Natalie MacLean's Blog

  Mother’s Day is this weekend, and whether you were raised by a mom or by another special woman who shared her wisdom along the way, we all know she isn’t just a parent, she’s a one-woman superhero squad.   So today, we’re toasting her invisible talents with five drinks that match her superpowers, sip for sip. 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! I brought all my super friends here to celebrate mom because she’s faster […]

Introduction Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than either one alone? Why do some wines collapse when paired with certain cheeses? What will surprise you about cheese that’s similar to wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty’s new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul.   How […]

Introduction How did a world memory champion, a theatre director, a voice coach, a TV actor, and a professional magician all help one person win the World’s Best Sommelier Competition? How do top performers use nerves and adrenaline to their advantage? What do high achievers do when they accomplish the dreams they’ve been chasing for years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Nina and Romané Basset who have just published the commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wins of the World’s Favourite Sommelier, Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed here. […]

Introduction How did Gérard Basset discover wine and then go on to become the World’s Best Sommelier? What does truly exceptional hospitality look like in practice? How did a man with no fine dining background develop such a deep understanding of what excellence looked and felt like? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World’s Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you […]

Introduction Is a fully organic future in agriculture possible or even affordable, or are there limits to how far we can go? Why has biodynamics thrived in wine when many of its founder’s ideas were rejected in medicine and education? How much of what you enjoy in wine comes from what’s in the glass versus your mental perception of what you’re drinking? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Alan Ramey, author of Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway […]

  The kids’ Easter candy haul this weekend is actually a great flavour guide for some fun cocktails and terrific wines.   Here to lead us on this adult Easter hunt is our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest drinks site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! Just let me say that no child’s candy stash was raided during the research for this segment, though in the name of science, I do believe in duplicating experiments this weekend.   Today we’re going to find a bridge between your inner five-year-old who […]

Introduction What might surprise you about the amount of research on organic versus conventional farming when it comes to winemaking? Why are many strong opinions in wine accepted without much challenge or push for validation? Why are traditional wine regions being forced to balance heritage with visibility and branding in today’s market? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Alan Ramey, author of the new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to […]

  While children search for Easter eggs this weekend, grown-ups deserve a treasure hunt of their own, right there in the wine aisle.   Who better to lead us on this spring discovery than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! You know, Easter is the one holiday where we’re encouraged to hunt for hidden treasures. I say we bring that energy to the wine aisle. The best bottles aren’t always at eye level with the glossy labels. Sometimes you have to crouch down, think like […]

Introduction Why do Irish distillers believe triple distillation creates a smoother, more refined whiskey? What makes a whiskey feel warm and smooth on the palate instead of fiery or harsh? Why does the Belfast origin of ginger ale make it such a natural pairing with McConnell’s Irish Whisky? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with John Kelly, CEO of the Belfast Distillery Company, responsible for reviving one of Belfast’s most famous brands, McConnell’s Irish Whisky. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the […]

  Today is St. Patrick’s Day, and whether you’re Irish or just Irish for the day, there’s no better time to raise a glass. But did you know that how you pour, clink, and even stir your drink could make or break your luck? Today we’re exploring five Irish drinking superstitions and the spirits that pair perfectly with each one.   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! Ireland is likely the birthplace of whiskey. The first […]