As the holidays approach, we look forward to entertaining friends and family. What’s a good drink to serve to guests when they arrive? Well first, I think that nothing says celebration like a sparkling wine and the first one I’m going to recommend is a Quebec sparkler from Domaine de Lavoie. An added bonus, this winery will ship directly to your home and it’s a great way to support local. Domaine de Lavoie Brut Sparkling 2020 Monteregie, Quebec, Canada Flat Rock Twisted Sparkling 2020 Ontario V.Q.A., […]
Niagara Wine
Wine for Sex and the City, Casablanca, Bridget Jones, Sideways
What can make watching your favourite movie even more fun? A great bottle of wine. Here with her tips and sips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com Welcome Natalie Hello Bob! You’re going to share some of your favourite wine moments in the movies, then suggest a pairing. What are we looking at first? In Best Supporting Role, I’d like to nominate this Cupcake Light-Hearted Chardonnay from California, with just 100 calories. Cupcake Vineyards Light Hearted Chardonnay California, United States So I’d raise a […]
Restaurant Wine Lists, Poutine, Niagara & Pairing Tips
Introduction What are my top tips for choosing a bottle from a long restaurant wine list? What are the best wines to pair with extremely rich dishes like poutine? What would surprise you about the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region and why should you visit? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed by Scott Greenberg, on his podcast, The Vine Guy. He also hosts the “Wine of the Week” show on WTOP radio in Washington, DC. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How have I incorporated my love of tech into my wine career? What […]
5 Spectacular Wines from Black, Indigenous and People of Colour Winemakers
We often talk about buying wine because of the way it’s made, but we don’t often talk about who makes the wine in terms of race. Here with us today to highlight some of our country’s best wines that are owned or produced by Blacks, Indigenous or People of Colour (BIPOC) is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes. Welcome Natalie. Why does it matter who makes the wine, Natalie? These days we seek out wines because of how they’re made, whether that’s sustainable farming, organic viticulture or ethical Fair Trade practices. We vote […]
What You’ll Learn in Online Wine Classes and Courses
Back to Wine School Now that the kids have headed back to school, let’s chat about how the adults have changed the way they learn about wine, especially with online courses. It’s a virtual world of wine learning at your fingertips. Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie Great to be here! First, tell us why online wine courses have become so popular? Online courses offer the best of both worlds: they’re accessible to everyone no matter where you live, they’re more comprehensive than a one-off […]
Pairing Movies & Wines: Video Tasting
You can still purchase the Ontario or B.C. wines (or both!) with the time-limited discount here (stock up for holiday entertaining and gift-giving): Get the Ontario Wines Here Get the B.C. Wines Here Join me for my next online tastings: Scary Great Pairings October 21 Holiday Hosting December 2 Chocolate and Wine Pairing February 10 Thirty Bench Small Lot Pinot Noir 2019 Beamsville Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Trius Distinction Baco Noir 2020 Ontario V.Q.A., Canada […]
Pairing BC and Ontario Wine with Books (Video)
The long weekend is coming up, and you might be celebrating with a glass of Canadian wine or two, but what should you pair with your vino beyond BBQ? How about some Canadian books? Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com So we’re going to start on the west coast Natalie. What do you recommend? We’re starting with Nk’Mip Cellars (pronounced in-ka-meep) Winemaker’s Series Talon, the first Indigenous-owned winery in North America. Nk’Mip means “Bottomland” because the vineyards are planted at the southern tip of the Osoyoos Indian […]
Ontario Icewine: How to Drink It, Pair It and Love It with Karen King
Introduction How is Icewine different from other sweet wines? How does that change the way you drink it and pair with food? Which pairings work beyond dessert? How can you make delicious Icewine Slushies and pair them with chili chips and wasabi peas for an incredible flavour combination? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Karen King, co-owner of the Ice House Winery in Niagara. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What differences can you see in how different generations think about Icewine? Why shouldn’t you save Icewine only for special […]
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 […]
Niagara-on-the-Lake Wineries Adapt to Covid with Andrea Kaiser
Introduction What’s it like harvesting grapes in sub-zero temperatures? Is there really any difference between a vineyard on one side of the road and a vineyard on the other? Is this a good time for you to visit a winery? What’s changed with Covid? How does the Taste the Season at Home initiative allow you to support local wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrea Kaiser, Chair for the Wineries of Niagara-on-the-Lake and Director of Marketing at Reif Estate Winery. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What’s it like […]
