Unreserved Wine Talk

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 harvesting grapes for Icewine so unique? How does Icewine compare to other dessert wines like Sauternes? How has the Canadian wine industry evolved over the years since the opening of our first commercial winery in the late 70s? Where are the most established wine regions and varieties in Canada? Which unique Canadian signature elements will you recognize compared to Old World wines? How has climate change impacted Canadian winemaking? Why did I start Unreserved Wine Talk? What have been some of my highlights from the past four years of conversations on the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast? How is my upcoming memoir different from my first two books? Which darker aspects of the wine industry do I explore in my memoir? Are Australian wines popular in Canada? 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 James Atkinson James Atkinson is the creator of the Drinks Adventures podcast and winner of Best Podcast at the Australian Wine Communicator Awards 2021. A lover of all fine drinks, James was previously editor of Australian Brews News and drinks industry publication TheShout. A Certified Cicerone® (beer sommelier) and two-time winner of the Australian International Beer Awards prize for Best Media, James has judged at several prestigious beer competitions. As a journalist, he has contributed to publications including The Age, Sydney Morning Herald, Halliday, Gourmet Traveller Wine, Good Food, Selector and more. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Brian Freedman's terrific new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink. 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 winners randomly from those who participate. Good luck! Highlights What surprised Brian about the impact of climate change on the world of spirits? Why do many experts consider the phrase "global warming" a big marketing mistake? How does climate change disproportionately impact those who can least afford it? Why is a long-term planning horizon essential in the wine industry? What does it mean for a wine to "channel the ineffable truth of a vineyard"? Which rich, complex aromas and flavour notes can you expect from Kutch Pinot Noir 2016? Why do I especially love Sperling Vineyards Speritz Pet-Nat of the various Pet-Nats I've tried? What fascinating long wine history exists in the Judean Hills, Israel? How does Shiloh Secret Reserve Petit Verdot 2018 highlight the diversity and range of the Israeli wine industry? Why is it so important to keep an open mind about wine? How is climate change pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from? How will Crushed help you to broaden your palate? What impact has Brian seen with climate change on Canadian wine? What's Brian's prognosis for the future of the wine industry? Who are the two people Brian would most want to be able to share a bottle of wine with? Which inspirational wine message would Brian put on a billboard? Key Takeaways I loved Brian's practical tips for what we can do, as wine lovers, to help mitigate the impact of climate change. I agree with him that the phrase "global warming" is a big marketing mistake. Global weirding is much better in describing the extreme weather events we're experiencing around the planet. I found Brian's insights into how climate change is pushing the boundaries of where great wine comes from fascinating. About Brian Freedman Brian Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant and beverage consultant, and wine and spirits educator. He regularly contributes to Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Whisky Advocate, and SevenFifty Daily, and has contributed to Travel + Leisure, The Bourbon Review, and more. He also hosted wine and spirit pairing segments on the CNN Airport Network. Freedman has traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States to experience the food, drink, and culture for his work. He lives outside of Philadelphia. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 are going to win a personally signed copy of Brian Freedman's terrific new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink. 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 winners randomly from those who participate. Good luck! Highlights What are Brian's top tips for moving a large wine collection? How did Brian's father help him learn to appreciate wine's nuances? Which favourite childhood dish would Brian now pair with a Napa Cabernet? Which wine jump-started my wine journey? When did Brian realize he wanted to make wine his career? What embarrassing story did Brian's daughter share with her class on the first day of preschool? How does Brian's wife perceive favour differently from most people? What can you expect from Brian's new book, Crushed: How a Changing Climate Is Altering the Way We Drink? How do you continue to make world-class wines in increasingly desert-like conditions? What are Israeli winemakers doing to bring back the whole ecosystem approach? Why did Brian want to write about the issue of climate change? Key Takeaways I appreciated how Brian dug into the less obvious impact of climate change or global weirding on wine from freak spring frosts to a persistent wildfire season. He also helped us understand how those changes are different from what's happening to our food system, especially when winemakers get just once chance each year to get it right. I was fascinated to learn how Israeli winemakers are bringing back a whole ecosystem approach. 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 Brian Freedman Brian Freedman is a wine, spirits, travel, and food writer, restaurant and beverage consultant, and wine and spirits educator. He regularly contributes to Food & Wine, Forbes.com, Whisky Advocate, and SevenFifty Daily, and has contributed to Travel + Leisure, The Bourbon Review, and more. He also hosted wine and spirit pairing segments on the CNN Airport Network. Freedman has traveled extensively throughout the world and the United States to experience the food, drink, and culture for his work. He lives outside of Philadelphia. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 antifreeze scandal in the mid-80s? How has Austria's wine industry transformed for the better since that scandal? Has the Blue Nun brand hurt or helped the German wine industry? Why do we need to change how we talk about Riesling? What makes Riesling the perfect deserted island wine? Which unique characteristics will you experience from Beuerer wines? How do the qualities of the Beamsville Bench make it particularly well-suited for growing Riesling? What makes Weingut Bianka und Daniel Schmitt's Frei.Körper.Kultur Rosé the perfect summer sipper? What controversial opinion does Valerie hold on wine experts? Which defining aromas does Valerie associate with her childhood? How would Valerie now pair one of her favourite childhood food with wine? Why are wine glasses Valerie's favourite wine gadgets? What are Valerie's favourite wine books? What was the vision behind creating TRINK Magazine? Key Takeaways I agree with Valerie that we need to change the way we talk about Riesling. It's so versatile in style, taste, and food pairing potential. It doesn't deserve to be pigeonholed into outdated stereotypes. I was interested in her insights on how Austrian and German wines have transformed in recent years. I love her tips on how German-speaking wines, especially with their acidity and salinity, give energy to their taste and help them pair well with food. 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 Valerie Kathawala Valerie Kathawala is a freelance journalist focused on the wines of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, with a particular interest in biodynamics. She's a lifelong student of German culture and language and has lived and worked in both Germany and Austria. She crossed over from translation and editorial work at the United Nations to writing about "German-speaking wines" and hasn't looked back since. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 time of the Iraq War? How did Valerie's interest in language - German in particular - develop? What was the catalyst for Valerie to start her wine journey? How did Valerie's lifelong love of storytelling and writing show up before her wine career? What made a writing trip to visit Rudi Tossen in the Mosel region of Germany the highlight of Valerie's wine career so far? What was the most painful mistake of Valerie's wine career so far? How does Valerie find the balance between connecting with people to get the story while asking the hard questions? What is biodynamic winemaking and why is it particularly important for viticulture? How do biodynamic practices offer some protection against climate change? What are some common misconceptions about biodynamics? Why is biodynamic farming an empowering tool for growers? Where did biodynamic viticulture come from? What are the characteristics of German-speaking wines? How do you know when you have a great story? What was Valerie surprised to learn about the natural wine scene in the Mosel? What's the difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine? Which German estate played an important role in the resistance movement during World War II? How did a labour scandal spotlight poor practices in the natural wine industry? Key Takeaways I loved how she described German-speaking wines as sharing a certain mindset, tradition and values, grape varieties, winemaking approaches, geography, and climate. I agree with her that biodynamic winemaking provides an excellent framework for wine growers to keep vines in equilibrium to stay healthy. Her explanation of the differences between natural wine and biodynamic wine was insightful. 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 Valerie Kathawala Valerie Kathawala is a freelance journalist focused on the wines of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, with a particular interest in biodynamics. She's a lifelong student of German culture and language and has lived and worked in both Germany and Austria. She crossed over from translation and editorial work at the United Nations to writing about "German-speaking wines" and hasn't looked back since. To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/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 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.