Unreserved Wine Talk

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 great pairings? What are the sisters’ all-time favourite wine and food pairings? Where are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite places to enjoy a glass of wine? What makes the tasting experience of Kinero Cellars Alice Grenache Blanc particularly enjoyable? What’s the flavour profile of Sperling Vineyards Pinto Gris? Which foods can you pair with Kinero Cellars Alice Grenache Blanc? Which wine gadgets are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite? What controversial wine opinions do the sisters hold? What were the memorable smells from Sandy and Michelle’s childhood? Which favourite childhood food would Sandy and Michelle now pair with wine? What are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite wine books? How can you choose the right wine to gift? In a dream world, who would Sandy and Michelle want to share a bottle of wine with? Which red wine warning would Sandy and Michelle want to put on a downtown billboard? What are Sandy and Michelle’s top tips for improving your wine enjoyment?   Key Takeaways I loved their tips on drinking wine at the right temperature and breathing out through your nose after you sip it for maximum pleasure. They also had some great suggestions for gadgets will help you explore new wines without overindulging. And I couldn’t agree more that sparkling wine is the perfect wine for gifting as well as pairing with fries.   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 Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester The Wines To Find Podcast was created after the two hosts, sisters Sandy and Michelle, travelled together to France and Italy in 2019. Both sisters are wine enthusiasts that have tracked their wine purchases, palates and pairings for years. As a way to continue the thrill of their European trip and to document their wine journey, they created the Wines To Find Podcast with the goal of spending time together, further growing their palates, and sharing wine stories from guests. Wines To Find features two new wines tasted for the first time by the sisters & guests, who span the spectrum of the wine industry from winemakers, owners, growers, sommeliers, fellow enthusiasts and more.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 European wine country inspire Sandy and Michelle to start the Wines To Find Podcast? How do the sisters use YouTube to give their audience added value? Where did the name “Wines To Find” come from? How do Sandy and Michelle choose new wines to try in each podcast episode? How does the Wines to Find scoring system work? Which online systems does Michelle use to find new wines and wineries she might like? Is there a grape style over which the sisters disagree? Who have been Sandy and Michelle’s favourite Wines To Find guests so far? Can music affect our perception of wine?   Key Takeaways I love their approach to learning about wine through vertical and horizontal tastings, whether that’s picking maybe one grape, but it's grown in different countries, or perhaps go with one region. It's that side-by-side comparison that is so illustrative of the differences between wines. They share some interesting tips on how you discover some unusual but delicious food and wine pairings. I found their insights into how music can change the taste of wine fascinating.   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 Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester The Wines To Find Podcast was created after the two hosts, sisters Sandy and Michelle, travelled together to France and Italy in 2019. Both sisters are wine enthusiasts that have tracked their wine purchases, palates and pairings for years. As a way to continue the thrill of their European trip and to document their wine journey, they created the Wines To Find Podcast with the goal of spending time together, further growing their palates, and sharing wine stories from guests. Wines To Find features two new wines tasted for the first time by the sisters & guests, who span the spectrum of the wine industry from winemakers, owners, growers, sommeliers, fellow enthusiasts and more.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 bargain wine even more exciting than an expensive wine? Why you should consider going south on your search for a new great wine to try? How do food and wine elevate each other when paired well? Why do I prefer to pair food with wine versus the other way around? What is my favourite food and wine pairing? Which candy-based trick can you use to teach yourself new flavours and aromas? How can you pair wine and chocolate without ending in disaster? What makes technology and wine a perfect pairing? How do my website wine tools and mobile apps make choosing and pairing wine easy? Which luxury wine would I wish to have if I were stranded on a desert island? Why do I love podcasting? Lori’s Opposites Game   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 Lori Budd Lori Budd began her career as a microbiologist, but her need for excitement led her into Adventure Education, teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program, along with certifications from a number of other wine programs. She and her husband, Michael, own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s consumed by the stories that unfold as each glass is poured, and shares those in her award-winning blog and podcast called Exploring the Glass.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/197.

How does John Keats connect the romantic poets to wine? Why should you consider Champagne for other occasions outside of big celebrations? How do you handle the sting of rejection as an up-and-coming writer?   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 How does John Keats connect my studies of romantic poets with my career in wine? What unexpected beauty can you find in cemeteries across the world? Which enduring traits do I attribute to my years of Highland dancing? How did I find my way to wine? What makes wine such a great medium for building connections? Which wine memory stands out the most in my career so far? Why is my love for writing central in everything I do in my career? How do you handle the sting of rejection as an up-and-coming writer? What was it like to be awarded World’s Best Wine Writer? Which unforgettable experiences did I have while researching Red, White, and Drunk All Over? Why is listening to audiobooks now my favourite way to “read”?   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 Lori Budd Lori Budd began her career as a microbiologist, but her need for excitement led her into Adventure Education, teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program, along with certifications from a number of other wine programs. She and her husband, Michael, own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s consumed by the stories that unfold as each glass is poured, and shares those in her award-winning blog and podcast called Exploring the Glass.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/196.

What’s the difference between aroma and bouquet in wine? How does "bright acidity" taste? Why does Pinot Noir from different regions in California taste dramatically different?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kerith Overstreet, the winemaker at Bruliam Wines in Sonoma, California and a former medical doctor.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One listener in the U.S. will win a bottle of Bruliam's gorgeous Pinot Noir.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate. Good luck!   Highlights How do different areas in Sonoma and Monterey counties express themselves in Bruliam Pinot Noir? Which decisions can winemakers make to influence how a Pinot Noir ends up? Where is the Petaluma Gap AVA and how does the climate impact grapes? What does bright acidity mean for your tasting experience? How does the topography of the Mayacamas Mountain Range impact the weather pattern in surrounding grape-growing regions? Why is oxygenation desirable but oxidation to be avoided when it comes to winemaking? What’s the difference between aromas and bouquet in wine? How does Kerith use humour to bring a human element to her wine writing? Which embarrassing encounter led to Kerith’s sourcing her dream Santa Lucia Highlands fruit? What characteristics does Kerith look for when tasting wines? What’s the tasting experience like with 2019 Torrey Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir? Which foods should you try with your next glass of Pinot Noir? How would you describe tasting 2018 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir? What’s Kerith’s favourite childhood scent memory? Which childhood favourite would Kerith pair with Champagne as an adult? What are Kerith’s favourite wine book and wine gadget? Which wine world celebrities would Kerith love to share a glass of wine with?   Key Takeaways Kerith’s distinction of the differences between aroma and bouquet in wine was helpful, especially that bouquet is anything beyond the grape varietal character. I liked her definition of how "bright acidity" tastes. She gave us a great overview of how and why Pinot Noir from different regions in California taste dramatically different.   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 Kerith Overstreet Kerith Overstreet is the winemaker at Bruliam Wines. When she was small, her dad used to say, “You can be whatever you want after medical school.” So she did. After completing medical school (U. of Rochester), residency, and two fellowships (UCSD), she thought winemaking sounded more fun.   To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/195.

Would you like to discover some weird but wonderful food pairings for zinfandel? How can American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) help you find new wines to love? How does yeast have a profound impact on wine’s taste?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kerith Overstreet, the winemaker at Bruliam Wines in Sonoma, California and a former medical doctor.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One listener in the U.S. will win a bottle of Bruliam's gorgeous Pinot Noir.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate. Good luck!   Highlights Who is Chewie the Marketing Collie? As a student of literature, who are Kerith’s favourite authors? How did Kerith bring her love of the humanities into her medical studies? When did Kerith develop her passion for wine? How did Kerith realize she wanted to shift from being a medical doctor to a winemaker? Are there intersections between Kerith’s science background and her approach as a winemaker? What lessons has winemaking taught Kerith when it comes to her Type A personality? How has the support of fellow winemakers impacted Kerith’s journey? Why does Kerith love experimenting with yeast? What is the inoculation process in winemaking? What types of experiments does Kerith do in the winemaking process? How did the name “Bruliam” come about? What roles do Kerith and her husband, Brian, have at Bruliam? Which features of Rockpile make the biggest impact in their wines? Which creative route did Kerith take to getting access to Rockpile Zinfandel? Which delicious treat should you try dunked in a glass of Zinfandel? Which unusual but simple wine and food pairings should you try next? How do customers feature as the highlight of Kerith’s career so far?   Key Takeaways I loved Kerith’s pairing suggestions for zinfandel. They’re on my list to try this week. She shares a great overview of how American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)can help us find the particular styles of wine we love. Kerith even manages to make yeast interesting as she lets us know its profound impact on wine’s taste.   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 Kerith Overstreet Kerith Overstreet is the winemaker at Bruliam Wines. When she was small, her dad used to say, “You can be whatever you want after medical school.” So she did. After completing medical school (U. of Rochester), residency, and two fellowships (UCSD), she thought winemaking sounded more fun.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/194.

Why is Wisconsin the most famous state in the US for its cheeses and what do they produce? Which iconic, delicious Wisconsin cheeses should you try? What is a beta reader and why would you want to become one?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Joy Ann Ribar, author of the Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery series.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three listeners are going to win a personally signed copy of Joy Ann Ribar's fabulous mystery books set in wine country.   How to Win 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 select the winner randomly from those who participate. Good luck!   Highlights What’s Frankie Champagne’s favourite type of wine? Which surprising insights has Joy discovered in her wine research? Why should you consider Wisconsin for your next visit to wine country? How did Joy end up doing over 80 events online and in person to promote her Deep Lakes series? How big is the Wisconsin cheese industry and why are the number of dairy farms on the decline? Which iconic and innovative Wisconsin cheeses should you try? What are some of the fun celebrations you can participate in around Wisconsin during Dairy Month? What’s a beta reader and why are they important? Why are beta readers still essential when you have a professional editor? What’s behind the recent rise in reading and popularity of book clubs? Why are stories such a catalyst for deep conversation? Which aspects of my upcoming memoir did Joy connect with the most as a beta reader? What can beta readers do beyond reading?   Key Takeaways I had no idea just how much cheese Wisconsin produces and the range and variety of cheeses. Seven thousand dairy farms, wow. I love Joy’s suggestions for which cheeses we should try from the state. I’d love to try the cave cheddar with its earthy notes and compare it to traditional British cheddar. I’d pair the cheeses with a firm cabernet or vintage port. I hope our beta reader discussion will encourage you to become one. Just let me know.   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 Joy Ann Ribar Joy Ann Ribar pens the Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery series at home in central Wisconsin. Joy’s life history is a cocktail of careers, including news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and college writing instructor. Her hobbies include baking, exploring the outdoors, and wine research. Joy infuses this mixture into her main character, Frankie Champagne, adding a special blend of sass and humour. Her writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people. Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh..She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association. Joy and her husband, John, someday plan to sell their house, buy an RV, and travel around the U.S. spreading good cheer and hygge! Joy is currently working on the next mystery in the Deep Lakes Cozy series: Deep Dire Harvest, coming in 2022.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/193.  

Would you like to hear about some fabulous mystery books that are set in wine country? What is it about books that encourage deep connections with readers? Are you curious about Wisconsin wines? Why are the state's wine region a beautiful place to visit?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Joy Ann Ribar, author of the Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery series.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three listeners are going to win a personally signed copy of Joy Ann Ribar's fabulous mystery books set in wine country.   How to Win 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 select the winner randomly from those who participate. Good luck!   Highlights Why did Joy decide to start writing mystery novels after retiring from teaching? What have been the best and worst moments of Joy’s writing career so far? What is it about books that encourage deep connections with readers? How did community theatre lead to Joy’s love for the wine world? What is a cozy mystery? Why are small towns the perfect setting for a cozy mystery? How did Agatha Christie pave the way for the next generation of women writers? How does Joy navigate the dark world of mystery writing research? What wine-themed murders might Joy include in her upcoming books? What is Joy’s Deep Lakes cozy mystery series about? How does the lead character, Frankie Champagne’s, winery evolve over the series? What’s the climate like in Wisconsin? What are the key hallmarks of Wisconsin winemaking? Which innovative ways have winemakers found for dealing with troublesome starlings?   Key Takeaways I loved learning about what differentiates a cozy mystery from other types of mysteries. Who knew there were so many sub-genres? I love that Joy’s novels are set in wine country. I didn’t know much about Wisconsin wines until I spoke to Joy. Now I’m curious to try them, and more so to visit such a beautiful state.   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 Joy Ann Ribar Joy Ann Ribar pens the Deep Lakes Cozy Mystery series at home in central Wisconsin. Joy’s life history is a cocktail of careers, including news reporter, paralegal, English educator, and college writing instructor. Her hobbies include baking, exploring the outdoors, and wine research. Joy infuses this mixture into her main character, Frankie Champagne, adding a special blend of sass and humour. Her writing is inspired by Wisconsin’s four distinct seasons, natural beauty, and kind-hearted, but sometimes quirky, people. Joy holds a BA in Journalism from UW-Madison and an MS in Education from UW-Oshkosh. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Blackbird Writers, and Wisconsin Writers Association. Joy and her husband, John, someday plan to sell their house, buy an RV, and travel around the U.S. spreading good cheer and hygge! Joy is currently working on the next mystery in the Deep Lakes Cozy series: Deep Dire Harvest, coming in 2022.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/192.

Why should you open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving? What makes Icewine such a difficult and expensive wine to produce? Why is the sense of smell such an important part of living a full life?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Where are the major wine regions in Canada? What makes Icewine such a tricky wine to produce? Why is there so little Canadian wine in the US? What’s the response to US wine in Canada? How can you learn more about food and wine pairing with my free material? Which dishes pair well with California Grenache? What are the most common questions I get from wine newcomers? Why should you open that bottle of wine you’ve been saving? What are the most memorable aromas from my childhood?   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 Jim Duane Jim Duane studied biology at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington then worked at Brancott Vineyards in New Zealand. Hauling rocks in the vineyard, he says, helped him get ready for graduate school at the renowned University of California at Davis oenology program. In 2004, he moved to Napa where he’s been ever since. Jim is now the winemaker at Seavey Vineyard in California's Napa Valley. Prior to that, he worked at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Robert Mondavi Winery. In 2014, he launched a podcast called Inside Winemaking, which is ranked one of the most popular wine podcasts. In 2021, he launched Terratorium Wines as a direct result of his podcast and winemaking classes. Jim and his wife Erin have two daughters that keep them busy. Recently, he notes, they logged four pulled-teeth in a 36-hour period.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/191.

What is it really like to be a wine industry insider? How can stories help you to learn? What makes Riesling one of the most food-friendly wines?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights What was my path from high-tech marketer to wine writer? How can you find out what it’s really like to be on the inside of the wine industry? What can you expect from my upcoming third book? How can novices and experts benefit from my online food and wine pairing classes? Which types of food can you best pair with an off-dry Riesling? How can you use the food and wine matching tool on my website to plan your next wine-paired dinner? What do you need to know about Canadian wine?   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 Jim Duane Jim Duane studied biology at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington then worked at Brancott Vineyards in New Zealand. Hauling rocks in the vineyard, he says, helped him get ready for graduate school at the renowned University of California at Davis oenology program. In 2004, he moved to Napa where he’s been ever since. Jim is now the winemaker at Seavey Vineyard in California's Napa Valley. Prior to that, he worked at Stag's Leap Wine Cellars and Robert Mondavi Winery. In 2014, he launched a podcast called Inside Winemaking, which is ranked one of the most popular wine podcasts. In 2021, he launched Terratorium Wines as a direct result of his podcast and winemaking classes. Jim and his wife Erin have two daughters that keep them busy. Recently, he notes, they logged four pulled-teeth in a 36-hour period.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/190.