Unreserved Wine Talk
284 episodes - English - Latest episode: 5 days ago - ★★★★★ - 46 ratingsThe 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
83: What's Trending in the Wine World with Darren Oleksyn
July 01, 2020 07:01 - 38 minutes - 35.4 MBWhat are the hottest wine trends right now? What's the difference between natural wine and orange wine? Are new drinks like blue wine and Pinot Freezio here to stay? How does canned wine hold up to its bottled counterparts? Why has Rosé been able to move from fad to mainstream? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Darren Oleksyn, journalist and author of Uncorked: The Definitive Guide to Alberta’s Best Wines Under $25. Highlights How can you differentia...
82: Bordeaux and China: Wine Culture Clash or Perfect Pairing? Suzanne Mustacich Reveals Surprising Insights
June 24, 2020 07:01 - 39 minutes - 36.1 MBWhy is Bordeaux considered the ultimate luxury brand in the world of wine? Why did the Chinese market suddenly start buying Bordeaux wines in the 1980s and 90s? Why does Bordeaux in particular suit the ancient Chinese culture of prestigious gift-giving versus other expensive wines? How does the demand for Bordeaux in China affect both the prices you pay and the styles you drink? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Suzanne Mustacich, author of Thirsty Drag...
81: Tasting Wine Like a Detective with Ontario's Best Sommelier Emily Pearce-Bibona
June 17, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBWhat does it take to win Ontario’s Best Sommelier competition? What’s it like performing in front of a set of very stern-eyed wine judges and a live audience? What is the smartest question you can ask your sommelier in a restaurant? What is the deductive tasting technique and how can it help you drink better wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Emily Pearce-Bibona, Certified Sommelier and founder of Femmes du Vins. Highlights How did Emily go from...
80: What's the Rosé Lifestyle? Wine Writer Jill Barth on Why You'd Enjoy It
June 10, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38 MBHow did Provence become known as the heartland of Rosé? What does it mean to be part of the Rosé lifestyle? Why should you take a trip to the Provence wine region? Does the colour of Rosé give you a clue into its taste? Which unexpected but mouthwatering food pairing should you try with your next glass of Rosé? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer Jill Barth, who is also a Provence Wine Master through the Wine Scholar Guild. Highlights H...
79: Why Sommeliers Love Austrian Gruner Veltliner with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl
June 03, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 37.7 MBWould you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most versatile wines on the planet? Why should an Austrian Heuriger be on your must-visit list? Which Austrian red wine should you try next? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl who is in charge of business administration and marketing at her family’s winery, Weingut Pfaffl. Highlights How did the...
78: Why are Nova Scotia's Tidal Bay and L'Acadie Blanc Signature Wines?
May 27, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBWhat do you need to know about Nova Scotia’s signature grape, L'Acadie blanc? What is Tidal Bay and why is it Canada's first stylistic appellation? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? Which travel tips should you keep in mind when you visit Nova Scotia wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amy Savoury, a certified sommelier and instructor of culinary and tourism studies at the Nova Scotia Community College. Hig...
77: The Use (and Abuse) of Wine Scores with Vino Mike and Pete on That Wine Pod
May 20, 2020 07:01 - 40 minutes - 37.5 MBHow does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? How can you drink better wines by finding a wine critic whose style you like? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Why is taking an online wine course often better than an in-person course? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing a conversation I originally had with Pete & Vino Mike on their podcast, That Wine Pod. Highlights What’s my take on the best wine? Why shou...
76: Wine Girl Reveals the Wine World's Dark Side and Hope for the Future with Sommelier Victoria James
May 13, 2020 07:01 - 47 minutes - 43.6 MBWhat’s it like serving wine to celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus? How is being a sommelier different when you work at a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially when you're just 21 years old? Why is the wine world still largely an old boys club and how does that impact the wines you drink? Which shocking ingredients might you find in some non-organic wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Victoria James, author, restaurant...
75: Niagara Vine Laureate Klaus Reif: Ontario Wine's Future
May 06, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBWhat profound impact does buying your local wine have on your economy? Why will supporting the "Free My Grapes" campaign improve your choice and access to wine? How have Ontario wines changed since the 80s? What are the biggest challenges facing the Canadian wine industry? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Klaus Reif of Niagara-on-the-Lake's Reif Winery. Highlights How is the younger generation of Ontario winemakers impacting the industry? How ha...
74: Dr. Laura Catena on Malbec, Wine's Health Benefits and Winemaking in Argentina
April 29, 2020 07:01 - 46 minutes - 42.4 MBHave you tasted an Argentine Malbec? Which foods pair best with Malbec? Why is Malbec more like Pinot Noir than Cabernet? What are the health benefits of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician and author. Highlights How does Laura's scientific approach to winemaking improve the taste of the Malbecs you drink? What is the significance of the pyramid-style of the Catena winery? W...
73: Women v Men Wine Tasting and Texture with Dr. Gary Pickering
April 22, 2020 07:01 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBWhat makes you a supertaster? Does supertaster status play a role outside of wine tasting? How does age affect our senses of smell and taste? Why is mouthfeel an important aspect of a wine’s appeal? Why should you describe wine by sensation, rather than compound? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Dr. Gary Pickering, the inventor of the white wine mouthfeel wheel and the supertasting kit, and co-developer of the Wine Aroma Kits. To learn more abo...
72: Orange Wines are Trending with Winemaker Ann Sperling
April 15, 2020 07:01 - 42 minutes - 39.3 MBWhat is orange wine? How does fermenting with the stems and leave give you a more complex flavour profile? Can you find orange wine on restaurant wine lists? Which types of food should you pair with orange wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Ann Sperling, winegrower and Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Southbrook Vineyards. Highlights How does orange wine give you a glimpse into ancient wines? Why would you see less waste from th...
71: British Columbia’s Best Wineries with Wine Writer John Schreiner
April 08, 2020 07:01 - 41 minutes - 37.9 MBWhat defines an icon wine? What are the hottest trends in BC wines right now? Which British Columbia wines are worth adding to your cellar? What will surprise you about BC wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with John Schreiner, author of Icon: Flagship Wines from British Columbia's Best Wineries, whom I consider to be the godfather of Canadian wine writing. Highlights Why should you pay attention to the BC wine industry, despite how young it ...
70: Frog’s Leap Winemaker John Williams Shares Witty & Wise Stories
April 01, 2020 07:01 - 50 minutes - 46.5 MBDo all wines taste better with time? What similarities are there between winemaking and cheese-making? Why is Zinfandel your perfect summer drink? How does dry farming impact the flavour of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with one of the wittiest, smartest winemakers, John Williams, winemaker and owner at Frog's Leap Winery, about the unique benefits of organic winemaking and dry farming. Highlights What makes Napa Valley such a diverse regi...
69: How Has Quarantine Impacted Wineries and Wine Lovers?
March 25, 2020 07:01 - 30 minutes - 28.3 MBShould you hold firm to plans for travelling to wine regions in the near future? How are winery visits being impacted by quarantine restrictions? Can you still attend major wine events? How can you take advantage of online classes to continue to enjoy wine tasting experiences? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're talking about how wineries and restaurants have been impacted by the current state of public health, and what we can do to support them and still maintain ou...
68: Pairing Spicy Dishes & Wines with Vikram Vij and Sean Nelson
March 18, 2020 07:01 - 52 minutes - 47.9 MBHow sparkling wine spice up your menu? What complementary taste rule can you use to pair your food with wine? Which wines should you never pair with Indian food? Which red wine should be at the top of your list for pairing with spicy food? Does ambiance affect your wine tasting experience? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, Celebrity chef and author Vikram Vij and Head Sommelier Sean Nelson share their insider tips and tricks to help you pair wine with spicy, complex food...
67: Become a Better Wine Taster with Master Sommelier Elyse Lambert
March 11, 2020 07:01 - 40 minutes - 37 MBWhat's the one thing you can do when visiting wine regions to make it your best trip ever? How can yoga help you become a better wine taster? How do you calibrate your palate and why should you do it? What's it like competing in the World's Best Sommelier Competition? How can you develop your wine tasting vocabulary? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, Master Sommelier Elyse Lambert shares tips on how you can become a better wine taster. Highlights How can Le guide des ...
66: Angelina Jolie Wines with Winemaking Consultant Clark Smith
March 04, 2020 08:01 - 42 minutes - 38.7 MBWhy would you want to challenge a young wine with oxygen? Why don’t you hear many technical conversations around wine? How can movie genres help you understand winemakers' intentions? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Clark Smith, winemaker for his own WineSmith label and several other brands, consulting winemaker, author, inventor, musician, and professor to the wine industry throughout the globe. Highlights What is the $50,000 winery phenomenon? ...
65: Wine Industry Faces Digital Darwinism with Paul Mabray
February 26, 2020 08:01 - 47 minutes - 43.7 MBHow is the wine industry embracing the digital world? What role do influencers play in wine marketing? What can you do to increase engagement and build deeper connections with customers? Why has the wine industry been so resistant to adapt to the digital age? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Paul Mabray, a wine unicorn and digital futurist who has created and led companies that have transformed the wine industry through the strategic and visionary us...
64: Money, Taste and Wine with Mike Veseth, the Wine Economist
February 19, 2020 08:01 - 37 minutes - 34.4 MBDoes price affect your perception of a wine's quality? What would it be like to travel around the world in pursuit of eighty wines? Why does the wide variety of wine negatively affect your buying choices? How can you identify value wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Mike Veseth, The Wine Economist, award-winning author and professor emeritus of the University of Tacoma at Puget Sound in Washington, where he taught international political economy...
63: Aphrodisiac Wine Pairings for Valentine's Day
February 12, 2020 08:01 - 26 minutes - 24.4 MBDo you need to follow a food and wine pairing rulebook? What wine-worthy aphrodisiacs should you add to your menu this Valentine's Day? Does the classic romantic food, chocolate, have a perfect wine match you should try? Where does salinity in wine come from? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with you about aphrodisiac wine pairings and salt in wine. Enjoy! Highlights What is the most important rule you should remember when choosing wine? Why do you enjoy sparkling wines especially wit...
62: Pairing Wine and Cannabis with the Herb Sommelier Jamie Evans
February 05, 2020 08:01 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBWhat does a wine enthusiast have in common with a cannabis user? How can you pair wine with cannabis? What do you need to know about terpenes and wine pairing? How do infused beverages bring together the cannabis and wine industries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Jamie Evans, founder of The Herb Somm, a cannabis blog and lifestyle brand that is focused on the gourmet side of the cannabis industry. Enjoy! Highlights What health and lifestyle ben...
61: Single Vineyards versus Blends, Drops of God Manga Wine, Wine Scores
January 29, 2020 08:01 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MBHow does blending grapes impact the flavour profile of wine? What can blends give you that a single varietal can’t? What can you learn about wine from reading the Drops of God manga series? Why should you engage your creative side when it comes to wine? Why do you need to dive deeper into wine scores before buying? In today’s episode, I’m chatting with you about the power and problems with wine scores, whether single vineyard or blends are better and the viral sensation of the Manga wine s...
60: Mark Oldman: The Wine World’s Greatest Showman
January 22, 2020 08:01 - 1 hour - 60.7 MBWhat insider tip can you use the next time you’re faced with a restaurant wine list? What do billionaires look for in wines for daily drinking? Why should you cultivate a wine spouse? How can you signal to restaurant staff that you’re a wine insider (even if you’re not)? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Mark Oldman, New York-based wine best-selling author, speaker and entrepreneur and one of the liveliest and wittiest guests I’ve had on the show. Enj...
59: Bargain Wines, Pairing Wine and Artichokes, Wine Region Vacations with the Restaurant Guys Mark Pascal and Francis Schott
January 15, 2020 08:01 - 52 minutes - 47.7 MBWhat makes a bargain wine? How can you prepare artichokes to be more wine-friendly? Should you plan a trip to Canada's wine regions? In today’s episode, I’m chatting again with Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, on their excellent radio show The Restaurant Guys. If you missed part one of our conversation, go back to episode 56 after you listen to this one. Mark and Francis have been in the fine dining and wine retail business for more than 25 years, and co-own Stage Left Restaurant in New B...
58: Getting Graphic with Wine and Madeline Puckette of Wine Folly
January 08, 2020 08:01 - 45 minutes - 41.7 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Madeline Puckette, the content director and co-founder of Wine Folly whose passion for helping beginners learn about wine is the inspiration behind the award-winning website winefolly.com, and the NYT best-selling book, Wine Folly: The Essential Guide to Wine. Enjoy! Highlights How can Wine Folly empower you on your wine tasting journey? Do the flavours you taste in wine come from additives like other fruits? ...
57: BYOB Wines to Restaurants
January 01, 2020 08:01 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBWhat does BYOB, Bring Your Own Bottle, to a restaurant mean? What special laws and etiquette do you need to know about it? Which provinces and states allow it? How does BYOB benefit you as a wine lover, aside from reducing your restaurant bill? How should you calculate the tip when you bring your own wine? On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I'm sharing everything you need to know, plus my best tips for enjoying BYOB wines at restaurants. Enjoy! Highlights Why is BYOB perfec...
56: Champagne Special with the Restaurant Guys Mark Pascal and Francis Schott
December 25, 2019 08:01 - 51 minutes - 46.8 MBIn today’s episode, I’m chatting with Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, on their excellent radio show The Restaurant Guys. They’ve been in the fine dining and wine retail business for more than 25 years, and co-own Stage Left Restaurant in New Brunswick, New Jersey, which the New York Times has ranked in their excellent category and Citysearch named among the Top 10 Restaurants in America and Worth The Drive from any Major City. Since I’ve chatted with them, they’ve launched a second restaur...
55: Pairing Gift Wines with Personalities
December 18, 2019 08:01 - 14 minutes - 13.3 MBWhy does wine make such an ideal holiday gift? Which wines are the best to give, especially when you don’t know the personal taste of the recipient? Are there some wines you should never give as a gift beyond Two Buck Chuck? How can you match the gift wine to the personality of the giftee? We’re always talking about pairing wine and food, but how about pairing wine with the people on your holiday gift list? After all, when you give the gift of wine, doubles are fine unlike toaster ovens, t...
54: What's Minerality in Wine? Plus California Wildfires
December 11, 2019 08:01 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBWhat it minerality mean when it comes to wine? Is it a taste? A feeling? Or some bogus concept meant to keep wine mysterious? What’s the latest with the devastating wildfires in Sonoma wine country? Why are winemakers wary of cannabis producers? It’s not what you might think. And what is a new wine group doing to help with a balanced life? On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I'm taking a deep dive into the controversial concept of minerality, assessing the impact of recent wildfire...
53: Festive Wines with the Globe & Mail's Christine Sismondo
December 04, 2019 08:01 - 39 minutes - 35.9 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Christine Sismondo, writer, teacher and barfly who, when not teaching literature at York University, is tracking down the city’s best drinks and the bars in which they’re served for her columns. She also writes wine and cocktail articles for the Globe and Mail, Canada’s largest national newspaper. Enjoy! Highlights Why shouldn’t you lump Cava, Prosecco and Champagne together? Why did Lambrusco have a bad reputa...
52: Visiting Burgundy and Tasting Barolo with Matt Cauz
November 27, 2019 08:01 - 45 minutes - 42 MBOn today’s episode, I’m chatting with Matt Cauz, on his excellent podcast called Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People. Matt interviews sommeliers, winemakers and wine writers so this is a bit of a turnaround from my usual format because Matt is interviewing me. I wanted to share this episode with you because we dig into lots of great wine tips, like how to make sense of the wine region Burgundy, how social media has changed the way we think about wine and a sneak peek at some ...
51: Wine for Normal People with Elizabeth Schneider
November 20, 2019 08:01 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBI’m chatting with Elizabeth Schneider, who has just published her first book called Wine for Normal People. Elizabeth also hosts one of the popular wine podcasts, Wine for Normal People. She’s a Certified Sommelier by the Court of Master Sommeliers and co-founder of Underground Wine Events, which brings together wine lovers with terrific, small wineries around the US. She talks and thinks about wine in a practical, often tongue-in-cheek way and her info-packed classes and tastings are always...
50: Pairing Chocolate & Wine, Harvest 2019 Update
November 13, 2019 08:01 - 33 minutes - 31 MBHow do you pair wine and chocolate? Do the wines change with different types of chocolate, say milk chocolate versus dark chocolate? How is the 2019 harvest going in BC, Ontario and Nova Scotia? What can we expect as consumers in terms of style, quality, and price? How have the wildfires affected the California harvest of 2017, especially since those red wines are now hitting liquor store shelves? That's exactly what I'm talking about in today's edition of Unreserved Wine Talk. I’m also ho...
49: Flying with Flavour: Travel and Wine Stories with Stephanie Piché
November 06, 2019 08:01 - 49 minutes - 45.2 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Stephanie Piché, a chef who in her never-ending quest for new flavours and experiences, has travelled the world to over 30 countries to gather insight and knowledge in international travel, luxury dining, local recipes and the world’s best wines. Enjoy! Highlights How did Stephanie stumble upon a secret cellar in Nice, France? How can you pair wine and kangaroo? What is Stephanie’s top restaurant dining etiqu...
48: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair & Buy Wine Like a Pro
October 30, 2019 07:01 - 16 minutes - 15.3 MBWould you like to know how to taste, pair and buy wine like a pro? Would you like to walk into a liquor store and know exactly which new wine you want to buy, confident that you’ll love it even though you’ve never tried it before? Would you like to look at a restaurant wine list, filled with wines you haven’t tasted, but have the strategies to pick a great wine for your dining companions and the dishes that you’ve all ordered? That's exactly what I'm talking about on today's special editio...
47: Behind the Scenes: A Wine Writer's Life
October 23, 2019 07:01 - 22 minutes - 20.6 MBWhen I attend a social event that’s outside the wine industry and I’m asked about my job, I often joke that I drink for a living. After I clarify that I write about wine, I usually get questions about what exactly that involves and some misconceptions about drinking Champagne all day in between planning luxe trips to Tuscany and Napa Valley. However, it’s not all beer and Skittles, rainbows and unicorns. On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I thought that since there’s always been q...
46: Texas Wines and Wine Writing Ethics
October 16, 2019 07:01 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Gus Clemens, who went to business college when he was just 12 years old to learn how to type because he knew even then he wanted to be a writer. He's held editorial positions with the San Antonio Express-News and the Star Magazine in New York and has written or contributed to about twenty books about Texas and a range of other subjects. Enjoy! Highlights When did wine become a part of Gus’s life? What led to Gu...
45: Thanksgiving Wines, Mouse Wine Defect, Trends to Ignore
October 09, 2019 07:01 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBFor those of us in Canada, Thanksgiving is this weekend. In my opinion, there is no other holiday that celebrates the gift of wine like Thanksgiving. Wine is a taste of the harvest, along with all the delicious dishes on the table. But actually choosing a bottle can feel like a thankless task, especially with so many flavours to match. Do you celebrate Thanksgiving, perhaps in November if you’re American? On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I’ll be chatting with you about how to p...
44: Pairing Spicy Food & Wine, Gen X versus Millennial Drinkers
October 02, 2019 07:01 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MBDo you have trouble pairing wine with spicy dishes? What flavours can survive a spicy pairing? How do you pair wine and dishes with a lot of heat like Tex-Mex or vindaloo chicken? Why are Gen Xers so different as wine drinkers than millennials, and how is marketing to them changed? How can you improve your blood pressure and lower your risk of Alzheimer's with wine? On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I'm sharing my tips for finding the right wine for every spicy occasion and explo...
43: Wine Gossip and Stories with Friends of the Vine and Ian Osborn
September 25, 2019 07:01 - 42 minutes - 38.5 MBOn today’s episode, I’m chatting with Ian Osborn, on his excellent podcast called Friends of the Vine. This is a bit of a turnaround from my usual format because Ian is interviewing me. I highly recommend that you check out Ian's podcast Friends of the Vine where he does a great job interviewing master sommeliers, masters of wine, winemakers and wine writers. I wanted to share this episode with you because we dug into lots of great wine tips, from how to talk with the sommelier to becomin...
42: Pairing Veggies & Wine, Chilling Wine Quickly, Resveratrol & Depression
September 18, 2019 07:01 - 22 minutes - 20.7 MBWhat makes veggies so hard to pair with wine? Are some types of wine better suited to veggie-pairings? How do you pair wine and veggies, especially the wine stalkers - asparagus and artichoke? How can you chill room-temperature wine in under 15 minutes? What does a new study say about the resveratrol in wine combatting depression? If you've ever been stumped about how to enjoy wine with your salad or forgot to chill your wine in time for a dinner date, you're going to find the tips on this...
41: Travel the Wine World with Kevin Brauch
September 11, 2019 07:01 - 49 minutes - 45.7 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Kevin Brauch, a Gemini Award Winner, TV producer and host of hit series The Thirsty Traveler, Iron Chef America, SuperStar Chef Challenge, FOOD F!T. Kevin is one of the liveliest guests I’ve had the pleasure of interviewing, and he has so many stories to share, from his time with the late, great Anthony Bourdain, author of Kitchen Confidential, to sabering Champagne in France and wine faux pas in South Africa. Enjoy! ...
40: Pairing Tomatoes & Wine, Heatwave Impact, Gary Vaynerchuk's New Wine Club
September 04, 2019 07:01 - 30 minutes - 27.7 MBWhat's the best way to pair wine with tomatoes and tomato dishes? Will the current heatwave impact wine and the greater wine economy? How is Gary Vaynerchuk disrupting the way we buy wine? What effect does being in a romantic relationship have on your use or abuse of wine? On this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm diving into all these topics plus I'm sharing some tips you can use to get the most out of my wine app for your next shopping trip. Enjoy the episode! High...
39: Do Wine Scores Matter? Bloomberg Columnist Elin McCoy on Robert Parker
August 28, 2019 07:01 - 48 minutes - 44.2 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with author Elin McCoy, who is the wine columnist for both Bloomberg News and Decanter magazine. Elin shares her controversial perspective on one of the juiciest topics in the wine world: the power of wine scores. Do wine scores still have sway over the way we buy wine? How is this changing with millennials and social media? Are scores actually a valid way of appraising a wine? How is the use of scores in liquor stores somet...
38: Getting Hammered: Wine Auction Guide to Survival
August 21, 2019 07:01 - 17 minutes - 15.6 MBDid you know that wine auctions are on the rise, both as fundraisers and as commercial ways to buy and sell your cellar stash? On this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with you about why auctions are increasing in popularity, their fascinating back story, and how you can participate in them without having a multimillion-dollar trust fund. If you’re listening to this podcast on the day it’s published, please also join me on CTV News as we’ll be chatting about two ...
37: From Champagne to Napa Valley: Wine Stories with Tilar Mazzeo
August 14, 2019 07:01 - 42 minutes - 39 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Tilar Mazzeo, author and proprietor and winemaker at Parsell Vineyard. Her book The Widow Clicquot, a biography of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, the founder of the champagne house Veuve Clicquot became a bestseller on the New York Times, and a film adaptation of the book is in the works. Tilar gives us the story behind the Champagne and the woman who built not only this prestigious luxury brand but was instrumental i...
36: Airline Wine: Flights of Wine You Can Drink Without Reservations
August 07, 2019 07:01 - 16 minutes - 14.7 MBIf you want great wine these days you don’t have to fly thousands of miles to get it, you can sip it en route. But getting wine to taste delicious at 30,000 feet isn’t easy. If you’re flying somewhere anytime soon, you’ll find our chat about airline wines today uplifting. In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m going to cover which wines are best to drink when you’re in the air, how your sense of smell and taste change, and why airlines are paying more attention to their w...
35: Smart Tests for Wine Acidity, Tannin & Balance with Sommelier Chris Scott
July 31, 2019 07:01 - 41 minutes - 38.3 MBIn this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Chris Scott, a U.K.-based sommelier who published the world’s first-ever wine podcast, the UK Wine Show. Chris and his wife, Jane also founded ThirtyFifty, a company which offers fun and no-nonsense wine tastings for private and corporate events. From his adventures as a triathlete to wine tastings in a hot tub, Chris shares his often-hilarious adventures as well as his brilliant tasting tips, including nifty ways to ph...
34: Seafood Pairings, Flying Corks, Sober Curious
July 24, 2019 07:01 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBThis past Friday, in a scene not unfamiliar to Champagne lovers everywhere, one Wimbledon spectator lost control of his cork, which then made it's way onto the court and stopped the men’s match. But not to worry, I've got you covered. On today's episode, I'm sharing the exact method you can use to avoid disaster when opening your bubbly. We're also going to talk about another challenge for many wine lovers - pairing wine with seafood. From cod to oysters, salmon and more, I'm giving you m...