Got your champagne ready for New Year’s? Here are my Top 20 Champagnes to celebrate the New Year and which stores have them in stock now. Take the Pop Quiz below and you’ll have some trivia to drop this evening as you celebrate the New Year! Pop Quiz 1. Is all sparkling wine champagne? No. Only sparkling wine from the Champagne region of France may be called Champagne. It’s a trademarked word. 2. Before the modern era of product placement in movies, which Champagne was the favourite of James Bond? Bollinger or as Bond would call it, Bolly. That was also in […]
Wine Picks
Game Snack Match: 4 Perfect Pairings for Game Night Nibbles
It’s easy to pair a gourmet meal with wine, but what about our favourite game snacks? Here to help us is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome Natalie. Great to be back with you! We’re going to drink outside the box with these unusual but delicious pairings. Sounds good! We’re starting with popcorn – got a wine for that? Yes, what would be better with popcorn than Bread & Butter?! Bread & Butter Pinot Grigio California, United States But here’s the twist, when […]
What are the 4 Best Wines and Whiskies to Give as Holiday Gifts?
Click on the image above to play the video ‘Tis the season for holiday entertaining and 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 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 […]
Wines and Spirits That Taste Good and Do Good
We’re all becoming more conscious of the impact of our purchases, and that includes what we pour into our glasses. Many wineries and distilleries are leading the way, combining exceptional taste with sustainability and community support. 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 think of these wines and spirits as drinking with a conscience — we get to feel virtuous and tipsy at the same time. That’s the best kind of indulgence. So, where are we […]
4 Wines for Your Bored Taste Buds: Uncork the Unexpected
Are you stuck in a wine rut, buying the same bottle over and over? Well, it’s time to shake things up and explore the wonderful world of wine alternatives. 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 excited to play the wine edition game of “If This, Then That,” similar to how bookstore websites recommend a new novel based on what you’ve purchased previously, but always with a twist. I like to call it Wine Tinder, less ghosting, more toasting […]
Which Wine for Thanksgiving Turkey? Some Gobbling Good Picks
Watch CTV News Ottawa video here No other holiday celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. But which wines to pair with turkey and all the side dishes? Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean, author of the national bestseller Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much. Welcome Natalie Great to be here! What’s your top tip when it comes to pairing wine with Thanksgiving dinner? Wine is a taste of the harvest along with all the delicious dishes on the table. But actually choosing a bottle can […]
To Life in a Glass: The Best Kosher Wines for Everyone
Two of the most important holidays on the Jewish calendar take place in October, Rosh Hashanah starts this Wednesday and Yom Kippur begins next week. Both are celebrated with kosher wine. Here with her tips and sips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com. Let’s start with what is kosher wine and how is it different from non-kosher wine? Kosher wine is made using the same techniques as other wine, except that no leavens, wheat or animal products are used, such as gelatin or egg whites are […]
How British Columbia Wineries Are Recovering and Why You Should Visit Them
This year, British Columbia’s wine country faced a devastating frost that damaged many vineyards’ crops. But in true Canadian spirit, these wineries have pivoted, offering unique experiences to welcome visitors. Whether you’re planning a last summer getaway or looking forward to the harvest season, our next guest will give you some great ideas. 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 always say that when life gives you lemons, make limoncello—but when life gives you frost, well, […]
The Ultimate Father’s Day Gift Guide: Wine and Book Pairings
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, Rosey! What are you recommending first? I have Daniel Ricciardo: In Pursuit of Greatness by Nate Sanders. Daniel is a superstar in the Formula One racing world. In fact, he competed in the Montreal Grand Prix this past weekend with […]
BBQ Bliss: 4 Caymus Wines to Impress Dad this Father’s Day
Father’s Day is Sunday and BBQ season is in full swing, so why not toast Dad with wines that pair well with the grill? But which wines work best? 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, Mona! Tell us about this first wine. The first wine is the coveted Caymus Napa Cabernet, made by the Wagner family who are celebrating the 50th anniversary vintage of this wine. It’s just arrived in stores. The […]
