Unreserved Wine Talk artwork

Unreserved Wine Talk

277 episodes - English - Latest episode: 23 days ago - ★★★★ - 38 ratings

The Unreserved Wine Talk podcast features candid conversations with the most fascinating people in the wine world. Your host, award-winning journalist Natalie MacLean, dives into how it feels to compete in the nerve-wracking World's Best Sommelier Competition, the shadowy underground of wine forgery, the zany tactics of a winemaker who hosted a funeral for cork, and more. Nestled in these colourful stories are practical tips on how to choose wine from a restaurant list, pair it with food and spot great values in the liquor store.

Every second episode, Natalie goes solo with an unfiltered, personal reflection on wine. She'll share with you how it feels to be a woman in what is still a largely male-dominated field, her gut reaction to the latest health study that says no amount of alcohol consumption is safe and her journey in writing her next book. She'll reveal these vulnerable, sometimes embarrassing, stories with tipsy wit and wisdom that she's soaked up from 20 years of writing about wine.

This podcast is for wine lovers from novices to well-cellared aficionados.

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Episodes

275: What Are Vegan Wines & Are They Better for You with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao

March 06, 2024 08:01 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MB

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 o...

274: The Golden Rule to Buy Burgundy & Avoid High Prices with Raymond Blake, Author of Côte d’Or

February 28, 2024 08:01 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MB

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 g...

273: Changes in Burgundy and Untangling a Complicated Region with Raymond Blake, Author Breakfast in Burgundy

February 21, 2024 08:01 - 44 minutes - 40.7 MB

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 ...

272: Candid Wine Conversations with Scott Sexsmith of Up Close & Personal and Matt Cundill of You May Also Like

February 14, 2024 08:01 - 43 minutes - 40.4 MB

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 taste...

271: Best Sommelier Questions and How the Shape of Wine Acidity is Revealing with Vanessa Price

February 07, 2024 08:01 - 33 minutes - 30.8 MB

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 Wh...

270: Creative Wine Pairings with Circus Peanuts, Cheetos and Twinkies with Vanessa Price, Author of Big Macs and Burgundy

January 31, 2024 08:01 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MB

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://ww...

269: Defining Musty Attics, Band-Aids and Rotten Eggs with Keith Grainger, Author of Wine Faults & Flaws

January 24, 2024 08:01 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MB

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   Givea...

268: Identifying Wine Faults and Flaws with Author Keith Grainger

January 17, 2024 08:01 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

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 goi...

267: How to Savour Wine Over Time with Molly Watts of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast

January 10, 2024 08:01 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MB

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 year...

266: From Andes to Amazon: A Wine Lover's Guide to South America's Hidden Vineyards with Amanda Barnes

January 03, 2024 08:01 - 46 minutes - 42.9 MB

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 ...

265: Malbec Magic: Argentina's Bold Twist on a Classic with Amanda Barnes, Author of The South America Wine Guide

December 27, 2023 08:01 - 42 minutes - 38.6 MB

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 hard...

264: Beer versus Wine Tasting, Cicerones versus Sommeliers with Mandy Naglich, Author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

December 20, 2023 08:01 - 37 minutes - 34.5 MB

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   Giveaw...

263: Tasting Bliss Points & Making Wines Memorable with Mandy Naglich, Author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

December 13, 2023 08:01 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MB

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...

262: Sonoma Wines + the Dangers of Drinking for a Living with Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa of the Wine Road Podcast & Jeff Sammut of Canada Now

December 06, 2023 08:01 - 35 minutes - 32.2 MB

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 a...

261: Mood & Wine Pairings + British Columbia's Best Wine Regions with Luke Whittall, Author of 50 Must-Try Wines from BC and Ontario

November 29, 2023 08:01 - 39 minutes - 36.4 MB

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 Mus...

260: BC's Wild Diversity, Deep Lake Effect and Promising Future with Luke Whittall, Author of 50 Must-Try Wines in BC and Ontario

November 22, 2023 08:01 - 45 minutes - 41.6 MB

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...

259: Proactive Wine Farming and Wine Tourism with Anna Brittain of Napa Green

November 15, 2023 08:01 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MB

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 th...

258: Why Sustainable Winegrowing Matters with Anna Brittain of Napa Green

November 08, 2023 08:01 - 43 minutes - 40 MB

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 environment...

257: How Much is Too Much Wine, Old Rosé and Hard-Won Wisdom with the Women of Ill Repute, Wendy Mesley & Maureen Holloway

November 01, 2023 07:01 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MB

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...

256: How to Spot a Fake Wine and Defining Wine Authenticity with Rebecca Gibb

October 25, 2023 07:01 - 38 minutes - 35.2 MB

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 luck...

255: Wine Crime & Con Artists with Rebecca Gibb, Author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud

October 18, 2023 07:01 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MB

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...

254: New Australian Wines & Regions + Grenache's Resurgence with Jane Lopes, Author of How to Drink Australian

October 11, 2023 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38.6 MB

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. O...

253: An Emotional Guide to Wine + How to Get a Solid Wine Education with Jane Lopes

October 04, 2023 07:01 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MB

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   Giveaway Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: St...

252: Taboo Wine Topics: The Alcoholic Buzz of Wine + Shaming Sweet Wines with Calla Bischoff & Kara Ferreira

September 27, 2023 07:01 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MB

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 ...

251: Pinot Noir, the Nervous Breakdown Grape + Navigating Bad Life Vintages with the Boozy Biddies

September 20, 2023 07:01 - 34 minutes - 32 MB

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 ...

250: The Secrets of Barbaresco, Barolo and Mourvedre with Andy James, Author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvedre

September 13, 2023 07:01 - 38 minutes - 35.3 MB

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 perso...

249: Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre with Author Dr. Andy James

September 06, 2023 07:01 - 37 minutes - 34.2 MB

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...

248: Austrian Grüner Veltliner's Versatility & the Magic of Minerality with Terry Theise

August 30, 2023 07:01 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MB

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 pe...

247: Soul-Searching German Riesling with Terry Theise, Author of What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking

August 23, 2023 07:01 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MB

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   Give...

246: What is a Wine Witch and Why Use it in a Book Title? I Share Why on The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast

August 16, 2023 07:01 - 47 minutes - 43.4 MB

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 ident...

245: New South African Wines and Pinotage Misconceptions with Dr. Winnie Bowman

August 09, 2023 07:01 - 42 minutes - 38.8 MB

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...

244: Should You Buy Wines Based on Competition Medals? Dr. Winnie Bowman, Cape Wine Master, Has Thoughts

August 02, 2023 07:01 - 43 minutes - 40.3 MB

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...

243: Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Give Good Wine & Food Pairing Tips? Dina Blikshteyn Shares Surprising Insights

July 26, 2023 07:01 - 33 minutes - 30.5 MB

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 d...

242: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Change the Wines Your Drink with Dina Blikshteyn

July 19, 2023 07:01 - 32 minutes - 30.2 MB

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 le...

241: Why I Don't Review Bad Wines with Luke Whittall of the Sipster's Wine Podcast

July 12, 2023 07:01 - 38 minutes - 34.9 MB

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 d...

240: Online Mobbing, Dark Humour and Change in the Wine Industry with Luke Whittall of the Sipster's Wine Podcast

July 05, 2023 07:01 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MB

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 Wi...

239: Wild Yeast and Wine Temperature's Impact on Wine Taste with Carolyn Hurst of Westcott Vineyards

June 28, 2023 07:01 - 40 minutes - 36.8 MB

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 ...

238: Old Vines, Land Stewardship and the Future of Ontario Wine with Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards

June 21, 2023 07:01 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MB

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 t...

237: New Vision for Beautiful Vineyards and Regenerative Viticulture with Mark Gudgel

June 14, 2023 07:01 - 39 minutes - 36.6 MB

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     Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Mark's new book, Rise of Napa Valley Wineries: How the Judgm...

236: The Paris Tasting that Changed the Fate of California Wines with Mark Gudgel, Author of The Rise of Napa Valley Wineries

June 07, 2023 07:01 - 40 minutes - 37.7 MB

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...

235: Technology Will Transform Tasting Rooms of the Future with Jessica Kogan

May 31, 2023 07:01 - 45 minutes - 42.1 MB

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...

234: Wine and Fashion Share Aspirational Marketing and Self-Identification with Jessica Kogan of Vintage Wine Estates

May 24, 2023 07:01 - 42 minutes - 39.4 MB

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 wi...

233: Best Wine & Food Pairing Tips + California Wines with Chuck Cramer

May 17, 2023 07:01 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

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 behi...

232: Wine Marketing that Encourages Overdrinking + Sexism in Wine Tasting Tasting Notes

May 10, 2023 07:01 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MB

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 ...

231: Dark Side of the Wine World + Tips for Moderate Drinking

May 03, 2023 07:01 - 46 minutes - 42.7 MB

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 ...

230: Behind-the-Scenes of the Wine Industry + Slick Wine Marketing with Chuck Cramer

April 26, 2023 07:01 - 31 minutes - 28.7 MB

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 Wa...

229: Toasting Etiquette + How Instagram & TikTok Have Changed Wine Education with Dr. Clinton Lee author of Master the Art of Manners

April 19, 2023 07:01 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MB

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   ...

228: Wine Etiquette in Different Cultures and at Festivals with Dr. Clinton Lee

April 12, 2023 07:01 - 37 minutes - 34.8 MB

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 ...

227: Diversity in the Wine Industry + Vermentino Food Pairings with Sommelier Tonya Pitts

April 05, 2023 07:01 - 37 minutes - 34.1 MB

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 impo...

226: Navigating Big Restaurant Wine Lists + Sommelier's Key Role with Tonya Pitts

March 29, 2023 07:01 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MB

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 win...