As we dive into summer entertaining, the farmers’ markets are overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables, and you may be looking for some wines to pair with these local treasures. Our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Great to be back with you, Crystal! We’re diving into a farm-to-glass adventure and focusing on Nova Scotia and Italian wines as both are known for their zesty, garden-friendly styles. Sounds delicious and timely! Let’s start with your first wine. […]
Wine Picks
Spritz Up Your Summer with These 3 Cocktails
With the heat rising, nothing beats a refreshing spritz to cool down and impress your guests. And who better to help us than our favorite drinks expert Natalie MacLean. Welcome, Natalie! Tim, I’m bubbling with excitement because these summer spritz cocktails! What makes a spritz cocktail so perfect for summer entertaining? A spritz is summer’s best friend because it’s light and refreshing. The beauty is in its simplicity — usually just three or four ingredients: something sparkling, something sweet or bitter, and a splash of soda water. The spritz is the little black dress of cocktails: effortless, […]
Which Ontario wine pairs best with fireworks and flag-waving?
Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific Ontario wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Annette, great to be back with you! These Ontario wines are more than just delicious; they’re full of personal stories, family legacies, and the kind of Canadian spirit that makes you proud to raise a glass. Let’s start with your first wine. 180 Wines Sparkling Gamay Rosé Niagara, Ontario […]
A Taste of Home: Celebrating Canada in Every Sip from Wine to Whisky
Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to the cottage, or simply kicking back on your deck, Canada Day is a great reason to raise a glass to local flavour. And who better to guide us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi Tim, great to be back with you! These bottles here are more Canadian than a red plaid shirt and more delicious than a whole basket of beaver tail pastries. Let’s kick things off with some wine, but first… trivia time! […]
What do Canadian wine, cheese and fireworks have in common?
Canada Day is almost here, and if you’re looking for some delicious Canadian wines and spirits to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie. Great to be back with you, Nick! We’re going to dive into some delicious patriotism today! Let’s start with your first wine. Inasphere Estate Wines Pinot Grigio Norfolk County, Ontario We’re starting with a gorgeous white wine from Inasphere Estate in Norfolk County, Ontario. Their Pinot Grigio […]
Which 4 wines are cooling down the hottest patios right now?
The long weekend kicks off summer entertaining and if you’re looking for some exciting wines to try, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Great to be here with you! Let’s start with your first wine. Winemaker’s Cut Incognito Rosé Dealcoholized Wine Oliver, B.C. We’re starting with a twist—a dealcoholized rosé that doesn’t compromise on flavour. This Incognito Rosé from Winemaker’s Cut in British Columbia has all the hallmarks of a summer […]
What 4 outstanding BC wines to celebrate the Canada Day?
Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific BC wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi Mona, great to be back with you! Let’s start with your first wine. Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris Penticton, B.C. We’re kicking off with the Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris from Penticton. It’s bursting with aromas of fresh lime and lemon sunshine. I’d pair […]
What are 4 Terrific BC Wines to Toast Canada Day?
Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific west coast wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Great to be back with you! Not only are these wines delicious, but they’ve also proved themselves in national and international competitions winning multiple awards and medals. Let’s start with your first wine. Vasanti Estate Winery Gamay Noir Oliver, B.C. I have the Vasanti Estate Winery Gamay Noir, […]
Toast to Dad: Perfect Father’s Day Wine and Book Gifts
Father’s Day is Sunday, so why not toast Dad with wines that not only pair well grilled favourites, but also with some terrific new books? Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine and food pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome Natalie. Great to be with you, Crystal! What are you recommending first? I have Farmhouse Vegetables: A Vegetable-Forward Cookbook by the award-winning chef Michael Smith from PEI. This collection of vibrant recipes is inspired by the culinary bounty of his farm at the Inn at Bay […]
Barbecue Wines for Father’s Day: Best Bottles for Grilled Grub
On CTV’s The Social, we chat about great wines for BBQ fare on Father’s Day. Nat, some dads are just not wine guys, they’re more beer guys. But are you saying these selections you’ve brought today can change that? It’s mostly a perception that wine is for fancier occasions than beer, but that’s just not true. Anytime you think of having a beer, you can probably substitute it with a bubbly. I’m not talking Champagne, but value-priced sparkling wines from other regions. They’re both frothy and fun, like our first wine here. Great segue! Tell us about the first […]
