Canada has a brand-new wine category. Not a new label, not a new winery, a whole new category with its own rules written into our wine regulations. The first bottles have just arrived in liquor stores. Who better to help break the latest wine news than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I’ve spent years explaining other countries’ bubblies. Now I get to tell you about one that’s all ours. Today is pretty much the peak of my career :) So what […]
Best Wines
In “Savour,” Kristiane Westray reveals: Is smelling whisky different from smelling a glass of wine?
Introduction Is smelling or nosing whisky different from smelling a glass of wine? How did a 1960s marketing campaign convince generations of whisky drinkers that single malt was better than blended whisky? What is it like to step inside a working whisky kiln and experience peat smoke firsthand? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Kristiane Westray, author of Savour: A Guide To Tasting and Exploring Whiskies of the World. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Kristiane Westray’s terrific book, Savour: A […]
How Did The Launch of the Super Premium Rosé Whispering Angel from Château D’esclans Change Provence?
Introduction How did Sacha Lichine’s launch of Garrus and Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans, which now exceeds 10 million bottles a year change Provence? What happens to a wine region when historic family estates are increasingly bought by wealthy outsiders and corporations? How can classifying wine by colour get in the way of understanding what’s actually in the glass? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben […]
Why Has Rosé Wine Struggled To Be Taken Seriously By Professionals Despite Its Popularity With Consumers?
Introduction How is Provence far more diverse as a wine region than just Rosé? Why has Rosé struggled to be taken seriously by wine professionals despite its enormous popularity with consumers? Does Provence make the best Rosé in the world or simply the best Rosé in its style? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim’s terrific book, The Wines of Provence. How to Win To […]
What are the Best Drinks for Summer Sipping at the Cottage?
As we head into this weekend, we can treat it as the warm-up for the long weekend that follows. Whether you’re heading to a cottage or making the most of your own backyard, there are still lots of beautiful warm evenings ahead of us. Yes, and they deserve something great in the glass. So what should we be pouring? Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! This is my favourite stretch of the year. Nobody has said the word […]
What Drinks are Perfect for Casual Saturday Afternoon or Evening?
Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in the country. Almost 2 million of us are playing. That means a lot of us are sitting beside a court on a Saturday afternoon and wondering what to pour. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Pickleball has a zone called the kitchen, and the rules say you’re not allowed to stand in it. I’ve finally found a sport that understands me. I’ve always been kitchen- […]
What’s the difference between a lean wine and one that’s thin? Maryse Chevriere on How to Sound Wine Smart
Introduction What’s the difference between a wine that’s lean and one that’s thin? Why is asking for a “smooth” wine one of the least helpful ways to describe what you actually want? What’s the fastest way to learn more about wine without feeling intimidated? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the terrific new book, How to Sound Wine Smart. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere’s terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated […]
When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? Maryse Chevriere Talks About Descriptors That Have Jumped The Shark
Introduction How can a hospitality disaster completely change your approach to wine and service? When do wine tasting notes become so over-the-top that they stop meaning anything? What makes natural wine like an unfiltered snapshot of a single moment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the new book How to Sound Wine Smart. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere’s terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide. How to Win To qualify, […]
Why We All Smell Something Different in the Same Wine?
Introduction How do our personal memories shape the aromas we recognize in wine? What incredible Argentine wines are people missing when they focus only on Malbec? Why do food and wines from the same region often pair beautifully even when they break the usual rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube […]
How did Argentina help save Europe’s vineyards during the devastating phylloxera crisis?
Introduction How did Argentina help save Europe’s vineyards during the devastating phylloxera crisis? Why is wine still treated as an exclusive product despite being more accessible than ever? How can vineyards that endure extreme temperatures still produce elegant, vibrant wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be […]
