Why is it so difficult to describe wine? How did England pave the way for Champagne as we know it today? What do winemaking and gardening share beyond being plant-based? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Hugh Johnson. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his marvellous memoir, The Life and Wines of Hugh Johnson . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemacle...
Dec 04, 2024•45 min•Ep. 314
Are you curious what it would be like to ask for wine advice from legendary Hugh Johnson, author of The World Atlas of Wine, among many other books? What would he advise you on how you can improve your wine-tasting skill and pleasure? Why was Hugh initially against wine scoring and how has his perspective changed over the years? What makes a wine great in Hugh’s opinion? Why does Hugh now prefer English sparkling wines over his long-time favourite Pol Roger Champagne? In this episode of the Unre...
Nov 27, 2024•42 min•Ep. 313
How can you train your sense of smell? Why does smelling require much more focus than our other senses? What is retronasal olfaction and why is it so important when it comes to enjoying wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Johannes Frasnelli. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Do wine aroma kits help to improve our ability to smell and taste wine? What positive changes occur in the brains of ma...
Nov 20, 2024•42 min•Ep. 312
Why is smell, often called the Cinderella sense, so underrated in our culture, especially when many luxury products, such as wine, spirits and perfume, are based on it? Even though dogs have more than twice the number of scent receptors than humans, why are we better at detecting wine aromas? What might surprise you about how we perceive the senses of taste and smell? Why is the sense of smell so evocative compared to other senses? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chattin...
Nov 13, 2024•44 min•Ep. 311
Why is smell, often called the Cinderella sense, so underrated in our culture, especially when many luxury products, such as wine, spirits and perfume, are based on it? Even though dogs have more than twice the number of scent receptors than humans, why are we better at detecting wine aromas? What might surprise you about how we perceive the senses of taste and smell? Why is the sense of smell so evocative compared to other senses? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chattin...
Nov 06, 2024•1 hr 10 min
What might surprise you about the impact of alcohol on heart disease? How can wine drinkers reduce the risk of certain cancers with one supplement? Does wine help protect against cognitive decline and dementia? Why do some organizations make extreme recommendations for eliminating alcohol? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Tony Edwards. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy...
Nov 06, 2024•48 min•Ep. 310
Have the health risks of moderate wine consumption been grossly overstated? How does moderate wine consumption reduce heart disease? What is the ideal amount and pattern of wine consumption for maximum health benefits, and how does it differ between men and women? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Tony Edwards. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of his terrific new book,...
Oct 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 309
Why do certain musty or animalistic aromas, like barnyard or manure, become more acceptable to wine lovers over time? What does minerality really mean when it comes to wine? Why is mouthfeel so important to appreciating wine? How does the colour of wine influence our perception of how it tastes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will a ...
Oct 23, 2024•43 min•Ep. 308
Can you learn to appreciate aromas such as spice, petrol, and even gamey or foxy notes in wine? And would you want to, or should you? How can you better understand the taste of umami in what you eat and drink? How do culture and lifestyle influence your perception of the aromas and taste of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What was the mo...
Oct 16, 2024•47 min•Ep. 307
How far would you go for that first evocative taste of an elusive wine? Why should you try wines and books outside your comfort zone? How is folklore as rooted in a sense of place as much as wine is? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jo Penn. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What’s the significance of terroir and what are the parallels with a writer’s...
Oct 09, 2024•42 min•Ep. 306
Why is biodynamic viticulture sometimes associated with dark magic or the occult? Why is using wine in religious rituals as a sacrament considered normal for many people, but taking it beyond that is not? Why are wines from England becoming increasingly popular? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jo Penn, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, about her latest novel, Blood Vintage, set in an English vineyard. You can find the wines we discussed a...
Oct 02, 2024•42 min•Ep. 305
How has Rioja's famous architecture impacted tourism and the international perception of Rioja wines? How does Rioja wine style change in a vintage characterized as an Atlantic year versus a Mediterranean year? How did oak aging become so fundamental to the identity of Rioja wines? What’s driving the resurgence of traditional aging methods, such as concrete tanks? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam Lechmere, editor of The Smart Traveler's Wine Guide to Ri...
Sep 25, 2024•38 min•Ep. 304
What makes the Rioja region of Spain a must-visit destination for wine lovers? What are the best food pairings for Rioja wines? What’s the sticky history behind the Battle of Wine festival in La Rioja? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam Lechmere, editor of The Smart Traveler's Wine Guide to Rioja , among other books in this series. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of the te...
Sep 18, 2024•40 min•Ep. 303
Why is winemaking always a challenge, no matter how long you’ve been doing it? How are wind machines used to mitigate the negative impact of cold weather? How does Pelee Island’s biodiversity influence the brand and winery? Why is it important for winemakers to respect the natural environment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Martin Janz, the chief winemaker at Pelee Island Winery in Southwestern Ontario. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.na...
Sep 11, 2024•51 min•Ep. 302
What is the connection between alcohol and innovation? How does alcohol help enhance trust and cooperation? Why is it important not to think about alcohol consumption through a medical lens alone? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemac...
Sep 04, 2024•42 min•Ep. 301
How does alcohol, especially wine, foster our creativity, trustingness, and sociability? What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about alcohol's role in the development of civilization? Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine and beer versus spirits? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our...
Aug 28, 2024•44 min•Ep. 300
Why should you look beyond Eurocentric wine and food pairings? What’s so special about making vineyard-designated wines? How can you get the most out of your next trip to Sonoma County? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with superstar winemaker Theresa Heredia who has worked for some of California’s most prestigious wineries. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell wine. ...
Aug 21, 2024•43 min•Ep. 299
Does harvesting wine based on the biodynamic calendar make sense? What about actually drinking the wine based on the lunar cycle? How does fog play a profound role in growing grapes and winemaking in the Russian River Valley of Sonoma, California? Why do some winemakers add Mega Purple to wine, and what the heck is Mega Purple? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with superstar winemaker Theresa Heredia who has worked for some of California’s most prestigious wineri...
Aug 14, 2024•43 min•Ep. 298
Why do Ontario winemakers need to be exceptionally unreasonable, stubborn, and pathological optimists? Which Ontario wines should you try next, other than Icewine? Why should Ontario be at the top of your list of wine regions to visit? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Matthew Gaughan on Matthew's World of Wine and Drink. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Where is Ontario located, and what are th...
Aug 07, 2024•39 min•Ep. 297
How do the soils of Germany change the expression of Riesling in your glass? What would surprise you about the size and of German wine production in relation to other leading wine-producing countries? How is climate change dramatically changing the way Germany cultivates vines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Anne Krebiehl. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Anne Kreb...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 296
Why has German beer been so much more successful marketing-wise than German wine in foreign markets, particularly in the U.K. and North America? How does German law make it complex to navigate the country’s wines for consumers? What is selective harvesting, and why is it fundamental to understanding German wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Anne Krebiehl. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway One ...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 295
Why are pigs roaming up and down the rows of more and more vineyards? Do biodynamic preparations really help vineyards by treating them more holistically or is this junk science? How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book...
Jul 17, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 294
Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Sophie Menin. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard. To qualify, all you have to do is emai...
Jul 10, 2024•39 min•Ep. 293
Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why does smoke taint show up differently in different wines despite the same level of exposure...
Jul 03, 2024•46 min•Ep. 292
What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highligh...
Jun 26, 2024•47 min•Ep. 291
What is agri-tourism and why did people begin to embrace the farming experience? Why don't Ontarians drink as much of our own wine as other provinces or countries? How did one woman lead the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm's terrific new book Shar...
Jun 19, 2024•55 min•Ep. 290
What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce tainted wine? Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the ris...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 18 min
Are you curious about the untold stories of the legendary women who helped create the Ontario wine industry and who also shaped its future? Wine might lead people to work in the wine industry, but what sustains a lifetime career beyond that? Why don’t we celebrate people while they’re alive, but instead wait to express those heartfelt thoughts in a eulogy, post-mortem biography or other memorials? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm. You...
Jun 12, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 289
What is a heroic wine? Which emerging trends will shape the taste of Italian wine in the next decade? How has Italian art and architecture directly influenced its wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Marc Millon. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Marc Millon's terrific new book Italy in a Wineglass: The Story of Italy Through Its Wines. To qualify, all you have t...
Jun 05, 2024•47 min•Ep. 288
Which almost-forgotten grape Italian varieties deserve more recognition? What might surprise you about the stories and wines from Campania? What makes wine such a great narrative vehicle throughout history? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Marc Millon. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Marc Millon's terrific new book Italy in a Wineglass: The Story of Italy Through ...
May 29, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 287
