Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 34
July 9, 2023
You Say Tomato, I Say Wine: Let’s Pair Them All Off (Video)
On CTV News, we chat about pairing wine with tomatoes, from heirloom to vine-ripened varieties. In Ode to the Tomato, Chilean poet Pablo Neruda described them as “the stars of the earth” that are upon the table, belted by summer” and “grant us the festival of ardent color and all-embracing freshness.” Now is the time to indulge in tomatoes while they’re in season with their thin skins that slide off plump like silk lingerie and yield their juicy, chin-dripping pleasure—the opposite of those tired February pellets that taste like mid-winter despair. Tomatoes hang heavy in our backyards and […]
July 6, 2023
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings July 8, 2023
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 24th. These are just some of the benefits of supporting out 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 […]
July 4, 2023
Online Mobbing, Dark Humour and Change in the Wine Industry with Luke Whittall of the Sipster’s Wine Podcast
Introduction How do you deal with the mob mentality of social media when it’s a part of your work? How can you find the humour in the dark moments of life? What has changed in the past ten years in the wine industry when it comes to inequality and discrimination? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m being interviewed by Luke Whittall, host of The Sipster’s Wine Podcast. 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 […]
How to Host an Informal Wine Tasting for Your Book Club – American Library Association Conference Presentation
I’m just back from speaking at the annual American Library Association conference in Chicago. My presentation was on pairing books and bottles for your book club or to get new patrons into the library with a fun, informal tasting. The librarians were so engaged and enthusiastic about the idea. Many of them told me afterwards Wine Witch on Fire would be a great fit for their book club, especially with the comprehensive, free book club guide. I mention this because you may find a book club at your local library or bookstore you may want to join. You may also […]
June 27, 2023
Wild Yeast and Wine Temperature’s Impact on Wine Taste with Carolyn Hurst of Westcott Vineyards
Introduction How do wild yeasts help to bring out unique qualities in wine? What’s involved in farming and making wine sustainably? How does changing the temperature of your wine impact the tasting experience? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with winemaker Carolyn Hurst. 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 together so […]
June 22, 2023
Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings June 24, 2023
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 27th. These are just some of the benefits of supporting out 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 […]
June 20, 2023
Old Vines, Land Stewardship and the Future of Ontario Wine with Carolyn Hurst, Westcott Vineyards
Introduction Why is it a good idea for winemakers to invest in old vines? What does it mean to be a good steward of the land? What unique challenges does the Ontario wine industry face in the next five years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with winemaker Carolyn Hurst. 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 […]
Video: A Toast to Niagara Wines for Canada Day
On CTV News, Leanne and I chat about some of the best wines from Niagara to celebrate July 1. I’ll post these wines below soon. You can watch our other wine video segment here: Prince Edward County Wines and Free My Grapes Happy Canada Day! Henry of Pelham Cuvée Catharine Carte Blanche Blanc de Blanc Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Cave Spring Cellars CSV Riesling Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario V.Q.A., Canada Cave Spring Cellars […]
June 17, 2023
Bestselling Wine Writer Releases Powerful New Memoir – Global News
Editor’s Note: You’ll find more media coverage for the book here. In her new memoir, Wine Witch on Fire: Rising from the Ashes of Divorce, Defamation, and Drinking Too Much, Natalie MacLean writes about resurrecting her life and career in the glamourous but sexist wine industry. It’s recently hit #1 on several bestseller lists. Natalie grew up in Nova Scotia and joins us now to chat about her book. Welcome Natalie. What is the book about? How did you come up with the title? Why write this book? Throughout your memoir, you describe the slick marketing that encourages women to […]
June 15, 2023
Halifax Gives Wine Witch on Fire a Warm Welcome
On June 12th, about 125 people gathered for an amazing launch event for Wine Witch on Fire at Halifax the Halifax Central Library in the beautiful in the Paul O’Regan Hall. The library staff, especially Natalie, Nina and Isaac, were incredibly helpful and professional. Our date coincided with a sold-out Shania Twain concert so we were thrilled with the turnout … though it “don’t impress me much” that Shania wouldn’t change her concert date for us ;) Menna Riley interviewed me about the book. Her grace and poise on stage made it feel like a talk show. Menna is a […]
