Introduction Why is geology essential for vineyard management but overrated when it comes to wine taste? Do soils get too much credit for wine flavour, when invisible factors might be the real drivers? What does “minerality” in wine really mean? Rock, nutrient, or just taste perception? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Alex Maltman, author of the terrific new book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alex Maltman’s […]
Taste Wine
What makes these wines and whiskies perfect for fall?
Fall is here and with it comes cozy nights, hearty comfort foods, and the perfect excuse to explore some fantastic wines and spirits that capture the season’s essence. 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! Fall is like nature’s fashion week: the leaves are strutting their colours and these wines and whiskies are also working the runway on our dinner table. They’re ready to steal the show. From alcohol-free celebrations to bold spirits that warm […]
5 Best Wines and Spirits for Fall Sipping
As the weather cools down, we start craving our favourite comfort foods—and of course, the perfect drink to go with them. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I love our topic today probably because I find most drinks very comforting. They’re like a warm liquid hug for your taste buds. Terrific! Where are we starting? Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum Venezuela Rum always makes me think of comfort by a crackling fire, big […]
650 Ontario VQA Wines in the LCBO This Fall: Fine a New Wine to Love
Forget pumpkin spice—fall’s real MVP is in your wine glass. Ontario VQA wines that don’t just taste great, they absolutely “crush” it this season. Who better to help us pick the best than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! You know, when people say sweater weather, I hear cellar weather. With more than 650 Ontario VQA wines hitting LCBO shelves, the biggest selection ever, so there’s something for everyone’s taste and budget. Supporting local has never been easier or […]
Why Should You Try Brazil’s Serra Gaucha Wines and Visit This Stunning Region?
Introduction Why is Serra Gaúcha the best place to start exploring Brazilian wine and what does this stunning region look like if you want to visit? Which grape varieties thrive in Brazil and have any unique varieties been successful? What’s happening with wine culture in Brazil? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Tufi Meyer, author of the terrific new book, Wines of Brazil. You don’t need to have listened to part one from last week first, but if you missed it, go back and have a listen after you finish this one. You can find the […]
Why are Brazil’s sparkling wines spectacular? Tufi Meyer reveals the answers in Wines of Brazil
Introduction Why are the sparkling wines the most successful wines? What is it about the wines of Brazil, the terroir, that really makes them excel? How does double pruning and winter harvesting help Brazilian vineyards produce higher-quality wines? How did family farming traditions shape Brazil’s wine regions, and what is the crossover between coffee and grape cultivation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Tufi Meyer, author of the new book Wines of Brazil. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Tufi […]
How do vines thrive in Mount Etna’s rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily?
Introduction How can vines for wine thrive in Mount Etna’s rocky, volcanic soils on the island of Sicily? Mount Etna is a perpetual baby in terms of its vineyard soils; constant rejuvenation of the soil through ash and lava impacts the vine’s health and the resulting grape characteristics. The lava flows are centuries old and vary widely. So, how would a producer choose one flow over another for planting? How does Mount Etna still have pre-phylloxera vines that are over 200 years old? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Ben Spencer, the award-winning author of […]
The New Volcanic Wines of Sicily’s Mount Etna with Ben Spencer
Introduction How do elevation and slope influence the style of volcanic wines of Mount Etna? What can volcanic wine made on Mount Etna in Sicily teach us about life? How is Mount Etna’s wine scene evolving? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Ben Spencer, the award-winning author of The New Wines of Mount Etna. 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 or YouTube Live Video. […]
Why can’t we taste sweetness in sparkling wine and mistake black and white pepper aromas?
Introduction Why can’t we smell sweetness in sparkling wine? How much of what we “taste” in wine is influenced by its appearance and our expectations? What makes copper both a savior and a threat to viticulture? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sunny Hodge, author of the terrific new book, The Cynic’s Guide to Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Sunny Hodge’s terrific new book, The Cynic’s Guide to Wine. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do […]
Can you really taste “minerality” in wine? Sunny Hodge offers a Cynic’s Guide to Wine
Introduction Can you really taste “minerality” in wine? What gives Champagne and traditional method wines their signature bready flavour and creamy texture? How has natural wine sparked deeper conversations about how we farm and produce food and drink? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sunny Hodge You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Sunny Hodge’s terrific new book, The Cynic’s Guide to Wine. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know […]
