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 22nd 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 […]
Best Wines
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 […]
Why Are Most Wine Pairing Rules Wrong for Global Cuisine? Cha McCoy Reveals What Really Works
Introduction How can you pair wine with spicy dishes in a way that enhances their flavour profile? Why do most wine-pairing guides ignore the traditions of global cuisines? How can you use wine pairings to explore under-the-radar wine regions instead of reaching for the same rosé or sparkling wine every time? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Cha McCoy, author of the terrific new book Wine Pairing for the People. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Cha McCoy’s terrific new book, Wine […]
Why Does the Term “Mocktail” for Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Drinks Offend Many Bartenders?
Introduction Are high-end non-alcoholic drinks worth the price? What is the bartender’s secret to great citrus-based cocktails like Margaritas or Mimosas? How do bartenders redefine a crafted cocktail without alcohol? Why does the term “Mocktail” for zero-proof non-alcoholic drinks offend many bartenders? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books Sparkling and Zero Proof. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion. How to Win To qualify, […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: November 8, 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 October 25th 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 about […]
What Surprises Did a Magical Dom Pérignon Champagne Tasting of 60 Rare Vintages Reveal? Elva Ramirez Shares Her Story in “Sparkling”
Introduction How did a magical Dom Pérignon Champagne tasting of 60 rare vintages reveal the surprising depth and aging potential of sparkling Rosé? What surprising role did the British play in the discovery of sparkling wine? What makes the Porn Star Martini one of the most crowd-pleasing cocktails? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books “Sparkling” and “Zero Proof.” You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any […]
