The Tasting Room seemed to me to be a no brainer. 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. The Tasting Room is the radio version of an audio blend, a Meritage for the soul.

I am talking about the art of wine and food and how almost all of us, whether we know it or not, are connected to their creation. I know a little bit about wine and food, but like to think I know a lot about people and my own art - conversation. So, if you want to join in, listen and demystify the world of wine along with me as I learn, you can learn too.

The Tasting Room is produced in association with…

www.barkleyhaven.com

www.deepfreezepro.com

WEST JET AND THE TASTING ROOM ARE PRESENTING ANOTHER CONTEST EXCLUSIVELY FOR LISTENERS TO THE SHOW.

THE OKANAGAN SUMMER WINE FESTIVAL TAKES PLACE AUGUST 7-8 AT SILVER STAR RESORT OUTSIDE OF VERNON..

THE WINNER AND A GUEST WILL FLY INTO KELOWNA ON WEST JET AUGUST 7TH AND DEPART AUGUST 9TH. YOUR JOB WILL BE TO DISCOVER GREAT NEW WINES AND BLISSFUL FOOD.

YOU ALSO BECOME A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE WEST JET PROGRESSIVE WINE TASTING ON SATURDAY NIGHT.

YOU’LL BE STAYING AT THE SILVER STAR RESORT AND YES ITS AS SPECIAL AS YOU’VE HEARD.YOU CAN BRING YOUR HIKING BOOTS, TRAIL BIKE, DIGITAL CAMERA OR YOUR SWIM SUIT..IT’S YOUR TRIP AFTER ALL..

SO..HERE’S THE SENTENCE WE’D LIKE YOU TO FINISH.

I NEED A SUMMER BREAK COURTESY OF WEST JET AND TASTING ROOM RADIO BECAUSE………(50 WORDS OR LESS)

PLEASE GO TO THE TASTING ROOM RADIO WEBSITE – www.tastingroomradio.com AND SEND US YOUR ANSWER BY EMAIL.

CONTEST DETAILS ARE ON THE WEBSITE.

WE’LL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER ON THE JULY 25TH TASTING ROOM.

* Prizes for air travel are offered subject to availability and promotional space at the time you call to make the booking. This prize is not valid for redemption on WestJet Vacations’ packages.

Peak dates such as statutory holidays (long weekends) and airline blackout periods (such as Christmas, Easter and Spring break etc.) are not available for this prize.

All prizes must be taken as offered. Changes and extensions to the expiry date are not permitted. Winner is responsible for paying taxes and airport fees on this prize.

A special show for a special week.

Canada’s birthday on the 1st. America’s on the 4th. That calls for a special show. Hour two is all American wine makers. Hour One a bunch of Canadians. Throw in Kate Mulligans wedding and my birthday…you can see it’s been a heck of a week. PLUS we have another contest from West Jet. One of you is going to the Okanagan Wine Festival at Silver Star.

The Show

Because I was obsessing over our daughters July 4th wedding….what to pour etc the Wine Diva suggested wedding wines. Thus, Daenna gets to headline this weeks show. All the wines and her website can be found through www.tastingroomradio.com.

Hour Two

Gurvinder Bhatia from VinoMania Wines in Edmonton was waiting in line at Go Fish, the popular seafood shack next to the fishing boats at Granville Island.

I had him right where I wanted..he had already ordered..so I knew he wasn’t going anywhere, he was not busy and he was on his honeymoon. Perfect. I grabbed the microphone and pummeled him with questions..including how the wedding went in Verona and what they poured. www.vinomaniawines.com

While my recording device was out at the fishing docks in Vancouver, I heard the air horn on Steve Johansen’s fishing boat Organic Ocean #1 go off as he rounded the corner..or whatever they call a corner on water. Steve was bringing in the latest catch of Spot Prawns, fresh from the waters. At the sound of the horn, a line-up formed and those smart people bought all the prawns they had for sale. The rest went to a growing list of restaurants who support what Steve is doing. A quick conversation with Steve Johansen of Organic Ocean. There’s a reason why they were named Producer/Supplier of the Year by the Chefs Table Society. www.organicocean.com

What is a food stylist and how does one become one?..Murray Bancroft is a chef, consultant and food stylist with a roster of international culinary clients. Whole Foods, Kellogg’s, Garden Protein International, McDonalds Europe, Cactus Club Cafes, Uva wine bar and Cibo Trattoria just to name a few.

Murray apprenticed at Vancouver’s renowned classical French restaurant, Le Crocodile, and with the late Jean-Claude Ramond.
I happened to find him on his family vacation in Naramata..and the local coffee bar..he was trapped and he knew it..

Find out trade secrets on how to make food look extra yummy..for book covers and photo shoots, restaurant concepts, recipe development etc but also his favourite Vancouver eateries and wines. www.murraybancroft.com

My thanks to his family for letting Murray out of the house.

And then a quick interview with Burton Cummings about..oh..music and tours and rock and roll stories. We will talk food and wine..mostly food ..specifically road food..which is what musicians can talk about Road food helps get you from one gig to another.

HOUR TWO CONT…

In honour of the July 4th weekend and our American friends birthday..we present an hour of talk about American wines.
We start with a visit to the town of Napa and the great wine store, restaurant and meeting place know as Bounty Hunter..

It’s a concept created by Mark Pope, who is the Bounty Hunter. He and his wine scouts track down the best of the best..tasting barrels before bottles..walking the fields with the growers.

Mark sees the whole picture, usually 6 months before everyone else.
Plus, he’s a story teller..which is why he gets two segments..
Check out his website..Mark Pope is someone you want to know about. www.bountryhunterwine.com

And the last two segments are a visit to this year’s California Canadian Wine Fair in Vancouver. In two segments we work the room..talking to Rick Slomka, the Canadian Director of the California wine Institute who gives us the buzz of the room.

Then comes

David Tate (Barnett)

Lisa Heisinger (DeLoach)

Ray Signorello (Signorello)

Russ Weis ( Silverado/Miner)

Josh Metz (Magnanimus)

Donald Patz (Patz and Hall)

Darioush www.darioush.com

DeLoach www.deloachvineyards.com

Barnett www.barnettvineyards.com

Patz and Hall www.patzhall.com

Silverado Miner www.minerwines.com

Signorello www.signorello.com

Magnanimous www.magnanimuswines.com

HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY..WITH FRIENDS AND GREAT WINE!!