Randall Grahm: A Californian Blend of Wine, Wit and Wisdom

What a terrific chat with Randall Grahm of Bonny Doon Winery in California! Click on the arrow above to watch the video. Listen to Randall’s stories about hosting a funeral for an open casket of corks in NYC’s Grand Central Station, his experiments with adding rocks to wine and why he has a meteor named after him. Discover why his wines are superb, his new project on a very special piece of land and his push for ingredient labeling on wine. Next Sunday, July 30 at 6 pm EST, writer Mark Oldman joins us from New York to chat about […]

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Video: Game of Thrones Wines: Royal Taste?

April 14, 2019 Update: This live Facebook show originally aired as a prelude to Game of Thrones Season 7. Now that we’re moving into the final season, I thought it would be fun to bring this chestnut back. I re-tasted the wines, and my opinion remains the same ;) Enjoy this episode of the Sunday Sipper Club! ** Click on the arrow above to watch the video. ** Are they fit for royalty? What’s the back story on these HBO series-branded wines? Game of Thrones Wine Reviews You can read the 30 comments for this tasting, and/or make a comment […]

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Tasting History with Washington’s Chateau Ste Michelle Winery

Yesterday, Canada’s top writers and sommeliers gathered in our nation’s capital for two tastings with Chateau Ste. Michelle Head Winemaker, Bob Berteau. These were historic tastings, with mature vintages drawn from the winery’s library, as well as new vintages in the market now (or soon). It was also an historic first for a Facebook Live Video Winemaker Event in Canada, as we were joined virtually by many other wine lovers in real-time who were also able to ask Bob questions. You can see a snippet of that live stream above by clicking on the arrow, and watch the complete wine […]

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The Godfather of Zin: Tasting Zinfandel of Ravenswood Wines with Joel Peterson

Last night, we were joined by special guest, founder and winemaker, Joel Peterson of Ravenswood Winery, discussing the history of Zinfandel.   Click on the arrow above to watch the video. Listen to Joel’s witty stories about winemaking. Learn about the fascinating history of Zinfandel. Discover the best pairings for Zinfandel.   If you’d like to read the 42 comments for this tasting, or make a comment yourself, visit: https://www.facebook.com/natdecants/videos/10155095648434845/ P.S. ​Want to know when we go live next Sunday with our special guest Rudi Rabl of Austria? Tune in here for our Facebook Live Video Wine Tasting: www.nataliemaclean.com/live Click […]

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California Wine Fair + Video Tasting with Beringer Wines

Last night, we were joined by a special guest, Mark Beringer, Chief Winemaker of Beringer Vineyards, to chat about his wines as well as the latest technology that’s transforming California wines. ​Join us on the Sunday Sipper Club, April 2​ at 6 pm eastern (Toronto time)​ ​with special guest Pedro Costa to chat about Vinho Verde wines. Tune in here for our Facebook Live Video Wine Tasting:  www.nataliemaclean.com/live P.S. Click on the “Follow” and “Like” buttons on this page to get notified when we go live. You’ll find upcoming and past Live Tasting Videos here.   MARK BERINGER – CHIEF […]

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Are Expensive Wines Always Better? Are Screwcap Wines Always Plonk? Busting 7 Sacred Wine Myths

On CityTV’s Breakfast Television, we chat about six wines in three different price ranges, all of which offer terrific value: Dr. L Riesling, Torres Syrah, Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, Wente Cabernet, Burrowing Owl Chardonnay, Masi Amarone. Insider tip: go south for better bargains, such as Sicily in Italy rather than Tuscany or Provence rather than Bordeaux in France. They taste twice as expensive as they cost!         Meanwhile, Canadian Press (CP) published this story below this week in newspapers across the country … Putting a cork in wine myths December 15, 2016 Everyone who really enjoys wine […]

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Col Solare Winery Takes Wine to the Top of the Mountain in Washington State

Several of Canada’s top wine writers and sommeliers met recently with Darel Allwine, chief winemaker at Col Solare Winery based in Washington state.       Jane Staples Wine Columnist, Ottawa Wedding Magazine Sitting down with a winemaker to discuss his winemaking techniques is always a special experience.  Winemakers are like artists, who combine both creativity and science with complete focus, to achieve their unique products.  They are working with Mother Nature too, so every vintage can vary.     I recently had the chance to discuss winemaking with Darel Allwine, winemaker at Col Solare.  The name “Col Solare” means “Shining Hill”, […]

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Facebook Live Video Posts October 23, 2016

  In this Facebook Live Video chat, we discuss the rising levels of alcohol in wines. You can click on the arrow above to play the video. If you’d like to read the comments, or make a comment yourself, visit: https://www.facebook.com/natdecants/videos/10154411500734845/ You’ll find the most recent live video wine tasting at the top of the timeline here: www.facebook.com/natdecants We taste every Sunday evening at 6 pm eastern so add us to your calendar and grab a glass of wine. Click on Follow, Like and Signup on the page above to get notified when we go live.         […]

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Trump versus Clinton Wine Debate: Vote for Your Favorite!

Last Sunday, we hosted a live video taste-off between three wines from Trump Winery in Virginia and Clinton Vineyards in New York. It was so much fun! You can watch the video replay below by clicking on the arrow for this first (and final) Great Whine Debate … and read the 60+ comments on Facebook … you can still comment and vote ;)     This “debate” was focused on the wines (not the candidates), though there was room to wonder if a wine lacks aromas and is going through a dumb stage, to another one having a long, bitter finish. I forgot to mention though that we […]

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Pairing Wine with 7 Turkey Dishes from Bacon to Turducken

Yesterday, Leanne and I chatted about great wine with Thanksgiving turkey on CTV. We started with “basic” roast turkey, but went way beyond with citrus and Cajun turkey, and even that oddity turducken. Click on the arrow above to play the video. You can also watch our second chat about pairing wine with turkey left-overs from turkey tetrazzini to (oh yes) turkey pizza!     Roast Turkey               Santa Margherita Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Veneto D.O.C.G., Italy                   Wits End Luna Shiraz Mclaren Vale, South Australia, […]

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