Wine styles are as seasonal as clothing. In the summer, I drink light, refreshing wines that remind me of a simple T-shirt and shorts: perfect for sun-baked beaches and country road strolls. But in the fall, my wine, like my clothes, becomes warmer, more layered and better able to combat those cool winds of October. In the video above, Leanne and I chat about fall fashions in wine, from the run-way to your dining room table. The wines featured in this show include: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, California Toasted Head Chardonnay, California Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, California Santa […]
Author: Natalie MacLean
5 Tips to Pick Wines for Thanksgiving
No other holiday celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. Wine is a taste of the harvest along with all the delicious dishes on the table. But actually choosing a bottle can feel like a thankless task, especially with so many flavours to match. Relax. Have a drink. And try some of my suggestions for great wines to pair with Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings that Leanne and I chat about in the video above. You can also watch our first video on fall wines here. In my free online matching tool, you can click on “turkey holiday dinner” […]
How Much of Wine’s Taste Is Shaped By Psychology? Dr. Alex Maltman Reveals The Surprising Evidence
Introduction How much of what we perceive about the taste of wine is actually shaped by psychology? Are vineyard soils important contributors to a wine’s tasting profile? Why do so many wine producers highlight their soils as a unique factor that makes their wines stand out? Where do the “minerals” we taste in wine originate from? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Alex Maltman, author of the new book Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate: A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you […]
4 Fantastic Wines for Your Thanksgiving Side Dishes
Click on the image above to play the video Thanksgiving is this weekend, and many of us are planning our menus and the wines. But rather than focus on the turkey, we’re going to pair wines with all those delicious side dishes. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I’m ready to dish with you on some great pairings to make your Thanksgiving absolutely wine-derful! Let’s start with a classic Thanksgiving side dish – green beans. Which wine would […]
Prà di Bosso – A Lambrusco That Drew the Line
In the rolling hills and fertile plains of Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco has always been more than wine. It’s a daily companion to meals, a spark of joy at family gatherings, and a tie that binds communities together. Among all the versions of this beloved red sparkler, Prà di Bosso from Casali Viticultori stands apart as a landmark in the region’s winemaking story. Why the Name Matters The phrase Prà di Bosso translates roughly to “Field of Boxwood.” Centuries ago, boxwood plants were used to mark vineyard boundaries. That same sense of definition carries through in the wine itself. […]
Why is Geology Essential for Vineyard Management but Overrated When It Comes to Wine Taste? Dr. Alex Maltman Shares Soil Secrets
Introduction Why is geology essential for vineyard management but overrated when it comes to wine taste? Do soils get too much credit for wine flavour, when invisible factors might be the real drivers? What does “minerality” in wine really mean? Rock, nutrient, or just taste perception? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Alex Maltman, author of the terrific new book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alex Maltman’s […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: September 27, 2025
You can access the wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for September 13th These are just some of the benefits of supporting our wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. Curious […]
What makes these wines and whiskies perfect for fall?
Fall is here and with it comes cozy nights, hearty comfort foods, and the perfect excuse to explore some fantastic wines and spirits that capture the season’s essence. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Fall is like nature’s fashion week: the leaves are strutting their colours and these wines and whiskies are also working the runway on our dinner table. They’re ready to steal the show. From alcohol-free celebrations to bold spirits that warm […]
From Champagne to Emilia: Casali’s Sparkling Leap
When you think of Italy’s sparkling wines, your mind might go straight to Prosecco. But decades before the world fell in love with Prosecco, the Casali family of Reggio Emilia was already experimenting with a more ambitious idea: bringing the secrets of Champagne home to Lambrusco country. In the 1970s, Casali made a bold journey to Reims, the beating heart of Champagne, to study the art of méthode traditionnelle — bottle-fermented sparkling wine. It was a daring move for a family rooted in Lambrusco production, but curiosity has always been their hallmark. That trip planted the seeds […]
Spergola: Emilia’s Forgotten White Grape Returns
When people think of Emilia-Romagna, they picture red: Lambrusco’s jewel tones in sparkling glasses, poured alongside platters of prosciutto and Parmigiano. But Casali Viticultori has another treasure up its sleeve, one that whispers of history and carries the elegance of a pearl: Spergola. This ancient white grape has roots reaching back to the 15th century, when Bianca Cappello, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, mentioned it in her writings. For centuries it quietly flourished in the hills of Scandiano and Canossa, only to nearly vanish in the wave of modern plantings. Casali stepped in as the first major producer to […]
