Unreserved Wine Talk

What is it about wine that makes it part of many TV shows and movies? How does approaching wine through food make it so much more accessible? What adventures did I go on as a part of writing my books? Why are origin stories so important when it comes to wine? What’s one rule of thumb you can use to find great value wines that taste expensive? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing my interview on the All About Wine podcast with Ron Hunt. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What is it about wine that makes it so popular in the media and pop culture? Why does Ron say my mobile wine app is a must-have for your phone? How did Unreserved Wine Talk end up on a list of top podcasts of 2020? How do I select guests for Unreserved Wine Talk? Why are origin stories so important? Why does approaching wine through food make it so much more accessible? How can you benefit from online wine classes? What do wine lovers want more of as we go through this pandemic? Why should you experiment with wine? What type of journey can you share through reading Red, White, and Drunk All Over? How did I approach writing Unquenchable to help readers with the process of buying wine? What’s one rule of thumb you can use to find value wines that taste expensive? Why did I start my book’s adventures at Domaine Romanée-Conti?   About All About Wine and Ron Hunt All About Wine is a weekly call-in talk show dedicated to the wine industry that's been on the air since 2009. Host Ron Hunt brings his experience and knowledge as a winemaker, cellar master, and vineyardist and tasting expert to the airwaves with special guests from around the world. Always informative and entertaining...it's All About Wine.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/128.

What makes someone a wine influencer? Why is there so much uproar in the wine industry about celebrity wines and influencers? How did heavy drinking become such an entrenched part of the wine industry? Do you sometimes feel you drink too much wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Devin Parr, Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What makes someone a wine influencer? Why is there such frustration towards wine influencers from the traditional wine community? How can we bring a sense of inclusion to the wine community? What would Devin like to see from wine influencers? How can wine brands improve their relationships with influencers? Why is awareness such a critical part of marketing? Do we drink too much in the wine business? What's it like doing wine press tours? How did such a heavy drinking culture develop as “the way we do business”? What is Devin’s opinion on mommy wine memes?   Key Takeaways I agree with Devin that an influencer is anyone who actually influences opinion on wine, not just those with official certifications. There’s a role for many voices, particularly in the wine industry. She makes such a great point: we don't drink wine in a vacuum. Wine is part of our broader lifestyle. I just wish more media trips would incorporate that … it’s why I stopped going on them altogether. And yes there have been times when I know I’ve consumed too much wine, though usually, this has been at home not at an industry event, thank goodness. But I think it’s something the wine industry needs to address more openly as do we all who love wine and want to keep it a part of our lives.   About Devin Parr Devin Parr is the Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates, a PR, marketing and content agency for the beverage, travel, and tourism space. She holds a level 3 WSET certificate and in 2017, was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. She's written for Bottlenotes, WineCountry.com, NapaValley.com, Sonoma.com, The Plum, The Gourmet Insider, and others, including her own popular blog. Devin earned her B.A. in Political Science and Economics at UC San Diego and she joins us now from her home in Southern California.   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, May 5th 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?   Giveaway You can also win one of two tickets to an exclusive virtual wine tasting led by Devin Parr that also includes two bottles of premium California wines that’ll be shipped directly to your home. These tickets are priced at $135 each and enable up to 6 participants per household to participate. We’ll be giving away two tickets, one to each of two different winners.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of these posts before 7 pm EDT on May 5th: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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!   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/127.

How did Cameron Diaz’s new clean wine brand cause an uproar in the wine world? Where does wine fit into the wellness world? Which low alcohol and alcohol-free wines are worth trying? Should wine labels have ingredient lists? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Devin Parr, Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did a wine sales call end with Devin being mistaken for an FBI agent? Why did an embarrassing conversation with a customer renew Devin’s interest in geography? Why should you be fearless when tasting and talking about wine? What incredible experiences did Devin have while studying wine in Italy? How did Bill Buford inspire Devin to move to Italy? What is clean wine? How did Cameron Diaz’s wine brand cause an uproar in the wine world? How has the wine industry unwittingly given marketers an advantage? Where does wine fit into the wellness world? Which low alcohol and alcohol-free wines are worth trying? Should wine labels have ingredient lists? Why is the traditional wine industry so resistant to non-expert consumer opinions?   Key Takeaways I enjoyed Devin’s take on clean wine, and why Cameron Diaz’s new brand caused such an uproar in the wine world. I think a definition would help, but that’s probably difficult to do given how the definitions of organic and biodynamic wines differ so greatly. I think wine can fit with wellness and a blanched life, without becoming a gimmicky or misguided marketing tactic that positions it as some sort of health drink. I’m going to search for the low alcohol and alcohol-free wines that Devin thinks are worth trying. I think wines should be more transparent about ingredients, using a QR code on the label that can be scanned to more details on the winery’s website so that this can change from year to year and not become so burdensome on the winery with packaging changes every vintage.   About Devin Parr Devin Parr is the Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates, a PR, marketing and content agency for the beverage, travel, and tourism space. She holds a level 3 WSET certificate and in 2017, was named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine's Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers. She's written for Bottlenotes, WineCountry.com, NapaValley.com, Sonoma.com, The Plum, The Gourmet Insider, and others, including her own popular blog. Devin earned her B.A. in Political Science and Economics at UC San Diego and she joins us now from her home in Southern California.   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, April 28th 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?   Giveaway You can also win one of two tickets to an exclusive virtual wine tasting led by Devin Parr that also includes two bottles of premium California wines that’ll be shipped directly to your home. These tickets are priced at $135 each and enable up to 6 participants per household to participate. We’ll be giving away two tickets, one to each of two different winners.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of my giveaway posts on either Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn before 7 pm EDT on May 5th. 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!     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/126.

Have wine scores gotten out of control, with higher numbers across the board? Are we oversimplifying wine when we talk and write about it? Is it possible to determine your wine taste by taking an online quiz that asks you about coffee, tea and other things you consume? And should you trust the algorithm that recommends wine to you based on your quiz results? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Paul K, host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What was Paul surprised to learn about Sideways from his interview with Rex Pickett? How did President Eisenhower inspire Paul’s father’s love for wine? How was Paul’s family connected to The Paris Wine Tasting of 1976? What led Paul’s father to the innovative idea to send wine through the mail? Why did Paul decide to join the family business? Which 15th-century piece of art inspired the Original Wine Club of the Month logo? How does Paul score wine differently? What type of conversations does Paul have on his podcast? Why shouldn’t you use online quizzes to select your wines? What do you miss by relying on algorithms to choose wine for you? How did Paul become fascinated with Burgundy wines? Why are grapes and wine deeply expressive of where they’re from? Which wine gadgets does Paul use and love? What should you be aware of when using a Coravin? Which wine gadgets should you be wary of? Why does Paul believe you shouldn’t try to simplify wine?   Key Takeaways Paul’s right that wine scores have got out of hand, with grade inflation across the board. I like the way he approaches tasting wines - it’s much more grounded for wine drinkers, especially when he factors in the price of the wine. I agree with Paul that there’s something so ethereal, so magical about the grape, among all agricultural products, that it does take you home, that can say this is who we are. To that end, I think there’s been an oversimplification of wine, as he says. It’s worth learning about. We don’t need to make it intimidating, but we do need to acknowledge its wonderful complexity and diversity.   About Paul Kalemkiarian Paul Kalemkiarian is the host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K on which he interviews wine industry royalty as well as Michelin starred chefs. He’s also the owner of America’s oldest wine club, the Original Wine of the Month Club. His expertise in the wine industry spans over 30 years. His father invented the idea of wine in the mail in 1972 and they have been serving wine enthusiasts ever since.   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, April 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?   Giveaway One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Rex Pickett’s novel, Sideways, which was also made into a hit movie, as well as a bottle of Sideways Pinot Noir.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of these posts before 7 pm EDT on April 21st: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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!     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/125.

Which wine regions, grapes and styles are under-valued and worth trying? Should you be skeptical about celebrity-endorsed wines? How do you choose a good wine club? What simple strategy can you use to improve your tasting vocabulary? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Paul K, host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did an encounter with sulphur dioxide trigger the worst moment of Paul’s career? What’s the most exciting part of being in the wine business? Why is your local wine shop your best bet for getting out of a wine rut? How has Paul been able to blend his creative side with his wine business? Which bottles of wine did Paul recently sell for a whopping $13,000? Why does Paul mostly focus on affordable wines? What’s Paul’s system for tasting and scoring wines? How do you choose a good wine club? What might surprise you about wineries and estate bottling? Which simple tips does Paul have for developing your tasting vocabulary? Why should the Canary Islands be on your radar? How does volcanic soil impact wine? How has COVID dramatically changed the wine business? What has changed over the years about celebrity wines? Why was Paul disappointed by an SNL-branded wine? Which undervalued regions should you check out next? How do Georgian and Armenian wines differ? What’s Paul’s take on organic and biodynamic wines?   Key Takeaways Paul offered some great tips on how to choose a wine club, as well as a good local wine retailer. Both can help you with the curation process and get to know your palate. I agree with Paul on how to develop your wine vocabulary - smell and taste everything, well almost everything. It’s interesting to hear how COVID has dramatically changed the wine business, from the volume of business done online now to the popular styles, regions and price points. I also liked his suggestions for undervalued regions and vintages.   About Paul Kalemkiarian Paul Kalemkiarian is the host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K on which he interviews wine industry royalty as well as Michelin starred chefs. He’s also the owner of America’s oldest wine club, the Original Wine of the Month Club. His expertise in the wine industry spans over 30 years. His father invented the idea of wine in the mail in 1972 and they have been serving wine enthusiasts ever since.   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, April 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?   Giveaway One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Rex Pickett’s novel, Sideways, which was also made into a hit movie, as well as a bottle of Sideways Pinot Noir.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of these posts before 7 pm EDT on April 21st: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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!   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/124.

Only one president made his own wine and it wasn’t Thomas Jefferson. So who was it? How did Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ love of France shape White House menus? Which famous California winemaker attended a White House celebration and as a result had a falling out with his brother and started his own winery? What would surprise you about what’s in the White House wine cellar? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Fred Ryan, publisher and CEO of the Washington Post and author of Wine and The White House. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ love of France shape White House menus? What influence did James Bond have on the wine served at one of JFK’s state dinners? How did Bill Clinton tie James Bond into his speech at an official dinner? What’s the story behind Jimmy Carter’s Toast of Insults? Which enduring change did Jimmy Carter bring to presidential toasts? Who did JFK one-up with Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1953? How did a White House event play a key role in the launch of Robert Mondavi’s winery? Which wine was served by Gerald Ford for the Queen’s visit at the US bicentennial? What does it mean to “pull a Nixon”? Did any presidents make their own wine? How did Ronald Reagan become so knowledgeable about wine? What role did wine play in Ronald Reagan’s celebrations? Which bottle of wine has Fred been saving for a special occasion? What diplomatic wine solution did Ronald Reagan find for Jacques Chirac’s 1987 visit to the White House? What influence did Michelle Obama have on wines served at the White House? What has Fred learned in his new research on Joe Biden’s toasts? How did Ben Franklin pave the way for Thomas Jefferson’s exploration of French wines? What might surprise you about the White House wine cellar? How did Ronald Reagan influence guests’ wine choices?   Key Takeaways I was surprised at just how small the White House wine cellar is. I had imagined it would be on the same scale of French president or the Queen’s with thousands of bottles. I love the story about how the White House gala played a key role in the launch of the Robert Mondavi winery. I’ve long admired the fashion sense of Jackie Kennedy Onassis, especially her love of French haute couture including those iconic Chanel suits and pearls. It’s interesting how her style also shaped White House menus and wine choices. I enjoyed the stories about famous toasts, including Jimmy Carter’s Toast of Insults to more diplomatic versions from Bill Clinton Ronald Regan and Joe Biden.   About Fred Ryan Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher and CEO of the Washington Post, has been an aficionado of both wine and White House history for most of his life. Growing up in Italy and California, he developed an early interest in wine and its production, studied winemaking and its history, and now participates in a joint winemaking venture in Napa Valley. Ryan’s fascination with wine parallels his lifelong interest in the American presidency. He served in a senior staff position in the Ronald Reagan White House and as Reagan’s post-presidential chief of staff. Ryan currently serves as chair of the Board of Directors of the White House Historical Association, of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and of the Wine Committee of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C.   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, April 7th at 7 pm eastern. You can save your spot for free right here. I'll also be live-streaming this chat on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into the comments on all four platforms 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 One of you will win a personally signed copy of Fred's gorgeous, new book Wine and The White House.   How to Win All you need to do is comment on one of these posts before 7 pm EDT on April 7th: Instagram Facebook LinkedIn 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!     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/123.

Are you curious about how wine has played an essential role in politics? How did a bottle with Thomas Jefferson's initials become the center of a wine scandal in 1985? What does pulling a Nixon mean? Which wine connected John F. Kennedy and James Bond? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Fred Ryan, publisher and CEO of the Washington Post and author of Wine and The White House. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights How did Fred develop his fascination with presidential politics? When did Fred start to become interested in the world of wine? What role does wine play in politics? What’s the story behind Thomas Jefferson’s famous quote, “No nation is drunk when wine is freely available”? How did Thomas Jefferson revolutionize the American wine scene? Where in Bordeaux did Fred find a presidential wine request? How was Thomas Jefferson ahead of the Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855? What insider elements did Fred include on the cover of Wine and The White House? What can we learn about wine in the White House from Thomas Jefferson’s meticulous records? Why was an FBI forensic team called in to investigate a bottle of Château Lafite wine? How did wine help to break up the drunken free-for-all that was Andrew Jackson’s inauguration? How did First Lady Lucy Hayes earn the nickname Lemonade Lucy? Why did Woodrow Wilson have to seek special approval to take his wines to his new home after leaving the White House? What instructions were the White House wait staff given for Winston Churchill’s visit? What was the US attitude towards wine after Prohibition ended? Which wine-filled events stood out in Roosevelt’s time in the White House? What happened to the wine in the White House cellar when it burned down?   Key Takeaways I loved how Fred’s stories illuminated how important a role wine has played in US and global politics, from diplomatic dinners and trade disputes. I also liked how handling wine revealed the personalities of the presidents, from pulling a Nixon to Regan birthday celebrations. The history of the US is also revealed through the stories about Jefferson and other early presidents. And the story about the forensic scientists involved in discovering the fake Jefferson bottle is worthy of a CSI episode.   About Fred Ryan Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., publisher and CEO of the Washington Post, has been an aficionado of both wine and White House history for most of his life. Growing up in Italy and California, he developed an early interest in wine and its production, studied winemaking and its history, and now participates in a joint winemaking venture in Napa Valley. Ryan’s fascination with wine parallels his lifelong interest in the American presidency. He served in a senior staff position in the Ronald Reagan White House and as Reagan’s post-presidential chief of staff. Ryan currently serves as chair of the Board of Directors of the White House Historical Association, of the Board of Trustees of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and of the Wine Committee of the Metropolitan Club of Washington, D.C.   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 Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video on Wednesday, April 7th at 7 pm eastern. Click on the "Interested" or "Going" buttons below so that you'll be notified when we go live: https://www.facebook.com/events/882152032606638 I’ll be jumping into the comments on all three platforms 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 One of you will win a personally signed copy of Fred's gorgeous, new book Wine and The White House.   How to Win All you have to do is just pick your favourite social media channel -- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn -- tag us and post a wine you love before April 7th. Make sure to use these handles and hashtags: Instagram - @NatalieMacLeanWine Twitter -  @NataliemMacLean Facebook - @NatDecants Hashtags: #natdecants   I’ll select the winner from those of you who participate before April 7th. I’ll also reshare your stories and posts with my followers whether you win or not so that you connect with more wine lovers. Good luck, and I can't wait to see (and share) what you post!     To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/122.

Where do the worlds of wine and high tech collide? Why has the wine industry been so slow to embrace digital offerings? Should you join an online wine class? Are online wine events here to stay in a post-pandemic world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing my interview on VinePair Podcast with Zach Geballe. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights When did I start bringing my love for wine and tech together? How did my high-tech job give me an opportunity to explore Napa and Sonoma Valley? Is wine a part of the high-tech work culture? How has the pandemic forced the wine industry to embrace the internet and digital platforms? What was the state of wine education pre-COVID? Can you truly engage the senses and have a full experience with online wine classes? What are the advantages of online wine classes? What benefits could you experience from an online class over face-to-face? Is there a community aspect to online wine classes? Are online wine classes here to stay for the long-term? Why should brands and wineries include an online aspect in their offerings? Should you take an online wine class? What’s behind my belief in moderation through appreciation? Which wines have I been loving lately?   About Zach Geballe and VinePair Zach Geballe is a wine writer and educator based in Seattle. He is a podcast host/producer for VinePair Podcast and the founder/wine educator for Disgorged Wine. VinePair Podcast is hosted by VinePair co-founder Adam Teeter and sommelier and wine educator Zach Geballe. They discuss the latest news, trends, and happenings in the world of wine, beer, and spirits each week.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/121.

Are trends like orange wine and natural wine here to stay? What are the benefits of joining a wine club? How do you get out of a wine rut? Have consumer wine choices changed during the pandemic? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast for part 2 of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights Why did Vanessa decide to pursue her MW qualification? What are the main differences between the MW and Master Sommelier qualifications? Why doesn’t Amanda think the orange wine trend is here to stay in the US? Why is there so much confusion for consumers when it comes to natural wines? How does Vanessa identify natural wines? Have consumer wine choices changed during the pandemic? What was the most expensive wine Amanda has ever sold? Why does Amanda have a special interest in unusual varieties of wine from the 1950s and 1960s? Where can you start when you want to try something new? What’s the experience like as a member of the Wine Access Wine Club? Does it matter where you buy your wine? Why did Vanessa do a tasting of high-altitude wines? Which type of wine glass does Amanda recommend for California wines? How is Wine Access working to help improve diversity in the wine industry?   Key Takeaways I loved the way Vanessa described the master of wine studies as a way to combine all of those pieces of her curiosity and feed her constant desire to keep learning. I feel that way when it comes to writing and researching guests and topics for this podcast. I agree with her that the wine community needs to do a better job of explaining what natural wine actually means and what people should look for. I love her advice to drink promiscuously! The people on the floor - whether it's a restaurant or retail - know better than anybody what's on that list or on the shelves. Talk to them and ask what's interesting. Take a risk, drink promiscuously. 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 Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video on Wednesday, March 24th at 7 pm eastern. Click on the "Interested" or "Going" buttons below so that you'll be notified when we go live: https://www.facebook.com/events/483530695981204 I’ll be jumping into the comments on all three platforms 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 one of two signed copies of my books, "Red, White, and Drunk All Over" and "Unquenchable"   How to Win All you have to do is just pick your favourite social media channel -- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn -- tag us and post a wine you love before March 24th. Make sure to use these handles and hashtags: Instagram - @vanessaconlin @sommvivant @nataliemacleanwine @wineaccess @wineaccessunfiltered Twitter - @wineaccess @nataliemaclean Facebook - @hello.wine.access @natdecants Hashtags: #wineaccess #natdecants   I’ll select the winner from those of you who participate before March 24th. I’ll also reshare your stories and posts with my followers whether you win or not so that you connect with more wine lovers. Good luck, and I can't wait to see (and share) what you post!   About Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin MW Amanda McCrossin is a sommelier, media personality, wine educator, host of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast, & creator/host of the Instagram and YouTube channel “SOMMVIVANT.” As the former Wine Director at PRESS Restaurant in Napa Valley, Amanda worked with the world’s largest, deepest restaurant collection of all Napa Valley wines in the world. Prior to being named Wine Director in 2018, Amanda worked as a sommelier with her mentors and predecessors Kelli White (author, Napa Valley Then & Now) and Scott Brenner to become one of the world’s leading experts in California wine. Today, Amanda focuses her efforts on producing wine “edutainment” and digital media content for her social media platforms geared toward both consumers and professionals alike. A frequent speaker, personality, and contributing writer, in 2018 she was named a Wine Enthusiast ‘Wine Star’ Nominee for Sommelier of the Year and has been featured by numerous publications and media outlets including SOMM TV, Food Network, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal, Food & Wine, World of Fine Wine, & Wine Spectator. 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/120.

Have you ever dreamed of ditching your day job and starting a career in wine? What do wine and music have in common? What's it like to share a bottle of wine with the famous wine critic Robert Parker? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast for part 1 of our two-part conversation. You can find the wines we discussed at www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights When did Vanessa recognize she had found her place in the world of wine? Why was moving to Napa Valley the best moment in Amanda’s wine career so far? How was Amanda impacted by the California wildfires in 2017 and 2020? Are Napa Valley wineries open for visitors? How did a class shift Vanessa’s career path from opera to wine? Why was wine an infrequent part of Vanessa’s life during her career as an opera singer? How did Amanda make the transition from the stage into her wine career? How are wine and music more similar than you might think? What’s behind the perceived barrier to entry for both wine and opera? How are Amanda and Vanessa making wine more accessible? Why did Amanda make the move to Napa Valley from New York? How did Vanessa end up moving to California on a leap of faith? How does Vanessa combine her passion for wine with her love of animals? What was the moment that Amanda knew it was time for her to go all-in on her wine career? What aspects of Vanessa’s transition to her wine career were the hardest? Why was working at Press Restaurant such an interesting experience for Amanda? Which first wine experience did Amanda share with Robert Parker? What close call did Vanessa have with sparkling wine?   Key Takeaways I love the parallels that they draw between wine and music: both enjoyed individually and evoke all the senses. You can share the same bottle of wine with others but have a very different experience of it from them. What you bring to that wine influences what you take away from it. I love the point about wine, like music, being the sum of art and science. You start with technical foundations, but it’s the artistic flourish on top that makes the experience magical. It was great to get an update on Napa Valley and I’m looking forward to visiting the region again. I believe that you can enjoy wine without being an expert, but also believe that you can have a richer, more layered experience with knowledge. That’s always optional of course. I agree that a great way to learn about wine is to surround yourself with people who know more about it than you do, whether that’s through friends or online courses.   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 Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video on Wednesday, March 17th at 7 pm eastern. Click on the "Interested" or "Going" buttons below so that you'll be notified when we go live: https://www.facebook.com/events/465681857886314/ I’ll be jumping into the comments on all three platforms 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 one of two signed copies of my books, "Red, White, and Drunk All Over" and "Unquenchable"   How to Win All you have to do is just pick your favourite social media channel -- Instagram, Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn -- tag us and post a wine you love before March 24th. Make sure to use these handles and hashtags: Instagram - @vanessaconlin @sommvivant @nataliemacleanwine @wineaccess @wineaccessunfiltered Twitter - @wineaccess @nataliemaclean Facebook - @hello.wine.access @natdecants Hashtags: #wineaccess #natdecants   I’ll select the winner from those of you who participate before March 24th. I’ll also reshare your stories and posts with my followers whether you win or not so that you connect with more wine lovers. Good luck, and I can't wait to see (and share) what you post!   About Amanda McCrossin & Vanessa Conlin MW Amanda McCrossin is a sommelier, media personality, wine educator, host of the Wine Access Unfiltered Podcast, & creator/host of the Instagram and YouTube channel “SOMMVIVANT.” As the former Wine Director at PRESS Restaurant in Napa Valley, Amanda worked with the world’s largest, deepest restaurant collection of all Napa Valley wines in the world. Prior to being named Wine Director in 2018, Amanda worked as a sommelier with her mentors and predecessors Kelli White (author, Napa Valley Then & Now) and Scott Brenner to become one of the world’s leading experts in California wine. Today, Amanda focuses her efforts on producing wine “edutainment” and digital media content for her social media platforms geared toward both consumers and professionals alike. A frequent speaker, personality, and contributing writer, in 2018 she was named a Wine Enthusiast ‘Wine Star’ Nominee for Sommelier of the Year and has been featured by numerous publications and media outlets including SOMM TV, Food Network, Wine Enthusiast, Somm Journal, Food & Wine, World of Fine Wine, & Wine Spectator. 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/119.