The VQEh Podcast: Recent Episodes
Tash & Manny
A casual conversation between two friends. From Hamilton to Toronto to NOTL, we've been somming our way through Ontario and we're here to spread our love of Canadian wine. Whether you're a certified wine geek or a wine-loving novice, this podcast is for you.
Episode 40! Can you believe it? Manny and I sat down and discussed Niagara wines versus the rest of the world - how they're different, why they're different, comparable wines etc. We also try to trick each other with blind wines and end up choosing wines from the same regions... again! Great minds, right? We hope you enjoy! Cheers.
Featured WinesBig Head Chenin Blanc 2021
https://bigheadwines.ca/#home
Famille Bougrier "Classique" Vouvray 2022
Tawse "Growers Blend" Cabernet Franc 2020
https://www.tawsewinery.ca/
Raffault "Les Picasses" Chinon 2018
Welcome back! On this episode, Manny and Tash discuss fortified wine. Fortified wine has a rich history and is often underrated. These wines include those like Port, Madeira, and Sherry. We talk about the different styles and taste one from Niagara. Enjoy!
Featured Wine
Southbrook "The Anniversary"
https://www.southbrook.com/
Join Manny and Tash this week as they break down what exactly a vessel is. How does it affect fermentation? How does it affect ageing? Does oak really make a difference? What is amphora? Dive deep in this episode and listen in as your hosts taste two wines made in totally different ways. Cheers!
Featured WinesStrewn "Barrel Aged" Chardonnay 2015
https://www.strewnwinery.com/
Big Head "Raw" Petit Verdot 2017
https://bigheadwines.ca/
Happy 2024 everyone! We are starting the year off with an episode on virtual wineries. These are wineries that do not have a physical location but still make amazing wine! There are many Canadian virtual wineries and especially in Niagara. Join Manny and Tash as they talk more about local virtual wineries and taste some wine.
Featured WinesMaenad Wine Co. Piquette 2021
https://www.maenadwines.com/
2027 Cellars "Falls Vineyard" Cabernet Franc 2019
https://www.2027cellars.ca/
Tash and Manny are back after a brief break (life gets busy!). In this episode your hosts discuss the wine trends of the season and what to buy for holiday gifts and hosting. They also do a blind tasting of two wines and both get them wrong - but it was fun! Be sure to tag us on Instagram this holiday season and let us know what Canadian wines you're drinking. Happy listening! Cheers.
Featured WinesCreekside "50% Shiraz, 46% Merlot, 4% Viognier" 2010
https://www.creeksidewine.com/
Two Sisters Merlot 2018
https://www.twosistersvineyards.com/
We've all seen it before: 91 points! 4 stars! Gold medal! on bottles of wine, but what does it really mean? Who awards these accolades? Is the wine really that good? Your hosts Tash and Manny sit down and dissect what wine scoring is all about and what it means for you as a consumer. Also, they blind each other on high-scoring Niagara wines, which hilariously are from the same producer. Enjoy!
Featured Wines:Domaine Queylus "Tradition" Chardonnay 2019
Domaine Queylus "Reserve du Domaine" Cabernet Franc 2019
https://queylus.com/
Tash and Manny are back talking about Chardonnay... again! This time, your hosts focus on i4C and cool climate Chardonnay. Tune in to learn more about Chardonnay and its different expressions.
Featured Wines13th Street Winery Blanc de Blanc NV
https://13thstreetwinery.com/
16 Mile Cellar "Civility" Chardonnay 2020
https://16milecellar.com/
What is a vintage? Why does it matter? Do I need to pay attention to vintages on a wine list? How does it affect the wine? Get answers to all these questions and more in this episode. Manny and Tash discuss all things vintage and vintage variation while tasting a vertical of Niagara Riesling. Listen now!
Featured WinesFlat Rock Cellars Riesling 2010
Flat Rock Cellars Riesling 2013
Flat Rock Cellars
Can you believe The VQEh Podcast has never done an episode on Cab Franc?! It's about time. This episode focuses on the Cabernet Franc grape that Canada, especially Niagara, does so well. Your hosts cover the history of the grape, its classic regions, tasting profile, and the great Canadian producers. Cheers!
Featured Wines2027 Cellars "King Street Vineyard" Cabernet Franc 2020
https://www.2027cellars.ca/
Honsberger Estate Winery Cabernet France 2020
https://www.honsbergerestate.com/
Greetings! We are back with episode 31. This time Manny and Tash discuss the life of a sommelier, the wine industry, wine education, jobs, etc. They discuss their unique experiences in the industry and what got them into wine education in the first place. They end the episode by tasting two "somm wines" - fun and funky Canadian wines. That's somm biz baby.
Featured Wines:Queenston Mile Vineyards Pet-Nat Pinot Noir Rose 2017
https://www.queenstonmilevineyard.com/
A Sunday in August Pinot Gris 2021
https://www.asundayinaugust.com/
Episode 30, wow! Tune in as Manny and Tash talk about old wines and aging wines. They also discuss the spelling of the word aging (ageing?)... who knows. Manny and Tash discuss why and when wine is aged, the proper conditions for aging, and how old wines taste. They also taste some pretty cool wines dating back to 1995! Hope you enjoy - cheers.
Featured WinesThe Three Guys "Funk Vineyard" Pinot Noir 1995
https://www.lakeviewwineco.com/site/home
https://marynissen.com/
https://www.stoneyridge.com/
Kacaba "Proprietor's Block" Syrah 2013
https://kacaba.com/
Stoney Ridge Late Harvest Vidal 1999
https://www.stoneyridge.com/
Manny and Tash are back with another episode! In honour of the holidays, your hosts are exploring dessert wine. They cover the different kinds, how it's made, where it's made, and the best ways to enjoy it. Grab a glass of ice wine and tune in!
Featured WinesBig Head Chenin Blanc B.A. 2017
https://bigheadwines.ca/
Cave Springs Riesling Icewine 2017
http://www.cavespringcellars.ca
Manny and Tash are back again with another blind tasting episode! Each host picked a wine without the other having any clue to what it was, and they had to blind taste their way to a guess. These ones are tricky! Spoiler: the wines are listed below.
Featured WinesA Sunday in August Sauvignon Blanc & Semillon 2021
https://www.asundayinaugust.com/
The Foreign Affair "Abbraccio" Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
https://foreignaffairwinery.com/
In this episode, Manny and Tash cover another of their favourite grapes: Syrah! Perfect for the fall weather, this grape has a rich history and is making a name for itself in Canada. Tune in as your hosts discuss the grape and taste a couple Niagara examples.
Featured WinesCreekside Syrah 2019
https://www.creeksidewine.com/
Big Head "Raw" Syrah
https://bigheadwines.ca/
Join Manny and Tash as they discuss their favourite grape, Riesling! Although it can be a divisive grape, Canada makes some exceptional Riesling. Your hosts talk about the grape's history, where it's grown, and the best Canadian examples. Cheers!
Featured WinesFlatrock "Nadja's Vineyard" Riesling 2019
https://www.flatrockcellars.com/
Ravine "Patricia's Block" Riesling 2021
https://www.ravinevineyard.com/
Manny and Tash have an exciting new episode for you! Your hosts interview winemaking duo Kelly Mason and Brooke Husband. The episode was recorded in a vineyard, so please excuse the background noise. Listen in as these four chat about Kelly and Brooke's journeys into winemaking, their current projects, and future ambitions. Cheers!
Featured WinesMason Vineyard Wild Ferment Viognier "Part II" Mason + Husband 2020
Mason Vineyard Pinot Noir "The Matriarch" 2020
(Not yet released)
https://www.masonvineyard.com/
Your hosts are finally back with another episode! Listen in as Tash and Manny talk about the world's most popular grape: Cabernet Sauvignon. They deep dive into the grape's history, how and where it's made, and how it came to take over the world. Enjoy!
Featured WinesFerox Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
https://www.ferox.ca/
Five Rows Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
https://www.fiverows.com/
Manny and Tash are back with another episode and they are switching things up! This episode is all about beer. Ontario has a long brewing history and is home to some amazing craft breweries. Listen along as your hosts discuss the history of beer in Ontario, the different styles, and taste four examples. Prost!
Featured Beer
Bellwoods Bellweiser Pilsner
https://bellwoodsbrewery.com/
Fairweather Dream City Vienna Lager
https://fairweatherbrewing.com/
Collective Arts Guava Gose
https://collectiveartsbrewing.com/
Dominion City Karmic Pardon Pale Ale
https://www.dominioncity.ca/
This week Manny and Tash explore the Ontario wine region of Prince Edward County! They discuss the climate and geography, varieties grown, and the best wineries. As usual, two delicious wines are tasted. See below for details.
Featured WinesLighthall Chardonnay 2018
https://www.lighthallvineyards.com/
Huff Estates "Reserve" Pinot Noir 2017
https://huffestates.com/
Manny and Tash are back again with an episode on natural wine! This episode, they define natural wine, debunk myths, differentiate between organic, biodynamic, and sustainable wine, and all the other confusing terms. As always, they taste two delicious Niagara examples. Enjoy!
Featured WinesPearl Morissette "Oxyde" Riesling 2019
https://pearlmorissette.com/
Leaning Post "The Natural" Gamay 2019
https://leaningpostwines.com/
Join your hosts Manny and Tash as they discuss value wines. They explain what makes a wine cheap or expensive, why some value wines are better than others, and share their favourite local "cheap and cheerful" wines. Cheers!
Featured WinesTawse Sketches of Niagara Chardonnay 2020
https://www.tawsewinery.ca/
16 Mile Cellar Renegade Rose 2020
https://www.16milecellar.com/
13th Street Burger Blend Gamay Pinot Noir 2020
https://13thstreetwinery.com/
Big Head Red 2019
https://bigheadwines.ca/#home
Join in as Manny and Tash dive into everything Sauvignon Blanc. We talk about why people love it, where it grows best, its history, and more. Your hosts also taste three Niagara examples from the same vintage side by side. Grab a glass and enjoy!
Featured WinesDrea's Sauvignon Blanc 2019
https://www.dreawine.com/
Fourth Wall Wines Sauvignon Blanc 2019
http://www.fourthwallwines.com/
Five Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2019
https://www.fiverows.com/
Join Manny and Tash as they sit down with Joel Wilcox of Fourth Wall Wines. They chat about the project, the current state of Ontario wines, and taste a couple delicious Niagara wines. Enjoy!
Featured WineryFourth Wall Wines
Listen this week as Manny and Tash talk about the beautiful Okanagan Valley. Located in British Columbia, this is Canada's second largest winemaking region! Your hosts discuss the region's history, plantings, and wineries of note. As always, they also taste a couple of delicious wines from the region. Bonus: below is a list provided by a sommelier who works in the Okanagan of his favourite wineries, listen geographically from North to South. Enjoy!
Featured Wines50th Parallel Estate Pinot Gris 2016
https://www.50thparallel.com/
Mt. Boucherie Estate Winery "Summit" 2018
https://mtboucherie.com/
Winery Recommendations (North to South)
Lake Country:
- O’Rourke Cellars
- 50th Parallel (wine and food)
- Ex Nihilo
- Gray Monk
Kelowna:
- Tantalus
- Sperling
- Cedarcreek
West Kelowna:
- Mt Boucherie
- Black Swift
- Mission Hill
- Frind
- Quails Gate
- Crown and Thieves
Peachland/Summerland:
- Fitzpatrick
- Lunessence
- Haywire
- Sumac Ridge
Penticton/Naramata:
- Time Winery
- Poplar Grove
- Laughing Stock
- Roche
- Joie
Okanagan Falls:
- Meyer Family
- Synchromesh
- Liquidity
- Painted Rock
- See Y’a Later Ranch
Oliver/Osoyoos:
- Rust
- Checkmate
- Phantom Creek
- Black Hills
- Le Vieux Pin
- Moon Curser
- Black Hills
- Kismet (wine and food)
Similkameen Valley:
- Clos de Soleil
- Orofino
- Vanessa
We're back with a new episode! Join Manny and Tash as they discuss the infamous grape, Merlot. They discuss its history, the different style, and why everyone hates it so much. They also taste examples from Ontario and British Columbia. Take that Sideways!
Featured Wines:A Sunday in August Merlot 2019
https://www.asundayinaugust.com/
Featherstone "Red Tail" Merlot 2018
https://featherstonewinery.ca/
In the last episode before the New Year, Manny and Tash talk about holiday wines. These are wines that are perfect for host gifts, for your big holiday meal, or for when those unexpected guests drop by. Join us as we discuss and taste sparkling, rosé, and red wines all form Niagara. Happy holidays!
Featured WinesKew Vineyards Pinot Meunier 2018
https://kewvineyards.com/
Malivoire "Vivant" Rosé 2020
https://malivoire.com/
Cave Spring "Estate" Cabernet Franc 2019
https://cavespring.ca/
Join Manny and Tash as they discuss blends. Your hosts discuss why and how blends are made, traditional and unconventional blends, and why they're so good. As always, they also taste two delicious Niagara examples. Enjoy!
Featured WinesStratus White 2016
https://www.stratuswines.com/
Icellars "Arinna" 2017
https://www.icellars.ca/
Manny and Tash discuss "weird varieties" in episode 13. These are grapes that are not commonly seen outside their Indigenous countries, especially in Niagara. Your hosts taste two delicious wines, talk about their histories, and confuse the words variety and varietal.
Featured Wines
Big Head Savagnin 2019
https://bigheadwines.ca/
Southbrook "Whimsy!" Zweigelt 2019
https://southbrook.com/
This week, Manny and Tash each blind taste a Canadian wine chosen by the other person. Blind tasting consists of determining what the wine is by sight, smell, and taste. Listen and guess along - maybe you'll get it right, because the hosts sure didn't!
**SPOILERS BELOW
Featured Wines:**Big Head "Select" Sauvignon Blanc 2019
https://bigheadwines.ca
Adamo Estate Winery "Edgerock Vineyard" Petit Verdot 2017
https://adamoestate.com/
In honour of Canadian Thanksgiving, Tash and Manny discuss everyone's favourite grape: Gamay Noir. From its history to classic regions to enjoying it with turkey, the two chat about what makes Gamay so good and taste a couple Niagara examples.
Featured Wines:Malivoire "Farmstead" Gamay 2019
https://malivoire.com/
Hidden Bench "Rachis & Derma" Gamay 2019
https://hiddenbench.com/
Tash and Manny chat with Jakub Lipinski of Big Head Wines about everything from family feuds to espresso. Of course, they taste two delicious Big Head wines as well.
Tash and Manny discuss the wines of Vancouver Island in this episode, including its climate, soil types, grapes grown, and taste wines from some of the island's best wineries.
Featured WinesRathjen Cellars Auxerrois 2019
https://rathjencellars.com/
Averill Creek "Somenos" Pinot Noir 2018
https://www.averillcreek.ca/
Join Manny and Tash as they discuss the polarizing grape Chardonnay. Your hosts talk about the rise, the fall, then the rise again of Chardonnay, and why people hate it or love it. Chardonnay's classic regions and varying styles are discussed as well as two benchmark Niagara wines.
Featured Wines:
Hidden Bench "Felseck Vineyard" Chardonnay 2018
https://hiddenbench.com/
The Farm "Green Label" Chardonnay 2018
https://www.thefarmwines.ca/
Join Manny and Tash as they interview an absolute legend in the Ontario wine industry - Daniel Speck. In the Henry of Pelham Barrel Cellar, the three discuss Ontario winemaking's past, present, and future, including the Speck Bros. Family Tree wines.
Featured Wines:Speck Bros. Family Tree "The Goat Lady" Chardonnay 2020Speck Bros. Family Tree "The Bootlegger" Baco Noir 2020
Speck Bros. Family Tree "The Padre" Cabernet Merlot 2019
Speck Bros. Wine
Manny and Tash discuss all things orange wine! Also known as skin contact wine, the two talk about its history, winemaking techniques, and two delicious Ontario examples.
Featured Wines:
L'Imparfait Negociant "La Soupe Populaire" 2019
https://hinterlandwine.com/
Stratus "Trials Vol. 2" Skin Contact Viognier 2019
https://stratuswines.com/
In Epsiode 5, Manny and Tash interview Shauna White, the winemaker at Adamo Estate Winery. Listen to hear about Shauna's journey in wine, what it's like to grow grapes and make wine in Ontario's Hockley Valley, and why Shauna loves Ontario wine.
Featured Wines:Adamo Estate Winery "Estate" Riesling 2019
Adamo Estate Winery "Estate" Pinot Noir 2018
Adamo Estate Winery
Manny and Tash get nerdy about rosé. They talk about the history of the style, how it's made, iconic regions, and taste two benchmark Niagara rosés.
Featured Wines:
Two Sisters Vineyards "Margo" Rosé 2020
https://twosistersvineyards.com/
Pearl Morissette "Roselana" Rosé 2020
https://pearlmorissette.com/
Manny and Tash discuss the theories behind food and wine pairing, including what grows together goes together, touch on some of our favourite pairings, and taste two food-friendly wines.
Featured wines:Cave Spring CSV Riesling 2018
http://cavespring.ca/
13th Street Whitty Vineyard Gamay 2019
https://13thstreetwinery.com/
Manny and Tash dive deep into the world of sparkling wine, discussing both classic and Canadian regions, including their various grapes, styles, and methods.
Featured wines:Benjamin Bridge Nova 7 Sparkling 2020
https://benjaminbridge.com/
Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Brut NV
https://henryofpelham.com/
An introduction to the Canadian wine scene and your hosts where we taste two benchmark wines from the Niagara region.
Featured wines:
Flat Rock Cellars "The Rusty Shed" Chardonnay 2014
https://flatrockcellars.com/
Hidden Bench "Estate" Pinot Noir 2019
https://hiddenbench.com/