On CTV’s National News, we discuss the growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to either moderate or eliminate their alcohol consumption. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of Gen Z participated in Dry January last year, with Millennials and Gen X at about 20%. Even more are choosing “Dry-ish” or “Damp” January with low alcohol wines. A whopping 94% of those who buy alcohol-free wines also buy traditional wines. This category is […]
Best Wines
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings January 18, 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 January 4th. 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 […]
Pioneer California Biodynamic Winemaking + 100 Adorable Sheep with Chris Benziger
Introduction What was it like to move to biodynamic wine farming at a time when hardly anyone was doing it? What crucial role do 100 adorable sheep play at the Benziger winery? How do biodynamic preparations that might seem a bit “woo” actually benefit the vineyard? What are the benefits of biodynamic farming practices for vine health and wine quality? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chris Benziger, winemaker with the Benziger family wines in Sonoma, California. You can find the wines we discussed here . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a bottle […]
Pairing Wine with Love Songs
Leanne and I chat about pairing wine with love songs. Got a favourite that we didn’t include? Click on the arrow above to play the video. Here’s part one of our conversation on pairing wine with romantic movies. “Whose bed have your boots been under?” – Shania Twain Ménage à Trois Midnight Red 2013 California, United States “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” – The Righteous Brothers Nobilo Regional Collection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand “I Want to Know What […]
Savour Flavour Without the Guilt: Low and No-Alcohol Wine Trends
The start of 2025 brings a shift in drinking habits, with a new movement called “Dry January” and its more flexible cousin “Dry-ish January.” The latter trend is gaining momentum with those seeking to reduce alcohol consumption while still enjoying the occasional glass or two. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie! Thanks for having me! I’m thrilled to chat about wines that have great taste without the alcoholic heft. Tell us about the scale of these movements. The numbers are revealing – 46% […]
Finding the Right Amount of Wine for You During Dry-ish January
As we kick off the new year, many of us are considering taking on healthier habits in 2025. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go completely dry this January. Wine Growers Canada is encouraging you to find The Right Amount, which means enjoying wine mindfully as part of a balanced lifestyle. Joining us now with more is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! For those looking to enjoy wine responsibly in the new year, what should they […]
The Biggest, Most Surprising Wine Myths with Hailey Bohlman
Introduction What’s the important difference between dry wines and the dry feeling you get when tasting certain wines? Do all or even most wines taste better when they’re older? How can you make the most of a trip to Washington wine country? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Hailey Bohlman 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 jumping into […]
Dry January, Not Dull January: Low-Alcohol Wines to Whet Your Whistle
As we kick off the new year, many of us are looking to make healthier choices. There’s a growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to moderate their alcohol intake without giving up on flavour. 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’d like to invite viewers to take the Dry-ish January Challenge and try one of these new low-alcohol and low-sugar wines each week. How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of […]
Video: The Ultimate Guide to Pairing Wine and Chocolate
The hosts of CTV’s The Social and I shared lots of scandalous laughs pairing wine and chocolate for Valentine’s Day. Click on the arrow above to play the video. Laurent-Perrier Millésimé Champagne 2007 Champagne A.C., France What’s you favourite pairing? We love chocolate not just for its taste, but also for its sensual texture. Cocoa butter, one of its main ingredients, melts close to body temperature, so sliding a piece into your mouth and feeling it seep out to coat your tongue can almost be orgasmic. Maybe that why’s the eighteenth century […]
Dry January, Not Dull January: 4 Wines That Taste Great
As we kick off the new year, many of us are looking to make healthier choices. There’s a growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to moderate their alcohol intake without giving up on flavour. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie! Great to be with you, Paul! I’m excited to share these wines that prove less can be more with wines of elegance rather than power. How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of Gen Z participated in […]
