In the spirit of ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’ this podcast is a biographical style interview with interesting people that will focus on their love/hate/curious relationship with wine and the fascinating lives they’ve lived so far. Oh and plenty of wine tips and recommendations.
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Loved my interview with Etude Senior Winemaker & General Manager Jon Priest. Etude is one of the preeminent Pinot Noir producers in California. This was such a fun Pinot masterclass with a winemaker who has been working with this "very, very needy" grape for over 25 years.
With the Fourth of July just around the corner no better time to celebrate one of my favourite Napa Cabernet Sauvignon producers, Amici Cellars. My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is their Lead Winemaker Tony Biagi. The interview ranges from just how different Napa Valley is today versus when he started working there, Mountain vs. Valley Floor fruit to what is the best wine Tony ever had after a San Francisco 49ers victory.
Wait, is the main reason Westcott Vineyards exists in our lives is because the owners, Carolyn and Grant don’t like to golf??? Okay that may be a wee bit overly simplistic BUT it is part of the story. Check out my interview with Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards President & Co-Founder where we go into the whole story of this Niagara based winery.
It’s World Verdejo Day! It’s that special time of year for people who enjoy this acidic/fresh Spanish white wine with that unique combination of fresh stone fruit, fennel notes and a herby finish. One of my favourite producers is José Pariente. From their entry level wines to their older oak influenced versions they know there way around Verdejo. My interview is with their energetic CEO Ignacio Prieto Pariente. We discuss the history/philosophy of José Pariente, the early days when he and his wi...
World Verdejo Day is coming on Friday! In honour of this day, I sat down with Mariate Sanz a winemaker for Bodega Campo Eliseo. We chatted about her early days making wine in Rueda, what she looks for in classic Verdejo and working with famed winemaker François Lurton.
In Part II of my “All Things Stratus Vineyards” I’m joined by head winemaker Dean Stoyka. Just like J.L. Groux, Dean’s wine journey was also heavily influenced by his father. Great sitting down with the man behind some of Ontario’s most consistent high-end wines.
Thrilled to have had the chance to sit down with one of the Ontario wine legends, J-L Groux from Stratus Vineyards. Loved hearing Groux’s stories from family trips to Loire buying wine barrels as a child to having the freedom of making the wines he loves in Niagara.
The wine podcast is finally "going" to Australia! My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Luke Marquis, the Global Sales Director for Mollydooker Wines. This interview is really more about family that it is about wine. Luke's parents Sarah and Sparky Marquis started this winery two decades ago and their story of getting this iconic wine off the ground is an inspiring one. Neary every label honours the Marquis honours the family history and I was thrilled ...
In the exciting conclusion of my interview with the owners/winemakers for Leaning Post Wines, Ilya and Nadia Senchuk, we pick up the interview about what the toughest moments were in those early years. So much fun talking giving birth while hunting for Syrah, speeding tickets and some fantastic Cabernet Franc.
My interview with Leaning Post Winery Co-Founders Ilya and Nadia Senchuk went so well that I had to split it up into two parts. In Part One: Their origin story which is more about love and trust than about tannins and full-bodied Chardonnay. Nadia and Ilya are passionate, unapologetic winemakers whose portfolio can be found in Michelin Star restaurants all over the world.
The wine podcast is back! (Apologies for my horrible voice!!!) Winemaker Vadim Chelekhov is back for his second appearance. Vadim is the head winemaker for Niagara winery, Palatine Hills Estate Winery. I was shocked about the consistent quality of these big, bold Bordeaux blends! Vadim is that passionate winemaker who makes everything from aromatic whites to full bodied reds.
On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine writer/storyteller/photographer and influencer Paige Comrie. We discuss her big risk going from the world of business to going off on her own into the wide world of wine. A fun/thoughtful conversation with someone with a passion for communicating all the joy that comes from wine.
My guest on the "Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Ludovic Dervin, the Senior Winemaker and General Manager for Stags' Leap Winery. We trace his wine journey form growing up in Champagne to making high end Cabernet Sauvignon to such a historic California winey.
Part II of my Hidden Bench Estate Winery interviews is with their winemaker, Alex Baines. We chat about the scariest moment of a harvest, why does Duck go so well with Pinot and the powerful role that fate played in his wine journey. I got to try their unique 100% Malbec along with their award winning Pinot's. Not a bad pairing as I got to learn more about this on the rise winemaker and this remarkable boutique Niagara winery. I'm shocked it took so long to finally sit down with the good people ...
I can't believe it took me this long to finally sit down with the good people of Hidden Bench Estate Winery. Part I is with Harald Thiel, the Vigneron and Proprietor for Hidden Bench. (Translation: Harold is the owner and plays a big part in the growing for his grapes and the final decisions on the wines of Hidden Bench) In over 200 episodes no one has a more dramatic wine origin story than Harald. Loved my time with Harald! Part II, coming next will be with winemaker Alex Baines....
On the latest 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I'm joined by wine writer and wine podcast host Miroki Tong. I admire her crazy work ethic level when it comes to all her projects and the passion she has for all aspects of the wine world. Not a shock at all how much fun our conversation was.
The Podcast is heading to arguably the most important winery in North America, Robert Mondavi. My guest is the Kurtis Ogasawara, the Director of Wine Making for Mondavi.
If I'm going to deviate from wine I may as well explore one of the most iconic single malt Scotch whiskies, The Macallan. My guest is John MacPherson the Brand Specialist for Eastern Canada. Had the pleasure of tasting Macallan TIME : SPACE Collection, a limited release celebrating their 200th anniversary. I have never been a big spirits fan but it was impossible not to appreciate the level of craftsmanship in this impressive whisky. A great conversation about a world that is admittedly a blind ...
The Podcast continues it's preview of the upcoming Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) with finalist Matthew Landry. Matthew is the Sommelier for the Michelin Star Restaurant Pearl Morissette and has twice finished as a finalist for the Best Sommelier of Canada. I love wine competitions especially from the perspective of some of Canada's best Sommeliers.
With the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) coming up my guest is one of the finalists Christian Perreault Hamel. Christian is the Wine Director for famed steakhouse Harbour Sixty Toronto and is the Co-founder of Pelican Wine Imports. We discuss what the preparation is like for a high stakes wine competition and how it differs from getting ready for the highest levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers.
James Peden, the Director of Operations for Liberty Entertainment Group is back for his second appearance. Bovine Wine Club is a brand-new private wine club opening up in Toronto. It is brought to you by the same people behind Don Alfonso, Blueblood Steakhouse, Cibo Wine Bar and so many other wine forward restaurants. What I appreciate the most about this new venture and the work that James is doing is that when you strip away all the high-end designs and features you would come to expect from L...
My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Four-Time James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winner Natalie MacLean. In my near 200 episodes this interview is the most serious I have been a part of. We discuss excessive drinking, dealing with divorce and her darkest days back in 2012 when her entire career was on the brink. This is a candid and honest conversation that I promise is balanced with plenty of lighter fare as well.
On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast my guest is International Olive Oil Expert Fil Bucchino. His company Abandoned Grove is all about rejuvenating and sustaining thousands of olive trees all over Florence. What a fascinating conversation with a man who went from the music industry to producing and protecting high end olive oil. *Yes, there is wine tie ins as well!
On the latest Wine Podcast Matt is joined by the remarkable winemaking team of Head Winemaker Rob Power and Assistant Winemaker Yvonne Irvin from Creekside Estate Winery, located in the Beamsville Bench, Niagara. Creekside produces some of the best Ontario Syrah's and their entry level Syrah is one of the best value Canadian wines. Been a fan of this winery for years so it was a thrill to chat about their respective journey's, making Syrah in Niagara and just how different the Niagara wine scene...
On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine novelist Steven Laine. His latest book ‘Jupiter’s Blood’ is a fast-paced wine thriller that is part ‘Da Vinci Code’ and part Decanter Magazine. You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy this hard to put down novel.
One of the coolest developments in the Ontario wine scene is the creation & growth of Niagara Custom Crush Studio. Started in 2022 it is part production facility to help small independent winemakers make/sell their wine and a kick ass wine bar in the middle of Niagara wine country. My guests on the Podcast is Graham Rennie, Founder and CEO of Niagara Custom Crush Studio and their new Chief Operating Officer and Head Winemaker Kevin Panagapka. Kevin has been on the pod before talking about hi...
Meet Melissa Devore, the president of Amici Cellars, a powerhouse of a winery located in Napa! Melissa went from graduating Rice University with a Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry degree to working with wineries in Chili to now heading up an iconic California winery. She's my guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast.
Of course, I spend my final night in Japan at a wine store that ONLY sells Canadian wine! If you find yourself in Tokyo, you have to check out Heavenly Vines and their excellent selection of all things Canadian vino. My guest on the podcast, making his return is the co-owner, Jamie Paquin.
Hey, look its famed winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble back on the podcast! BUT this time there’s a twist. Beyond making world class Ontario wines Ann and Peter have been making wine in Mendoza. The wine is called Versado and their latest release, the 2018 vintage is out now! This was a fun deep dive into their South American adventures … I always learn something new whenever this Dynamic Dionysus couple come on the Podcast.
On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast’ I sit down the winemaker for Stoneleigh Winery, Jamie Marfell. Always love when I can do a deep dive on all things New Zealand wine.
