Unreserved Wine Talk

Are you curious about new Australian wine styles and regions? Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now? What was the most devastating part of several Court of Master Sommelier scandals? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author Jane Lopes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian. To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What's it like to experience the journey of becoming a Master Sommelier? Do we need more outlets for education in the wine industry? What was it like being a woman experiencing the unfair and sexist consequences of several Master Sommelier scandals? How would the industry benefit from more transparency and an overhaul of the Court of Master Sommeliers certification process? How is How To Drink Australian different from other books about Australian wine? What was the motivation behind writing How To Drink Australian? What are some of the unique characteristics of Australian wine and wine regions? Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now? What's the tasting experience like for Ngeringa 2018 Summit Vineyard Chardonnay and Bird on a Wire 2015 Syrah? Why should you try a wider range of Australian wine? Key Takeaways I loved Jane's fresh take on new Australian wine styles and regions. I knew that Australia has plenty of warm regions and a number of cool areas, but I didn't realize it also has some of the coldest wine regions in the world. Jane has put Australian grenache on my radar. I love this grape and wine from the Rhone and am keen to do more side-by-side comparison tastings with those from Australia. The Court of Master Sommelier exam scandal had a pretty devastating impact on candidates like Jane, who had studied for years and invested thousands of dollars to prepare for it only to have that hard-earned recognition taken away. Coupled with Master Sommelier sexual harassment scandal, I hope that serious reforms are underway with the organization. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Jane Lopes Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane's second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), was published in 2023. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/254.

Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you? Why is it hard to get a good wine education? How can an emotional guide to wine deepen your pleasure in it? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author, Jane Lopes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian. To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why did Jane decide to study Renaissance literature at the University of Chicago? How did Jane transition from academia to the wine industry? What were the sensory and social aspects of wine that initially attracted Jane? Why is it hard to get a good wine education? Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you? How did Jane incorporate creative wine pairings and experimentation in her time as wine director? What was the inspiration for the name of Jane's first book, Vignette? Why did Jane include resources for alcohol use disorder in her book? What was the most surprising insight that Jane discovered while writing Vignette? Why did Jane agree to be a part of Esquire's television series Uncorked, despite her anxiety? What happened to Jane before her advanced sommelier exam? Key Takeaways Working in a restaurant is incredibly grueling both physically and emotionally. Thos in it are prime to excessive drinking and that's why the hospitality industry, which includes both restaurants and wineries, has the highest rate of substance abuse among any profession. Jane makes some excellent points about why it's hard to get a good wine education, both in terms of cost and the variety of wines you need to taste, especially if you want to make it your profession. I love her approach in her first book as an emotional guide to wine to deepen your pleasure in it. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Jane Lopes Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In September of 2019, Jane finally put her University of Chicago literature degree to good use in publishing her first book, a personal and educational guide to wine called Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane's second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), will publish in September 2023. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/253.

Why does it seem taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine? What's prompting so much wine shaming of those who enjoy easy-drinking commercial wines that have residual sugar, and why do these wines play an important role in the wine market? How can memoirs have more emotional impact than biographies, and what's the difference between the two? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why did I dedicate Wine Witch on Fire to my mother? What makes memoirs often more emotionally impactful than biographies? Why is it taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine? What is it about wine that feeds into the perception of sophistication and elegance compared to other alcoholic beverages? How can you integrate the intellectual aspect of wine with the buzz? Why do I believe commercial wines serve an important role in the industry? How did I decide which wines to include in Wine Witch on Fire? What are some of the challenges still being faced by women and people of color in the industry? Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She's pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff. Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert. Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/252.

How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir the grape that teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown? How can moderation help to preserve our passion for wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What makes Wine Witch on Fire different from my first two books? How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir my favourite grape? How did the process of writing my memoir help me to heal and connect with others? Has the wine industry changed in recent years when it comes to women and people of colour? Why was it important to me to openly share my mental health struggles? Are there parallels between my experiences in the tech and wine industries? How can moderation help to preserve your passion for wine? What types of moderation tips will you find in Wine Witch on Fire? What do wine professionals need to be aware of when it comes to drinking on the job? Why is it tricky for many women in the wine industry to navigate professional social situations? What is it like to go up against stereotypes while trying to build your career in the wine industry? How has misogyny been threaded throughout wine writing? Which surprising Rosé food pairing is my guilty pleasure? Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She's pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff. Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert. Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/251.

Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What would surprise you about the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco? What would it be like to spend half a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What are Andy's favourite pairings for Mourvèdre Rosé? What was it like to spend half a day picking in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? Who are some of the famous past residents of Bandol? What did Andy learn from interviewing famous Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja? How have Barbaresco and Barolo wines changed over the decades? What can you expect from Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé? Why does Andy like Lehmann's Synergie and RIEDEL's Winewings glasses? What's the tasting experience like for G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera? How can you pair G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera with food? What controversial take does Andy have on decanting? Which fascinating book can you read to learn about the history of Burgundy? Why is a thermometer Andy's favourite wine gadget? Which English writer would Andy love to share a bottle of breakfast Champagne with? Key Takeaways Andy's explanation of why Bandol is the only wine region to lead with Mourvèdre was fascinating. As he said, there's a salinity and freshness in the wines, good Mourvedre has to see the sea. I enjoyed his description of the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco and the changes it's experiencing. He painted a terrific picture of what it's like to spend a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Andy James Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/250.

How does Mourvèdre taste different from other southern French grapes that also produce full-bodied red wines? Did you know that Mourvèdre can age for up to 40 years but has stages where it shuts down completely? What would a 20-year-old Rosé taste like? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What was it that drew Andy to make the move to Japan? Why did Andy write books about Kingsley Amis and Graham Greene? Why might you enjoy visiting the southern French town of Bandol for your next wine holiday? What inspired Andy to write about Bandol wines? What's the format of Andy's latest book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre, and how does it differ from previous books about Bandol wines? What's it like to taste a 20-year-old Rosé? Do Rosés have good aging capacity? How much of the Bandol wine industry is attributed to Rosé production? What surprising results came out of a blind tasting of €3 and €23 Bandol wines? Which characteristics can you expect from the Mourvèdre grape in its youth? What changes will you notice as Mourvèdre ages? Why should you take the cork out of your Mourvèdre a day or two before drinking? Key Takeaways Andy gave a great description of how Mourvèdre tastes different from other full-bodied southern French red wines. I understand why it also often needs a blending partner. I found it interesting that Mourvèdre can age for up to 40 years but has stages where it shuts down completely. I'm also going to try his suggestion of removing the cork for a day or two next time I open a bottle to see if it makes a difference. I would have never thought a 20-year-old Rosé would even be drinkable let alone have some interesting taste components and contrasts. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Andy James Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/249.

Is minerality a taste, a texture, or something else when it comes to wine? Why is Austrian Gruner Veltliner more versatile than Riesling? How do you find a great grower Champagne? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Terry Theise, a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Terry Theise's terrific book, Reading Between the Vines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What do people misunderstand about Riesling? Which questions can you ask retailers to better explore the world of Riesling? What are some of the best and worst Riesling pairings that Terry has had? How can you best pair Riesling with food? Why was it difficult to change people's opinion of Austrian wine? What is it about German and Austrian wines that keeps them from being on top of the wine world? Why does Terry say Sauvignon Blanc can sometimes be described as vulgar? What makes grower Champagnes different? What prompted Terry to write his first book, Reading Between The Wines? Why did Terry want to make the case for What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking in his second book? Key Takeaways I agree with Terry that minerality is an incredibly useful metaphor to refer to a wine's texture and something more. Riesling is one of the greatest and most fundamental wines when it comes to minerality. I love Terry's description of petrichor, the smell of pent-up, super-charged air just before a thunderstorm. It makes wines smell and taste super vivid. Austrian Gruner Veltliner is more flexible than Riesling when it comes to food pairings. It's such a lovely, undervalued wine worth exploring. Great grower Champagne is also worth seeking out, though far more of a challenge as these producers are so small and scattered throughout the region. I love Terry's phrase that wine is an important glide path into the world of beauty. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Terry Theise Terry Theise is a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. He has published two bestselling books—Reading Between the Wines and What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime. His articles have appeared in The World of Fine Wine and other magazines. Terry has also won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, Wine & Spirits Man of the Year Award and Food and Wine magazine's Importer of the Year Award. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/248.

Are you curious about the soul-searching nature of German Riesling? Why is Riesling the best wine for tasters to train themselves to improve their skills? Why shouldn't you approach a new glass of wine with anticipation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Terry Theise, a much-respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Terry Theise's terrific book, Reading Between the Vines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you'd like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why is it important to find a passion outside of your work? What are some of Terry's most memorable moments from his childhood years in India? When did Terry rediscover his passion for beautiful writing? What is the relationship between wine and language? How did Riesling become Terry's North Star? Why is Riesling the best way for an amateur wine taster to train themself? How does Terry differentiate between petrichor and minerality? What does it mean to "arrive at the rim of wine without expectations"? How does the dynamic interaction between taster and wine enhance the experience? Why does Terry say that wine keeps him humble? What kind of mistakes are often made in wine tasting? What are some of the tricks of the trade for guessing how long a wine will last? Key Takeaways Terry's passion for German Riesling reignites my own: it is both under-valued and sublime He makes some excellent points on why Riesling is the best wine for tasters to train themselves to improve their skills. He makes a wise point that those of us who are passionate about our work need to have other things for which we have an equal passion to maintain balance. I like his mindset when approaching a new glass of wine without anticipation or expectations to allow room for surprise and delight. If only we did that with people, too. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Terry Theise Terry Theise is a much respected expert on and importer of boutique wines from Germany, Austria, and Champagne. He has published two bestselling books—Reading Between the Wines and What Makes a Wine Worth Drinking: In Praise of the Sublime. His articles have appeared in The World of Fine Wine and other magazines. Terry has also won the James Beard Foundation Award for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, Wine & Spirits Man of the Year Award and Food and Wine magazine's Importer of the Year Award. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/247.

Which Canadian wine regions should you add to your must-try and must-visit lists? What makes some of the wine designations and certifications problematic? Why do stories about witches run through my new book Wine Witch on Fire? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Mark Lenzi and Kim Simone, hosts of The Wonderful World of Wine Podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Why do I identify with the witch theme in Wine Witch on Fire? What was the inciting incident that kicked off the worst year of my life? Looking back, would I have handled the situation differently? Was it difficult for me to write this book and why bother? Why did I choose to approach my writing with an entertaining, conversational style? How did I work wine writing into Wine Witch on Fire, with it being a memoir? Which Canadian wine regions should you add to your must-try and must-visit lists? What was it like to lose my sense of smell and why is it so powerful? Why are some of the wine designations and certifications problematic? What are some of the things I do to remain intentional about how much I'm drinking? Who can benefit from the Wine Witch on Fire Book Club Guide? Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Mark Lenzi & Kim Simone Kim Simone is passionate about wine and making it accessible, engaging, and fun. With a career of almost two decades in the wine business she most recently was the Corporate Sommelier for the Legal Sea Foods restaurant group where she assisted Master of Wine Sandy Block curate the wine lists for multiple restaurant concepts and developed educational materials for their staff. Her winding career path has included a stint selling wine wholesale for Ruby Wines, hosting an AIRBNB Experience focusing on the beverage culture of Colonial Boston, and teaching at Boston University. Mark Lenzi is the owner of Franklin Liquors and founder of The Franklin Wine Club. Mark is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW) and Spirits (CSS) by the Society of Wine Educators. The first in MA to hold a California Wine Appellation Specialist (CWAS) title from the San Francisco Wine School, Mark holds several designations as a French Wine Scholar(FWS)/instructor, Spanish Wine Scholar (SWS) by the Wine Scholar Guild, Italian Wine Specialist (IWS) by the North American Sommelier Association, Oregon Wine Expert (OWE) by the Napa Valley Wine Academy, Italian Wine Maestro (IWM) Vinitaly International (First USA Class), and Italian Wine Scholar (IWS*) by The Wine Scholar Guild. Kim and Mark currently co-host the radio program and podcast The Wonderful World of Wine. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/246.

Are you curious about new South African wine styles and regions to try? What do most people misunderstand about Pinotage wine? Is it really necessary to spit when doing a wine tasting? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with international wine and spirit judge Dr. Winnie Bowman. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights How can you distinguish between competition medal values and avoid misleading wine labels? What was it like for Winnie to teach hotel students who were reluctant to spit during wine tasting? Which aspects of the South African wine industry would probably surprise you? How did certain wine regions in South Africa transform their reputations and become highly sought-after? Where did some of the misconceptions around Pinotage originate and what are the facts? What does Winnie love about Creation Glenn's Chardonnay and what can you expect when tasting? Why should South Africa be on your must-visit list of wine regions? Key Takeaways I loved listening to Winnie talk about new South African wine styles and regions to try as well as the fact that the country gets so many sunshine hours for ripening and deepening flavour. I appreciated her background on the Pinotage grape and that it's not the robust wine that many people assume it is, and can be quite elegant. Her story about the fellow judge not spitting was delightful. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I want to hear from you! What's your opinion of what we're discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn't answer? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621 About Dr. Winnie Bowman Dr. Winnie Bowman is a physiotherapist, biomedical scientist and holds a PhD in Education, specializing in Didactics. She is an international wine and spirit judge as well as a Cape Master. Winnie writes about wine, teaches, presents corporate tastings and appears regularly on radio and television wine shows. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/245.