Unreserved Wine Talk

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.

What do fortune-telling and wine writing have in common? How does wine culture change when women are part of its founding? Should you believe the health claims about clean wines? Are they really better for you? What are the fairy tales we tell about wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer, Felicity Carter who is the Executive Editor at Pix.wine, a global wine discovery platform based in California. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. 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 3rd 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? Highlights How did Felicity's journey from fortune teller to skeptic show up in her wine career? What was the most important lesson Felicity learned in her time as an astrologer? How can Pix help to simplify your wine buying process? What makes Pix different from other review sites? Why was it important to Felicity for Pix and The Drop to be completely independent? Which experience first gave Felicity confidence in her ability as a wine writer? How did Felicity get exposed by Gordon Ramsay? What gruelling assignment did Felicity have to complete for a food magazine? What's Felicity's involvement in the German Wine Queen competition? When did Felicity first feel the power of the press? What was it like being editor-in-chief of the prestigious Meiningers magazine for over 12 years? Why are wines marketed as gluten-free problematic? Are there health benefits offered by dry-farmed wines? Should you be concerned about the "goopification" of wine? Why are false advertising and fear-mongering in wine marketing so dangerous? What's the problem with the gendered marketing of wine? What can wine retailers learn from the adult toy industry? Which terms, tropes and tales do we overuse as wine writers? Why is Felicity excited about audio for the future of wine communication? Is Amazon going to become a big player in the wine world? Why do so few women own and operate wineries? Why doesn't the fast-food metaphor work for wine? What's Felicity's unpopular opinion about sulphur? Which grown-up wine would Felicity pair with her favourite dish from childhood? What was the weirdest wine pairing Felicity had? Who would Felicity love to share a bottle of wine with? If Felicity had a billboard in downtown San Francisco, what would it say? Which wine does Felicity feel a personal connection with? Why would Felicity want bad wine to be served at her funeral? Key Takeaways The wine industry is long overdue for a shake-up in how we market wine to women, from treating them like cash cows who only enjoy cheap, mommy juice to a diverse group of people who have a range of tastes. Wine culture develops in a profoundly different way when women are part of its founding. My hope is that we can plant those seeds in other pockets of the industry, whether that's new types of wines or ways to appreciate it. Felicity hits hard against the marketers who make spurious health claims about clean wines. She's right that if the wine industry itself doesn't clean up its act, the government will do it for them, the way they did with big tobacco. It's a clarion call not to be ignored. About Felicity Carter Felicity Carter is the Executive Editor at Pix.wine, a global wine discovery platform. She was previously Editor-in-Chief of Meininger's Wine Business International magazine. Her work has appeared in The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Guardian and Decanter, among others. Felicity has a delightfully wide range, having also written about astrology, oil and gas, the funeral industry, and skateboarding for boys. As a romance novel editor, her main editorial note was "this is not physically possible." Before becoming a journalist, Felicity worked as an advertising copywriter in blue-chip agencies, doing creative work for clients such as Qantas, Adobe, MasterCard and more. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/150.

Why are orange wines appealing to beer drinkers? Why does it pay to be promiscuous when shopping for wine? Why is there so much confusion around natural and raw wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Elizabeth Schneider on the Wine For Normal People podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights Why is there so much confusion around natural and raw wine? What is the natural wine movement about? What makes a good celebrity wine? What's the problem with diet and alcohol-free wines? How is global warming affecting the wine world? Are prominent wine regions taking proactive steps to mitigate the effects of climate change? What makes orange wines great for beer drinkers? How has the wine industry evolved from celebrity-type critics to wine influencers and beyond? What do you need to know about finding a good bottle of wine? Is the wine industry dying? Why do Elizabeth and I love a good wine in a box? About Elizabeth Schneider After graduating from Wesleyan University (CT) and starting my career in Boston, Elizabeth quickly realized that her heart was more in her hobby than in her high-tech job. Trips to the wine shop often yielded awesomely poor (but hilarious) results, so Elizabeth and her sister finally took a course at the Boston Center for Adult Education to learn how to taste and appreciate wine. And that kicked it all off. A stint in St. John in the Caribbean to wait tables and just unwind for 8 months (yes, she quit my high-tech corporate job, packed two bags, and hopped on a plane), was followed by a great two years completing my MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where she met M.C. Ice, her podcast partner, and husband) and since then her career has been solely about wine. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/149.

What are the latest trends in wine, from blue wines to raw wines? And should you be drinking them? Why are high-tech and wine a perfect pairing? What's it like behind the scenes of the wine writing industry? How do you recover from devastating professional and personal attacks? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Elizabeth Schneider on the Wine For Normal People podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights What happy accident introduced me to the world of great wines? How did I go from visiting wineries on the weekend to becoming a wine writer? Why do I think wine and tech are a perfect pairing? What was unusual about my journey to publishing my first book? How have I used storytelling as a common theme throughout my work? What's the real story behind the challenges and attacks I faced in 2021? How do Canadian and American wine palates compare? Which Canadian wine region am I most excited about right now? Where can you find the best Canadian Pinot Noir? Why is it so difficult to access Canadian wine in Canada? About Elizabeth Schneider After graduating from Wesleyan University (CT) and starting my career in Boston, Elizabeth quickly realized that her heart was more in her hobby than in her high-tech job. Trips to the wine shop often yielded awesomely poor (but hilarious) results, so Elizabeth and her sister finally took a course at the Boston Center for Adult Education to learn how to taste and appreciate wine. And that kicked it all off. A stint in St. John in the Caribbean to wait tables and just unwind for 8 months (yes, I quit my high-tech corporate job, packed two bags, and hopped on a plane), was followed by a great two years completing my MBA at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (where she met M.C. Ice, her podcast partner, and husband) and since then her career has been solely about wine. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/148.

Are you curious about trendy new wines like pet-nats and piquettes? Which lesser-known Croatian wine should you try? What are comfort wines and what do you pair with them? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kate Dingwall who writes about food and drink for Forbes, Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, Wine Enthusiast, among others. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights How have restaurant wine lists been impacted by the pandemic? Why have many restaurants had to sell off their cellars? What does the increased consumer wine education mean for restaurants? What are pét-nat wines? Why are pét-nat wines a fun, casual option? Which North American pét-nats does Kate recommend? Why should you try Piquette? What's Kate's approach to wine tasting? How can you pair shrimp chips with wine? What's the weirdest food and wine pairing Kate's ever had? Which Croatian wine does Kate believe deserves more attention? What's Kate's favourite wine book? Why would Kate love to share a bottle of wine with Salvador Dali? Which type of wine does Kate identify with the most? What's Kate's top wine tip for you? Key Takeaways Kate gave a great overview of trendy new wines like pet-nats and piquettes. I also enjoyed her take on Croatian wines to try. Restaurant lists and wine service are changing post-pandemic, from a reduced selection from having to sell off their cellars, to more educated consumers who know what they want. I loved her suggestions for weird wine pairings and look forward to trying shrimp chips. 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, September 29th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_PXuKYtdmToC7Kl4z3lLsEQ. 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 Kate Dingwall By day, Kate Dingwall is a seasoned writer and editor covering the intersection between spirits, business, culture and sustainability. By night Kate is a working wine professional. She's a food and beverage business contributor at Forbes.com, the drinks writer at Toronto Life and The Toronto Star, a columnist at The Whiskey Wash, wine writer at MAXIM, and a regular contributor to Liquor.com and The Spruce. Her work also appears in Elle InsideHook, The Spruce, Liquor.com, Toronto Life (print + online), Eater, MAXIM, Canada's 100 Best Restaurants (print + online), Porter Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Foodism (print + online), VinePair, DuJour, CultureTrip, and The Bourbon Review (print). Outside of writing, she finished her Masters of Brand Management program with a thesis on innovation in the American wine world. She spent a large chunk of her career working in New York City and consulting with a variety of beverage and hospitality powerhouses in the realm of brand development. She is currently based in Toronto and is a wine server at one of Canada's top restaurants. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/147.

What's it like biking through the Penedes wine region of Spain? How can you find great Georgian wines without leaving North America? What makes a wine kosher, and why should you try kosher wines even if you're not of the Jewish faith? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kate Dingwall, who writes about food and wine for Forbes, Toronto Life, The Toronto Star, Wine Enthusiast, among others. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights What's it like to spend a week biking through the Penedes region in Spain? What were some of Kate's favourite Cava finds from her trip to Spain? Which important wine lesson did Kate learn in the Languedoc region of France? Which producer should you visit on a trip to the South of France? What types of Georgian dishes did Kate discover that pair well with amber wine? How can you try Georgian wine without leaving North America? Why has orange wine become so popular? How did Kate's passion for wine and spirits organically start her food and drink writing career? Are there commonalities between the fashion and wine industries? What's Kate's take on failure? What would Kate do differently if she were to start over her wine career? How have restaurant patrons' tastes changed since the pandemic? Key Takeaways I loved listening to Kate's adventures biking through the Penedes wine region of Spain, as well as her tips on favourite Cavas, such amazingly great sparkling wines for the price. She also had some great tips on finding Georgian wines in North America. These wines are experiencing such a huge revival. It's worth seeking them out and pairing them with her suggestions. Kate also had some great insights from her trip to southern France as well as a great producer to visit, Gerard Bertrand. 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, September 22nd at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_91B7vKhMSliq77btHvXZBA. 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 Kate Dingwall By day, Kate Dingwall is a seasoned writer and editor covering the intersection between spirits, business, culture and sustainability. By night Kate is a working wine professional. She's a food and beverage business contributor at Forbes.com, the drinks writer at Toronto Life and The Toronto Star, a columnist at The Whiskey Wash, wine writer at MAXIM, and a regular contributor to Liquor.com and The Spruce. Her work also appears in Elle InsideHook, The Spruce, Liquor.com, Toronto Life (print + online), Eater, MAXIM, Canada's 100 Best Restaurants (print + online), Porter Magazine, Wine Enthusiast, Foodism (print + online), VinePair, DuJour, CultureTrip, and The Bourbon Review (print). Outside of writing, she finished her Masters of Brand Management program with a thesis on innovation in the American wine world. She spent a large chunk of her career working in New York City and consulting with a variety of beverage and hospitality powerhouses in the realm of brand development. She is currently based in Toronto and is a wine server at one of Canada's top restaurants. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/146.