Introduction Did you know that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has her own, private wine club and that it was used against her to bring down her empire? Are you curious about the first people to make beer? They were women called alewives, but the church didn’t like that. Did you know that the first bars were created for women? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Mallory O’Meara, the author of the just-published Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook […]
Holiday Wines and Spirits Plus Hosting Tips (Video)
As the holidays approach, we look forward to entertaining friends and family. On CTV’s Your Morning we chat about terrific wines and spirits for the holidays. Welcome Natalie. What’s a good drink to serve to guests when they arrive? Sparkling wine is the drink of celebration, especially at this time of year. I’d recommend two from Nova Scotia: Avondale Sky Winery Benediction Sparkling Wine Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada Blomidon Crémant Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia, Canada Both are zesty and […]
Dom Perignon, Chateau Montelena and Wine for Your Zodiac Sign
Introduction What’s it like to experience a piece of Dom Pérignon history? Has the legendary California Chardonnay Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay held up in the years since the Judgement of Paris? How can you pair wine with your Zodiac sign? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with wine writer, Gina Birch and broadcaster Julie Glenn, hosts of the Grape Minds 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, […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings November 27
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 November 13th These are just some of the benefits of supporting out 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 […]
Italian Wines from Alto Adige, Portugal + Champagne with Grape Minds Julie Glenn & Gina Birch
Introduction Are you curious about slow food and wine? What’s special about the Alto Adige region of Italy? Why should you consider Portugal and Dubai for your next wine-fueled trip? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with wine writer, Gina Birch and broadcaster Julie Glen, hosts of the Grape Minds 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 […]
Should You Celebrate (and Drink) Beaujolais Nouveau Wines This Year?
Introduction What’s all the fuss about Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of every November? Should you stay up until midnight to taste the new release? How is Beaujolais Nouveau different from the Beaujolais Cru wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m going solo to answer those questions and share more wine tips on Beaujolais Nouveau. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights When is Beaujolais Nouveau released? How has Beaujolais Nouveau’s popularity spread? Why did the Duke of Burgundy order a purge of Gamay grapes? Should you save a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau for […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings November 13
You can access the 144 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 October 30th These are just some of the benefits of supporting out wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before […]
Pairing Books & Bottles, Organizing Wine Tastings
Introduction What do great books and great wine have in common? Why does it feel like the wine changes when you taste the same vintage years later, apart from it maturing (and possibly you as well)? How can you pair books and bottles? How can you organize an informal wine tasting with friends or your book club? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sam Hiyate on his podcast, Agent Provocateur. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights Which Niagara wine pairs well with haunting books that stay with you long after you finish them? […]
Wine for Sex and the City, Casablanca, Bridget Jones, Sideways
What can make watching your favourite movie even more fun? A great bottle of wine. Here with her tips and sips is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com Welcome Natalie Hello Bob! You’re going to share some of your favourite wine moments in the movies, then suggest a pairing. What are we looking at first? In Best Supporting Role, I’d like to nominate this Cupcake Light-Hearted Chardonnay from California, with just 100 calories. Cupcake Vineyards Light Hearted Chardonnay California, United States So I’d raise a […]
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 […]
