Introduction Which wine regions, grapes and styles are under-valued and worth trying? Should you be skeptical about celebrity-endorsed wines? How do you choose a good wine club? What simple strategy can you use to improve your tasting vocabulary? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Paul K, host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Rex Pickett’s novel, Sideways, which was also made into a hit movie, […]
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Online Wine Classes Bring the Future Forward with VinePair’s Zach Geballe
Introduction Where do the worlds of wine and high tech collide? Why has the wine industry been so slow to embrace digital offerings? Should you join an online wine class? Are online wine events here to stay in a post-pandemic world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m sharing my interview on VinePair Podcast with Zach Geballe. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights When did I start bringing my love for wine and tech together? How did my high-tech job give me an opportunity to explore Napa and Sonoma Valley? Is wine a […]
Best Ways to Learn About Wine? Vanessa Conlin MW & Amanda McCrossin Part 2
Introduction Are trends like orange wine and natural wine here to stay? What are the benefits of joining a wine club? How do you get out of a wine rut? Have consumer wine choices changed during the pandemic? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast for part 2 of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway You can win one of two signed copies of my books, “Red, White, and Drunk All Over” […]
Which Hot New Wine Regions & Styles Should You Try? Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin MW Part 1
Introduction Have you ever dreamed of ditching your day job and starting a career in wine? What do wine and music have in common? What’s it like to share a bottle of wine with the famous wine critic Robert Parker? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast for part 1 of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway You can win one of two signed copies of my books, “Red, White, and Drunk All Over” […]
Open That Bottle Night with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Introduction Do you have a bottle of wine that you’ve been holding onto for a special occasion? Are you curious about how much an old bottle you’ve been keeping in your cellar is worth and whether you should open it soon? Would you like to take a peek behind-the-scenes at how two of the world’s most successful wine columnists taste wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, journalists, authors and wine columnists. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway You could […]
Rising Alcohol in Wine: Too Hot to Handle?
Introduction Want to seduce someone this Valentine’s Day? Forget the lingerie, lipstick and silk-tie handcuffs—just ensure that the object of your desire drinks a little wine. Over a few glasses of wine, love is blind, or at least it’s wearing rosé-coloured glasses. Perhaps that’s why it’s one of the greatest social lubricants—wine has certainly done more to keep marriages together than beer. Wine embodies physical pleasure: With pheromones, its aromas are a heady mix and its velvet caress on the tongue both soothes and excites. What other drink is described as “voluptuous” and “curvaceous”? In this episode of the Unreserved […]
Tasting and Pairing Grüner Veltliner with Austrian Winemaker Rudi Rabl
Introduction Why do sommeliers love Grüner Veltliner? How does this zesty white wine from Austria compare to Gewürztraminer and Riesling? Does it age well? What are the best food pairings? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Rudi Rabl, founder and winemaker at Austria’s Rabl Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What makes Grüner Veltliner such a flexible type of wine? Which characteristic flavours will you taste in Grüner Veltliner? Which dishes should you try pairing with Grüner Veltliner? Can you pick up aromatic similarities between Gewürztraminer and Grüner Veltliner? How […]
New Zealand Wine’s Sacred Soils with Left Field’s Richard Painter
Introduction How does the unique geography and climate of Hawke’s Bay and Gimlet Gravels in New Zealand create wines unlike any others? How does New Zealand Syrah differ from those from other regions? Why do many winemakers seem to have a special love for Chardonnay? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Richard Painter, Winemaker for Te Awa Single Estate and Left Field wines. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How does the geography of Gimblett Gravels impact the wines you get from Te Awa Wines? Which foods would make a […]
Ontario Icewine: How to Drink It, Pair It and Love It with Karen King
Introduction How is Icewine different from other sweet wines? How does that change the way you drink it and pair with food? Which pairings work beyond dessert? How can you make delicious Icewine Slushies and pair them with chili chips and wasabi peas for an incredible flavour combination? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Karen King, co-owner of the Ice House Winery in Niagara. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What differences can you see in how different generations think about Icewine? Why shouldn’t you save Icewine only for special […]
Nova Scotia’s Secret Star Wine Power with Benjamin Bridge’s Jean Benoit Deslauriers
Introduction Where can you find one of the Canadian wine industry’s best-kept secrets? How does the dynamic Bay of Fundy impact the flavours you taste in wines from the Gaspereau Valley? Which Benjamin Bridge wine will you find on Gordon Ramsey’s restaurant wine list? Why do regional pairings of food and wine work? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jean Benoit Deslauriers, Head Winemaker at Benjamin Bridge. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Where can you find one of the Canadian wine industry’s best-kept secrets? How does the climatic dynamic […]
