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 […]
Wine Picks
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 […]
Which Wines and Cocktails Deserve the Crown This Weekend?
The Victoria Day long weekend is just around the corner. Whether you’re firing up the grill or lounging on a dock, we’ve got drinks to match the mood and the food. Here to help us is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I love Victoria Day. We get to celebrate a queen and the official start of patio season. So I’m here for both the crowns and the corks. Let’s start on a refreshing note. What’s a great white wine to serve […]
Petals & Pinot: What are 5 Wine & Flower Pairings Mom Will Love?
Let’s start by talking about the connection between wine and florals. What is it? We often see floral descriptions of wine and they’re more than poetic fancy or wine geek speak. It’s actually a reflection of the intricate chemistry of grapes and the artistry of winemaking. Grapes, like flowers, are profoundly influenced by their terroir – the unique environment in which they grow. So I’ve brought in five different wines representing very different bouquets today. Today you’ve brought a selection of wines and paired them with flowers that would make beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day this […]
Which Wine Matches Your Mom’s Personality? A Mother’s Day Tasting Guide
Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and what better way to toast these important women than with wines to match their unique personalities? And 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, Dina and Tim! Picking the right wine for your mom is like finding the perfect Mother’s Day card — personal, heartfelt, but not homemade – at least when it comes to wine. If you truly love your mother, please don’t do that! […]
6 Under-the-Radar Trendy Wines You Need to Try Next
Welcome back everybody. We’re all familiar with wines like Chardonnay and Merlot but there are so many lesser-known grapes out there to discover! Here to highlight vineyard vanguards to sip this spring is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online food and wine pairing classes. Welcome back, Natalie! Natalie, before we get to the wine, congratulations are in order because you were selected as the 2024 Canada Wine Champion Award! It’s presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for the advancement of the Canadian wine industry. Today we’re […]
Raise a Glass to Red, White and True North Strong Canadian Wines & Whiskies
American wines and spirits are off liquor store shelves due to the ongoing U.S. tariff disputes. What do you do if you’re missing your favourite California Cabernet or Kentucky Bourbon? Our next guest has you covered. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I’m excited to share with you some Team Canada picks for red, white and booze! Not only is the quality of these drinks superb, but the industry also injects $20 billion into […]
Uncork Spring Splendour in Your Glass: Rosé All Day!
Is there any happier sign of spring than Rosé in your glass? Here to tell us which ones we should try, is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome back, Natalie. Great to be back with you, Meredith! Okay, on to Rosé! Why is it exploding in popularity? Rosé is packed with flavour and food versatility but not the heavy oak or alcohol of big red wines or even in some whites that have you falling asleep on the sofa at 7 pm. It’s time to lighten up our […]
