10 episodes

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."

Tasting Room Radio Terry David Mulligan

    • Arts
    • 4.3 • 3 Ratings

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."

    March 16th, 2024- 45th VanWineFest TRR Part 2 – 10 Italians and a Turyk!

    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



     

    • 54 min
    March 9th, 2024-The 45th VanWineFest Part One

    March 9th, 2024-The 45th VanWineFest Part One

    The 45th VanWineFest Part One





     

    THE SHOW

    The press release says: It’s the largest combined consumer and trade wine show in North America. And one of the biggest and oldest in the World.  From Feb 24 to March 3. Eight days, 42 events, 12 countries,  149 participating wineries, 71 from feature region Italy, 1, 150 wines, 800 in the tasting room and over 18,000  wine fans expected to attend all events.

    So…..how does one guy with one microphone cover something like that?  You don’t!!

    Can’t be done without a huge team but if you plan carefully and do your homework, surround yourself with wine friends who bring their own beliefs on wine and winemakers, then you might get something captured.



    I’m so pleased to announce that with the help and smarts of the following friends & experts we managed to do 22 interviews with winemakers and principals from Italy, Greece, Washington, California, Spain, France and BC.

    Thank you to Meredith Elliott – Communications and Marketing manager.  Grace under pressure.

    Harry Hertscheg – Solid Support.

    Our co-hosts are:

    Daenna Van Mulligen – The Wine Diva. Writer, speaker, judge and popular reviewer.

    Michaela Morris –  educator, judge, speaker and wine writer (Decanter)

    Kelcie Jones – Best Sommelier 2023, educator, consultant and founder of This is Wine School

    DJ Kearney – Director of Wine at  Terminal City Club, wine educator at large. Legend.

    This first Tasting Room Radio will feature opinions and comments from

    Daenna Van Mulligen – www.winediva.ca Has travelled the wine world. Knows many winemakers in the room.

    Hosted a sold-out feature seminar on Gerard Bertrand Winery.

    Blue Grouse Estate Winery – Michael Abbott – New GM (Cowichan Valley)

    Burrowing Owl Estate Winery – Stephen Neumann – Brand Ambassador (Oliver)

    Le Vins Bonhomme –  Nathalie Bonhomme. (founder/winemaker) Originally from Montreal. Now making wines for her label –  in Spain and France.

    House of Smith – Donal Black VP – Int. Sales. A new gathering of Charles Smith Wines. K Vintners, Substance, Sixto, Golden West etc. (Washington)

    Harry Hertscheg – Executive Director VIWF.  The man who dreams the dream and leads the team.

    Bench 1775 – Richard Kanazawa (Winemaker)  Naramata Bench. Fabulous winemaker

    Osoyoos LaRose – Michael Kullmann   CEO/Winemaker (Osoyoos) Great discussion between these two. Consistently fine wines.

    www.winediva.ca

    www.Bench1775.com

    www.bluegrouse.ca

    www.burrowingowlwine.ca

    www.Lesvinsbonhomme.com

    www.houseofsmith.com

    @HHonWine

    www.vanwinefest.ca

    www.osoyooslarose.com

    #vanwinefest

    #VIWF

     

     

    STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

    NEXT WEEK – All Italian wineries (except for Unsworth.)

    Co-Host Kelcie Jones  

    Marchesi di Barolo

    Medici Ermete

    Il Molino di Grace

    Vietti

    Unsworth

     

    Co-host Michaela Morris

    San Polino

    Boscarelli

    Maziano Abbona

    Inama

     

    • 48 min
    March 2nd, 2024 – Replay… Last Year’s 44th Vancouver International Wine Festival (Part One)

    March 2nd, 2024 – Replay… Last Year’s 44th Vancouver International Wine Festival (Part One)

     



    We are currently doing interviews in the Vancouver Convention Centre at the 2024 VanWineFest.

    NEXT WEEK – We start Part One of this years coverage.

    Co-Hosts this year are Kelcie Jones,  Leader of This is  Wine School. Sommelier of the year, DJ Kearney Wine Director Terminal City Club Vancouver.  Wine Educator and Judge. Michaela Morris, international wine writer, judge, speaker. Writes for Decanter. Italian wine specialist and once again Daenna van Mulligen, The Wine Diva. Writer, speaker and outstanding wine reviewer.

    In order to give ourselves time to gather guest comments, edit the 22 interviews and get ready for at least 3 weeks of wine stories and journeys, this week is a repeat of last years Part One kick-off.

     

    THE SHOW

     This is our 17th year of covering the  adventure  of The Van Wine Fest!

    For the Executive Director Harry Hertscheg and his top flight team of organizers,  it’s their 44th annual.

    (Harry and keynote speaker Evan Goldstein will close our series in a couple of weeks)

    Although it’s still a amazing “blur” I think we did at least 20 interviews in just under four hours.

    A mix of winemakers and founders from Chile, Argentina, BC, Lodi, Napa, Sonoma and  Washington!

    We could not have made this journey without the help of media/marketing support from Ruby Gillett (Milk Creative Communications) and Danielle Giroux (Director- California Wines Canada)

    Thank you both.



     

    Here’s Part One of this years Festival

     We begin with the most amazing friend – Wine Director at Terminal City Club and much admired wine educator, speaker and wine judge,  DJ Kearney.

    DJ and I were judging the Lt Governor awards last month and between flights I whispered “will you join me at VanWineFest for a couple of interviews. I love your questions and observations?”

    She nodded OK!  How lucky I was to know her?

    As promised,  DJ sat down for the first two interviews and to my complete surprise and delight,  she stayed for almost the entire series of chats. A small grouping of chairs – knee to knee –  because the crowd noise gets louder as the minutes click by. A lot of collective chatter.  In the chairs, we all found ourselves leaning in to listen and comment. Tasted many outstanding wines the guests brought.

    Loved it.  Best of all, this is just Part One of 3 weeks of interviews.

    This weeks guests are:

     DJ Kearney – Wine Director  (Terminal City Club) Wine Educator, Judge, Writer,  Speaker and great friend.

    The one and only DJ Kearney with her observations about Van Wine Fest history, the line up of this years wineries and general opinions about the state of today’s winemaking. She brings so many memorable stories and details.

    https://www.tcclub.com/

    @djwines

     

    JJ Dowell – Winemaker Lake Sonoma, Plume Wines. (Russian River, Sonoma, Alexander Valley, Napa Valley)

    Jaime started her career “in the arts” at her family’s art gallery.

    The art of wine came calling. Crooked Vine, Stony Ridge. Then off to New Zealand making high end Pinot Noir at Villa Maria.

    Back to California in 2011 to join Bonny Doon, Alpha Omega, Round Pond Estate in Napa and finally joined West Coast Wine Partners – which included the Stewart Family at Quails Gate – to oversee Lake Sonoma and Valley of the Moon Wines.  Plume Wines were soon added to the portfolio.

    All that experience shows in her wines.  https://lakesonomawinery.com/

     

    Christa-Lee McWatters – McWatters Collection GM/Family (Penticton)

    Tony Holler – Co-Owner Poplar Grove (Naramata Bench)

    DJ and I knew this was going to be fast, informative and lots of fun.

    Christa-Lee and Tony LOVE talking about wine. Theirs and many others.

    • 42 min
    February 24th 2024- Seven Wine Stars – Time to Buy B.C. We can ALL help!

    February 24th 2024- Seven Wine Stars – Time to Buy B.C. We can ALL help!

    Seven Wine Stars – Time to Buy BC. We can ALL help!

     

    THE SHOW

     

    Christine Coletta – Co-founder  Haywire Wines (Summerland)

    Grant Stanley – Winemaker and 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 (Fall Fest starts today)

    Sandra Oldfield – Partner Elysian Projects and Organizer of  Fortify Conference in Penticton Nov 15

    Tim Pawsey – Writer and Wine Judge (Hired Belly)

    Leslie D’Andrea – Co-founder and CEO Noble Ridge Winery (OK Falls)

     

    If ever the BC Wine industry could use your support, it’s right now .



    Farming and making wine is a long hard road during the growing season. The past farming year was hit with

    wild fires, smoke, a December freeze that killed many vines and the MacDougall Creek Fire, one of the largest and most dangerous  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 stay home.

    They did stay home and when the roads opened again they either stayed home or went elsewhere.

    The wineries, restaurants and accommodation business in the Okanagan lost weeks of customers and income.

    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.

    Of course, now comes another challenge. The Alberta government has threatened to pull BC Wines from their store shelves. Yup. Another holdup at the border.

    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 on line. Gift your friends. Rethink new plantings!

    Also the Winter Wine Events are 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

    Timothy Pawsey

    WineBC.com

    Totabc.org

     

    STORIES WE’RE WORKING ON

    Vancouver International Wine Festival 

    The French Door Winery

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    • 50 min
    February 17th, 2024- Wines of Romance from Township 7 and Rocky Mountain Whisky from Wild Life

    February 17th, 2024- Wines of Romance from Township 7 and Rocky Mountain Whisky from Wild Life

    Wines of Romance from Township 7 and Rocky Mountain Whisky from Wild Life

    THE SHOW



    The press release arrived well in advance of Valentine’s Day.

    “These exceptional wines are not only perfect for cosy winter evenings but also make for delightful Valentine’s Day celebrations.

    I’m 3 days late with this story but when Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday, I find most of my friends agree with me and move it to the weekend when we have time to call our own.

    Anyway, that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

    Mary McDermott – Winemaker Township 7 (Langley and Naramata Bench)

    Mary is a straight shooter. No catch-all marketing phrases. Just the facts and heartfelt reflections on the growing year and what the vineyard was trying to say to us.

    Her training and years of seasonal survival have made Mary one of the winemakers to watch. Mary watches over the prime Naramata vineyards and their ever-evolving vineyards in Langley.

    She is, after all, following in the footsteps of Michael Bartier and Bradley Cooper. High standards have risen even higher under Mary’s watch.

    A wonderful winemaker and consummate craftswoman.

    Tasting and Talking:

    seven stars RIGEL 2021

    Traditional method style, made with Riesling from the  Fool’s Gold Vineyard in North Oliver. Owned by Mark Antonello, well known vineyard manager.

    The vineyard was researched and planted two decades ago by the legendary Richard Cleave. When he and Harry McWatters drove and walked around the Okanagan, they had their choice of “everything and everywhere”.  They picked the best plots of land to be had. If Richard Cleave’s name is linked to a vineyard, it’s Gold friends.

    For example, the 2020 version of this sparkling wine was awarded Best Canadian Sparkling Wine 2023 Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships in London.  Loaded with notes of citrus and minerality. The glorious mousse has a texture that never seems to leave my memory bank. The body remembers such moments.

    383 six-bottle cases –  $36.97



    seven stars POLARIS 2020

    Named in honour of the North Star which has guided ships at sea for many 100’s of years.

    Crafted in traditional Methode Champenoise style.

    Polaris is a Blanc de Blanc made from 100% unoaked Chardonnay. It has been celebrated at the Canadian National Wine Awards, BC Lieutenant Governor  Awards, Global Awards in Australia and many more.

    Notes of brioche, Granny Smith apples, peach, lime.

    In a word – Polaris is complete!    1250 six-bottle cases –   $39.97

     

    Benchmark Series Pinot Noir 2022

     

    This wonderful Pinot came from long-time growers Dwight and Arnie Gash’s Remuda Vineyard in Okanagan Falls.

    Mary works with ripe dark fruit which she ferments in their concrete egg and stainless steel.

    Aged a full year in French Oak Puncheons.

    Your nose will love the aromas of raspberries and cherries.

    The palate is fully engaged with assembled fruit and delicious undertones. When your mouth is not busy with the pinot, it will be forming the words “wow”!

    800 cases made – available at both wineries and online.

    $41.97

    www.township7.com

     

    Matt Widmer – Co-Founder of Wild Life Distillery  Canmore, Alberta

     

    Matt and his co-founding partner Keith Robinson grew up together in the neighbourhood.

    In their case, the neighbourhood was Banff and Canmore, Alberta. Rundle Mountain was in between them but it all worked out.

    In 2017 they decided to build a distillery in Canmore – they called it Wild Life.

    Craft spirits became a reality – whisky, gin, vodka, amaro, canned cocktails, bitters, etc.



    While I was covering the Victoria Whisky Festival I heard their name being dropped several times.

    • 45 min
    February 10th, 2024- Winter Wine Wars. Features on Orofino/Fort Berens

    February 10th, 2024- Winter Wine Wars. Features on Orofino/Fort Berens

    Winter Wine Wars. Features on Orofino/Fort Berens



    THE SHOW

     

    The letters were received on Jan 22. It was the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission informing a considerable number of BC wineries that if they did not immediately stop shipping wines direct to consumers in Alberta, they would stop allowing those wines in their retail stores.

    Legalities aside, the timing couldn’t be worse for BC wines and farmers.

    Two winters of freezing vine damage, roadblocks in high season and wildfires have led to some wineries wondering if they can survive through 2024. Now this!

    BC wineries are on record as offering to collect the taxes on their shipments, most of which are to members of their wine club.

    In many cases, these are high-end, exclusive & hard-to-find wines, so the Alberta concern of younger drinkers getting their hands on these wines is simply not in play

    To try and make sense of all of this new information I asked two valued wine friends to join me on Tasting Room Radio.

     

    Sandra Oldfield – Former partner/winemaker in Tinhorn Creek. Now the founder of Elysian Projects and a steady voice in the Okanagan.

    You may remember Sandra from the 2011 wine war between BC and Alberta. To make a point about shipping across provincial borders in Canada,  Sandra ordered a shotgun from out of province and it arrived safe and sound. However, she was not allowed to ship or carry wines into Alberta. She still has that shotgun to remind her of how far we have yet to go.

     

    www.elysianprojects.com

     

     

    Al Hudec – Lawyer. Farris LLP. Specializing in wine law. Runs the Kelowna office of Farris LLP.

    Al is a prominent legal advisor to the BC Wine Industry and has been lead lawyer on many of Canada’s most significant Indigenous transactions of the past 12 years.

    www.farris.com

     

    WWW.WINEBC.COM

     

    We’re going to cover a lot of ground here but please keep in mind that the wines we love sharing with family and friends come from the passion,  talents and hard work of small farmers in BC.

    That’s who’s dealing with this bad news – in a year of bad news. Small farmers working sunup to sundown. Dealing with insects, fires, extremes in climate, smoke, hail and now regional politics.

     

    Just when they really needed our support, there is another mountain to climb.

     

    So, please buy BC as much as you can. We’ll get through this together.

    www.winebc.com

     

     

     

     

    John Weber – co-founder and chief winemaker at Orofino Vineyards in the Similkameen Valley.



    Its been a while since John and I chatted about winemaking. Its usually about fishing.  No wait,  its always about fishing.



    Please  head for the website.  As you can see they’ve been  very busy. And this is just the whites!!!

    2022 Orange skin contact White

    2022 Pozza Vineyard C ab Franc Rose

    2022 Crossroads Riesling

    2021 Home Vineyard Old Vines Riesling

    2021 Chanrdonnay

    2022 Sparkling Gamay Noir

     

    Mostly we’re going to be talking about how the Similkameen is dealing with killer winter freeze, fires and  with climate change.  Which is what farmers do.

    Every season and every year.

     

    www.orofinovineyards.com

     

    Alessandro (Alex) Nel – Winemaker at Fort Berens, Lilloett, BC



    Before arriving at Fort Berens,  for over a decade Alex had been a winemaker at Cederberg Winery in the Western Cape of South Africa. While there he produced one of the Top 50 wines  in the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2021.

    • 54 min

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