Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 6
March 10, 2025
Ask for More Canada! Canadian Wine and Spirit Substitutes for US Brands
American wines are being pulled off the shelves across Canada, retaliation for the tariffs imposed by the U.S. earlier this week. So might this prove to be an opportunity for Canadian wines? Joining us now… our resident wine expert… Natalie MacLean. How popular are American wines in Canada? In Quebec, for example, are French and Italian wines more popular? In the SAQ, the US ranks fourth for wine sales after France, Italy and Spain, representing $85 million a year, mostly from California, Oregon, and Washington, and not counting as well as Kentucky bourbon and […]
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March 4, 2025
What do Famille Perrin, Torres and Gaja Wines Have in Common that Makes Them Uncommon? Fiona Morrison Goes Behind the Scenes of These Family Businesses
Introduction What is unique about Famille Perrin in France’s approach to running their family wine business? How do traditional wine families differentiate their brands and market their wines in a crowded marketplace? How has the Gaja family of Italy made significant contributions to winemaking and the Piemonte community? What is unique about Famille Perrin in France’s approach to running their family wine business? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Fiona Morrison You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, 10 Great Wine […]
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February 25, 2025
Who Are The 10 Great Families of Wine? Fiona Morrison Gives Us A Tour Through Europe
Introduction How do you tame a grape like Merlot which actually has higher sugar and alcohol levels than Cabernet Sauvignon? What’s the little-known history behind the cult wines of Le Pin in Bordeaux that sell for as much as $10,000 a bottle when first released and then go up from there at auction? Why is it an advantage to have many stakeholders in family-owned estates? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Fiona Morrison, author of the terrific book 10 Great Wine Families: A Tour Through Europe. You can find the wines we discussed here. […]
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Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings March 1, 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 February 15th. 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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February 24, 2025
Which Wine Pairs Best with Each Stage of a Relationship?
Have you ever wondered which wines pair best with the roller coaster of romance? From first dates to final goodbyes, we’re exploring wines that match every stage of your love life. 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! My motto for Valentine’s Day is candy is dandy and liquor is quicker – but wine is divine. Let’s start with first dates. What wine would you recommend for those nerve-wracking initial encounters? Lenz Moser Gruner […]
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February 20, 2025
6 Sensational Wines to Toast National Drink Wine Day
Canada may have been built on beer and whisky, but on National Drink Wine Day, let’s raise a glass to wine. It’s become the drink of choice for many, so we’re going to uncork some fascinating facts about this ancient beverage that dates back more than 8,000 years. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Natalie, you’re going to put me to the test today. For each wine we taste, you’ll share a fact or fiction about wine generally. […]
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February 18, 2025
Why is the Languedoc a Hotbed of Experimentation? Rosemary George Reveals What This Means for the Wines You Drink
Introduction Why is the Languedoc a hotbed of experimentation, and what does that mean for the wines you drink? What role have white and rosé wines played in the transformation of the Languedoc wine scene? What prompted the shift from mass-produced table wines to higher-quality appellation wines in Languedoc? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with author Rosemary George. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Wines of the Languedoc. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do […]
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February 17, 2025
What are 5 Sensual Words in the Love Language of Wine?
Wine and romance – it’s a perfect pairing! Whether you’re planning a special Valentine’s Day celebration or just want to add some spark to date night, wine can help set the mood. But which wines should you choose? And what exactly do all those sensual wine terms mean? Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Wine is all about seducing our senses and imagination. Some of the compounds that give wine its “sexy” descriptors are also found in […]
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February 13, 2025
Which Wines Win in the Battle of the Boxed versus Bottled Wines?
Did you know that boxed wines are having a moment? But can they really compete with bottled wines? We’re about to find out! Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I’m here to help us think outside the box – and to drink inside of it. Natalie, many of us remember boxed wines from college days, and not fondly. What’s changed? Everything! Don’t think of these as Chateau Cardbordeaux. They’re actually one of the fastest growing categories […]
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Cupid’s Crush: What’s the Best Wine for Each Stage of a Relationship?
Have you ever wondered which wines pair best with the roller coaster of romance? From first dates to final goodbyes, we’re exploring wines that match every stage of your love life. Joining us today is Natalie MacLean who offers Canada’s most popular online wine classes at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! My motto for Valentine’s Day is candy is dandy and liquor is quicker – but wine is divine. Let’s start with first dates. What wine would you recommend for those nerve-wracking initial encounters? Romeo […]
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