Unreserved Wine Talk

Natalie MacLean
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Jan 17, 2024 • 47min

268: Identifying Wine Faults and Flaws with Author Keith Grainger

How can you tell when a wine is mildly corked versus you just don’t like it? Which main types of wine faults and how can you identify them? Why are inexpensive wines actually less prone to faults? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Keith Grainger, author of Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide, which won the coveted 2022 Prix de l’OIV. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a personally signed copy of Keith Grainger's terrific book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!   Highlights What is Keith’s latest book, Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide, about? What was Keith’s motivation to explore wine faults in such depth and ultimately to write his book? What’s the difference between a fault and a taint? Why does Keith describe it as a “soft boundary” between good and faulty wines? How can technically faulty wines still be considered excellent? Which weird wine fault might surprise you to learn about? How can you differentiate between the three main types of wine faults? Why are inexpensive wines less prone to faults? How have changes in the cork industry significantly reduced the incidence of cork taint? What causes cork taint? How do wine faults cost the industry up to 10 billion euros? What might surprise you about the minuscule amount of cork taint that can ruin a wine? How can you tell when a wine is mildly corked?   Key Takeaways Keith was very helpful in his discussion of one of the main flaws of wine - when it’s corked - especially when it’s only mildly so. As he mentioned, if it affects a wine at a very low level, you don't get the mustiness and mushrooms or dry rot. Keith had a terrific way of not only describing the main faults of wine but also how you identify them. He summarized them as falling under three categories: microbiological, chemical and physical faults. I was surprised to learn that inexpensive wines are actually less prone to faults, but Keith’s explanation makes sense as to why that’s so. They’re produced in a more factory-type manner as opposed to artisan wines and natural wines.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Keith Grainger Keith Grainger is an award-winning wine writer, educator and consultant to the wine industry. He is the author of ‘Wine Faults and Flaws: A Practical Guide’, which won the coveted 2022 Prix de l’OIV.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/268.
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Jan 10, 2024 • 50min

267: How to Savour Wine Over Time with Molly Watts of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast

What does a healthy relationship with wine look like? Which tricks can you use to lower the alcohol content of your wine? How have my thoughts on overdrinking changed over the years and over three books? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by author Molly Watts of the Alcohol Minimalist Podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights How has my position on overdrinking changed over the years between writing my three books? What did I do to better understand and manage overdrinking? What does a healthy relationship with wine look like? Why did I choose to be more mindful of my drinking rather than getting sober completely? Why is the way wine is marketed to women problematic, and what has my role been in perpetuating these narratives? How did the pandemic influence our collective drinking habits? Why is it important to embrace a mindset of progress over perfection? What are some strategies you can use to start drinking more mindfully? How can you find great wines that with low or no alcohol? Which tricks can you use to lower the alcohol content of your wine? What benefits have I experienced from mindful drinking? Why do I advocate for planning and moderation in alcohol consumption?   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Molly Watts Molly Watts is an author, podcast host and coach from Portland Oregon. She hosts the top-rated Alcohol Minimalist podcast where she shares science and strategies to help people change their drinking habits. She is the author of Breaking the Bottle Legacy, a book dedicated to daily habit drinkers and adult children of alcoholics who want to create a peaceful relationship with alcohol.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/267.
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Jan 3, 2024 • 47min

266: From Andes to Amazon: A Wine Lover's Guide to South America's Hidden Vineyards with Amanda Barnes

Which types of global dishes can you pair with South American wines? What’s one of the best but little-known Chilean wine regions you need to try? Which types of wine do they make in other South American countries, such as Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Amanda's beautiful hardcover book, The South America Wine Guide. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!   Highlights How did Argentina’s flagship white wine, Torrontés, develop and where is it grown? Which types of food pair best with Torrontés and Malbec? How does the iconic Argentinian empanada vary across different regions? What is unique about how Fernet is consumed in Argentina? How did the pandemic contribute to the craft gin and craft vermouth movement in Argentina? How do the wine production volume and cultural attitudes towards wine vary between Argentina and Chile? What were the main challenges that were uncovered by the discovery of Carmenère in Chile? How did Tannat become the signature grape of Uraguay, and what’s unique about its growing requirements? How did Peru become the first wine country in South America, and what’s behind the current wine renaissance? Which wines from Bolivia should you try, and what’s behind their unique characteristics? How has the Brazilian wine industry evolved over the years? What does Amanda love about mountain white wines like Altos Las Hormigas Blanco? What is it about Viñedos de Alcohuaz that gives it a beautiful tasting experience? Why is an ice bag Amanda’s favourite wine gadget?   Key Takeaways I enjoyed hearing Amanda’s recommendations for which types of global dishes you can pair with South American wines. The highly aromatic Torrontes can handle equally flavourful dishes. Amanda has inspired me to try more wines from Chile’s Elqui Valley. It’s amazing that some vineyards are planted at 2,200 metres above sea level. I was interested to learn more about the types of wine they make in other South American countries, such as Uruguay, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. I didn’t realize that Peru was the first wine region in South America.   About Amanda Barnes Amanda Barnes is an award-winning British journalist and editor who specializes in wine and travel writing. She is an expert in South American wine and regions and a regular correspondent for international wine and travel publications (including Decanter, Fodor’s, SevenFifty, The Guardian & The Telegraph). She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine and is the author of The South America Wine Guide.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/266.
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Dec 27, 2023 • 42min

265: Malbec Magic: Argentina's Bold Twist on a Classic with Amanda Barnes, Author of The South America Wine Guide

How did the South American wine industry develop? What might surprise you about the variety of wines produced in South America? How has Argentina's flagship red wine, Malbec, changed over the past five years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amanda Barnes, author of The South America Wine Guide. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Amanda's beautiful hardcover book, The South America Wine Guide. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights When did Amanda realize she wanted to become a writer? What was the motivation behind Amanda’s move from England to Argentina? Why did Amanda decide to write The South America Wine Guide? What will you learn from The South America Wine Guide? Why did Amanda decide to self-publish? How did the South American wine industry develop? Why don’t we hear more about Chilean Malbec and how did Cabernet Sauvignon become the champion grape of Chile? How has the style of Malbec evolved over the last 10 years? What is meant by “graphite tannins”? How do terroir and soil influence a wine’s flavour profile? What percentage of Argentinian vineyards today are planted with Malbec? How does elevation influence the characteristics of Malbec from different regions? How do climatic factors like solar radiation and ozone influence the intensity and brightness of fruit in Chilean and Argentinian wines?   Key Takeaways I loved that literature inspired Amanda to move to South America and then her fascination with the wines kept her there. She shares some terrific insights about how the South American wine industry developed, including the wild diversity of wines produced in the region. She also opens up the world of Malbec, Argentina's flagship red wine, to us and how it’s changed over the past five years. As she notes, Malbec is planted in almost every wine region in the country so it’s an unparalleled opportunity to taste different terroirs. Some are made in the style of Pinot Noir rather than in the style of Cabernet Sauvignon. She also observes that even though trends have taken over the population of vines in different periods, diversity still remains in the old vines. I loved her story about going into the soil pits, especially since that’s where all great wine starts.   About Amanda Barnes Amanda Barnes is an award-winning British journalist and editor who specializes in wine and travel writing. She is an expert in South American wine and regions and a regular correspondent for international wine and travel publications (including Decanter, Fodor’s, SevenFifty, The Guardian & The Telegraph). She is currently studying to become a Master of Wine and is the author of The South America Wine Guide.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/265.
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Dec 20, 2023 • 37min

264: Beer versus Wine Tasting, Cicerones versus Sommeliers with Mandy Naglich, Author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

What’s the difference between tasting wine and beer when you want to identify specific aromas and flavours? What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone or beer sommelier and a wine sommelier? How do retronasal aromas give you a different, deeper sense of the aromas of both beer and wine? In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with author Mandy Naglich. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Mandy's new book, How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What are some of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier? What was it like to win a national homebrew competition? How did Mandy become interested in homebrewing? Should your sense of smell be tested as part of your annual physical? What does Mandy love about Pommery Pop Champagne? Why should you consider using a Champagne tulip glass instead of a flute? How does Allagash White bring together the beer and wine worlds? What causes beer to hold its head longer compared to other beverages? How does beer’s head affect the tasting experience? What’s Mandy’s seven-step method for tasting beer? When should you cover your glass before swirling? How can you best utilize your retronasal smell pathway? What types of food would pair well with Allagash White versus Pommery Pop Champagne? How can a food pairing create a whole new flavour sensation? Why does speaking aloud help you to solidify your tasting knowledge? How can you challenge your perceptions of your taste? What’s Mandy’s favourite wine gadget? Why would Mandy love to share a bottle of wine with Oprah? What message would Mandy share with the world on a billboard in downtown Manhattan?   Key Takeaways I was fascinated with Mandy’s explanation and demonstration of the differences between tasting wine and beer. I had assumed the process would be the same and was surprised to find that it’s not. I also found her explanation of the similarities and differences between a Cicerone and a sommelier helpful. I didn’t realize that the world of beer is so diverse (yes, my little wine-snob eyes have been opened) or that Cicerones are more involved in maintaining complex equipment than sommeliers. I fully support her focus on how retronasal aromas reintroduce you to the richer, deeper aromas of both beer and wine and enable you to discover something new when you’re playing it backward as she says. I also agree about using a tulip glass rather than a traditional champagne flute to better swirl and smell the wine.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Mandy Naglich Mandy Naglich is one of fewer than 100 Advanced Cicerones in the world, one of the highest certifications in beer expertise. She’s also a Certified Cider Professional and has her WSET in spirits. Mandy’s writing has been published in Vice, Taste of Home, Vine Pair, and Wine Enthusiast. She started her career in journalism at the Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/264.
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Dec 13, 2023 • 35min

263: Tasting Bliss Points & Making Wines Memorable with Mandy Naglich, Author of How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life

You love to eat, but do you know how to taste? What is a bliss point when it comes to food or tasting? What makes our most memorable meals and wines delicious? How can you make sure to bring home the best experiences from a wine trip? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Mandy Naglich who has just published How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Mandy's new book, How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What did Mandy learn about hospitality through your first wine-pairing experience at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Belgium? Why did Mandy write about Rick Bayless’ blind tasting experience in her book? What made San Diego wine country so memorable for Mandy? How can you make sure to bring home the best experiences from a wine trip? Why did Mandy decide to write How to Taste: A Guide to Discovering Flavor and Savoring Life? What was the most unusual insight Mandy gained while writing her book? Which feedback surprised Mandy the most from readers of her book? How can we judge the acidity of anything from a cup of tea and wine to a square of dark chocolate? Why does salt make foods taste less bitter? How do our tastebuds respond to food temperature? What might surprise you about your mouth’s sensitivity to texture? What is a bliss point when it comes to food or tasting? How can you distinguish between pomme fruit and stone fruit? What are the hallmarks of different categories of aromas? Why would you not want to open an expensive bottle of wine while playing loud music?   Key Takeaways I found Mandy’s explanation of the difference between eating and tasting fascinating, as well as her discussion about the bliss point and how individual it is. Her tips on how to make the most of your experiences in wine country were helpful. I agree with her that your environment really affects your enjoyment of whatever you're drinking. It’s the 360 degrees of flavour and contributes to our most memorable meals. It was interesting how losing your sense of sight can obscure what you’re tasting.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Mandy Naglich Mandy Naglich is one of fewer than 100 Advanced Cicerones in the world, one of the highest certifications in beer expertise. She’s also a Certified Cider Professional and has her WSET in spirits. Mandy’s writing has been published in Vice, Taste of Home, Vine Pair, and Wine Enthusiast. She started her career in journalism at the Schieffer College of Communication at Texas Christian University.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/263.
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Dec 6, 2023 • 35min

262: Sonoma Wines + the Dangers of Drinking for a Living with Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa of the Wine Road Podcast & Jeff Sammut of Canada Now

How did I come up with the wine pairings mentioned throughout Wine Witch on Fire? Why is wine marketed so differently to men versus women? What can you do to support your mental health in an era where you have to be online? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa on the Wine Road Podcast and Jeff Sammut on Canada Now. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Could an online pile-on like I experienced in 2012 happen today? What can you do to support your mental health in an era where you have to be online? Why did I use real people’s names in my memoir? How did I come up with the wine pairings mentioned throughout Wine Witch on Fire? Why is wine marketed so differently to men versus women? How do I manage the different aspects of an online-based career? Which Sonoma wineries must you visit on your next trip? Which wine pairs best with catharsis? What was it like when I realized my husband of 20 years wanted a divorce? Looking back, were there signs that I missed? How did I communicate with my son about the difficult situation that was my divorce? Why did feeling alone lead me to reexamine my whole life? Why is it important to me that we have more conversations about overdrinking? How did I manage to curb my overdrinking after the year from hell? What is it about podcasting that makes it great for connecting with people?   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About The Wine Road Podcast and Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa bring a wealth of knowledge and personal experience regarding, food, wine, events, and travel in and around Northern Sonoma County. Dubbed the Click and Clack of Wine—their snappy banter and laugh filled show provides insider tips on wine tasting and advice for listeners planning everything from a day trip to a two week stay in Wine Country. Marcy Gordon is a freelance wine and travel writer. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications including Wine Enthusiast, Forbes Travel Guide, Sonoma Discoveries, and The San Francisco Chronicle. In 2017 she was awarded a fellowship to the prestigious Symposium for Professional Wine Writers. Her blog Come for the Wine was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Wine Blogs in 2015. Beth Costa is the Executive Director of the Wine Road. Beth has been at the helm of Wine Road for the past 17 years. Prior that she managed the tasting rooms for Kendall-Jackson Winery. Beth has lived in Sonoma County for the past 30 years and loves to get out and explore – rivers, redwoods and the ocean are big draws!   About Canada Now and Jeff Sammut Canada Now shares the stories that matter to Canadians, going beyond the headlines to shine a spotlight on the cities, towns and people that motivate and inspire us each and every day. Host Jeff Sammut goes coast to coast across the country talking to Canadians about Canadians and the stories that affect us all, big and small.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/262.
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Nov 29, 2023 • 40min

261: Mood & Wine Pairings + British Columbia's Best Wine Regions with Luke Whittall, Author of 50 Must-Try Wines from BC and Ontario

Why should you consider mood and experience when pairing wines? What is a lustful wine? What do you need to know about British Columbia’s wine regions? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and host of The Sipsters Wine Podcast, Luke Whittall. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Luke's new book, The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!   Highlights What makes the Golden Mile Bench so special? Which wineries on the Golden Mile Bench should not be missed? Why should you consider mood and experience when pairing wines? What is a lustful wine? Why does Luke describe Vancouver Island as the Italy of BC? Which labels should you look for from Vancouver Island? What makes the red wines of the Similkameen Valley unique? What do you need to know about the other BC wine regions including Fraser Valley, Gulf islands, Kootenays, Lillooet, Shuswap, and Thompson Valley? What does BC need to do in order to thrive as a wine region for the next five to ten years? How do Luke’s The Sipster’s Pocket Guides differ from other wine guides?   Key Takeaways I love that Luke likes to pair wines to moods rather than simply food. I think our emotional state and occasion are often far better predictors of a great match than whether your asparagus was oven-roasted or steamed. I especially like his description of a lustful wine. Luke continues to share surprising insights about British Columbia’s wine regions and wines. I’m intrigued with the way Golden Mile Bench wines retain their acidity and structure, and am motivated to visit that area again.  I enjoyed his notion that there are times when you can tell that the wine really likes you.    Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Luke Whittall Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. His most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines follows up on the success of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/261.
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Nov 22, 2023 • 45min

260: BC's Wild Diversity, Deep Lake Effect and Promising Future with Luke Whittall, Author of 50 Must-Try Wines in BC and Ontario

What are five things that will surprise you about the wine regions and wines of British Columbia? What are some top tips to help you get the most from your visit to BC? Which challenges does this west coast wine industry face going forward? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and host of The Sipsters Wine Podcast, Luke Whittall. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a personally signed copy of Luke's new book, The Sipster's Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try Ontario Wines. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What was Luke’s inspiration for writing Valleys of Wine: A Taste of British Columbia’s Wine History? Why did John Schreiner choose Luke to help him write the sixth edition of his Okanagan Wine Tour Guide? Why are authentic stories important for a winery and how can impact their success? How does the wine industry in British Columbia compare to Ontario? What are some of the geographical limitations of wine production BC? Why is the growth of the BC wine industry slowing? How is climate change changing the profile of the wine industry? How has the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires impacted British Columbia? What’s the difference between a smoky flavour in wine versus smoke taint? How do the production levels of BC and Ontario compare? What makes up the unique climate of the BC wine regions? What might surprise you about the Okanagan region? What are Luke’s top travel tips for visiting the Okanagan?   Key Takeaways There were so many fascinating nuggets about BC that Luke shared, from the profound influence of the lake to how embers from wildfires were able to traverse across it. The range of wine styles and grapes is both a blessing in its diversity and experimentation and a curse in the optimization that still needs to happen as BC matures as a wine region. Luke’s tips for visiting the region were helpful, particularly breaking up your journey into a few days and several wineries that have restaurants.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Luke Whittall Luke Whittall has worked in cellars, vineyards, and wine shops since 2005. He has authored or co-authored 4 books on wine and is currently a wine instructor at Okanagan College. His most recent book, The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines follows up on the success of The Sipster’s Pocket Guide to 50 Must-Try BC Wines, and continues to mark a new direction in wine writing.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/260.
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Nov 15, 2023 • 33min

259: Proactive Wine Farming and Wine Tourism with Anna Brittain of Napa Green

How can we, as wine consumers, support environmental change in the wine industry? What is proactive farming as it relates to growing vines for wine? Does wine tourism have a positive or negative impact on the environment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sustainability expert Anna Brittain. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Why is good soil health foundational to vineyards, both from the wine and sustainability perspectives? What is proactive farming? How can the wine industry increase its emphasis on social justice and diversity and inclusion? Why do climate action and regenerative agriculture make the ultimate umbrella for sustainability efforts in the wine industry? What is the environmental impact of wine tourism? What can we do as consumers to advocate for or induce change in the wine industry? Are there commonalities between different wine regions and the climate challenges they face? What is Domaine Carneros doing differently as a dedicated sustainability leader? What does Anna love about Domaine Carneros Taittinger and what foods would it be best paired with? Which breakfast foods could you pair with the classic St. Supéry Cabernet Sauvignon? Why does Anna believe we need to focus on improving quality and sustainable practices in the wine industry rather than expanding? What are Anna’s favourite childhood foods to pair with wine? What is Anna’s favourite wine book? Why would Anna love to share a glass of wine with Brené Brown? Why is it crucial to take action on climate change in the here and now?   Key Takeaways Anna has some concrete steps for how we, as wine consumers, support environmental change in the wine industry. Every bit helps, and the need is urgent. We all have purchasing power - we vote with our dollars, and they send strong signals to the industry to advocate for change. I found her concept of proactive farming as it relates to growing vines for wine fascinating. She also has an interesting take on wine tourism’s impact on the environment.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. 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? Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621   About Anna Brittain Anna Brittain has worked locally, nationally and internationally on environmental management and policy with organizations ranging from the environmental economics think tank Resources for the Future in Washington, DC to the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has spent over 12 years facilitating and growing sustainability in the wine industry, with expertise in communications and certification standards.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/259.

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