Introduction What makes Vin Jaune from France’s Jura region so special? What can you discover about the diversity of wine coming out of Jura and the French Alps? What are some insider tips for planning a journey to the French Alps? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Wink Lorch. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch’s terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and ..read more

By Lesley Quinn With a gold like colour, luscious tropical fruit tones and a full body to pull it all together, Viognier is a bon-viveur’s dream wine. If done properly a good Viognier can be like a late summer walk through a peach orchard. Aromas permeating the warm thick air with pungent ripe fruit. And although it’s decadent, somehow it still leaves you feeling refreshed as most Viogniers are vinified to dryness. But if done poorly a Viognier can be flabby and flat and feel like you’ve decided to take up coconut ..read more

Introduction What is it about wines from the French Alps and Jura that makes them so different from any other wine region in the world? How has climate change impacted wines in the region? How did their perception as “ski resort wines” negatively impact Jura and Savoie wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Wink Lorch. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch’s terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps.   How to Win To qualify, all […] The post Wines of Jura and ..read more

By Natalie MacLean Who makes organic wine? The number of wineries making organic wines is increasing steadily, with the result that they’re available in a far greater range of styles than ever before. Formerly, they were only the domain of small producers, but now large companies are taking an interest as a way to diversify their offerings and to improve their environmental images. Some of the producers implement some organic principles and not others, some grow organic grapes but don’t make organic wine and still others make both organic and non-organic wines. So check the labels carefully. W ..read more

Watch CHCH-TV video here   Today we’re taking a stroll through floral-scented wines that herald the arrival of spring. Our garden guide is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine and food pairing classes at www.nataliemaclean.com   Welcome, Natalie.   Is comparing wines to flowers really just a form of wine snobbery? I’m shocked at what you’re implying! Just kidding ? Floral descriptions are more than poetic fancy or wine geek speak. It’s actually a reflection of the intricate chemistry of grapes and the artistry of winemaking. Grapes, like flowers, are prof ..read more

Watch Breakfast Television Video here   Is there any happier sign of spring than Rosé in your glass? Here to tell us which ones we should try, is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine pairing classes at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome back, Natalie. Great to be back with you, Meredith!      Okay, on to Rosé! Why is it exploding in popularity? Rosé is packed with flavour and food versatility but not the heavy oak or alcohol of big red wines or even in some whites that have you falling asleep on the sofa at 7 pm. It’s […] The post Uncork Spring Splen ..read more

Introduction Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? How are younger producers bringing renewed optimism to Beaujolais? What is indigenous fermentation, and how does it contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales.   How to Win To q ..read more

By Priya & Alex, A Vine Romance “Come, let me show you another side of Malbec, my friend.” Winemaker Aurelio Montes Jr. spoke the lovely quote above. What distinguishes him from many of his peers is that he makes wines for consumers rather than for winemakers, because he considers himself “a consumer first and foremost.” Perhaps this is why both of us (Alex, the Sommelier and Priya the casual drinker) were able to enjoy the horizontal tasting of Kaiken wines in Toronto at Nota Bene restaurant last week. Over a lunch spanning a leisurely 3 hours (a lovely Argentinian cus ..read more

“Wine, show me the art of seeing my own history; as if it were already a handful of ashes in memory.” – Jorge Luis Borges, 1964 By Greg Hughes April 17th is International Malbec Day and in Ottawa it was celebrated at the residence of the Argentine ambassador to Canada, Her Excellency Norma Nacimbene de Dumont. The mood was cheerful for the lucky twenty individuals invited to share this special day sipping wine and eating empanadas with Her Excellency in her home.  There was special cause for excitement.  This was the first Malbec Day to be celebrated for half a […] The post Mad for M ..read more

Watch CTV The Social video here   Welcome back everybody. We’re all familiar with wines like Chardonnay and Merlot but there are so many lesser-known grapes out there to discover!   Here to highlight vineyard vanguards to sip this spring is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online food and wine pairing classes. Welcome back, Natalie!   Natalie, before we get to the wine, congratulations are in order because you were selected as the 2024 Canada Wine Champion Award!   It’s presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and pa ..read more