Introduction How can you create a life you don’t need a vacation from? What can we learn from the French about slowing down, savoring meals, and making conversation the heart of gatherings? What’s it like living in the “other southern France”? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Steve Hoffman, who has written an award-winning memoir called A Season for That: Lost and Found in the Other Southern France. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Steve Hoffman’s terrific new book, A Season for […]
Does Mozart or Metallica make wine taste better?
Introduction How does music, even types you dislike, make wine more enjoyable? Can curated playlists in tasting rooms and wine bars influence how customers drink, eat, and experience wine? What happens when you stop overthinking wine and music and just enjoy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. 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 […]
Is your BBQ missing the secret sauce? It’s these wines …
If you’re firing up the BBQ, you may be wondering which wines to pair with your grilled fare. So who better to lead us through some terrific BBQ bottles than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi, great to be back with you! Actually, I never really left—I just went to refill my glass. So we’re going to kick things off with a fun little game. I’ll tell you about the wine and then you tell me which grilled grub pairs best with it. Sounds […]
What happens when Canadian wines go head-to-head with global icons?
Many people don’t realize how many different styles of wine Canada produces. So today we’re toasting Canadian wines that rival the best in the world. To help us taste the best is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Great to be back with you! Natalie what’s the twist on why you’re recommending these particular wines today? Well, it’s time to stop being polite Canadians and time to start bragging about our own wines because they’re crushing it in the vineyard and on the world stage! I’m recommending […]
How Can Music Change the Taste of Your Wine? Susan Lin, MW, Shares Stories and Tips
Introduction Why might a symphony night pair just as well with your wine as a heavy metal ballad? What is “sonic seasoning” and how can music impact the way we experience the taste of wine? How are sensory experiences like music, taste, and atmosphere all connected? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. 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 […]
Which wines and cocktails are perfect for summer sipping?
As the temperature soars, you may be looking for some refreshing summer drinks. Here to help is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi Melissa, great to be back with you! Let’s start with the first wine here. Great! What do you have? Folonari Prosecco Veneto, Italy We’re starting with Folonari Prosecco, a crisp, lightly sparkling Italian white with aromas of green apple, white peach, and a touch of lemon sunshine. This is like summer in a glass, pairing beautifully with […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: July 19, 2025
You can access the wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for July 5th These are just some of the benefits of supporting our wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. Curious about […]
From Altitude to Attitude: 3 Reasons to Love Cool Chardonnay
The rebirth of cool is kicked off today in Niagara, as the world’s top cool climate chardonnay producers gather together with wine lovers to celebrate the grape. 2025 is the 16th Anniversary of the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration (i4C) Since 2011, 271 + wineries have participated, from 85 cool climate wine regions and over 1168 different Cool Climate Chardonnays and Sparkling/Blanc de Blancs have been poured. Some 66 wineries are from Ontario alone. There’ll be tastings, brunches, dinners and fun events such as “Flights” of Chardonnay at the Niagara airport, The School of Cool and […]
Austrian Wine: A Sommelier’s Food Pairing Delight
By Jenny Ratcliffe-Wright CWM With the holidays upon us, the topic of food, wine and their symbiotic relationship of pairing, is front of mind. There is often a gentle war between chefs and sommeliers about which comes first: food or wine, while many serious diners agree they are both just as important – as long as they complement each other well. Andre Simon (1877-1970) is widely considered to be the father of food and wine matching and is known for his contribution to the subject with his book the Art of Good Living. He is the founder of […]
What Turns A Wine Country Visit Into An Incredibly Memorable Experience? with Amy Wislocki, editor-in-chief of Decanter
Introduction What turns a wine country visit into an incredibly memorable experience? What are the hidden perks of off-peak wine travel? How has digital media transformed the way people plan wine travel? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Amy Wislocki, editor-in-chief of Decanter, the world’s most prestigious wine magazine. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Decanter Magazine’s terrific new book, The Ultimate Wine Lover’s Travel Guide. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and […]
