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 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 6 Show Notes Beer of the Week Jan 11-17, 2012: Spinnaker’s ‘Lions Head’ Cascadia Dark Ale Close your eyes for a moment and put yourself in the following position. It’s 1888 and you have been stationed in Bombay (Mumbai) India for the last 6 months. It’s 40C with the humidity of about 96% so it really feels like 48C. You have been standing in the direct Indian sun for over 2 hours and you are in your regimental dress uniform. The sweat is trickling down the back of your neck and your only thought turns to that cold brew in the mess that has just arrived from Jolly Old England. Your mind quickly retreats to the last beer shipment and you cringe as it had gone foul. 4 hours later you are pleasantly surprised that the beer is cold, it is tasty and fresh but there is something different about it. There is a definite bitterness to it for some serious hopping. What is this? This is your first taste of a new brew called October Beer from the Bow Brewery. That beer is what we today call IPA or India Pale Ale. The brew of the week does not have nearly as dramatic a start, but it is a harbinger of what will surely be a new breed or category of brews. This weeks Brew of the Week is a Cascadia Dark Ale that has evolved from Northwest India Pale Ale. The catalyst for this style is the unique flavour that hops grown in the Pacific Northwest have and how well the citrus grapefruit tone pair with dark malts. The body is heavier than traditional IPA but lighter than Porters and Stouts. The second thing you will notice is the carbonation. Designed to be served colder, there is greater carbonation. This weeks Brew of the Week is the Spinnaker’s ‘Lions Head’ Cascadia Dark Ale which gets its name from a pub located in Robson BC which just so happens to be run by Spinnaker’s proprietor Paul Hadfield’s, daughter Carly. The brew is richly textured with bright citrus tones that float on a body of roasted, smokey, chocolately malt flavours. The finish is clean which makes this an easy brew to pair with a number of dishes... I like that. I’m really tired of brews or wines that are only good for sipping on their own... that is not my world...my world is about a quality of life that is always better when shared with others over a meal and great glass of beer or wine. This beer is only available in the 650ml bottle format, which you just looks better on the table vs a 6 pack of cans or bottles. PRICE $5.99 +deposit PAIR WITH big beef burgers, pork tenderloin with a cumin rub, meat lovers pizza, rich, strong cheeses. OCCASIONS this is a great brew for Pizza Night, Family Movie Night, Casual Get Togethers, Simple Dinner parties and evenings. AVAILABILITY Only available in the 650ml bottle in Private Liquor Stores  and by the pint at Spinnaker’s Gasto Pub in Vic West. TASTE this brew at all 5 Liquor Plus locations on Saturday Jan. 14, 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.