Natalie MacLean's Blog, page 8

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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Protected: Pelee Island Pinot Grigio

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The Surprising Science of Booze and Wine with Adam Rogers

Introduction How does language about wine impact the way we experience and enjoy wine? How does reporting on alcohol science compare to other scientific topics? Why can yeast be described as a nano-technological machine? 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 of Color Made Us Modern.   How to Win To qualify, all you […]

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Sip Into Spring: The 5 Hottest Wines & Spirits for the New Season

     Spring is in the air, and with it comes a sense of renewal! What better way to toast a fresh start than with some tasty wines and spirits?   And who better to lead the toast than our favourite drinks expert, Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Tim, it’s great to raise a glass to you in your new roles on this beautiful new set!             Tell us about the first wines.   I’ve grouped these wines in twos in honour of you […]

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Sip Into Spring: The 5 Hottest Wine & Spirits for the New Season

     Spring is in the air, and with it comes a sense of renewal! What better way to toast a fresh start than with some tasty wines and spirits?   And who better to lead the toast than our favourite drinks expert, Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Tim, it’s great to raise a glass to you and Dina in your new roles on this beautiful new set!             Tell us about the first wines.   I’ve grouped these wines in twos in honour […]

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Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings March 29, 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 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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Organic Wine v Biodynamic Wine v Sustainable Farming: Differences?

By Natalie MacLean   Why farm organically?   Many winemakers consider the approach as part of their overall commitment to quality. Organic farming requires a much deeper understanding of the vineyard and a greater vigilance over it.   Problems must be detected early because organic fixes take longer. Another benefit is the social responsibility for winery workers’ health and not exposing them to toxic chemicals.   What are the environmental benefits?   Many wineries have locked horns with environmentalists and local residents over the issue of deforesting the land in order to plant vineyards. Hillsides are a flash point.   […]

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