As winter settles in and temperatures drop, many of us reach for a cozy blanket and a comforting glass of wine. But what makes a wine a winter warmer? Today we’re exploring the art of choosing wines that warm you from the inside out, perfect for cold weather gatherings or quiet nights by the fire. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Can you start by explaining what are the characteristics of a warming wine? Baby, it’s cold outside, so you’ll want winter warmers have four […]
Best Wines
Make Your Holidays Merry with These 5 Festive Wines and Spirits
‘Tis the season for holiday gift giving. What if you’d like to give someone a bottle of wine or spirits? How do you know which one to choose? Here to help us with that is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com Welcome back, Natalie. So if choosing the right bottle is so tricky, why should we give wine or spirits as a gift at all? When you give the gift of wine or spirits, doubles are fine unlike toaster ovens, there are no wrong sizes unlike that ugly sweater and regifting […]
Fashion Meets Fermentation: Which 5 Drinks Pair Best with Your Closet?
Welcome back! Winter is here, and we’re doing something a little different today. We’re pairing drinks with your winter wardrobe. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Fashion meets fermentation today – we’re matching the textures of your favourite winter pieces with the sips of the season. Wine is like fashion for your taste buds. Some days you want bold and structured, other days you want soft and flowing. And some days you want […]
Why Are So Many Swiss Vineyards Planted on Dangerous Terrain? Simon Hardy Reveals Why in the Smart Traveller’s Guide to Switzerland
Introduction Why are so many Swiss vineyards planted on dangerous terrain? How do the “three suns of Lavaux” shape the ripeness and character of Chasselas? Which unexpected historical figure owns the world’s smallest vineyard in Switzerland? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Simon Hardy, author of the terrific new book The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Simon Hardy’s terrific new book, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland. How to Win To qualify, all […]
The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland with Simon Hardy
Introduction Why You Can’t Buy Switzerland’s Exceptional Wines Abroad? Why does Switzerland grow so many grape varieties, and which ones are the key players that define the country’s wine regions? What makes high-altitude wine regions uniquely capable of producing wines that balance great concentration without being too heavy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Simon Hardy, author of The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Switzerland. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Simon Hardy’s terrific new book, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to […]
5 Festive Wine and Cheese Pairings That Make The Season Brighter (and Tastier)
The holidays are here, which means it’s time to elevate your entertaining game! Whether you’re hosting a festive gathering or bringing a dish to share, one pairing never fails to impress: wine and cheese. But with so many options, how do you create combinations that truly wow your guests? Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! The beautiful thing about wine and cheese is that even mistakes taste great. Like, “Oh no, I accidentally paired […]
Why did Cha McCoy create her own flavour wheel rather than rely on traditional wine-tasting vocabulary?
Introduction Why do certain spices and dishes show up far from their origins, and how can tracing these cultural “foodways” change the way we think about wine and food pairing? Why did Cha create her own flavour wheel rather than rely on traditional wine-tasting vocabulary? How can expanding your flavour vocabulary through travel, food, and culture help us describe wine in ways that feel relatable? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Cha McCoy, author of the new book Wine Pairing for the People. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three […]
4 Festive Wines That’ll Elevate Your Holiday Dinner
We’re heading into the holiday entertaining season. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner party or an informal potluck, choosing the right wines can elevate your evening. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! The holiday season is the Super Bowl of wine because everyone gathers around, I provide running commentary that no one asked for but they tolerate because I brought five bottles of wine. Let’s start with something bubbly! What do you recommend? […]
4 Wine Gifts That Say “I Have Great Taste” (Without Breaking the Bank)
We’re heading into the holiday gift giving season. What if you’d like to give someone a bottle of wine? How do you know which one to choose? Here to help us with that is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome back, Natalie. So if choosing the right wine is so tricky, why should we give wine as a gift at all? When you give the gift of wine, doubles are fine unlike toaster ovens, there are no wrong sizes unlike that ugly sweater and regifting is so much easier compared […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: November 22, 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 November 8th 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 […]
