Unreserved Wine Talk
What’s behind the surprising complexity and variety of Beaujolais wines? How has Beaujolais Nouveau distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? What makes Beaujolais such a good value wine? In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at and let me know that you've posted a...
info_outline 277: Will AI Replace Writers and Winemakers? Conversation with Ellen Clifford of The Wine Situation PodcastUnreserved Wine Talk
Why don’t I think that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human writers any time soon? What are some tips you can use for maintaining a healthy relationship with wine? What are some of the challenges women in the wine industry still face? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Ellen Clifford on The Wine Situation podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at Highlights Was wine part of my family’s culture growing up? When did I start learning about wine, and why did I decide to make the career transition? When did I...
info_outline 276: Delicious Vegan Wine Pairings with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, Authors of The Social HerbivoreUnreserved Wine Talk
Which wineries are leading the way with vegan wines? How are some restaurants expanding into innovative vegan or vegetarian menus? What makes Riesling so versatile, especially with vegan dishes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, authors of The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the...
info_outline 275: What Are Vegan Wines & Are They Better for You with Jennifer Huether and Priya RaoUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the first book...
info_outline 274: The Golden Rule to Buy Burgundy & Avoid High Prices with Raymond Blake, Author of Côte d’OrUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine...
info_outline 273: Changes in Burgundy and Untangling a Complicated Region with Raymond Blake, Author Breakfast in BurgundyUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine Talk – An...
info_outline 272: Candid Wine Conversations with Scott Sexsmith of Up Close & Personal and Matt Cundill of You May Also LikeUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Highlights Is it normal to find it difficult to detect the tastes and aromas from wine tasting notes? How can you improve your smell vocabulary and learn to distinguish between different aromas? Does my...
info_outline 271: Best Sommelier Questions and How the Shape of Wine Acidity is Revealing with Vanessa PriceUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Highlights What inspired Vanessa to pair wine with classic McDonald’s foods? How did Vanessa pair pastrami sandwich (with a dill pickle) with wine?...
info_outline 270: Creative Wine Pairings with Circus Peanuts, Cheetos and Twinkies with Vanessa Price, Author of Big Macs and BurgundyUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Highlights What was it like for Vanessa to introduce her non-drinking grandparents to wine in their...
info_outline 269: Defining Musty Attics, Band-Aids and Rotten Eggs with Keith Grainger, Author of Wine Faults & FlawsUnreserved Wine Talk
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 Giveaway One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Keith Grainger's terrific book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide. To...
info_outlineWhy 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, there are no wrong sizes unlike that ugly sweater and regifting is so much easier compared to fruit cake or a bathroom scale. On today's episode of Unreserved Wine Talk, I'm sharing some special bottles for those special people on your shopping list. Enjoy!
Highlights
- Why should you give wine as a gift?
- What makes bubbly the perfect wine for you to bring to a dinner party?
- Which blue-chip wine has the perfect price-quality ratio for a gift to your financial planner?
- Where should you look for a zesty wine with a backstory to gift your travel agent?
- What characteristics make a great gift wine for your hairdresser?
- Who would make the perfect recipient for a tasteful wine from one of the fastest-growing wine regions?
- Which robust red wine can you gift to a fitness enthusiast without worry?
- How can you make sure to pick a gift wine that stands up to analysis for your therapist?
- Which California wines can you rely on for your online date?
- What consistent red wine can be enjoyed come snow, rain, sleet or heat?
- Which imaginative wine choices should you consider for your mechanic?
- Which wine will pair perfectly with your Christmas spirit?
To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/55.