Introduction Which hilariously named Sangria recipe should you try today? How did an unintentional restaurant order spark my passion for wine? Why should you serve Pinot Noir in a big glass? How can you safely expand your wine horizons the next time you go to a store or restaurant? What do you need to know about low-cal wines? How can you use the “wet t-shirt trick” to quickly cool a bottle of white wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed by Sheila and Anita for the Moms Sipping Sangria podcast. You can find the wines […]
Food & Wine Pairing
Family-Run Wineries v Corporate-Owned? Henry of Pelham’s Daniel Speck
Introduction What was it like being part of the budding Niagara wine scene? Why are wineries so well-suited to be family-owned? How does the terroir of the Niagara bench influence what you taste in Henry of Pelham wines? Why is Henry of Pelham so well-known for their Baco Noir? What hidden message can you find on the label of Henry of Pelham Family Tree wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Daniel Speck of Niagara’s Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How was Daniel’s […]
The Shape of Wine Taste with Australia’s Wakefield Wines
Introduction How can you visualize the taste of wine in a chart? How would those charts be different for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Shiraz? What makes the wines from Australia’s Clare Valley unique? What is bâtonnage and what flavours and aromas will result in the wine? How does acidity improve your tasting experience? Why is balance one of the most critical aspects of a great wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Justin Taylor and Neil Hadley of Australia’s Wakefield Wines. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What was […]
Taco Bell’s New Jalapeño Noir Wine: Should You Try It?
Introduction Taco Bell just launched its first wine called Jalapeño Noir, a Pinot Noir, get it? Is the wine any good? Should you try it? Does it pair well with tacos? What will surprise you about making the wine, especially the winery that made it? What was the stealth marketing plan behind the launch? What’s next, Big Macs and Bordeaux? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m going solo to do a live taste test for you. You can find the Jalapeno Noir wine here. Highlights How well did Taco Bell’s new Jalapeño Noir wine perform […]
Which Wine Pairs Best with Blue Cheese? Janice Beaton Makes the Match
Introduction Why are wine and cheese your best bets when entertaining? If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, where do you start to acquire a taste for it? How is blue cheese made? Can blue cheese actually have no blue colour? Where should you take a wine-and-cheese themed vacation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Janice Beaton, owner of Janice Beaton Fine Cheese which was known as Calgary’s best place to buy artisanal, fresh-cut cheeses from around the world. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Why are wine and […]
Taco Bell Jalapeno Noir Wine: Taste Test Verdict (Video)
Taco Bell just launched a new wine called Jalapeno Noir, a Pinot Noir produced by the boutique Queenston Mile Vineyard in Niagara-on-the-Lake. Is this a perfect pairing or marketing mistake? Watch the video above to find out and let me know what you think of this combo in the comments below please. Cheers, Natalie 🍷 Queenston Mile Vineyard We love saying “cheesy chalupa”…rolls off your tongue like the wine! . 🍷 Andrea Shapiro It’s really awesome that it is sold through Taco Bell too, a new revolution for wine sales. Many restaurants have adapted to selling wines with take […]
Which Cheeses Go Well With Wine? Janice Beaton Shares Pairings
Introduction Why does cheese, like wine, spark obsession? Why do certain wines and cheeses have a similar flavour profile? What makes Canadian cheeses unique? Do different types of cows’ milk produce different flavours in cheese? How do you pair goat cheeses with wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Janice Beaton, owner of Janice Beaton Fine Cheese which was known as Calgary’s best place to buy artisanal, fresh-cut cheeses from around the world. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How did Janice develop her passion for cheese? What is it […]
7 Must-Buy Wines for Fall: New This Season (Video)
Today is the first day of fall, burr. I feel a chill in the air already. Just as we start to wear warmer clothes, we should also change the wines we drink. That’s what we chat about on CTV News. Click the arrow above to watch the segment. First off, what makes for a great fall wine? – full-bodied enough to pair well with more robust dishes. – extra texture, mouthfeel and weight for richer sauces. – and just for fun, the wine is trendy like fall fashions. You have a couple of examples there for […]
Master of Wine vs Master Sommelier? Jane Masters Reveals the Difference
Introduction What’s the difference between a Master of Wine (MW) and a Master Sommelier (MS)? How can you take advantage of your surroundings to become a better wine taster? Is there a benefit to focusing on tasting notes instead of scores? What is involved in each of the stages of the MW exam? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jane Masters MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and independent consultant for the Opimian Society, Canada’s largest wine buying club. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How did […]
Pairing Wine and Cheese Pairings Like a Pro with Laura Werlin
Introduction What should you consider when pairing wine and cheese? Why is sparkling wine the perfect pairing for many cheeses? Are there red-flag flavours that signal a bad wine and cheese match? How can you develop your wine and cheese pairing palate? What can you do to make the most of your cheese and wine course when entertaining? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with James Beard award-winning author, Laura Werlin, one of the planet’s most authoritative writers on cheese and cheese and wine pairings. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights […]
