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 […]
Wine Writing
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 […]
Open That Bottle Night with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher
Introduction Do you have a bottle of wine that you’ve been holding onto for a special occasion? Are you curious about how much an old bottle you’ve been keeping in your cellar is worth and whether you should open it soon? Would you like to take a peek behind-the-scenes at how two of the world’s most successful wine columnists taste wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dorothy Gaiter and John Brecher, journalists, authors and wine columnists. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway You could […]
Inside Bordeaux’s Secret Underground with Jane Anson
Introduction Are you curious about Bordeaux wine? Would you love to learn about its secret underground history? What about the overlooked wines and vintages that are both affordable and delicious? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jane Anson, the world’s foremost authority on Bordeaux wine and the author of Inside Bordeaux. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch the Video Giveaway You could win a personally signed copy of Jane Anson’s gorgeous, new book Inside Bordeaux. This 700-page, full-colour hardcover edition features fold-out maps, fascinating history and insider tips for buying the […]
Drunken Adjectives: A Fuzzy Vine-acular
Introduction Are there really that many different descriptors for inebriation? What’s the origin of drunken euphemisms like “three sheets to the wind”? Why does our language go from getting hammered at college dorm parties to more mature sentiments like “feeling no pain”? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m sharing the interesting and surprisingly vast vocabulary that describes the things we do, say and feel when we’ve had a little too much. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What descriptors for overindulgence might have you thinking of food instead? How does our drunken […]
Zinfandel Crusader Joel Peterson, Ravenswood Founding Winemaker
Introduction Do you know the rich and royal history behind Zinfandel? How does the air in a vineyard affect the flavours you taste in its wine? Why did Zinfandel become such a sensation in North America? What does mythology have to do with Ravenswood wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with the Godfather of Zin, Joel Peterson, founder and winemaker of Ravenswood Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Why did Joel’s father involve him in wine tastings as a child? What sort of colourful tasting notes would you read […]
The Connected Table with Melanie Young and David Ransom
Introduction How did my first sip of “fancy wine” jump-start my thirst for wine knowledge and experiences? Why is this a perfect time for you to take an online wine course? Why is it hard to pair certain vegetables, like asparagus, with wine? What juicy, behind-the-scenes insights will you read in my upcoming third book? What’s it like being a woman in the wine world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed on The Connected Table with Melanie Young and David Ransom. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Why did my first […]
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 […]
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 […]
How to Break Wine & Food Pairing Rules? with Chris Scott
Introduction Why should you pair wine to the diner, not the dinner? Do you always have to follow the “rules” when pairing food and wine? Which fun food and wine pairing should you try with your pandemic snacking? How can you develop your aroma vocabulary? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chris Scott, a U.K.-based sommelier who published the world’s first-ever wine podcast, the UK Wine Show and who, with his wife, Jane also founded ThirtyFifty, a company which offers fun and no-nonsense wine tastings for private and corporate events. You can find the […]
