Natalie MacLean's Blog

Introduction How much of what we perceive about the taste of wine is actually shaped by psychology? Are vineyard soils important contributors to a wine’s tasting profile? Why do so many wine producers highlight their soils as a unique factor that makes their wines stand out? Where do the “minerals” we taste in wine originate from? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Dr. Alex Maltman, author of the new book Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate: A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you […]

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  In the rolling hills and fertile plains of Emilia-Romagna, Lambrusco has always been more than wine. It’s a daily companion to meals, a spark of joy at family gatherings, and a tie that binds communities together. Among all the versions of this beloved red sparkler, Prà di Bosso from Casali Viticultori stands apart as a landmark in the region’s winemaking story.   Why the Name Matters   The phrase Prà di Bosso translates roughly to “Field of Boxwood.” Centuries ago, boxwood plants were used to mark vineyard boundaries. That same sense of definition carries through in the wine itself. […]

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Introduction Why is geology essential for vineyard management but overrated when it comes to wine taste? Do soils get too much credit for wine flavour, when invisible factors might be the real drivers? What does “minerality” in wine really mean? Rock, nutrient, or just taste perception? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Alex Maltman, author of the terrific new book, Taste the Limestone, Smell the Slate. A Geologist Wanders Through the World of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed here.   Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alex Maltman’s […]

The post Why is Geology Essential for Vineyard Management but Overrated When It Comes to Wine Taste? Dr. Alex Maltman Shares Soil Secrets 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  September 13th  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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  Fall is here and with it comes cozy nights, hearty comfort foods, and the perfect excuse to explore some fantastic wines and spirits that capture the season’s essence.   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! Fall is like nature’s fashion week: the leaves are strutting their colours and these wines and whiskies are also working the runway on our dinner table. They’re ready to steal the show. From alcohol-free celebrations to bold spirits that warm […]

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    When you think of Italy’s sparkling wines, your mind might go straight to Prosecco. But decades before the world fell in love with Prosecco, the Casali family of Reggio Emilia was already experimenting with a more ambitious idea: bringing the secrets of Champagne home to Lambrusco country.   In the 1970s, Casali made a bold journey to Reims, the beating heart of Champagne, to study the art of méthode traditionnelle — bottle-fermented sparkling wine. It was a daring move for a family rooted in Lambrusco production, but curiosity has always been their hallmark. That trip planted the seeds […]

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  When people think of Emilia-Romagna, they picture red: Lambrusco’s jewel tones in sparkling glasses, poured alongside platters of prosciutto and Parmigiano. But Casali Viticultori has another treasure up its sleeve, one that whispers of history and carries the elegance of a pearl: Spergola.   This ancient white grape has roots reaching back to the 15th century, when Bianca Cappello, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, mentioned it in her writings. For centuries it quietly flourished in the hills of Scandiano and Canossa, only to nearly vanish in the wave of modern plantings. Casali stepped in as the first major producer to […]

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  Lambrusco is often celebrated for its joyful sparkle, its ruby-red effervescence that turns every meal into a party. But Casali Viticultori has given this lively wine a sultry alter ego: Pra di Bosso Noir. This isn’t Lambrusco as you know it — it’s Lambrusco with a darker, more mysterious edge.   The inspiration behind Noir lies in a grape that usually plays a supporting role: Ancellotta. Often blended quietly into Lambrusco for colour, Ancellotta rarely gets the spotlight. Casali, never one to shy away from innovation, decided to showcase it in a starring role. The result is a Lambrusco […]

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  When you think of Italy’s great wine regions, your mind may dart straight to Tuscany’s Chianti or Piedmont’s Barolo. But in the fertile plains and gentle hills of Reggio Emilia, there’s a red sparkler that has been stealing hearts for generations: Lambrusco Reggiano. And few producers embody its spirit quite like Casali Viticultori.   Pra di Bosso isn’t just a wine; it’s a landmark in Lambrusco history. Born in the early 1980s, it was the first single-vineyard Lambrusco in the region — a bold move in a time when most Lambrusco was made in blends. Its name, which translates […]

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As the weather cools down, we start craving our favourite comfort foods—and of course, the perfect drink to go with them. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com.   Welcome, Natalie.   Great to be back with you! I love our topic today probably because I find most drinks very comforting. They’re like a warm liquid hug for your taste buds.   Terrific! Where are we starting?         Diplomático Reserva Exclusiva Rum Venezuela         Rum always makes me think of comfort by a crackling fire, big sweater, […]

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