Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 16
July 2, 2024
Why Wildfire Smoke Taint in Wine Intensifies as it Ages with Dr. Wes Zandberg
Introduction Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. 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 the comments as we watch it […]
The post Why Wildfire Smoke Taint in Wine Intensifies as it Ages with Dr. Wes Zandberg appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
Easy Entertaining with Wine and Cheese (Video)
In the second segment, Leanne and I talk about chat about what makes wine and cheese pop on a plate visually, and how to mix textures, tastes and flavours. You can watch our first video segment on wine and cheese pairing here. Pasqua Pinot Grigio Delle Venezie Veneto DOC, Italy Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough, New Zealand Miguel Torres Chile Las Mulas Sauvignon Blanc Central Valley, Chile […]
The post Easy Entertaining with Wine and Cheese (Video) appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 30, 2024
The Best Online Wine Tasting & Pairing Classes (Video)
As the kids head back to school, let’s chat about how the adults have changed the way they learn about wine, especially with online courses. It’s a virtual world of wine learning at your fingertips. Yesterday, I chatted with Nicole Dube on CTV’s Morning Live show. First, tell us why online wine courses have become so popular? Online courses offer the best of both worlds: they’re accessible to everyone no matter where you live, they’re more comprehensive than a one-off class, but not as technical and time-consuming as college courses. Plus, there’s no drinking, then driving home, […]
The post The Best Online Wine Tasting & Pairing Classes (Video) appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 27, 2024
Canadian Wine Trailblazers: Canada’s 5 Revolutionary Winemakers
On CTV’s The Social, we celebrate the long weekend by raising a glass to trailblazing Canadian wineries. These industry pioneers are leading the way in many areas, like new winemaking techniques and strong environmental practices. They’re also leaders in the quality of wines they produce. Here to highlight her top picks from across the country is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes. We’re starting on the west coast in British Columbia. What makes Gold Hill Winery a standout? The team at Gold Hill Winery almost exclusively immigrants. The founders, brothers Sant and […]
The post Canadian Wine Trailblazers: Canada’s 5 Revolutionary Winemakers appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
Cheers to Canada! 5 Great Wines and Spirits to Celebrate the Long Weekend
Click on the image above to play the video On CityTV’s Breakfast Television, we chat about terrific Canadian drinks from coast to coast to celebrate Canada Day. Hey Natalie! Hey Meredith and Tracy, great to be back with you! Natalie, before we get started, we hear congratulations are in order. You’ve just been named the 2024 Canadian Wine Champion. Wine Growers Canada, representing 800 wineries across the country, voted to select the individual who has demonstrated outstanding leadership, commitment and passion for our homegrown industry. I’m proud to be on Team Canada when it comes to wine […]
The post Cheers to Canada! 5 Great Wines and Spirits to Celebrate the Long Weekend appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 25, 2024
How Wildfires Affect the Taste of Your Wine with Dr. Wes Zandberg
Introduction What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce tainted wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg. 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 […]
The post How Wildfires Affect the Taste of Your Wine with Dr. Wes Zandberg appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 19, 2024
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings June 22, 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 June 8th. 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. […]
The post Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings June 22, 2024 appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 18, 2024
Ontario Wines, the Women Behind Them and at the Forefront with Jennifer Wilhelm
Introduction What is agri-tourism and why did people begin to embrace the farming experience? Why don’t Ontarians drink as much of our own wine as other provinces or countries? How did one woman lead the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm’s terrific new book Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario’s Grape & Wine Industry. How to Win […]
The post Ontario Wines, the Women Behind Them and at the Forefront with Jennifer Wilhelm appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
Summer Smoked Cheese Platter Recipe Paired with Shiraz, Merlot
Pool-Side Pickers Backyard pool parties are the best. But staying in the sun all day can leave you and your guests fatigued and most of all, hungry. If you find yourself hosting or invited to a backyard bash, serve something that’s always a satisfying crowd pleaser: a delicious Canadian cheese platter. Of course, when preparing the perfect platter there are questions that arise, like which cheeses should you serve and which wine pairings work best with them? That’s why I’ve compiled a list of my summer go-to’s that will satisfy the most discerning palettes. So here it is, my list […]
The post Summer Smoked Cheese Platter Recipe Paired with Shiraz, Merlot appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
June 17, 2024
Video: Prince Edward County Wines and Free My Grapes
On CTV News today, Leanne and I chat about the glorious wines of Prince Edward County, as well as why it’s a great region to visit. I’ll list the wines we mentioned here soon. You can watch our second wine video segment here. We also discuss the new campaign from the Canadian Vintners Association (CVA) to encourage interprovincial trade ministers to make direct to home delivery legal, as the federal government has already passed legislation to do so via Bill C-311 six years ago. You can add your voice to this important campaign at actnow.freemygrapes.ca. Interesting Facts and Stats Canada is […]
The post Video: Prince Edward County Wines and Free My Grapes appeared first on Natalie MacLean.
