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Unreserved Wine Talk — Arts
Unreserved Wine Talk

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.

Copyright: © Nat Decants Inc. 2018-2021

Latest Episodes:

53: Festive Wines with the Globe & Mail's Christine Sismondo Dec 04, 2019

Show notes

In 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 reputation in the 70s and 80s?
What is the Charmat Method for producing sparkling wine?
How did Lambrusco become popular in North America?
Can you expect to find Italian sparkling wine at the LCBO?
What foods can you pair with Lambrusco and Franciacorta?
What has caused Sherry's recent comeback?
How is Pisco different from other spirits?

About Christine Sismondo

Christine Sismondo is a professor of English literature at York University and she writes about wine and spirits for the Globe & Mail, Canada's largest national newspaper. She's also written regularly for the Toronto Star, the Report on Business Magazine and The Grid, and has won a National Magazine Award for her work.

She's the author of Mondo Cocktail: A Shaken and Stirred History and wrote a six-part podcast series on Prohibition for Wondery's American History Tellers based on the book. Her most recent book is America Walks Into a Bar: A Spirited History of Taverns and Saloons, Speakeasies and Grog Shops published by Oxford University Press.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/53.

52: Visiting Burgundy and Tasting Barolo with Matt Cauz Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

On 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 of the topics in my third book, including the issues that women in the wine industry face. Enjoy the episode!

Highlights

Why is your first memorable wine often the one that kick-starts your passion for wine?
Why does visiting Burgundy help to make sense of it?
What is it about tasting a wine where it's made that deepens your memory of it?
Why is Domaine de la Romanee-Conti considered one of the world's finest wines?
What can you expect from my third book about wine?
How has being a woman in the wine industry changed over the past ten years?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/52.

51: Wine for Normal People with Elizabeth Schneider Nov 20, 2019

Show notes

I'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 informative and fun, never overwhelming and dry.

Meanwhile, I'm getting amazing feedback from wine lovers who are taking my new, free online video wine class called The 5 Wine & Food Pairing Mistakes that Can Ruin Your Dinner and how to fix them forever. You'll learn about that plus about my new in-depth, paid course called The Wine Smart Course: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair and Buy Wines like a Pro. Enjoy!

Highlights

What are "normal" people when it comes to wine?
How are wine and table grapes different?
How can you identify regions that produce crisp wines with the jacket-in-summer question?
Are the Master of Wine and Master Sommelier programs professional designations or private clubs?
What misconception about the lake effect often gets repeated by wine experts?
How is Elizabeth's new book, Wine for Normal People, different from all other wine books?
Why would Dom Perignon disapprove of the bubbles in Champagne?
What winemaking accident created the effervescence in Champagne?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/51.

50: Pairing Chocolate & Wine, Harvest 2019 Update Nov 13, 2019

Show notes

How 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 hosting my first live wine class for the 5 Wine & Food Pairing Mistakes that Can Ruin Your Dinner (and how to fix them forever). This free class is also when I'll share details about my new, in-depth paid course called The Wine Smart Course (catchy right?) A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair & Buy Wine Like a Pro. You'll know when you can join me on the free class if you get my wine newsletter. Enjoy!

Highlights

Should you even try to pair wine and chocolate?
Won't the sweetness of the chocolate make the wine taste bitter?
Why are fortified wines the best partners for chocolate?
How do their sweetness and higher alcohol content match the flavours of chocolate?
Why does port, in particular, go well with chocolate?
Why is milk chocolate harder to pair with wine than dark chocolate?
Which wines pair best with white chocolate?
What about desserts with just a touch of chocolate, like strawberries dipped in chocolate?
What critical factors affected the 2019 harvest in BC, Ontario and NS?
Did Hurricane Dorian have an impact on the harvest?
Which wines and grapes will do well this year, and which won't?
How does a wet, cold spring impact the style of wines?
Why is 2019 proving to be a challenging harvest for winemakers across the country?
How did the 2017 wildfires affect Californian wines?
What can you expect in terms of taste and style for the reds now hitting liquor store shelves?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

49: Flying with Flavour: Travel and Wine Stories with Stephanie Piché Nov 06, 2019

Show notes

In 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 etiquette tip?
Why is Spain Stephanie's favourite country from her travels?
What's the best wine trip to take in Spain?
Which wine festivals are Stephanie's favourite?
Why does Stephanie like unfiltered Chardonnay and Pinot Noir?
Why are California vintners experimenting with ageing wine in the ocean?

About Stephanie Piché

Stephanie Piché was literally born into the kitchen. All the women on both sides of her family are happiest when they are together cooking and serving food. Stephanie grew up in this atmosphere of love and laughter while learning family recipes that have been handed down for generations. It is this legacy that she safeguards and honours with the name of her company – Legacy Events Inc.

On her never-ending quest for new flavours and experiences, she has travelled the world to over 30 countries (actually…33 and counting!) to gather insight and knowledge in international travel, luxury dining, local recipes and the world's best wines. With her own website and podcast dedicated to all things food, drink and travel, Stephanie meets, chats and consults with people all over the world through Skype, social media and in-person whenever she can.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/49.

48: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair & Buy Wine Like a Pro Oct 30, 2019

Show notes

Would 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 edition of Unreserved Wine Talk. We're taking a deep dive into my online course, The Wine-Smart Course: A Full-Bodied Framework to Taste, Pair and Buy Wine Like a Pro. Over the past twenty years that I've been writing about wine, leading wine tastings and teaching online video courses, I've picked up lots of great secrets to decoding wine and I'm sharing them with you. I'm also launching a new, free video class to launch my new paid course, during which I'll also share with you the 5 wine and food pairing mistakes that can ruin your dinner, and how to fix them forever. Enjoy!

Highlights

Who is the Wine-Smart Course for?
What will you learn in the Wine-Smart course?
What benefits can you gain from the course versus free information available on the internet?
Why is it so critical for you to become an expert on your own palate?
What will you learn about the most popular wine styles and regions?
How will the Wine-Smart Course help you to master food and wine pairing?
How will your wine purchasing experience change after taking the Wine-Smart Course?
What is the format of the Wine-Smart Course?
What are the added benefits of signing up for the course right now?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

47: Behind the Scenes: A Wine Writer's Life Oct 23, 2019

Show notes

When 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 quite a bit of curiosity about what I do, I'll take you behind the scenes with a day-in-the-life of a wine writer. Seven days in fact. I'm going to record a short update each day, and let you know what I do that's related to my job, plus a few personal details so that we get to know each other better. Enjoy!

Highlights

Why did I decide to do an episode to share how I spend my days?
How does my podcast find its way to your earbuds?
What was I invited to appear on Global Television's Morning Show and CTV's The Social?
Why were four cases of wine delivered in one day?
How do I approach wine tasting for reviews?
How do I prepare for bigger tastings?
How can you improve your wine shopping experience?
What's the status of my third book and how is it going to be different from my first two?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

46: Texas Wines and Wine Writing Ethics Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

In 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 Gus writing his first wine column?
Why was a column about sacramental wine one of the most memorable for Gus?
What is Gus's best tip about writing?
Why is the Texas High Plains AVA well-suited for grape-growing?
What aspects of Texas weather pose a challenge to grape-growers?
How much wine does Texas produce?
Why is the Hill Country AVA the most visited AVA in the United States?
Are most Texas wines consumed within the state?
Why did Gus expand his column beyond Texas wines?
Who were the pioneers of Texas winemaking and how did they get started?
Where should you start a tour of Texas wine regions?
Why is Fredericksburg such a popular tourist destination?
How can you pair Texas wine with classic Texas foods?
Which wine advertising campaign is Gus's favourite?
What is Gus's least favourite wine advertising campaign?
What advice would Gus give to his 30-year-old self?
What's the worst wine advice people give?
Why is the farm more important than the lab when it comes to wine flaws?
Which two people would Gus want to share a bottle of wine with?
How can you learn more about wine?
What are some wine hacks you can use at restaurants?

About Gus Clemens

Gus Clemens is a newspaper wine columnist, wine blogger, wine humorist and award-winning author whose wine columns appear in newspapers around the country. Gus 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.

Today Gus owns an advertising agency, Clemens and Associates, in San Angelo and writes a regular wine column for several Texas newspapers, including the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, the San Angelo Standard-Times and the Abilene Reporter-News, that often gets picked up through the Gannett news chain of more than one hundred papers throughout the U.S. He joined me now from his home in San Angelo, Texas.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/46.

45: Thanksgiving Wines, Mouse Wine Defect, Trends to Ignore Oct 09, 2019

Show notes

For 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 pair wine with Thanksgiving turkey and all the side dishes, as well as the new defect in wine called mouse, and which wine trends you should definitely ignore. Enjoy!

Highlights

How does the wine defect "mouse" affect wine?
What conditions contribute to the development of mouse?
How does some natural wine advocates' approach to "spoilage factors" differ?
What do some winemakers attribute to the presence of the mouse defect?
Why does acidity in wine make it pair better with food?
Which wines pair the best with turkey?
What are some complementary and contrasting pairings for Thanksgiving side dishes?
How can you pair wine with Thanksgiving desserts?
What are some natural and orange wine trends you should ignore?
Why do I think sulphur is misunderstood?
What do I think about CBD wines?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

44: Pairing Spicy Food & Wine, Gen X versus Millennial Drinkers Oct 02, 2019

Show notes

Do 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 exploring both an interesting insight into wine marketing and a fascinating recent study in the world of wine. Enjoy!

Highlights

Why is it tough to pair wine with spicy dishes?
What flavours can survive a spicy pairing?
Which wines pair well with spicy foods?
What wine consumption trends are we seeing with Gen Xers?
What differences do we see in how Gen Xers engage with the wine community?
What initiatives are being implemented to market to Gen Xers?
How is a recent study looking at resveratrol and astronauts?
Why does resveratrol have a potentially positive impact on blood pressure and Alzheimer's disease?

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the show notes.

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