Unreserved Wine Talk

Are you curious about how a wine brand breaks through in a new market? Why is the wine category one of the most difficult to offer a great price/quality ratio? What unique challenges do women winemakers face in the industry?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Beth Liston, a rebel winemaker from California who’s just launched a new wine called Longshot.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Beth’s interest in restoring vintage cars get started? When did Beth realize she wanted to become a winemaker? Which valuable lessons did Beth learn from working a harvest in South Australia? What’s the most exciting aspect of being a winemaker? What does it mean to find your voice as a winemaker? What was the concept behind the creation of Longshot/Dark Horse wine? Why is it particularly difficult to maximize wine’s price-quality ratio? How do the techniques used in making Longshot/Dark Horse help them to stand out in their category? What has Beth learned from her experimentation with blending grapes? How does Beth translate inspiration from trends in cocktails and beer into winemaking? What are the biggest trends currently dominating the drink industry? How can you identify thiols when tasting wine? What tasting experience can you expect from Longshot/Dark Horse Pinot Noir and Chardonnay? Which food pairings should you try with Longshot/Dark Horse Pinot Noir? What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a winemaker? How does Beth navigate the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field?   Key Takeaways My MBA brain loves the back story of how a new wine brand breaks into a new market. So many factors are at play from the product itself and packaging to getting consumers to try the wine and building loyalty through repeat purchases. The wine category is one of the most difficult to offer a great price/quality ratio given the vagaries of weather from year to year. As Beth notes, it’s an agricultural product, unlike say breakfast cereal where you can control production. It’s also capital intensive, from having to age wine so you're tying up your cash flow, to the substantial investment in equipment, from presses to bottling lines. And finally, I admire her approach to building credibility in the industry as a woman and as a winemaker, regardless of gender. It takes perseverance, a love of change and adaptability and a willingness to get down in the trenches, or should we say the cellar, and learn the job from the ground up.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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 Beth Liston Beth Liston discovered her interest in wine while growing up on California’s Central Coast. During college, she worked in a local tasting room, developing a fascination for both the art and science that goes into making great wines.   Beth earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a minor in Wine and Viticulture from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo. After graduating, she completed graduate work in oenology and worked in wine sales in Austin, Texas before setting her sights on winemaking.   With more than a decade of harvests behind her, Beth has acquired diverse winemaking experiences from the Limestone Coast of South Australia to Napa Valley.   She’s now the Director of Winemaking for Dark Horse wines in Modesto, in California’s Central Valley. Outside of work, Beth enjoys spending time with her husband, Daniel, and their two sons, relaxing with yoga and travelling to explore new cultures through food and wine. She joins us now from Modesto, California.       To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/160.

How did the Cosmopolitan become an iconic cocktail on the TV show Sex and the City? Did you know an illegal shipment of Champagne revolutionized the entire industry? Which women are responsible for America's increase in scotch and bourbon consumption after Prohibition?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Mallory O'Meara, the author of the just-published Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did the Cosmopolitan become the signature drink of Sex and the City? Which next-level Cosmo should you try for your next cocktail? What’s the connection between Carrie Bradshaw and the oversized wine glasses we now see everywhere on TV? What’s the strong female history behind the drinks we now think of as categorically masculine? How did Bessie Williamson and Margie Samuels revolutionize the scotch, whiskey and bourbon markets in America after Prohibition? What role did Veuve Clicquot’s kitchen play in transforming the way Champagne is made? How did Veuve Clicquot and Louise Pommery completely change the Champagne market? Which drink does Mallory prefer while writing? Why is a daiquiri Mallory’s favourite cocktail? What are Mallory’s least favourite drinks? How did Mallory first get into wine? What impact does Mallory hope Girly Drinks will have? How has book and author culture adapted to Covid? What’s the last great book Mallory read? Whose interesting story got left on the cutting room floor?   My Tips for Navigating Wine During the Holiday Season How should you think about which wines to pair with Christmas dinner? Which wines will make great additions to your cocktail party? How can you pick the right wines for every gifting occasion?   Key Takeaways I loved the story behind how the Cosmopolitan became an iconic cocktail on the TV show Sex and the City, especially since I loved that show when it first came out and am now gobbling up every episode of the new reboot. There are so many parallels in other industries: you may not be able to afford the multi-thousand dollar Versace outfit on the runway, but maybe you can buy the perfume. The Cosmo was and is an aspirational drink for many women and some men and non-binaries too. Veuve Clicquot is a classic kick-ass woman’s story, from getting through the Napoleonic blockades to selling her jewelry to fund the business. I loved hearing about swash-buckling women responsible for America's increase in scotch and bourbon consumption after Prohibition.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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 Mallory O'Meara Mallory is an award-winning and best-selling author and historian. She lives with her two cats in the mountains near Los Angeles, where she is at work on her next nonfiction book. Bourbon is her drink of choice.   Her first book, The Lady From The Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick, is a Los Angeles Times bestseller. It won the 2019 SCIBA Award for Biography, the Rondo 2019 Book of the Year and was nominated for the Hugo and Locus awards. Her second book, Girly Drinks: A Feminist History of Women and Alcohol, was just released.   Every week, Mallory hosts the literary podcast Reading Glasses alongside filmmaker and writer Brea Grant. The show is hosted by Maximum Fun and focuses on book culture and reader life.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/159.

Did you know that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has her own, private wine club and that it was used against her to bring down her empire? Are you curious about the first people to make beer? They were women called alewives, but the church didn’t like that. Did you know that the first bars were created for women?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Mallory O'Meara, the author of the just-published Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Mallory’s thirst for knowledge take her from filmmaker to writer? What has been the best moment in Mallory’s wine career so far? What was it like writing about world history during lockdowns and the pandemic? Why were libraries so important in Mallory’s research for Girly Drinks? What can you expect from Girly Drinks? How did Mallory’s curiosity lead her to write Girly Drinks? Why did Mallory decide to put so much research into the writing of Girly Drinks? What is a micro-history? How does Girly Drinks take you on a journey from the beginning of civilization to the present day? What was Cleopatra’s connection to wine and what surprising role did it play in her downfall? How did the social stigma associated with women who drink begin? What important role did alewives play for a significant time in our history? What role did the nun Hildegard of Bingen early church play in the shifting attitudes toward women and alcohol? How did the nun Hildegard of Bingen revolutionize the beer industry? How did Catherine the Great harness the people’s love of vodka in her rise to Empress? Why were bars originally a marker of feminized drinking? What made Gertrude "Cleo" Lythgoe the most successful bootlegger during Prohibition? What was Ada Coleman’s impact on cocktails as the first female celebrity bartender?   Key Takeaways I was surprised to learn that the first known depiction of someone drinking was a woman, but not so surprised that men thought she was playing a horn from the wrong end. I love the story about Cleopatra’s drinking club with Mark Antony called the inimitable livers and her intoxication ring. I need to get one of those. It’s fascinating how the gendered perceptions of alcohol consumption was used against her to bring down her empire. It was also interesting to discover that women made most of the alcohol back in the day from beer to wine as it was considered a domestic art. Again, not surprised that the church cast alewives cauldrons and brooms as symbols for witches.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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 Mallory O'Meara Mallory is an award-winning and best-selling author and historian. She lives with her two cats in the mountains near Los Angeles, where she is at work on her next nonfiction book. Bourbon is her drink of choice. Her first book, The Lady From The Black Lagoon: Hollywood Monsters and the Lost Legacy of Milicent Patrick, is a Los Angeles Times bestseller. It won the 2019 SCIBA Award for Biography, the Rondo 2019 Book of the Year and was nominated for the Hugo and Locus awards. Her second book, Girly Drinks: A Feminist History of Women and Alcohol, was just released. Every week, Mallory hosts the literary podcast Reading Glasses alongside filmmaker and writer Brea Grant. The show is hosted by Maximum Fun and focuses on book culture and reader life.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/158.  

What's it like to experience a piece of Dom Pérignon history? Has the legendary California Chardonnay Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay held up in the years since the Judgement of Paris? How can you pair wine with your Zodiac sign? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer, Gina Birch and broadcaster Julie Glenn, hosts of the Grape Minds podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What makes Spain a great destination for wine lovers? How did Julie finally become a Lambrusco fan? Has the legendary Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay held up in the years since the Judgement of Paris? What can you learn through comparative tastings? What was it like to experience the history of Dom Pérignon through St. Hilaire Abbey in Limoux? How can you pair wine with your zodiac sign? Which controversial Grape Minds interview almost didn’t make it to air? How has cancer affected Julie's experience with wine? What are my favourite Pinot Noirs? Why does Julie believe consolidation of the wine industry is bad for wine? How can you pair your favourite childhood foods with wine? What are Gina and Julie's go-to wine books? Which of Gina and Julie's favourite wine gadgets should you try? How long should you save "special" wines?   Key Takeaways I loved Gina’s story about experiencing a piece of Dom Pérignon history. That’s the magical connection between wine and place. I’m impressed that the legendary California Chardonnay Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay held up in the years since the Judgement of Paris. I enjoyed Julie pairing wine with your Zodiac sign. It’s uncanny that she picked Pinot Noir for Libras even before we met. As you know, it’s my go-to vino.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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 Gina Birch and Julie Glenn Gina Birch grew up in Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and public relations from Troy University, in Alabama. Her first job was in radio news, which eventually led her to Fort Myers, Florida, where she hosted a top-rated morning show for almost 15 years. She also started writing about food, wine, spirits and travel for USA Today, the Napa Register and the Fort Myers News-Press. Julie Glenn earned her Master’s degree in communication from the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piedmont, Italy and is fluent in Italian. She also has an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Missouri. She began her broadcasting career as a reporter/anchor/producer for both CBS and NBC affiliates. Before becoming the News Director at WGCU, the NPR affiliate for southwest Florida, Julie was the regular wine columnist for the Naples Daily News. Gina and Julie had been friends for years and together they created Grape Minds, a wine podcast that’s also broadcasted on NPR. They talk about the people, culture, and history behind the wines, as well as wine travel and food pairings. They’ve also interviewed some of the best-known people in the wine world and as they note, have only destroyed one soundboard while tasting in the studio.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/157.

Are you curious about slow food and wine? What's special about the Alto Adige region of Italy? Why should you consider Portugal and Dubai for your next wine-fueled trip? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer, Gina Birch and broadcaster Julie Glen, hosts of the Grape Minds podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Gina and Julie first meet? What is it about Gina and Julie's styles that complement each other in their work? What is a "ride with" in the wine industry? What was Gina's most memorable "ride with" experience? Which California-based faux pas left Julie mortified on a "ride with" with an important producer? What's Julie's approach to talking about wines she doesn’t like? Which embarrassing lesson did Julie learn about Pinot Grigio while living in Italy? What makes the Naples Winter Wine Festival a unique and extraordinary experience? Who were some of Gina and Julie's favourite interviewees at the Naples Winter Wine Festival? What can you expect from a visit to the Alto Adige region in Italy? Which wines first tempted Julie and Gina to go deeper into the world of wine? What's the worst food and wine pairing that Gina has tried? Why did a seven-course Champagne dinner leave a lasting impression on Julie? What great, casual foods should you try pairing with Champagne? What brought Julie to her studies in Italy? Which chance encounter led to Julie meeting her husband in Italy? Why should you add Portugal to your must-visit list as a wine lover What was it like to attend the Expo 2020 World Expo in Dubai? Does Dubai have a big wine scene?   Key Takeaways I loved learning more about the Alto Adige region of Italy, and Julie's story about Pinot Grigio. I'm adding those wines to my shopping list. I'm fascinated with Dubai and what it would be like to visit that city. I'll put that one on my bucket list. I agree that wine is both subjective like art and at times embarrassing, and we can learn so much if we open ourselves up to those experiences.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I'll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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 Gina Birch and Julie Glenn Gina Birch grew up in Florida, and earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and public relations from Troy University, in Alabama. Her first job was in radio news, which eventually led her to Fort Myers, Florida, where she hosted a top-rated morning show for almost 15 years. She also started writing about food, wine, spirits and travel for USA Today, the Napa Register and the Fort Myers News-Press. Julie Glenn earned her Master's degree in communication from the Slow Food University of Gastronomic Sciences in Piedmont, Italy and is fluent in Italian. She also has an undergraduate degree in Mass Communication from the University of Missouri. She began her broadcasting career as a reporter/anchor/producer for both CBS and NBC affiliates. Before becoming the News Director at WGCU, the NPR affiliate for southwest Florida, Julie was the regular wine columnist for the Naples Daily News. Gina and Julie had been friends for years and together they created Grape Minds, a wine podcast that’s also broadcasted on NPR. They talk about the people, culture, and history behind the wines, as well as wine travel and food pairings. They've also interviewed some of the best-known people in the wine world and as they note, have only destroyed one soundboard while tasting in the studio.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/156.

What’s all the fuss about Beaujolais Nouveau on the third Thursday of every November? Should you stay up until midnight to taste the new release? How is Beaujolais Nouveau different from the Beaujolais Cru wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm going solo to answer those questions and share more wine tips on Beaujolais Nouveau. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights When is Beaujolais Nouveau released? How has Beaujolais Nouveau’s popularity spread? Why did the Duke of Burgundy order a purge of Gamay grapes? Should you save a bottle of Beaujolais Nouveau for your cellar? What do you need to know about the different types of Beaujolais Nouveau? Which Beaujolais Nouveau labels should you try? Are Nouveau-style wines produced outside of Beaujolais?   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/155.

What do great books and great wine have in common? Why does it feel like the wine changes when you taste the same vintage years later, apart from it maturing (and possibly you as well)? How can you pair books and bottles? How can you organize an informal wine tasting with friends or your book club? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sam Hiyate on his podcast, Agent Provocateur. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Which Niagara wine pairs well with haunting books that stay with you long after you finish them? Why don’t I recommend The Handmaid’s Tale wines? How can you pair Nasty Woman wines? Which bottle would I bring on a boat with a tiger? What can you learn from revisiting old bottles and books you loved? Why should you host a wine tasting party or wine club? How can you maximize your budget and selection for a wine tasting? What are my best tips for creating the guestlist for your wine tasting? How can you help your guests drink in moderation at a tasting party? What are horizontal and vertical tastings? What types of themes can you try at your wine tasting? What’s involved in a blind tasting? Which type of stemware works best for multiple types of wines? How can you prepare appropriately for expectoration? Which characteristics should you look for when tasting wine? What’s the best technique to use for tasting wine?   About Sam Hiyate Sam Hiyate worked at the literary magazines, Blood & Aphorisms and The Quarterly, in the 90s. He ran the edgy micropublisher, Gutter Press, from 1993 to 2002, as publisher. He launched the literary division of The Lavin Agency in 2003, where he built a list of clients and did his first deals. Sam’s projects for the agency have been in various categories, including memoir, literary and commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction and graphic novels. He’s looking for works of all categories with distinct and compelling voices. He loved to discover and help new writers prepare their works for the market, and to help them build a career with their talent.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/154.

What are my top tips for choosing a bottle from a long restaurant wine list? What are the best wines to pair with extremely rich dishes like poutine? What would surprise you about the Niagara-on-the-Lake wine region and why should you visit? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Scott Greenberg, on his podcast, The Vine Guy. He also hosts the “Wine of the Week” show on WTOP radio in Washington, DC. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How have I incorporated my love of tech into my wine career? What are the advantages to you of learning about food and wine online? What will you learn in my online food and wine pairing classes? How has the pandemic impacted my food and wine pairing classes? How can you use my butter or lemon trick for each food and wine pairing? Why is food and wine pairing something you should pay attention to? How can you comfortably navigate intimidating restaurant wine lists? What’s the weirdest food and wine pairing I’ve ever had? Which wines should you try the next time you’re looking for a poutine pairing? How do the tasting experiences with La Crema Pinot Noir and Hidden Valley Pinot Noir compare? Why should you make a plan to visit Niagara-on-the-Lake? Why is the Veuve Clicquot at the top of my list of people across time that I’d like to share a bottle with?   About Scott Greenberg Scott Greenberg, also known as “The Vine Guy”, is the host of the “Wine of the Week” show on WTOP radio in Washington, DC and the Vine Guy Podcast. Scott started his career in wine journalism as the syndicated wine columnist for the Washington Journal Newspaper and continues to contribute to Tasting Panel Magazine. He’s also hosted numerous wine tastings, judged wine competitions and has taught a course on North American Wineries for the Smithsonian Associates program in Washington. Scott is To Kalon Vineyard Specialist and Italian Wine Scholar. He recently relocated from Maryland to Park City, Utah, where he lives with his wife, Cindy, and a rescue dog named Frankie.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/153.

What is it like to make wine totally by hand, without electricity? What is a field blend and why should you try one? What’s the most difficult part of writing a memoir? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rachel Signer, who has just published a gripping, addictive memoir, You Had Me at Pet-Nat. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Why did Rachel start Pipette Magazine? How has the wine community responded to Pipette? How did Rachel stay eco-friendly while producing a print magazine? What is a Pet-Nat? What is the tasting experience like for Rachel’s 2020 Pet-Nat? What’s it like to make wine totally by hand? Which types of food pair well with Pet-Nats? What goes into a field blend? Are natural wines and raw wines one and the same? What can you expect to read about in Rachel’s memoir, You Had Me At Pet-Nat? Why is it hard to write a memoir compared to fiction? What lessons did Rachel learn through writing her book? How did Rachel find the process of finding a publisher for her book? What’s it like to promote a new book during a pandemic? Why is Rachel excited about Canlibero Pink Freud?   Key Takeaways I admire how Rachel and her husband have tried to be as low-intervention as possible when making wine, even to the point of working the press by hand and not with electricity. I’ve always loved the complexity and taste of field blends. I hope you’ll seek them out for your sipping pleasure. I so relate with Rachel that writing about those you love is the most difficult part of writing a memoir, as I continue to edit my own manuscript.   Watch Party Join me for the debut Watch Party of the video of this conversation that I’ll be live-streaming for the very first time on Zoom on Wednesday, November 24th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_tewg8-WtS12gq6YygSQ1lg. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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?   Giveaway You could win a one-year subscription to Pipette Magazine, a gorgeously illustrated magazine about natural wines.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of the posts on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn before 7 pm EDT on November 17th. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate. You get a bonus entry for every wine-loving friend you tag and if you re-share this post in your stories. Good luck!   About Rachel Signer Rachel Signer is a wine writer originally from Virginia, now living in South Australia. She’s written for numerous publications, including The Guardian, Vogue and Eater. She’s also the publisher and founder of Pipette Magazine, an independent magazine about natural wines sold in over twenty countries. She makes natural wines with her husband in the Adelaide Hills under the labels Lucy M and Persephone Wines. Her fabulous memoir, You Had Me at Pet-Nat, has just been published by Hachette Books.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/152.

How are natural wines different from raw or clean wines? Why do natural wines provoke furious debates in the wine world? Why will you want to read our guest’s new memoir that’s hot off the press (pun intended)? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rachel Signer, who has just published a gripping, addictive memoir, You Had Me at Pet-Nat. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did a trip to the Loire Valley give Rachel the impetus to start her magazine? What was it like to meet one of the most famous natural winemakers, Nicolas Joly? What role does sulphur play in winemaking? How does ageing differ for a no-sulphur-added wine? Why was living in Spain a life-changing experience for Rachel? Do you need formal training to be a serious wine professional? What is Rachel’s approach to wine self-education? What are Rachel’s top tips for getting the most out of your visit to a wine region? Why does natural wine provoke such strong debates in the wine world? How is Rachel helping bring new people into the world the natural wine? What makes the natural wine world a movement and a culture? Which criteria does Rachel use for natural wine in her magazine? How did a wild bus ride on a Georgian wine trip lead to Rachel meeting her winemaker husband? Why aren’t Rachel’s wines certified organic? Why does Rachel always have her copy of Ernest Hemingway’s memoir with her?   Key Takeaways I usually summarize my take-aways, but today I’m going to share some reviews of Rachel’s new memoir with you as I recommend it highly: "From Paris to Australia, Signer takes us on a gripping journey to reclaim her sense of self through the medium of the natural wine she loves so much. You Had Me at Pét-Nat is a reminder of the importance of rebirth, the restorative power of love, and the invigorating gifts of nature. A must read for bon vivants and explorers alike." — Victoria James, author of Wine Girl: The Obstacles, Humiliations, and Triumphs of America's Youngest Sommelier "I lean more toward Champagne than Pét-Nat, but Rachel Signer’s addictive memoir drew me deep into the world of natural wine and into the company of its eccentric, obsessive and hedonistic citizens. Ultimately, though, it is Signer’s personal journey, her search for love and identity, which makes this such a compelling and moving book." —Jay McInerney, author of Bright Lights, Big City and Bacchus and Me: Adventures in the Wine Cellar “Signer… takes readers on a movable feast… In this love letter to not only natural wines but also the community and ethos that sustain them, Signer shares her wine experiences, from working in a restaurant and wine shop to wine journalism and harvesting grapes, emphasizing both the traditions and environmental impact of vineyards and wine production…Her extensive journalistic experience shines through, and readers will learn never to look at a glass of wine again without considering the people pouring their hearts into every bottle.” —Booklist "You Had Me at Pét-Nat was like my favorite bottle of wine; I consumed it in one sitting. Dive head-first into the natural wine world with Rachel Signer to discover why these wines will deepen your pleasure as you meet the witty oddballs who make them. This is also the story of how one woman found healing and love when she finally let go of who she thought she should be and started living fully, wildly alive, as much as the wine in her glass." —Natalie MacLean, author of Red, White, and Drunk All Over and Unquenchable!   Watch Party Join me for the debut Watch Party of the video of this conversation that I’ll be live-streaming for the very first time on Zoom on Wednesday, November 17th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DfbS5Q6zQNC8dKwd_6svuA. I’ll be jumping into the comments as we watch it together so that I can answer your questions in real-time. 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?   Giveaway You could win a one-year subscription to Pipette Magazine, a gorgeously illustrated magazine about natural wines.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of the posts on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn before 7 pm EDT on November 17th. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate. You get a bonus entry for every wine-loving friend you tag and if you re-share this post in your stories. Good luck!   About Rachel Signer Rachel Signer is a wine writer originally from Virginia, now living in South Australia. She’s written for numerous publications, including The Guardian, Vogue and Eater. She’s also the publisher and founder of Pipette Magazine, an independent magazine about natural wines sold in over twenty countries. She makes natural wines with her husband in the Adelaide Hills under the labels Lucy M and Persephone Wines. Her fabulous memoir, You Had Me at Pet-Nat, has just been published by Hachette Books.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/151.