This Sunday is Mother’s Day. And whether you were raised by a mother or another remarkable woman who shaped your life, you may be looking for a gift that goes beyond the usual flowers and chocolates. We’ve got you covered. Today, we’re pairing bottles and books for a thoughtful gift she’ll remember. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Now if Mom says she doesn’t want a gift this Sunday, she is testing you. It is a trap! […]
Events
Uncorking Mom’s Best Advice with 5 Perfect Wines For Mother’s Day
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect moment to raise a glass to the woman who shaped us. For some, that’s mom. For others, it’s an aunt, a grandmother, a mentor, or a cherished friend. Whoever she is, today we honour her. Today, we’re bottling up her best advice and pairing each pearl of wisdom with a wine that was made to deliver it. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! As a mom myself, […]
Coast to Coast Cheers: 6 Canadian Drinks for Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is just around the corner. This year, we’re celebrating her with Canadian wines and craft beer from coast to coast. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Today we’re toasting mom with drinks from coast to coast in honour of all that she’s poured into us for years. Some of it is emotional support, some of it is orange juice we didn’t ask for but drank anyway. Where are we starting today? […]
3 Bottles to Elevate Your Easter Table
The kids’ Easter candy haul this weekend is actually a great flavour guide for some fun cocktails and terrific wines. Here to lead us on this adult Easter hunt is our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest drinks site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Just let me say that no child’s candy stash was raided during the research for this segment, though in the name of science, I do believe in duplicating experiments this weekend. Today we’re going to find a bridge between your inner five-year-old who […]
Hop to It: Easter’s 5 Best Wine Finds Are Hiding in Plain Sight
While children search for Easter eggs this weekend, grown-ups deserve a treasure hunt of their own, right there in the wine aisle. Who better to lead us on this spring discovery than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! You know, Easter is the one holiday where we’re encouraged to hunt for hidden treasures. I say we bring that energy to the wine aisle. The best bottles aren’t always at eye level with the glossy labels. Sometimes you have to crouch down, think like […]
5 Irish Superstitions and Drinks to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day
Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and whether you’re Irish or just Irish for the day, there’s no better time to raise a glass. But did you know that how you pour, clink, and even stir your drink could make or break your luck? Today we’re exploring five Irish drinking superstitions and the spirits that pair perfectly with each one. 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! Ireland is likely the birthplace of whiskey. The […]
Fall Wines: A Warming Taste Trend
Wine styles are as seasonal as clothing. In the summer, I drink light, refreshing wines that remind me of a simple T-shirt and shorts: perfect for sun-baked beaches and country road strolls. But in the fall, my wine, like my clothes, becomes warmer, more layered and better able to combat those cool winds of October. In the video above, Leanne and I chat about fall fashions in wine, from the run-way to your dining room table. The wines featured in this show include: Robert Mondavi Private Selection Chardonnay, California Toasted Head Chardonnay, California Clos du Bois Cabernet Sauvignon, California Santa […]
5 Tips to Pick Wines for Thanksgiving
No other holiday celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. Wine is a taste of the harvest along with all the delicious dishes on the table. But actually choosing a bottle can feel like a thankless task, especially with so many flavours to match. Relax. Have a drink. And try some of my suggestions for great wines to pair with Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings that Leanne and I chat about in the video above. You can also watch our first video on fall wines here. In my free online matching tool, you can click on “turkey holiday dinner” […]
The Art of Austrian Wine: From Auslese to Zweigelt
By Alana Lapierre If a question on the American game show Jeopardy! showcased the varietes Gruner Veltliner and Blaufrankisch, a contestant would surely respond promptly with, “What are two of Austria’s most well-known varieties?” They’d be correct of course, but that answer would also belie the great depth and variety of Austria’s terroir, one that I had the pleasure of tasting through following Austrian Wine’s June 2021 Ontario online tasting event that included wine samples, public seminars, and private video meetings with winemakers. Austria is known mostly for fresh, pure white wines and exceptional value for money in terms […]
Stories Behind Family-Owned Canadian Wineries (Video)
Welcome back. The long weekend is almost here and if you’re looking for vino to sip on, our next guest has you covered with her amazing recommendations! Here to highlight some family-owned vineyards from across the country is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes. Hi Natalie! Natalie, we love getting your wonderful wine recommendations but before we get to talking about the specific vineyards you’re going to highlight today, can you tell us a bit about the wine production in Canada? • There are four major regions in Canada that produce wines made from grapes: […]
