Celebrate Summer’s Bounty: Pairing Wine with Farmers’ Market Finds

  As we dive into summer entertaining, the farmers’ markets are overflowing with fresh fruit and vegetables, and you may be looking for some wines to pair with these local treasures. Our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie!   Great to be back with you, Crystal! We’re diving into a farm-to-glass adventure and focusing on Nova Scotia and Italian wines as both are known for their zesty, garden-friendly styles.   Sounds delicious and timely! Let’s start with your first wine.       […]

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The Ultimate Travel Guide for Wine Lovers with Decanter Magazine’s Editor Amy Wislocki

Introduction Why does wine taste different when you’ve stood in the vineyard it came from? What’s one myth about wine travel that Amy dispels? With Gen Z drinking less wine, how does a 50-year-old wine magazine stay relevant without alienating longtime readers? 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 her terrific book, The Ultimate Wine Lover’s Travel Guide.   How to Win To qualify, all […]

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Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: July 5, 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 June 21st  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 […]

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Spritz Up Your Summer with These 3 Cocktails

  With the heat rising, nothing beats a refreshing spritz to cool down and impress your guests. And who better to help us than our favorite drinks expert Natalie MacLean. Welcome, Natalie!   Tim, I’m bubbling with excitement because these summer spritz cocktails!   What makes a spritz cocktail so perfect for summer entertaining?   A spritz is summer’s best friend because it’s light and refreshing. The beauty is in its simplicity — usually just three or four ingredients: something sparkling, something sweet or bitter, and a splash of soda water. The spritz is the little black dress of cocktails: effortless, […]

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Which Ontario wine pairs best with fireworks and flag-waving?

  Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific Ontario wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie!   Annette, great to be back with you! These Ontario wines are more than just delicious; they’re full of personal stories, family legacies, and the kind of Canadian spirit that makes you proud to raise a glass.   Let’s start with your first wine.         180 Wines Sparkling Gamay Rosé Niagara, Ontario         […]

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A Taste of Home: Celebrating Canada in Every Sip from Wine to Whisky

  Whether you’re hosting a backyard BBQ, heading to the cottage, or simply kicking back on your deck, Canada Day is a great reason to raise a glass to local flavour.   And who better to guide us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie!   Hi Tim, great to be back with you! These bottles here are more Canadian than a red plaid shirt and more delicious than a whole basket of beaver tail pastries.   Let’s kick things off with some wine, but first… trivia time! […]

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What do Canadian wine, cheese and fireworks have in common?

  Canada Day is almost here, and if you’re looking for some delicious Canadian wines and spirits to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie.   Great to be back with you, Nick! We’re going to dive into some delicious patriotism today!   Let’s start with your first wine.         Inasphere Estate Wines Pinot Grigio Norfolk County, Ontario           We’re starting with a gorgeous white wine from Inasphere Estate in Norfolk County, Ontario. Their Pinot Grigio […]

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Which 4 wines are cooling down the hottest patios right now?

  The long weekend kicks off summer entertaining and if you’re looking for some exciting wines to try, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie!   Great to be here with you!   Let’s start with your first wine.         Winemaker’s Cut Incognito Rosé Dealcoholized Wine Oliver, B.C.         We’re starting with a twist—a dealcoholized rosé that doesn’t compromise on flavour. This Incognito Rosé from Winemaker’s Cut in British Columbia has all the hallmarks of a summer […]

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What Is Vital About Argentina’s Old Vine Malbec and Ontario Wine’s Future with Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble?

Introduction What makes old Malbec vines planted in the 1920s so rare and valuable today? Why would a Canadian winemaker head to Mendoza, Argentina, to start a winery? What’s one of the biggest challenges holding back Canadian wine and how can consumers change that? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Ann Sperling & Peter Gamble. 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 […]

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What 4 outstanding BC wines to celebrate the Canada Day?

  Canada Day is almost here and if you’re looking for some terrific BC wines to celebrate, our next guest has you covered! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Hi Natalie!   Hi Mona, great to be back with you!   Let’s start with your first wine.           Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris Penticton, B.C.           We’re kicking off with the Poplar Grove Cascadia Series Pinot Gris from Penticton. It’s bursting with aromas of fresh lime and lemon sunshine. I’d pair […]

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