Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 4

Why are major Champagne houses, like Taittinger and Pommery, spending millions on English vineyards?

Introduction Why are major Champagne houses, like Taittinger and Pommery, spending millions of dollars to buy and plant vineyards in England? How did Brexit reshape the English wine industry, from barrels to picking grapes? Why does visiting the English wine country feel like uncovering a hidden secret? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Henry Jeffreys, author of Vines in a Cold Climate. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific new book, Vines in a Cold Climate.   How to Win […]

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Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: April 26, 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 12th  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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Is chalky soil really the secret to great English wine or just clever marketing? Henry Jeffreys, Author of Vines in a Cold Climate Shares His Stories

Introduction Is chalky soil really the secret to great English wine—or just clever marketing? What makes it so difficult for English wine to break into the North American market? Is it time for a classified system of English wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Henry Jeffreys, author of the award-winning book Vines in a Cold Climate. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Vines in a Cold Climate.   How to Win To qualify, all you have to […]

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Eggs-cellent Wines & Whiskies for Easter Brunch

    Many of us will be gathering with family and friends for Easter and Passover meals this weekend. Which wines and spirits should you serve with fish, lamb and those irresistible chocolate bunnies? Here to help us than drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be here with you! As a determined hedonist, I like something a little more than orange juice for Easter brunch—unless, of course, it’s a mimosa. The wines that work best for spring holidays are zesty and lighter than those we drink in the winter—they’ll […]

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Eggs, Ham, and a Dram: Which Wines & Whiskies to Pour for Easter?

   Just in time for Easter and Passover we’re going to crack open some common wine and whisky myths. And who better to lead our eggs-pedition than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Dina and Tim, as the Mad Natter, I’m egg-cited to hop into this topic with you! Clearly, the yolk’s on us for this episode 😉     Great! Where are we starting?   Many of us will be enjoying an Easter brunch of omelettes or quiche. So myth number 1 is that eggs […]

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How Can a Vineyard (or Life) Disaster Turn Into a Good Thing? Sally Evans’ Life Story is Proof That it Can

Introduction How can a vineyard disaster become an unexpected opportunity to innovate? How does storytelling transform wine marketing? What innovative pairings go beyond red wine and red meat? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sally Evans, author of the new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of her terrific new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty.   How to Win To qualify, all you have […]

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Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: April 12, 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 March 29th  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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Start a Bordeaux Winery and Make The Midlife Move with Sally Evans

Introduction What’s one of the most challenging aspects of being a new winemaker in Bordeaux, especially if you’re a middle-aged foreigner who is making wine for the first time? How did the Bordeaux sub-region of Fronsac lose its fame after being a region favoured by French royalty? What if the only thing holding you back from a fresh start, a new project or a major life change is you? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Sally Evans, author of the new memoir, Make The Midlife Move: A Practical Guide to Flourish after Fifty. You can find […]

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Raise a Glass to Red, White and True North Strong Canadian Wines & Whiskies

American wines and spirits are off liquor store shelves due to the ongoing U.S. tariff disputes. What do you do if you’re missing your favourite California Cabernet or Kentucky Bourbon? Our next guest has you covered.   Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! I’m excited to share with you some Team Canada picks for red, white and booze! Not only is the quality of these drinks superb, but the industry also injects $20 billion into our economy every year and […]

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How Do Oak and Yeast Magically Transform Wine and Whisky?

Introduction How does oak aging change wine and whisky flavour, colour and texture? What do glass, gears, and automatons have to do with the invention of distillation? Why is yeast such an essential tool in scientific research and wine production, especially in the face of climate change? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Adam Rogers, author of the New York Times bestseller Proof: The Science of Booze. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of his terrific new book, Full Spectrum: How the Science […]

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