Untangling German Wine Styles, Laws and Mysteries with Anne Krebiehl, Author of The Wines of Germany

Introduction Why has German beer been so much more successful marketing-wise than German wine in foreign markets, particularly in the U.K. and North America? How does German law make it complex to navigate the country’s wines for consumers? What is selective harvesting, and why is it fundamental to understanding German wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Anne Krebiehl. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Anne Krebiehl’s terrific book, The Wines of Germany.   How to Win To qualify, all you […]

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How Pigs, Sheep and Bats Help in the Vineyard with Wine Writer Sophie Menin

Introduction Why are pigs roaming up and down the rows of more and more vineyards? Do biodynamic preparations really help vineyards by treating them more holistically or is this junk science? How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin’s terrific new book, A Year In The Vineyard.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me […]

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10 Best Syrah Wines to Buy Now + 5 Surprising Facts about Syrah

  Today, July 25th is International Syrah Day  #internationalsyrahday #syrahday Syrah is a dark-skinned red wine grape grown throughout the world, used primarily in the production of red wine. Syrah is one of the most noble and most fashionable red wine grapes in the world. You’ll find my Top 10 Syrah reviews and ratings here. 5 Surprising Facts about Syrah: 1. In 2004, Syrah was the 7th most planted varietal in the world. Today it is estimated that Syrah is now 5th most planted wine grape in the world. 2. Syrah has a long history in the Southern Rhone region of […]

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Why Wine Growing is a Nail-Biter Experience with Sophie Menin, Co-Author of a Year in the Vineyard

Introduction Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? What does it mean for winemakers to have an “aesthetic vision”? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin’s terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you’ve posted […]

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Easy Entertaining with Wine and Cheese (Video)

In the second segment, Leanne and I talk about chat about what makes wine and cheese pop on a plate visually, and how to mix textures, tastes and flavours.   You can watch our first video segment on wine and cheese pairing here.                       Pasqua Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Veneto DOC, Italy                   Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand                   Miguel Torres Chile Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley, Chile       […]

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Why Wildfire Smoke Taint in Wine Intensifies as it Ages with Dr. Wes Zandberg

Introduction Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. 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. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it […]

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How Wildfires Affect the Taste of Your Wine with Dr. Wes Zandberg

Introduction What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. 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 […]

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Ontario Wines, the Women Behind Them and at the Forefront with Jennifer Wilhelm

Introduction What is agri-tourism and why did people begin to embrace the farming experience? Why don’t Ontarians drink as much of our own wine as other provinces or countries? How did one woman lead the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm’s terrific new book Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario’s Grape & Wine Industry.   How to Win […]

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BBQ Bliss: 4 Caymus Wines to Impress Dad this Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is Sunday and BBQ season is in full swing, so why not toast Dad with wines that pair well with the grill? But which wines work best?   Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine and food pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome Natalie.   Great to be with you, Mona!   Tell us about this first wine.   The first wine is the coveted Caymus Napa Cabernet, made by the Wagner family who are celebrating the 50th anniversary vintage of this wine. It’s just arrived in stores. The […]

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Celebrating Women in Wine with Jennifer Wilhelm & Andrea Brambila

Introduction Are you curious about the untold stories of the legendary women who helped create the Ontario wine industry and who also shaped its future? Wine might lead people to work in the wine industry, but what sustains a lifetime career beyond that? Why don’t we celebrate people while they’re alive, but instead wait to express those heartfelt thoughts in a eulogy, post-mortem biography or other memorials? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm’s […]

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