There’s something delightfully rebellious about a wine that refuses to take itself too seriously. Enter Devil’s Carnaval, the newest mischief-maker from Chile’s legendary Casillero del Diablo, which is under $14 so it offers incredible value. If you’ve been searching for an excuse to uncork something festive without breaking the bank, consider this your invitation to the party. Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Carnaval Red Chile A Legend Reborn for a New Generation To understand Devil’s Carnaval, you first need to know the wickedly clever tale behind its […]
Best Wines
Celebrate 2026 in Style with These 4 Drinks!
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, finding the perfect drinks to toast to 2026 can make all the difference. From elegant bubblies to bold reds and even some sophisticated non-alcoholic options, we’re exploring a lineup that will elevate any midnight countdown. 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 celebrate with you the one night of the year that has good wine, great company and fresh goals […]
How Did One Viognier Go From the Brink of Extinction to Being Planted Around the World?
Introduction How did one Viognier go from the brink of extinction to being planted around the world? Why is the Mistral one of the most miserable experiences for people, yet a saviour for Rhône vineyards? Why is working with bush vines so much harder than trellised vineyards? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Matt Walls, author of the terrific new book The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Matt Walls’ terrific new book, The […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: December 20, 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 December 6th 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 […]
Why Did the Rhone Region Ban Flying Saucers? Matt Walls Reveals the Story Behind Why That Rule Still Exists
Introduction Which French wine region banned flying saucers from landing in its vineyards and why is the rule still there? How did the devastating February 1956 frost reshape the southern Rhône into the vineyard landscape we know today? What sets the northern Rhone apart from the south in terms of grapes and winemaking style? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Matt Walls, author of The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Matt Walls’ terrific […]
Which 5 Cozy Wines Actually Taste Like Winter?
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 […]
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 […]
