Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 3

What Do Wild Orchids Reveal About the Health of a Vineyard and How Does Preschool Turn France Into a Nation of Gourmets?

Introduction How does biodynamic farming transform a vineyard into a thriving, interconnected ecosystem? What do wild orchids reveal about the health of a vineyard? How do France’s preschool lunches help to create a nation of gourmets? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Caro Feely, author of the terrific memoir Grape Expectations: A Family’s Vineyard Adventure in France. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Grape Adventures.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and […]

The post What Do Wild Orchids Reveal About the Health of a Vineyard and How Does Preschool Turn France Into a Nation of Gourmets? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

What Are 4 Ways That Winemakers Die in Wineries and Why Is It So Dangerous? Caro Feely, Author of Grape Expectations, Has Answers

Introduction What makes vine growing and winemaking so physically demanding? What are the hidden dangers of winemaking that most wine lovers never hear about? Why are some winemakers choosing to label their wines as Vin de France rather than follow strict appellation rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Caro Feely, author of the terrific memoir Grape Expectations: A Family’s Vineyard Adventure in France. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Grape Expectations: A Family’s Vineyard Adventure in France.   […]

The post What Are 4 Ways That Winemakers Die in Wineries and Why Is It So Dangerous? Caro Feely, Author of Grape Expectations, Has Answers appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Which Wines and Cocktails Deserve the Crown This Weekend?

  The Victoria Day long weekend is just around the corner. Whether you’re firing up the grill or lounging on a dock, we’ve got drinks to match the mood and the food.   Here to help us is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! I love Victoria Day. We get to celebrate a queen and the official start of patio season. So I’m here for both the crowns and the corks.   Let’s start on a refreshing note. What’s a great white wine to serve […]

The post Which Wines and Cocktails Deserve the Crown This Weekend? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: May 24, 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 10th  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 […]

The post Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: May 24, 2025 appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Why do Celebrities, like Brad Pitt, John Legend, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi, Cameron Diaz and Kylie Minogue Choose Rosé for Their Brands?

Introduction Why is Rosé the go-to wine for celebrity-owned brands rather than Chardonnay or Cabernet? Why are the younger generations of wine drinkers choosing Rosé over red? Is the Rosé boom just a trend, or is its popularity here to stay? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Rasmus Emborg & Jens Honoré, who co-published the Rose Revolution. 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 […]

The post Why do Celebrities, like Brad Pitt, John Legend, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jon Bon Jovi, Cameron Diaz and Kylie Minogue Choose Rosé for Their Brands? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Petals & Pinot: What are 5 Wine & Flower Pairings Mom Will Love?

  Let’s start by talking about the connection between wine and florals. What is it?   We often see floral descriptions of wine and they’re 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 profoundly influenced by their terroir – the unique environment in which they grow. So I’ve brought in five different wines representing very different bouquets today.     Today you’ve brought a selection of wines and paired them with flowers that would make beautiful gifts for Mother’s Day this […]

The post Petals & Pinot: What are 5 Wine & Flower Pairings Mom Will Love? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Which Wine Matches Your Mom’s Personality? A Mother’s Day Tasting Guide

   Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and what better way to toast these important women than with wines to match their unique personalities?   And who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you, Dina and Tim! Picking the right wine for your mom is like finding the perfect Mother’s Day card — personal, heartfelt, but not homemade – at least when it comes to wine. If you truly love your mother, please don’t do that!     […]

The post Which Wine Matches Your Mom’s Personality? A Mother’s Day Tasting Guide appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

5 Surpring Facts about Pinot Grigio + Top 10 Pinot Grigio Wines to Buy Now

  Pinot Grigio is one of the fastest growing white wines in the liquor store. It has a clean, crisp, fresh nature that works well as an aperitif or as a companion to a wide range of dishes from seafood and chicken.   Here are my top 10 Pinot Grigio reviews and ratings.   5 Surprising Facts about Pinot Grigio:   1. Pinot Grigio is a white variant-clone of the red grape Pinot Noir. The Italian region of Friuli produces the best Pinot Grigio in a crisp, refreshing style.   Other Italian regions produce it too but it can be […]

The post 5 Surpring Facts about Pinot Grigio + Top 10 Pinot Grigio Wines to Buy Now appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: May 10, 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 April 26th  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 […]

The post Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: May 10, 2025 appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

How did Marcel Ott, of Domaines Ott, revolutionize Rosé wine? Rasmus Emborg & Jens Honoré Share the Story in Rosé Revolution

Introduction How did Rosé get a bad reputation as not being a “real” wine? How did Marcel Ott revolutionize the world of Rosé wine? Why is Grenache a popular grape for making trendy pale Rosés? How do Rosé’s beautiful bottles both help and hurt its reputation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Rasmus Emborg and Jens Honoré, the author and photographer, respectively, who have published Rosé Revolution. 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 […]

The post How did Marcel Ott, of Domaines Ott, revolutionize Rosé wine? Rasmus Emborg & Jens Honoré Share the Story in Rosé Revolution appeared first on Natalie MacLean.