Introduction Are high-end non-alcoholic drinks worth the price? What is the bartender’s secret to great citrus-based cocktails like Margaritas or Mimosas? How do bartenders redefine a crafted cocktail without alcohol? Why does the term “Mocktail” for zero-proof non-alcoholic drinks offend many bartenders? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books Sparkling and Zero Proof. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion. How to Win To qualify, […]
Wine Articles
What Surprises Did a Magical Dom Pérignon Champagne Tasting of 60 Rare Vintages Reveal? Elva Ramirez Shares Her Story in “Sparkling”
Introduction How did a magical Dom Pérignon Champagne tasting of 60 rare vintages reveal the surprising depth and aging potential of sparkling Rosé? What surprising role did the British play in the discovery of sparkling wine? What makes the Porn Star Martini one of the most crowd-pleasing cocktails? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books “Sparkling” and “Zero Proof.” You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any […]
How Can Carbon Offsetting Claims in the Wine Industry Be a Form of Greenwashing?
Introduction How can carbon offsetting claims in the wine industry be a form of greenwashing? How does the natural fermentation process in winemaking create one of the most concentrated sources of CO₂ emissions in any industry? Can yeast selection and fermentation techniques make winemaking more sustainable? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrew Neather & Jane Masters. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Andrew Neather & Jane Masters’ terrific new book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine. How to […]
Which 5 Wines Taste Like the Harvest Around the World This Fall?
Welcome back! As the seasons change, so do our palettes. And with the cooler weather settling in, it’s the perfect time to switch up your wines! Here with her favourite picks for fall is the editor of Canada’s largest wine review website, Natalie MacLean! Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you, ladies! Fall wine season is my Super Bowl, but with better drinks and snacks. What do you consider when you’re recommending wines for the fall? Fall is all about transition and comfort. I look for wines that can shift from patio […]
Have you joined the Come Over October wine movement yet?
Come Over October is a new global movement founded by Karen MacNeil, author of the Wine Bible. It invites us to create unforgettable moments with the people who matter most over a glass of wine or two. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! You know, Come Over October is proof that the best things in life aren’t downloaded, they’re uncorked. This movement celebrates wine’s 8,000-year history of bringing people together. Our ancestors didn’t need […]
Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine with Andy Neather and Jane Masters
Introduction How can the wine world help tackle climate change, and why is choosing sustainable and biodynamic wines not enough? What happens when vineyards embrace biodiversity with cover crops, insects, and wildlife? How are wine producers in South Africa rebuilding natural ecosystems around their vineyards? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrew Neather & Jane Masters. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Andrew Neather & Jane Masters’ terrific new book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine. How to Win […]
How Is The Spanish Sparkling Wine Cava Different From The Italian Bubbly Prosecco In Production, Taste and Reputation?
Introduction How is the Spanish sparkling wine Cava different from the Italian bubbly Prosecco? What makes Xarel·lo stand out from Spain’s other traditional Cava grapes? How did Alicante’s Monastrell grape give rise to the rare Fondillón wine, and what makes it different from Port or Sherry? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sarah Jane Evans, author of the terrific new book The Wines of Central and Southern Spain: From Catalunya to Cadiz. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Sarah Jane Evans’ wonderful new […]
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” […]
How Does the Biggest Misconception About Spanish Wine Make It a Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers? Sarah Jane Evans Reveals This and More in Her New Book
Introduction How does the biggest misconception about Spanish wine make it a hidden gem for wine lovers? How did Spain’s civil war and period of dictatorship delay the growth of its wine culture? What makes the vineyards of Priorat challenging to walk and unforgettable to visit? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sarah Jane Evans, author of the terrific new book The Wines of Central and Southern Spain: From Catalunya to Cadiz. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Sarah Jane Evans’ wonderful […]
