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 January 10th 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 […]
How is Namratha’s “Vineyard Melody” memoir the wine version of Eat, Pray, Love?
Introduction How can a wine story rooted in darkness leave you feeling hopeful about your life? Why is France such a symbol of freedom, possibility and reinvention for her? How can discovering France through art, cinema, and wine become an escape into a completely different world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Namratha Stanley, author of Vineyard Melody: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life, One Grape At A Time. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Namratha Stanely’s terrific new book, Vineyard Melody: […]
The Ghost in the Glass: Five Ways AI Is Rewriting the Story of Wine
By Natalie MacLean I remember the hum of server rooms at the supercomputer company now the headquarters of Google. When I joined the wine industry twenty-five years ago, I thought I was leaving a binary world for a visceral one. I wanted the harvest heat, the fudgy soil, the cool zip of Riesling on my tongue. Now silicon has caught up to the soil. Wine writing has always been a strange translation. You taste a changing liquid then try to trap it in words. Critics have spent centuries arguing about whether that translation is possible. AI has shifted the argument. […]
Why Do Some Non-Alcoholic Wines Keep Their Fruity Aromas While Others Lose Everything?
Introduction How did winemakers first figure out how to remove alcohol from wine without destroying it? Why is it so difficult to perfect the flavours and aromas in wine once the alcohol is removed? Why do some non-alcoholic wines keep their fruity aromas while others seem to lose everything? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr Wes Pearson, a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. 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 […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: January 10, 2026
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 December 20th 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 what […]
How to Survive (and Thrive) This Dry January: Wines That Make it a Breeze
As we kick off the new year, many of us are looking to make healthier choices. There’s a growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to moderate their alcohol intake without giving up on flavour. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie! Great to be back with you! I’m excited to share these wines that prove less can be more with wines of elegance rather than power. How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of Gen Z […]
Wes Pearson: What Happens When the World’s Most Expensive Wines Are Tasted Blind
Introduction What really happens when the world’s most expensive wines are tasted blind, without their labels or reputations? Why is the Len Evans Tutorial considered such a valuable experience in the wine world? How did Grenache go from a filler grape to one that producers take seriously? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr Wes Pearson, a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. 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 […]
The Devil Made Me Drink It: Casillero del Diablo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon
The legendary Devil’s Cellar Casillero del Diablo has grown from local legend to international sensation. The numbers are impressive: a bottle of Casillero del Diablo is sold somewhere in the world every four seconds. The brand ranks consistently as the second most powerful wine brand globally and has held that position for seven consecutive years. The Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon represents the heart of the collection, made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes sourced from Chile’s Central Valley. This detail matters more than you might think. While many producers stretch their Cabernet with blending grapes, Casillero del Diablo delivers the pure, […]
Party in a Bottle: Why Devil’s Carnaval Deserves a Spot at Your Next Celebration
There’s something delightfully rebellious about a wine that refuses to take itself too seriously. Enter Devil’s Carnaval, the newest mischief-maker from Chile’s legendary Casillero del Diablo, which is under $14 so it offers incredible value. If you’ve been searching for an excuse to uncork something festive without breaking the bank, consider this your invitation to the party. Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Devil’s Carnaval Red Chile A Legend Reborn for a New Generation To understand Devil’s Carnaval, you first need to know the wickedly clever tale behind its […]
Celebrate 2026 in Style with These 4 Drinks!
New Year’s Eve is just around the corner, and whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a grand celebration, finding the perfect drinks to toast to 2026 can make all the difference. From elegant bubblies to bold reds and even some sophisticated non-alcoholic options, we’re exploring a lineup that will elevate any midnight countdown. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to celebrate with you the one night of the year that has good wine, great company and fresh goals […]
