Dream Wine Careers with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards Part 2

Introduction Why are podcasts one of the best ways to learn about wine? How do English sparkling wines compare to Champagne, and should you seek them out? Why is the Master of Wine qualification valuable beyond the studies? What’s behind the low pass rate for the Master of Wine qualification? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, Masters of Wine for part two of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Watch the Video   Giveaway You could win a prize pack that includes a personally signed copy […]

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Having a Wine Blast with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards

Introduction Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have a career in wine, whether as a TV or radio personality, writer, author, podcaster, event organizer, speaker or consultant? Well, our guests tonight have done it all and you’re in for a treat with colourful stories from their brilliant careers! In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susie Barrie and Peter Richards, Masters of Wine for part one of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Watch the Video   Giveaway You could win a prize pack that […]

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The Shape of Wine Taste with Australia’s Wakefield Wines

Introduction How can you visualize the taste of wine in a chart? How would those charts be different for Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling and Shiraz? What makes the wines from Australia’s Clare Valley unique? What is bâtonnage and what flavours and aromas will result in the wine? How does acidity improve your tasting experience? Why is balance one of the most critical aspects of a great wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Justin Taylor and Neil Hadley of Australia’s Wakefield Wines. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights What was […]

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Taco Bell’s New Jalapeño Noir Wine: Should You Try It?

Introduction Taco Bell just launched its first wine called Jalapeño Noir, a Pinot Noir, get it? Is the wine any good? Should you try it? Does it pair well with tacos? What will surprise you about making the wine, especially the winery that made it? What was the stealth marketing plan behind the launch? What’s next, Big Macs and Bordeaux? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m going solo to do a live taste test for you. You can find the Jalapeno Noir wine here.   Highlights How well did Taco Bell’s new Jalapeño Noir wine perform […]

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Which Wine Pairs Best with Blue Cheese? Janice Beaton Makes the Match

Introduction Why are wine and cheese your best bets when entertaining? If you’re not a fan of blue cheese, where do you start to acquire a taste for it? How is blue cheese made? Can blue cheese actually have no blue colour? Where should you take a wine-and-cheese themed vacation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Janice Beaton, owner of Janice Beaton Fine Cheese which was known as Calgary’s best place to buy artisanal, fresh-cut cheeses from around the world. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights Why are wine and […]

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Which Cheeses Go Well With Wine? Janice Beaton Shares Pairings

Introduction Why does cheese, like wine, spark obsession? Why do certain wines and cheeses have a similar flavour profile? What makes Canadian cheeses unique? Do different types of cows’ milk produce different flavours in cheese? How do you pair goat cheeses with wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Janice Beaton, owner of Janice Beaton Fine Cheese which was known as Calgary’s best place to buy artisanal, fresh-cut cheeses from around the world. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights How did Janice develop her passion for cheese? What is it […]

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Wine and Principled Persuasion with Dragon’s Den Arlene Dickinson

Introduction What would it look like for you to pitch a winery on Dragon’s Den versus The Big Decision? What are the creative similarities between writing a book and making a wine? What’s the difference between being financially versus creatively invested in a company? What are the three pillars of principled persuasion in business and life? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Arlene Dickinson, one of Canada’s top entrepreneurs who has had phenomenal success in many fields, from television to books and consultancy to consumer products. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights How […]

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Master of Wine vs Master Sommelier? Jane Masters Reveals the Difference

Introduction What’s the difference between a Master of Wine (MW) and a Master Sommelier (MS)? How can you take advantage of your surroundings to become a better wine taster? Is there a benefit to focusing on tasting notes instead of scores? What is involved in each of the stages of the MW exam? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jane Masters MW, Chairman of the Institute of Masters of Wine and independent consultant for the Opimian Society, Canada’s largest wine buying club. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights How did […]

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Pairing Wine and Cheese Pairings Like a Pro with Laura Werlin

Introduction What should you consider when pairing wine and cheese? Why is sparkling wine the perfect pairing for many cheeses? Are there red-flag flavours that signal a bad wine and cheese match? How can you develop your wine and cheese pairing palate? What can you do to make the most of your cheese and wine course when entertaining? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with James Beard award-winning author, Laura Werlin, one of the planet’s most authoritative writers on cheese and cheese and wine pairings. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Highlights […]

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The Wine Bible’s Karen MacNeil on Women and Wine

Introduction How did The Wine Bible get its name? How was it unlike any wine book of its time? What was it like as a young woman trying to break into the male-dominated New York wine scene in the 1970s? Why are there significantly fewer women than men with the Master Sommelier designation? How does wine help you to immerse yourself in other cultures? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible, former wine correspondent for the Today Show, the first Food and Wine Editor of USA Today, and […]

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