Introduction Are wines named after a sports celebrity any good or is this just a marketing gimmick? Are more gentle sports like golf better suited to marketing a wine than the more rough and tumble world of wrestling? What does research tell us about the effect of celebrity endorsements on your wine-buying behaviour? How does your wine knowledge impact your interpretation of external cues, like celebrity endorsement, when buying wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis, Fellow of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute and Professor of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at […]
Wine Articles
What’s Trending in the Wine World with Darren Oleksyn
Introduction What are the hottest wine trends right now? What’s the difference between natural wine and orange wine? Are new drinks like blue wine and Pinot Freezio here to stay? How does canned wine hold up to its bottled counterparts? Why has Rosé been able to move from fad to mainstream? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Darren Oleksyn, journalist and author of Uncorked: The Definitive Guide to Alberta’s Best Wines Under $25. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How can you differentiate between natural wine and orange wine? Why […]
Bordeaux and China: Wine Culture Clash or Perfect Pairing? Suzanne Mustacich Reveals Surprising Insights
Introduction Why is Bordeaux considered the ultimate luxury brand in the world of wine? Why did the Chinese market suddenly start buying Bordeaux wines in the 1980s and 90s? Why does Bordeaux in particular suit the ancient Chinese culture of prestigious gift-giving versus other expensive wines? How does the demand for Bordeaux in China affect both the prices you pay and the styles you drink? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Suzanne Mustacich, author of Thirsty Dragon: China’s Lust for Bordeaux and the Threat to the World’s Best Wines. You can find the wines we discussed […]
Tasting Wine Like a Detective with Ontario’s Best Sommelier Emily Pearce-Bibona
Introduction What does it take to win Ontario’s Best Sommelier competition? What’s it like performing in front of a set of very stern-eyed wine judges and a live audience? What is the smartest question you can ask your sommelier in a restaurant? What is the deductive tasting technique and how can it help you drink better wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Emily Pearce-Bibona, Certified Sommelier and founder of Femmes du Vins. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How did Emily go from government employee to sommelier? What’s aspects of wine are […]
Video: Your Most Pressing Wine Questions Answered
Anne-Marie, Lindsay and I had fun chatting about their most pressing wine questions last week on CTV’s Your Morning, the network’s national breakfast show. Have you ever wondered what to look for on a wine label or if you can cook with a wine? Here to answer your most pressing wine questions is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Question 1. Wine Faults Sometimes I taste a wine and I think, ugh, that’s awful. How do I know if the wine is bad or I just don’t like it? What do I do […]
Best Wine for Canada Day? Blockbuster Bottles for Backyard BBQ
Our Canada Day BBQ party on the studio patio of Canada AM this morning was a blast! We revealed the winners of The Great Canadian Wine Match: BBQ Edition, as well as delicious food pairings. (Click on the arrow to play the video above as well as on the one below for the second video.) We had such fun out there … I could have lolled on the patio all day, especially with those wonderful wines! Please congratulate the finalists by clicking on the social media buttons for each wine – the script and links are already there for you, […]
What’s the Rosé Lifestyle? Wine Writer Jill Barth on Why You’d Enjoy It
Introduction How did Provence become known as the heartland of Rosé? What does it mean to be part of the Rosé lifestyle? Why should you take a trip to the Provence wine region? Does the colour of Rosé give you a clue into its taste? Which unexpected but mouthwatering food pairing should you try with your next glass of Rosé? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with wine writer Jill Barth, who is also a Provence Wine Master through the Wine Scholar Guild. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How can […]
Why Sommeliers Love Austrian Gruner Veltliner with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl
Introduction Would you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most versatile wines on the planet? Why should an Austrian Heuriger be on your must-visit list? Which Austrian red wine should you try next? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl who is in charge of business administration and marketing at her family’s winery, Weingut Pfaffl. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How did the Pfaffl grow from a small farm to […]
Why are Nova Scotia’s Tidal Bay and L’Acadie Blanc Signature Wines?
Introduction What do you need to know about Nova Scotia’s signature grape, L’Acadie blanc? What is Tidal Bay and why is it Canada’s first stylistic appellation? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? Which travel tips should you keep in mind when you visit Nova Scotia wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Amy Savoury, a certified sommelier and instructor of culinary and tourism studies at the Nova Scotia Community College. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Why can you taste many different fruit flavours […]
Father’s Day Gift Wines: Red Wine or Port?
Here are my top two wine picks for Father’s Day in the Ottawa Citizen. Wine writer Natalie recommends two full-bodied wines on her site at www.nataliemaclean.com for Father’s Day. She gives 90 points out of 100 to the Cantina Negrar Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2007, Veneto, Italy (LCBO No: 44784, $34.95). “It’s a juicy, full-bodied red, loaded with black fruit goodness,” she notes. “There are some fleshy black plum notes that dance along the background yielding to supreme satisfaction, especially for dedicated fathers who attend both ballet recitals and basketball games.” MacLean also gives 90 points to the the Quinta […]
