Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 11
January 28, 2025
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings February 1, 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 January 18th. 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 what […]
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January 27, 2025
BNN Bloomberg: How is the wine industry responding to the Dry January trend?
As we kick off the new year, many Canadians are looking to make healthier choices. There’s a growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to either moderate or eliminate their alcohol consumption. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie! Great to be with you, Amanda! How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of Gen Z participated in Dry January last year, with Millennials and Gen X at about 20%. Even more are choosing “Dry-ish” or “Damp” January […]
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January 21, 2025
Why is Chardonnay the Winemaker’s Grape + What a Family Brand Means with Chris Benziger
Introduction Why is Chardonnay the one grape that is equally made in the vineyards and the winery? What’s the difference between biodynamic and regenerative farming? What does it mean to be part of a family brand of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chris Benziger You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a bottle of one of his spectacular wines from California (open to Canadian residents only). How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know […]
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Wine and Comfort Food Pairing: Revel in Your Rut
Yes, I know that I’m supposed to be forward-looking to spring with a chirpy article about zesty white wines to pair with fresh vegetables, but it’s so cold outside … and I’m tired of writing seasonally-appropriate editorial content. So let’s make wallowing fun, and turn to comfort wines paired with comfort food. In our continuing video series with Canadian Press, we look at quick tips on pairing those old favourites, from braised meat to pasta in cream sauce with wine. It’ll make you (almost) care what time of year it is when you have bottled sunshine. Here are my favourite […]
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January 20, 2025
CTV National News Update on the Dry January Trend
On CTV’s National News, we discuss the growing trend called Dry-ish January for those who want to either moderate or eliminate their alcohol consumption. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. How big is this trend? Market research shows that 46% of Gen Z participated in Dry January last year, with Millennials and Gen X at about 20%. Even more are choosing “Dry-ish” or “Damp” January with low alcohol wines. A whopping 94% of those who buy alcohol-free wines also buy traditional wines. This category […]
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January 18, 2025
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings January 18, 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 January 4th. 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 […]
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January 14, 2025
Pioneer California Biodynamic Winemaking + 100 Adorable Sheep with Chris Benziger
Introduction What was it like to move to biodynamic wine farming at a time when hardly anyone was doing it? What crucial role do 100 adorable sheep play at the Benziger winery? How do biodynamic preparations that might seem a bit “woo” actually benefit the vineyard? What are the benefits of biodynamic farming practices for vine health and wine quality? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Chris Benziger, winemaker with the Benziger family wines in Sonoma, California. You can find the wines we discussed here . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a bottle […]
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January 10, 2025
Savour Flavour Without the Guilt: Low and No-Alcohol Wine Trends
The start of 2025 brings a shift in drinking habits, with a new movement called “Dry January” and its more flexible cousin “Dry-ish January.” The latter trend is gaining momentum with those seeking to reduce 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! Thanks for having me! I’m thrilled to chat about wines that have great taste without the alcoholic heft. Tell us about the scale of these movements. The numbers are revealing – 46% […]
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January 8, 2025
Finding the Right Amount of Wine for You During Dry-ish January
As we kick off the new year, many of us are considering taking on healthier habits in 2025. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go completely dry this January. Wine Growers Canada is encouraging you to find The Right Amount, which means enjoying wine mindfully as part of a balanced lifestyle. Joining us now with more is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! For those looking to enjoy wine responsibly in the new year, what should they […]
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January 7, 2025
The Biggest, Most Surprising Wine Myths with Hailey Bohlman
Introduction What’s the important difference between dry wines and the dry feeling you get when tasting certain wines? Do all or even most wines taste better when they’re older? How can you make the most of a trip to Washington wine country? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Hailey Bohlman 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, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be jumping into […]
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