Natalie MacLean's Blog

  We’re heading into the holiday gift giving season. What if you’d like to give someone a bottle of wine? How do you know which one to choose? Here to help us with that is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s most popular wine review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome back, Natalie. So if choosing the right wine is so tricky, why should we give wine as a gift at all?   When you give the gift of wine, doubles are fine unlike toaster ovens, there are no wrong sizes unlike that ugly sweater and regifting is so much easier compared […]

The post 4 Wine Gifts That Say “I Have Great Taste” (Without Breaking the Bank) appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Introduction How can you pair wine with spicy dishes in a way that enhances their flavour profile? Why do most wine-pairing guides ignore the traditions of global cuisines? How can you use wine pairings to explore under-the-radar wine regions instead of reaching for the same rosé or sparkling wine every time? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Cha McCoy, author of the terrific new book Wine Pairing for the People. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Cha McCoy’s terrific new book, Wine […]

The post Why Are Most Wine Pairing Rules Wrong for Global Cuisine? Cha McCoy Reveals What Really Works appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Introduction Are high-end non-alcoholic drinks worth the price? What is the bartender’s secret to great citrus-based cocktails like Margaritas or Mimosas? How do bartenders redefine a crafted cocktail without alcohol? Why does the term “Mocktail” for zero-proof non-alcoholic drinks offend many bartenders? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books Sparkling and Zero Proof. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion.   How to Win To qualify, […]

The post Why Does the Term “Mocktail” for Zero Proof Non-Alcoholic Drinks Offend Many Bartenders? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

  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  October 25th  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 […]

The post Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: November 8, 2025 appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Introduction How did a magical Dom Pérignon Champagne tasting of 60 rare vintages reveal the surprising depth and aging potential of sparkling Rosé? What surprising role did the British play in the discovery of sparkling wine? What makes the Porn Star Martini one of the most crowd-pleasing cocktails? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Elva Ramirez, author of the award-winning books “Sparkling” and “Zero Proof.” You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Elva Ramirez’s terrific book, Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any […]

The post What Surprises Did a Magical Dom Pérignon Champagne Tasting of 60 Rare Vintages Reveal? Elva Ramirez Shares Her Story in “Sparkling” appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Introduction How can carbon offsetting claims in the wine industry be a form of greenwashing? How does the natural fermentation process in winemaking create one of the most concentrated sources of CO₂ emissions in any industry? Can yeast selection and fermentation techniques make winemaking more sustainable? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrew Neather & Jane Masters. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Andrew Neather & Jane Masters’ terrific new book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine.   How to […]

The post How Can Carbon Offsetting Claims in the Wine Industry Be a Form of Greenwashing? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

  Welcome back! As the seasons change, so do our palettes. And with the cooler weather settling in, it’s the perfect time to switch up your wines!     Here with her favourite picks for fall is the editor of Canada’s largest wine review website, Natalie MacLean!   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you, ladies! Fall wine season is my Super Bowl, but with better drinks and snacks.   What do you consider when you’re recommending wines for the fall?   Fall is all about transition and comfort. I look for wines that can shift from patio […]

The post Which 5 Wines Taste Like the Harvest Around the World This Fall? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

  Come Over October is a new global movement founded by Karen MacNeil, author of the Wine Bible. It invites us to create unforgettable moments with the people who matter most over a glass of wine or two.   Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest wine site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! You know, Come Over October is proof that the best things in life aren’t downloaded, they’re uncorked. This movement celebrates wine’s 8,000-year history of bringing people together.   Our ancestors didn’t need […]

The post Have you joined the Come Over October wine movement yet? appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

  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  October 11th  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 […]

The post Best LCBO Wine Reviews: Vintages Ratings: October 25, 2025 appeared first on Natalie MacLean.

Introduction How can the wine world help tackle climate change, and why is choosing sustainable and biodynamic wines not enough? What happens when vineyards embrace biodiversity with cover crops, insects, and wildlife? How are wine producers in South Africa rebuilding natural ecosystems around their vineyards? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Andrew Neather & Jane Masters. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Andrew Neather & Jane Masters’ terrific new book, Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine.   How to Win […]

The post Rooted in Change: The Stories Behind Sustainable Wine with Andy Neather and Jane Masters appeared first on Natalie MacLean.