Darcen is a market researcher specializing in both consumer behavior and sensory evaluation. With over a decade of experience designing and implementing research studies, he recently completed his Masters at the University of British Columbia Okanagan, that studied the sensory experience of wine and how this impacts consumer decision making. Specifically, his research explores how identifying with a wine label goes beyond increasing appeal and purchase intent and can actually impact the taste of the wine. Darcen and his research partner, Arnica Rowan, run Terroir Consulting (terroirwine.ca) in the Okanagan. Together, they create fun wine events like the B.C. […]
Video Interview with the Visionary Paul Hobbs, aka The Steve Jobs of Wine
You won’t want to miss our live video chat with Paul Hobbs, Join us Sunday, August 25, 2019 at 6 pm EST right here: www.facebook.com/natdecants/videos/ Click on “Get Reminder” on the page above to know when we go live. You can also click on “Follow” and “Like” buttons to know when we make updates. Listen to his stories and experiences as we taste wines together. Plus you can ask him your own wine related questions. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and to find out who’s coming up next. Paul Hobbs Farmer. Winemaker. Founder. • Raised […]
Why is the Rosé Wine Revolution Happening Now? Elizabeth Gabay, Master of Wine, Knows (Video)
The tech gods weren’t cooperating with us for this chat as Liz’s audio was cutting in and out so we had a shorter chat than usual. We’ll reschedule Liz in the future. Our guest this evening is Elizabeth Gabay, And she joins me now, live from London, UK; welcome to the Sunday Sipper Club Elizabeth Gabay! Want to know who our next guests are? You can find previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and to find out who’s coming up next. . Rosé: Understanding the Pink Wine Revolution With a degree in history and a […]
How to Become the World’s Best Sommelier with Arvid Rosengren
Introduction Arvid Rosengren is one of the most merited sommeliers in the world, holding a range of competition wins and titles, the crowning achievement being the 2016 A.S.I. Best Sommelier of the World, a competition held every three years for candidates representing sixty countries. It tests theoretical knowledge, blind tastings of various beverages and practical service skills. Born and raised in the south of Sweden, Arvid initially studied Nanotechnology Engineering but figured out half-way through that working with his true passion – food and wine – would be preferable to wearing a lab coat. After a brief time in Stockholm […]
Wine Secrets of the Sommeliers with Rajat Parr (Video)
https://www.facebook.com/natdecants/videos/2313498928912741/ You won’t want to miss our live video chat with Rajat Parr, three-time James Beard Award-winning author, sommelier, and winemaker. Join us Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 6 pm EST right here: www.facebook.com/pg/natdecants/posts/ Click on “Get Reminder” on the page above to know when we go live. You can also click on “Follow” and “Like” buttons to know when we make updates. Listen to his stories and experiences as we taste wines together. Watch previous episodes of the Sunday Sipper Club (SSC) and to find out who’s coming up next. Rajat Parr, three-time James Beard Award-winning author, sommelier, […]
Willamette Valley, Oregon – Your Next Wine Destination. Five hidden-gem boutique wineries to visit in the Willamette Valley.
by Rebecca Meir Liebman Unlike much-visited Chianti, Bordeaux, or Napa, the Willamette Valley is yet to be discovered by wine tourists. Odd, since this upcoming region has everything one could look for on vacation: beautiful views, quality wines, and fascinating, welcoming people. Within this charming region of 530 wineries, the vast majority are family owned and small-scale, producing less than 5,000 cases a year. In fact, 70% of the wineries in all of Oregon produce fewer than 5,000 cases per year. The vast majority of Oregon’s wineries are not part of big corporations, where the owner is absent or might live […]
Wine and Keto, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Atkins, South Beach and Other Diets (Does Wine Make You Fat?)
Introduction Does wine make you fat? Can you drink wine while you’re on a diet? What about diets like paleo, keto, South Beach, Atkins and gluten-free? In recent years some winemakers have started producing or re-labelling low-carb and low-calorie wines that cater to or many and varied special diets. Are they really worth it or is it just a fad? That’s exactly what we’re going to dive into this week as we explore how our bodies process alcohol, the surprising statistics about weight gain and wine and whether you should buy a bottle of low-carb wine on your next trip […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings March 30
You can access the 93 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 March 16, 2019 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 […]
Organic and Biodynamic Wine with Thomas Bachelder
Introduction Thomas Bachelder is a Canadian winemaking superstar on a mission when it comes to cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. After studying in France and having a successful winemaking career in Canada, Thomas started his own label where not only does he make wine in Ontario, but he also has vineyards in Burgundy and Oregon. The Bachelder project started with the 2009 vintage with the three terroirs series: Three regions; Three wines. As he describes it, the hands, techniques and the palates remain the same, only the terroirs change. Highlights When did Thomas realize he wanted to make wine? […]
Cider House Rules: Cider Food Pairings, Cocktails, Serving Tips (Video)
On CTV’s The Social yesterday, we had fun chatting about all things cider, from serving it (glassware, temperature) to pairing it with food; from cocktails to fascinating historical trivia. St. Patricks Day is this weekend and if you’re looking for an alternative to beer, why not have some cider instead? With so many different types, there’s sure to be a cider that will please your palate! Here to break them all down for us is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes. HISTORY OF CIDER Tell us a bit about the history of cider and […]
