Araxi Whistler   Cornucopia is the True North of food & drink festivals This  weekend and next , Cornucopia celebrates 20 years Cornucopia shines a light on the chefs, vintners, brewers and distillers of BC.  We’re talking grapes, hops, the fruits of the sea and the soil. Winery dinners, grand tastings, culinary demonstrations and events,