Unreserved Wine Talk

What is the connection between alcohol and innovation? How does alcohol help enhance trust and cooperation? Why is it important not to think about alcohol consumption through a medical lens alone?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What’s Edward's take on the quote attributed to Ernest Hemingway about writing drunk and editing sober?

How did Edward use this strategy when writing the book proposal for "Drunk"?

What role did alcohol play in Edward’s first lecture as a graduate student?

How did the first pub on the University of British Columbia campus lead to a major research collaboration on the evolution of religion?

What is the "Ballmer Peak," and how does it relate to alcohol and creativity?

How does alcohol help enhance trust and cooperation in large-scale societies?

Why did problem drinking increase significantly during the pandemic?

What was the most surprising insight Edward discovered while writing "Drunk"?

Why is it inadequate to look at alcohol consumption through a medical lens alone?

What are the three objects Edward would include in a museum exhibit about himself?

Who would Edward most want to share a bottle of wine with?

Key Takeaways

What is the connection between alcohol and innovation? It’s a double effect in enhancing individual creativity and reducing inhibitions.

Alcohol also enhances group creativity because individual members are more creative. They’re also less nervous about saying something that your prefrontal cortex would judge as not worthy when perhaps it’s a great idea.

We have to recognize both the dangers and the benefits of alcohol to make intelligent decisions about how to use it.

About Edward Slingerland

Edward Slingerland is a Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, where he also holds appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Asian Studies. He is also Director of the Database of Religious History. Dr. Slingerland is the author of several academic monographs and edited volumes, a major translation of the Analects of Confucius, and approximately fifty book chapters, reviews, and articles in top academic journals in a wide range of fields.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/301.

How does alcohol, especially wine, foster our creativity, trustingness, and sociability? What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about alcohol's role in the development of civilization? Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine and beer versus spirits?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What drew Edward to study the history of drunkenness?

What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about how our desire to drink alcohol led to civilization?

Why was ancient beer production so costly?

What is the "Asian flushing syndrome" and why does Edward think it developed?

Why does Edward consider the prefrontal cortex to be the enemy of creativity?

How have we removed the inherent safety features of alcohol over thousands of years of evolution?

Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine/beer versus spirits?

What makes wine the king of intoxicants?

How does alcohol affect the prefrontal cortex?

When does creativity peak relative to blood alcohol content?

Key Takeaways

Edward observes that alcohol stimulates the pro-social chemicals in our body, like serotonin and endorphin, that make us feel expansive and kind of feel good about ourselves and more kindly disposed toward other people. One of the brain regions that it quiets is the prefrontal cortex.

The traditional story is that alcohol is a result of an evolutionary or historical accident. But since then, archeologists believe that maybe the story was the other way around. The draw for hunter-gatherers to settle down and cultivate crops was not bread. It was beer. This is the so-called beer before bread hypothesis.

Edward observes that once distilled liquors became available on a large scale, the dangers of alcohol in the super potent form became greater because it can overwhelm our system and you can go from being sober to being really dangerously drunk in 10 or 15 minutes. Edward doesn’t think people should be allowed to drink distilled liquor until well into their 20s.

About Edward Slingerland

Edward Slingerland is a Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, where he also holds appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Asian Studies. He is also Director of the Database of Religious History. Dr. Slingerland is the author of several academic monographs and edited volumes, a major translation of the Analects of Confucius, and approximately fifty book chapters, reviews, and articles in top academic journals in a wide range of fields.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/300.

Why should you look beyond Eurocentric wine and food pairings? What’s so special about making vineyard-designated wines? How can you get the most out of your next trip to Sonoma County?

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast.  I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What’s the difference between making vineyard-designated wines versus blends?

What flavours and aromas are imparted by including ripened stems in the fermentation process?

How many different types of soil are found in Sonoma County and how did this diversity develop?

How do microclimates differ across the wine neighbourhoods of the Russian River Valley and what is their influence on the wine’s characteristics?

What makes Chardonnay more of a “survivor” grape compared to other varieties?

What are some of the challenges that sustain the low level of diversity in the male-dominated wine industry?

How has being a gay woman impacted Theresa’s experience in the wine industry?

What can wineries do to be more inclusive towards the LGBTQ community?

What are Theresa’s top tips for your next visit to Sonoma County and the Gary Farrell winery?

What can you expect from Gary Farrell Wines Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir and Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir and how do they differ?

Why should we expand beyond some of the traditional Eurocentric wine and food pairings?

Key Takeaways

Eurocentric pairings don’t account for cultural and socioeconomic differences. We have to flip a switch in our brains to think of different descriptors and different food pairings that are more relevant to people from different cultural backgrounds.

Theresa loves making vineyard-designated wines because they each have unique characteristics. Some of them produce dark fruit, like Colberg and McDonald Mountain, versus an inland vineyard called the Middle Reach. Acid is there. It's a defining characteristic, but it's not quite as prominent as in those cooler climates.

Theresa advises getting out to Sonoma County restaurants. She also says to avoid booking too many tastings, perhaps just two or three in a day. Choose a well-known winery and one that's off the beaten path.

About Theresa Heredia

Theresa Heredia started her career at Saintsbury and has also worked at Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Domaine de Montille in France. She became Winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery in 2012 and achieved critical acclaim for her wines. At Gary Farrell, she developed strong relationships with some of the most prominent vineyards in California. She was twice nominated as Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and has received numerous other accolades.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/299.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast.  I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What was the "aha moment" in her wine career that Theresa experienced during a trip to France?

Which aspects of Pinot Noir and Châteauneuf-du-Pape captured Theresa’s interest?

How did finding the intersection between chemistry and wine change the trajectory of Theresa’s career?

How did Theresa get through the double heat waves of 2010 - the most challenging year of her wine career?

Which viral moment has been the highlight of Theresa’s wine career so far?

What was it like to work at a new vineyard as a new experimental winemaker?

How often does Theresa taste the grapes as they ripen in the vineyard and the wine as it ages in the barrel?

What are “Jesus units” in winemaking?

What’s Theresa's opinion on Mega Purple, and why is it used in winemaking?

What can you expect from a visit to the Gary Farrell winery and tasting room?

How did Theresa approach making the wines her own over the years at Gary Farrell Winery?

What makes the Russian River Valley AVA unique in Sonoma?

How does fog influence the development of grapes in a vineyard?

Key Takeaways

The lunar cycle is correlated to gravitational forces. So if you pick on a root day, the theory is that you're not going to capture as much of the aromatics as you would on a fruit day when the gravitational forces are the weakest.

The fog and diurnal temperature shifts help preserve acidity and color development in the grapes. It can get up to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime, but at night, the grapes cool down to fog temperature, which is about 50-55 degrees. So you get that big swing in temperatures called a diurnal shift.

Mega Purple is highly concentrated grape juice made from Rubired grapes. Winemakers use Mega Purple to add color, body and texture, and make bigger, bolder wines.

About Theresa Heredia

Theresa Heredia started her career at Saintsbury and has also worked at Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Domaine de Montille in France. She became Winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery in 2012 and achieved critical acclaim for her wines. At Gary Farrell, she developed strong relationships with some of the most prominent vineyards in California. She was twice nominated as Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and has received numerous other accolades.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/298.

Why do Ontario winemakers need to be exceptionally unreasonable, stubborn, and pathological optimists? Which Ontario wines should you try next, other than Icewine? Why should Ontario be at the top of your list of wine regions to visit?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Matthew Gaughan on Matthew's World of Wine and Drink.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Where is Ontario located, and what are the major wine regions within the province?

What is the Ontario wine growing season like?

When were Ontario’s first wineries established, and how has the industry developed since?

What is the history of Icewine in Canada, and how is it made?

Which notable Ontario white wine varieties should you try?

How do Ontario Riesling and Sauvignon Blanc compare to other regions?

Which unforgettable red wine varieties produced in Ontario should you try?

What should you know about the sparkling wine scene in Ontario?

How much of Canadian wine is exported, and what are some of the challenges faced by the industry?

How is wine sold and consumed in Canada?

What are some of the must-try experiences when visiting Ontario wine regions?

How do Canadian wine producers promote their wines abroad?

Key Takeaways

Why do Ontario winemakers need to be exceptionally unreasonable, stubborn, and pathological optimists? They need to brave our climate because humid summers can cause rot and mildew, rain right before the grapes are harvested, which, of course, can dilute the flavour, and then winters that can kill the vines. As one winemaker once told me, you can lose the whole field in an afternoon—a whole year’s work.

Which Ontario wines should you try next, other than Icewine? Riesling is the number one white grape variety in Ontario, and it’s really undervalued. Everybody knows Chardonnay as a brand name and feels safer with It, but once they try Riesling, they realize how much flavour they’ve been missing.

Why should Ontario be at the top of your list of wine regions to visit? First, it has stunning scenery and landscapes. Many wineries have restaurants so they offer delicious pairing menus. There are lots of other activities to do as well.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Matthew Gaughan & Matthew's World of Wine and Drink

As a WSET-certified educator, Matthew Gaughan regularly teaches students to prepare them for exams. His podcast, Matthew's World of Wine and Drink, features episodes focusing on specific topics—grape varieties, regions—to help in that preparation and provide historical and cultural context.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/297.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of Anne Krebiehl's terrific book, The Wines of Germany.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast.  I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What is unique about the landscape of Germany’s wine regions?

Where does Germany rank globally in terms of volume of wine production?

Why is it difficult for Germany to compete with larger and more popular wine regions?

What makes Riesling so polarizing, and why does Anne love writing about it?

What does Anne mean by her description of wine as “transparent” or “crystalline”?

How do the different soils of Germany change the expression of Riesling in the glass?

What does it mean to be an aromatic, semi-aromatic or non-aromatic grape?

How is climate change impacting Germany's winegrowing ability?

Why is Anne obsessed with Pinot Noir?

Which other notable German grape varieties should you try?

What would Anne add to a new edition of Wines of Germany?

About Anne Krebiehl

Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. She is the editor for Germany, Austria, Alsace and Grower Champagne for Vinous Media and publishes widely in trade and consumer publications. Her first book, The Wines of Germany, won Domaine Faiveley International Wine Book of The Year 2020 at the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards.

Bonus Interview - Ottawa Independent Writers | Writer's Workshop: Highlights

Mistake 5: Getting sued by friends, family and others for defamation, invasion of privacy or copyright infringement

What should you think about when writing the comp section – comparative titles – of your book proposal?

Which factors should you consider when deciding where to start your memoir?

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was formed in 1986 as a venue for people with a passion for creating fiction and non-fiction, for writing poetry and plays, and for stringing words together in a variety of other formats. OIW’s members are involved in every aspect of the printed and electronic word.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/296.

Why has German beer been so much more successful marketing-wise than German wine in foreign markets, particularly in the U.K. and North America? How does German law make it complex to navigate the country’s wines for consumers? What is selective harvesting, and why is it fundamental to understanding German wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Anne Krebiehl.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of Anne Krebiehl's terrific book, The Wines of Germany.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast.  I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

How did Simon and Garfunkel help Anne learn English?

What was Anne’s experience getting her first article published while working at Deutsche Bank?

What drew Anne to shift from food writing to wine writing?

Why did Anne want to work harvests around the world, and how did she convince wineries to let her join?

What is Central Otago, New Zealand like, and what was Anne’s most memorable moment from the harvest?

How do the landscapes of Piedmont, Italy, and Baden, Germany, differ from Central Otago?

What makes Anne’s book, The Wines of Germany, different from other books about German wine?

What is it about German wine law that can make it complex and confusing for consumers?

What is selective harvesting?

How did German wines become known to be sweet?

Why has German beer been so much more successful than German wine?

How does the central geography and climate of Germany impact its wine production?

About Anne Krebiehl

Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. She is the editor for Germany, Austria, Alsace and Grower Champagne for Vinous Media and publishes widely in trade and consumer publications. Her first book, The Wines of Germany, won Domaine Faiveley International Wine Book of The Year 2020 at the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards.

Bonus Interview - Ottawa Independent Writers | Writer's Workshop: Highlights

The mistake in following a chronological series of events. There's nothing that will put readers to sleep more quickly than a this happened, then this happened narrative.

The mistake of underestimating the difficulty of navigating a dual timeline. While it can be difficult to try to weave back and forth, clumping together parts of your story by category won't be satisfying to the reader.

The mistake of believing that memoir is more closely aligned to non-fiction than fiction. A memoir is a true account but the techniques of memoir are all on the fiction side of things - plot, character development, climax and conflict.

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was formed in 1986 as a venue for people with a passion for creating fiction and non-fiction, for writing poetry and plays, and for stringing words together in a variety of other formats. OIW’s members are involved in every aspect of the printed and electronic word.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/295.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What does “fixing nitrogen” mean, and why is it important for vines?

Do biodynamic preparations help vineyards by treating them more holistically?

How does the moon's gravitational pull influence the ideal time for pruning vines?

Why are shoot thinning and winter pruning necessary for improving vine architecture?

How have bats, pigs, and sheep become essential additions to many vineyards?

Why did one winery decide to plant vines in concentric circles rather than the traditional rows?

How does light influence wine production?

What are "crystalline cathedrals," and how do they help to protect buds in sub-zero weather?

What methods are vineyards using to warm the air and combat potential damage from frost?

How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma?

In the Museum of Sophie Menin, what three objects would be in the central display?

Which wine would Sophie pair with her favourite childhood food, carrot cake?

What are Sophie’s favourite wine gadgets?

Which bottle of wine would Sophie Menin want to share with Alice Waters?

About Sophie Menin

Sophie Menin is an author and journalist who has contributed to several top publications such as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and more. Her wine writing focuses on the myriad ways that wine connects us with our senses and the rhythms of the natural world.

Bonus Interview - Ottawa Independent Writers | Writer's Workshop: Highlights

The five steps to tasting wine

What makes a good wine versus a mediocre wine?

Memoir mistake #1: Assuming that your story is the focus of the book. This is especially important if you’re planning to write your own story someday, whether it’s for broad publication or just for friends and family as a legacy.

Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was formed in 1986 as a venue for people with a passion for creating fiction and non-fiction, for writing poetry and plays, and for stringing words together in a variety of other formats. OIW’s members are involved in every aspect of the printed and electronic word.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/294.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What was the exact moment Sophie decided she wanted to become a writer?

What were the best and worst moments of Sophie's writing career?

Why would Sophie want to be a teacher if she didn’t pursue writing professionally?

What was the inspiration behind writing A Year In The Vineyard?

Which moments were most memorable from Sophie’s experience with the Olivier Leflaive vineyard?

How did Sophie’s collaboration with Bob Chaplin make A Year In The Vineyard different from other books on similar topics?

How did Sophie choose which wineries to feature in A Year In The Vineyard?

What was the most surprising thing Sophie discovered while researching the book?

How are some wineries changing the way they treat vineyard workers?

What was the most impactful feedback Sophie received on the book?

What were some of the challenges of writing A Year In The Vineyard?

How was the visual storytelling developed?

Which emerging trends in vineyard practices did Sophie observe in her research?

Why is natural resilience important in vineyards?

How did Sophie convince Hugh Johnson to write the foreword?

Why does Sophie consider vineyards to be gardens?

What does it mean for winemakers to hold an "aesthetic vision"?

Why is it important to live close to the earth?

What’s behind the recent practice of wineries planting roses at the end of each vineyard row?

Why is biodiversity important to vine health?

Key Takeaways

Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? Anything that could negatively impact the vineyard, such as mildew or pests, will affect roses first. The roses are like that proverbial canary in the coal mine.

What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? Well-cared-for vineyards begin to look like English gardens or even the Biblical Eden because they’re not only full of flowers and other plants, but they also have lots of bee activity. It’s a measure of their health and biodiversity.

What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"? Every choice winemakers take considers what kind of wine they want to make.

About Sophie Menin

Sophie Menin is an author and journalist who has contributed to several top publications such as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and more. Her wine writing focuses on the myriad ways that wine connects us with our senses and the rhythms of the natural world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/293.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why does smoke taint show up differently in different wines despite the same level of exposure of the grapes?

How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine?

Is there a health risk associated with wine made from smoke-exposed grapes?

Why does smoke taint intensify with wine aging?

Why does the perception of smoke taint become stronger with every sip?

What are some similarities and differences between wildfire smoke exposure and the smoky aromas achieved with oak barrels?

Are some grape varieties more susceptible to smoke taint than others?

What are some of the main challenges in researching the effects of smoke exposure on wine?

Were there differences between the wildfires in BC, California, and Australia wine country?

Where is the current research focus for prevention and mitigation of smoke taint?

How would routine testing of grapes in vineyards help researchers establish benchmarks for risk assessment?

How could understanding more about the terroir of the air positively impact the wine industry?

Key Takeaways

Just because a wine region is experiencing wildfires or even smoke drift from fires farther away, it doesn’t mean that the wine will be tainted.

Smoke taint gets worse as wine ages because the wine develops new, more subtle tertiary aroma compounds which may be bolder.

Australia has pioneered techniques such as making Rosé that’s not fermented on skins where the taint is. Smoke taint is less problematic for white wine because it too isn't fermented on skins.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Wes Zandberg

Before beginning his independent research career at The University of British Columbia (2015), Wes earned a PhD in chemistry at Simon Fraser University with Prof. B. Mario Pinto. Wes loved the rainy Fraser Valley so much that he remained at SFU, completing his post-doctoral research with Prof. David Vocadlo. This training instilled in Wes a fascination for glycoscience as well as a realization that the study of the structures/functions of carbohydrates (i.e. glycoscience) was—and still is—impeded by a dearth of suitable analytical tools and methods. Now, students in Wes’ lab at devise glyco-analytical methods that actually work for real samples rather than off-the-shelf model systems.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/292.

What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce 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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What sparked Wes’ interest in winemaking and wine chemistry?

Why are BC wineries at a disadvantage coming out of 2022 and 2023?

What are the main causes of wildfires in British Columbia?

How much damage was caused by the wildfires in late 2023 and why were they worse than in the past?

Why did the wildfires start so early in 2024?

Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the risk of wildfires each season?

How does fire play an important role in the forest ecosystem?

How do wildfires affect wine itself chemically?

What is the economic impact of wildfires on the wine industry?

Why is it challenging to predict smoke taint through analytical tools alone?

How does yeast activity contribute to smoke taint in wine post-fermentation?

Key Takeaways

In 2021, Wes notes that the BC’s Okanagan Valley experienced severe wildfires due to arson. The vast majority, though, of wildfires are started by lightning and human causes, both errors and malevolence.

Wes observes that the quicker snow melts and evaporates, leaving drier conditions, the greater the risk of wildfires. This is exacerbated if seasonal rains are below average, especially in June and July.

There isn’t a chemical test to determine whether smoke-exposed grapes will actually produce smoke-tainted wines. Smoke taint also doesn’t express itself in unfermented grapes, making it even harder to predict its impact on the wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Wes Zandberg

Before beginning his independent research career at The University of British Columbia (2015), Wes earned a PhD in chemistry at Simon Fraser University with Prof. B. Mario Pinto. Wes loved the rainy Fraser Valley so much that he remained at SFU, completing his post-doctoral research with Prof. David Vocadlo. This training instilled in Wes a fascination for glycoscience as well as a realization that the study of the structures/functions of carbohydrates (i.e. glycoscience) was—and still is—impeded by a dearth of suitable analytical tools and methods. Now, students in Wes’ lab at devise glyco-analytical methods that actually work for real samples rather than off-the-shelf model systems.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/291.

What is agri-tourism and why did people begin to embrace the farming experience? Why don't Ontarians drink as much of our own wine as other provinces or countries? How did one woman lead the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm's terrific new book Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario's Grape & Wine Industry. Three of you in Canada will win a bottle of the full-bodied, buttery-rich Chloe Chardonnay. The latter restriction relates to the cross-border shipping of alcohol and all the fun that entails.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What was it like for Debbie Zimmerman campaigning door-to-door in the 70s?

What did Debbie Zimmerman learn from Canadian politician and activist Nellie McClung?

How did Debbie Zimmerman’s political and journalism careers help her negotiate between Ontario grape growers and wineries?

How has Ann Sperling led the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada?

Why don't Ontarians drink as much of their own wine as other provinces?

What were Barbara Leslie’s contributions to the Ontario wine industry?

What is agritourism and how did Nicolette Novak get people from the city to embrace it?

How did Madame Andrée Bosc highlight the value of giving people context for the wines they are drinking?

What were some of the challenges and lessons that Jennifer experienced writing her book during the pandemic?

What does Jennifer love about the stories behind the Maenad Wine Company and Liebling Wines?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jennifer Wilhelm

Jennifer Wilhelm has dedicated her career to Ontario’s hospitality industry. She is a certified Sommelier, and holds credentials from WSET, Prud’homme, Hospitality Management, and Human Resources with a focus on training and development. She taught at Niagara College for 17 years and was named 2010 Ontario Wine Educator through the VQA Promoters Awards. She received a Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for her contributions to the Ontario wine industry.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/290.

Are you curious about the untold stories of the legendary women who helped create the Ontario wine industry and who also shaped its future? Wine might lead people to work in the wine industry, but what sustains a lifetime career beyond that? Why don’t we celebrate people while they’re alive, but instead wait to express those heartfelt thoughts in a eulogy, post-mortem biography or other memorials?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm's terrific new book Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario's Grape & Wine Industry. Three of you in Canada will win a bottle of the full-bodied, buttery-rich Chloe Chardonnay. The latter restriction relates to the cross-border shipping of alcohol and all the fun that entails.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

How did two tables of broken wine glasses feature in Jennifer’s most memorable wine moment?

What was it like hosting a wine event during a hurricane?

How are camaraderie and support an integral part of working in the wine industry?

What was Jennifer’s inspiration for writing Sharing a Glass?

Why have women’s stories been historically underrepresented?

What was the most surprising insight that Jennifer discovered while writing Sharing a Glass?

Why did Jennifer start the book by profiling Debi Pratt?

What risk did Debi Pratt take in joining Inniskillin?

Which creative strategies did Debi Pratt use to educate people and promote Ontario wine?

How has Inniskillin honoured Debi Pratt's contributions?

Who is Dr. Helen Fisher, and why did Jennifer want to feature her in the book?

How did Donna Lailey’s advocacy for new growing methods help to move the Ontario wine industry forward?

Why was Donna Lailey named Niagara Grape King?

Where did Jennifer’s co-collaborator, Elena Galey-Pride, redirect her proceeds from the book?

How did Dr. Linda Bramble overcome several obstacles to become a leader in the Canadian wine industry?

About Jennifer Wilhelm

Jennifer Wilhelm has dedicated her career to Ontario’s hospitality industry. She is a certified Sommelier, and holds credentials from WSET, Prud’homme, Hospitality Management, and Human Resources with a focus on training and development. She taught at Niagara College for 17 years and was named 2010 Ontario Wine Educator through the VQA Promoters Awards. She received a Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for her contributions to the Ontario wine industry.

Bonus Interview - Andrea Brambila

How did Andrea realize she wanted to become a winemaker?

Which type of glass does Andrea recommend with full-bodied Chardonnay?

Why shouldn’t you judge a wine based on the first sip?

Which foods pair well with the Chloe Chardonnay?

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/289.

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 at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

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.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What made Marchesi Antinori the wine producer who’s made the biggest impact on wine today?

How did a wine of the lowest classification revolutionize Italian winemaking in the 1970s?

How did Venetian merchants influence wine production standards in Italy?

What impact did the royal fascination with Barolo have on its global perception?

What defines a heroic wine?

How did World War II reshape Italian vineyard landscapes?

Why do the cultural practices surrounding wine in Italy enhance wine tourism more than in neighbouring countries?

What is the link between art and wine?

What might surprise you about the mafia’s influence on the Italian wine industry?

Which emerging trends in Italian wine will shape the next decade?

How has climate change affected the English wine industry?

What does Marc love about Lympstone Manor Estate Isabeau Rosé 2023?

What makes San Felice Poggio Rosso Chianti Classico Gran Selezione a great example of Chianti’s evolution?

Why would Marc choose Pliny the Elder to share a bottle of wine with?

What’s Marc’s top wine tip to make us more wine-savvy?

Key Takeaways

What is a heroic wine? Marc defines them as wines made with immense effort from difficult terrains like sea cliffs or high mountain vineyards so they require heroic effort to make them and yet they’re not often well known.

Which emerging trends will shape the taste of Italian wine in the next decade? Marc sees a greater focus on organic and sustainable viticulture due to climate change.

How has Italian art and architecture directly influenced its wines? There are styles of wine that reflect architectural styles. Even the bottles and labels that producers create reflect architecture.

About Marc Millon

Marc Millon is a food, wine and travel writer and communicator and the author of numerous books as well as magazine articles published on both sides of the Atlantic. Marc has been travelling, eating, drinking, learning and writing about food, wine and travel for more than 40 years.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/288.

Which almost-forgotten grape Italian varieties deserve more recognition? What might surprise you about the stories and wines from Campania? What makes wine such a great narrative vehicle throughout history?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Marc Millon.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

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.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What was it like spending summers running up and down Mexican pyramids as a child?

How has Marc been influenced by his Korean heritage?

What does Marc remember most vividly about moving to England at 19?

What was it like being a writer and travelling the wine regions of multiple countries pre-internet?

Why was Marc motivated to write his latest book, Italy in a Wineglass?

What makes Italy in a Wineglass so different from other books about Italian wine?

How did the Italian pride in history and story stand out to Marc while researching the book?

What has been the most interesting feedback on the book so far?

Why did the stories from Campania surprise Marc the most?

What makes wine such a great narrative vehicle throughout history?

Which almost-forgotten grape varieties deserve more recognition?

How does the Ancient Greek symposium compare to modern Italian social wine-drinking customs?

Which wine story in the book is most reflective of Italian culture?

About Marc Millon

Marc Millon is a food, wine and travel writer and communicator and the author of numerous books as well as magazine articles published on both sides of the Atlantic. Marc has been travelling, eating, drinking, learning and writing about food, wine and travel for more than 40 years.

Bonus Interview - Bianca Marais

Why did I write “Wine Witch on Fire,” and how did I know when it was the right time?

What was the inciting incident that kicked off my no good, very terrible year?

How did my story and experiences with misogyny resonate with other women in various industries?

How do you balance telling your truth in a memoir and concerns about potential legal repercussions down the line?

Who was responsible for paying for the expensive legal reviews and edits of my manuscript?

Why did I choose the theme of witches as the connecting thread throughout my memoir?

How did I weave in references to deepen the witch metaphor throughout Wine Witch on Fire?

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/287.

How are innovators making art and wine more engaging and accessible? What is it about the art and wine worlds that makes business and pleasure often one and the same? Is authenticity in art important?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Bianca Bosker.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Bianca Bosker's terrific new book Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

Are the art and wine worlds still ruled by gatekeepers?

How are innovators bringing in new voices and making art and wine more engaging and accessible?

What’s the role of the social grapevine in the art and wine industries?

Why is mentorship a critical aspect of moving up the ladder in these industries?

What is it about the art and wine worlds that makes business and pleasure often one and the same?

What are some creative ways to develop your taste and understanding of art and wine?

Is authenticity in art important?

How do forgeries and fakes impact the art world?

What can the art and wine worlds learn from each other?

Why was it important to Bianca to be in the action in the art world when writing Get in the Picture?

Which wines would Bianca pair with iconic artists and artwork?

Why would Joan Didion be Bianca’s ideal companion for sharing a bottle of wine?

Key Takeaways

Bianca says, “With art and wine, some people say there are no rules, you can engage with it any way you want." She found that advice really frustrating. She thinks that it is important to give people the tools to think for themselves to engage with art or with wine on their own terms.

Bianca observes that mixing business and pleasure is part of getting ahead in these different worlds, but it can be unfair for up-and-coming artists. It's hard to spend all of your time bopping around openings and networking.

With art, the idea of a forgery is actually a relatively recent invention, Bianca notes. We haven't always cared what was original and what was a forgery or what was a fake.

About Bianca Bosker

Bianca Bosker is the author of the New York Times bestselling books Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See and Cork Dork. A contributing writer at The Atlantic, she has also written for publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Her work has been recognized with awards from the New York Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, and more, and has been included in The Best American Travel Writing.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/286.

Why are people with obsessive natures often drawn to both wine and art? How does strategic snobbery create deliberate barriers to entry into the art and wine worlds? What does it mean to stay in the work or to stay with the wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Bianca Bosker.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Bianca Bosker's terrific new book Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

Which cities has Bianca visited so far on her book tour?

What has Bianca found to be the top marketing strategies for her book?

Are art-world people more or less obsessive than wine-world people?

Why are people with obsessive natures drawn to art and wine?

How did getting into artists’ studios transform the way Bianca looks at art?

What does it mean to “stay in the work”?

How does strategic snobbery create deliberate barriers to entry into the art and wine industries?

Is there really a need for complex terminology and flowery language in describing wine?

How has art speak evolved to become less descriptive and more exclusionary?

Why does Bianca differentiate between the logic behind wine descriptions and art speak?

What’s behind the art world’s suspicion of beautiful things and are there parallels in the wine world?

How do art and wine help us to discover and appreciate beauty in the everyday?

Key Takeaways

Bianca observed an all-consuming passion and intensity in both worlds. As she says: "I'd never met a group of people willing to sacrifice so much for something of so little obvious practical value." They are both in their own way, hedonistic. They really sort of involve all of us - our minds, and our bodies.

Strategic snobbery creates deliberate barriers to entry into the art and wine worlds. Bianca explains that it exists to keep out the "Joe Schmoes." The language is one of these constructions that exists to distinguish you as someone that does or does not get it.

Bianca advises to slow down and absorb your experiences. It's also what I teach my online wine and food pairing students. Think about what you're experiencing and what you're tasting.

About Bianca Bosker

Bianca Bosker is the author of the New York Times bestselling books Get the Picture: A Mind-Bending Journey among the Inspired Artists and Obsessive Art Fiends Who Taught Me How to See and Cork Dork. A contributing writer at The Atlantic, she has also written for publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal. Her work has been recognized with awards from the New York Press Club, the Society of Professional Journalists, and more, and has been included in The Best American Travel Writing.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/285.

Why do Spanish wines pair well with earthy, savoury dishes? How does food photography affect the cost of a cookbook? How can you set yourself up for success as an aspiring food or drink writer?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Barbara Scott-Goodman.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Barbara Scott-Goodman's terrific book Wine Time: 70+ Recipes for Simple Bites That Pair Perfectly with Wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What are Barbara’s three favourite wine pairings?

Why is food photography so expensive and how does it affect the cost of a cookbook?

Do photographs of the dishes enhance or detract from restaurant menus?

What are Barbara’s favourite cookbooks and why?

How has the cookbook market evolved over the past 10 years and what are some of the trends Barbara sees now?

What were some of the most interesting cocktails Barbara came across while writing Brooklyn Bar Bites?

Which marketing channels were the most successful for Wine Bites and Wine Time?

How can you set yourself up for success as an aspiring food or drink writer?

Which chef and musician would Barbara like to share a bottle of wine with?

What makes a summer afternoon outdoors the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine?

Which simple high-low food pairing should you try next?

About Barbara Scott-Goodman

Barbara Scott-Goodman is an author, art director, and designer of cookbooks for many publishers. Her most recent book is Wine Time ((Chronicle Books, 2021). Other books include Cake (Penguin Press, 2018), a collaboration with writer and illustrator Maira Kalman, Delicious Dessert Cocktails (Bluestreak Books, 2018), Brooklyn Bar Bites (Rizzoli, 2016), Happy Hour at Home (Running Press, 2013), and Wine Bites (Chronicle Books, 2011).

Her work has been featured in publications in print and online, including Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Publishers Weekly, Food52, and Sweet Paul. Her books always emphasize the importance of warm and intimate gatherings and eating, drinking, and living well in this era of non-ostentatious, casual entertaining.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/284.

Can you pair pickled foods with wine, or will their vinegarized flavours ruin the wine? Which wines pair best with soft-shell crab? What goes into great food photography, whether in a magazine or cookbook?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Barbara Scott-Goodman.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Barbara Scott-Goodman's terrific book Wine Time: 70+ Recipes for Simple Bites That Pair Perfectly with Wine.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

How did Barbara’s passion for creating recipes develop?

Which are the best wines to pair with soft-shell crab?

What was Barbara’s most memorable wine moment?

When did Barbara realize she wanted to transition into a writing career?

Why are book covers often like a political landmine?

What are the key elements of a good cookbook cover?

How did Barbara decide on the cover design for her book, Wine Time?

What makes great food photography?

How did the art of pickling surprise Barbara while researching Wine Time?

Can you pair pickled foods with wine?

Key Takeaways

Can you pair pickled foods with wine? As Barbara observed, contrary to popular belief, these vinegarized foods don’t always wreak havoc on wine. Riesling actually works very well with its own natural acidity, as do other acidic wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Gruner Veltliner.

Which wines pair best with soft-shell crab? Barbara would go with a chilled pinot grigio, or if she’s feeling extravagant, a white burgundy, which is an opulent French chardonnay.

What goes into great food photography, whether it’s in a magazine or cookbook? Barbara says there's a lot going on behind the scenes. You need to have a good food stylist and a good prop stylist. Most of us don't realize that there are people who get paid to shop for the right linen, the right glass, the right cup, and it's very subtle, but you look at it, you go, wow, that photograph is so good. It's because this team is thinking about it. And that's the magic of food photography.

About Barbara Scott-Goodman

Barbara Scott-Goodman is an author, art director, and designer of cookbooks for many publishers. Her most recent book is Wine Time ((Chronicle Books, 2021). Other books include Cake (Penguin Press, 2018), a collaboration with writer and illustrator Maira Kalman, Delicious Dessert Cocktails (Bluestreak Books, 2018), Brooklyn Bar Bites (Rizzoli, 2016), Happy Hour at Home (Running Press, 2013), and Wine Bites (Chronicle Books, 2011).

Her work has been featured in publications in print and online, including Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Publishers Weekly, Food52, and Sweet Paul. Her books always emphasize the importance of warm and intimate gatherings and eating, drinking, and living well in this era of non-ostentatious, casual entertaining.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/283.

Should you avoid wine with sulphites? What are some of the important differences in the way wine is marketed to men versus women? How can you practice mindful drinking without giving up the wine you love?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Erica Diamond on The Erica Diamond Podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why did I choose to write a completely different genre for my third book, Wine Witch On Fire?

How did I first realize my drinking was sliding away from healthy?

Why do I say wine today is like Virginia Slims were in the 1960s?

What are some of the stark differences in how wine is marketed to men versus women?

What are some of the red flags that your drinking might be problematic?

Why did I decide to focus on harm-reduction techniques instead of going sober?

How do I now practice mindful drinking, considering that wine is integral to my career?

Should you avoid wine with sulphites?

What signs should you be aware of that suggest your drinking habits might be becoming unhealthy?

What words of wisdom would I offer my younger self if I could?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Erica Diamond & The Erica Diamond Podcast

The Erica Diamond Podcast is getting you motivated and inspired by conversations with today’s thought leaders and coolest people. Each episode, get up close and personal with compelling guests who share stories and tips that empower you to live your best life.

Erica Diamond is a Certified Life and Career Coach and certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher who helps women completely transform their days to vibrate at a high energy frequency and feel calm at the same time. She's the definition of multi-passionate and also can be seen as the Lifestyle & Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, on stage as a Professional Speaker, hosting The Erica Diamond Podcast, teaching Busy To Bliss and trying her hand in the kitchen (to many blunders!).

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/282.

What makes Vin Jaune from France's Jura region so special? What can you discover about the diversity of wine coming out of Jura and the French Alps? What are some insider tips for planning a journey to the French Alps?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Wink Lorch.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch's terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What exactly goes into the winemaking process for Vin Jaune that sets it apart from other wines?

Why does Wink describe the taste of Vin Jaune as a “shock to the palate”?

What are some great food pairings for Vin Jaune, and how should they be stored and served?

How does using the méthode ancestrale influence Bugey Cerdon sparkling wine?

Which traditional dishes from the Jura region are a must-try, and how do they pair with Bugey Cerdon?

What are the best tips for having great wine-tasting experiences in the picturesque French Alps?

What inspired Wink to turn to Kickstarter for crowdfunding her books and other wine-related projects?

Why was there a need for a book on Jura alone and what challenges come with self-publishing and crowdfunding such a project?

What can you discover about diversity when you explore wine from Jura and the French Alps?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Wink Lorch

British wine writer, author and educator Wink Lorch has always worked in the world of wine: writing, editing, teaching and presenting tastings having started her career working for British wine importers. Based between London and the French Alps, over the past 20 years, she has become known as the English-language specialist of the wines of Jura and Savoie.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/281.

What is it about wines from the French Alps and Jura that makes them so different from any other wine region in the world? How has climate change impacted wines in the region? How did their perception as “ski resort wines” negatively impact Jura and Savoie wineries?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Wink Lorch.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch's terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What sparked Wink’s interest in the French Alps and Jura?

Why is it important to distinguish between the French Alps and Prealps?

What’s the connection between Jura and Savoie?

Where exactly are Jura and the French Alps located, and what does the landscape look like?

How does Jura's terroir compare to Burgundy's, and what does this mean for their wines?

How did the historic Mont Granier landslide impact the region?

What was Louis Pasteur’s influence on the wine industry, and where can you visit to learn more about him while visiting the Jura region?

How do the mountains in the region impact the vineyards in Savoie and Jura?

How has climate change impacted the wine industry in the region, and should we be concerned?

What unique challenges face Jura and Savoie wine producers, considering their small production and export rates?

How did the historical association of Savoie wines with ski resorts affect their perception?

Why have Jura wines become popular with sommeliers in some trendy Manhattan restaurants?

What makes Jura wines so distinctive, and what challenges are they currently experiencing?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Wink Lorch

British wine writer, author and educator Wink Lorch has always worked in the world of wine: writing, editing, teaching and presenting tastings having started her career working for British wine importers. Based between London and the French Alps, over the past 20 years, she has become known as the English-language specialist of the wines of Jura and Savoie.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/280.

Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? How are younger producers bringing renewed optimism to Beaujolais? What is indigenous fermentation, and how does it contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What’s behind the increasing alcohol levels in Beaujolais wines?

Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing?

How do carbonic maceration and other techniques often used in Beaujolais winemaking work? How did Beaujolais develop a reputation for “bubblegum and banana” aromas?

How are younger producers and innovative approaches driving the current vibrant and dynamic atmosphere in Beaujolais?

What is indigenous fermentation, and how does it contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines?

Why are stories the best way to share your love of wine?

How would Natasha pair wine and snails?

Who’s on the guest list for Natasha’s dream dinner party and why?

What’s Natasha’s top temperature-based wine tip?

Key Takeaways

Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? As Natasha observes, these are crunchy wines, you take them on a picnic, you open them with charcuterie and salads and don't take them too seriously.

How are younger producers bringing renewed optimism to Beaujolais? Natasha says they’re revitalizing the region with new approaches and experimenting with indigenous yeasts.

How does indigenous fermentation contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines? Yeast populations in the winery and on grape skins are allowed to take over the fermentation process, resulting in more complex wines.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Natasha Hughes

Natasha Hughes MW graduated as a Master of Wine in 2014, winning four out of the seven prizes awarded that year, including the Outstanding Achievement Award. Natasha began her wine trade career as deputy editor for Decanter’s website but left in 2001 to begin freelancing as a journalist, specialising in wine and food. Natasha has contributed material for a number of books, and is currently working on her first solo effort, a book on Beaujolais, for the Wine Library series.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/279.

What’s behind the surprising complexity and variety of Beaujolais wines? How has Beaujolais Nouveau distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? What makes Beaujolais such a good value wine?

In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What might surprise you about the complexity of the Beaujolais region and wine?

How has Beaujolais Nouveau somewhat distorted the public perception of Beaujolais?

Where is Beaujolais connected to Burgundy?

How does soil greatly influence the quality of wine produced from Gamay grapes?

When was Beaujolais Nouveau introduced to the world and how did it affect the quality of wine produced in the region?

What was behind the declining popularity of Beaujolais in the 80s and 90s?

Which are Beaujolais’ top 10 crus?

Why are Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, and Morgon the most structured of the cru wines?

How is the geological complexity of Beaujolais reflected in the wines produced in the region?

What’s behind the elevating prices for Beaujolais wines?

How can a vineyard gain Premier Cru status?

Key Takeaways

What’s behind the surprising complexity and variety of Beaujolais wines? There’s a lot of geographical complexity, despite it being such a small region.

How has Beaujolais Nouveau distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? Nouveau introduced the world to cheap and cheerful wines, but the quality of wine suffered in the race to compete with new, easy-drinking New World wines.

What makes Beaujolais such a good value wine? Despite increasing quality and correspondingly increasing prices, Beaujolais represents a good value compared to bordering regions.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Natasha Hughes

Natasha Hughes MW graduated as a Master of Wine in 2014, winning four out of the seven prizes awarded that year, including the Outstanding Achievement Award. Natasha began her wine trade career as deputy editor for Decanter’s website but left in 2001 to begin freelancing as a journalist, specialising in wine and food. Natasha has contributed material for a number of books, and is currently working on her first solo effort, a book on Beaujolais, for the Wine Library series.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/278.

Why don’t I think that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human writers any time soon? What are some tips you can use for maintaining a healthy relationship with wine? What are some of the challenges women in the wine industry still face?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Ellen Clifford on The Wine Situation podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Was wine part of my family’s culture growing up?

When did I start learning about wine, and why did I decide to make the career transition?

When did I introduce my son to wine, and what is his relationship with alcohol like as an adult?

How do I account for different tastes and preferences when I’m writing wine reviews?

Is there a place for AI in writing?

Why don’t I think AI will replace human writers any time soon?

What was the inspiration for using the metaphor of witch trials in Wine Witch on Fire?

What are some of the challenges women in the wine industry are still facing?

Why is it often a complex issue figuring out how to present yourself at after-work wine industry events?

What are some tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with wine?

Why should you try Southbrook Vineyard’s orange wine?

What makes Rosé and ketchup chips a perfect pairing?

If not wine, what are my favourite beverages?

Why do I find so much joy in the connections I make with readers?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Ellen Clifford & The Wine Situation

The Wine Situation hosts everyone from winemakers to writers to find out what a person’s situation is…with wine. It’s the solo season with host Ellen Clifford, but listen in with a glass, and nobody is drinking alone! At the end of every action-packed episode, Ellen is phoning a friend with her Final Five questions. Ellen also contributes to Delectable, The Wine Situation, Salon, Food52, Hello Giggles, MassLive.com, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Independent Living.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/277.

Which wineries are leading the way with vegan wines? How are some restaurants expanding into innovative vegan or vegetarian menus? What makes Riesling so versatile, especially with vegan dishes?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, authors of The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the first book ever on plant-based food and wine matching.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What surprised Jen about Riesling’s versatility?

What is Priya’s favourite unexpected and daring pairing?

Which recent advancements in the world of plant-based foods would Priya and Jen include in an updated edition of the Social Herbivore?

How are some restaurants expanding into innovative vegan or vegetarian offerings?

Which wineries are leading the way in producing vegan wines?

What goes into vegan charcuterie and cheese?

What is carbonic maceration, and how does it impact the taste and aroma of a wine?

What were Priya and Jen’s favourite vegan food and wine pairings?

How do the differences between animal and plant proteins and fats affect wine pairings?

How can you create a fun tasting experience to figure out the best wine pairings for spicy foods?

What can you do to extend the shelf life of an opened bottle of wine?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Priya Rao

A foodie and wine lover, Priya switched to a vegetarian diet in 1995 and then to a vegan one in 2011. She had previously hosted vegan food and wine events, appearing on Breakfast Television as a guest wine expert on 640AM and Rogers Daytime, and writing articles for Prince Edward County’s Grapevine Magazine, and more. She is currently a contributor for Vineroutes.com on all things vegan food & wine.

About Jennifer Huether

Jennifer’s love affair and studies in wine started in her early twenties with taking an interest course at George Brown college. From there, she immediately leapt into the Sommelier Certification from ISG graduating top of class, then Diploma of Wine from WSET, followed by the Advanced Sommelier passing in 2005 and finally the Master Sommelier Exams-becoming Canada’s first female Master Sommelier in 2011 graduating in Dallas Texas. Jennifer is one of thirty women Master Sommeliers in the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/276.

Are vegan wines better for our health? What three aspects of a wine determine whether it’s vegan or not? How can you identify whether or not a wine is vegan by looking at the label?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, authors of The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the first book ever on plant-based food and wine matching.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

How did Priya end up tasting an 1812 Madeira, and what was that experience like?

Which Burgundy wine was responsible for Jennifer’s most memorable wine moment?

How has the plant-based movement influenced the wine industry’s interest in vegan wine?

What are the three aspects of wine that determine whether it’s considered vegan?

How are animals and animal products used in winemaking?

What animal-free alternatives are used by vegan winemakers?

How do vegetarian and vegan diets differ?

Are there official symbols on a wine label that indicate whether it’s vegan?

Is there a connection between vegan wines and organic/ biodynamic wines?

Are vegan wines better for our health?

What’s the difference between a plant-based and vegan diet?

How does the book approach wine pairings?

Which wines have the most versatility when paired with vegan dishes?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Priya Rao

A foodie and wine lover, Priya switched to a vegetarian diet in 1995 and then to a vegan one in 2011. She had previously hosted vegan food and wine events, appearing on Breakfast Television as a guest wine expert on 640AM and Rogers Daytime, and writing articles for Prince Edward County’s Grapevine Magazine, and more. She is currently a contributor for Vineroutes.com on all things vegan food & wine.

About Jennifer Huether

Jennifer’s love affair and studies in wine started in her early twenties with taking an interest course at George Brown college. From there, she immediately leapt into the Sommelier Certification from ISG graduating top of class, then Diploma of Wine from WSET, followed by the Advanced Sommelier passing in 2005 and finally the Master Sommelier Exams-becoming Canada’s first female Master Sommelier in 2011 graduating in Dallas Texas. Jennifer is one of thirty women Master Sommeliers in the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/275.

How did the French region of Burgundy come to the world’s attention as a wine region in the first place? What’s the golden rule for buying Burgundy, especially Pinot Noir? What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering stratospheric prices of Burgundian wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with one of Ireland’s leading wine writers, Raymond Blake.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine Talk – An Enthusiast’s Take on the People, the Places, the Grapes, and the Styles.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What will you experience as you go through Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune in Burgundy?

How did Burgundy come to the world’s attention as a wine region in the first place?

How did the Napoleonic code and inheritance laws in Burgundy complicate the region even further?

What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering pricing of Burgundy wines?

Are there affordable options when it comes to Burgundy wines?

What are some of the characteristics of Burgundy wines produced through the challenges that came with the 2021 vintage?

What tasting notes will you experience from Jean-Marc Vincent Bourgogne Blanc 2021 and Jean-Claude Ramonet Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021?

What are some of Raymond’s more unconventional wine-drinking habits that often raise an eyebrow?

Why shouldn’t you serve your red wines at room temperature?

Which are Raymond’s favourite versatile wines for food pairing?

What are some of Raymond’s favourite wine gadgets?

Key Takeaways

How did Burgundy come to the world’s attention in the first place? 1 The influence of Benedictine and Cistercian monks; 2 Geography as a trade route; 3 High quality of the wine.

What’s the golden rule for buying Burgundy, especially Pinot Noir? Start with the producer who made the wine.

What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering stratospheric prices of Burgundian wines? Fashion/market trends and the rise (and fall) of secondary markets.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Raymond Blake

Raymond Blake is one of Ireland’s leading wine writers and has been writing about wine and related topics for over 25 years. Raymond is the Burgundy correspondent for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and a regular contributor to The World of Fine Wine magazine. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books, including Breakfast in Burgundy and Côte d’Or.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/274.

Why is Pinot Noir considered the holy grail of wine? What makes the French region Burgundy so complicated, and how can we untangle it? What would surprise and delight you about how both the wine and the region have changed in the past five years?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with one of Ireland’s leading wine writers, Raymond Blake.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine Talk – An Enthusiast’s Take on the People, the Places, the Grapes, and the Styles.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

How did Raymond transition into a career in wine writing?

What inspired the title of Raymond’s first wine book, Breakfast in Burgundy?

What does it mean to do a tasting of the world?

Why is Raymond so passionate about spreading the wine gospel?

How can we make learning about wine more approachable and fun?

What are some of the geological and human factors that contribute to the complexity of Burgundy?

How are viticulture practices changing in response to climate change?

How are some of the more recent innovations in winemaking - like glass globes - being used?

Why is Pinot Noir considered the holy grail for winemakers in Burgundy?

Key Takeaways

Pinot Noir is considered the holy grail of wine because it’s so difficult to make and not easy to disguise with oak or other winemaking modifications if things don’t go well during the vintage.

As a region, Burgundy can be difficult to understand since, geologically, if you cross from one side of the road to the other, things change completely, and that's reflected in the wine. Add in the human element and different naming conventions, and no wonder we’re confused.

Burgundians are now training the vines differently and using fewer oak barrels. Instead, they’re using new types of vessels, eg. glass globes and stainless steel "barrels." All of this has a profound impact on the wine and its taste.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Raymond Blake

Raymond Blake is one of Ireland’s leading wine writers and has been writing about wine and related topics for over 25 years. Raymond is the Burgundy correspondent for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and a regular contributor to The World of Fine Wine magazine. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books, including Breakfast in Burgundy and Côte d’Or.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/273.

How do you choose the best wine pairings for dessert? When should you summon the sommelier? How can you improve your smell vocabulary and learn to distinguish between different aromas?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Scott Sexsmith of Up Close & Personal and Matt Cundill on You May Also Like.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Is it normal to find it difficult to detect the tastes and aromas from wine tasting notes?

How can you improve your smell vocabulary and learn to distinguish between different aromas?

Does my alcohol consumption concern me, considering my family history of alcoholism?

How did wine mom culture contribute to the massive increase in women drinking during the pandemic?

What does it mean to pair the wine with the diner, not the dinner?

Can thinking more deeply about wine and food pairing increase your enjoyment of both?

What are some of my go-to wine pairings you can try?

Can you get a good bottle of wine without spending a fortune?

Which bargain wines should you try on your next trip to the wine store?

Is the enjoyment of food the gateway drug to wine?

How can you find new wines to experiment with?

What three aspects of wine make it a unique experience compared to other drinks or food?

Which aspects of wine lead to more sensual enjoyment versus other alcoholic beverages?

Why does Chianti work with tomato-based foods?

Why do I prefer to think of myself as an enthusiastic amateur, rather than an expert?

Are we making any progress in breaking down the elitism and snobbery that have historically been associated with the wine industry?

How has my taste in wine changed over the years?

Why do some wines leave you with a headache the next day while others don’t?

When should you summon the sommelier?

How does the LCBO’s purchasing power impact the wines that are available in the regions they serve?

Does your palate change as you age?

Which wines and regions have flourished in Nova Scotia?

Which type of wine pairs best with spicy Indian curries?

Why did I start the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Scott Sexsmith and Matt Cundill

Scott Sexsmith has worked in media for over 30 years, having spent the bulk of his career in radio. In addition to Up Close & Personal, Scott also hosts a podcast with Michael Friscolanti called Inside the Village.

Matt Cundill's voice has been on radio, television and online since the 90's. More recently, he has taken on films and worked with e-learning companies to train employees and podcast companies to deliver the perfect host-read ad.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/272.

Why do the wines change when you’re pairing them with kale versus other greens? Why should you avoid storing wine in the fridge? What’s the best question you can ask a sommelier in a restaurant?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Vanessa Price, the author of Big Macs and Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World and the wine expert for The TODAY Show.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What inspired Vanessa to pair wine with classic McDonald’s foods?

How did Vanessa pair pastrami sandwich (with a dill pickle) with wine?

What gives Chilean Carmenère a bell pepper taste?

How do the characteristics of different greens lend themselves to different types of wine?

What is meant by the “shape of acidity” and how can it help you to learn more about a wine?

Why shouldn’t we leave bubbly in the fridge for more than one to two weeks?

What were some of the challenges Vanessa encountered when writing her book?

How was Big Macs and Burgundy received by the wine industry?

How is Vanessa localizing Big Macs and Burgundy with each new translation?

What was Vanessa’s approach to curating the wine list at Mavericks?

Which rare and special wines have been included in Mavericks wine list?

Why did Vanessa create a skin contact section on the wine list and which types of wine are included?

What’s the best question you can ask a sommelier for a wine recommendation?

What is Vanessa’s favourite wine book?

What’s Vanessa’s favourite wine gadget?

Key Takeaways

Vanessa’s advice wasn’t focused only on fast food and candy. She also shared great tips about healthier foods.

We should avoid storing wine in a food fridge because the low humidity can dry out the cork, causing shrinkage, etc.

I also liked her advice that if you pay more attention to the shape of the acidity and the shape of the impression of the tannin, you can probably learn a lot more about a wine.

The best question you can ask a sommelier in a restaurant is sharing information about what you like already, even if that’s simply showing them a picture on your phone of a label from a wine you like.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Vanessa Price

Vanessa has spent almost two decades in the wine industry as a trained sommelier and is the author of best selling book Big Macs and Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World. Vanessa is a certified Level 4 sommelier, resident sommelier for The TODAY Show and the Wine Director of Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort Hotel. She has also taught classes for The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and has written for and been featured in New York Magazine, Vogue, and many others.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/271.

Have you ever wondered which wine pairs best with your favourite guilty pleasure snack? Why are Cheetos and Twinkies great for learning about food and wine pairing? How can everyday foods encourage you to try wines you may have otherwise avoided?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Vanessa Price, the author of Big Macs and Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World and the wine expert for The TODAY Show.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What was it like for Vanessa to introduce her non-drinking grandparents to wine in their 80s?

How did wine culture inspire Vanessa to pursue a career in the industry?

What did Vanessa discover about publishing after writing her first book?

What was Vanessa’s journey to starting her column in New York Magazine?

How did Vanessa choose which food and wine pairings to include in Big Macs and Burgundy?

What was the idea behind pairing wine with 100 different candies?

Why did Vanessa choose Sancerre as the best wine to pair with Cheetos?

How can you best pair licorice, twinkies, s’mores, and cronuts with wine?

What was it about circus peanuts that inspired someone to try a new type of wine?

Key Takeaways

I like the creative and fun way that Vanessa has explored the concept of high-low pairings, including which wines go with our favourite guilty pleasure snacks.

She makes a great point that snacks like Cheetos and Twinkies are great for learning about food and wine pairing because they are simpler in flavour and texture, so it's easier to understand what will pair well with them.

I liked her examples of how everyday foods encourage you to try wines you may have otherwise avoided. She talked about circus peanuts helped her discover orange Muscat for the first time.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Vanessa Price

Vanessa has spent almost two decades in the wine industry as a trained sommelier and is the author of best selling book Big Macs and Burgundy: Wine Pairings for the Real World. Vanessa is a certified Level 4 sommelier, resident sommelier for The TODAY Show and the Wine Director of Wildflower Farms, an Auberge Resort Hotel. She has also taught classes for The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and has written for and been featured in New York Magazine, Vogue, and many others.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/270.

When it comes to wine, what do descriptors like the musty attic, rotten eggs and Band-Aids mean? How does a wine's packaging make it more susceptible to faults? Are there ways you can fix a faulted wine at home rather than throwing out the bottle or returning it?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Keith Grainger, author of Wine Faults & Flaws: A Practical Guide.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Keith Grainger's terrific book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

Why is it helpful to smell your wine glass before pouring?

How can you gracefully handle receiving corked wine in a restaurant?

Why is cork taint more detectable in sparkling wine?

Which simple test can you do at home to confirm if your wine is really corked?

How can you identify oxidized wine, and why does this occur?

What is the difference between the beneficial oxidation in Sherry and oxidation in other types of wine?

What are the causes and ways to prevent reduced wine?

Should you be concerned about heat damage on wine?

How does Brettanomyces impact wine aroma, and what’s behind the differing opinions on its desirability?

Why are sulphites used in wine production, and should you be concerned about consuming them?

How can the histamines present in wine impact wine consumers?

What’s behind the increasing prevalence of lightstrike, and how does it impact wine?

How can you identify different types of pyrazines in wine?

Should you invest in a wine fault kit to learn more about wine faults?

Which simple tricks can you use to improve the taste of a reduced or corked wine?

Why would Keith love to share a bottle of wine with composer and conductor Ennio Morricone?

Key Takeaways

Different wine faults have different characteristic odours and flavours, which can tip you off to their presence.

A wine's packaging can make it more susceptible to faults.

His suggestions on ways you can fix a faulted wine at home rather than throwing out the bottle or returning it were clever.

Any oxygen that comes into the wine was in the cork in the first place and it's slowly released into the wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Keith Grainger

Keith Grainger is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant to the wine industry. He is the author of ‘Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide’, which won the coveted 2022 Prix de l’OIV.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/269.

How can you tell when a wine is mildly corked versus you just don’t like it? Which main types of wine faults and how can you identify them? Why are inexpensive wines actually less prone to faults?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Keith Grainger, author of Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide, which won the coveted 2022 Prix de l’OIV.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Keith Grainger's terrific book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What is Keith’s latest book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide, about?

What was Keith’s motivation to explore wine faults in such depth and ultimately to write his book?

What’s the difference between a fault and a taint?

Why does Keith describe it as a “soft boundary” between good and faulty wines?

How can technically faulty wines still be considered excellent?

Which weird wine fault might surprise you to learn about?

How can you differentiate between the three main types of wine faults?

Why are inexpensive wines less prone to faults?

How have changes in the cork industry significantly reduced the incidence of cork taint?

What causes cork taint?

How do wine faults cost the industry up to 10 billion euros?

What might surprise you about the minuscule amount of cork taint that can ruin a wine?

How can you tell when a wine is mildly corked?

Key Takeaways

Keith was very helpful in his discussion of one of the main flaws of wine - when it’s corked - especially when it’s only mildly so. As he mentioned, if it affects a wine at a very low level, you don't get the mustiness and mushrooms or dry rot.

Keith had a terrific way of not only describing the main faults of wine but also how you identify them. He summarized them as falling under three categories: microbiological, chemical and physical faults.

I was surprised to learn that inexpensive wines are actually less prone to faults, but Keith’s explanation makes sense as to why that’s so. They’re produced in a more factory-type manner as opposed to artisan wines and natural wines.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Keith Grainger

Keith Grainger is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant to the wine industry. He is the author of ‘Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide’, which won the coveted 2022 Prix de l’OIV.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/268.

What does a healthy relationship with wine look like? Which tricks can you use to lower the alcohol content of your wine? How have my thoughts on overdrinking changed over the years and over three books?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by author Molly Watts of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How has my position on overdrinking changed over the years between writing my three books?

What did I do to better understand and manage overdrinking?

What does a healthy relationship with wine look like?

Why did I choose to be more mindful of my drinking rather than getting sober completely?

Why is the way wine is marketed to women problematic, and what has my role been in perpetuating these narratives?

How did the pandemic influence our collective drinking habits?

Why is it important to embrace a mindset of progress over perfection?

What are some strategies you can use to start drinking more mindfully?

How can you find great wines that with low or no alcohol?

Which tricks can you use to lower the alcohol content of your wine?

What benefits have I experienced from mindful drinking?

Why do I advocate for planning and moderation in alcohol consumption?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Molly Watts

Molly Watts is an author, podcast host and coach from Portland Oregon. She hosts the top-rated Alcohol Minimalist podcast where she shares science and strategies to help people change their drinking habits. She is the author of Breaking the Bottle Legacy, a book dedicated to daily habit drinkers and adult children of alcoholics who want to create a peaceful relationship with alcohol.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/267.

Which types of global dishes can you pair with South American wines? What’s one of the best but little-known Chilean wine regions you need to try? Which types of wine do they make in other South American countries, such as Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of Amanda's beautiful hardcover book, The South America Wine Guide.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

How did Argentina’s flagship white wine, Torrontés, develop and where is it grown?

Which types of food pair best with Torrontés and Malbec?

How does the iconic Argentinian empanada vary across different regions?

What is unique about how Fernet is consumed in Argentina?

How did the pandemic contribute to the craft gin and craft vermouth movement in Argentina?

How do the wine production volume and cultural attitudes towards wine vary between Argentina and Chile?

What were the main challenges that were uncovered by the discovery of Carmenère in Chile?

How did Tannat become the signature grape of Uraguay, and what’s unique about its growing requirements?

How did Peru become the first wine country in South America, and what’s behind the current wine renaissance?

Which wines from Bolivia should you try, and what’s behind their unique characteristics?

How has the Brazilian wine industry evolved over the years?

What does Amanda love about mountain white wines like Altos Las Hormigas Blanco?

What is it about Viñedos de Alcohuaz that gives it a beautiful tasting experience?

Why is an ice bag Amanda’s favourite wine gadget?

Key Takeaways

I enjoyed hearing Amanda’s recommendations for which types of global dishes you can pair with South American wines. The highly aromatic Torrontes can handle equally flavourful dishes.

Amanda has inspired me to try more wines from Chile’s Elqui Valley. It’s amazing that some vineyards are planted at 2,200 metres above sea level.

I was interested to learn more about the types of wine they make in other South American countries, such as Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. I didn’t realize that Peru was the first wine region in South America.

About Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes is an award-winning British journalist and editor who specializes in wine and travel writing. She is an expert in South American wine and regions and a regular correspondent for international wine and travel publications (including Decanter, Fodor’s, SevenFifty, The Guardian & The Telegraph). She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine and is the author of The South America Wine Guide.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/266.

How did the South American wine industry develop? What might surprise you about the variety of wines produced in South America? How has Argentina's flagship red wine, Malbec, changed over the past five years?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you is going to win a copy of Amanda's beautiful hardcover book, The South America Wine Guide.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

When did Amanda realize she wanted to become a writer?

What was the motivation behind Amanda’s move from England to Argentina?

Why did Amanda decide to write The South America Wine Guide?

What will you learn from The South America Wine Guide?

Why did Amanda decide to self-publish?

How did the South American wine industry develop?

Why don’t we hear more about Chilean Malbec and how did Cabernet Sauvignon become the champion grape of Chile?

How has the style of Malbec evolved over the last 10 years?

What is meant by “graphite tannins”?

How do terroir and soil influence a wine’s flavour profile?

What percentage of Argentinian vineyards today are planted with Malbec?

How does elevation influence the characteristics of Malbec from different regions?

How do climatic factors like solar radiation and ozone influence the intensity and brightness of fruit in Chilean and Argentinian wines?

Key Takeaways

I loved that literature inspired Amanda to move to South America and then her fascination with the wines kept her there. She shares some terrific insights about how the South American wine industry developed, including the wild diversity of wines produced in the region.

She also opens up the world of Malbec, Argentina's flagship red wine, to us and how it’s changed over the past five years. As she notes, Malbec is planted in almost every wine region in the country so it’s an unparalleled opportunity to taste different terroirs. Some are made in the style of Pinot Noir rather than in the style of Cabernet Sauvignon.

She also observes that even though trends have taken over the population of vines in different periods, diversity still remains in the old vines.

I loved her story about going into the soil pits, especially since that’s where all great wine starts.

About Amanda Barnes

Amanda Barnes is an award-winning British journalist and editor who specializes in wine and travel writing. She is an expert in South American wine and regions and a regular correspondent for international wine and travel publications (including Decanter, Fodor’s, SevenFifty, The Guardian & The Telegraph). She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine and is the author of The South America Wine Guide.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/265.

What’s the difference between tasting wine and beer when you want to identify specific aromas and flavours? What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone or beer sommelier and a wine sommelier? How do retronasal aromas give you a different, deeper sense of the aromas of both beer and wine?

In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with author Mandy Naglich.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Two of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Mandy's new book, How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier?

What was it like to win a national homebrew competition?

How did Mandy become interested in homebrewing?

Should your sense of smell be tested as part of your annual physical?

What does Mandy love about Pommery Pop Champagne?

Why should you consider using a Champagne tulip glass instead of a flute?

How does Allagash White bring together the beer and wine worlds?

What causes beer to hold its head longer compared to other beverages?

How does beer’s head affect the tasting experience?

What’s Mandy’s seven-step method for tasting beer?

When should you cover your glass before swirling?

How can you best utilize your retronasal smell pathway?

What types of food would pair well with Allagash White versus Pommery Pop Champagne?

How can a food pairing create a whole new flavour sensation?

Why does speaking aloud help you to solidify your tasting knowledge?

How can you challenge your perceptions of your taste?

What’s Mandy’s favourite wine gadget?

Why would Mandy love to share a bottle of wine with Oprah?

What message would Mandy share with the world on a billboard in downtown Manhattan?

Key Takeaways

I was fascinated with Mandy’s explanation and demonstration of the differences between tasting wine and beer. I had assumed the process would be the same and was surprised to find that it’s not.

I also found her explanation of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier helpful. I didn’t realize that the world of beer is so diverse (yes, my little wine-snob eyes have been opened) or that Cicerones are more involved in maintaining complex equipment than sommeliers.

I fully support her focus on how retronasal aromas reintroduce you to the richer, deeper aromas of both beer and wine and enable you to discover something new when you’re playing it backward as she says.

I also agree about using a tulip glass rather than a traditional champagne flute to better swirl and smell the wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Mandy Naglich

Mandy Naglich is one of fewer than 100 Advanced Cicerones in the world, one of the highest certifications in beer expertise. She’s also a Certified Cider Professional and has her WSET in spirits. Mandy’s writing has been published in Vice, Taste of Home, Vine Pair, and Wine Enthusiast. She started her career in journalism at the Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/264.

You love to eat, but do you know how to taste? What is a bliss point when it comes to food or tasting? What makes our most memorable meals and wines delicious? How can you make sure to bring home the best experiences from a wine trip?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Mandy Naglich who has just published How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Two of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Mandy's new book, How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What did Mandy learn about hospitality through your first wine-pairing experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Belgium?

Why did Mandy write about Rick Bayless’ blind tasting experience in her book?

What made San Diego wine country so memorable for Mandy?

How can you make sure to bring home the best experiences from a wine trip?

Why did Mandy decide to write How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life?

What was the most unusual insight Mandy gained while writing her book?

Which feedback surprised Mandy the most from readers of her book?

How can we judge the acidity of anything from a cup of tea and wine to a square of dark chocolate?

Why does salt make foods taste less bitter?

How do our tastebuds respond to food temperature?

What might surprise you about your mouth’s sensitivity to texture?

What is a bliss point when it comes to food or tasting?

How can you distinguish between pomme fruit and stone fruit?

What are the hallmarks of different categories of aromas?

Why would you not want to open an expensive bottle of wine while playing loud music?

Key Takeaways

I found Mandy’s explanation of the difference between eating and tasting fascinating, as well as her discussion about the bliss point and how individual it is.

Her tips on how to make the most of your experiences in wine country were helpful.

I agree with her that your environment really affects your enjoyment of whatever you're drinking. It’s the 360 degrees of flavour and contributes to our most memorable meals. It was interesting how losing your sense of sight can obscure what you’re tasting.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Mandy Naglich

Mandy Naglich is one of fewer than 100 Advanced Cicerones in the world, one of the highest certifications in beer expertise. She’s also a Certified Cider Professional and has her WSET in spirits. Mandy’s writing has been published in Vice, Taste of Home, Vine Pair, and Wine Enthusiast. She started her career in journalism at the Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/263.

How did I come up with the wine pairings mentioned throughout Wine Witch on Fire? Why is wine marketed so differently to men versus women? What can you do to support your mental health in an era where you have to be online?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa on the Wine Road Podcast and Jeff Sammut on Canada Now.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Could an online pile-on like I experienced in 2012 happen today?

What can you do to support your mental health in an era where you have to be online?

Why did I use real people’s names in my memoir?

How did I come up with the wine pairings mentioned throughout Wine Witch on Fire?

Why is wine marketed so differently to men versus women?

How do I manage the different aspects of an online-based career?

Which Sonoma wineries must you visit on your next trip?

Which wine pairs best with catharsis?

What was it like when I realized my husband of 20 years wanted a divorce?

Looking back, were there signs that I missed?

How did I communicate with my son about the difficult situation that was my divorce?

Why did feeling alone lead me to reexamine my whole life?

Why is it important to me that we have more conversations about overdrinking?

How did I manage to curb my overdrinking after the year from hell?

What is it about podcasting that makes it great for connecting with people?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About The Wine Road Podcast and Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa

Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience regarding, food, wine, events, and travel in and around Northern Sonoma County. Dubbed the Click and Clack of Wine—their snappy banter and laugh filled show provides insider tips on wine tasting and advice for listeners planning everything from a day trip to a two week stay in Wine Country.

Marcy Gordon is a freelance wine and travel writer. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Wine Enthusiast, Forbes Travel Guide, Sonoma Discoveries, and The San Francisco Chronicle. In 2017 she was awarded a fellowship to the prestigious Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. Her blog Come for the Wine was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Wine Blogs in 2015.

Beth Costa is the Executive Director of the Wine Road. Beth has been at the helm of Wine Road for the past 17 years. Prior that she managed the tasting rooms for Kendall-Jackson Winery. Beth has lived in Sonoma County for the past 30 years and loves to get out and explore – rivers, redwoods and the ocean are big draws!

About Canada Now and Jeff Sammut

Canada Now shares the stories that matter to Canadians, going beyond the headlines to shine a spotlight on the cities, towns and people that motivate and inspire us each and every day. Host Jeff Sammut goes coast to coast across the country talking to Canadians about Canadians and the stories that affect us all, big and small.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/262.

Why should you consider mood and experience when pairing wines? What is a lustful wine? What do you need to know about British Columbia’s wine regions?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and host of The Sipsters Wine Podcast, Luke Whittall.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Luke's new book, The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What makes the Golden Mile Bench so special?

Which wineries on the Golden Mile Bench should not be missed?

Why should you consider mood and experience when pairing wines?

What is a lustful wine?

Why does Luke describe Vancouver Island as the Italy of BC?

Which labels should you look for from Vancouver Island?

What makes the red wines of the Similkameen Valley unique?

What do you need to know about the other BC wine regions including Fraser Valley, Gulf islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Shuswap, and Thompson Valley?

What does BC need to do in order to thrive as a wine region for the next five to ten years?

How do Luke’s The Sipster’s Pocket Guides differ from other wine guides?

Key Takeaways

I love that Luke likes to pair wines to moods rather than simply food. I think our emotional state and occasion are often far better predictors of a great match than whether your asparagus was oven-roasted or steamed. I especially like his description of a lustful wine.

Luke continues to share surprising insights about British Columbia’s wine regions and wines. I’m intrigued with the way Golden Mile Bench wines retain their acidity and structure, and am motivated to visit that area again. 

I enjoyed his notion that there are times when you can tell that the wine really likes you. 

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Luke Whittall

Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. His most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines follows up on the success of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/261.

What are five things that will surprise you about the wine regions and wines of British Columbia? What are some top tips to help you get the most from your visit to BC? Which challenges does this west coast wine industry face going forward?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and host of The Sipsters Wine Podcast, Luke Whittall.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Luke's new book, The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What was Luke’s inspiration for writing Valleys of Wine: A Taste of British Columbia’s Wine History?

Why did John Schreiner choose Luke to help him write the sixth edition of his Okanagan Wine Tour Guide?

Why are authentic stories important for a winery and how can impact their success?

How does the wine industry in British Columbia compare to Ontario?

What are some of the geographical limitations of wine production BC?

Why is the growth of the BC wine industry slowing?

How is climate change changing the profile of the wine industry?

How has the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires impacted British Columbia?

What’s the difference between a smoky flavour in wine versus smoke taint?

How do the production levels of BC and Ontario compare?

What makes up the unique climate of the BC wine regions?

What might surprise you about the Okanagan region?

What are Luke’s top travel tips for visiting the Okanagan?

Key Takeaways

There were so many fascinating nuggets about BC that Luke shared, from the profound influence of the lake to how embers from wildfires were able to traverse across it.

The range of wine styles and grapes is both a blessing in its diversity and experimentation and a curse in the optimization that still needs to happen as BC matures as a wine region.

Luke’s tips for visiting the region were helpful, particularly breaking up your journey into a few days and several wineries that have restaurants.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Luke Whittall

Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. His most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines follows up on the success of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/260.

How can we, as wine consumers, support environmental change in the wine industry? What is proactive farming as it relates to growing vines for wine? Does wine tourism have a positive or negative impact on the environment?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sustainability expert Anna Brittain.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why is good soil health foundational to vineyards, both from the wine and sustainability perspectives?

What is proactive farming?

How can the wine industry increase its emphasis on social justice and diversity and inclusion?

Why do climate action and regenerative agriculture make the ultimate umbrella for sustainability efforts in the wine industry?

What is the environmental impact of wine tourism?

What can we do as consumers to advocate for or induce change in the wine industry?

Are there commonalities between different wine regions and the climate challenges they face?

What is Domaine Carneros doing differently as a dedicated sustainability leader?

What does Anna love about Domaine Carneros Taittinger and what foods would it be best paired with?

Which breakfast foods could you pair with the classic St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon?

Why does Anna believe we need to focus on improving quality and sustainable practices in the wine industry rather than expanding?

What are Anna’s favourite childhood foods to pair with wine?

What is Anna’s favourite wine book?

Why would Anna love to share a glass of wine with Brené Brown?

Why is it crucial to take action on climate change in the here and now?

Key Takeaways

Anna has some concrete steps for how we, as wine consumers, support environmental change in the wine industry. Every bit helps, and the need is urgent. We all have purchasing power - we vote with our dollars, and they send strong signals to the industry to advocate for change.

I found her concept of proactive farming as it relates to growing vines for wine fascinating.

She also has an interesting take on wine tourism’s impact on the environment.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Anna Brittain

Anna Brittain has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 12 years facilitating and growing sustainability in the wine industry, with expertise in communications and certification standards.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/259.

Which aspect of winemaking has the greatest impact on the environment? Are you curious about the difference between sustainable and organic winemaking? What are the six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sustainability expert Anna Brittain.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How did Anna realize she wanted to dedicate her career to environmental work?

What drives Anna to work in climate action and sustainability within the wine industry?

What does it mean to be voted as “the most intriguing environmentalist”?

How did the global pandemic contribute to the worst moment in Anna’s wine career?

What was the impact of COVID-19 on consumer investment in sustainability and climate action?

What was it like to put together the first climate and wine symposium?

Is wine production bad for the environment?

What does it mean for the wine industry to be a leader in soil-to-bottle sustainability?

What are the biggest misconceptions about sustainability?

Why did Anna create the six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership?

How can you distinguish between sustainability, organic, and biodynamic practices?

Why are there so many different organic certifications in the US?

How can vineyards optimize irrigation systems and water use?

What does it take to start dry farming?

How can energy efficiency potentially produce cost savings for vineyards?

What do wineries need to think about when it comes to waste management and supply chain emissions?

Is it irresponsible for wineries to continue to use extremely heavy-weight bottles?

Key Takeaways

Anna provides an excellent global view of wine’s impact on the environment rather than just focusing narrowly or organic winemaking or sustainability.

She gave us a clear definition on the differences between sustainable and organic winemaking. I think most people might assume that wine made organically is also farmed sustainably, but that’s not always the case.

She also presents clear and compelling facts such as that 40-50% of the emissions from a winery operation come from packaging and distribution alone.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Anna Brittain

Anna Brittain has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 12 years facilitating and growing sustainability in the wine industry, with expertise in communications and certification standards.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/258.

What might surprise you about Rosé wine? Is being a supertaster an advantage in the wine industry? Do you feel you’re drinking too much wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Wendy Mesley and Maureen Holloway for their podcast, Women of Ill Repute.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why didn’t I apologize after being called out for using other people’s reviews on my website?

How does the herd mentality bring out the worst in people online?

What is it about the wine industry that continues to feed into the deeply-rooted sexism?

How does wine marketing perpetuate stereotypes and negatively impact women?

What does it mean to be a super taster?

How do I review so many bottles of wine?

Why is it important for a wine reviewer to expectorate?

What is it about artichokes that makes them hard to pair with alcohol?

What might surprise you about Rosé wine?

What are the five aspects of tasting wine?

How has the vocabulary of wine evolved over time?

What can you do to develop your smell vocabulary?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Women of Ill Repute

Women of Ill Repute is a compliment. And not just for women! Wendy Mesley and Maureen Holloway have left CBC and CHFI to chat with sassy women about sex, family, politics, and media. Lots of secrets and no room for shame. Is it journalism or comedy? It’s both. Smart talk with tv and radio stars, comedians, authors, lawyers, politicos, restaurant icons and more. All of them brave, fierce and funny.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/257.

How can you avoid buying a fake bottle of wine? What makes a wine truly authentic? How did Rudy Kurniawan get so far in his fraudulent schemes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and why did it ultimately unravel?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rebecca Gibb, author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Rebecca Gibb's book, Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. To enter, email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What caused the wine scandal in the 1980s, which devastated the Austrian wine scene?

How did the Austrian wine industry turn around its image and recover?

What was the story behind the famous Thomas Jefferson wine fraud scandal?

How did Rudy Kurniawan get so far in his fraudulent schemes and why did it ultimately unravel?

What makes a wine truly authentic?

How is modern technology being used to detect fraud?

Why is Don & Petie Kladstrup’s book, Wine and War, one of Rebecca’s favourites?

What is it about food and wine pairing that Rebecca doesn’t like?

Which famous person would Rebecca love to share a bottle of wine with?

Key Takeaways

Rebecca shared some great tips on how we can avoid buying a fake bottle of wine.

I found her larger discussion of what makes a wine truly authentic fascinating.

The story of Rudy Kurniawan and his fraudulent schemes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars sounds like the script of a movie or Netflix special.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Rebecca Gibb

Rebecca Gibb is an editor for the online wine publication Vinous, covering the wines of New Zealand and the Loire Valley. In addition, she owns a wine and spirit jigsaw business, Puzzle Cru. Rebecca is one of only 416 Masters of Wine in the world and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Bollinger Medal in recognition of her superb tasting ability.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/256.

Are you curious about the greatest con artists in the world of wine? What creative but illegal ingredients have been added to wine to cut costs and boost profits? What is it about tales of crime and greed that draw us in?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rebecca Gibb, author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Rebecca Gibb's book, Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. To enter, email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What was it like to represent Great Britain as an athlete at the age of 19?

Where did Rebecca’s interest in the cello come from?

Why has Rebecca decided to donate a portion of her book’s royalties to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy?

Why did Rebecca decide to write about the riots in Champagne in 1911?

What is it about tales of crime and greed that draw us in?

What’s the meaning of the MICE acronym used to describe the motivations behind committing fraud?

How have coercion and ego played a role in wine fraud over the years?

Do you have to be a wine person to appreciate Rebecca’s book, Vintage Crime?

What was the most popular method of wine fraud in Ancient Rome?

Which unusual methods did vintners try in an effort to restore vineyards after the phylloxera epidemic in the late 1800s?

How did it come to be that there was more Champagne being sold than produced during World War I?

Key Takeaways

I enjoyed Rebecca’s stories about the greatest con artists in the world of wine. I think we all love a juicy story about people trying to get one over on others. Call it whatever the wine version is of schadenfreude.

I agree that part of what helps con artists get away with what they do is that people don't want to admit they have been duped. That’s pride and human nature.

I was intrigued by the creative but illegal ingredients that have been added to wine to cut costs and boost profits. There's a fine line between what's adulteration and what isn't.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Rebecca Gibb

Rebecca Gibb is an editor for the online wine publication Vinous, covering the wines of New Zealand and the Loire Valley. In addition, she owns a wine and spirit jigsaw business, Puzzle Cru. Rebecca is one of only 416 Masters of Wine in the world and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Bollinger Medal in recognition of her superb tasting ability.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/255.

Are you curious about new Australian wine styles and regions? Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now? What was the most devastating part of several Court of Master Sommelier scandals?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author Jane Lopes.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian.  To enter, email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What’s it like to experience the journey of becoming a Master Sommelier?

Do we need more outlets for education in the wine industry?

What was it like being a woman experiencing the unfair and sexist consequences of several Master Sommelier scandals?

How would the industry benefit from more transparency and an overhaul of the Court of Master Sommeliers certification process?

How is How To Drink Australian different from other books about Australian wine?

What was the motivation behind writing How To Drink Australian?

What are some of the unique characteristics of Australian wine and wine regions?

Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now?

What’s the tasting experience like for Ngeringa 2018 Summit Vineyard Chardonnay and Bird on a Wire 2015 Syrah?

Why should you try a wider range of Australian wine?

Key Takeaways

I loved Jane’s fresh take on new Australian wine styles and regions. I knew that Australia has plenty of warm regions and a number of cool areas, but I didn’t realize it also has some of the coldest wine regions in the world.

Jane has put Australian grenache on my radar. I love this grape and wine from the Rhone and am keen to do more side-by-side comparison tastings with those from Australia.

The Court of Master Sommelier exam scandal had a pretty devastating impact on candidates like Jane, who had studied for years and invested thousands of dollars to prepare for it only to have that hard-earned recognition taken away. Coupled with Master Sommelier sexual harassment scandal, I hope that serious reforms are underway with the organization.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jane Lopes

Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane’s second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), was published in 2023.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/254.

Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you? Why is it hard to get a good wine education? How can an emotional guide to wine deepen your pleasure in it?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author, Jane Lopes.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian.  To enter, email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

Why did Jane decide to study Renaissance literature at the University of Chicago?

How did Jane transition from academia to the wine industry?

What were the sensory and social aspects of wine that initially attracted Jane?

Why is it hard to get a good wine education?

Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you?

How did Jane incorporate creative wine pairings and experimentation in her time as wine director?

What was the inspiration for the name of Jane’s first book, Vignette?

Why did Jane include resources for alcohol use disorder in her book?

What was the most surprising insight that Jane discovered while writing Vignette?

Why did Jane agree to be a part of Esquire's television series Uncorked, despite her anxiety?

What happened to Jane before her advanced sommelier exam?

Key Takeaways

Working in a restaurant is incredibly grueling both physically and emotionally. Thos in it are prime to excessive drinking and that’s why the hospitality industry, which includes both restaurants and wineries, has the highest rate of substance abuse among any profession.

Jane makes some excellent points about why it’s hard to get a good wine education, both in terms of cost and the variety of wines you need to taste, especially if you want to make it your profession.

I love her approach in her first book as an emotional guide to wine to deepen your pleasure in it.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jane Lopes

Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In September of 2019, Jane finally put her University of Chicago literature degree to good use in publishing her first book, a personal and educational guide to wine called Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane’s second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), will publish in September 2023.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/253.

Why does it seem taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine? What’s prompting so much wine shaming of those who enjoy easy-drinking commercial wines that have residual sugar, and why do these wines play an important role in the wine market? How can memoirs have more emotional impact than biographies, and what’s the difference between the two?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why did I dedicate Wine Witch on Fire to my mother?

What makes memoirs often more emotionally impactful than biographies?

Why is it taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine?

What is it about wine that feeds into the perception of sophistication and elegance compared to other alcoholic beverages?

How can you integrate the intellectual aspect of wine with the buzz?

Why do I believe commercial wines serve an important role in the industry?

How did I decide which wines to include in Wine Witch on Fire?

What are some of the challenges still being faced by women and people of color in the industry?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira

Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She’s pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff.

Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert.

Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/252.

How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir the grape that teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown? How can moderation help to preserve our passion for wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What makes Wine Witch on Fire different from my first two books?

How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive?

Why is Pinot Noir my favourite grape?

How did the process of writing my memoir help me to heal and connect with others?

Has the wine industry changed in recent years when it comes to women and people of colour?

Why was it important to me to openly share my mental health struggles?

Are there parallels between my experiences in the tech and wine industries?

How can moderation help to preserve your passion for wine?

What types of moderation tips will you find in Wine Witch on Fire?

What do wine professionals need to be aware of when it comes to drinking on the job?

Why is it tricky for many women in the wine industry to navigate professional social situations?

What is it like to go up against stereotypes while trying to build your career in the wine industry?

How has misogyny been threaded throughout wine writing?

Which surprising Rosé food pairing is my guilty pleasure?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira

Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She’s pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff.

Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert.

Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/251.

Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What would surprise you about the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco? What would it be like to spend half a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre?

What are Andy’s favourite pairings for Mourvèdre Rosé?

What was it like to spend half a day picking in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard?

Who are some of the famous past residents of Bandol?

What did Andy learn from interviewing famous Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja?

How have Barbaresco and Barolo wines changed over the decades?

What can you expect from Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé?

Why does Andy like Lehmann’s Synergie and RIEDEL’s Winewings glasses?

What’s the tasting experience like for G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera?

How can you pair G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera with food?

What controversial take does Andy have on decanting?

Which fascinating book can you read to learn about the history of Burgundy?

Why is a thermometer Andy’s favourite wine gadget?

Which English writer would Andy love to share a bottle of breakfast Champagne with?

Key Takeaways

Andy’s explanation of why Bandol is the only wine region to lead with Mourvèdre was fascinating. As he said, there’s a salinity and freshness in the wines, good Mourvedre has to see the sea.

I enjoyed his description of the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco and the changes it’s experiencing.

He painted a terrific picture of what it’s like to spend a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Andy James

Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/250.

How does Mourvèdre taste different from other southern French grapes that also produce full-bodied red wines? Did you know that Mourvèdre can age for up to 40 years but has stages where it shuts down completely? What would a 20-year-old Rosé taste like?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What was it that drew Andy to make the move to Japan?

Why did Andy write books about Kingsley Amis and Graham Greene?

Why might you enjoy visiting the southern French town of Bandol for your next wine holiday?

What inspired Andy to write about Bandol wines?

What’s the format of Andy’s latest book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre, and how does it differ from previous books about Bandol wines?

What’s it like to taste a 20-year-old Rosé?

Do Rosés have good aging capacity?

How much of the Bandol wine industry is attributed to Rosé production?

What surprising results came out of a blind tasting of €3 and €23 Bandol wines?

Which characteristics can you expect from the Mourvèdre grape in its youth?

What changes will you notice as Mourvèdre ages?

Why should you take the cork out of your Mourvèdre a day or two before drinking?

Key Takeaways

Andy gave a great description of how Mourvèdre tastes different from other full-bodied southern French red wines. I understand why it also often needs a blending partner.

I found it interesting that Mourvèdre can age for up to 40 years but has stages where it shuts down completely. I’m also going to try his suggestion of removing the cork for a day or two next time I open a bottle to see if it makes a difference.

I would have never thought a 20-year-old Rosé would even be drinkable let alone have some interesting taste components and contrasts.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Andy James

Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/249.

Is minerality a taste, a texture, or something else when it comes to wine? Why is Austrian Gruner Veltliner more versatile than Riesling? How do you find a great grower Champagne?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Terry Theise, a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Terry Theise's terrific book, Reading Between the Vines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What do people misunderstand about Riesling?

Which questions can you ask retailers to better explore the world of Riesling?

What are some of the best and worst Riesling pairings that Terry has had?

How can you best pair Riesling with food?

Why was it difficult to change people’s opinion of Austrian wine?

What is it about German and Austrian wines that keeps them from being on top of the wine world?

Why does Terry say Sauvignon Blanc can sometimes be described as vulgar?

What makes grower Champagnes different?

What prompted Terry to write his first book, Reading Between The Wines?

Why did Terry want to make the case for What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking in his second book?

Key Takeaways

I agree with Terry that minerality is an incredibly useful metaphor to refer to a wine’s texture and something more. Riesling is one of the greatest and most fundamental wines when it comes to minerality.

I love Terry’s description of petrichor, the smell of pent-up, super-charged air just before a thunderstorm. It makes wines smell and taste super vivid.

Austrian Gruner Veltliner is more flexible than Riesling when it comes to food pairings. It’s such a lovely, undervalued wine worth exploring.

Great grower Champagne is also worth seeking out, though far more of a challenge as these producers are so small and scattered throughout the region.

I love Terry’s phrase that wine is an important glide path into the world of beauty.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Terry Theise

Terry Theise is a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. He has published two bestselling books—Reading Between the Wines and What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime. His articles have appeared in The World of Fine Wine and other magazines. Terry has also won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, Wine & Spirits Man of the Year Award and Food and Wine magazine’s Importer of the Year Award.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/248.

Are you curious about the soul-searching nature of German Riesling? Why is Riesling the best wine for tasters to train themselves to improve their skills? Why shouldn’t you approach a new glass of wine with anticipation?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Terry Theise, a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Terry Theise's terrific book, Reading Between the Vines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

Why is it important to find a passion outside of your work?

What are some of Terry’s most memorable moments from his childhood years in India?

When did Terry rediscover his passion for beautiful writing?

What is the relationship between wine and language?

How did Riesling become Terry’s North Star?

Why is Riesling the best way for an amateur wine taster to train themself?

How does Terry differentiate between petrichor and minerality?

What does it mean to “arrive at the rim of wine without expectations”?

How does the dynamic interaction between taster and wine enhance the experience?

Why does Terry say that wine keeps him humble?

What kind of mistakes are often made in wine tasting?

What are some of the tricks of the trade for guessing how long a wine will last?

Key Takeaways

Terry’s passion for German Riesling reignites my own: it is both under-valued and sublime

He makes some excellent points on why Riesling is the best wine for tasters to train themselves to improve their skills.

He makes a wise point that those of us who are passionate about our work need to have other things for which we have an equal passion to maintain balance.

I like his mindset when approaching a new glass of wine without anticipation or expectations to allow room for surprise and delight. If only we did that with people, too.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Terry Theise

Terry Theise is a much respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. He has published two bestselling books—Reading Between the Wines and What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime. His articles have appeared in The World of Fine Wine and other magazines. Terry has also won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, Wine & Spirits Man of the Year Award and Food and Wine magazine’s Importer of the Year Award.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/247.

Which Canadian wine regions should you add to your must-try and must-visit lists? What makes some of the wine designations and certifications problematic? Why do stories about witches run through my new book Wine Witch on Fire?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Mark Lenzi and Kim Simone, hosts of The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why do I identify with the witch theme in Wine Witch on Fire?

What was the inciting incident that kicked off the worst year of my life?

Looking back, would I have handled the situation differently?

Was it difficult for me to write this book and why bother?

Why did I choose to approach my writing with an entertaining, conversational style?

How did I work wine writing into Wine Witch on Fire, with it being a memoir?

Which Canadian wine regions should you add to your must-try and must-visit lists?

What was it like to lose my sense of smell and why is it so powerful?

Why are some of the wine designations and certifications problematic?

What are some of the things I do to remain intentional about how much I’m drinking?

Who can benefit from the Wine Witch on Fire Book Club Guide?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Mark Lenzi & Kim Simone

Kim Simone is passionate about wine and making it accessible, engaging, and fun. With a career of almost two decades in the wine business she most recently was the Corporate Sommelier for the Legal Sea Foods restaurant group where she assisted Master of Wine Sandy Block curate the wine lists for multiple restaurant concepts and developed educational materials for their staff. Her winding career path has included a stint selling wine wholesale for Ruby Wines, hosting an AIRBNB Experience focusing on the beverage culture of Colonial Boston, and teaching at Boston University.

Mark Lenzi is the owner of Franklin Liquors and founder of The Franklin Wine Club. Mark is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS) by the Society of Wine Educators. The first in MA to hold a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) title from the San Francisco Wine School, Mark holds several designations as a French Wine Scholar(FWS)/instructor,  Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS) by the Wine Scholar Guild, Italian Wine Specialist (IWS) by the North American Sommelier Association, Oregon Wine Expert (OWE) by the Napa Valley Wine Academy, Italian Wine Maestro (IWM) Vinitaly International (First USA Class), and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS*) by The Wine Scholar Guild.

Kim and Mark currently co-host the radio program and podcast The Wonderful World of Wine.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/246.

Are you curious about new South African wine styles and regions to try? What do most people misunderstand about Pinotage wine? Is it really necessary to spit when doing a wine tasting?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with international wine and spirit judge Dr. Winnie Bowman.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How can you distinguish between competition medal values and avoid misleading wine labels?

What was it like for Winnie to teach hotel students who were reluctant to spit during wine tasting?

Which aspects of the South African wine industry would probably surprise you?

How did certain wine regions in South Africa transform their reputations and become highly sought-after?

Where did some of the misconceptions around Pinotage originate and what are the facts?

What does Winnie love about Creation Glenn’s Chardonnay and what can you expect when tasting?

Why should South Africa be on your must-visit list of wine regions?

Key Takeaways

I loved listening to Winnie talk about new South African wine styles and regions to try as well as the fact that the country gets so many sunshine hours for ripening and deepening flavour.

I appreciated her background on the Pinotage grape and that it’s not the robust wine that many people assume it is, and can be quite elegant.

Her story about the fellow judge not spitting was delightful.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dr. Winnie Bowman

Dr. Winnie Bowman is a physiotherapist, biomedical scientist and holds a PhD in Education, specializing in Didactics. She is an international wine and spirit judge as well as a Cape Master. Winnie writes about wine, teaches, presents corporate tastings and appears regularly on radio and television wine shows.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/245.

What is a Cape Wine Master? Should you buy wines based on medals won from competitions? What does the future of wine recommendations look like?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with international wine and spirit judge, Dr. Winnie Bowman.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why did Winnie transition out of her previous careers and into the wine industry?

What is a Cape Wine Master, and how is it different from a Master of Wine?

How costly is it to become a Cape Wine Master?

What are some of Winnie’s earliest memories of wine?

Which types of sweet wines is South Africa known for?

What are some challenges faced by women working to make a name for themselves in the wine industry?

How did a vertical tasting in Rome feature in Winnie’s best moment of her wine career so far?

How did Super Tuscan winemakers defy traditional wine regulations and come out on top?

What interesting notes did Winnie notice in tasting 50 years of Sassicaia wines?

How does tasting technique help you avoid palate fatigue?

What have been some of the most interesting wine competitions to judge?

Which hard-to-find grapes has Winnie encountered while judging wine competitions?

How do wine competitions and the medals they award impact consumer decisions?

Key Takeaways

I was interested to learn what a Cape Wine Master is and how that differs from Master of Wine.

Winnie also had some great insights into whether we should buy wines based on medals won from competitions and how those competitions themselves are run.

I loved her story about tasting through 50 years of the cult Tuscan wine Sassicaia and that 1950s vintage still had power and grace - it wasn’t tired.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dr. Winnie Bowman

Dr. Winnie Bowman is a physiotherapist, biomedical scientist and holds a PhD in Education, specializing in Didactics. She is an international wine and spirit judge as well as a Cape Master. Winnie writes about wine, teaches, presents corporate tastings and appears regularly on radio and television wine shows.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/244.

How can you use AI to get wine and food pairing advice? Will using AI make wine styles and flavours less diverse? Will AI replace wine writers?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dina Blikshteyn, a lawyer who specializes in how artificial intelligence and machine learning is changing the wine world.

Note: Our discussion is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Is there a risk that using AI tools will make wine taste more uniform?

How can AI-enabled machines help to vineyards to go organic?

What’s involved in making AI models more accurate in wine analysis?

How can AI be utilized to identify anomalies and potential fraud in the wine industry?

Can AI make appropriate wine and food pairing recommendations?

What are the copyright implications of AI-generated content?

Is there a role for AI in the world of wine critics?

How can trade secrets be used to protect AI models, specifically around wine recommendations?

How will AI be used in tasting rooms of the future?

Key Takeaways

I was interested to learn about the ways AI can give wine and food pairing tips, but I am immensely relieved that AI won’t be replacing me any time soon.

Used the right way, AI won’t make wine styles and flavours less diverse. Rather it should expand them if the tool is used to make wine better.

I was fascinated with her description of how AI is being used to grow grapes and all aspects of the process. It’ll be interesting to see if drones become a common sight over the vineyards… maybe they’ll invent one to chase away annoying tourists - just the pesky ones, of course.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dina Blikshteyn

Dina Blikshteyn is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the New York law office of Haynes Boone. Dina focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, cyber security, web applications, algorithms, multimedia and video streaming, among other technologies. She is also a co-chair of the artificial intelligence practice at the firm. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Dina developed high-frequency trading systems that traded financial instruments on domestic and international exchanges.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/243.

Are you curious how artificial intelligence will change the wines you drink? What’s the difference between AI-based technology and existing automated machines? Will AI eventually replace most people working in the vineyard?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dina Blikshteyn, a lawyer who specializes in how artificial intelligence and machine learning is changing the wine world.

Note: Our discussion is not intended to be a substitute for professional legal advice and is for informational purposes only.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What was Dina’s first memory of drinking wine as a poor college student?

What’s the difference between automation and artificial intelligence?

How is AI improving grape growing and winemaking systems?

What’s the difference between newer AI-enabled machines and existing automated farming machines?

Which types of technology are used with AI in the wine industry?

Is there a risk of AI replacing human intervention in vineyards?

Who owns the data associated with machine learning, and what are the risks with data privacy?

What are the legal implications around the fair use of data obtained from the internet for AI training?

Key Takeaways

I was fascinated to learn how artificial intelligence will change the wines you drink. AI can determine whether the grapes are getting enough water in the growing stage and other factors to optimize ripeness and avoid disease. That, in turn, will make for better quality wine related to those factors.

Dina’s clarification of the difference between AI-based technology and existing automated machines was helpful. AI is a subset of automation that involves training models on data. It eventually makes new decisions and outputs, whereas traditional automation sticks to the rules you set for it.

I’m glad to hear that AI will not eventually replace most people working in the vineyard. Dina makes a great analogy that when the calculator was invented, we still needed to know how to do math. It's the same thing with AI; it’s just a tool.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dina Blikshteyn

Dina Blikshteyn is a partner in the Intellectual Property Practice Group in the New York law office of Haynes Boone. Dina focuses on artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud computing, cyber security, web applications, algorithms, multimedia and video streaming, among other technologies. She is also a co-chair of the artificial intelligence practice at the firm. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Dina developed high-frequency trading systems that traded financial instruments on domestic and international exchanges.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/242.

Why do I not review bad wines? What’s the difference between sexist, sexy and sensual writing, whether it’s in wine tasting notes or beyond? What are the big differences between wine reviews and articles, and what value does each form give to readers?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Luke Whittall, host of The Sipster's Wine Podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What’s the difference between sexist, sexy and sensual writing?

Why does getting divorced often force us to reevaluate all facets of our lives?

How is the general style of wine writing changing, and what’s behind the shift?

Why is it essential to be intentional about making space for new voices in the wine world?

How has hosting the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast helped me to grow as a writer?

What do I love most about podcasting?

What does it look like to get to know someone before rushing to judgment on social media?

Why don’t I review bad wines?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Luke Whittall

Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. HIs most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, Volume 2 (Touchwood Editions 2023) follows up on the success of volume 1 of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing. It features more of the most amazing wines ever produced in British Columbia. His first book, Valleys of Wine: A Taste of British Columbia’s Wine History was published in 2019 and he co-authored the 6th edition of The Okanagan Wine Tour Guide with John Schreiner in 2020.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/241.

How do you deal with the mob mentality of social media when it's a part of your work? How can you find the humour in the dark moments of life? What has changed in the past ten years in the wine industry when it comes to inequality and discrimination?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Luke Whittall, host of The Sipster's Wine Podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What makes Wine Witch on Fire closer to fiction than nonfiction, despite being a memoir?

Which series of events in 2012 ended up as the worst vintage of my life?

What was it about that initial incident in 2012 that caused the issue to escalate so much?

What are some of the challenges of working on social media and balancing your personal values?

Does social media encourage a mob mentality?

What has changed in awareness and the responses to harassment on social media in the past 10 years?

Has my writing changed as a result of my experiences?

How am I able to inject humour into the darkest moments of my life?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Luke Whittall

Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. HIs most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, Volume 2 (Touchwood Editions 2023) follows up on the success of volume 1 of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing. It features more of the most amazing wines ever produced in British Columbia. His first book, Valleys of Wine: A Taste of British Columbia’s Wine History was published in 2019 and he co-authored the 6th edition of The Okanagan Wine Tour Guide with John Schreiner in 2020.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/240.

How do wild yeasts help to bring out unique qualities in wine? What’s involved in farming and making wine sustainably? How does changing the temperature of your wine impact the tasting experience?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with winemaker Carolyn Hurst.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you in Canada will win a bottle of one of Carolyn's fabulous wines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

How do Canadian shipping regulations impact winemakers?

What can wine lovers do to help with changing overly-restrictive policies?

Which types of wine can you get from Westcott Vineyards?

Why does Carolyn prefer using wild yeast to ferment Westcott wines?

What is it about Lilias Ahearn Massey that inspired Carolyn to name a wine after her?

Who is the inspiration behind Westcott’s Violette wine?

What’s involved in farming and making wine sustainably?

How did Westcott make their wines vegan and vegetarian-friendly?

Which unpopular wine opinion does Carolyn hold?

Why would Carolyn want to share a bottle of wine with a stoic?

Which fun wine tip can you try this week?

Key Takeaways

I was fascinated to hear how wild yeasts help to bring out unique qualities in wine and what’s involved in farming and making wine sustainably.

I agree with Carolyn about how profoundly changing the temperature of wine impacts the tasting experience.

I also agree that liquor monopolies and licensing based on prohibition-era legislation are preventing Canadian winemakers from being able to legally ship their wines across the country. That needs to change, especially for an industry where each producer is so small that they often don’t produce enough to fulfill large liquor store chain orders and so they depend on direct orders from customers.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Carolyn Hurst

Carolyn Hurst is president of Westcott Vineyards in Niagara, Ontario, which she founded with her husband Grant Westcott in 2006. Since 2017, she has been the Chair of the Board at Ontario Craft Wineries, representing more than 100 wineries in the province. Previously, she has been the president of three successful technology companies. She also has significant experience in the restaurant/hospitality industry earlier on in her career. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/239.

Why is it a good idea for winemakers to invest in old vines? What does it mean to be a good steward of the land? What unique challenges does the Ontario wine industry face in the next five years?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with winemaker Carolyn Hurst.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you in Canada will win a bottle of one of Carolyn's fabulous wines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

Which entrepreneurial game did Carolyn love to play as a child?

How did summer school in France change Carolyn’s life?

What made Carolyn want to get involved in the wine business?

Which special moment was the most memorable for Carolyn in her wine career so far?

Why is it a good idea to invest in old vines?

How does Carolyn’s motivation to be a good steward of the land inform her business decisions?

What is the Niagara Escarpment, and how does its unique features influence its wine?

Why does limestone soil impart a specific taste to wines?

What’s holding Ontario wines back from increasing local market share?

Which basic facts should you be aware of when it comes to the Ontario wine industry?

Which challenges are being faced by Ontario wineries, and what is needed to achieve economic sustainability?

Carolyn’s explanation of why old vines are precious and important to the quality of the wine makes a solid case for winemakers to invest in them.

I like how Carolyn describes being a good steward of the land for the next generation and making that a big part of her consciousness in terms of how she operates.

I was intrigued by Carolyn’s description of the unique challenges the Ontario wine industry faces in the next five years and was surprised at both its economic impact and that the wines still aren’t well represented on many wine lists.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Carolyn Hurst

Carolyn Hurst is president of Westcott Vineyards in Niagara, Ontario, which she founded with her husband Grant Westcott in 2006. Since 2017, she has been the Chair of the Board at Ontario Craft Wineries, representing more than 100 wineries in the province. Previously, she has been the president of three successful technology companies. She also has significant experience in the restaurant/hospitality industry earlier on in her career. She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/238.

What does regenerative viticulture mean? How do healthy vineyards today look dramatically different from those five years ago? How did the Wine Olympics make the results of the Judgement of Paris undeniable?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Mark Gudgel.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Three of you will win a copy of Mark's new book, Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgment of Paris Put California Wine on the Map. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

How did the Wine Olympics make the results of the Judgement of Paris undeniable?

What did the people of Napa do to preserve the beauty of the valley?

What does regenerative viticulture mean?

How is climate change impacting the California wine industry?

What surprised Mark the most when researching the book?

What needs to change to improve the terribly low levels of diversity in the wine industry?

Which aspects of The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries would Mark change in a new edition?

What's Mark’s greatest satisfaction having written this book?

Where’s the ideal place to have a glass of wine with friends and why?

Why does Mark describe the 2017 Smith-Madrone Riesling as the perfect Riesling?

What did Mark love about Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run?

Which controversial wine opinion does Mark feel strongly about?

What does Mark want you to know about Oakville, Napa Valley?

Key Takeaways

Mark’s definition of regenerative viticulture was helpful. I especially like his observation that the new vision for a beautiful vineyard is rows of well-maintained grapevines with a tremendous diversity of life living within it.

I agree with him that if we resign ourselves to merely sustaining where we are, we have resigned ourselves to a long, slow death.

I enjoyed his story about how the Wine Olympics made the results of the Judgement of Paris undeniable.

It’s also undeniable that the wine industry has a long way to go, with only four African-American Master Sommeliers, and only 10% of Master Sommeliers being women.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Mark Gudgel

Dr. Mark Gudgel is an eighteen-year veteran of teaching high school English and presently serves as assistant professor of education at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha. His book, The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgment of Paris put California wine on the map, focuses on the wine industry and issues that surround it, and was released from History Press in May of 2023.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/237.

Are you curious about the most important historic tasting that put California wines on the map? What unique challenges did pioneer winemakers face in California? What would surprise you about how the California wine industry developed?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Mark Gudgel.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Mark's new book, Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgment of Paris Put California Wine on the Map. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

When did Mark realize he wanted to write about wine?

How did Mark develop his professional interest and expertise in genocide education?

What has been the worst moment of Mark’s writing career so far and what did he learn from it?

Which moments have created the best memories in Mark’s writing career?

What’s the significance of the “Judgement of Paris” and why was Mark drawn to the story?

What will you learn in Mark’s new book, Rise of Napa Valley Wineries?

Who were some of the early pioneers of Napa Valley wineries?

How were the Judgement of Paris reenactments done?

What are aged California wines like?

What are some of the inaccuracies in the movie Bottle Shock?

Why was Robert Mondavi instrumental in transforming the California wine industry?

Key Takeaways

I didn't realize how pivotal the 1976 Paris tasting was not only for California wines but also for other New World wines around the globe. With Mark’s explanation, I can see how its ramifications spread. What was so amazing was that these wines were tasted blind. No one knew the identity of the wines, and they were judged by French experts. It was the French experts saying California at the top.

It was fascinating to hear about the unique challenges pioneer winemakers faced in California. It’s a wonder that they persevered in the face of such huge obstacles.

I also enjoyed hearing about the surprising way the California wine industry developed.

About Mark Gudgel

Dr. Mark Gudgel is an eighteen-year veteran of teaching high school English and presently serves as assistant professor of education at the College of Saint Mary in Omaha. After honeymooning in Wine Country, Mark and his wife, Sonja, began a wine blog and soon after he was recruited as a regular correspondent for American Winery Guide. From there, Gudgel went on to write for Food & Spirits, Dine, Edible Omaha, and numerous other publications. His book, The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgment of Paris put California wine on the map, focuses on the wine industry and issues that surround it, and was released from History Press in May of 2023.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/236.

How can wineries use technology to better connect with customers online? What can you expect from the tasting rooms of the future? What matters most when you taste wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jessica Kogan, a digital brand marketing executive who has successfully launched brands such as Gucci, Prada, Charles Schwab, Cameron Hughes, and now Vintage Wine Estates.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a special bottle of wine from one of the wineries in Jessica Kogan's portfolio. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

What's unique about the way Cameron Hughes wines are made?

What was the most satisfying part of launching Cameron Hughes Wine online?

Why does Jessica particularly love connecting directly with her customers?

How is wine significant to social settings and special moments?

How did Jessica’s experience with the president of Vintage Wine Estates empower her as a woman leader?

Which technology can help to connect tasting room employees with customers online?

How have virtual tastings become a big part of the winery experience since COVID-19?

What can you expect from a virtual tasting experience?

What’s Jessica’s vision of the tasting room of the future?

What makes Cherry Pie Pinot Noir an excellent wine-tasting experience?

Which dishes would pair well with Baillie-Grohman Gewürztraminer?

What is it about Winemaker's Cut Muscat Canelli that brings renewal and hope to mind?

What does Jessica love about Cameron Hughes Lot 894 | 2020 Columbia Valley Merlot?

Which bottle of wine would Jessica love to be able to share with Ruth Bader Ginsberg?

Key Takeaways

Jessica is so visionary in how she sees wineries using technology to better connect with customers online rather than making the experience less personal.

I also enjoyed her insights into how tasting rooms of the future will change to better tailor the in-person experience for visitors.

And she’s absolutely right that what matters most when you taste wine is whether or not it suits your taste.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jessica Kogan

Jessica Kogan is a brand marketing and digital transformation executive with a seriously successful track record of launching CPG brands and DTC businesses that scale. As the Chief Growth & Experience Officer at Vintage Wine Estates (NASDAQ: VWE) her role is to drive the VWE digital transformation roadmap, unifying DTC, eGrocery and Supply Chain enabling customer satisfaction and employee empowerment. Most recently as the Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Jessica led DTC division growth from $30 million to $100 million in less than 3 years.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/235.

How will new technology affect the way you buy and learn about wine in the future? What does it take to launch a winery into the digital space? Which aspects of the fashion industry could the wine industry benefit from emulating?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jessica Kogan, a digital brand marketing executive who has successfully launched brands such as Gucci, Prada, Charles Schwab, Cameron Hughes, and now Vintage Wine Estates.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a special bottle of wine from one of the wineries in Jessica Kogan's portfolio. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

What drew Jess to a career in the fashion industry?

What were the challenges of bringing a fashion brand online in the early days of the internet?

Are there similarities between the fashion and wine industries?

How does the wine industry tap into our aspirations and fantasies?

What are the major differences between the fashion and wine industries?

Why does the wine industry need to do a better job of delivering wine to customers?

Why is it important to have transparent ingredient labeling for wine?

How did Jess get into the world of wine?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jessica Kogan

Jessica Kogan is a brand marketing and digital transformation executive with a seriously successful track record of launching CPG brands and DTC businesses that scale. As the Chief Growth & Experience Officer at Vintage Wine Estates (NASDAQ: VWE) her role is to drive the VWE digital transformation roadmap, unifying DTC, eGrocery and Supply Chain enabling customer satisfaction and employee empowerment. Most recently as the Chief Marketing & Digital Officer, Jessica led DTC division growth from $30 million to $100 million in less than 3 years.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/234.

Which California wine should be at the top of your must-try list? Which simple tips can you use to identify successful food and wine pairings? What should you know before starting a podcast?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why did I start the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast?

What was the motivation behind Chuck creating On The Road With Mr CA Wine?

Why was time the biggest challenge in producing my podcast?

How do you keep content fresh over hundreds of episodes?

What are my favourite wine tips?

How can you use the butter/lemon test to help with food and wine pairing?

What’s the weirdest successful food pairing I’ve had with Rosé

How can food alter your perception of a wine’s taste?

What makes asparagus and artichoke difficult to pair with wine?

What do you need to know about the Canadian wine industry?

Which Canadian wines should be on your must-try list?

Are California wines popular in Canada?

How has my perception of California wines changed over the past 10 years?

Why is Paso Robles at the top of my list of California wine regions to visit?

What's the best-value California wine I’ve tasted recently?

What advice would I give to someone thinking of starting a podcast?

As a child, what did I want to be when I grew up?

If I could have any celebrity guest on my podcast, who would it be?

If money’s no object, which bottle of California wine would I open with dinner tonight?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Chuck Cramer

Chuck Cramer is a 4th generation Los Angeleno, living in London for the past 22 years. In addition to hosting a wine podcast dedicated to CA wine, On The Road With Mr CA Wine, Chuck is the director of European sales & marketing for Terlato Wines, managing a gorgeous portfolio of CA wines across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He’s also the proud dad of two beautiful women, plays tennis four times a week and bleeds Dodger Blue!

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/233.

How does slick wine marketing encourage us to drink too much? Has anything really changed in the wine industry in the last ten years since the incidents in the book took place? How is sexism still embedded in wine tasting notes today? What would I advise young women and men entering the wine business today?

I’ll be sharing those stories and more in this special episode of my podcast. My new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much just launched yesterday, May 9th in Canada. It will launch in the US and around the world June 6th, and it’s also available for pre-order now.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why was it particularly difficult to face the challenges of divorce and defamation as the caregiver of a teenage son and an elderly mother?

While this book deals with serious issues, there’s lots of humour. How do you strike a balance between the two?

Do you approach things differently now than before?

Has anything really changed in the wine industry since that time?

What would you say to young women and men who want to enter the wine business?

What does that world without misogyny or sexism look like?

Can you share an example of how sexism is embedded in wine tasting notes?

What’s the difference between sexist, sexy, and sensual writing?

In the book, your partner calls you “princess,” and another writer calls you “sweetheart.” Are you bothered by these?

Throughout your memoir, you describe the slick marketing that encourages women to drink too much. Can you elaborate on this?

Why include stories of women behind wine labels?

You're a supertaster. What does that mean?

If you could be a wine, which one would it be?

What was your most interesting wine experience?

Which wines do you enjoy drinking on your own time these days?

What does terroir mean to you?

What is a guilty pleasure when it comes to pairing wine and food?

What’s in your wine guide for book clubs, wine groups and individual readers, and where can we get it?

How can we find out more about the $397 Bonus Bundle with pre-orders and where to buy the book?

Are there any book launch events coming up?

For those who may be going through difficult times themselves, what advice do you have?

What’s next for you?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/232.

How did I first fall in love with wine? Do I feel more exposed now for having written this third book? What are my best tips for moderate drinking?

I’ll be sharing those stories and more in this special episode of my podcast as we get closer to the May 9th launch of my new memoir Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Join me for my Toronto Launch Party

Save your spot now for this invite-only book launch event and tasting.

Treat yourself to a private book launch party and wine tasting in Toronto on Wednesday, May 10th at 6 p.m.!

* Enjoy access to the (very) swanky private club, Clio, in downtown Toronto * Savour three outstanding Creekside wines as I guide you in a wine tasting * Enjoy my hilarious and heartfelt stories about working in the world of wine * Learn about the professional challenges when drinking is your day job * Discover how to become a savvier wine buyer with my insider tips * Ask me anything about wine, writing a book, or rediscovering joy in your personal and professional life

Tickets are on sale here for ONE WEEK ONLY, so get yours today before they sell out! Save your seat here: https://trk.cp20.com/click/365b-2oeeqm-cirtts-6q8qco5/

Please share this event with friends, family, and colleagues who might also be interested in attending the Toronto launch or tasting events in these other cities.

Highlights

What is the book about?

How did you come up with the title?

How did you approach this narrative?

Who is the book dedicated to?

At what age did you start writing?

When did you fall in love with wine?

What's the story behind your worst hangover?

What was your inspiration to start writing about wine?

Where do you write?

Who is one of your favourite authors?

What was the inciting incident for this story?

What was the inspiration for this book?

Why write this book now?

Was it difficult to write this book?

Do you feel more exposed for having written this memoir?

Was it difficult to write with such openness and vulnerability?

How have you moderated your alcohol consumption?

What are some of the reader stories that have moved you deeply?

What do you expect readers to take away from this book?

How has writing this memoir changed you?

What’s in your wine guide for book clubs, wine groups and individual readers, and where can we get it?

How can we find out more about the $397 Bonus Bundle with pre-orders and where to buy the book?

Are there any book launch events coming up?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/231.

What's it like to work as a sommelier in a five-diamond French restaurant? How do you make the jump from writing magazine columns to becoming a regular guest on radio and television shows? How does it feel to write a book about the most difficult moments in your life?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Was there one wild moment that got Natalie hooked on the world of wine?

How did I go from working in the tech industry to becoming a full-time wine writer?

What was the path from writing magazine columns to the multi-faceted brand today?

Why does my approach to writing help my books to stand out from other wine books?

What was it like working for one night as a sommelier in a Five Diamond French restaurant?

What surprised Natalie the most about California wines?

How is my upcoming memoir different from my previous books?

Why did I decide to write such a different book the third time around?

What was my highest high and lowest low while writing Wine Witch on Fire?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Chuck Cramer

Chuck Cramer is a 4th generation Los Angeleno, living in London for the past 22 years. In addition to hosting a wine podcast dedicated to CA wine, On The Road With Mr CA Wine, Chuck is the director of European sales & marketing for Terlato Wines, managing a gorgeous portfolio of CA wines across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He’s also the proud dad of two beautiful women, plays tennis four times a week and bleeds Dodger Blue!

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/230.

Did you know that there’s a polite way and a rude way to clink wine glasses when toasting in some cultures? Are you curious about great pairings for truffles or caviar? Why have Instagram and TikTok exploded in popularity as a way to learn about wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Clinton Lee, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What’s the most common misconception about wine etiquette?

Is there a “right” way to toast with wine?

Which particular wine customs would you observe in different cultures around the world?

How have globalization and technology impacted the world of etiquette and manners?

Why does Dr. Lee view his content as a bridge between people?

Which videos have elicited the biggest responses from Dr. Lee’s audience?

Wine tasting order

Breaking bread

Why does Dr. Lee swirl his wine eight times before tasting?

Which aspects of Vinoscenti Vineyards Alla Famiglia make it particularly interesting?

How can you pair Gewürztraminer with food?

What can you expect from the tasting experience of Kacaba Vineyards Susan's Sauvignon Blanc and Bocale Montefalco Rosso?

What do you need to know about pairing wine with truffles and caviar?

Why does shellfish clash with red wine?

Which philosophers would Dr. Lee want to share a bottle of wine with?

Key Takeaways

I found it fascinating that there’s a polite way and a rude way to clink wine glasses when toasting in some cultures. Also, in certain places, it’s bad manners to pour your own wine.

I enjoyed hearing Dr. Lee’s pairings for truffles and caviar.

It’s amazing how Instagram and TikTok have exploded in popularity as a way to learn about wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dr. Clinton Lee

Clinton Lee is the Executive Director at Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute, a WSET Diploma Graduate & Wine Educator & Speaker. He is the author of Master the Art of Manners, which will be published later this year. He is an internationally recognized intercultural etiquette expert, wine and spirit educator and judge. Dr. Lee has been featured in the media around the world and is recognized as a social media influencer with over two million followers on several platforms. He is also the host of the Wine Buzz podcast.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/229.

How can wine help you to broaden your understanding of different cultures? Which stark differences in culture and decorum will you see in various wine regions? What's the right way, etiquette-wise, to receive your tasting sample at a wine festival or show?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Clinton Lee, Executive Director of the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What will wine lovers find fascinating about Mendoza, Argentina?

How did Dr. Lee communicate with Argentinian winemakers with no languages in common?

What was it like to participate in a blindfolded wine tasting in China?

What made Dr. Lee’s visit to Ducasse au Château de Versailles heartwarming?

How was the art of decorum on perfect display at a Vinitaly tasting in Verona, Italy?

What’s the right protocol to observe when receiving a pour at a tasting?

When did Dr. Lee develop his interest in wine and culture?

How did Dr. Lee become an expert in manners and culture?

What influences can you see across cultures?

How can you become more culturally aware?

Key Takeaways

I wholeheartedly agree with him that wine helps you to broaden your understanding of different cultures. It reminds me of when I was a highland dancer as a child and traveled to different countries with my mother. We experienced the culture more deeply than would most tourists as we got to know families who lived there and often stayed with them.

He makes several interesting points that there are stark differences in culture and decorum in various wine regions.

I also agree with him that it's good etiquette and sound practice to slide away to the side after you receive your wine sample at a festival or show to allow others to get theirs. It’s always tempting to stay and chat with those pouring the wine, and that’s fine if no one is behind you, but rarely is that the case.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dr. Clinton Lee

Clinton Lee is the Executive Director at Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute, a WSET Diploma Graduate & Wine Educator & Speaker. He is the author of Master the Art of Manners, which will be published later this year. He is an internationally recognized intercultural etiquette expert, wine and spirit educator and judge. Dr. Lee has been featured in the media around the world and is recognized as a social media influencer with over two million followers on several platforms. He is also the host of the Wine Buzz podcast.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/228.

Why is Vermentino such a great wine to pair with food, and which dishes pair best with it? What are the markers and nuances in wine that are tied to a specific place? How is the wine industry changing when it comes to diversity, and what still needs to be done?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sommelier of the Year, Tonya Pitts.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why is mentoring so important to Tonya and which organizations is she involved with?

How is the wine industry changing when it comes to diversity?

Why did Tonya create Women in Wine?

How can each of us help to move the wine industry forward with diversity and inclusion?

What makes Château de Chamirey Mercurey Blanc so refreshing?

Why does Tonya especially love Vermentino?

Which types of wine pair best with food?

How do zesty whites stimulate the tastebuds?

Which controversial opinion does Tonya have about terroir and tasting?

Which unexpected red wine pairings pleasantly surprised Tonya?

Key Takeaways

I have so much respect for Tonya’s leadership in the wine industry on so many dimensions from diversity to mentorship. She walks her talk.

It’s surprising that women still comprise only 20% of winemakers in the industry. Tonya has some great suggestions on how the industry needs to continue its efforts for inclusion.

I can’t wait to try Tonya’s suggested pairings for Vermentino, my mouth is already watering thinking of this zesty white Italian wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Tonya Pitts

Tonya Pitts is the Sommelier and Wine Director at One Market Restaurant in San Francisco and she has been crowned 2022 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Sommelier of the Year. Tonya has been a notable mogul within the wine industry for over 30 years. Outside of her Wine Enthusiast recognition, she was recently inducted into the Hall of Femmes (an award that requires being nominated by other women), awarded membership for Les Dames D’Escouffier, added to the advisory board of Women in Wine’s Leadership Symposium, and has become an integral contributor to Wine Unify.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/227.

Are you curious about what it takes to manage a list of 500 different wine labels at one of America’s best restaurants? Why is wine so powerful in creating memories? What is the most important role of the sommelier?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sommelier of the Year, Tonya Pitts.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How did art play a major role in Tonya’s life growing up?

Why is wine so powerful in creating memories?

What motivated Tonya to switch from pursuing a career in law to becoming a sommelier?

What was Tonya’s introduction to working in restaurants?

Why is smell such a significant part of Tonya’s tasting process?

What’s in Tonya’s mental wine Rolodex?

What was it like to taste a 1900 Rothschild?

How did a tasting of the 1976 Chateau Lafite compare to the 1900 Rothschild?

What makes older wines so special?

What does it take to manage a list of 500 different wine labels at one of America’s best restaurants?

Why is it even more powerful to visit the place wine comes from?

How did Italy win Tonya’s heart?

What does Tonya love about the service aspect of being a sommelier?

Key Takeaways

I found Tonya’s insights into what it takes to manage a list of 500 different wine labels at one of America’s best restaurants fascinating.

She also shares some great behind-the-scenes observations on the role of the sommelier.

My favourite part is when she talks lyrically about how she’s transitioned from the artist’s canvas to using a plate of food and wine to tell a story and paint a picture for someone.

I also think she’s bang on when she says, “Wine takes you on a journey, you can go anywhere in the world, with a bottle of wine. The reason I still do what I do, and why it means so much to me, is that I can actually smell a glass, it transports me right back to that time and place when I originally had that bottle of wine. It's amazing.”

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Tonya Pitts

Tonya Pitts is the Sommelier and Wine Director at One Market Restaurant in San Francisco and she has been crowned 2022 Wine Enthusiast Wine Star Sommelier of the Year. Tonya has been a notable mogul within the wine industry for over 30 years. Outside of her Wine Enthusiast recognition, she was recently inducted into the Hall of Femmes (an award that requires being nominated by other women), awarded membership for Les Dames D’Escouffier, added to the advisory board of Women in Wine’s Leadership Symposium, and has become an integral contributor to Wine Unify.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/226.

Which aspects of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly suited for growing grapes for wine? Why is Pinot Noir called the heartbreak grape? What are some ways for wine professionals and wine lovers to moderate their consumption?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What makes podcasting such a powerful medium?

Which aspects of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly suited for growing grapes for wine?

What does Thirty Bench Small Lot Pinot Noir taste like and which food pairings work well?

How does Trader Joe's Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir stack up as a $10 wine?

Why is Pinot Noir my heartbreak grape?

How did my taste in wine evolve over the years?

How does climate impact the acidity of grapes?

What will you learn in my free wine and food pairing class?

How can you pair foods with wine according to the texture?

What intrigued Sandy about the Oregon Wine Company's Rascal Pinot Noir label?

How could all wine lovers benefit if wine labels had ingredient/nutrition labels?

What are the benefits of QR codes on wine labels?

What can you expect from Oregon Wine Company's Rascal Pinot Noir?

What do you need to consider when tasting multiple wines?

How did I use a “do the thing” approach when writing my first two wine books?

Which simple tip can you use to find excellent wine at bargain prices?

What can you expect from my upcoming memoir centered on the worst vintage of my life?

How is wine marketed differently to men versus women?

Why is it important to me to take a closer look at my consumption and participation in the negative aspects of wine culture?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester

The Wines To Find Podcast was created after the two hosts, sisters Sandy and Michelle, travelled together to France and Italy in 2019. Both sisters are wine enthusiasts that have tracked their wine purchases, palates and pairings for years. As a way to continue the thrill of their European trip and to document their wine journey, they created the Wines To Find Podcast with the goal of spending time together, further growing their palates, and sharing wine stories from guests. Wines To Find features two new wines tasted for the first time by the sisters & guests, who span the spectrum of the wine industry from winemakers, owners, growers, sommeliers, fellow enthusiasts and more.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/225.

Can you imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine? And what is synthetic wine anyway? How does removing alcohol impact the tasting experience?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steven Laine, award-winning restaurateur, hotelier, and author.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Can you imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine?

What can you expect from Steven’s upcoming books, Jupiter’s Blood and The Somm?

How did Steven end up working at two fantastic wineries during the pandemic?

Which surprising insights did Steven learn from working the harvest?

Why is a vineyard the ideal setting for enjoying a glass of wine?

What is it about Torres Natureo Syrah that makes it a great non-alcoholic option?

How does removing alcohol impact the tasting profile of wine?

What makes English sparkling wine a great alternative to Champagne?

Why should you add Quails' Gate Estate Winery Dry Riesling to your “wines to try” list?

Which unpopular wine belief does Steven hold?

Which wine would Steven pair with his childhood favourite, lasagna?

What are some of Steven’s favourite wine books?

Which writers would Steven like to share a bottle of wine with?

Why has travelling been a boon to Steven’s writing?

What wine message would Steven put on a billboard?

Which wine would Steven want to be served at his funeral, and why?

Why does Steven believe it’s important to drink what you enjoy drinking?

What’s on the horizon for Steven’s writing?

Key Takeaways

I enjoyed more nightmare scenarios from Steven this week. I can’t imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine. Wine is both art and science, but it’s also natural and an extension of the earth.

His insights into how removing alcohol impacts the tasting experience were interesting.

I have to agree, given the sheer labour intensity of producing wine, much of it is underpriced.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Steven Laine

Kirkus Reviews called Steven Laine’s first wine thriller, Root Cause, “An entertaining, wine-soaked mystery.” The Washington Post wrote; “If Michael Pollan and Dan Brown sat down over a bottle of Barolo and brainstormed a novel based on the neuroses of the natural wine movement, they might have come up with something like Root Cause.”

As an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier, Steven has travelled the world working in luxury hotels such as The Ritz, Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, and Pan Pacific. He developed his passion for wine as a Sommelier and Beverage Director in London, England. Since then, he has visited hundreds of wineries around the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/224.

Can you imagine a world without wine? How did an author create a new genre of wine thriller based on a winemaker’s worst nightmare? What if the root louse phylloxera that destroyed most of the European vineyards in the 1850s returned but was even more destructive?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steven Laine, award-winning restaurateur, hotelier, and author.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What about the experience of travelling that motivated Steven to live in nine different countries?

How did Steven become involved in the wine industry?

Where did Steven’s inspiration to write thrillers come from?

How did the root louse Grape phylloxera impact European vineyards in the 1800s?

Which surprising facts did Steven learn about phylloxera while researching Root Cause?

What’s the best moment of Steven’s writing career so far?

Do beta readers play a role in Steven’s writing process?

What can you expect from Steven’s book Root Cause?

Who are Steven’s favourite mystery writers?

Why are stuck fermentations a winemaker's worst nightmare?

Why does Steven love to read widely?

What was the inspiration for Steven’s second book, Dragon Vine?

Key Takeaways

The premise of Steven’s novel, can you imagine a world without wine, hooked me from the beginning. I can’t imagine erasing all those great times I’ve shared with friends and family over a glass or two, let alone not doing the work I love in this field.

I love how he takes a winemaker’s worst nightmare and up the ante by having the root louse phylloxera come back as even more destructive. This doesn’t seem to be an impossibility with today’s climate change as well as the mutation of viruses that spread around the world quickly.

I enjoyed Steven’s insights into how travel changed his perspective. I think each trip, each location brings out a different piece of us.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Steven Laine

Kirkus Reviews called Steven Laine’s first wine thriller, Root Cause, “An entertaining, wine-soaked mystery.” The Washington Post wrote; “If Michael Pollan and Dan Brown sat down over a bottle of Barolo and brainstormed a novel based on the neuroses of the natural wine movement, they might have come up with something like Root Cause.”

As an award-winning restaurateur and hotelier, Steven has travelled the world working in luxury hotels such as The Ritz, Hilton, Starwood, Marriott, and Pan Pacific. He developed his passion for wine as a Sommelier and Beverage Director in London, England. Since then, he has visited hundreds of wineries around the world.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/223.

What did John the Baptist, Dom Perignon and Saint Vincent have in common when it comes to wine? What makes the vineyard of Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy so fascinating? Why should you consider visiting the wine region Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam McHugh, author of Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a personally signed copy of Adam McHugh's terrific book, Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

Why do French and American oak impart different notes?

Historically, why were more Catholics than Protestants involved in winemaking?

What makes the 100+ acres of Clos de Vougeot so interesting?

Why was the wine négociant system created?

Which major contributions did the Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon make to the wine world?

How did John the Baptist become the patron saint of cellar masters?

What’s Adam’s take on the ongoing debate between geologists and sommeliers?

Why should you consider visiting the wine region Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County?

What are Adam’s top tips for getting the most out of a visit to Santa Ynez?

What was Adam’s hope in writing Blood From Stone?

Which unpopular wine belief does Adam hold?

What’s Adam’s favourite wine book?

Why is the Coravin Adam’s favourite wine gadget?

Which disastrous Shiraz wine pairing did Adam serve at a dinner party?

What’s the best way to pair a very tannic wine with food?

Which Julia Child recipe is at the heart of Adam’s current favourite food and wine pairing?

How has John Steinbeck inspired Adam as a writer?

What coffee message would Adam put on a billboard?

What can you expect from Adam’s book Blood From A Stone?

Key Takeaways

I loved how Adam wove in the stories of John the Baptist, Dom Perignon and Saint Vincent as they relate to wine. I agree with him that wine can be a spiritual thing apart from its religious associations.

Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy is such a storied vineyard. I’m glad he included it in his book.

The Santa Ynez wine region in Santa Barbara County is on my radar to visit next. It’s incredible that over 80% of the wines from Santa Ynez are made by family-owned wineries that make less than 10,000 cases yearly.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Adam McHugh

Adam McHugh is a wine tour guide, sommelier, and Certified Specialist of Wine. He is the author of The Listening Life and Introverts in the Church and a regular contributor to Edible Santa Barbara & Wine Country. He lives in California's Santa Ynez Valley.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/222.

How did one man make a complete career pivot from working with dying in hospice care to living among the vines and writing about them? Why is French oak so treasured and so expensive? Which historical events led to the development of what we now know as the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam McHugh, author of Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a personally signed copy of Adam McHugh's terrific book, Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.

Good luck!

Highlights

What’s it like being a hospice chaplain?

How did wine help Adam to connect and become more grounded?

How did Adam find the balance to lighten - but not trivialize - the serious topics he covers in Blood from Stone?

What was it like to transition out of being a hospice chaplain?

Why is grieving an essential part of many life transitions?

What’s the difference between change and transition?

How did a trip to France inspire Adam to turn his love for wine into a career?

What’s behind the book’s title, Blood from Stone?

How were the iconic rounded stones found in the Rhone region formed?

Which historical events led to the development of what we now know as Châteauneuf-du-Pape?

What are the multiple meanings behind the term “blood of the vine”?

Why is Adam fascinated by the process of fermentation?

Why did France plant the forests that have now become the source of some of the most prestigious oak barrels?

Why is French oak so treasured and expensive?

Key Takeaways

I loved hearing how Adam made a complete career pivot from working with dying in hospice care to living among the vines and writing about them, especially his insight into the renewal and the miracle in the phrase “blood from stone.” The ancient connection between blood and wine was interesting as was his observation that grief is not just about big losses like death. We grieve lots of smaller things throughout the course of our lives.

I also found his discussion of why oak from different forests in France creates different seasonings for wine. The tighter the grain in the oak, the more subtle the impact in the resulting wine. Then fermentation unlocks a lot of aromatics we revel in with wine.

The history of the popes and the development of the Chateuneuf-du-Pape region were also intriguing.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Adam McHugh

Adam McHugh is a wine tour guide, sommelier, and Certified Specialist of Wine. He is the author of The Listening Life and Introverts in the Church and a regular contributor to Edible Santa Barbara & Wine Country. He lives in California's Santa Ynez Valley.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/221.

How can you learn more about food and wine without the intimidation factor? Why does exploring outside of your arena often drive inspiration and innovation? Why is writing a memoir like living your life twice?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lawrence Francis, host of the Interpreting Wine podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why do wine podcasts attract an international audience?

Why do I focus mostly on wine in my content?

How did I get started with TV appearances, and how has that evolved?

What trends and strategies have been used in wine communication since the start of the pandemic?

What kind of feedback have I gotten on my courses from beginners and industry professionals?

How have I incorporated elements into my online courses to help students feel more comfortable in an environment that can often be intimidating?

Which podcasts are currently on my list of favourites?

Why does exploring outside of your arena often drive inspiration and innovation?

Why did I write a memoir after publishing two very different books?

What can you expect from my upcoming third book?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Lawrence Francis

Lawrence Francis spent 10 years as a Psychologist and Coach before entering the wine industry. He’s been the host of the Interpreting Wine podcast since 2017; helping winemakers with underpriced, undersold or unknown wines address these challenges with compelling storytelling that engages wine consumers. Four years later, he’s now published more than 430 episodes, with more than 300,000 downloads in 150 countries.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/220.

What’s behind the power of podcasts and how they evoke the theater of the mind? How can you use a hook to improve your communication skills? Why do stories help us remember what we learn about wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lawrence Francis, host of the Interpreting Wine podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Which bottle kickstarted my passion for wine?

How did I find the confidence to write about wine?

Why do stories make it easier to learn about wine?

How has my wine career evolved since my first freelance article submission?

Why did I shift my mindset on being a wine educator?

What’s behind the power of podcasting for connecting people?

How do podcasts help people learn about wine in the best way for them?

Why is communication such a valuable skill for wine lovers?

How can you improve your communication skills?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Lawrence Francis

Lawrence Francis spent 10 years as a Psychologist and Coach before entering the wine industry. He’s been the host of the Interpreting Wine podcast since 2017; helping winemakers with underpriced, undersold or unknown wines address these challenges with compelling storytelling that engages wine consumers. Four years later, he’s now published more than 430 episodes, with more than 300,000 downloads in 150 countries.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/219.

How does the shape of a restaurant table impact how much you eat? How can you use your music playlist to complement your menu? Which types of songs can make your wine taste more acidic?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Nell McShane Wulfhart's terrific book, Off Menu. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

How can you help guests to feel more comfortable at a gathering?

What simple tips can you use to avoid lingering guests at your next dinner party?

How can you use lighting throughout a party to influence guests’ experiences?

Which types of songs can make your Pinot Noir or other wines tastes more acidic?

Why does music have a bigger impact on complex beverages like coffee and wine?

How can you use your music playlist to complement your menu?

Why do our palate and preferences change when we’re on a plane?

Can we hear the difference between various types of beverages just from the sound of the pour?

Why are white wine glasses better than flutes for drinking bubbly?

How does the shape of the table in a restaurant affect our dining experience?

How do the shape and texture of food affect how satisfied you feel?

Which wine bottle characteristics make the most impact on wine buyers?

How does the choice of bottle and packaging affect the environmental footprint of wine?

How do health claims on food and wine packaging influence our perception?

How is scent marketing being used outside of the food and beverage industry?

Key Takeaways

I loved finding out how the shape of a restaurant table impacts how much we eat and how long we stay in a restaurant.

I also found it interesting how I can use my music playlist to complement my menu.

I like knowing which types of songs can make my wine taste more acidic.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Nell McShane Wulfhart

Nell McShane Wulfhart is a decision coach and author. She has written for The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, The Guardian, and many other outlets. Her most recent book, The Great Stewardess Rebellion - about how flight attendants in the 1960s and 70s staged a revolution for working women everywhere. The Wall Street Journal described it as exhilarating and wrote that “Wulfhart is a vivid storyteller who writes with energy and style.” Nell’s audiobook, Off Menu, is about the secret science of food, drinks, and the dining experience.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/218.

How does telling your dinner party guests a few details about the wine you're serving dramatically change their perception of its taste? Should you add wines from Uruguay to your must-taste list? What’s the difference between flavour and taste?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you will win a copy of Nell McShane Wulfhart's terrific book, Off Menu.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

Which shocking discoveries did Nell make while researching The Great Stewardess Rebellion?

What do you need to know about wines from Uruguay?

How can our other senses impact our perception of the taste of food and beverages?

What’s the difference between taste and flavour?

How does sound affect our perception of what we’re tasting?

What do we know about how supertasters experience taste and flavour differently from others?

Why should you use the retronasal smell?

What simple trick can you use to amplify your experience of dark chocolate?

What impact does our knowledge of a specific wine have on the tasting experience?

What simple strategy can we use to improve our dinner party guests’ experience?

How do extrasensory cues impact flavour and enjoyment?

Why should you add a squeeze of limes or lemons to your food?

Why do ice cream companies add certain scents to their packaging?

What effect does loud music or noise have on your sense of taste?

Should you serve your best wine first or last at a dinner party?

Key Takeaways

I love Nell’s advice to share a few details about a wine with your dinner party guests as it will dramatically change their perception of its taste.

I’m more keen now to taste more wines from Uruguay, especially Tannat.

I found Nell’s explanation of the difference between flavour and taste fascinating.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Nell McShane Wulfhart

Nell McShane Wulfhart is a decision coach and author. She has written for The New York Times, The Wall St. Journal, The Guardian, and many other outlets. Her most recent book, The Great Stewardess Rebellion - about how flight attendants in the 1960s and 70s staged a revolution for working women everywhere. The Wall Street Journal described it as exhilarating and wrote that “Wulfhart is a vivid storyteller who writes with energy and style.” Nell’s audiobook, Off Menu, is about the secret science of food, drinks, and the dining experience.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/217.

What’s the tradeoff between flavour and alcohol? How does Chardonnay lend itself to unusual food pairings? Where do you find great value in California wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Who were Chuck’s most memorable podcast guests and why?

Who would be Chuck’s dream guests for his podcast?

Why does Chuck consider Lodi to be the most underrated California wine region?

How does the style of The Federalist Chardonnay differ from Sanford Chardonnay?

Which non-traditional food pairings could you try with The Federalist Chardonnay?

What’s the weirdest wine and food pairing Chuck ever had?

Which classic childhood food would Chuck pair with The Federalist Chardonnay?

What’s Chuck’s controversial take on the natural wine movement?

Why are low-alcohol wines less flavourful?

Why is The American Vintage Chuck’s favourite wine book?

How can you keep your wine fresh when you don’t want to finish the bottle?

Which unlikely celebrity trio would Chuck like to share a bottle of wine with?

If Chuck could have a billboard in California, what would it say?

What wine would Chuck want to be served at his funeral?

Key Takeaways

Chuck gives a great explanation for the tradeoff between flavour and alcohol.

I love Chuck’s unusual pairings for Chardonnay.

Chuck gives some great tips about finding excellent value in California wine.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Chuck Cramer

Chuck Cramer is a 4th generation Los Angeleno, living in London for the past 22 years. In addition to hosting a wine podcast dedicated to CA wine, On The Road With Mr CA Wine, Chuck is the director of European sales & marketing for Terlato Wines, managing a gorgeous portfolio of CA wines across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He’s also the proud dad of two beautiful women, plays tennis four times a week and bleeds Dodger Blue!

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/216.

Are you curious about California wine, especially the differences between the various regions? What big trends have changed the California wines you drink for the past 5 years? What would surprise you most about the Napa wine region?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What was it like for Chuck to do stand-up comedy for the first time in London?

How does California’s Terlato Wines gain access to small European markets that can’t ship directly from California?

Why does Chuck love changing people’s minds when it comes to Chardonnay?

Why Chuck did start his podcast, On The Road With Mr CA Wine?

How did Chuck integrate a signature California vibe into his podcast?

What’s behind the huge value and opportunity created by having a podcast?

What do you need to know about the California wine industry?

Which California wine regions should you be aware of?

Which California wine trends have emerged over the last 5-10 years?

Key Takeaways

California has an incredible number of wine regions that exhibit a diverse range of climates and soils.

Several big trends, such as more regional specificity and lower alcohol wines, among others, have changed the California wines we drink over the past 5 years.

Although the Napa wine region is renowned, it represents only 4% of all California wine produced. Now that’s great brand marketing and quality.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Chuck Cramer

Chuck Cramer is a 4th generation Los Angeleno, living in London for the past 22 years. In addition to hosting a wine podcast dedicated to CA wine, On The Road With Mr CA Wine, Chuck is the director of European sales & marketing for Terlato Wines, managing a gorgeous portfolio of CA wines across the UK, Europe and the Middle East. He’s also the proud dad of two beautiful women, plays tennis four times a week and bleeds Dodger Blue!

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/215.

How does deepening your understanding of wine help you maintain a healthy relationship with it? Why do memoirs help us to connect with characters even more deeply than fiction? Which moderation tools and techniques can you use when drinking wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by journalist Jaime Lewis for her podcast, CONSUMED.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What does “day in the life” writing look like?

How does deepening your understanding of wine help you maintain a healthy relationship with it?

How will my third book, Wine Witch on Fire, differ from my first two?

Why is a well-written book able to change your life?

What do I love about memoirs and the reader’s ability to transition the characters into the real world?

Which moderation tools and techniques do I use when drinking wine?

How did a combination of therapy and medication help me to manage my depression?

What steps did I take to build my own platform with intention?

Who can benefit from my Wine Smart online food and wine pairing course?

What do I do to take care of myself daily?

How do I define being an introvert?

What would I eat and drink, and who would I invite if it was my last day on Earth?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jaime Lewis

Jaime writes, speaks and podcasts about the good life. After an arts management career that included employment with Architecture New York Magazine, the San Francisco Symphony and the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Jaime chose to follow her nose (and palate) into the wine industry. Jaime has participated in nearly every moment of a wine’s life, from planting and bottling to selling. In addition to blogging about her personal year-long journey through the world, Jaime has written product, promotional and web copy for acclaimed wineries including Robert Mondavi, Firestone, Tantara, Herman Story, Laetitia, and Sans Liege.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/214.

How can tasting rooms help you enjoyably expand your knowledge of wine? Which experiences led me to perfect the art of the outsider at a young age? Why does capturing our experiences in words have such a profound impact on us? What can you learn from side-by-side tastings?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by journalist Jaime Lewis for her podcast, CONSUMED.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Which experiences led me to perfect the art of the outsider at a young age?

How did my mother influence my love for writing?

What was Jaime’s inspiration for becoming a wine writer?

Where do writing and computer programming have a lot of parallels?

What role did California play in my love for wine?

How can tasting rooms help you enjoyably expand your knowledge of wine?

What can you learn from side-by-side tastings?

How did a bottle of Brunello transform my perception of wine?

Why is it so powerful to capture our experiences in words?

What it means to “call up” and how did that help me to kick-start my writing career?

How has the freelance writing landscape changed in the years since I started?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Jaime Lewis

Jaime writes, speaks and podcasts about the good life. After an arts management career that included employment with Architecture New York Magazine, the San Francisco Symphony and the San Luis Obispo Symphony, Jaime chose to follow her nose (and palate) into the wine industry. Jaime has participated in nearly every moment of a wine’s life, from planting and bottling to selling. In addition to blogging about her personal year-long journey through the world, Jaime has written product, promotional and web copy for acclaimed wineries including Robert Mondavi, Firestone, Tantara, Herman Story, Laetitia, and Sans Liege.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/213.

How do food and wine play a role in Dabi Shapiro's latest bestselling novel, Signal Fires? As a writer, what’s it like to encounter others experiencing your work? Why do certain wines seem to transport us back to a specific moment in time?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dani Shapiro, bestselling author and host of the Family Secrets podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you in the U.S. will win a copy of Dani Shapiro's fabulous new book, Signal Fires.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

What can you expect from Dani's latest book, Signal Fires?

What makes Dani’s style particularly interesting?

How did the story develop, and what inspired Dani to pick back up where she left off in 2020?

Why was patience such an integral part of Signal Fires becoming successful?

What’s the story behind the real-life CT restaurant that inspired Theo’s restaurant in Signal Fires?

As a writer, what’s it like to experience others reading and being moved by your work?

How do the unconscious connections threaded throughout a work of fiction create opportunities for readers to co-create with the author?

How does Virginia Woolf’s influence show up in Signal Fires?

Why do certain wines seem to transport us back to a specific moment?

What does Dani love most about having her podcast, Family Secrets?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dani Shapiro

Dani Shapiro is the author of eleven books, and the host and creator of the hit podcast Family Secrets. Her most recent novel, Signal Fires, was named a best book of 2022 by Time Magazine, Washington Post, Amazon, and others, and is a national bestseller. Her most recent memoir, Inheritance, was an instant New York Times Bestseller, and named a best book of 2019 by Elle, Vanity Fair, Wired, and Real Simple. Dani’s work has been published in fourteen languages and she’s currently developing Signal Fires for its television adaptation. Dani’s book on the process and craft of writing, Still Writing, is being reissued on the occasion of its tenth anniversary in 2023. She occasionally teaches workshops and retreats, and is the co-founder of the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/212.

How can wine and food back memories of more than just the food and drink themselves? Why are so many family secrets associated with food and drink? How has the publishing world changed, and what does it mean for up-and-coming writers?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dani Shapiro, bestselling author and host of the Family Secrets podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you in the U.S. will win a copy of Dani Shapiro's fabulous new book, Signal Fires.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

What are Dani’s strongest childhood memories of gathering for family meals?

Why did Dani especially love her mother’s brisket?

Which important life lesson did Dani learn via a bottle of olive oil from Provence?

How does biodynamic winemaking bring an extra layer of care to the process?

What’s Dani’s ideal setting for having a glass of wine?

Why did Dani fall in love with California’s Thumbprint Cellars’ Cabernet?

What makes the sense of smell unique compared to our other senses?

Which types of food would Dani pair with Thumbprint Cellars’ Cabernet?

How did Dani end up on the path of a writing career?

Why does Dani urge young writers to slow down?

How has the publishing world changed, and what does it mean for up-and-coming writers?

What was the most embarrassing moment of Dani’s writing career?

How can you build a successful career in a creative field?

What has been the best moment of Dani’s writing career so far?

Why did Dani move away from fiction and into the genre of memoir?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Dani Shapiro

Dani Shapiro is the author of eleven books, and the host and creator of the hit podcast Family Secrets. Her most recent novel, Signal Fires, was named a best book of 2022 by Time Magazine, Washington Post, Amazon, and others, and is a national bestseller. Her most recent memoir, Inheritance, was an instant New York Times Bestseller, and named a best book of 2019 by Elle, Vanity Fair, Wired, and Real Simple. Dani’s work has been published in fourteen languages and she’s currently developing Signal Fires for its television adaptation. Dani’s book on the process and craft of writing, Still Writing, is being reissued on the occasion of its tenth anniversary in 2023. She occasionally teaches workshops and retreats, and is the co-founder of the Sirenland Writers Conference in Positano, Italy.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/211.

Which new and emerging wine regions should be on your radar to try soon? Why should you pay more for wine? How does glassware change the taste of your wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you who are based in the U.S. are going to win a personally signed copy of Karen MacNeil's terrific new book, The Wine Bible.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

Which new regions and eras did Karen include in this new edition of The Wine Bible, and why?

After the first edition, what important lesson did Karen take away about planning her writing?

Why was Greece the most difficult region for Karen to research?

How did shipping restrictions make it almost impossible for Karen to sample Canadian wines?

What tragic outcome awaits Vitis vinifera if climate change continues on its current trajectory?

What can we do as wine buyers to help mitigate the impact of climate change?

Why should you pay more for wine?

Which historic food and wine pairings did Karen discover?

What's Karen’s favourite weird wine and food pairing?

Why did Karen create her Flavor First™ Wine Glasses?

Which controversial take does Karen have on wine glasses and food pairing?

Why does Karen have a glass of Champagne every night?

How does Karen ensure she’s drinking and tasting mindfully?

Which political figures would Karen love to share a bottle of wine with?

Key Takeaways

I love the new and emerging wine regions Karen puts on your radar to try, like sparkling wine from England.

She makes a great case for paying more for wine, especially when you do an apples-to-apples comparison between the cost of that overpriced latte and a glass of wine. She’s right that we can’t want to drink super inexpensively and want our wine to be organic, biodynamic, and as natural as it can be at the same time. It doesn't compute financially.

I’m intrigued to try her line of glassware based on flavour rather than grape.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Karen MacNeil

One of the foremost wine experts in the United States, Karen MacNeil is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English Language. In a full-page profile on her, Time magazine called Karen, “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” Karen is the author of the award-winning book THE WINE BIBLE, the single bestselling wine book in the United States, with more than 800,000 copies sold.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/210.

What did it take to create The Wine Bible, a 700-page masterwork on wine? What makes The Wine Bible so different from other popular wine tomes? How did the pandemic make it much harder to research and write this latest edition of this book and what creative methods did the author use to overcome those obstacles?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you who are based in the U.S. are going to win a personally signed copy of Karen MacNeil's terrific new book, The Wine Bible.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

Why did school become an oasis for Karen in her childhood?

When did Karen have her first introduction to wine?

What drew Karen to make the move to New York City at 19?

How did Karen’s passion for writing keep her motivated through hundreds of rejections?

How did Karen make her way into the closed-off, male-dominated world of wine in the 1970s?

How did the quest to be a better wine writer lead Karen to move across the country to Napa?

Where did the idea for The Wine Bible originate?

Why was Karen initially against the name “The Wine Bible”?

Why does it take Karen years to publish each new edition of The Wine Bible?

What makes The Wine Bible different and more relatable than other popular wine books?

What was the hardest thing for Karen to leave out of The Wine Bible?

How did COVID make it much harder for Karen to reach the people and wines she needed while working on the third edition of The Wine Bible?

Key Takeaways

I loved hearing the behind-the-scenes stories of what it took to create The Wine Bible, especially with so many entries, maps, and illustrations.

I know from personal experience that it’s a much different read from other popular wine tomes, more conversational and engaging.

Karen is no stranger to overcoming obstacles, and she used that scrappy tenacity to press through the pandemic and complete this major work.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

One of the foremost wine experts in the United States, Karen MacNeil is the only American to have won every major wine award given in the English Language. In a full-page profile on her, Time magazine called Karen, “America’s Missionary of the Vine.” Karen is the author of the award-winning book THE WINE BIBLE, the single bestselling wine book in the United States, with more than 800,000 copies sold.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/209.

How do digital corks allow winemakers to participate in the resale of their wines among collectors? What are tasting tokens, and what exciting new experiences do they offer both winemakers and consumers? What new trends and technologies will impact the wines you drink in the future?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing David Garrett, the co-founder of a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club, Club dVIN.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of David Garrett's gorgeous book, The Winemakers of Paso Robles. This Californian wine region produces amazing wines.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the book. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

How does NFC technology increase the detailed provenance data available for wine?

How do digital corks allow winemakers to participate in value creation in the aftermarket?

What are tasting tokens, and what exciting new opportunities do they provide for connecting winemakers and consumers?

How does NFT technology make it significantly easier to track down wine counterfeiters?

What makes Club dVIN’s process more environmentally friendly?

How have NFTs been used to raise millions for charity in collaboration with renowned wine critic Robert Parker?

Why is 2019 Château Cos D'estournel David’s go-to wine?

Key Takeaways

I love the idea that winemakers can participate in the profit from reselling their wines via digital corks. It’s very similar to painters and other artists who should be able to accrue some of the value in secondary markets like auctions.

Tasting tokens provide some exciting new experiences for winemakers and consumers to connect more deeply.

I enjoyed David’s discussion of other new trends and technologies that will impact the wines we drink in the future.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About David Garrett

Since graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, David Garrett has spent more than 25 years in the fields of tech, wine and finance. In 1994, he co-founded IntraACTIVE, a software company that built the original Intranet for the US Navy. After he sold his company in 2004, he co-founded The Vines of Mendoza, developing more than 1,500 acres of vineyard land in Argentina as well as a five -star resort and restaurant. In 2013, he led a group of investors to buy the largest vineyard in Priorat, Spain. Today, he’s the co-founder of Club dVIN, a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/208.

Are you curious about how blockchain technology will transform how you buy and collect wine? How do non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, play a role? How can blockchain technology help to prevent counterfeit wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing David Garrett, the co-founder of a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club, Club dVIN.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Why did David make the move from tech to wine?

How did meeting Santiago Achával transform David’s understanding of wine?

What was it like building a vineyard on virgin land in the Uco Valley in Argentina?

Which big lessons did David learn in the 10 years it took to start producing wine at his vineyard?

How did David bring a data-oriented approach to winemaking?

How did the unique private vineyard estate program at the Vines of Mendoza operate?

Where does the biggest problem with counterfeit wine lie?

How does blockchain technology help to disincentivize counterfeit wines?

What is a blockchain and how does it help to clarify provenance?

What’s the relationship between cryptocurrency and a blockchain?

What are non-fungible tokens (NFTs)?

How do you create an NFT for a bottle of wine?

What are the benefits of NFTs for wine?

Key Takeaways

David had such a clear and concrete way of explaining how blockchain technology will transform how you buy and collect wine?

I also liked his comparisons to buying land or a house with non-fungible tokens, or NFTs.

I was glad to hear that blockchain technology may help prevent counterfeit wines.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About David Garrett

Since graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, David Garrett has spent more than 25 years in the fields of tech, wine and finance. In 1994, he co-founded IntraACTIVE, a software company that built the original Intranet for the US Navy. After he sold his company in 2004, he co-founded The Vines of Mendoza, developing more than 1,500 acres of vineyard land in Argentina as well as a five -star resort and restaurant. In 2013, he led a group of investors to buy the largest vineyard in Priorat, Spain. Today, he’s the co-founder of Club dVIN, a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/207.

Is minerality a flavour or a texture? What does it feel or taste like? Why do wines made from hybrid grapes deserve your attention? What can winemakers learn from Jimi Hendrix?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Aleks Zecevic, wine writer and host of the Vintners podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How does Ewald Tscheppe of Werlitsch get a unique texture to his wines?

How did carrots help Aleks improve his understanding of and appreciation for biodynamic wine?

What distinguishes Werlitsch Ex Vero I, II, and III?

Which common characteristics will you taste in most wines from Styria, Austria?

What will you experience when tasting Werlitsch Ex Vero III?

Is minerality a flavour or a texture?

What do I especially love about the mouthfeel of Rockway Vineyards Small Lot Syrah?

How does Slovenian influence show up in the wines of north east Italy?

What is the Carso?

How does the terroir come through in Zidarich Vitovska 2017?

Why are some grapes called hybrids while other crossed varieties are not?

Why are hybrid grapes increasing in popularity?

What makes Vitis vinifera more susceptible to disease and environmental damage?

Why are hybrid grapes more environmentally friendly and better suited for climate change?

What can winemakers learn from Jimi Hendrix?

Why does Aleks connect with vinyl records more than digital music?

What’s the mission behind the Vintners platform?

Key Takeaways

I thought Aleks’ explanation of how minerality affects both flavour and texture helpful.

Wines made from hybrid grapes will increasingly become part of our drinking menu both due to climate change as well as their improved taste and diversity of flavours.

I loved his tip on what winemakers can learn from Jimi Hendrix.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Aleks Zecevic

Aleks Zecevic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and emigrated to New York City to study journalism at New York University. After graduating, he completed WSET courses and worked at the Wine Spectator, becoming one of the lead tasters at the magazine. He joined the renowned auction house Sotheby’s as a fine wine specialist. Currently, he reviews Austrian wines for Wine Enthusiast and is part of the newly founded Vintners platform, where he creates content and hosts the Vintner’s podcast.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/206.

What's it like to work at the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine and Sotheby’s fine wine auction house? How can you distinguish real wine from fakes? What’s the secret to putting together the perfect wine flight?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Aleks Zecevic, wine writer and host of the Vintners podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What is Vouvray, France, famous for in the world of wine?

What was it like to taste the “Victory Vintage” at François Pinon with the winemaker who made the wine in 1945?

How did Aleks realize he wanted to be a wine writer?

What’s the secret to putting together the perfect wine flight?

What’s it like to work at the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine?

What does it take to go from tasting coordinator to a reviewer at Wine Spectator?

How did Aleks hone his wine-tasting skills before he became a reviewer?

Which aspects of the vineyards make Premier Cru different from Grand Cru?

What was the reaction from the wine industry once Aleks was the lead reviewer for several wine regions?

Why did Aleks leave Wine Spectator to become a fine wine specialist at Sotheby’s?

What did Aleks look for when examining high-end wine collections as a fine wine inspector?

How high do auction sales go for rare wines from wineries like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti?

Why do regulatory bodies create region-specific wine rules through wine-of-origin laws?

Why don’t some newer wines qualify to get their designation of origin?

How do these wine-of-origin laws put some high-quality producers at a disadvantage?

Key Takeaways

I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at Alek’s wine dream jobs with the Wine Spectator magazine and Sotheby’s fine wine auction.

He had some helpful tips on distinguishing real wine from fakes.

I agree with his tips on putting together flights of wine, from lightest to heaviest.

I thought it was interesting that Grand Cru vineyards don’t have a lot of topsoil and thus, the berries have more concentration and the wine has more complexity.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Aleks Zecevic

Aleks Zecevic was born in Belgrade, Serbia, and emigrated to New York City to study journalism at New York University. After graduating, he completed WSET courses and worked at the Wine Spectator, becoming one of the lead tasters at the magazine. He joined the renowned auction house Sotheby’s as a fine wine specialist. Currently, he reviews Austrian wines for Wine Enthusiast and is part of the newly founded Vintners platform, where he creates content and hosts the Vintner’s podcast.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/205.

Is Icewine the major part of Canada’s wine industry? How does Icewine compare to other dessert wines like Sauternes? How has climate change impacted Canadian winemaking?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by James Atkinson, drinks journalist and host of the Drinks Adventures podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Is Icewine still a major part of Canada’s wine industry?

What makes the process of harvesting grapes for Icewine so unique?

How does Icewine compare to other dessert wines like Sauternes?

How has the Canadian wine industry evolved over the years since the opening of our first commercial winery in the late 70s?

Where are the most established wine regions and varieties in Canada?

Which unique Canadian signature elements will you recognize compared to Old World wines?

How has climate change impacted Canadian winemaking?

Why did I start Unreserved Wine Talk?

What have been some of my highlights from the past four years of conversations on the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast?

How is my upcoming memoir different from my first two books?

Which darker aspects of the wine industry do I explore in my memoir?

Are Australian wines popular in Canada?

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About James Atkinson

James Atkinson is the creator of the Drinks Adventures podcast and winner of Best Podcast at the Australian Wine Communicator Awards 2021. A lover of all fine drinks, James was previously editor of Australian Brews News and drinks industry publication TheShout. A Certified Cicerone® (beer sommelier) and two-time winner of the Australian International Beer Awards prize for Best Media, James has judged at several prestigious beer competitions. As a journalist, he has contributed to publications including The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Halliday, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Good Food, Selector and more.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/204.

As a wine lover, what can you do to help mitigate the impact of climate change? Why do many experts consider the phrase “global warming” a big marketing mistake? How is climate change pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Brian Freedman, wine and spirits educator and author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Brian Freedman's terrific new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

What surprised Brian about the impact of climate change on the world of spirits?

Why do many experts consider the phrase “global warming” a big marketing mistake?

How does climate change disproportionately impact those who can least afford it?

Why is a long-term planning horizon essential in the wine industry?

What does it mean for a wine to “channel the ineffable truth of a vineyard”?

Which rich, complex aromas and flavour notes can you expect from Kutch Pinot Noir 2016?

Why do I especially love Sperling Vineyards Speritz Pet-Nat of the various Pet-Nats I’ve tried?

What fascinating long wine history exists in the Judean Hills, Israel?

How does Shiloh Secret Reserve Petit Verdot 2018 highlight the diversity and range of the Israeli wine industry?

Why is it so important to keep an open mind about wine?

How is climate change pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from?

How will Crushed help you to broaden your palate?

What impact has Brian seen with climate change on Canadian wine?

What’s Brian’s prognosis for the future of the wine industry?

Who are the two people Brian would most want to be able to share a bottle of wine with?

Which inspirational wine message would Brian put on a billboard?

Key Takeaways

I loved Brian’s practical tips for what we can do, as wine lovers, to help mitigate the impact of climate change.

I agree with him that the phrase “global warming” is a big marketing mistake. Global weirding is much better in describing the extreme weather events we’re experiencing around the planet.

I found Brian’s insights into how climate change is pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from fascinating.

About Brian Freedman

Brian Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant and beverage consultant, and wine and spirits educator. He regularly contributes to Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Whisky Advocate, and SevenFifty Daily, and has contributed to Travel + Leisure, The Bourbon Review, and more. He also hosted wine and spirit pairing segments on the CNN Airport Network. Freedman has traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States to experience the food, drink, and culture for his work. He lives outside of Philadelphia.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/203.

Are you curious about the deeper, less obvious impacts of climate change on wine? How is it different from the impact on our food? What are Israeli winemakers doing to bring back a whole ecosystem approach?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Brian Freedman, wine and spirits educator and author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Brian Freedman's terrific new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink.

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winners randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

What are Brian’s top tips for moving a large wine collection?

How did Brian’s father help him learn to appreciate wine's nuances?

Which favourite childhood dish would Brian now pair with a Napa Cabernet?

Which wine jump-started my wine journey?

When did Brian realize he wanted to make wine his career?

What embarrassing story did Brian’s daughter share with her class on the first day of preschool?

How does Brian’s wife perceive favour differently from most people?

What can you expect from Brian’s new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink?

How do you continue to make world-class wines in increasingly desert-like conditions?

What are Israeli winemakers doing to bring back the whole ecosystem approach?

Why did Brian want to write about the issue of climate change?

Key Takeaways

I appreciated how Brian dug into the less obvious impact of climate change or global weirding on wine from freak spring frosts to a persistent wildfire season.

He also helped us understand how those changes are different from what’s happening to our food system, especially when winemakers get just once chance each year to get it right.

I was fascinated to learn how Israeli winemakers are bringing back a whole ecosystem approach.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Brian Freedman

Brian Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant and beverage consultant, and wine and spirits educator. He regularly contributes to Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Whisky Advocate, and SevenFifty Daily, and has contributed to Travel + Leisure, The Bourbon Review, and more. He also hosted wine and spirit pairing segments on the CNN Airport Network. Freedman has traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States to experience the food, drink, and culture for his work. He lives outside of Philadelphia.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/202.

Why should we change the way we talk about Riesling? How have Austrian and German wines transformed in recent years? How can you pair German-speaking wines with food?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing journalist and co-founder of TRINK magazine, Valerie Kathawala.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How is Skinny Pablo recontextualizing Riesling for younger generations?

What happened in Austria’s antifreeze scandal in the mid-80s?

How has Austria’s wine industry transformed for the better since that scandal?

Has the Blue Nun brand hurt or helped the German wine industry?

Why do we need to change how we talk about Riesling?

What makes Riesling the perfect deserted island wine?

Which unique characteristics will you experience from Beuerer wines?

How do the qualities of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly well-suited for growing Riesling?

What makes Weingut Bianka und Daniel Schmitt’s Frei.Körper.Kultur Rosé the perfect summer sipper?

What controversial opinion does Valerie hold on wine experts?

Which defining aromas does Valerie associate with her childhood?

How would Valerie now pair one of her favourite childhood food with wine?

Why are wine glasses Valerie's favourite wine gadgets?

What are Valerie’s favourite wine books?

What was the vision behind creating TRINK Magazine?

Key Takeaways

I agree with Valerie that we need to change the way we talk about Riesling. It’s so versatile in style, taste, and food pairing potential. It doesn’t deserve to be pigeonholed into outdated stereotypes.

I was interested in her insights on how Austrian and German wines have transformed in recent years.

I love her tips on how German-speaking wines, especially with their acidity and salinity, give energy to their taste and help them pair well with food.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Valerie Kathawala

Valerie Kathawala is a freelance journalist focused on the wines of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, with a particular interest in biodynamics. She’s a lifelong student of German culture and language and has lived and worked in both Germany and Austria. She crossed over from translation and editorial work at the United Nations to writing about “German-speaking wines” and hasn’t looked back since.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/201.

Are you curious about German-speaking wines and which ones you should try? Why is biodynamic winemaking particularly important for viticulture? What’s the real difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing journalist and co-founder of TRINK magazine, Valerie Kathawala.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What was it like to be a German translator at the UN in the time of the Iraq War?

How did Valerie’s interest in language - German in particular - develop?

What was the catalyst for Valerie to start her wine journey?

How did Valerie’s lifelong love of storytelling and writing show up before her wine career?

What made a writing trip to visit Rudi Tossen in the Mosel region of Germany the highlight of Valerie’s wine career so far?

What was the most painful mistake of Valerie’s wine career so far?

How does Valerie find the balance between connecting with people to get the story while asking the hard questions?

What is biodynamic winemaking and why is it particularly important for viticulture?

How do biodynamic practices offer some protection against climate change?

What are some common misconceptions about biodynamics?

Why is biodynamic farming an empowering tool for growers?

Where did biodynamic viticulture come from?

What are the characteristics of German-speaking wines?

How do you know when you have a great story?

What was Valerie surprised to learn about the natural wine scene in the Mosel?

What’s the difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine?

Which German estate played an important role in the resistance movement during World War II?

How did a labour scandal spotlight poor practices in the natural wine industry?

Key Takeaways

I loved how she described German-speaking wines as sharing a certain mindset, tradition and values, grape varieties, winemaking approaches, geography, and climate.

I agree with her that biodynamic winemaking provides an excellent framework for wine growers to keep vines in equilibrium to stay healthy.

Her explanation of the differences between natural wine and biodynamic wine was insightful.

Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live

Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.

I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?

Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621

About Valerie Kathawala

Valerie Kathawala is a freelance journalist focused on the wines of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, with a particular interest in biodynamics. She’s a lifelong student of German culture and language and has lived and worked in both Germany and Austria. She crossed over from translation and editorial work at the United Nations to writing about “German-speaking wines” and hasn’t looked back since.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/200.