Unreserved Wine Talk

Latest Episodes:

252: Taboo Wine Topics: The Alcoholic Buzz of Wine + Shaming Sweet Wines with Calla Bischoff & Kara Ferreira Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

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.

251: Pinot Noir, the Nervous Breakdown Grape + Navigating Bad Life Vintages with the Boozy Biddies Sep 20, 2023

Show notes

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

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.

250: The Secrets of Barbaresco, Barolo and Mourvedre with Andy James, Author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvedre Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

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 natalie@nataliemaclean.com 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.

249: Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre with Author Dr. Andy James Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

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

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

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/249.

248: Austrian Grüner Veltliner's Versatility & the Magic of Minerality with Terry Theise Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

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 natalie@nataliemaclean.com 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.

247: Soul-Searching German Riesling with Terry Theise, Author of What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

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

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.

246: What is a Wine Witch and Why Use it in a Book Title? I Share Why on The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

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.

245: New South African Wines and Pinotage Misconceptions with Dr. Winnie Bowman Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

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.

244: Should You Buy Wines Based on Competition Medals? Dr. Winnie Bowman, Cape Wine Master, Has Thoughts Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

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

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/244.

243: Can Artificial Intelligence (AI) Give Good Wine & Food Pairing Tips? Dina Blikshteyn Shares Surprising Insights Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected