Unreserved Wine Talk

How did the novel and movie Sideways change the wine market in North America? In the book, the character Miles is portrayed as a wine snob, but what really defines a wine snob? What do you need to know if you want to become a successful writer? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rex Pickett, author of the mega-hit wine book and movie Sideways. Highlights How has time been a great friend to Sideways? What is it about the characters in Sideways that makes them feel unique to you? How did wine and California wine country become an important part of Rex's life? Why does Rex start out with honing in on character and setting in his writing? What is Rex telling you when he talks about wine snobs? What is the key difference you can see in the depth of the wine world versus other types of alcohol? How can you enjoy the purple prose of wine writing? What change can you see in the red wine market as a result of Sideways? Why does Rex believe Merlot needed a market correction after it's 1990s popularity? What can you expect from a bottle of Hitching Post Pinot Noir? Can you expect a different experience from the Sideways play in comparison to the movie and book? Where does Vertical fit in with Rex's personal story? What are Rex's best tips for you as an aspiring writer? About Rex Pickett Rex Pickett is the author of the novel Sideways, the multiple award-winning Alexander Payne film of the same title. Sideways captured over 350 critics and awards organization plaudits, including 2 Golden Globes, an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, the prestigious Writers Guild Award, 6 Indie Spirit Awards … and the list goes on. Rex has written and directed two independent feature films, California Without End and From Hollywood to Deadwood (Island Pictures). He wrote the 2000 Academy Award-winning Best Live Action Short My Mother Dreams the Satan's Disciples in New York. His Sideways sequel Vertical won the Gold Medal for Fiction from the Independent Publisher Book Awards in 2012. His Sideways 3 Chile forms the final leg of the trilogy. In 2012, Rex adapted his novel into Sideways: the Play. He staged four record-breaking runs, first at Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica where it ran for 6 months, then the La Jolla Playhouse, where it broke all attendance records for a non-musical in their 35-year history, with 3-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff directing. In 2017, in collaboration with composer Anthony Adams, Rex turned his attention to the musical version of Sideways. Two years later the Book for the musical is finished, half the songs are composed and recorded, and a 3-time Tony Award-winning musical theater director (to be announced soon) has come on board. There is every likelihood that the "workshop" (or premiere) production will happen in the latter part of 2020. Rex grew up in southern California, matriculated from the University of California at San Diego (UCSD). He was a Special Projects major, specializing in literary and film criticism, and creative writing. A member of the Writers Guild of America, the Dramatists Guild, and now ASCAP, Rex has enjoyed success in long-form fiction, screenwriting, independent film, and now stage. The Rex Pickett Papers are now enshrined at his alma mater UCSD in Geisel Library's Special Collections & Archives. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/85.

Are wines named after a sports celebrity any good or is this just a marketing gimmick? Are more gentle sports like golf better suited to marketing a wine than the more rough and tumble world of wrestling? What does research tell us about the effect of celebrity endorsements on your wine-buying behaviour? How does your wine knowledge impact your interpretation of external cues, like celebrity endorsement, when buying wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Antonia Mantonakis, Fellow of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, Associate Professor of Marketing at the Goodman School of Business, and Associate Faculty of Psychology at Brock University in Niagara, Canada. Highlights Why is Antonia's research around wines associated with celebrities relevant to you as a wine consumer? Is there any overlap when you think of certain sports and wine? How do you determine how well-matched a sport is to wine? Which sports had the highest and lowest matches with wine? How were the final sports categories chosen for the study? What do the study results suggest about the effect of celebrity endorsements on your wine buying behaviour? Why do moderately mismatched products and sponsors cause you to pay the most attention? How does your wine knowledge impact your interpretation of external cues when buying wine? What wine-related research can you look forward to from Antonia in the near future? How does the inclusion of a picture change your perception of a wine label? About Dr. Antonia Mantonakis Dr. Antonia Mantonakis is a Fellow of the Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute, an Associate Professor of Marketing at the Goodman School of Business, and Associate Faculty of Psychology at Brock University in Niagara, Canada. She is a psychologist by training and holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Toronto; and has both a Masters in Experimental-Cognitive Psychology and a Doctorate in Experimental-Cognitive Psychology from Simon Fraser University. Her research focuses on the psychological factors that affect consumer behaviour and consumer decision making. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/84.

What are the hottest wine trends right now? What's the difference between natural wine and orange wine? Are new drinks like blue wine and Pinot Freezio here to stay? How does canned wine hold up to its bottled counterparts? Why has Rosé been able to move from fad to mainstream? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Darren Oleksyn, journalist and author of Uncorked: The Definitive Guide to Alberta's Best Wines Under $25. Highlights How can you differentiate between natural wine and orange wine? Why does orange wine help you to appreciate white wine? What similarities might you pick up between orange wine and craft beer How did natural wine get its start? How can you be a part of the natural wine community? What are qvevri and what do you need to know about orange wine's connection to Georgia? Why should you consider blue wine as more of a marketing fad than a wine trend? What main ingredients can you find in wine? Why does Darren think you should have more information about what's in your wine? How would serving size suggestions on labels benefit you as a wine drinker? Why do I prefer to buy wine with 13.5% alcohol or less? Which canned wine should you try? What wine trends should you keep an eye out for? Why is natural yeast sometimes trickier to work with than industrial yeast? Should you feel guilty about adding an ice cube to your wine? How has the mainstream discovery of Provence Rosé contributed to its upswing in popularity? Are you likely to encounter fall-related wine trends when the seasons change? What does the increasing number of appellations and sub-appellations signal to you about the Canadian wine industry? How do region descriptors on wine labels help you as a consumer? Are wines from Eastern and Central Europe gaining shelf space in your average liquor store? Which Canadian Viognier should you add to the top of your must-try list? What wine mantra is Darren's best advice for you as a wine drinker? Why is it time for you to ditch the "red wine at room temperature" advice? Who would Darren love to share a bottle of wine with? What wine experiment should you try this week? About Darren Oleksyn Darren Oleksyn has been working as a journalist for 28 years and writing about wine for the past 7. He works at the Calgary Herald, where he writes a monthly wine column among a variety of duties. He was introduced to wine by his father, who made fruit wines in Saskatchewan. After moving to Calgary in 2004 he became captivated by wine, attending numerous wine events, festivals and completing his WSET Level 3 certification in wine and spirits. He has travelled to wine regions in Canada, the United States, Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and Germany, and has judged at wine competitions in British Columbia and Calgary. In 2013 he wrote Uncorked: The Definitive Guide to Alberta's Best Wines Under $25 with friend and fellow wine writer Shelley Boettcher. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/83.

Why is Bordeaux considered the ultimate luxury brand in the world of wine? Why did the Chinese market suddenly start buying Bordeaux wines in the 1980s and 90s? Why does Bordeaux in particular suit the ancient Chinese culture of prestigious gift-giving versus other expensive wines? How does the demand for Bordeaux in China affect both the prices you pay and the styles you drink? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Suzanne Mustacich, author of Thirsty Dragon: China's Lust for Bordeaux and the Threat to the World's Best Wines. Highlights What fascinated Suzanne about the Chinese wine market? Can you see a similar effect in other industries where China has become a key player? What can you learn about the differences in wine and business culture between China and Bordeaux? What does a bottle of Bordeaux wine go through before it gets to you? Why was Bordeaux perfectly positioned for the young Chinese market? How do top brands like Bordeaux draw you in? Why is wine the perfect product for the aspirational middle class? Which facts about the China-Bordeaux wine economy might surprise you? Why is it much more expensive for you to be a wine aficionado in Hong Kong than elsewhere? Was there a connection between the US recession and increased interest in the Chinese market from Bordeaux? How have US buying habits changed in relation to high-end Bordeaux wines? How do Government changes impact on the demand for wine in China? What changes can you see in the current Chinese wine consumption patterns compared to when Bordeaux was initially introduced? What is the taboo around women and wine in China? How did Suzanne's end up meeting with particularly interesting characters while researching Thirsty Dragon? About Suzanne Mustacich Suzanne Mustacich is an author, speaker, journalist, editor and consultant. She is a contributing editor at Wine Spectator magazine and the author of Thirsty Dragon: China's Lust for Bordeaux and the Threat to the World's Best Wines. She has a background as a television producer and screenwriter. She recently finished her first novel. As a print journalist, she has previously reported for Agence France Presse, Wine Life (China), and Wine Business International. She holds a BA from Yale University in Economics and Political Science, the DUAD enology diploma from the University of Bordeaux and an MA in Creative Writing (Crime Fiction) from the University of East Anglia. She lives in Bordeaux with her family. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/82.

What does it take to win Ontario's Best Sommelier competition? What's it like performing in front of a set of very stern-eyed wine judges and a live audience? What is the smartest question you can ask your sommelier in a restaurant? What is the deductive tasting technique and how can it help you drink better wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Emily Pearce-Bibona, Certified Sommelier and founder of Femmes du Vins. Highlights How did Emily go from government employee to sommelier? What's aspects of wine are involved in the Ontario's Best Sommelier competition? What does it take for you to be named Best Taster? How do you cope with intense pressure during competition? How do you train for sommelier competitions? When should you use a deductive tasting technique? How can you describe the tasting experience with Flat Rock Cellars Riddled Sparkling wine? What's the most important rule you should remember when pairing wine and food? Which questions should you ask your sommelier to get the best wine suggestions for you? How can you subtly indicate your wine budget to a sommelier? Why is taking a wine course an important part of expanding your palate and becoming a better taster? How can a trip to the grocery store improve your wine tasting skills? Why should you approach learning about wine tasting like you would playing an instrument? Why does Emily love Burgundy Pinot Noir? How can you approach improving your tasting vocabulary? How does Emily train for sommelier competitions? Why should you try grower's Champagne? How does Emily handle it when guests send back their wine in her restaurant? What should you do as a guest if you don't like the wine? Why does Emily love Ca' Del Bosco Cuvée Anna Maria Clementi Franciacorta? What are the top wine tips Emily wants you to remember? About Emily Pearce-Bibona Emily is the sommelier at Barberian's Steak House in Toronto and part of the group Femmes du Vins. After a day-long series of competitive challenges in front of a panel of expert judges, peers and the public, Emily triumphed to win the competition at the Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts at George Brown College on March 5, 2017. Emily began her wine journey in Toronto and is now a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers. She has worked in top hospitality positions throughout the city. Her passion for learning continues as she pursues the Master of Wine program, offered in the UK. As a contributing writer for Decanter Magazine, Emily writes about the Canadian wine scene. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/81.

How did Provence become known as the heartland of Rosé? What does it mean to be part of the Rosé lifestyle? Why should you take a trip to the Provence wine region? Does the colour of Rosé give you a clue into its taste? Which unexpected but mouthwatering food pairing should you try with your next glass of Rosé? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer Jill Barth, who is also a Provence Wine Master through the Wine Scholar Guild. Highlights How can you describe the Rosé lifestyle? Why is Rosé perfect for you to enjoy year-round? What tasting profile should you expect with Tavel Rosé? How did Provence become the heartland of Rosé? Why will travelling to Provence have you feeling like your inside a storybook? How do the appellations affect which types of Rosé you can get from Provence? What does the paleness of Rosé tell you about it? How can you describe the colour of Rosé, using the official terminology?? What's unique about Oeil de Perdrix? Why was Jill drawn to focus on Provence in particular? What Provence and wine-related themes should you expect in Jill's forthcoming novel? Can you consider all pink wines to equivalent to Rosé? Why did Chateau d'Esclans' Whispering Angel Rosé become so popular in Canada? What unique traits can you look out for on bottles of Rosé? Why should you consider wine as a barometer of how we live? How can you pair Rosé with food? Should you pair poutine with a glass of Rosé? How does the mistral influence French winemaking? Why has it never been a better time for you to be a wine enthusiast? Which less popular wines should you give a try? How are American wine regions evolving? How can you take advantage of wine auctions without leaving home? Why is a decanter Jill's favourite wine gadget? About Jill Barth Jill Barth is a writer focused on wine creators – with culture, food, community, ecology, and travel, pivotal to the stories in her contributor column at Forbes digital. She is also a Provence Wine Master through the Wine Scholar Guild and received a fellowship to the Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. Jill is the founder and author of L'Occasion, a blog that honours the ways we drink, make, and contemplate wine. L'Occasion was awarded the Best Overall and Best Writing from the prestigious Wine Blog Awards and was a finalist for Millesima's Blog Awards in food and wine pairing. Jill is also a wine country travel expert panellist and contributor for USA TODAY's 10Best. Her work has appeared in Decanter, Palate Press, Luxe Provence, Courrier International, Provence WineZine, and Perfectly Provence. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/80.

Would you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most versatile wines on the planet? Why should an Austrian Heuriger be on your must-visit list? Which Austrian red wine should you try next? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl who is in charge of business administration and marketing at her family's winery, Weingut Pfaffl. Highlights How did the Pfaffl grow from a small farm to 110 hectares of vineyards? Why should an Austrian Heuriger be on your must-visit list? What aspects of Austrian wine might surprise you? What's the meaning behind the name Wein.1? Can Gruner Veltliner be oaked? Within what price range can you buy Pfaffl wines? Why does Gruner Veltliner pair well with such a wide range of foods? Should you buy a bottle of Gruner Veltliner for your cellar? What variations would you experience when tasting different Gruner Veltliners? Why would you probably find pepper spice Gruner Veltliners especially interesting? Can you buy Pfaffl wines across Canada? What is Heidi's favourite food to pair with Gruner Veltliner? Which characteristics would you taste in a Gruner Veltliner as it ages? How does the rockiness of the Haidvertel impact the wine? What was the worst moment in Heidi's wine career? What is the best moment from Heidi's wine career so far? How do old oak barrels influence the flavour profile you'll taste with wine? Why do you need humidity in a wine cellar? What ancient characteristic influences what you'll taste with Zeiseneck Gruner Veltliner? Can you taste differences between the wines produced north or south of the Danube? How did Gruner Veltliner become the darling of New York sommeliers? Which Austrian red wine should you try next? What foods should you pair with a glass of Zwiegelt? What is the tasting experience with Pfaffl's entry-level wine, Wein.2? How does St. Laurent differ from other grapes? How does Zwiegelt compare to Pinot Noir? About Heidi Fisher Pfaffl Heidi Fisher Pfaffl is in charge of her family's winery, Weingut R&A Pfaffl, along with her brother, Roman, who is the winemaker and vineyard manager. Heidie takes care of everything else, from business administration to marketing and sales. Pfaffl Winery is one of Austria's leading wine producers and was recently named European Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Their vineyards are distributed around the village of Stetten in the Weinviertel and in neighbouring Vienna. Due to the numerous vineyards and their diversity, they are able to produce a broad spectrum of wine styles. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/79.

What do you need to know about Nova Scotia's signature grape, L'Acadie blanc? What is Tidal Bay and why is it Canada's first stylistic appellation? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? Which travel tips should you keep in mind when you visit Nova Scotia wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amy Savoury, a certified sommelier and instructor of culinary and tourism studies at the Nova Scotia Community College. Highlights Why can you taste many different fruit flavours in some wines? How much are you contributing to the economy by buying Canadian wine? What do you need to know about Nova Scotia's signature grape, L'Acadie blanc? How can you experience the creative spirit of winemakers through Tidal Bay wines? Which grapes will you encounter in Tidal Bay wines? How did the Tidal Bay standards first come about? Would you find organic wines from Nova Scotia? Can you buy Nova Scotia wines in the LCBO? Why should you add your voice to the Free My Grapes movement? Where can you find the grape growers who supply Nova Scotia wineries located? What contribution do Nova Scotia growers make to job creation? Which types of wine can you enjoy from Nova Scotia wineries? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? Why should you visit Luckett Vineyards? What might you be getting wrong about Nova Scotia wine? How did unexpectedly low temperatures in Spring 2018 impact Nova Scotia wineries? What flavour profile and food pairings can you expect with Lightfoot & Wolfville's Ancienne Chardonnay, Avondale Sky Lady Slipper, Planters Ridge Rosé and Benjamin Bridge Nova 7? Why should you take a trip to a Nova Scotia winery? How did Amy become intrigued by the world of wine? When did Amy fall in love with Nova Scotia wine? About Amy Savoury Amy Savoury is a certified sommelier and instructor of culinary and tourism studies at the Nova Scotia Community College. She leads tastings of Nova Scotia wines for restaurant staff around the province as well as other educational seminars on behalf of "Taste of Nova Scotia" through the support of the Department of Agriculture. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/78.

How does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? How can you drink better wines by finding a wine critic whose style you like? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Why is taking an online wine course often better than an in-person course? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing a conversation I originally had with Pete & Vino Mike on their podcast, That Wine Pod. Highlights What's my take on the best wine? Why should you look at organic and biodynamic wines on a spectrum? How does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? Do wine scores on the 100 point scale correlate with typical school grading scales? Why did I wait until 5 years into my wine writing career to start scoring wine? How can you benefit from finding a wine critic whose style you like? How do I choose which wines to rate? Why has wine scoring become the norm? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Do you need to pay attention to wine critics? What impact has social media had on your access to wine writers? How do you learn about wine in my online course? What benefits do you get from an online wine course over an in-person course? Which interesting wine and cheese pairings will you learn about in my upcoming course? What do I wish I could change about the wine world? When should you follow your wine with eggs? About Pete and Vino Mike Pete has been in the wine industry for over 15 years as a wine retail store manager, owner, and strategic consultant in the thriving Chicago food and beverage industry. He has three kids, is a long-distance runner and coach, and hosts other podcasts including the FatMan Chronicles, The No Fear Project, and Be Better Today. Michael Matonte aka Vino Mike has more than twenty years experience as a fine dining manager and wine retail store manager also in Chicago. He passed the Court of Master Sommeliers challenging Advanced Sommelier exam in 2009. He's the father of one son and plays the trumpet, trombone and euphonium. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/77.

What's it like serving wine to celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus? How is being a sommelier different when you work at a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially when you're just 21 years old? Why is the wine world still largely an old boys club and how does that impact the wines you drink? Which shocking ingredients might you find in some non-organic wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Victoria James, author, restauranteur and the youngest person in the world to pass the certified sommelier exam with the Court of Master Sommeliers. Highlights What's it like managing celebrity clientele while working in the upscale restaurant industry? What was the most expensive bottle of wine Victoria has ever sold? Why was Victoria's Christmas season encounter with Mariah Carey so bizarre? How can you build yourself up and create your own sense of importance? Which shocking ingredients might you find in some non-organic wines? What is it like for you to work at a Michelin starred restaurant at 21 years old? Why did Victoria want to reclaim the term "wine girl"? How did the Me Too Movement play a role in getting Wine Girl written? Was Victoria aware of the impact Wine Girl would make, especially on women? Why did Victoria decide to write her memoir even though she's still in her 20s? Will you see people's real names in Victoria's memoir? How has Wine Girl positively impacted readers? Why were the potential negative implications of putting her story out there were totally worth it for Victoria? What type of insidious effects do women in the wine and restaurant worlds often experience after going public with their stories? Is diversity well-represented in the wine and restaurant industries? What is the impact on you as a restaurant diner when wine lists are curated by the old boys' club? What will you learn about rosé from reading Drink Pink? How is COTE restaurant adapting to changes caused by the pandemic? What new wine experiences can you have when you order COTE for delivery? How can you keep yourself from going stir-crazy while sheltering in place? What new innovations will you experience with a book tour during the pandemic? About Victoria James Victoria James is the Beverage Director and Partner at COTE and recently received a James Beard nomination for "Outstanding Wine Program." She has worked in restaurants since she was thir­teen, fell in love with wine and when she was twenty-one became certified as a sommelier. She has worked at some of the most prestigious restaurants in New York City including Marea and Aureole. Victoria's name has appeared on many no­table lists: Forbes "30 Under 30," Food & Wine's "2018 Sommelier of the Year," Zagat's "30 Under 30," Wine Enthusiast's "40 Under 40," Wine & Spirits' "Best New Sommeliers," and The Back Label declared her "New York's Youngest Sommelier." She is the author of DRINK PINK, A Celebration of Rosé (2017, HarperCollins) and the upcoming book WINE GIRL (March 2020, Ecco/HarperCollins). She also has a print column for Forbes magazine, "Buy, Hold, Sell," and has contributed to Cosmopolitan, Munchies and Bon Appétit. Along with COTE's General Manager (Amy Zhou) and Events Director (Cynthia Cheng), she has founded WINE EMPOWERED, a non-profit that aims to diversify the hospitality industry by offering free wine classes to women and minorities. To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit the https://www.nataliemaclean.com/76.