Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 2
July 17, 2025
Is your BBQ missing the secret sauce? It’s these wines …
If you’re firing up the BBQ, you may be wondering which wines to pair with your grilled fare. So who better to lead us through some terrific BBQ bottles than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi, great to be back with you! Actually, I never really left—I just went to refill my glass. So we’re going to kick things off with a fun little game. I’ll tell you about the wine and then you tell me which grilled grub pairs best with it. Sounds […]
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What happens when Canadian wines go head-to-head with global icons?
Many people don’t realize how many different styles of wine Canada produces. So today we’re toasting Canadian wines that rival the best in the world. To help us taste the best is Natalie MacLean, who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Great to be back with you! Natalie what’s the twist on why you’re recommending these particular wines today? Well, it’s time to stop being polite Canadians and time to start bragging about our own wines because they’re crushing it in the vineyard and on the world stage! I’m recommending […]
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July 15, 2025
How Can Music Change the Taste of Your Wine? Susan Lin, MW, Shares Stories and Tips
Introduction Why might a symphony night pair just as well with your wine as a heavy metal ballad? What is “sonic seasoning” and how can music impact the way we experience the taste of wine? How are sensory experiences like music, taste, and atmosphere all connected? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Susan Lin, a Master of Wine and a Master of Fine Arts in Classical Piano and Musicology. 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 […]
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July 14, 2025
Which wines and cocktails are perfect for summer sipping?
As the temperature soars, you may be looking for some refreshing summer drinks. Here to help is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Hi Natalie! Hi Melissa, great to be back with you! Let’s start with the first wine here. Great! What do you have? Folonari Prosecco Veneto, Italy We’re starting with Folonari Prosecco, a crisp, lightly sparkling Italian white with aromas of green apple, white peach, and a touch of lemon sunshine. This is like summer in a glass, pairing beautifully with […]
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July 13, 2025
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: July 19, 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 July 5th 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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June 17, 2025
How is Niagara-on-the-Lake’s On Seven Winery Making Montrachet-Style Chardonnay? with Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble
Introduction What were the key challenges and breakthroughs that shaped the BC and Ontario wine industries in the 1980s and 90s? What makes or breaks a new wine project, and why is finding the right vineyard often the most time-consuming step? What made Peter believe that Niagara-on-the-Lake could produce exceptional Chardonnay? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Ann Sperling & Peter Gamble. 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 […]
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June 10, 2025
Is A $400 Wine Really 10 Times Better Than a $40 One? Do Wine Labels and Glassware Matter More Than You Think?
Introduction Is a $400 wine really ten times better than a $40 one? Does the right glass really improve your wine and is it worth it when the size makes you look ridiculous? Why do wine labels matter and should the label’s look be part of every wine review? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Charles Jennings and Paul Keers, co-authors of the hilarious book I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of their terrific book, I […]
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Which Wines to Drink for Summer
We had such fun chatting about spring and summer wines on CTV’s The Social yesterday! Are the wines we drink in the winter that different from the ones we drink in the spring and summer? · Yes, most people’s drinking habits change with the seasons. · We typically drink heavy, alcoholic, heavily oaked wines in the winter because they comfort us and keep us warm. · “Drink what you like” remains in effect no matter the weather, but for most people, lighter drinking in the summer generally means more consumption of white wines. LIGHT & COLD This […]
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June 4, 2025
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: June 7, 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 May 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 about […]
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June 3, 2025
Why do wine descriptors like cat’s pee alienate many wine lovers? Charles Jennings and Paul Keers answer that and more in “I Bought It So I’ll Drink It”
Introduction How does using everyday metaphors make wine writing more relatable? How has the pressure to be an expert in everything turned simple pleasures into social competition? Does buying your own wine versus getting free samples make you a better wine writer? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Charles Jennings and Paul Keers, co-authors of the hilarious book I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of their terrific book, I Bought It So I’ll Drink It. […]
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