Introduction What makes the Rioja region of Spain a must-visit destination for wine lovers? What are the best food pairings for Rioja wines? What’s the sticky history behind the Battle of Wine festival in La Rioja? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Adam Lechmere, editor of The Smart Traveler’s Wine Guide to Rioja, among other books in this series. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of the terrific new book, The Smart Traveller’s Wine Guide to Rioja, written by Fintan Kerr and edited by our […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings September 21, 2024
You can access the wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for September 7th. These are just some of the benefits of supporting our wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. Curious about […]
The Rise of Southwestern Ontario Wines with Martin Janz, Winemaker at Pelee Island Winery
Introduction Why is winemaking always a challenge, no matter how long you’ve been doing it? How are wind machines used to mitigate the negative impact of cold weather? How does Pelee Island’s biodiversity influence the brand and winery? Why is it important for winemakers to respect the natural environment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Martin Janz, the chief winemaker at Pelee Island Winery in Southwestern Ontario. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you will each win a fabulous bottle of LOLA Light Rosé from Pelee Island Winery. How to […]
The Enchanting Wines of the Greek Peloponnese
The Peloponnese peninsula occupies the southernmost part of mainland Greece and is the nation’s largest vineyard. The wealth of distinctive native and international grapes, in conjunction with the wide diversity of available terroirs, has given rise to an astonishing range of wines. Although the climate of the Peloponnese can be broadly described as Mediterranean, the varied topography generates different weather patterns. Large mountains alternate with coastal areas and breathtaking vineyards can be found at altitudes exceeding 1,000 m above sea-level. All these result in one of the most diverse and complex wine-growing departments of Greece. There are […]
How British Columbia Wineries Are Recovering and Why You Should Visit Them
This year, British Columbia’s wine country faced a devastating frost that damaged many vineyards’ crops. But in true Canadian spirit, these wineries have pivoted, offering unique experiences to welcome visitors. Whether you’re planning a last summer getaway or looking forward to the harvest season, our next guest will give you some great ideas. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I always say that when life gives you lemons, make limoncello—but when life gives you frost, well, […]
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings September 7, 2024
You can access the wines that I reviewed as a text wine list with my complete tasting notes, scores, food matches. If you are a Paid Member, you can add my wine picks to your custom shopping list with one click and access that list on your smartphone to find the stock for each wine in your closest LCBO store. You can also see my wine reviews for August 24th. These are just some of the benefits of supporting our wine community as a Paid Member. Inventory stock numbers are usually posted online a day or two before the release based on the LCBO doing so. Curious […]
Why Ontario and Canadian Wines Deserve Your Attention and Taste Buds
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), the world’s second largest purchaser of wine after Costco, published this article in its magazine. Local Champion Ottawa-based wine expert and author Natalie MacLean is a trusted resource for good wine and good food who was awarded the 2024 Wine Growers Canada Wine Industry Champion Award earlier this year. We recently sat down with her to discuss the changing landscape of Ontario wine. Do you feel the Niagara wine industry has changed much in the past twenty years? I’ve seen (and tasted) the dramatic rise in Canadian […]
The Magical Wines from Central Greece
Editor’s Note: Join me on a taste journey through the heart of Greece’s wine landscape, where ancient traditions meet modern innovation. The article below is sponsored by the Wines of Greece. I’ve long been a fan of Greek wines and my reviews of them remain independent. Central Greece is a large and diverse department. It is also one of the most mountainous areas, including part of the Pindos Mountain Range. Topography and soils are complex and diverse, providing an astonishing variety of available terroirs. The “king” in the vineyards is Savatiano, however a large number of other […]
How Alcohol Fuels Innovation and Group Cohesion with Edward Slingerland
Introduction What is the connection between alcohol and innovation? How does alcohol improve the quality of group brainstorming? Why is it important not to think about alcohol consumption through a medical lens alone? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his terrific book, Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our […]
The Art of Austrian Wine: From Auslese to Zweigelt
By Alana Lapierre If a question on the American game show Jeopardy! showcased the varietes Gruner Veltliner and Blaufrankisch, a contestant would surely respond promptly with, “What are two of Austria’s most well-known varieties?” They’d be correct of course, but that answer would also belie the great depth and variety of Austria’s terroir, one that I had the pleasure of tasting through following Austrian Wine’s June 2021 Ontario online tasting event that included wine samples, public seminars, and private video meetings with winemakers. Austria is known mostly for fresh, pure white wines and exceptional value for money in terms […]
