319: The Biggest, Most Surprising Wine Myths with Hailey Bohlman
Release Date: 01/08/2025
344: The Ultimate Travel Guide for Wine Lovers with Decanter Magazine’s Editor Amy Wislocki
Unreserved Wine Talk
Why does wine taste different when you’ve stood in the vineyard it came from? What's one myth about wine travel that Amy dispels? With Gen Z drinking less wine, how does a 50-year-old wine magazine stay relevant without alienating longtime readers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amy Wislocki, editor-in-chief of Decanter, the world’s most prestigious wine magazine. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, The Ultimate Wine Lover's Travel Guide. To qualify, all you have to do...
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343: What Is Vital About Argentina's Old Vine Malbec and Ontario Wine's Future with Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble?
Unreserved Wine Talk
What makes old Malbec vines planted in the 1920s so rare and valuable today? Why would a Canadian winemaker head to Mendoza, Argentina, to start a winery? What’s one of the biggest challenges holding back Canadian wine and how can consumers change that? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ann Sperling & Peter Gamble. You can find the wines we discussed at Highlights What makes Devotion different from other On Seven wines? What inspired Peter to look beyond Canada to Argentina for winemaking? How did he decide on the particular vineyard to...
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342: How is Niagara-on-the-Lake's On Seven Winery Making Montrachet-Style Chardonnay? with Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble
Unreserved Wine Talk
What were the key challenges and breakthroughs that shaped the BC and Ontario wine industries in the 1980s and 90s? What makes or breaks a new wine project, and why is finding the right vineyard often the most time-consuming step? What made Peter believe that Niagara-on-the-Lake could produce exceptional Chardonnay? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Ann Sperling & Peter Gamble. You can find the wines we discussed at Highlights What was Ann’s best memory from growing up on the farm? When did Ann and Peter know that they wanted to work...
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341: Is A $400 Wine Really 10 Times Better Than a $40 One? Do Wine Labels and Glassware Matter More Than You Think?
Unreserved Wine Talk
Is a $400 wine really ten times better than a $40 one? Does the right glass really improve your wine and is it worth it when the size makes you look ridiculous? Why do wine labels matter and should the label’s look be part of every wine review? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Charles Jennings and Paul Keers, co-authors of the hilarious book I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of their terrific book,, I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. To qualify, all you...
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340: Why do wine descriptors like cat's pee alienate many wine lovers? Charles Jennings and Paul Keers answer that and more in "I Bought It So I'll Drink It"
Unreserved Wine Talk
How does using everyday metaphors make wine writing more relatable? How has the pressure to be an expert in everything turned simple pleasures into social competition? Does buying your own wine versus getting free samples make you a better wine writer? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Charles Jennings and Paul Keers, co-authors of the hilarious book I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of their terrific book,, I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. To qualify,...
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339: What Do Wild Orchids Reveal About the Health of a Vineyard and How Does Preschool Turn France Into a Nation of Gourmets?
Unreserved Wine Talk
How does biodynamic farming transform a vineyard into a thriving, interconnected ecosystem? What do wild orchids reveal about the health of a vineyard? How do France’s preschool lunches help to create a nation of gourmets? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Caro Feely, author of the terrific memoir Grape Expectations: A Family’s Vineyard Adventure in France. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Grape Adventures. To qualify, all you have to do is email me...
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338: What Are 4 Ways That Winemakers Die in Wineries and Why Is It So Dangerous? Caro Feely, Author of Grape Expectations, Has Answers
Unreserved Wine Talk
What makes vine growing and winemaking so physically demanding? What are the hidden dangers of winemaking that most wine lovers never hear about? Why are some winemakers choosing to label their wines as Vin de France rather than follow strict appellation rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Caro Feely You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Grape Adventures. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at and let me know that you’ve posted a review of the...
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337: Why do Celebrities, like Brad Pitt, John Legend, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi, Cameron Diaz and Kylie Minogue Choose Rosé for Their Brands?
Unreserved Wine Talk
Why is Rosé the go-to wine for celebrity-owned brands rather than Chardonnay or Cabernet? Why are the younger generations of wine drinkers choosing Rosé over red? Is the Rosé boom just a trend, or is its popularity here to stay? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rasmus Emborg & Jens Honoré, who co-published the Rose Revolution. You can find the wines we discussed at Highlights What are the main differences between wines from Domaine Tempier and Domaine Ott? What makes some Rosé wines better for aging than others? How did Gerard...
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336: How did Marcel Ott, of Domaines Ott, revolutionize Rosé wine? Rasmus Emborg & Jens Honoré Share the Story in Rosé Revolution
Unreserved Wine Talk
How did Rosé get a bad reputation as not being a “real” wine? How did Marcel Ott revolutionize the world of Rosé wine? Why is Grenache a popular grape for making trendy pale Rosés? How do Rosé’s beautiful bottles both help and hurt its reputation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rasmus Emborg and Jens Honoré, the author and photographer, respectively, who have published Rosé Revolution. You can find the wines we discussed at Highlights How did Jens and Rasmus develop a love for Rosé? What does Rasmus find most...
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335: Why are major Champagne houses, like Taittinger and Pommery, spending millions on English vineyards?
Unreserved Wine Talk
Why are major Champagne houses, like Taittinger and Pommery, spending millions of dollars to buy and plant vineyards in England? How did Brexit reshape the English wine industry, from barrels to picking grapes? Why does visiting the English wine country feel like uncovering a hidden secret? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Henry Jeffreys, author of Vines in a Cold Climate. You can find the wines we discussed at Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Vines in a Cold Climate. To qualify, all you have to do is...
info_outlineWhat’s the important difference between dry wines and the dry feeling you get when tasting certain wines? Do all or even most wines taste better when they’re older? How can you make the most of a trip to Washington wine country?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Hailey Bohlman
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
Highlights
What was Hailey’s experience with hosting her first virtual wine tasting during the pandemic?
How did Hailey get actor Kyle MacLachlan to do a virtual wine tasting with her tasting club?
Is there an overlap between Hailey’s wine career and her career in technical program management?
How does Hailey's background and passion for mathematics influence her approach to understanding and teaching about wine?
What's been the most challenging wine concept for Hailey to explain in her Wine 101 series?
What's the most mind-blowing scientific fact about winemaking that Hailey has learned?
Which wine myth does Hailey find herself debunking repeatedly?
Who were Hailey's most memorable podcast guests so far?
How can you make the most of a trip to the Washington wine regions?
Where is Hailey’s ideal place to have a glass of wine?
What does Hailey love about Domaine Philippe Vandelle Poulsard and Damsel Cellars Stillwater Creek Syrah?
Why does Hailey hate the idea of clean or fit wine?
Which wine would pair well with Hailey’s childhood favourite, microwave chicken pot pie?
Why does Hailey admire Brooke Delmas Robertson, winemaker at Delmas wines?
What are Hailey’s favourite wine gadgets?
If Hailey could share a bottle of wine with anyone outside the wine world, who would it be?
What message would Hailey want to share via a billboard in Seattle?
Key Takeaways
Hailey notes that one of the hardest wine concepts to understand is tannin, which gets confused with dry in the wine world. Tannins in red wines cause your mouth to feel dry like having a cotton ball in your mouth. When you say a dry wine, you're saying a wine with no sugar, nothing to do with the tannins.
The myth Hailey hears a lot is that all wines taste better when they're older. That's actually not true. You need to know which wines can age, but that's when you ask the experts. Shop at the small wine shops, ask the staff, ask winemakers and other experts.
Hailey advises to go for a variety of experiences and wineries when you visit any wine region. For eg. to make the most of a trip to Walla Walla, Washington, she suggests visiting wineries with vineyard tours, such as Delmas. They will teach you about how they're growing the vines. Then look for a blending class like at at North Star winery. Then try a food and wine pairing, such as the one at Pepper Bridge. Visit both small and large wineries.
About Hailey Bohlman
Hailey Bohlman, is a wine enthusiast turned wine educator and founder of Cork & Fizz with the goal of making wine more approachable for everyone. By offering guided wine tastings, along with tips, recommendations and podcast, she makes wine fun and exciting!
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/318.