Uncork the Sun, with the Vinstitute Wine School: Recent Episodes
Uncork the Sun Podcast
From the towns of Oliver and Osoyoos, British Columbia wine country, a podcast about understanding winemaking, grape growing, and wine itself.
In the final episode of Season 2, Moss "clears the air" (hah) regarding the very current and relevant topic of smoke taint. We discuss what smoke taint is, how it can affect grapes and wines, and what winemakers can do about it.
Today Moss dives into Syrah and Syrah alone, looking into the grape's unique personality, history, and role within British Columbia. Also featured are spotlights on two exemplary BC Syrah wines from local Oliver/Osoyoos wineries.
Highlights of this episode include Moss repeatedly interrupting himself and becoming disgusted with the word 'typicity.' Gross.
This week, Moss speaks with Sheila Whittaker, the manager of the newly rebranded Nostalgia Wines Inc (formerly known as Oliver Twist). Sheila talks about her work at the winery, how to rebrand an established operation, and the lengths she took to further her own wine education.
For his part, Moss interrupts his own question 45 seconds into the interview and takes 11 minutes to return to it.
BONUS FEATURE: Moss and Sheila play a game where they try to name a grape variety for each letter of the alphabet. The results are contentious.
Nostalgia Wines Inc.
398 Lupine Ln, Oliver, BC V0H 1T1
https://nostalgiawines.ca/
Wine educator Moss Scheurkogel delves into the wine categorization systems of Appellations and Geographical Indications, both globally and locally in British Columbia. Sound effects are employed.
Moss chats with Gene Covert, the owner/operator/winemaker/vineyard manager/animal handler/butcher/handyman/organ donor/stenographer of Covert Farms Family Estate, a business with as much diversity as its owner. The conversation ranges in topics from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the winery tasting room to the process of certifying Organic, but primarily focuses on the merits of regenerative farming and what that means for the vineyard.
Covert Farms Family Estate
https://www.covertfarms.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/covertfarmsorganics
300 Covert Place
Oliver, BC V0H 1T5
(250) 498-9463
wine@covertfarms.ca
Back for Season Two after taking the winter off, wine educator Moss Scheurkogel talks about the wineries, people, and geographic conditions that led to the formation of the modern British Columbia wine industry.
Moss concludes the first season of Uncork the Sun by interviewing River Stone Estate Winery's owner, Ted Kane, about the 2020 harvest, the term 'meritage,' some favourite grapes and some more difficult to control, and more. Thanks to all our listeners, and if you're looking forward to another season of UTS, let Moss know at moss@vinstitute.ca
RIVER STONE ESTATE WINERY
143 Buchanan Dr, Oliver, BC V0H 1T2
www.riverstoneestatewinery.ca
www.facebook.com/RiverStoneEstateWinery
Wine educator Moss Scheurkogel recaps the recent Half-Corked Marathon roadshow and uses the opportunity to discuss the basics of food and wine pairing: what to do, and what to avoid. Also featured: probably too much talk about picking berries in the woods, and some definitely-non-copyright-infringing Disney music.
Moss interviews Justin Hall (who may or may not be North America's first Aboriginal winemaker) and discusses the way in which being a winemaker has impacted and changed his life. Then they goof off a bit.
Nk'Mip Cellars
1400 Rancher Creek Rd, Osoyoos BC
www.nkmipcellars.com
www.facebook.com/NkMipCellarsWinery
Moss chats with Andrew Windsor, the former winemaker of Tinhorn Creek Vineyards and new co-owner/winemaker of Maverick Estate Winery, about the changes in moving between large- and small-scale vineyards.
Maverick Estate Winery
3974 BC-97, Oliver, BC V0H 1T1
www.maverickwine.ca
www.facebook.com/MaverickEstateWinery
In an interview with Executive Director of the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association Jennifer Busmann, host Moss Scheurkogel learns some of the challenges that face event-based organizations in 2020, and discusses the evolution of the acclaimed Half-Corked Marathon (2017 Canadian Event of the Year)
Wrapping up the three-episode miniseries started in Episodes 4 and 5, wine educator Moss Scheurkogel talks about the art of harvesting grapes, the preparation and production needed from the vineyard operators, and also about the (often) young fruit pickers from across Canada who come to harvest BC's fruit every year.
Moss Scheurkogel interviews the owner of Second Chapter Wine Co and discusses the joys and freedoms of operating a small-lot winery. Highway 17 from Victoria to Sidney also features prominently.
Second Chapter Wine Co
510 Tinhorn Creek Rd, Oliver, BC
www.scwines.ca
www.facebook.com/scwines
Moss explains how grapevines are propagated and planted, and addresses the most universal and devastating threat to viticulture in the history of winemaking. Things get REAL dramatic.Audio in this Episode:Unseen Horrors and Breaktime by Kevin MacLeodhttps://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4569-unseen-horrorshttps://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3457-breaktimeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Wine educator Moss Scheurkogel discusses the annual life cycle of a South Okanagan vineyard, breaking down the tasks, challenges, and goals of a vineyard operator.
From the heart of British Columbia wine country, wine educator Moss Scheurkogel talks about why vintners use oak barrels, explains how a consumer can identify the impact of oak in a wine, and misspells the word "veblen." It's a good time.
Wine educator Moss Scheurkogel examines some of the specifics behind the concept of "terroir," a French term referring to the environment that wine grapes are grown in. A terroir map of Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country can be found here.
In the first episode of Uncork the Sun, wine educator Moss Scheurkogel discusses how to create and maintain your own personal wine cellar in the comfort of your home, how to select which wines have the best aging potential, and how to know which wines from your collection that you should drink now.