Tasting Room Radio Terry David Mulligan
-
- Arts
-
Join wine commentator Terry David Mulligan for some great fun learning about wine and those that both make and drink it on Tasting Room Radio. "I take the daily conversations between chefs, sommeliers, wine growers/owners/makers, writers, artisans and throw in the occasional celebrity and see how the mix works. Tasting Room Radio is the radio version of an audio blend, a Meritage for the soul."
-
April 27th, 2024- Alderlea Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival
Alderlea Spring Releases & 2023 Cider Festival
Julie Powell and Zac Brown – Co-founders and Co-winemakers of Alderlea Vineyards (Cowichan Valley)
For 6 years now Julie and Zac have been re-imagining their lives. Studying the craft of winemaking, and farming techniques and releasing better and better wines.
They are blessed to be working with the outstanding vineyards of former owner/winemaker Roger Dosman. Roger was a leader in commercial Blattner releases but more importantly, committed himself and his vineyards to Pinot Noir. Well ahead of most of BC vineyards.
The Spring Releases from Alderlea this year include
2023 Pinot Gris – At first glance it reads as a Rose but it’s more copper coloured.
Aromas of ripe peaches lead to flavours of citrus, ripe mango and melon.
And a mouthfeel that tops it all off. Get your hands on this winner.
Zac explains the old-world winemaking process that makes it such a stand-out.
Like all of their wines, this exciting Pinot Gris is sustainably farmed, organically fertilized and grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
All Alderlea wines are Vegan. Julie has all the prices in the interview.
2023 Bacchus
These vines are old and gnarly. They should be, they’re starting their fourth decade. This close relative of the Riesling, it’s one of the oldest plantings in the Cowichan Valley.
Floral and citrus aromas followed by flavours of apricot and ripe South Pacific fruit. A welcomed sipper but also works with Asian dishes and seafood.
No oak program for any of the Alderlea whites.
2023 Valerie
Named after Julie’s late Mother. It was the first wine that Julie made as principal winemaker.
It’s a blend of 80% Cowichan Ortega & 20% Alderlea grown Viognier. Apricots, green pear and orange on the nose and palate.
The blend is spirited and elegant with memorable poise, much like her Mother. Available at the winery only.
The Valerie won a Gold Medal at the 2023 All-Canadian wine championships.
The 2020 Won Double Gold in 2021
Silver in 2019
Silver in 2018
I repeat – these were the first wines Julie has made.
2023 Sauvignon Blanc
A rare varietal in The Cowichan. I think Julie says one of only 3 vineyards growing it on Vancouver Island. Theirs is the largest planting of Cowichan Sauvignon Blanc, some planted in 2018.
Aromas of grasslands and citrus with flavours of Granny Smith apples and Nectarine. This is your seafood, oyster, and scallops wine for the season.
Paired with Halibut, the wine is such a delight and a consistent medal winner at All Canadian Wine Championships.
Two separate Pinot Noirs are arriving this Fall. I have both but I will lay them down for a couple of months. Still young. However, I will let you know how the tasting goes. Both could be a game changer for Alderlea and the Cowichan.
Wine tasting by appointment, they’re very busy growing and making wines. It is well worth the visit.
www.alderlea.ca
2023 BC Cider Festival – Pipe Shop North Vancouver
After being shut down for several years of lockdown, The 5th annual BC Cider Fest has just been announced. June 16th. Again at the Pipe Shop foot of Lonsdale, North Vancouver.
It’s grown every year as has the cider industry.
Driven by passionate, colourful cidermakers. It’s quite a community.
To give you an idea of how engaging these people are, we’re repeating four interviews from the 20 we did the last time they gathered.
Shawn and Kelly Piso – co-founders of Cider Fest
Gretta Lattey – Salt Spring Cider. Very popular.
Bruce McKinlay – Valley Cider. Duncan. Funny and wildly creative cidermaker. -
April 20th, 2024- It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines
It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines
THE SHOW
Kimberly Hundertmark – GM Okanagan Wine Festivals
FINALLY. The days are noticeably longer and warmer.
Spring is right around the corner.
For farmers and wineries, it’s the time for serious soil and vine preparation.
Unfortunately this year, Okanagan wineries are dealing with deep freeze damage throughout the valley. Some estimates at 97% crop loss.
Whole regions may have to be replanted.
Everyone is awaiting bud break, when the land tells them what the future looks like.
In the very middle of all this is Kimberly Hundertmark, the GM of the Okanagan Wine Festivals.
Kimberly and her team have been organizing the 2024 Okanagan Spring Wine Festival. It’s jammed with events, celebrations at a full speed ahead pace.
Wine fans will have an amazing choice of events to consider. The celebration comes from the realization that these small farms and winemakers got knocked down but they just picked themselves up and started again. They’re used to nature messing with their plans.
Kimberly takes us through a state of the valley update and then runs down some of the highlights of this years Festival.
www.thewinefestivals.com
Loren Inglis – GM Enrico Winery
If you choose to drive up or down Vancouver Island you have a choice.
The four lane freeway that gets you places , sometimes as fast as 110 km an hour. However, for many of us, the original coast highway is still found on any map and is sooo much nicer to drive and see and find the wonderful surprises along the way.
Farm gate stalls featuring home baking, spectacular eggs, fresh vegetables and fruit. Hand made crafts . Fanny Bay Oysters, craft beers, distilleries.
Then around a corner you see a gorgeous vineyard South of Duncan. Between Cobble Hill and Mill Bay.
The home of Enrico Winery. One of a dozen Cowichan Valley Wineries.
The first Vancouver Island winery to win a Platinum Award at the annual Lt. Governors Wine Awards.
The charming General Manager is Lorin Inglis. He’s also the President of the Cowichan Wineries Society, who organize the annual Cowichan Wine Festival.
Lorin and I will talk about Enrico Spring Releases and the plan for this years Cowichan Wine Festival – the whole month of August.
A new Rose – made from Cabernet Libre! A first.
A standby from years past – Cabernet Foch is back. When it’s grown right, harvested at its prime and cellared creatively Foch can shine.
Also another standby, the award winning – Tempest Ortega will be available soon.
It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines
It’s a Spring Thing – Okanagan Spring Fest & Enrico Cowichan Spring Wines
And two sparkling wines in cans. Both of which will be a sold out hit!
Revelation Pinot Noir Charme de L’ile 2022 Sparkling Rose (250 ml can) Simply wonderful.
Celebration Pinot Gris Charme De L’ile 2022 Sparkling Wine (250 ml can)
www.enricowinery.com
www.cowichanwineries.com
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON:
Spring Releases….
Painted Rock
Clos du Soleil
Orofino
Anthony Buchannan
French Door
Naramata Bench Vancouver Pour
-
April 6th , 2024- 7th Annual April is BC Wine Month-Buy B.C. Wine.
It’s the 7th Annual April is BC Wine Month
Seven Wine Stars on why it’s time to Buy BC Wine. We can ALL help!
THE SHOW
Christine Coletta – Co-founder Haywire Wines (Summerland)
Grant Stanley –Winemaker/GM of Spearhead – (East Kelowna) 2022 Best Small Winery in Canada.
Rhys Pender – Master of Wine and co-founder Little Farm Wines (Similkameen)
Kimberly Hundertmark – Executive Director Okanagan Wine Festivals
Sandra Oldfield – Partner Elysian Projects and Organizer of Fortify Conference in Penticton
Tim Pawsey – Writer and Wine Judge (Hired Belly)
Leslie D’Andrea – Co-founder and CEO Noble Ridge Winery (OK Falls)
The BC Wine industry could use your support. This month would be good!
Farming and making wine is a long hard road during the growing season. However, the past farming year was hit with wildfires, smoke, a December freeze that killed many vines and the MacDougall Creek Fire, one of the largest and most vicious fires overlooking West Kelowna.
Then, at the height of the fires, the BC government shut down the highways into the Okanagan. Wine fans and tourists were asked to either go home or stay home.
They did stay home and when the roads opened again they either stayed home or went elsewhere.
The wineries, restaurants and accommodation businesses in the Okanagan lost weeks of prime-time sales.
The lost revenue and the reduced fruit crop has put a hurt on many small wineries. Some will be lost. Many are “holding on” hoping for a better year ahead.
HOW CAN WE HELP?
Have a listen to these BC Wine leaders. Lots of suggestions and much wise advice.
From buying BC wines for the near future and ordering a BC wine when dining.
Join a wine club. Shop online. Gift your friends.
Also, the Spring Wine Festival is on in the Okanagan. Now’s the perfect time to visit. Kimberly Hundertmark Executive Director gives us a primer on the events.
* Spearheadwinery.com
* Haywirewinery.com
* LittleFarmWinery.ca
* thewinefestivals.com
* elysianprojects.com
* Nobleridge.com
* TimothyPawsey
* WineBC.com
* Totabc.org
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Spring Wine Releases
Hillside
Bartier brothers
Anthony Buchannan
Painted Rock
Orofino
-
March 30th, 2024Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) & Bonterra Organic (Mendocino)
Spring Releases – Tightrope (Naramata) and Bonterra Organic (Mendocino)
THE SHOW
Lyndsay O’Rourke – Winemaker at Tightrope Winery (Naramata Bench)
(Lyndsay and Graeme O’Rourke)
Tightrope Winery is a small, family-run, sustainable winery on the Naramata Bench.
A true Labour of love for owners Graham (viticulturist) and Lyndsay O’Rourke (winemaker). Their vineyards on the Naramata Bench are farmed sustainably to make hand-crafted wines with artistry and passion. Tightrope wines capture the soul of Naramata – the personality, character, culture and fruit of “the Bench.”
(tightrope winery)
Tightrope is yet another story of a couple who discovered they both had a passion for wine and when given the self inspired opportunity to become farmers and winemakers, they changed careers and homes to follow their dreams.
To those who seek such things, it should come as no surprise that their wines are completely passionate and speak to your senses.
Top 10 small wineries in Canada – 2019.
Our interview with co-owner and winemaker Lyndsay O’Rourke will cover Tightrope Spring Releases..
2023 – Pinot Gris – 4 different vineyards. Notes of pear and grapefruit. Beautifully clean and dry. ( Lyndsay has prices in interview)
2023 – Rose . What a nice surprise to find 96% Pinot Noir and 4% Barbera which adds spice notes in the tasting experience.
2022 – Semillon. Single vineyard Gem. 100% Sem. Lemon zest. Grapefruit and minerality. Clean and crisp.
2023 – Viognier. Two vineyards involved. Ripe citrus notes, ginger. Dry and bright. Aged on lees for 3 months. French and Acacia Barrels. Worth it!!
2022 – Pinot Noir Rubis. Destemmed not crushed. 3 weeks on skins. Then French Oak – 30% new for 10 months. Cranberry. Strawberry. Spice. (Cellar for 2-10)
2022 – Pinot Noir Fleet Road. Complex vineyard management pays off. Ripe black fruit, plum. Leather. Some Oak. Impressive. (cellar 2-10 years)
www.tightropewinery.ca
Bonterra Organic Estates – Joseph Brinkley Director of Regenerative Farming/Benjamin Mitarakis Dir. of Trade Development (Mendocino)
This taste and talk took place at Tap and Barrell Bridges on Granville island . The afternoon was part Spring release tasting and very much a talk about organic farming at Bonterra Organic Estates. America’s #1 Organic Winery.
The winery and vineyards over the years has been known as Fetzer Vineyards and had winemakers such as Paul Dolan and Bob Blue.
Vina Concha y Toro took control of Fetzer in 2011 and when they launched Bonterra they were well ahead of anyone else in Organic farming and wines.
Its taken years of education to raise the profile of organic wines. With the consumer and surprisingly with wine sales staff. Not just in Vancouver but everywhere.
Benjamin and Joseph spent several hours walking us through the farming process, the certification of the vineyards and their commitment to The Earth.
(Joseph Brinkley – TDM – Benjamin Mitarakis)
Our energized conversation covered most of the questions asked in the room but then we talked about “the wines”.
All the while we tasted the following Bonterra Spring Releases..
2022 – Bonterra Organic Estates Chardonnay. 2 vineyards. One sandstone and the other volcanic rock. On Lees 6 months American Oak – third new. $24
Delightful Mendocino Chard. Light oak notes – nice finish and the price is right.
2021 – Bonterra Organic Estates Cabernet Sauvignon. Nice touch of Petit Syrah adds fine aromas. 40% new French oak. Raised toast levels lifts everything.
$25. Dark ripe berries, lasting finish. Again, the price is right.
Not yet available but hopefully coming our way, -
March 23rd, 2024- VanWineFest with DJ Kearney and a reconnect with Sandra Oldfield
THE SHOW
Our last segments of 2024 VanWineFest with DJ Kearney and a reconnect with Sandra Oldfield
The Vancouver International Wine Festival (#45) has come and gone but the interviews live on….for at least this week.
I’m joined by my third & final co-host, the one and only DJ Kearney. Educator, mentor, leader, wine judge, black belt, speaker and wine director at Terminal City Club.
Deej is also the best friend a person could ever have. We all feel lucky to know her.
As I did with Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris, I asked DJ to choose who she’d like to interview and spotlight.
Immediately she belted out….. “Justin Hall – first Indigenous winemaker in the World”.
So winemaker Justin Hall joins us from Nk’ Mip in Osoyoos.
And Stavros Kriaris Global Ambassador of Alpha Estate in Greece.
“I’ve been there and loved the winery and wines”
Then I had the gall to ask “who do we close with Deej?”
DJ liberally yelled “Lets invite next years feature theme region California“
Bonterra Organic Mendocino (Gabriela Marble Export manager)
Robert Mondavi Napa (Kurtis Ogasawara, Director of Winemaking)
Signorello Estate Napa Valley Golden Mile (Ray Signorello – Owner. North Shore guy)
www.signorelloestate.com
www.robertmondaviwinery.com
www.bonterra.com
www.alpha-estate.com
www.nkmipcellars.com
www.tcclub.com
@djkearney
Sandra Oldfield – Elysian Projects / Tourism Leader
Many of you know Sandra from her over 20 years at Tinhorn Creek. Winemaker, co-owner, helped to establish BC’s first sub-appellation – The Golden Mile Bench. In 2017 Sandra and husband Kenn started Elysian Projects, a beverage/tourism consulting company. Sandra named one of Canada’s Top 100 Powerful Women of 2016. She co-founded the Fortify Conference and is in the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.
Sandra embeds herself into the dialogue of today’s BC Wine Industry , she’s natural leader.
We met in Victoria, just before a 3 day tourism conference kicked off. There was much to talk about at the conference. In addition, there were a number of issues Sandra and I had to talk about for the podcast. The on going BC/Alberta wine clash. What can tourism do to help the wine industry through this very tough year? The loss of considerable vineyards to cold snaps and who speaks for the small farmer?
Sandra finished the interview with a story about several boxes that arrived at her house. Sent from Alberta to BC.
The question is/was “what’s in the boxes and why should we care?”
We welcome back Sandra Oldfield.
www.elysianprojects.com
www.fortifyconference.ca
www.winebc.com
www.hellobc.com
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
New Spring Release Feature Wines
Tightrope – Naramata
Hillside Winery – Naramata
Winemakers Cut (South Okanagan)
Orofino – Similkameen
Bartier Brothers
Painted Rock -
March 16th, 2024- 45th VanWineFest TRR Part 2 – 10 Italians and a Turyk!
Featuring guest hosts and wine specialists Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris.
The feature region of the 2024 Vancouver International Wine Festival was Italy.
There were 71 wineries representing 13 different Italian regions, from Sicily in the far south to Trentino-Alto Adige in the north.
There were hundreds of autochthonous grape varieties and each region has its own mix of varieties, wine styles, and food and wine culture!
So much history and passion wrapped up in Italian wines. Italian winemakers and owners know that Canada has its own history of embracing the wines of Italy.
No matter what the region.
When I asked Kelcie Jones and Michaela Morris to consider co-hosting with me, I also asked who would they like to invite for the interviews.
Kelcie is the co-founder of This is Wine School and the Sommelier of the Year 2023.
Kelcie looked forward to talking with
Beatrice Schiavio – Marchesi di Barolo. The first Barolo was created in their cellars.
Thomas Jefferson was an early fan. The King of Wines. The Wine of Kings.
Ermes Scarova. Medici Ermete. Growing vineyards and creating wines since 1890. Not just any wine but a sensational CRU of Lambrusco: Concerto
Next comes the charming Daniel Grace – the American owner of Il Molino di Grace
In the very heart of the Chianti region. Producing world-class wines for 350 years.
Urs Vetter – from Vietti. Formed 150 years ago in the very heart of the Langhe at the highest point of the medieval village of Castiglione Falletto. It’s still there today.
What followed were beautiful Arneis, Moscato, Dolcetto, Barbera, Nebbiolo, Barbaresco and many Barolo.
Unsworth Vineyards – Cowichan Valley Vancouver Island. Chris Turyk.. marketing and family member. If you listen to Tasting Room radio you know Chris Turyk.
Every region needs a spokesperson. Chris is the leading voice of the Cowichan Valley Wineries.
Unsworth leads by example.
Michaela Morris becomes the co-host in the second half of this Tasting Room Radio.
Michaela is a fully acknowledged leader in Canada’s wine world.
She’s an educator, mentor, sought-after wine judge and gifted writer. (Decanter)
Michaela had just returned from Tuscany.
Michaela invited
Katia Nussbaum Owner of San Polino. Vineyards were created early in the 10th century. As of 1581 it was owned by the Montalcino Hospital, Santa Maria della Croce. The olive trees planted in 1581 are still standing.
Then Sebastiano De Ferrari. The owner of Boscarelli sits in.
Michaela and I then welcome
Barbara De Rahm from Marziano Abbona and
Stefano Inama – Inama Wines Owner and family member – perhaps the finest producer of Soave!!
Stefano brings his son along for the chat.
Thank you, Kelcie and Michaela!! Thank you, Meredith and Harry!!
* www.marchesibarolo.com
* www.inamawine/en/
* www.medici.it/en
* www.ilmolinodigrace.it
* www.vietti.com
* www.unsworthvineyards.com
* www.sanpolino.it
* www.poderiboscarelli.com
* www.abbona.com
michaelamorris.ca
@kelciejones
thisiswineschool.com
STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON
Van Wine Fest Part Three
* with DJ Kearney
* Tightrope Winery New Releases.
* BC/Alberta Wine Wars