Unreserved Wine Talk

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.

Which aspect of winemaking has the greatest impact on the environment? Are you curious about the difference between sustainable and organic winemaking? What are the six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership? 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 How did Anna realize she wanted to dedicate her career to environmental work? What drives Anna to work in climate action and sustainability within the wine industry? What does it mean to be voted as “the most intriguing environmentalist”? How did the global pandemic contribute to the worst moment in Anna’s wine career? What was the impact of COVID-19 on consumer investment in sustainability and climate action? What was it like to put together the first climate and wine symposium? Is wine production bad for the environment? What does it mean for the wine industry to be a leader in soil-to-bottle sustainability? What are the biggest misconceptions about sustainability? Why did Anna create the six pillars of sustainable winegrowing leadership? How can you distinguish between sustainability, organic, and biodynamic practices? Why are there so many different organic certifications in the US? How can vineyards optimize irrigation systems and water use? What does it take to start dry farming? How can energy efficiency potentially produce cost savings for vineyards? What do wineries need to think about when it comes to waste management and supply chain emissions? Is it irresponsible for wineries to continue to use extremely heavy-weight bottles?   Key Takeaways Anna provides an excellent global view of wine’s impact on the environment rather than just focusing narrowly or organic winemaking or sustainability. She gave us a clear definition on the differences between sustainable and organic winemaking. I think most people might assume that wine made organically is also farmed sustainably, but that’s not always the case. She also presents clear and compelling facts such as that 40-50% of the emissions from a winery operation come from packaging and distribution alone.   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/258.

What might surprise you about Rosé wine? Is being a supertaster an advantage in the wine industry? Do you feel you’re drinking too much wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Wendy Mesley and Maureen Holloway for their podcast, Women of Ill Repute. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Why didn’t I apologize after being called out for using other people’s reviews on my website? How does the herd mentality bring out the worst in people online? What is it about the wine industry that continues to feed into the deeply-rooted sexism? How does wine marketing perpetuate stereotypes and negatively impact women? What does it mean to be a super taster? How do I review so many bottles of wine? Why is it important for a wine reviewer to expectorate? What is it about artichokes that makes them hard to pair with alcohol? What might surprise you about Rosé wine? What are the five aspects of tasting wine? How has the vocabulary of wine evolved over time? What can you do to develop your smell vocabulary?   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 Women of Ill Repute Women of Ill Repute is a compliment. And not just for women! Wendy Mesley and Maureen Holloway have left CBC and CHFI to chat with sassy women about sex, family, politics, and media. Lots of secrets and no room for shame. Is it journalism or comedy? It’s both. Smart talk with tv and radio stars, comedians, authors, lawyers, politicos, restaurant icons and more. All of them brave, fierce and funny.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/257.  

How can you avoid buying a fake bottle of wine? What makes a wine truly authentic? How did Rudy Kurniawan get so far in his fraudulent schemes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars and why did it ultimately unravel? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rebecca Gibb, author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Rebecca Gibb's book, Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What caused the wine scandal in the 1980s, which devastated the Austrian wine scene? How did the Austrian wine industry turn around its image and recover? What was the story behind the famous Thomas Jefferson wine fraud scandal? How did Rudy Kurniawan get so far in his fraudulent schemes and why did it ultimately unravel? What makes a wine truly authentic? How is modern technology being used to detect fraud? Why is Don & Petie Kladstrup’s book, Wine and War, one of Rebecca’s favourites? What is it about food and wine pairing that Rebecca doesn’t like? Which famous person would Rebecca love to share a bottle of wine with?   Key Takeaways Rebecca shared some great tips on how we can avoid buying a fake bottle of wine. I found her larger discussion of what makes a wine truly authentic fascinating. The story of Rudy Kurniawan and his fraudulent schemes worth hundreds of thousands of dollars sounds like the script of a movie or Netflix special.   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 Rebecca Gibb Rebecca Gibb is an editor for the online wine publication Vinous, covering the wines of New Zealand and the Loire Valley. In addition, she owns a wine and spirit jigsaw business, Puzzle Cru. Rebecca is one of only 416 Masters of Wine in the world and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Bollinger Medal in recognition of her superb tasting ability.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/256.

Are you curious about the greatest con artists in the world of wine? What creative but illegal ingredients have been added to wine to cut costs and boost profits? What is it about tales of crime and greed that draw us in? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rebecca Gibb, author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Three of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Rebecca Gibb's book, Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud. To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What was it like to represent Great Britain as an athlete at the age of 19? Where did Rebecca’s interest in the cello come from? Why has Rebecca decided to donate a portion of her book’s royalties to finding a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy? Why did Rebecca decide to write about the riots in Champagne in 1911? What is it about tales of crime and greed that draw us in? What’s the meaning of the MICE acronym used to describe the motivations behind committing fraud? How have coercion and ego played a role in wine fraud over the years? Do you have to be a wine person to appreciate Rebecca’s book, Vintage Crime? What was the most popular method of wine fraud in Ancient Rome? Which unusual methods did vintners try in an effort to restore vineyards after the phylloxera epidemic in the late 1800s? How did it come to be that there was more Champagne being sold than produced during World War I?   Key Takeaways I enjoyed Rebecca’s stories about the greatest con artists in the world of wine. I think we all love a juicy story about people trying to get one over on others. Call it whatever the wine version is of schadenfreude. I agree that part of what helps con artists get away with what they do is that people don't want to admit they have been duped. That’s pride and human nature. I was intrigued by the creative but illegal ingredients that have been added to wine to cut costs and boost profits. There's a fine line between what's adulteration and what isn't.   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 Rebecca Gibb Rebecca Gibb is an editor for the online wine publication Vinous, covering the wines of New Zealand and the Loire Valley. In addition, she owns a wine and spirit jigsaw business, Puzzle Cru. Rebecca is one of only 416 Masters of Wine in the world and was awarded the Outstanding Achievement Award and the Bollinger Medal in recognition of her superb tasting ability.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/255.

Are you curious about new Australian wine styles and regions? Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now? What was the most devastating part of several Court of Master Sommelier scandals? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author Jane Lopes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian.  To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What’s it like to experience the journey of becoming a Master Sommelier? Do we need more outlets for education in the wine industry? What was it like being a woman experiencing the unfair and sexist consequences of several Master Sommelier scandals? How would the industry benefit from more transparency and an overhaul of the Court of Master Sommeliers certification process? How is How To Drink Australian different from other books about Australian wine? What was the motivation behind writing How To Drink Australian? What are some of the unique characteristics of Australian wine and wine regions? Why is Grenache experiencing a resurgence in Australia right now? What’s the tasting experience like for Ngeringa 2018 Summit Vineyard Chardonnay and Bird on a Wire 2015 Syrah? Why should you try a wider range of Australian wine?   Key Takeaways I loved Jane’s fresh take on new Australian wine styles and regions. I knew that Australia has plenty of warm regions and a number of cool areas, but I didn’t realize it also has some of the coldest wine regions in the world. Jane has put Australian grenache on my radar. I love this grape and wine from the Rhone and am keen to do more side-by-side comparison tastings with those from Australia. The Court of Master Sommelier exam scandal had a pretty devastating impact on candidates like Jane, who had studied for years and invested thousands of dollars to prepare for it only to have that hard-earned recognition taken away. Coupled with Master Sommelier sexual harassment scandal, I hope that serious reforms are underway with the organization.   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 Jane Lopes Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane’s second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), was published in 2023.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/254.

Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you? Why is it hard to get a good wine education? How can an emotional guide to wine deepen your pleasure in it? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with sommelier and author, Jane Lopes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway Two of you are going to be the lucky recipients of a copy of Jane Lopes' books. One of you will win Vignette: Stories Of Life And Wine In 100 Bottles, and another will win How To Drink Australian.  To enter, email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights Why did Jane decide to study Renaissance literature at the University of Chicago? How did Jane transition from academia to the wine industry? What were the sensory and social aspects of wine that initially attracted Jane? Why is it hard to get a good wine education? Which physical aspects of working in a restaurant might surprise you? How did Jane incorporate creative wine pairings and experimentation in her time as wine director? What was the inspiration for the name of Jane’s first book, Vignette? Why did Jane include resources for alcohol use disorder in her book? What was the most surprising insight that Jane discovered while writing Vignette? Why did Jane agree to be a part of Esquire's television series Uncorked, despite her anxiety? What happened to Jane before her advanced sommelier exam?   Key Takeaways Working in a restaurant is incredibly grueling both physically and emotionally. Thos in it are prime to excessive drinking and that’s why the hospitality industry, which includes both restaurants and wineries, has the highest rate of substance abuse among any profession. Jane makes some excellent points about why it’s hard to get a good wine education, both in terms of cost and the variety of wines you need to taste, especially if you want to make it your profession. I love her approach in her first book as an emotional guide to wine to deepen your pleasure in it.   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 Jane Lopes Jane Lopes is a Nashville-based sommelier, author, and importer. In September of 2019, Jane finally put her University of Chicago literature degree to good use in publishing her first book, a personal and educational guide to wine called Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. In 2020, Jane and her husband Jonathan Ross co-founded their own Australian wine imports company: Legend. Jane’s second book, How to Drink Australian (co-authored with her husband), will publish in September 2023.     To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/253.

Why does it seem taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine? What’s prompting so much wine shaming of those who enjoy easy-drinking commercial wines that have residual sugar, and why do these wines play an important role in the wine market? How can memoirs have more emotional impact than biographies, and what’s the difference between the two? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Why did I dedicate Wine Witch on Fire to my mother? What makes memoirs often more emotionally impactful than biographies? Why is it taboo to talk about the intoxicating effects of wine? What is it about wine that feeds into the perception of sophistication and elegance compared to other alcoholic beverages? How can you integrate the intellectual aspect of wine with the buzz? Why do I believe commercial wines serve an important role in the industry? How did I decide which wines to include in Wine Witch on Fire? What are some of the challenges still being faced by women and people of color in the industry?   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 Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She’s pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff. Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert. Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/252.

How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir the grape that teeters on the edge of a nervous breakdown? How can moderation help to preserve our passion for wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira on their Boozy Biddies Talk Wine podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights What makes Wine Witch on Fire different from my first two books? How do bad vintages in life help us to thrive? Why is Pinot Noir my favourite grape? How did the process of writing my memoir help me to heal and connect with others? Has the wine industry changed in recent years when it comes to women and people of colour? Why was it important to me to openly share my mental health struggles? Are there parallels between my experiences in the tech and wine industries? How can moderation help to preserve your passion for wine? What types of moderation tips will you find in Wine Witch on Fire? What do wine professionals need to be aware of when it comes to drinking on the job? Why is it tricky for many women in the wine industry to navigate professional social situations? What is it like to go up against stereotypes while trying to build your career in the wine industry? How has misogyny been threaded throughout wine writing? Which surprising Rosé food pairing is my guilty pleasure?   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 Calla Bischoff and Kara Ferreira Calla Bischoff is an east coast kid at heart who has made her way out west where she worked as a wine supplier for seven years. She’s pivoted in the industry, now focusing on selling corks and oak barrels to distilleries around North America, but is physically incapable of staying away from wine even if her sales focus on the harder stuff. Kara Ferreira is still an East Coast kid – despite being born in California – who grew up drinking Italian wine at home with her Italian family (which, thanks to Ancestry.com, we now know is only about 6% Italian). She also took a course on Italian wine while studying abroad, so naturally this makes her an expert. Together they created Boozy Biddies Talk Wine, a fun and irreverent exploration of wine for people who love drinking it and want to know just a bit more about it.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/251.

Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What would surprise you about the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco? What would it be like to spend half a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Andy James, author of Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. 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 Andy James' terrific new book, Bandol Wine and the Magic of Mourvèdre. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win a copy. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights Why is Bandol the only appellation to lead with Mourvèdre? What are Andy’s favourite pairings for Mourvèdre Rosé? What was it like to spend half a day picking in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard? Who are some of the famous past residents of Bandol? What did Andy learn from interviewing famous Italian winemaker Angelo Gaja? How have Barbaresco and Barolo wines changed over the decades? What can you expect from Domaine Le Galantin Bandol Rosé? Why does Andy like Lehmann’s Synergie and RIEDEL’s Winewings glasses? What’s the tasting experience like for G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera? How can you pair G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera with food? What controversial take does Andy have on decanting? Which fascinating book can you read to learn about the history of Burgundy? Why is a thermometer Andy’s favourite wine gadget? Which English writer would Andy love to share a bottle of breakfast Champagne with?   Key Takeaways Andy’s explanation of why Bandol is the only wine region to lead with Mourvèdre was fascinating. As he said, there’s a salinity and freshness in the wines, good Mourvedre has to see the sea. I enjoyed his description of the northern Italian grape and wine Barbaresco and the changes it’s experiencing. He painted a terrific picture of what it’s like to spend a day picking grapes in a Sauvignon Blanc vineyard.   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 Andy James Andrew James is a Canadian who received a doctorate in 20th century English literature from Ulster University. He is currently a professor in the School of Commerce at Meiji University in Tokyo. He is the author of a monograph on Kingsley Amis and numerous essays on literature, biography and literary theory, but he is also a wine lover.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/250.