Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 10
February 18, 2025
Why is the Languedoc a Hotbed of Experimentation? Rosemary George Reveals What This Means for the Wines You Drink
Introduction Why is the Languedoc a hotbed of experimentation, and what does that mean for the wines you drink? What role have white and rosé wines played in the transformation of the Languedoc wine scene? What prompted the shift from mass-produced table wines to higher-quality appellation wines in Languedoc? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Rosemary George. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Wines of the Languedoc. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do […]
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February 17, 2025
What are 5 Sensual Words in the Love Language of Wine?
Wine and romance – it’s a perfect pairing! Whether you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day celebration or just want to add some spark to date night, wine can help set the mood. But which wines should you choose? And what exactly do all those sensual wine terms mean? 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! Wine is all about seducing our senses and imagination. Some of the compounds that give wine its “sexy” descriptors are also found in […]
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February 13, 2025
Which Wines Win in the Battle of the Boxed versus Bottled Wines?
Did you know that boxed wines are having a moment? But can they really compete with bottled wines? We’re about to find out! 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’m here to help us think outside the box – and to drink inside of it. Natalie, many of us remember boxed wines from college days, and not fondly. What’s changed? Everything! Don’t think of these as Chateau Cardbordeaux. They’re actually one of the fastest growing categories […]
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Cupid’s Crush: What’s the Best Wine for Each Stage of a Relationship?
Have you ever wondered which wines pair best with the roller coaster of romance? From first dates to final goodbyes, we’re exploring wines that match every stage of your love life. 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! My motto for Valentine’s Day is candy is dandy and liquor is quicker – but wine is divine. Let’s start with first dates. What wine would you recommend for those nerve-wracking initial encounters? Romeo […]
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February 12, 2025
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings February 15, 2025
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 February 1st. 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 […]
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February 11, 2025
Why are Languedoc Wines Capturing Worldwide Attention? Rosemary George Tells the Story
Introduction What makes the Languedoc particularly well-suited for organic viticulture? How have the wines of the Languedoc evolved since the 70s? How do the wines of the Languedoc region of southern France differ from neighbouring Roussillon? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Rosemary George You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Wines of the Languedoc. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you’ve posted a review […]
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Forget Roses: Which Wines Say “I Love You”?
Have you ever wondered which wines pair best with the roller coaster of romance? From first dates to final goodbyes, we’re exploring wines that match every stage of your love life. 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, Crystal! My motto for Valentine’s Day is candy is dandy and liquor is quicker – but wine is divine. Let’s start with first dates. What wine would you recommend for those nerve-wracking initial encounters? Lenz Moser […]
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February 4, 2025
Why Did Greece Have the First Sommeliers, Wine Tastings and Writers? Konstantinos Lazarakis Reveals the Answers
Introduction What are some of the significant contributions that Greece has made to the world of wine? How does the Greek volcanic island of Santorini produce wines of stunning depth and freshness at the same time? How are Greek wines shifting the perspective on what’s possible for warm climate wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Master of Wine Konstantinos Lazarakis. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, The Wines of Greece. How to Win To qualify, all you […]
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January 29, 2025
Dry January: A Shift Toward Alcohol-Free Wines and the ‘Dry-ish’ Trend
The start of 2025 brings a shift in drinking habits, with a new movement called “Dry January.” It’s gaining popularity with those seeking reduce or eliminate alcohol consumption while still enjoying the occasional glass or two. 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, Mona! I’m thrilled to chat about wines that have great taste without the alcoholic heft. Tell us about the scale of this movement. The numbers are revealing – 46% of Generation Z embraced Dry January […]
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January 28, 2025
What are the Surprising Wines and Regions of Greece? Konstantinos Lazarakis Shares His Favourites
Introduction What makes wine worth waiting for? How much wine is produced in Greece? What would surprise you about the wines of Greece? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Konstantinos Lazarakis, author of the new book The Wines of Greece. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, The Wines of Greece. How to Win 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. It […]
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