Is chalky soil really the secret to great English wine or just clever marketing? Henry Jeffreys, Author of Vines in a Cold Climate Shares His Stories

Introduction Is chalky soil really the secret to great English wine—or just clever marketing? What makes it so difficult for English wine to break into the North American market? Is it time for a classified system of English wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Henry Jeffreys, author of the award-winning book Vines in a Cold Climate. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Vines in a Cold Climate.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to […]

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How Can a Vineyard (or Life) Disaster Turn Into a Good Thing? Sally Evans’ Life Story is Proof That it Can

Introduction How can a vineyard disaster become an unexpected opportunity to innovate? How does storytelling transform wine marketing? What innovative pairings go beyond red wine and red meat? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sally Evans, author of the new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty.   How to Win To qualify, all you have […]

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Start a Bordeaux Winery and Make The Midlife Move with Sally Evans

Introduction What’s one of the most challenging aspects of being a new winemaker in Bordeaux, especially if you’re a middle-aged foreigner who is making wine for the first time? How did the Bordeaux sub-region of Fronsac lose its fame after being a region favoured by French royalty? What if the only thing holding you back from a fresh start, a new project or a major life change is you? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sally Evans, author of the new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty. You can find […]

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How Do Oak and Yeast Magically Transform Wine and Whisky?

Introduction How does oak aging change wine and whisky flavour, colour and texture? What do glass, gears, and automatons have to do with the invention of distillation? Why is yeast such an essential tool in scientific research and wine production, especially in the face of climate change? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Adam Rogers, author of the New York Times bestseller Proof: The Science of Booze. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of his terrific new book, Full Spectrum: How the Science […]

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The Surprising Science of Booze and Wine with Adam Rogers

Introduction How does language about wine impact the way we experience and enjoy wine? How does reporting on alcohol science compare to other scientific topics? Why can yeast be described as a nano-technological machine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Adam Rogers, author of the New York Times bestseller Proof: The Science of Booze. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of his terrific new book, Full Spectrum: How the Science of Color Made Us Modern.   How to Win To qualify, all you […]

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Tuscan White Wines, Vin Santo and Spirited Sangiovese with Susan Keevil

Introduction What makes Sangiovese a difficult wine to grow and make? Why should you pay attention to the white wines of Tuscany? What do you need to know about Tuscany’s Vin Santo? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Keevil You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you’ve posted […]

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On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy with Susan Keevil

Introduction How was Brunello discovered? How did the medieval sharecropping system help to shape Tuscany’s wine landscape? What’s the origin of the iconic black rooster symbol of Chianti Classico? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Keevil, editor of the beautiful hardcover On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy.   How to Win To qualify, all […]

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What do Famille Perrin, Torres and Gaja Wines Have in Common that Makes Them Uncommon? Fiona Morrison Goes Behind the Scenes of These Family Businesses

Introduction What is unique about Famille Perrin in France’s approach to running their family wine business? How do traditional wine families differentiate their brands and market their wines in a crowded marketplace? How has the Gaja family of Italy made significant contributions to winemaking and the Piemonte community? What is unique about Famille Perrin in France’s approach to running their family wine business? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Fiona Morrison You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, 10 Great Wine […]

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Who Are The 10 Great Families of Wine? Fiona Morrison Gives Us A Tour Through Europe

Introduction How do you tame a grape like Merlot which actually has higher sugar and alcohol levels than Cabernet Sauvignon? What’s the little-known history behind the cult wines of Le Pin in Bordeaux that sell for as much as $10,000 a bottle when first released and then go up from there at auction? Why is it an advantage to have many stakeholders in family-owned estates? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Fiona Morrison, author of the terrific book 10 Great Wine Families: A Tour Through Europe. You can find the wines we discussed here. […]

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The Best Spring Wines for Sipping on Decks and Docks

Spring has sprung and as we cast off the heavy sweaters and coats, it’s also time to lighten up our wine wardrobe. On CTV News, we chat about what’s in liquid fashion this season. Can you give us a bit of an overview of what trends we’re seeing in the wine world this spring?   Everything’s coming up Rosé, Riesling and Pinot Grigio! They’re all wines meant to be consumed young, and I do mean the wines not the people. They’re fresh and lively, perfect for spring and throughout the summer.   We’re starting with a German Riesling. Why have […]

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