As we enter fall, there’s never been a better time to explore local wines and wineries. Here with her tips is Natalie MacLean who offers North America’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome Natalie. First tell us why it’s a great time to explore Niagara wines. – Delicious and pair well with fall dishes – Fall harvest is beautiful time to visit the region – Support local producers, Every bottle of Canadian wine made from Canadian grapes contributes about $80 to the economy versus $18 for an import. $11.6 billion to the economy with spin […]
Riesling
A Call for Canadian Wines: Let Them Move Coast to Coast Glorious and Free
On Canada Day, many of us raise a glass of local wine to celebrate. But which Canadian wines will make your July 1st memorable? Here, with her picks for you, is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine and food pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com. Hello Natalie. Before we dive into these wines, tell me where the Canadian wine industry stands today and how has it fared during the lockdown? – There are now more than 800 wineries now from coast to coast in Canada. – Great selection of wine from coast to coast, wine is made in every […]
Retronasal Smell in Tasting Wine and Virtual Brands with Jim Duane of Inside Winemaking Podcast
Introduction How can tuning into the retronasal aspect of smell take your wine tasting skill to the next level? What makes the sense of smell so fascinating? What does it mean to be a virtual wine brand? What do grapes & M&Ms have in common? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast. 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 […]
What Being a Winemaker is Really Like with Inside Winemaking’s Jim Duane
Introduction Have you ever dreamed of becoming a winemaker and wondered what it takes? What’s it like to work a wine harvest without power? What makes Riesling the most difficult grape to ferment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast. 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 […]
The First Sale is Based on the Wine Label; the Second on What’s in the Bottle – Global TV
It’s never too early to talk wine! I enjoyed chatting with Steve and Sophie on Global TV’s BC Morning Show. Click on the arrow above above to play the video clip. We chatted about tips on how to spot great wines in the liquor store in general, as well as about four terrific bargain wines, including Quails Gate Riesling, Okanagan Valley; Goats do Roam, South Africa; Sumac Ridge Tribute Sparkling Wine, Okanagan Valley; and Alamos Malbec, Argentina. You can buy Unquenchable wherever books are sold as well as online from these book retailers. Stay tuned next Thursday when we chat […]
Sparkling Wine for New Year’s Eve versus Champagne
Most people think of champagne as the drink of choice to ring in the New Year. But when the price of one bottle averages $60, you might want to consider sparkling wine, which offers great taste for a fraction of champagne’s price. Although champagne only comes from the Champagne region of France, almost every other region of the country and many countries around the world produce sparkling wines, often using the same techniques and grapes as champagne. Most sparklers are a blend of the traditional champagne grapes—Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Like champagne, they’re labeled according to their […]
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 […]
Online Courses, Canadian Wine & Weird Pairings with Susie Barrie
Introduction What’s my advice for those considering a wine career? How did my biggest career regret happen before I became a wine writer? How has my father’s alcoholism influenced my relationship with wine? How has the pandemic impacted online wine classes? Can you pair ketchup chips with wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m sharing my interview on the Wine Blast podcast with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Why does Rhône Syrah hold a special place in my memories? What’s my advice for people considering a wine career? How did […]
Summer Barbecue Wine Tasting
18:51:02 From Christian Boyer : Hello from LaSalle, QC!18:52:01 From Joann Dnistransky : Bonjour Christian! Joann from Amherst NS18:52:54 From Catherine Yuill : I’m logging in from Calgary, AB18:53:01 From Christian Boyer : Bonjour Joann! I am going close to NS this summer :) 18:53:11 From Joann Dnistransky : As long as you are not breaking bottles!!!18:53:29 From Joann Dnistransky : Christian, where are you travelling to?18:54:29 From Jo-Ann Mellon : Hi Natalie, Jo-Ann from Mont Saint Hilaire Quebec here. Love the music again :).18:54:54 From Christian Boyer : Travelling to the Magdalen Islands, passing through NB and PE18:55:36 From […]
Icewine versus Dessert Wine: What’s the Difference? Video
On CTV News yesterday, Leanne and I chat about Icewines and dessert wines. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, these wine make terrific pairings with chocolate and other treats. Have you got a fave? Let me know in the comments please! How is Icewine different from other dessert wines? It’s a matter of cold versus rot. With Icewine, the water in the grapes freezes more quickly than the sugar and separates out, concentrating the sweetness and fresh fruit flavours of the dehydrated grapes. The grapes for Icewine are picked and pressed at -8 oC or colder. That’s why grapes […]
