On the latest episode of the 'Matt Talks Wine Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast my guest is 2024 VQA Promoters Award winner (Hospitality) Robbie Raskin, the Owner of Archives Wine & Spirits. I visited Robbie's wine bar/bottle shop and left thinking how lucky St. Catharines is to have this cool small slice of wine heaven right in the middle of their downtown. There is a reason why Robbie won his VQA award and it starts with this fantastic bar. Thrilled to hear he is expanding into Toront...
Sep 16, 2024•52 min•Ep. 194
My latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is Ed Madronich, President for Flat Rock Cellars. A thoughtful and engaging conversation from someone who has been in the wine making business for decades. We discuss perception versus reality when it comes to all things wine, the differences between American vs. Canadian customers plus Ed’s bold claim about Ontario terroir versus the rest of the world. Perfect timing to sit down with Ed as the winery is releasi...
Sep 08, 2024•36 min•Ep. 193
I don’t do nearly enough on the topic of pairing food with wine. No better person to correct that oversight than with someone has written seven cookbooks, is a professional chef (and professional gastronaut), did a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most pancakes made. My interview with Bob Blumer! Needless to say, you’re going to enjoy this one. By the way his latest book: 'Flavorbomb: A Rogue Guide to Making Everything Taste Better' is out now!...
Aug 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 192
Part Two of the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast with Sommelier/TV Wine Personality/Wine Writer Renée Sferrazza we pick up on the conversation about pairing great wines with normal moments of your life, more excellent wines from Prince Edward County, the LCBO and the surprisingly good work being done by McManis Winery.
Aug 15, 2024•36 min•Ep. 191
Coming back for her third time is Sommelier, TV Wine Personality, Wine Writer, Content Creator and all-around advocate for all that is good and right in the wine world, Renée Sferrazza!!! This one was so good I had to break it up into two parts. In Part One we go over a wide range of wines all from Prince Edward County, a behind the scenes look about doing live TV wine segments and we fight about the movie ‘Love Actually’.
Aug 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 190
The Podcast is heading back to the famed Northern Italian wine region of Piedmont. My guest is Federica Boffa-Borgogno. She is a part of a fifth generation of wine growers. What make’s her family’s portfolio so impressive is the consistent level of quality. Of course, the Barolo Cannubi Riserva is gonna knock your socks off but so will the Barbera d'Alba and Dolcetto d'Alba.
Aug 07, 2024•31 min•Ep. 189
Meet Federico De Cerchio, a fourth-generation Italian wine grower, based in the Abruzzo region of Southern Italy and now owner of the family wine business Famiglia De Cerchio Winery. Enjoyed hearing about Federico’s wine journey, learning more about all things Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and when he first started working with his father just how long did it take for them to get into their first disagreement?
Aug 06, 2024•24 min•Ep. 188
Meet Susan Sterling, my latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast. Susan spent over two decades working with the wines of Andrew Peller. Today she is the Brand Ambassador for one of the most famous Port Houses, Taylor Fladgate. I’ve known Susan for well over 15 years, she is a good friend who has been a big part of my own wine journey. A long overdue interview!
Jul 21, 2024•51 min•Ep. 187
Shawn Brynildson, the winemaker at Black Stallion Estate Winery in Napa Valley is my latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast! Shawn went from studying medicine in school to switching over to wine while at University of California, Davis. Just what was his parents reaction? A wide ranging conversation about all things wine making, California and the prejudice that does sometimes surround Napa Cabernet Sauvignon.
Jul 13, 2024•49 min•Ep. 186
I love the story of Jerome Christie (Territory Manager/ Portfolio Manager for Intra Vino) and his journey into wine. He went from a solid government job to being inspired by wine through trips to Santorini and Sunday dinners with his in-laws. Jerome started volunteering at Intra Vino and is now a big part of the company and is in the middle of all things Court of Master Sommeliers. This is a great interview for people looking to get into the wine business cause Jerome will inspire you! This is a...
Jul 09, 2024•59 min•Ep. 185
On the latest 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I have on grape grower and winemaker Jessica Oppenlaender (And a super fun cameo from her sister Ali) Oppenlaender from Liebling Wines. They spent years working with their father growing grapes for some of the top winemakers across Niagara and now they are also make their own wine. This is a fantastic story about wine but really more about family. A compelling/fun interview that I guarantee you will enjoy. For more about...
Jul 01, 2024•53 min•Ep. 184
A different edition of the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast! My guest is Sophie Menin an award-winning wine writer and the author of, ‘A Year in the Vineyard’. Her book is packed with 180 gorgeous pictures from the world’s most stunning wine regions. From Piedmont to Burgundy to Napa and everywhere in between. We discuss the many years of work that went into her latest work that will give you a completely different perspective of what it takes to make a bottle of win...
Jun 22, 2024•25 min•Ep. 183
My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Andrew Carter, the Executive Chef & Owner of the famed Yorkville The Oxley Public House restaurant. A powerhouse of an interview!! Andrew went from working as a teenager in food halls to working under Nico Ladenis, the first British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars to opening up arguably the best British style pub in Toronto. The energy, the stories and the passion ... you will be hooked from start to fin...
Jun 16, 2024•43 min•Ep. 182
My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Jeff Moote the founder and winemaker for Divergence Wines, a virtual winemaker based in Niagara. Cool origin story about how Jeff went from working as an Engineer in the chemical process industry to making wine! A hell of leap of faith that has led to a rather impressive sparkling program!
Jun 08, 2024•56 min•Ep. 181
The Podcast is heading to the Southern France wine region of Roussillon. My guest is Moritz Bak, owner of Res Fortes winery. A cool story about a young winemaker who fell in love with this part of the world and wanted to make world class wine. (I grabbed his last 6-Pack of Syrah!)
Jun 03, 2024•37 min•Ep. 180
On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by prolific Instagram star Cokie from Cokies World of Wine. (Find her here: https://www.instagram.com/cokiesworldofwine/ ) I’ve met so many people who have committed so much of their life to the study of wine … I don’t think I have ever encountered anyone with the passion/ work ethic for all things vino like Cokie. She is so damn impressive and is a MUST FOLLOW for anyone who wants to learn about wine. Serious...
May 21, 2024•52 min•Ep. 179
When a winery has the highest of aspirations to make the best wines from the Niagara terroir the Bat Signal will go out to winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble!! They are the Batman and Batman of extracting the best out of the Niagara region. On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I bring back Ann (Third time on the Pod) and Peter (Second time) to go over their latest project, Dobbin Estate Winery. This passion project by Wade Dobbin started in 2018 after...
May 14, 2024•59 min•Ep. 178
This is Julie Garton, the Wine Director for Liberty Entertainment Group. This is Julie’s second appearance on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast. Julie oversees the wine program for one of Toronto’s newest restaurants Blue Bovine Steak + Sushi House. We discuss her new project, just what are some of the big differences between a high end establishment and a Michelin Star level one … oh and when she c limbed to the base camp for Mt. Everest. You can find out more ab...
May 07, 2024•47 min•Ep. 177
The ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is heading back to the Okanagan Valley! My guest is former Sommelier for The National Club and now the Guest Experience Manager for one of the best wineries in all of Canada, Checkmate Artisanal Winery. We discuss the devastating environmental damage the 2024 winter had on the entire region. As someone who has known James from his early days at the Club, I love his story from Toronto to B.C. No better person to be representing som...
May 01, 2024•59 min•Ep. 176
A wide-ranging conversation with one of the co-owners of Henry of Pelham Winery, Dan Speck. I sat down with last in late 2018 and since then A LOT has changed. We discuss the impact of COVID, the war in Ukraine and inflation has had on the world of wine. I guarantee you'll learn something new from one of the most interesting people in the Ontario wine biz.
Apr 21, 2024•57 min•Ep. 175
My guest is Steven Campbell, board member for the non-profit organization Grapes for Humanity who just launched their wine auction to help raise money for several important environmental charities. You have until Monday April 22nd to get your bids in! (Link: https://www.waddingtons.ca/auction/grapes-for-humanity-canada-fine-wine-auction-2024-apr-22-2024/ ) We dive into Steven’s rich past that includes owning the famed Toronto restaurant, La Maison, opening one of the first wine bars in Ontario a...
Apr 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 174
On the latest episode of the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I speak with the most important wine journalist covering all things Ontario Wine, Rick VanSickle. We discuss the politics behind wine production, how the LCBO is not doing nearly enough for Ontario winemakers and is there a future in designating specific vineyards with "Grand Cru" status?
Apr 03, 2024•57 min•Ep. 173
On the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast my interview with the winemaker for Niagara winery Westcott Vineyards, Casey Kulczyk. Love his passion about Westcott's overall philosophy about making world class Niagara Wine NOT about making "Burgundian" style wine. Trust me, Casey's passion for all things Niagara winemaking and just how special Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can be in this area is infectious. No way you won't enjoy this conversation.
Mar 25, 2024•45 min•Ep. 172
They love Merlot, can't stand the film 'Sideways' and in under a decade are making a real name for themselves in the world of Ontario wine. On the 'Matt Talks Wie & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I sit down with the Owners of Kirby Estate, a gorgeous boutique winery specializing in Chardonnay and Bordeaux Blends. Fun conversation about where they are now as a winery and how scary was their first vintage.
Mar 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 171
From Châteauneuf-du-Pape to Morocco this episode of the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast has range! My guest is Anne Charlotte Melia Bachas. Anne is the Winemaker and Owner of Chateau Font du Loup in Châteauneuf-du-Pape while her father Charles has founded Domaine du Val d’Argan, a winery in Morocco. We talk about those early days in 2002 when she took over Chateau Font du Loup, winemaking in Morocco and sticking to making her style of wine.
Feb 27, 2024•33 min•Ep. 170
If I think about the people who had the biggest influence on me when it comes to wine, Brian Perry, the Beverage Manager and Head Sommelier for The National Club is right at the top of the list. There is so much to admire about Brian. I’ll always appreciate the fact that when I joined the club, I was the youngest member at the time and as a sports media gas bag I was not exactly a captain of industry. Brian treated me the same as anyone else and it wasn’t long before he became an important part ...
Feb 13, 2024•34 min•Ep. 169
On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I sit down with one my wine mentors, Brian Perry, the Beverage Manager and Head Sommelier for The National Club. Brian has a remarkable story from bartending with little wine knowledge to running one of the largest wine programs in Canada. This episode went long so I have split it up into two parts. This is Part One.
Feb 13, 2024•38 min•Ep. 168
Really cool origin story with my guest on the wine podcast, Wine Importer Emily Craig, owner of Emily Craig Import Agency. Emily went from graduating with a Science Degree, to working a harvest in Nova Scotia to working for some of the largest Canadian wine importing companies in Canada to starting her own boutique wine important company. Oh, and she started during the pandemic. This is someone with a clear vision for her future, a hell of a work ethic and true passion for wine....
Jan 28, 2024•43 min•Ep. 167
I love how Assistant Winemaker for Domaine Queylus Brooke Husband can make winemaking technique and the difficulties of Wild Fermentation sound so interesting. On my latest interview Brooke does such a great job blending (Pun intended, sorry) the human element that goes into making great wine. Lotta range in this episode from the importance of wine education, the spending habits of people far younger than me to winning multiple Hospitality and Wine Awards
Jan 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 166
Find me a better winemaking couple than Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble! I sit down with the vino power couple about their work with On Seven Estate Winery, a Niagara boutique winery obsessed with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Great interview for anyone interested in learning about how Niagara is perfectly suited for world class Burgundian style wine and also a cool story about taking chances in the vineyard.
Dec 27, 2023•47 min•Ep. 165
