TT Wine Explorer Podcast Tania Tomaszewska

Tania goes to Vegas and lives to tell.

If you don’t gamble, don’t go to shows, and don’t visit “Celebrity Chef” restaurants, what on earth does one do in Sin City? Well A LOT as it turns out.

In this “Side Bar” episode, Tania chats with returning guest Graham MacLennan (creator and producer of the Cheftimony Podcast) about Tania’s recent trip to Las Vegas, and her experience of that crazy place through her eyes as reticent newbie turned hooked Vegas geek.

What brought on the conversion? Tania talks about her time on the Strip, seeing the Sphere, wandering through “Old Vegas”, checking out Downtown dive bars and getting into the very cool museum scene (yes - they’ve got museums!).

Tania also shares a way to escape the madness and head into nature by taking a side trip into the spectacular and awe-inspiring Red Rock Canyon, just a short drive outside of Las Vegas.

And then there’s Oscars Steakhouse at the Plaza. On-point cocktails, perfect Caesar Salad, thick griilled asparagus stalks, luxurious mac n’ cheese, roasted brussels sprouts sprinkled with parmesan, juicy rib eye on the bone perfectly grilled, salted and sliced…and much, much more. Want to see yourself in a scene from “Casino”? This is it.

There’s also Evel Pie, Letty’s tacos, BBQ food trucks, wine exploring for everyday tasters, and jumping into the mix. Your Vegas adventure need not be fancy (but your pocketbook might think it is!). It’s all about just getting out there and letting it ride.

This episode is about starting and growing a premium “brick-and-mortar” retail wine shop business in a small and highly regulated market.

Tania’s guest, John Clerides, is the founder and owner of Marquis Wine Cellars, located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Established more than 30 years ago, Marquis is one of British Columbia’s pre-eminent private bottle shops and offers local consumers more than 2000 wine selections from around the world, including select exclusive offerings unique to its market.

Tania and John discuss the regulatory and consumer landscape which existed when Marquis first opened its doors, and where and how his business has grown from there - including aspects around “in-store” experience, building relationships, bringing in exclusive wines from around the world, utilizing a digital platform, and most importantly: the seller-customer relationship.

Having travelled through many wine regions around the world, John also talks about what he finds exciting about the wine scene in Greece (as well as some practicalities around importing directly from small producers on the other side of the “Old World”).

Looking back on decades-long experience as a business owner, John also shares learnings and thoughts around being an entrepreneur. No matter how successful a business is, an owner must never rest on laurels, never get complacent. There will always be business barriers to address, and things to constantly tweak and adjust. But hey, that (and the people whom we meet along the way) are the fun things driving our passion to build and keep going, right?

This episode is a flight to both Spain and London for a discussion about how, when we look to the future of wine, we can draw from the past.

Tania’s guest, Beth Willard, is a contributing writer to Decanter Magazine (one of the world’s leading wine publications) and Co-Chair Judge of this year’s Decanter World Wine Awards. An Aussie who jumps between London and Spain, Beth has particular expertise in Spanish and Central European wines, paired with deep experience in many other facets of the global wine world.

Tania and Beth discuss aspects of the current Spanish wine scene, including how a new generation of winemakers is embracing their country’s past through the rehabilitation and nurture of 100+ year vines to respond to extreme heat and drought conditions. The role of cooperatives in the development of Spanish wine production and the power of community (“human geography” elements of terroir) will no doubt support the future crafting of fresh, interesting and sustainable modern wines.

Tania and Beth also discuss the connect (or sometimes disconnect) between the wine trade and consumers, through key drivers such as wines clubs, “direct to consumer” channels and consumer trends.

What does the everyday consumer really want? What are tasters looking for, and how might you introduce it?

This episode is also a chance to get behind the scenes of the world’s largest wine awards and hear first-hand what it’s like to taste (and judge) literally hundreds of wines and whittle down the winners which are ultimately showcased in that coveted glossy Decanter magazine.

Can wine bring growth to your portfolio? How does wine express itself in the world of digital assets?

Tania’s guest, Dr Sara Adami-Johnson (Vice President, HNW Planning Services, RBC Family Office Services) is an international estate, art and digital legacy planner. In addition to being a lawyer and trusts and estates practitioner, Sara also has a PhD in International Business and art advisory expertise (a perfect multi-disciplinary blend for considering issues around the investment potential of that “liquid art” in your bottle).

Tania and Sara discuss wine as an “alternative” asset class, where wine sits on a “pie chart” of diversified investment holdings, and factors to keep in mind if investing in the “illiquid” tangible asset of wine to “supercharge” your portfolio - including how to mitigate the risk of the devaluation of your holdings. (No one wants a “Billionaire’s Vinegar” situation).

And as some luxury wine producers introduce uber-specialty products into the digital space, Tania and Sara also explore the world of NFTs (non-fungible tokens) and how the blockchain may appeal to wine investors and wine enthusiasts alike.

Similar to investing in fine art, jewellery or vintage cars, scarcity and provenance are central to assessing the value of one’s wine investment. But ultimately, there are no guarantees in this world. Beauty is in the eye of the taster.

This episode is about the flow (or actually, the blockage) of Canadian wine within our own borders, and why our home-grown and locally-made wines face internal trade barriers within our federation. Why does it feel easier for Canadians to buy wine from almost anywhere else in the world other than from our own neighbouring provinces?

Mark Hicken returns to continue the discussion from Episode 4 (The Legacy of Prohibition - Where are We Now?). A leading liquor policy expert and former “wine lawyer”, Mark was appointed in 2017 as liquor policy advisor to the British Columbia Government and tasked with making recommendations to improve BC’s liquor policy and regulations. Mark has also testified in Canada’s House of Commons regarding aspects around federal wine trade regulations.

Tania and Mark discuss how (unlike in the United States, Australia and the European Union, for example) Canadians have to “import” wines across our own provincial borders, and how our regulatory and taxation payment framework could be adjusted to allow for more seamless wine trade transactions (especially given the rise of online “direct to consumer” platforms as powerful sales channels for business). Can the regulator in Alberta really prohibit British Columbia wine producers from shipping their wine directly to wine club members, or other consumers located in Alberta who just want to “click and buy” specialty wine products?

How can we operate as a unified country when we continue to face internal trade barriers? Will our regulators, leaders and other stakeholders modernize and step up to unfetter “Team Canada” so that we can support our own small businesses and artisanal products?

This episode is a return flight to the Okanagan Valley at a time when this largest wine-producing region of British Columbia faces acute challenges, and as wine producers there grapple with how best to weather the storm and move towards long-term business sustainability.

Tania’s guest is John Skinner, proprietor of Painted Rock Estate Winery. Since opening in 2009, Painted Rock has developed a strong following (domestically and internationally) for its red wines made from Bordeaux varieties. Mother Nature confers great beauty on Painted Rock’s iconic and spectacular site, but can also dish out high heat units in the summer and huge temperature swings in the winter.

Tania and John discuss severe crop damage resulting from the Okanagan Valley’s extremely cold temperatures in December 2022 and January 2024 and how this will affect production in the short and long term, including aspects around determining how and which crops should be re-planted. The conversation also touches on internal Canadian trade barriers arising from recent steps taken by the regulator in Alberta to stymie online “direct to consumer” sales channels between BC wine producers and Albertan residents.

Wine is farming, but it’s also business. This episode also considers how a brand needs to be earned (not assumed), reasons for getting product on the world stage, modifying your business plan to build a robust and supportive wine club, and powerfully continuing the customer journey both through winery visits and in the digital space.

Looking forward, what can (or should) the Okanagan Valley’s 2030 and 2040 plan look like?