Live from the Victoria International Wine Festival

September 23, 2017Box Wine, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Chardonnay, Chile, Côtes du Rhône, France, Merlot, Misson Hill, Moldova, New Zealand, Okanagan, Sauvignon blanc, Victoria International Wine Festival, Zinfandeldorkuncorked

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Rod and Ryan explore the Victoria International Wine Festival at the Parkside Hotel. This event is in it’ 4th year and the organisers hope to return for a 5th year, so if it sounds like fun (and it was!) there will be another chance to attend.

This episode features tips on how to taste at a wine festival, reviews of a few of the wines Rod and Ryan sampled (we hardly made a dent in what was offered), and of course a “Pick of the Week.” Out of the wines Rod and Ryan tried, they unanimously picked The Seven Terraces Sauvignon Blanc from the Marlborough region of New Zealand. Fresh grapefruit, grassy aromas, bright and lively with tremendous balance. It sells for $17.49 OR buy it in a box! The price, matched with the taste experience, make it the pick of the week.

Peller buys three iconic B.C wineries, what will that mean? Plus, we examine 5 Vineyards

September 14, 2017Black Hills, Chardonnay, Côtes du Rhône, Five Vineyards, France, Grey Monk, Okanagan, Tinhorn CreekB.C., BC, bcpoli, British Columbia, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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One of the three biggest corporations involved in Canada’s wine industry, Andrew Peller Limited (which owns several brand names and labels, including Peller Estates) has purchased three iconic B.C. VQA wineries: Tinhorn Creek, Black Hills, and Grey Monk. The Dork, who is Uncorked, describes this as a seismic shift in the province’s wine industry. We talk about what it could mean.

Speaking of wineries owned by major corporations, we get into a “case” study on 5 Vineyards, an entry level label produced by the Okanagan’s Mission Hill Winery (itself owned by another of the major wine corporations, Mark Anthony Brands International). Specifically, we compare the 5 Vineyards Chardonnay to the Tinhorn Creek Chardonnay, Both from the Okanagan, both good, both offer examples of terroir differences, but one at a more accessible price point.

And the Pick of the Week is the Cotes du Rhone “Le Dome du Grand Bois” for about $20.

Live at the Great Canadian Beer Festival

September 8, 2017Beer, Great Canadian Beer FestivalB.C., BC, beer, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Great Canadian Beer Festival, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoriadorkuncorked

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Rod and Ryan wander the GCBF with a microphone. That’s about it.

Ryan and Rod at Great Canadian Beer Fest 2017

The problem with California Wines. Plus, Tempranillo and Blue Grouse

August 22, 201790 Points, Blue Grouse, Box Wine, California, Douro, Garnacha, La Mancha, Portugal, Rioja, Spain, Tempranillo, Vancouver IslandB.C., BC, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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0:00 – 24:50: This show’s mission is to find great wine for affordable prices, usually under $20. But the California section of the liquor store is proving to be a challenge for co-host Ryan. The under $20 range is filled with big brands from huge producers that — while safe and consistent — aren’t knocking our socks off. The Dork tries to help.

24:50 – 36:27: A listener question about the Radio Boca Garnacha in the 3-litre box (recommended in the wedding episode) gets us into the Radio Boca Tempranillo. And THAT gets us into the tempranillo varietal in general, and the Rioja and La Mancha wine regions of Spain. We specifically mention this Spanish blend from La Mancha, found at private stores: “Cal Y Canto” Tempranillo-Merlot-Syrah

36:27 – 40:33: The Dork is blown away by two white blends from Vancouver Island’s Blue Grouse winery in the Cowichan Valley. Under their “Quill” label, look for the “White” and “Off-Dry White” blends.

40:33 – 47:46: PICK OF THE WEEK! It’s the 90-point Porca de Murca red blend from the Douro region of Portugal. We found it for $13.99.

The Pilsner Episode with Sean Hoyne

August 7, 2017Beer, Hoyne, Pilsner, Special GuestB.C., BC, beer, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Hoyne, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, winedorkuncorked

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Sean Hoyne of Victoria’s Hoyne Brewing returns to Dork Uncorked for an episode all about Pilsner. It’s a beer often associated with the sometimes maligned American-style lagers, but it has a long history and a lot to offer.

The pick of the week is (surprise surprise) the Hoyne Pilsner. But we also talk about the “Four Winds Pilsner” from Delta, BC and the “Pilsner Urqell” from Plezen in the Czech Republic.

Wedding Episode. Plus, other stuff

July 27, 2017Box Wine, Chile, Cider, Cono Sur, Gin, Italy, Pinot Noir, Prosecco, Sheringham DistilleryB.C., BC, bcpoli, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, cider, gin, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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The Dork Uncorked, Rod Philips, gives tips form planning the drinks at a wedding, including what kinds of beer and wine to pick and how to handle the cocktails. And, since it fits into the wedding theme, we follow up with Ryan’s anniversary picnic and the wine that went with it.

Wine and drinks discussed:

•”Single Vineyard Viento Mar Block 21″ Pinot Noir from Cono Sur (as discussed last week).
•Sheringham Distillery Seaside gin

And two picks of the week:

•Pippins Apple Cider from Sea Cider Farm and Ciderhouse
•Villa Teresa Organic Prosecco

Gamay Noir Grapes, Cono Sur Brands, and… NAFTA?

July 20, 2017Chile, Cono Sur, Côtes du Rhône, France, Gamay Noir, Okanagan, Pinot Noir, RoséB.C., BC, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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0:00 – 15:31: Ryan drank the Louis Latour “Bourgogne Gamay” 2013 from France (about $23), which provided an excuse to explore this variety. For those who also want to explore Gamay, Rod recommends trying an Okanagan option from producers such as Beaumont Family Estate Winery or Volcanic Hills Winery, both in the Kelowna area. Both should be $20 or under.

15:31 – 31:58: Catching up on good wines Rod has tried. We start with the Family Perrin “Cote du Rhone” 2014 for $16. Then we get into Cono Sur from Chile and their “Viento Mar” Block No. 21 Single Vineyard Pinot Noir. Lot’s to get into here.

31:58 – 36:19: Booze in the news — how B.C. wine on grocery store shelves made national and international news… as a NAFTA trade irritant.

36:19 – 38:19: Speaking of Cono Sur from Chile, the pick of the week is their Pinot Noir Rose in a 1-litre bottle.

Meet Hoyne Brewing’s Sean Hoyne. Plus, a Great Canadian Beer Festival follow-up

July 14, 2017Beer, Great Canadian Beer Festival, Hoyne, Special GuestB.C., BC, bcpoli, beer, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Great Canadian Beer Festival, Hoyne, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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It’s the return of special guest Gerry Hieter from the Greater Canadian Beer Festival, who also brought along Sean Hoyne – the man behind one of Victoria’s successful craft breweries and a long time player on the local beer scene. It’s a conversation that veers into beer.

Victoria restaurant history with Cafe Brio’s Greg Hayes

July 1, 2017Italy, Pinot Bianco, Special GuestB.C., BC, bcpoli, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, winedorkuncorked

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Interview show: Greg Hayes is the man behind Cafe Brio. Before that he helped shape the local restaurant scene with the Herald St. Cafe. He also has a lot of stories that you’ve gotta hear!

The pick of the week comes from our special guest. The winery is “Nals Margreid” in Italy. The wine is their “Sirmian Pinot Bianco.” You might find it at government liquor stores in the mid $20 price range.

Vancouver Island Sparkling Wine. Plus, why is everything so expensive?

June 22, 201790 Points, Averill Creek, Beer, France, Garnacha, Languedoc, Rosé, Spain, Sparking Wine, Spinnakers, Vancouver IslandB.C., BC, beer, British Columbia, CFAX, CFAX 1070, Rod Phillips, Ryan Price, Vancouver Island, Victoria, VQA, winedorkuncorked

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0:00 – 14:13: A trip to the baseball game at Royal Athletic Park leads to a quick review of Spinnakers’ “Original Pale Ale,” which in turns leads to a good old fashion bitch session about why alcohol costs so much at restaurants and… well… ball parks. Resident cork dork Rod Philips gives us answers.

14:13 – 23:40: Wine gifting etiquette. When giving, or receiving, a wine at a dinner party of other function, is it expected that the wine be used as part of the night? Don’t do what Ryan did and horde the good stuff when he gets a wine gift, like he did with a bottle of 90-point “Monasterio de Las Vinas” Garnacha-Tempranillo from Spain (which we review, since it came up).

23:40 – 38:26: We feature Vancouver Island sparking wine. Apparently, the region’s climate is perfect for this style and some wine makers are trying to capitalize on that with under the name “Charm de L’ile.” We try the Averill Creek “Charm de L’ile” from Duncan. Thumbs up! And, hot tip, buy it as a farmer’s market for $18.

38:26 – 44:25: Pick of the Week! It’s the Cote Mas Rosé from France’s Languedoc region. $13.99 for 1-litre at BC Government Liquor Stores.