TT Wine Explorer Podcast

This episode is about the trending NOLO space - the world of “non-alc” and “low- alc” drinks.

Returning guest Graham MacLennan (creator and producer of the Cheftimony Podcast) joins Tania to discuss their respective explorations in the NOLO world, and to share their observations about what’s working (and not working) in the non-alc and low-alc landscape.

What’s driving the expansion of the “no” and “low” markets? How do we look at pricing and value in the context of a non-alc or low-alc drink (as compared to a libation containing alcohol)? How does this all work in the art of pairing food and wine, if you’re looking to swap out the wine part?

And importantly, what’s the future of wine’s place in the context of an exploding non-alcoholic product market? Tania discusses some of the “existential angst” being felt in parts of the alcohol beverage sector arising from very strong Neo-Prohibitionist currents seeking to push wine off our tables.

Ultimately, it’s all about balance, choice and human connectivity. Graham and Tania discuss how all three of these elements may be achieved, no matter what we choose to pour into our glass, through continuing to embrace our stories and rituals.

In this episode, we return to Tania’s native British Columbia to discuss how, in the wake of significant crop losses due to extreme winter freeze in January 2024, many “land based” wineries here are importing grapes or juice from Washington State, Oregon, California or Ontario to produce wine this year.

Wine is about farming, viticulture, Mother Nature, art and science - but it’s also about business and your consumers. It’s about finding your best way forward when you don’t have all the “inputs” you need to make your product, and when you want to keep going, to keep creating. It’s about how wine, and the passion to make and taste it, transcends borders.

Tania’s guest is Alison Moyes, Winemaker and General Manager of Solvero Wines, a small family-owned boutique winery located in British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley. A lover of Pinot Noir, Alison has worked her craft with premium BC wineries which grow that grape, such as Liquidity Wines. (Long time listeners will recall Tania’s discussion with Ian Macdonald, founder of Liquidity Wines in Episode 7 - “Building a Brand”).

A relative newcomer to the local scene, Solvero sees an exciting future for the “heartbreak” grape in their little pocket of Garnet Valley wine country.

But this episode is about the immediate,“real time” story of importing grapes (or juice) to keep the business going this year, and while vines of Solvero and other local growers recover from the devastating 2024 growing season. Alison discusses how Solvero has imported juice from select vineyards and AVAs in Oregon, what Solvero will be making with that juice, and a few examples of the many practicalities around this process (such as transporting the precious cargo from Oregon up to their winery, and the voluminous “red tape” which small BC winery businesses have had to navigate to try to make this all work for them).

And then there’s the taster’s side of things. What does this all mean for the consumer? How will these wines made in British Columbia (by a local business and a local winemaker using imported inputs) be labelled and marketed? How will this story be told?

Tania and Alison discuss how this is an opportunity, for both winemakers and consumers, to continue to embrace the passion and curiosity for exploring wine, and the connection we feel through a shared story of wine adventure and the clinking of glasses.

It’s this universal power of wine and passion which continues to drive the wine industry globally, and can help support our small businesses to keep going when times are tough.

This episode is a flight to Napa Valley. It’s about bucking the status quo, and how the past can help move us forward.

Tania’s guest is Billy Davies, a California wine industry “lifer” who grew up at renowned American sparkling wine house Schramsberg Vineyards (which Billy’s parents took over in 1965). Billy has been part of that historic place from the ground up - from getting his hands dirty picking grapes, digging their storied wine caves, directing sales and marketing, to being on the Schramsberg Board (where he sits today). Billy has also worked with other premium California brands, taught wine business at the university level and, in 2020, launched his own Billy D. Wines and Ramble wines.

This episode is about “Old School New”. Billy discusses how he brings his memories and experience from growing up in 1960s and 70s Napa to his new wine project. It’s about taking a ramble in time through old vines (going as far back as 1911) and rediscovering legendary grapes such as Chenin Blanc (from 80+ years vines), French Colombard and Charbono to make “wine for all”.

How do we keep wine on the table? How do we keep wine fresh and energetic, and appeal to a new generation of consumers - especially at the crossroads at which we find ourselves today?

Using grapes from Mendocino, Russian River and other Napa neighbours, Billy produces low alcohol, natural wines poured into clear, light-weight glass bottles in maverick sizes of 500ml, 750ml or 1 litre (closed with caps or sugar-cane corks) and priced under $40USD.

In light of increased drought and shifting consumer desires, Tania and Billy also discuss the future of Napa Valley - where Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, heavy glass bottles and ultra-luxe offerings have ruled since the 1980s. Maybe there will be more Carignan? Perhaps more expansion into Mendocino, Sierra Madres or the Delta? Sustainability measures will need to move to the forefront, as will a diversity of consumer experiences to help expand the table.

Wine matters. And so does the place from which it comes. It’s for living now.

In this episode of the TT Wine Explorer Podcast, we delve into the world where art meets wine.

Tania chats with Lara Tomaszewska, an expert fine art consultant, appraiser and founder of ArtRow (an online digital art marketplace).

Together, Tania and Lara explore how art and wine can serve as powerful vehicles to the world of the senses, transporting us to different places and moments - and how this can occur in the hands (and palates) of us everyday people, and outside of the framework of hierarchical connoisseurship.

Lara shares her journey into the art world, discusses her methodology of art appraisal and valuation, and offers insights into the integration of art in wineries, with a special focus on Phantom Creek Estates in British Columbia’s spectacular Southern Okanagan Valley as a specific case study.

The conversation also touches on the democratization of the art market through vehicles such as ArtRow, and how technology like blockchain and AI can bring potential new avenues for transparency, trust and consumer involvement in both the art market and wine industry.

This episode is about how we as everyday consumers, artists, wine producers and business owners can be part of both “place-making” and our own “practice” of experiencing expressions of art and wine.

This episode is a case study of how the owners of a very small winery (in a very small wine region) are blending their large multi-national corporate expertise with a winemaking hobby “run amok” to produce small lot, artisanal wines which reflect unique terroir of British Columbia’s spectacular Pacific West Coast.

Tania’s guest, Julie Powell, is co-owner of Alderlea Vineyards, located in Vancouver Island’s Cowichan Valley wine region.

Julie discusses how she and husband Zachary Brown first launched into the wine industry (in their garage), what they grow, how they grow it, and how Alderlea Vineyards sets business objectives and production levels to meet demand, stay manageably small (and sleep at night). Julie, Zac and vineyard dog Vino run the show and are the ones who’ll greet you at the gate when you visit Alderlea.

This episode is also about the potential future of BC ‘s “Wine Islands” and the appeal and strength of “cohesive diversity” - a paradigm in which a wide spectrum of winery business sizes and styles operating in one region can successfully co-exist and lift their collective game.

Through intentionality, a clear strategy focused on the “critical few” and sticking to your core values, a small business (no matter what the industry) can be nimble and adapt to change - all vital in our world of increased costs, shrinking profit margins, regulatory barriers, labour shortages, shifting consumer demands, and wild swings in our weather and climate landscape.

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?