Recently, Canada’s top wine writers and sommeliers gathered in the nation’s capital for a portfolio tasting with Sergio Case, head winemaker with Trapiche Winery in Argentina. Not only did he take us through a spectacular lineup of upcoming releases, but the event was also hosted at Ottawa’s newest event space, the glass-encased ballroom in the sky on the 22nd floor of the Westin Hotel. It’s a 3,200 square foot ballroom with a 270 degree view of downtown Ottawa, the Parliament buildings, the Ottawa River, and the Gatineau Hills, with the leaves starting to turn colour. You can watch the entire […]
Wine Articles
A Dionysian Tasting with Thornbury Wines Winemaker Simon Fell
Recently, Canada’s top wine writers gathered in the nation’s capital for a comprehensive tasting of Thorbury wines with head winemaker Simon Fell. You can watch our Live Video Wine Tasting on Facebook right here. David Skinner Wine & Travel Columnist, Outdoor Magazine In New Zealand the wine trail always seems to lead to one of Villa Maria’s cellar doors. The flagship brand is represented by over 60 labels but founder, Sir George Fistonich, has been adding other great regional wineries to the family with quality and diversity driving his search for excellence. Thornbury, one of the more […]
Discover the World of Brunello Wine with Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi
Lamberto Frescobaldi Experience the World of Brunello with an unforgettable, intimate dinner with Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of Tenuta CastelGiocondo – one of Tuscany’s most storied estates, owned by one of Italy’s most revered wine families. Join us Tuesday, October 24 at 7pm at Aria, 25 York St., Toronto. An evening built for true wine lovers and foodies, the Marchese Lamberto Frescobaldi will lead guests through an intimate and engaging, 5-course, wine-paired dinner. Wines to include the debut of Frescobaldi’s new rosé, a Rosso di Montalcino, a vertical flight of three Brunello di Montalcino vintages, and Frescobaldi’s premium top-tier, single […]
Shiraz or Syrah? New Film Exposes the Truth
Do you know the differences, and the secret stories behind these grapes? Would you like to know why you love one style and not another? Our guest this evening is making a movie that will turn the wine world on its head, and change the way we think about Shiraz and Syrah. Director and producer Rudolf McClain joins me live from his home in Sonoma County, California. Click on the arrow above to watch the video. P.S. Join us Sunday October 22, at 6 pm eastern with Heidemarie Fischer Pfaffl of Weingut R&A Pfaffl. www.nataliemaclean.com/live Want to know when we […]
Video: Winemaker John Williams, Frog’s Leap on Dry Farming (and Humour)
Our guest this evening is John Williams, Winemaker at Frog’s Leap Winery … join me live now from… Click on the arrow above to watch the video. P.S. Join us Sunday November 26, at 6 pm eastern with Mike Veseth, an author and authority on global wine economics. www.nataliemaclean.com/live Want to know when we go live Monday with Mike Veseth? Click on the Follow and Like buttons on this page to get notified when we go live. We’ll be simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live, YouTube Live Stream and Twitter Live Video via Periscope. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday […]
Video: Wine Industry Must Adapt or Face Digital Darwinism
What a terrific chat with Paul Mabray, Wine Unicorn & Digital Futurist! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. What impact does social media have on wine, both for wineries and wine drinkers? How has that changed dramatically over the past year? Our guest this evening is a wine unicorn and digital futurist. He has created and led companies that have transformed the wine industry through the strategic and visionary use of technology. He believes that the future of the wine industry hinges on its ability to adapt and change to meet consumer expectations, wherever they are, […]
Video: Prosecco and Pinot Grigio Primer for the Holidays with Santa Margherita
What a terrific chat with Nicola Lovato, Brand Ambassador, Santa Margherita! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. P.S. Join us Sunday October 8, at 6 pm eastern with John Williams, Winemaker, Frog’s Leap Winery. www.nataliemaclean.com/live Want to know when we go live Monday with John Williams? Click on the Follow and Like buttons on this page to get notified when we go live. We’ll be simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live, YouTube Live Stream and Twitter Live Video via Periscope. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and find out who’s coming up next. […]
Video: Clark Smith on Why Some Wines are Like Angelina Jolie
What a terrific chat with Clark Smith, Winemaker and Author! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. Our guest this evening has created a firestorm in the wine industry, dividing winemakers and wine lovers around the idea of wine manipulation. Clark will explain how some of the hottest new technologies help winemaking, and how splitting the atom changed the way we make wine and altered our perception of what a white wine is supposed to be. Clark Smith has spent four decades as a winemaker, author, inventor, musician, and professor to the wine industry around the world. […]
Video: Blending Wine & Medicine with Argentina’s Dr. Laura Catena
What a terrific chat with Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth generation Argentine vintner, physician and author! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. Listen to Laura’s stories about why Catena wines are so special. Discover more juicy tips that will make you wine smart. Cheers, Natalie We’ll be simultaneously broadcasting on Facebook Live, YouTube Live Stream and Twitter Live Video via Periscope. Watch previous episodes of the Wednesday Wining Show (WWS) and find out who’s coming up next. If you’d like to read the comments for this tasting, or make a comment yourself, visit: https://www.facebook.com/natdecants/videos/10155436261769845/ Here’s a sampling […]
Oregon’s Path to Pinot Perfection (and beyond)
By David Skinner Nearly 15 million years ago, nature exploded in a maelstrom of chaos that cast a blanket of molten rock upon the marine-rich land where a receding ocean once lay. As the newly born volcanic terrain matured, the hillsides softened and westerly flowing flood waters receded enrobing the land in nutrient-rich soil. It would take until 1965 for winemakers to begin transforming the gentle slopes of the Willamette Valley from woodlands to the now familiar landscape lined with rows of vines eager to yield some of the best quality vinifera grapes anywhere. Since then, more than a dozen […]