Unreserved Wine Talk

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.

What was it like being a sommelier at one of Seattle's most prestigious restaurants as the pandemic started to unfold? How have restaurants and wine lists changed to re-emerge in a post-pandemic world? How are sommeliers pivoting in the wake of the pandemic? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Zach Geballe, co-host and producer of the VinePair podcast as well as the founder of Disgorged Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights Why was Zach fascinated with restaurants and food as a child? What was Zach's experience with Seattle's Dahlia Lounge? How does Zach see restaurants and wine lists changing in a post-pandemic world? Which types of restaurant customers does Zach expect to decline because of the pandemic? When did Zach first realize that it wouldn't be business as usual for 2020? How did Zach combine his twin loves of journalism and the restaurant industry? How did the Disgorged and Vinepair podcasts get started? Why has Zach's multi-passionate nature been especially important in the past year? How are sommeliers pivoting in the wake of the pandemic? Why are wine jobs often the first to go in hard times? Key Takeaways I also agree that we'll see far fewer restaurants in the downtown cores and big cities that relied heavily on customers from business travel. I wonder what eateries will replace them, if any? I agree with Zach that counter-service is going to be a big part of the post-pandemic dining landscape. And maybe that's the answer for the downtown cores. While this will help keep wine prices more reasonable and more restaurants above water financially, I'm concerned about what that means not only for servers and other staff, but also for sommeliers. Will we lose many of these experts who can help us discover so many terrific, new wines and new pairings? I hope that they'll be able to pivot to new jobs in the hospitality world. 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. 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 2nd 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/130.

Are wines that cost hundreds of dollars per bottle ever worth the price? Does deepening your understanding of wine increase your enjoyment of wine? Who were the young widows who built the famous Champagne houses into top luxury brands? How can you use the butter/lemon test to help with food and wine pairing? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing part two of 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 Are high-end wines like Domaine Romanée-Conti worth their price? When is it worth it to go for the $30 bottle of wine instead of the $500 bottle? How does deepening your understanding of wine improve your experience? How can you use the butter/lemon test to help with food and wine pairing? What fascinating stories are behind the Merry Widows of Mousse? How did I develop my interviewing skills? Why is storytelling so important? Why do I embrace the enthusiastic amateur mindset? 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/129.

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.