Are you curious about what it takes to manage a list of 500 different wine labels at one of America’s best restaurants? Why is wine so powerful in creating memories? What is the most important role of the sommelier? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sommelier of the Year, Tonya Pitts. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights How did art play a major role in Tonya’s life growing up? Why is wine so powerful in c...
Mar 29, 2023•44 min•Ep. 226
Which aspects of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly suited for growing grapes for wine? Why is Pinot Noir called the heartbreak grape? What are some ways for wine professionals and wine lovers to moderate their consumption? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What makes podcasting such a ...
Mar 22, 2023•55 min•Ep. 225
Can you imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine? And what is synthetic wine anyway? How does removing alcohol impact the tasting experience? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steven Laine, award-winning restaurateur, hotelier, and author. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Can you imagine a world where there’s only synthetic wine? What can you expect from Steven’s upcoming books, Jupiter’s Bloo...
Mar 15, 2023•34 min•Ep. 224
Can you imagine a world without wine? How did an author create a new genre of wine thriller based on a winemaker’s worst nightmare? What if the root louse phylloxera that destroyed most of the European vineyards in the 1850s returned but was even more destructive? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Steven Laine, award-winning restaurateur, hotelier, and author. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What abou...
Mar 08, 2023•29 min•Ep. 223
What did John the Baptist, Dom Perignon and Saint Vincent have in common when it comes to wine? What makes the vineyard of Clos de Vougeot in Burgundy so fascinating? Why should you consider visiting the wine region Santa Ynez in Santa Barbara County? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam McHugh, author of Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giv...
Mar 01, 2023•36 min•Ep. 222
How did one man make a complete career pivot from working with dying in hospice care to living among the vines and writing about them? Why is French oak so treasured and so expensive? Which historical events led to the development of what we now know as the Châteauneuf-du-Pape region? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam McHugh, author of Blood from Stone: A Memoir of How Wine Brought Me Back from the Dead . You can find the wines we discussed at https://ww...
Feb 22, 2023•39 min•Ep. 221
How can you learn more about food and wine without the intimidation factor? Why does exploring outside of your arena often drive inspiration and innovation? Why is writing a memoir like living your life twice? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lawrence Francis, host of the Interpreting Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why do wine podcasts attract an international audience? Why do I...
Feb 15, 2023•41 min•Ep. 220
What’s behind the power of podcasts and how they evoke the theater of the mind? How can you use a hook to improve your communication skills? Why do stories help us remember what we learn about wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lawrence Francis, host of the Interpreting Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Which bottle kickstarted my passion for wine? How did I find the confidence...
Feb 08, 2023•41 min•Ep. 219
How does the shape of a restaurant table impact how much you eat? How can you use your music playlist to complement your menu? Which types of songs can make your wine taste more acidic? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Nell McShane Wulfhart's terrific book, Off Menu. To qualify, all you have to do is email...
Feb 01, 2023•48 min•Ep. 218
How does telling your dinner party guests a few details about the wine you're serving dramatically change their perception of its taste? Should you add wines from Uruguay to your must-taste list? What’s the difference between flavour and taste? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Nell McShane Wulfh...
Jan 25, 2023•43 min•Ep. 217
What’s the tradeoff between flavour and alcohol? How does Chardonnay lend itself to unusual food pairings? Where do you find great value in California wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Who were Chuck’s most memorable podcast guests and why? Who would be Chuck’s dream guests for his podcast? Why does Chuck consider...
Jan 18, 2023•31 min•Ep. 216
Are you curious about California wine, especially the differences between the various regions? What big trends have changed the California wines you drink for the past 5 years? What would surprise you most about the Napa wine region? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chuck Cramer, host of On The Road With Mr CA Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What was it like for Chuck to do stand-up comedy for ...
Jan 11, 2023•28 min•Ep. 215
How does deepening your understanding of wine help you maintain a healthy relationship with it? Why do memoirs help us to connect with characters even more deeply than fiction? Which moderation tools and techniques can you use when drinking wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by journalist Jaime Lewis for her podcast, CONSUMED. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What does “day in the life” writin...
Jan 04, 2023•40 min•Ep. 214
How can tasting rooms help you enjoyably expand your knowledge of wine? Which experiences led me to perfect the art of the outsider at a young age? Why does capturing our experiences in words have such a profound impact on us? What can you learn from side-by-side tastings? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by journalist Jaime Lewis for her podcast, CONSUMED. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Which e...
Dec 28, 2022•37 min•Ep. 213
How do food and wine play a role in Dabi Shapiro's latest bestselling novel, Signal Fires ? As a writer, what’s it like to encounter others experiencing your work? Why do certain wines seem to transport us back to a specific moment in time? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dani Shapiro, bestselling author and host of the Family Secrets podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you in the U.S. w...
Dec 21, 2022•40 min•Ep. 212
How can wine and food back memories of more than just the food and drink themselves? Why are so many family secrets associated with food and drink? How has the publishing world changed, and what does it mean for up-and-coming writers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dani Shapiro, bestselling author and host of the Family Secrets podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you in the U.S. will wi...
Dec 14, 2022•48 min•Ep. 211
Which new and emerging wine regions should be on your radar to try soon? Why should you pay more for wine? How does glassware change the taste of your wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you who are based in the U.S. are going to win a personally signed copy of Karen MacNeil's terrific new book, The Wine Bible. How to ...
Dec 07, 2022•46 min•Ep. 210
What did it take to create The Wine Bible, a 700-page masterwork on wine? What makes The Wine Bible so different from other popular wine tomes? How did the pandemic make it much harder to research and write this latest edition of this book and what creative methods did the author use to overcome those obstacles? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Karen MacNeil, author of The Wine Bible. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/wine...
Nov 30, 2022•45 min•Ep. 209
How do digital corks allow winemakers to participate in the resale of their wines among collectors? What are tasting tokens, and what exciting new experiences do they offer both winemakers and consumers? What new trends and technologies will impact the wines you drink in the future? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing David Garrett, the co-founder of a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club, Club dVIN. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.natali...
Nov 23, 2022•38 min•Ep. 208
Are you curious about how blockchain technology will transform how you buy and collect wine? How do non-fungible tokens, or NFTs, play a role? How can blockchain technology help to prevent counterfeit wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing David Garrett, the co-founder of a global non-fungible token (NFT) wine club, Club dVIN. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why did David make the move from tech to w...
Nov 16, 2022•38 min•Ep. 207
Is minerality a flavour or a texture? What does it feel or taste like? Why do wines made from hybrid grapes deserve your attention? What can winemakers learn from Jimi Hendrix? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Aleks Zecevic, wine writer and host of the Vintners podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights How does Ewald Tscheppe of Werlitsch get a unique texture to his wines? How did carrots help Aleks im...
Nov 09, 2022•39 min•Ep. 206
What's it like to work at the prestigious Wine Spectator magazine and Sotheby’s fine wine auction house? How can you distinguish real wine from fakes? What’s the secret to putting together the perfect wine flight? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Aleks Zecevic, wine writer and host of the Vintners podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What is Vouvray, France, famous for in the world of wine? What w...
Nov 02, 2022•48 min•Ep. 205
Is Icewine the major part of Canada’s wine industry? How does Icewine compare to other dessert wines like Sauternes? How has climate change impacted Canadian winemaking? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by James Atkinson, drinks journalist and host of the Drinks Adventures podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Is Icewine still a major part of Canada’s wine industry? What makes the process of h...
Oct 26, 2022•26 min•Ep. 204
As a wine lover, what can you do to help mitigate the impact of climate change? Why do many experts consider the phrase “global warming” a big marketing mistake? How is climate change pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Brian Freedman, wine and spirits educator and author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/wi...
Oct 19, 2022•43 min•Ep. 203
Are you curious about the deeper, less obvious impacts of climate change on wine? How is it different from the impact on our food? What are Israeli winemakers doing to bring back a whole ecosystem approach? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing Brian Freedman, wine and spirits educator and author of Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you ar...
Oct 12, 2022•42 min•Ep. 202
Why should we change the way we talk about Riesling? How have Austrian and German wines transformed in recent years? How can you pair German-speaking wines with food? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing journalist and co-founder of TRINK magazine, Valerie Kathawala. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights How is Skinny Pablo recontextualizing Riesling for younger generations? What happened in Austria’s antifreez...
Oct 05, 2022•40 min•Ep. 201
Are you curious about German-speaking wines and which ones you should try? Why is biodynamic winemaking particularly important for viticulture? What’s the real difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing journalist and co-founder of TRINK magazine, Valerie Kathawala. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What was it like to be a German translator at the UN in the ti...
Sep 28, 2022•44 min•Ep. 200
Are you drinking your wine at the wrong temperature? Which wine gadgets will help you explore new wines without overindulging? Why should you breathe out through your nose after sipping wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Which dishes do Sandy and Michelle love to cook and which wines make grea...
Sep 21, 2022•37 min•Ep. 199
What’s the single best thing you can do to improve your tasting skills? How can you discover some unusual but delicious food and wine pairings? How does music change the taste of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights When did Sandy and Michelle discover their love of wine? How did a trip to Europ...
Sep 14, 2022•32 min•Ep. 198
Which candy-based trick can you use to teach yourself new flavors and aromas? What makes discovering a bargain wine more exciting than luxury wine? What does the tip “go south” mean when it comes to hidden values in wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lori Budd, winemaker, writer and host of the Exploring The Wine Glass podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What makes finding an amazing ...
Sep 07, 2022•41 min•Ep. 197
