Our guest this evening is the first woman in America to become a Master of Wine. This title represents the highest level of knowledge and proficiency in the wine trade. Currently, only 380 people worldwide are Masters of Wine, including 51 in the U.S. She is co-author (with her husband, Ed McCarthy) of “Wine For Dummies” and 7 other wine books, with around two million copies sold and translations into 38 languages. It is one of the best-selling wine books ever. She was also wine columnist for The Daily News in New York City for more than ten years, and […]
Wine Articles
What are Vegan and Vegetarian Wines?
Our guest this evening has been involved in his family winery since he was five years old. After working in the wine production cellar, he became a published songwriter. But despite his love for music, he felt called back to the vineyard and in 2008 became Chief Operations Officer in 2008 then CEO in 2012. Recently he has become a director of the Canadian Vintners Association and Vice-Chair of the British Columbia Wine Institute. And he joins me live now from his winery: Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Ezra Cripes of Summerhill Pyramid Winery! What was the exact moment […]
How Are Family-Run Wineries Different? Henry of Pelham Video
Our guest this evening, Daniel Speck, is one of three brothers who, as children, shovel planted the modern-day vineyards that became Henry of Pelham Family Estate Winery in Niagara’s Short Hills Bench. The Speck brothers founded the winery with their parents, a family venture which began in 1984. After Daniel graduated from philosophy, math and science at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Maryland, he returned to work on the farm/winery. After fourteen vineyard-years he migrated from the farm to the marketplace and today is Vice President of Sales and Marketing. And he joins me live now from the winery: Welcome […]
Video: Organic and Biodynamic Wine with Thomas Bachelder
Our guest this evening is a Canadian winemaking superstar. Not only does he make wine here in Ontario, but he also has vineyards in Burgundy and Oregon. This is a man on a mission when it comes to cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The Bachelder project started with the 2009 vintage with the three terroirs series: Three regions; Three wines. As he describes it, the hands, techniques and the palates remain the same, only the terroirs change. And he joins me live now from his home in Niagara: Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Thomas Bachelder! Here are just some […]
Why Do You Like the Wines You Do? Video
In their new book, Passion for Wine, our guests answer that tough question: “Why do I like certain wine styles and not others?” They do it through a simple, but brilliant “Spectrum of Style” and powerful infographics to help you understand this and other wine questions. Marnie Old is an award-winning writer and sommelier. Jean-Charles Boisset is the head of his family’s collection of world-respected wineries in both France and California. And they join me live now from the Buena Vista winery in Napa Valley: Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Marnie and Jean-Charles! What was the trigger — the […]
New Zealand Wine: An Unexpectorated Journey
Awatere River vineyards Photo: David Skinner By David Skinner When Peter Jackson decided upon his native New Zealand to serve as middle earth for his rendering of the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings, nationalistic nepotism served him less than the splendor of the rich and varied landscapes found in his home islands. The films depicted rugged terrain and lands carved from the mountains by the relentless influence of wind and water and there is still a sense of that primal constitution to the landscapes that now support modern viticulture in the “Shaky Isles”. Marlborough The South Island […]
Celebrate Malbec World Day with These Wines (Video)
Even before she graduated from South America’s most prestigious school of viticulture and enology Don Bosco, our guest this evening began working for the Catena Family wineries in Mendoza, Argentina. In 2010, she began making wine at Alamos before taking over as head of winemaking in 2016. She lives her her husband, who is also a winemaker, and four young daughters who are all growing up and working on their family vineyard as she did. And she joins me live now from the Alamos Winery, Argentina: Welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Marnie and Lucía Vaieretti! Want to know when […]
Discovering the Jewel Grape of Austrian Wine
By Alex and Priya, A Vine Romance Austria. The first thing that comes to mind when most people hear this country is The Sound of Music and Julie Andrews singing My Favorite Things! However, this little European country is known for something else that will likely become one of your favourite things, Gruner Veltliner. Read on as Alex sheds light on this versatile grape as well as other wines that are made in Austria. Priya: I don’t even think I knew Austria made wine! Why do you think it’s such a little-known region to non-sommeliers? Alex: For one thing, Austrian […]
The Shadow World of Wine Forgery (Video): In Vino Duplicitas by Pete Hellman
On last night’s Sunday Sipper Club at 6 pm eastern, we chatted about the shadowy world of wine forgery with New York Times journalist Pete Hellman! Why is wine such a popular target for fakes? Who are the criminals who forge these wines? How do you know you’re drinking a fake wine? Pete Hellman’s new book, In Vino Duplicatas, dives into the underworld of wine forgery in the best tradition of journalistic exposé and gripping storytelling: www.nataliemaclean.com/blog/videos/in-vino-duplicitas-pete-hellman-wine-forgery-video Join us Sunday, March 25th 6:00 p.m. EST, for our video chat What’s New with California Wines, with author Marnie Old and […]
Wine Tasting Event Brings Together Top Writers and Sommeliers
During our team tasting this past Sunday, our nation’s top wine writers and sommeliers gathered to taste more than 70 wines throughout the day, with different members attending at different times. You’ll find all of our reviews, scores and tasting notes here. Many of these reviews are published in the magazines and newspapers to which our team contributes. Some members use this as an opportunity to find wines to feature on the television or radio segments. The LCBO also often uses the reviews posted here to publish in their LCBO Vintages Magazine. Our next team tastings will be May 6, […]
