Unreserved Wine Talk

When can wine faults actually improve the taste of wine? Does learning about wine decrease your enjoyment of it? Can wine experts really distinguish between different types of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer and educator, Nikki Goddard. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Nikki end up recommending a wine that was a little too close to home for a customer? Which unusual query about palm wine did Nikki receive while working with wine.com? Why should the infamous study showing that wine experts can’t distinguish between red and white wine be taken with a grain of salt? What did Nikki learn from a blind tasting experiment she did with her non-expert friends? Can learning about wine decrease your enjoyment of it? What makes the wine world seem so intimidating? When can wine faults actually improve the taste of wine? Which lesser-known wine regions should you try to experience?   Key Takeaways I like Nikki’s fresh take on how some wine faults may be desirable, and even improve the taste of a wine, or at least, be part of its character rather than a flaw. I love her story about tasting Domaine de la Romanee-Conti as a way of showing how much our expectations and knowledge of wine influence our taste and perception of it. I have to thank Nikki for finally debunking those super annoying studies that say wine experts are easily fooled when the methodology behind is as misleading as the clickbait headlines.   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, August 11th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_AifT0HiBS_inZ8L8NToJ3A. 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 can win an exclusive online tasting with Nikki Goddard. Of course, you can invite friends or family to attend. She'll select a theme that suits you and let you know which wines you can buy in advance.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on my post on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn before 7 pm EDT on August 18th. 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 Nikki Goddard Nikki Goddard is a Bay Area wine writer and educator. With over 14 years of wine industry experience, Nikki has written for a wide range of companies and publications including JancisRobinson.com, Vivino, Delectable, Wine Folly, SommSelect, The Spruce Eats, Dry Farm Wines, Liquor.com, Foley Family Wines, Edible East Bay, Beverage Industry News, and more. She is certified through the Wine and Spirits Education Trust at the Diploma level and has taught courses for levels 2 and 3. Nikki worked for several years as a wine buyer and previously co-owned The Barrel Room, a wine bar in San Francisco. Nikki fell in love with wine while studying Textiles and Apparel at Cornell University. Beguiled by the wines of the Finger Lakes and realizing that she had a greater affinity for the laid-back, epicurean lifestyle of an oenophile than for the cut-throat fashion industry, she decided to make wine her life’s career. The more Nikki shared her passion for wine with her friends, the more she became aware of a serious lack of approachable, engaging discussion around the subject—resulting in a lot of intimidation around what should be one of life's greatest pleasures. To make wine more accessible and fun for all, she has committed herself to bridging the gap between knowledge and enjoyment.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/140.

Why did I resist scoring wines for the first three years I wrote about them? How do you go from submitting an article to a local publication to publishing your first book? Why aren't press trips to wine regions all they're cracked up to be? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Vanessa Conlin on the Wine Access Author Series. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did I go from writing an article for a local publication to publishing my first book? Why do stories make such a great medium for you to learn about wine? How did I get access to prestigious vineyards and wineries while researching my first book? What’s it like to interview A-listers in the wine world like Robert Parker and Jancis Robinson? How can you choose the right wine critic for you to follow? What’s it like working undercover in a wine store and as a restaurant sommelier? Which undercover moment transformed my understanding of service? Which wine regions am I looking forward to experiencing? Who are some of the most fun and interesting people I’ve interviewed so far? Why do I avoid going on press trips? What types of stories can you look forward to in my upcoming book? Which tip can you use to find great bargain wines? How can food and wine pairing help you to get more comfortable with wine? Which food is the most difficult to pair with wine? What type of wine is the easiest to pair with a wide range of foods? Do you need to be an expert to enjoy wine?   About Vanessa Conlin MW Vanessa Conlin MW is the Head of Wine for Wine Access, a national direct-to-consumer e-com wine retailer where she oversees all wine curation and wine content. Vanessa has served as the Director of Sales and Marketing for several of Napa’s most prestigious luxury estates including Arietta Wines and Dana Estates. Previously she was the wine buyer for two prominent Manhattan wine retailers and the Wine Director for a Manhattan-based wine bar. As an avid supporter of charitable causes, Vanessa is the President of the Board for Jameson Humane, a Napa Valley-based animal rescue and sanctuary, and has chaired the organization’s annual charity wine auction four times, raising over 7 million dollars. Prior to falling in love with wine, Vanessa worked as a professional musician, performing internationally and on Broadway, and holds a Master’s Degree in Music. She is an instructor for the Wine and Spirits Education Trust and was the recipient of the Niki Singer Memorial Scholarship from the International Wine Center. Vanessa became a Master of Wine in 2020.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/139.

What's it like to explore Paris by visiting different wine bars? How do you know which company to choose for guided tours? What do you need to know before buying wine from a wine list, whether you’re at a restaurant or a wine bar? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Tanisha Townsend, Chief Wine Officer of lifestyle agency Girl Meets Glass. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What’s it like taking a wine tour in Paris? How does Tanisha introduce her clients to hidden gems in Paris? What do you need to know before buying wine from a restaurant wine list? Why does Tanisha especially love the wines of the southern Rhône? What key features should you look for when choosing a tour guide/company? Which Paris-based TV shows and movies should you check out? What makes wine bars the perfect avenue for exploring a new city? How does the terroir impact the tasting profile of Jacques Lurton wines? Which wine books does Tanisha recommend?   Key Takeaways I love the idea of exploring Paris, or any city, by taking a walking tour of its wine bars. This allows you to sample so much more in terms of food, drink, neighbourhoods and conversation than committing to a three-hour restaurant meal. I thought Tanisha’s tips on how to choose a company to choose for guided tours were excellent. You want someone who can show you the hidden gems off the tourist track, the haunts that you wouldn’t discover for yourself. She also had great advice on how to choose from a wine list, whether you’re at a restaurant or a wine bar, as well as pairing French wines with food.   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, July 28th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JrowE0owTjSiFfnZdQYORQ.. 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?   About Tanisha Townsend Tanisha Townsend is Chief Wine Officer of lifestyle agency Girl Meets Glass. She leads wine classes and tours in Paris as well as online. She also hosts the podcast, Wine School Dropout. Her goal is to empower people with an advanced knowledge of wine and spirits to build confidence in their tastes and make choices when buying wine.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/138.

What's it like to uproot your life in North America and move to Paris? What’s the connection between forensic science and wine? What influence has hip-hop music had on wine culture? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Tanisha Townsend, Chief Wine Officer of lifestyle agency Girl Meets Glass. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Is milk a good alternative to wine? How did a trip to Burgundy change Tanisha’s life? What’s one thing Tanisha would do differently in her early career if she could go back? How did Tanisha gain her confidence as a wine professional? What about Tanisha’s background in computer forensics connected her to wine? What role are NFTs playing in the wine world? Why did Tanisha decide to uproot her life and move to Paris? What’s it like teaching French people about wine as an American woman? How has hip-hop music influenced the world of wine? What culture shifts did Tanisha have to adjust to with life in Paris?   Key Takeaways I loved listening to Tanisha’s story about uprooting her life in the US and moving to Paris. I think it’s a dream many of us have. She had such confidence and boldness though to make the move. I’m fascinated with the connection between forensic science and wine, and particularly how the new non-fungible tokens will soon play a role in detecting wine fraud. We’ll have to dive into that in more depth in a future episode. I thought Tanisha had great insights on the influence that hip-hop music has had on wine culture, particularly when it comes to celebrity wines.   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, July 21st at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. 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?   About Tanisha Townsend Tanisha Townsend is Chief Wine Officer of lifestyle agency Girl Meets Glass. She leads wine classes and tours in Paris as well as online. She also hosts the podcast, Wine School Dropout. Her goal is to empower people with an advanced knowledge of wine and spirits to build confidence in their tastes and make choices when buying wine.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/137.

What would it be like to visit the most gorgeous wine regions around the world, and get paid to do it? How does the fast-paced schedule of a wine and travel writer impact physical and mental health? How can you pair sweet desserts with wine? What specific impact does sweetness in food have on wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with New York wine and spirits journalist, Céline Bossart. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What’s it like to visit exciting new destinations around the world on press trips? How does the fast-paced schedule of a wine and travel writer impact your physical and mental health? What was Céline’s best wine-related travel experience? How can you improve your wine tasting skills? What rule of thumb should you keep in mind when it comes to wine advice? How can you pair sweet desserts with wine? Why does Céline like to play around with liqueurs? What would Céline be doing if she wasn’t in the wine and spirits industry?   Key Takeaways I loved listening to Céline's stories about traveling to the most gorgeous wine regions around the world. She was so open both about the perks and the challenges of her life, particularly when it comes to physical and mental health. She had some great tips on pairing desserts with wine, based on the drying effect that sweetness in food has on wine. I also enjoyed her tasting tips including not making swirling wine a full-bodied motion.   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, July 14th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. 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?   About Céline Bossart Céline Bossart is a New York-based freelance writer, editor, photographer, and digital media specialist in the wine and spirits spaces, and particularly their socio-political dynamics. She’s been published in Eater, Wine Enthusiast, Billboard, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, and many more. In her spare time, Céline enjoys drinking wine and binge-watching true crime shows.     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/136.

Are you curious what it would be like to have lavish dinners and wine tastings with rockstars like Jon Bon Jovi and Fergie? How does music impact your perception of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with New York wine and spirits journalist, Céline Bossart. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Why was Céline at an impromptu wine dinner with Jon Bon Jovi How do celebrity/winemaker partnerships work? What socio-political issues were highlighted with Kendall Jenner’s tequila endorsement? What can we learn from Mario Lopez’s agave spirit endorsement? Why was Céline’s interview with Fergie one of her all-time favourites? What is the connection between music and wine? How did Céline end up cycling around vineyards in platform boots? How did New Zealand wine bring Céline to an awesome superyacht experience?   Key Takeaways No matter which celebrity endorses a wine, it’s the winemaker who makes it that matters most. I agree that the person or winery producing the wine should be on the label as well. In some cases like the Miraval brand from southern France, the celebs formerly behind the wine, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie aren’t on the label, but rather the much respected Perrin brothers are. I loved listening to Celine’s stories about meeting Jon Bon Jovi and Fergie. It’s nice to know that they’re decent people too. I’m fascinated with the impact music has on our perception and taste of wine. I plan to explore that more in future episodes.   About Céline Bossart Céline Bossart is a New York-based freelance writer, editor, photographer, and digital media specialist in the wine and spirits spaces, and particularly their socio-political dynamics. She’s been published in Eater, Wine Enthusiast, Billboard, Harper’s Bazaar, Town & Country, and many more. In her spare time, Céline enjoys drinking wine and binge-watching true crime shows.   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, July 7th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. 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?   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/135.

What’s my advice for those considering a wine career? How did my biggest career regret happen before I became a wine writer? How has my father’s alcoholism influenced my relationship with wine? How has the pandemic impacted online wine classes? Can you pair ketchup chips with wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing my interview on the Wine Blast podcast with Susie Barrie & Peter Richards. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Why does Rhône Syrah hold a special place in my memories? What’s my advice for people considering a wine career? How did my biggest career regret happen before I became a wine writer? When was the first major turning point of my career? What do you need to know about the Canadian wine industry? How is global warming affecting Canadian wine producers? Which types of Canadian wines should you try first? What should you expect from Canadian Rieslings? When did wine find its way into my life? How has my father’s alcoholism influenced my relationship with wine? How has the pandemic impacted online wine classes? What makes food and wine pairing so exciting? What’s my top tip for getting started with food and wine pairing? Can you pair ketchup chips with wine? How do you pair wine with your favourite activities? Why did I create the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast? What can you expect from my upcoming third book? How can you start getting more comfortable with wine?   About Susie Barrie and Peter Richards Susie and Peter are Masters of Wine who happen to be married to each other. It’s a strange old household, with a constant soundtrack of clinking bottles and glasses. As TV and radio presenters, event hosts, writers, podcasters, authors and consultants, the pair are renowned for their enthusiastic, thoughtful and articulate style, having been described as, ‘Legends: best in the business’ and ‘What a double act: two stars making a killer constellation.’     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/134.

Which weird food and wine pairings should you add to your must-try list? What makes wines from Oregon and California’s Sierra Foothills special? How can you make sure to do well at a wine auction? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Scott Greenberg, host of both “The Vine Guy” podcast and 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 What’s Scott’s go-to wine for pairing with lamb? Why are foie gras and Sauterne such a classic pairing? Which surprising and delicious Madeira pairing does Scott recommend? How did Scott end up almost trespassing on Domaine Romanée Conti? What did Scott find out on a hilarious cruise ship encounter? What distinguishing characteristics do you find in wines from the Sierra Foothills region? What do you need to know before entering a wine auction? Which aspects of Oregon Pinot Noir make it stand out among the best? Who has the pandemic inspired Scott to share a bottle of wine with?   Key Takeaways I enjoyed the unusual food and wine pairings Scott suggested, and I can’t wait to try several of them. I liked the way Scott differentiated the Pinot Noir from Oregon as well as reds from California’s Sierra Foothills. He also reminds me of the versatility of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. His tips on how to prepare for a wine auction are terrific.   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.   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, June 23rd at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zp-oZCKLRO27bZ-lrr5Z1A. 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?     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/133.

What's it like tasting wines with the legendary wine critic Robert Parker? How does food take wine to the next level? What's it like to have dinner with celebrities of the wine world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine journalist and host of the Vine Guy Podcast, Scott Greenberg. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did a glass of wine at a dinner party change Scott’s life? What have been the top highlights of Scott’s wine career so far? How did a surprising phone call lead to Scott partnering up with Robert Parker? What is Robert Parker’s unique wine tasting process like? Where did the Vine Guy moniker come from? How did an old bottle of Champagne open Scott’s eyes to a whole new world of wine? What differences in taste would you experience in old versus young Champagne? In what ways has wine played a central role for Scott in meeting several fascinating friends? How did Scott’s radio voice get him the opportunity to meet French winemaker Christian Moueix? Why does Scott especially love food and wine pairing?   Key Takeaways Most of us remember a pivotal wine that changed our lives and drinking habits. I enjoyed hearing about Scott’s aha wine at a dinner party. I also liked Scott’s story about tasting with the legendary Robert Parker and a sneak peek at that critic’s unique tasting process. Mature Champagne is a treat worth trying if you haven’t yet.   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.   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, June 16th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. 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?   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/132.

Is food and wine pairing the ultimate goal of every dining experience? Is it okay to tell sommeliers if you don’t like the wine they recommended? What’s it like serving famous captains of industry like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Seattle-based wine writer, educator and sommelier, Zach Geballe. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How can sommeliers help patrons feel comfortable talking about wine? Is successful wine pairing the ultimate goal of every dining experience? Should you tell the sommelier if you don’t like the wine they recommended? What’s it like serving famous captains of industry like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates? How did Zach get started with his private wine classes? Which characteristics should you look for in a wine to pair with oysters? What does saltiness mean as a wine descriptor? What unique wedding ritual did Zach and his wife partake in instead of traditional cake? Which unusual wines did Zach select for an Amazon event he led? How did a trip to Moselle vineyards surpass Zach’s high expectations? What surprised Zach when visiting Parmesan producers in Italy?   Key Takeaways I thought Zach’s tips on pairing crisp, mineraly wines with oysters were spot on, and he should know coming from Seattle where oysters are popular and so very fresh. I agree with Zach that food and wine pairing doesn’t have to be the ultimate goal of every dining experience. Sometimes, you just want to enjoy a wine that you love and a dish that’s your favourite, and the two don’t necessarily go together. My suggestion, take a bit from a bun in between and relax. I was glad to hear Zach say that it’s perfectly fine to tell sommeliers if you don’t like the wine they recommended. They’ve got a personal stake in your enjoying your wine and meal and coming back again.   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, June 9th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. 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?   About Zach Geballe Zach Geballe is a Seattle-based journalist and educator focused on the beverage alcohol industry. He is the co-host and producer of the VinePair podcast as well as the founder of Disgorged Wine, a wine education and events company in Seattle. He is a Certified Sommelier and has over 15 years of restaurant industry experience, most recently as the wine director for Tom Douglas Restaurants in Seattle, Washington.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/131.