Unreserved Wine Talk

Oct 23 2024 310 ep. 176
Unreserved Wine Talk Podcast artwork

The Unreserved Wine Talk podcast features candid conversations with the most fascinating people in the wine world. Your host, award-winning journalist Natalie MacLean, dives into how it feels to compete in the nerve-wracking World's Best Sommelier Competition, the shadowy underground of wine forgery, the zany tactics of a winemaker who hosted a funeral for cork, and more. Nestled in these colourful stories are practical tips on how to choose wine from a restaurant list, pair it with food and spot great values in the liquor store. Every second episode, Natalie goes solo with an unfiltered, personal reflection on wine. She'll share with you how it feels to be a woman in what is still a largely male-dominated field, her gut reaction to the latest health study that says no amount of alcohol consumption is safe and her journey in writing her next book. She'll reveal these vulnerable, sometimes embarrassing, stories with tipsy wit and wisdom that she's soaked up from 20 years of writing about wine. This podcast is for wine lovers from novices to well-cellared aficionados.

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308: Defining Minerality, Mouthfeel and Musty Aromas with Gus Zhu

Oct 23 2024 43 mins  
Why do certain musty or animalistic aromas, like barnyard or manure, become more acceptable to wine lovers over time? What does minerality really mean when it comes to wine? Why is mouthfeel so important to appreciating wine? How does the colour of wine influence our perception of how it tastes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine,

307: Umami, Petrol and Vegetal Aromas Behind the Glass in the Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting with Gus Zhu

Oct 16 2024 46 mins  
Can you learn to appreciate aromas such as spice, petrol, and even gamey or foxy notes in wine? And would you want to, or should you? How can you better understand the taste of umami in what you eat and drink? How do culture and lifestyle influence your perception of the aromas and taste of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine,

306: Wine and Folklore Share Terroir and Storytelling with Jo Penn Author of Blood Vintage

Oct 09 2024 42 mins  
How far would you go for that first evocative taste of an elusive wine? Why should you try wines and books outside your comfort zone? How is folklore as rooted in a sense of place as much as wine is? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jo Penn. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.n

305: Blending Biodynamics and Suspense with Jo Penn Author of Blood Vintage

Oct 02 2024 42 mins  
Why is biodynamic viticulture sometimes associated with dark magic or the occult? Why is using wine in religious rituals as a sacrament considered normal for many people, but taking it beyond that is not? Why are wines from England becoming increasingly popular? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jo Penn, the New York Times and USA Today bestsell

304: Rioja Wines Blend the Past and Present with Adam Lechmere

Sep 25 2024 38 mins  
How has Rioja's famous architecture impacted tourism and the international perception of Rioja wines? How does Rioja wine style change in a vintage characterized as an Atlantic year versus a Mediterranean year? How did oak aging become so fundamental to the identity of Rioja wines? What’s driving the resurgence of traditional aging methods, such as concrete tanks? In this episode

303: Rioja's Magical Wine, Medieval History and Modern Architecture with Adam Lechmere, The Smart Traveler's Wine Guide

Sep 18 2024 40 mins  
What makes the Rioja region of Spain a must-visit destination for wine lovers? What are the best food pairings for Rioja wines? What’s the sticky history behind the Battle of Wine festival in La Rioja? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Adam Lechmere, editor of The Smart Traveler's Wine Guide to Rioja, among other books in this series. You can

302: The Rise of Southwestern Ontario Wines with Martin Janz, Winemaker at Pelee Island Winery

Sep 11 2024 50 mins  
Why is winemaking always a challenge, no matter how long you’ve been doing it? How are wind machines used to mitigate the negative impact of cold weather? How does Pelee Island’s biodiversity influence the brand and winery? Why is it important for winemakers to respect the natural environment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Martin Janz, t

301: How Alcohol Fuels Innovation and Group Cohesion with Edward Slingerland

Sep 04 2024 42 mins  
What is the connection between alcohol and innovation? How does alcohol help enhance trust and cooperation? Why is it important not to think about alcohol consumption through a medical lens alone? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How W

300: How Wine Fosters Creativity, Trust and Sociability with Edward Slingerland, Author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization

Aug 28 2024 44 mins  
How does alcohol, especially wine, foster our creativity, trustingness, and sociability? What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about alcohol's role in the development of civilization? Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine and beer versus spirits? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Edward Slingerland, a profes

299: Beyond Eurocentric Wine and Food Pairings + Sonoma's Hidden Gems with Winemaker Theresa Heredia

Aug 21 2024 43 mins  
Why should you look beyond Eurocentric wine and food pairings? What’s so special about making vineyard-designated wines? How can you get the most out of your next trip to Sonoma County? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with superstar winemaker Theresa Heredia who has worked for some of California’s most prestigious wineries. You can find the win