Liquor Plus Radio Rod Phillips

Liquor Plus Radio 10: Tasting Notes Mainetes 2006 Seleccion
Two things of note about this wine… where it’s from and the fact that is a blend.
Jumilla is an often overshadowed region of Spain, at least in our market. Jumilla is just south of La Mancha and is relatively non-desript. For years it produced wines for blending when other regions had short falls, but now with some serious care and attention the terroir is finding its stride.
The climate can be very dry and warm and the soils pretty austere and this means that there is not much in the way of green dropping of shortcropping- the climate does it for you. The climate seems to concentrate the colour, aromas and flavours of the grapes… once they have had a chance to develop early in the season. The risk in the area is that it is too dry at the beginning of the season and the viticulturalists are playing catch up all season. The good news is that this is not the case in 2006.
Secondlty this is a blend… I love blends, some of my fav all time wines are blends so…
Blends are the bomb… when they are crafted well. Take for instance the Cal Y Canto red blend. Greater than the sum of its parts for sure. This wine is no different, in fact it really strikes me that this is a dialed up version of Cal Y Canto, afterall it is a blend of Merlot, Monastrell (Mouvedre) and Syrah.
Punchy aromas of herbal, minty blackberry with a full bodied palate that offers some nice sweet tannins and a long juicy finish. Definitely let this wine breathe for 45minutes; I left if open for a day and it was even juicier and expressed more flavour after 24 hours open.
Almost black in the glass this wine serves up power and robust flavours. The vintage says 2006 and I would say that not only is this wine enjoyable now, but will be even silkier in 6 years time.
PRICE: $16.99
PAIR WITH Steak, Prime Rib, Lamb, Pork Tenderloin, BBQ, Pulled Pork, Beef Brisket, Beemster Cheese, Pasta with meat sauce and Chocolate shavings.
Availability: This is a one time buy
SCORE 8.6/$1
Liquor Plus Radio is hosted and Produced by Rod Phillips with technical assistance from Steve Jobs (RIP) via GarageBand, Mike & Cheryl DeWolfe and Mike Vardy.
You can subscribe to Liquor Plus Radio by either going to our website www.liquorplus.ca (http://www.liquorplus.ca/) clicking on View Community, then the LP Blog, and subscribing by RSS, Or you can subscribe through iTunes or at www.BluBrry .com.
Liquor Plus Radio is sponsored by Liquor Plus. Liquor Plus has 5 Island Owned and Island Operated full service locations to serve you better. Liquor Plus Discover the Plus
As always please let us know what you think as we know we can improve but need feedback to do that right.
That’s all for now so take it easy and drink responsibly so we can all improve our quality of life… one sip at a time. Cheers

Show Notes Episode 10 Liquor Plus Radio Wine Talk Week 6/52 2012
It has been a few weeks since my last post. I think my body and brain just told me to relax a bit; dial it back as the creative juices had run dry. I’m not saying they are back but the caffeine cursing through my veins right now has got my fingers tapping keys.
Last week I was confirmed as a Speaker at both EatDrinkTweet in Penticton (Feb. 17-19, 2012 http://allshewrote.ca/eatdrinktweet/ (http://allshewrote.ca/eatdrinktweet/)) and then the following week on a retail panel at Vancouver International Playhouse Wine Festival (Feb. 27-March 4 http://playhousewinefest.com/ (http://playhousewinefest.com/)). The central theme about each of my speeches will be how social media has changed the way we do business.
For years so much of what we do in retail was invisible, the effect of which was that it was easy to focus solely on the measurable of sales, average ring, demographics, and a few other non-feeling results of the retail function. The expectation was that as long as the quality of the product met the quality of its production cycle, buyers and consumers would buy it. Things that were not measured were the human elements all the way from where the products were produced to who rang it through at the till. Those human elements are the conversations and relationships made and re-enforced; these are the things that get a product to market.
It is easy to talk about the grape, the region, the soil, the malts, the hops, the yeast strain and the water. It is even easier to talk about where the wine maker, brew master, master blender go their training or the barrels that their products were aged in. It is much harder to speak of the catalytic moment where the product gained life and how that moment was captured and spread throughout the supply chain one relationship at a time, right through to the customer, or better yet, guest. That is the domain that Social Media has uncovered or shone the light on.
Social Media has given everyone from farmer to retailer or restaurateur, to customer the ability to speak to one another. It allows for creativity to exist and come alive where it was previously squelched.
I measure the richness of the conversation by the feeling I get when someone tells me that they loved a recommendation, or when I can grasp and share the vision of the ‘artisan’ who made the product. I don’t walk away from the engagement counting bottles sold or bought. I walk away feeling enriched by the conversation. I’m reminded of the line Anna Farmery uses to sign off her podcast “People won’t necessarily remember the things you say, or the things you do, they will remember how you made them feel”.
I don’t want to leave you with the impression that Social Media is a magic pill for every company. The fact is that is you don’t want to actively and authentically engage with your customers and suppliers you won’t realize the benefits or richness that Social Media offers and it will work against you instead of for you.
I firmly believe that if it were not for the lively interactions that we have with our customers, suppliers and colleagues, that our company, selection and proposition to the market would be lacking real soul.
Liquor Plus Radio is hosted and Produced by Rod Phillips with technical assistance from Steve Jobs (RIP) via GarageBand, Mike & Cheryl DeWolfe and Mike Vardy.
You can subscribe to Liquor Plus Radio by either going to our website www.liquorplus.ca (http://www.liquorplus.ca/) clicking on View Community, then the LP Blog, and subscribing by RSS, Or you can subscribe through iTunes or at www.BluBrry .com.
Liquor Plus Radio is sponsored by Liquor Plus. Liquor Plus has 5 Island Owned and Island Operated full service locations to serve you better. Liquor Plus Discover the Plus
As always please let us know what you think as we know we can improve but need feedback to do that right.

 
Show Notes Wine Talk Jan 16 – Ghosts of Cultures Past
There is lots of talk about the wine culture in Victoria, Duncan and in BC in general. There is also a lot of talk about the brewing culture that is rapidly developing here. Unfortunately that talk is either focussed or heavily laced with criticisms of government and its representatives in regulation and enforcement. I say unfortunately because the laws, rules and policies that are currently in place are not the current or previous governments making. They are in fact the offspring of the provincial and federal governments in the 1920’s. A time when 98% of all consumption was of beer and spirits. A time when bars and saloons could stay open 24/7 if they wanted to. A time when any Tom, Dick or Harry could make a batch of beer or whisky in their backyard.
Consider for a moment that you are the premier and you one of the most significant problems you have is absenteeism, family abandonment, brawling in the streets that results in families being left without an income or any security. I think if I was faced with those appalling images that my response would be to severely curtail, even banish, all the images and opportunities that gave rise to these problems. It would be very easy to make the assumption that people drink to get drunk, drunk people cause problems, ergo solve the problem by either making it illegal for people to get drunk. If the people can’t control themselves then the government has a duty to. It would be so easy when faced with the pressures of those days to make the same judgment.
Fast forward 90 years and the rules and regulations still reflect this assumption however societies approach to wine, beer and cocktails have significantly changed. I’m not saying that there is not a portion of society that struggles with the responsible consumption of alcohol, but I am saying that the overwhelming majority can and does drink responsibly and is asking for the wine, beer and cocktailing cultures to have a chance to blossom.
Here is what I see, those that are currently apart of any of these cultures share a passion for the flavour, the lifestyle, the people and creativity inherent in them. These are not the people that are tagged in a drunken Facebook photo, or are bragging about how wasted they got over the weekend. Rather they are at the winemakers/brewers dinners, buying premium product, visiting the wineries and breweries, reading the blogs, engaging in the many online communities and planning a safe ride home. They are about the flavour, the passion in the people who make the product and the products themselves.
I personally would love to be able to share a glass of fine rose at sunset on the beach with my wife, or perhaps take that special bottle of wine that I have been saving for a very special occasion to one of the many top quality restaurants. I would love to be at a Farmer’s Market of local vegetables, breads, cheese, meats and be able to taste a local wine to pair with my meal tonight. Sound good?
Here is crux. Government officials, LDB administrators, LCLB inspectors are not evil they are just enforcing or abiding by the rules and policies set down for them generations ago. I think what is needed it the opportunity to start a dialogue. A better understanding as to where we are, where we want to go and how to craft an industry that is both vibrant and responsible; both exportable and responsive.
Constructive and diligent dialogue must be started and the sooner the better.
Liquor Plus Radio is hosted and Produced by Rod Phillips with technical assistance from Steve Jobs (RIP) via GarageBand, Mike & Cheryl DeWolfe and Mike Vardy.
You can subscribe to Liquor Plus Radio by either going to our website www.liquorplus.ca (http://www.liquorplus.ca/) clicking on View Community, then the LP Blog, and subscribing by RSS, Or you can subscribe through iTunes or at www.BluBrry .com.
Liquor Plus Radio is sponsored by Liquor Plus.

 
Episode 8 Show Notes Wine of the Week Jan 17-23, 2012: Pentage 2006 Barrel Femented Chardonnay
This wine exhibits both the beauty and ugly side of the BC wine industry. The fact is that our local home grown industry is tiny in relation to California, South America or Europe. In fact I believe that the annual production in the tiny Italian region of Umbria more than doubles that of BC. So when there is a great vintage and a particular stellar wine from that vintage, demand is not restricted to our borders.
The 2006 was by all accounts a great vintage for BC. You could go up and down the entire valley and find mind blowing wines. One in particular was found in the small winery on the Skaha Bench located just south of Penticton by the name of Pentage. The Pentage 2006 Barrell Fermented Chardonnay had gained some serious fans in Ontario and Quebec so much so that a request to ship to Quebec was made.
You know the old saying as one door closes another opens, that is a perfect saying for this wine. For whatever reason this wine found its way back to BC and the Pentage winery. There isn’t a lot of space at the winery so the winery called a few partners and offered a great price to move the wine out of their warehouse to make room for this years wines. Fortunately we were lucky enough to jump on board and get 20 or so cases.
The nose is rich and alluring with the aromas of baked apple, nutmeg and vanilla, while the palate bursts with fresh delicious apples, Bartlett pears and honeydew melons. This may all sound divine but the real magic, and why this wine could be fairly priced at $20 or higher, is the texture. This wine has not lost a beat. It is at once fresh with acidity but there are no harsh edges and a slight creamy-ness that is truly delightful.
Get it while you can as this is a one time buy meaning that once it is gone there will be no more available to the market.
BANG FOR THE BUCK SCORE: 8.15/$1
PRICE $14.99 +deposit
PAIR WITH prawns and local crab, grilled chicken or roasted pork tenderloin with citrus salsa, fresh veggies and goat cheese.
OCCASIONS Pot Lucks, Comfort food dinners, Casual get togethers .
AVAILABILITY Only available in Private Liquor Stores  on in very small quantities
TASTE this wine at all 5 Liquor Plus locations on Saturday Jan. 21, 2012 from 3-5pm
Liquor Plus Radio is hosted and Produced by Rod Phillips with technical assistance from Steve Jobs (RIP) via GarageBand, Mike & Cheryl DeWolfe and Mike Vardy.
You can subscribe to Liquor Plus Radio by either going to our website www.liquorplus.ca (http://www.liquorplus.ca/) clicking on View Community, then the LP Blog, and subscribing by RSS, Or you can subscribe through iTunes or at www.BluBrry .com.
Liquor Plus Radio is sponsored by Liquor Plus. Liquor Plus has 5 Island Owned and Island Operated full service locations to serve you better. Liquor Plus Discover the Plus
As always please let us know what you think as we know we can improve but need feedback to do that right.
That’s all for now so take it easy and drink responsibly so we can all improve our quality of life… one sip at a time.