Unrivaled Russian River Pinot Noir and Sonoma Wines with Theresa Heredia of Gary Farrell Winery

Introduction Does harvesting wine based on the biodynamic calendar make sense? What about actually drinking the wine based on the lunar cycle? How does fog play a profound role in growing grapes and winemaking in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, California? Why do some winemakers add Mega Purple to wine, and what the heck is Mega Purple? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with superstar winemaker Theresa Heredia who has worked for some of California’s most prestigious wineries. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a bottle of […]

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Diary of a Book Launch: An Insider Peek from Idea to Publication

In these posts, I’ll share with you a behind-the-scenes look at taking a book baby to the marketplace. Let me know if you have any questions. They say that three out of five people would like to write a book, so this is for you if you’re one of them, or if you just want to see how it’s done. I’m also giving updates on this journey on Unreserved Wine Talk, which The New York Times named one of the seven best drinks podcasts. You can find my previous two books here: Red, White and Drunk All Over: A Wine-Soaked Journey from Grape to Glass and Unquenchable: […]

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Riesling’s Big Personality and Germany’s Hidden Wine Gems with Anne Krebiehl

Introduction How do the soils of Germany change the expression of Riesling in your glass? What would surprise you about the size and of German wine production in relation to other leading wine-producing countries? How is climate change dramatically changing the way Germany cultivates vines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Anne Krebiehl. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Anne Krebiehl’s terrific book, The Wines of Germany.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let […]

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How Pigs, Sheep and Bats Help in the Vineyard with Wine Writer Sophie Menin

Introduction Why are pigs roaming up and down the rows of more and more vineyards? Do biodynamic preparations really help vineyards by treating them more holistically or is this junk science? How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin’s terrific new book, A Year In The Vineyard.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me […]

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The Pitfalls and Pleasures of Being a Working Mom in the Wine Industry

  Editor’s Note: You’ll find more media coverage for the book here.   Looking for a sizzling summer read? In her new memoir, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, Natalie MacLean writes about resurrecting her life and career in the glamourous but sexist wine industry. The book has just become a national bestseller. Welcome Natalie.   So what is the book about? Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much starts with my shock when my husband of twenty years demands a divorce. My year gets […]

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Why Wine Growing is a Nail-Biter Experience with Sophie Menin, Co-Author of a Year in the Vineyard

Introduction Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? What does it mean for winemakers to have an “aesthetic vision”? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin’s terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you’ve posted […]

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Why Wildfire Smoke Taint in Wine Intensifies as it Ages with Dr. Wes Zandberg

Introduction Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. 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 jumping into the comments as we watch it […]

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Canadian Wine Trailblazers: Canada’s 5 Revolutionary Winemakers

Click on the image above to play the video On CTV’s The Social, we celebrate the long weekend by raising a glass to trailblazing Canadian wineries. These industry pioneers are leading the way in many areas, like new winemaking techniques and strong environmental practices.     They’re also leaders in the quality of wines they produce. Here to highlight her top picks from across the country is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes.   We’re starting on the west coast in British Columbia. What makes Gold Hill Winery a standout? The team at Gold Hill Winery […]

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How Art & Chemistry Create the Perfect Blend for Wine with Andrea Brambila, Chloé Wines

  This is an exclusive one-on-one interview with Andrea Brambila, winemaker for Chloé Wines in California. In addition to discussing Andrea’s approach to blending the art and chemistry to make great wine, we also explore topics such as: How and when did Andrea realize that she wanted to become a winemaker? Which type of glass does she recommend for a full-bodied Chardonnay? Why you shouldn’t judge wine based on your first sip? Which foods and delicious recipes pair well with Chloé Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?   Natalie MacLean: Andrea Brambilla is director of winemaking at the wine Group, and she’s […]

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Heroic Italian Wines & the Future of Italy’s Wines with Marc Millon

Introduction What is a heroic wine? Which emerging trends will shape the taste of Italian wine in the next decade? How has Italian art and architecture directly influenced its wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Marc Millon. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Marc Millon’s terrific new book Italy in a Wineglass: The Story of Italy Through Its Wines..   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you’ve posted a review […]

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