EP 344 | FREE SPIRIT VICTORIA – Non-alc. zero-proof, alcohol free. A story of our times.

For the first time under one roof in Victoria, importers will be joined by local BC makers from Vancouver Island, Vancouver, the Okanagan, etc.,  to showcase the best alcohol-free wine, beer, spirits, and packaged cocktails available.   Organized by Kurtis Kolt.   Kurtis Kolt is a Vancouver-based wine consultant who writes about wine, presents seminars, hosts events, judges wine competitions, works with restaurants on their wine programs, etc. His various certifications and credits include London's Wine & Spirit Education Trust, the Court of Master Sommeliers & the Winemaking Program at UC Davis. In  2010, when  Kurtis received the 'Sommelier of the Year' award from both the 2010 Vancouver International Wine Festival and Vancouver magazine, he opted to diversify his focus on wine through different arenas. In recent years, Kurtis  co-founded, curates and runs 'Top Drop' in both Vancouver and Calgary, a terroir-focused trade & consumer wine festival Western Living magazine called, "The one wine tasting of the year you shouldn't miss." Guests at Free Spirits, we could find 5 minutes with were:   Kurtis Kolt - See above      Andrea Demers -   Softer Drink Store in Victoria. More than 100 different drinks.   pouring Zamalek and Fin Soda.     Janet Helou - from Glimmer.  pouring Glimmer (BC) Paul Watkin - from Seacove pouring Medbubble (Spain)     Paul Jordan-   Mondiale.    pouring from Clear Sips (Ontario), Cognato (S. Africa), OddBird (Italy/France,) NOA (Quebec,) Cipriani (Italy)     www.kurtiskolt.com www.storiedwinesandspirits.com www.softerdrink.ca www.nubeverage.ca www.seacove.com www.drinkglimmerwine.com www.mondialebev.com www.coastalcraftbeverages.ca