Tempranillo is a native grape from Spain, and many believe, the most important grape for Spanish wine. The name Tempranillo comes from the Spanish word “temprano” which means “early” and is a reference to the fact that this grape ripens earliest of all other grapes in the country. You’ll find my most recent Tempranillo reviews and ratings here. 5 Surprising Facts about Tempranillo: 1. Tempranillo is most commonly known as Tempranillo, but it does have as many synonyms, as there are dialects of Spanish. Here are a few more of its names: Tinto Fino, Tinto del Pais, Ull de Llebre, […]
Wine Articles
The Surprising Health Benefits of Wine with Tony Edwards, Author of The Very Good News About Wine
Introduction Have the health risks of moderate wine consumption been grossly overstated? How does moderate wine consumption reduce heart disease? What is the ideal amount and pattern of wine consumption for maximum health benefits, and how does it differ between men and women? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Tony Edwards. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, The Very Good News About Wine. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me […]
9 Best Wines to Pair with Holiday Turkey Dinner (Video)
The holidays are right around the corner. So here with her tips to make your holiday entertaining a breeze is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. What’s your first tip? Keep it simple. I’m not sure why many of us turn into frantic mini-Martha Stewarts at this time of this year, wanting everything to be perfectly matching, preparing everyone’s side dish, stocking our cellars with more wine than we could possibly drink in a month, but we do. So take a breath, relax and start with bubbly. Sparkling wine is a great aperitif […]
Defining Minerality, Mouthfeel and Musty Aromas with Gus Zhu
Introduction Why do certain musty or animalistic aromas, like barnyard or manure, become more acceptable to wine lovers over time? What does minerality really mean when it comes to wine? Why is mouthfeel so important to appreciating wine? How does the colour of wine influence our perception of how it tastes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you will a copy of his terrific new book, Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting. How to […]
Pairing Wine and Halloween Treats (Video)
We shared lots of laughs (cackles?) on CTV’s The Social! The hosts chose the theme of a Royal Halloween, so Lainey dressed as Prince George, Cyn was Daenerys from Game of Thrones, Mel was Megan Markle and Marci was Queen Ramonda from the Black Panther movie. I channeled my inner (royal) wine witch and brought my broom shtick to the show. What a hoot we had together! Here are the tips, tricks and wines we discussed … Something a bit scary happens on Halloween: we’re surrounded by lots of treats, but will they pair well with our wine? Here, with […]
5 Best Canadian Cookbooks Paired with 4 Fabulous Wines
Click on the image above to play the video The Taste Canada Awards gala takes place this evening in Toronto. It’s known as the Oscars for Canadian food and wine writing. Here to toast five of the nominated books is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome Natalie! I have to say that things are really heating up for this culinary competition tonight. The writers are simmering with anticipation, and some are even cooking up schemes to curry favour with the judges. Back to you, Mer. Ha! Which wine are […]
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 […]
Umami, Petrol and Vegetal Aromas Behind the Glass in the Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting with Gus Zhu
Introduction Can you learn to appreciate aromas such as spice, petrol, and even gamey or foxy notes in wine? And would you want to, or should you? How can you better understand the taste of umami in what you eat and drink? How do culture and lifestyle influence your perception of the aromas and taste of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, Behind the Glass: The Chemical […]
5 Gobbling Great Wines for Thanksgiving Turkey and the Side Dishes
Thanksgiving is this weekend, and many of us are planning our menus and the wines. But rather than focus on the turkey, we’re going to pair wines with all those delicious side dishes. Here with her tips is Maritimer Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome Natalie. Before we dive into the sides, quick question: red or white for the turkey? Let’s start with a classic Thanksgiving side dish – green beans. Which wine would you recommend? Ah, green beans – the vegetable that makes us […]
Wine and Folklore Share Terroir and Storytelling with Jo Penn Author of Blood Vintage
Introduction How far would you go for that first evocative taste of an elusive wine? Why should you try wines and books outside your comfort zone? How is folklore as rooted in a sense of place as much as wine is? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jo Penn. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video […]
