From CTV News at 6 pm: The Canadian wine industry has been hit hard this year with frost, wildfires and new taxes. The biggest challenge though may be convincing Canadians that the wines are worth buying. Here with her take on the issue is our resident wine expert Natalie MacLean. How do Canadian wines stack up against foreign imports? Despite the fact there are 700 wineries across this country, more than 100 in Quebec, foreign imports dominate 70% of our domestic wine market sales. Why don’t we drink more of our own wines? We’re not […]
Wine and Politics
How the New Wine Tax Impacts You — Even If You Don’t Drink Wine
Click the arrow above to play the video Most of my topics on the TV morning shows are about enjoying wine with family and friends. However, recently I’ve started speaking out on the 6 pm newscasts, like this one from CTV, about the taxes levied on the Canadian wine industry. They’re higher than any other wine-producing country. This issue deserves your attention given its impact on the future of our wineries. I encourage you to contact your Member of Parliament (email addresses are noted with each member’s name). CTV News at 6 pm: The latest excise tax increase on […]
Wine Crime & Con Artists with Rebecca Gibb, Author of Vintage Crime: A Short History of Wine Fraud
Introduction 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 here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, […]
Bordeaux Wines, Politics and Wine, Monastrell & Spanish Food Pairings with Lori Budd of Exploring the Glass
Introduction What is it like to participate in the coveted en premiere tasting of the new vintage of Bordeaux wines in France while they’re still in the barrels aging? Which Spanish foods should you pair with the fabulous red wine Monastrell? How does politics influence wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with winemaker, writer and podcast host, Lori Budd who graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program. She and her husband own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s also the host of the podcast called Exploring the Glass. You can find the wines we discussed […]
Cosmo’s Sex & the City, Champagne, Whisky Women in Mallory O’Meara’s Girly Drinks
Introduction How did the Cosmopolitan become an iconic cocktail on the TV show Sex and the City? Did you know an illegal shipment of Champagne revolutionized the entire industry? Which women are responsible for America’s increase in scotch and bourbon consumption after Prohibition? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Mallory O’Meara, the author of the just-published Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern […]
Girly Drinks with Mallory O’Meara on the History of Women and Alcohol
Introduction Did you know that the Egyptian Queen Cleopatra has her own, private wine club and that it was used against her to bring down her empire? Are you curious about the first people to make beer? They were women called alewives, but the church didn’t like that. Did you know that the first bars were created for women? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Mallory O’Meara, the author of the just-published Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook […]
Embarrassing Wine Moments, Oak as Ketchup & Powerful Stories
Introduction Why are sugar and oak often the ketchup of the wine world, used to hide bad grapes or poor winemaking? How did researching my first book lead to my most embarrassing wine moment? What’s the problem with biodynamic and natural wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed by Paul K on the Wine Talks with Paul K podcast. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights How can you navigate the shelves at the wine store when every bottle has a 90+ score? Why do I believe the individual experience is so important […]
Restaurant List Tips, Wine Courses & Buying Local Wines
Introduction Why are restaurant wine lists often tricky to navigate, even for wine professionals? Is it worth pursuing wine certifications and courses? Wine is the most value-added agricultural product we produce so why are there so many barriers for these small farmers who try to sell their wines across the country? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed by Paul K on the Wine Talks with Paul K podcast. You can find the wines we discussed here. Highlights What was my winding journey to sommelier certification like? What is it about wine that can feel so […]
Inflated Wine Scores, Inside Tasting Tips with Paul K – Part 2
Introduction Have wine scores gotten out of control, with higher numbers across the board? Are we oversimplifying wine when we talk and write about it? Is it possible to determine your wine taste by taking an online quiz that asks you about coffee, tea and other things you consume? And should you trust the algorithm that recommends wine to you based on your quiz results? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Paul K, host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K. You can find the wines we discussed here. Watch Party Giveaway One of […]
Wine, Politics and Diplomatic Entertaining with Washington Post Publisher, Fred Ryan – Part 2
Introduction Only one president made his own wine and it wasn’t Thomas Jefferson. So who was it? How did Jackie Kennedy Onassis’ love of France shape White House menus? Which famous California winemaker attended a White House celebration and as a result had a falling out with his brother and started his own winery? What would surprise you about what’s in the White House wine cellar? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Fred Ryan, publisher and CEO of the Washington Post and author of Wine and The White House. You can find the wines we discussed […]
