Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine writer/storyteller/photographer and influencer Paige Comrie. We discuss her big risk going from the world of business to going off on her own into the wide world of wine. A fun/thoughtful conversation with someone with a passion for communicating all the joy that comes from wine.

My guest on the "Matt Talks Wine and Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Ludovic Dervin, the Senior Winemaker and General Manager for Stags' Leap Winery. We trace his wine journey form growing up in Champagne to making high end Cabernet Sauvignon to such a historic California winey.

Part II of my Hidden Bench Estate Winery interviews is with their winemaker, Alex Baines. We chat about the scariest moment of a harvest, why does Duck go so well with Pinot and the powerful role that fate played in his wine journey. I got to try their unique 100% Malbec along with their award winning Pinot's. Not a bad pairing as I got to learn more about this on the rise winemaker and this remar...

I can't believe it took me this long to finally sit down with the good people of Hidden Bench Estate Winery. Part I is with Harald Thiel, the Vigneron and Proprietor for Hidden Bench.  (Translation: Harold is the owner and plays a big part in the growing for his grapes and the final decisions on the wines of Hidden Bench)  In over 200 episodes no one has a more dramatic wine origin story than Hara...

On the latest 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast I'm joined by wine writer and wine podcast host Miroki Tong. I admire her crazy work ethic level when it comes to all her projects and the passion she has for all aspects of the wine world. Not a shock at all how much fun our conversation was.

The Podcast is heading to arguably the most important winery in North America, Robert Mondavi. My guest is the Kurtis Ogasawara, the Director of Wine Making for Mondavi.

If I'm going to deviate from wine I may as well explore one of the most iconic single malt Scotch whiskies, The Macallan. My guest is John MacPherson the Brand Specialist for Eastern Canada. Had the pleasure of tasting Macallan TIME : SPACE Collection, a limited release celebrating their 200th anniversary. I have never been a big spirits fan but it was impossible not to appreciate the level of cra...

The Podcast continues it's preview of the upcoming Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) with finalist Matthew Landry. Matthew is the Sommelier for the Michelin Star Restaurant Pearl Morissette and has twice finished as a finalist for the Best Sommelier of Canada. I love wine competitions especially from the perspective of some of Canada's best Sommeliers.  

With the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) coming up my guest is one of the finalists Christian Perreault Hamel. Christian is the Wine Director for famed steakhouse Harbour Sixty Toronto and is the Co-founder of Pelican Wine Imports. We discuss what the preparation is like for a high stakes wine competition and how it differs from getting ready for the highest levels of the Court of Master...

James Peden, the Director of Operations for Liberty Entertainment Group is back for his second appearance.  Bovine Wine Club is a brand-new private wine club opening up in Toronto. It is brought to you by the same people behind Don Alfonso, Blueblood Steakhouse, Cibo Wine Bar and so many other wine forward restaurants.  What I appreciate the most about this new venture and the work that James is d...

My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Four-Time James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winner Natalie MacLean. In my near 200 episodes this interview is the most serious I have been a part of. We discuss excessive drinking, dealing with divorce and her darkest days back in 2012 when her entire career was on the brink. This is a candid and honest conversa...

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast my guest is International Olive Oil Expert Fil Bucchino. His company Abandoned Grove is all about rejuvenating and sustaining thousands of olive trees all over Florence. What a fascinating conversation with a man who went from the music industry to producing and protecting high end olive oil. *Yes, there is wine tie ins as well! 

On the latest Wine Podcast Matt is joined by the remarkable winemaking team of Head Winemaker Rob Power and Assistant Winemaker Yvonne Irvin from Creekside Estate Winery, located in the Beamsville Bench, Niagara. Creekside produces some of the best Ontario Syrah's and their entry level Syrah is one of the best value Canadian wines.  Been a fan of this winery for years so it was a thrill to chat ab...

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine novelist Steven Laine. His latest book ‘Jupiter’s Blood’ is a fast-paced wine thriller that is part ‘Da Vinci Code’ and part Decanter Magazine.  You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy this hard to put down novel.

One of the coolest developments in the Ontario wine scene is the creation & growth of Niagara Custom Crush Studio. Started in 2022 it is part production facility to help small independent winemakers make/sell their wine and a kick ass wine bar in the middle of Niagara wine country. My guests on the Podcast is Graham Rennie, Founder and CEO of Niagara Custom Crush Studio and their new Chief Ope...

Meet Melissa Devore, the president of Amici Cellars, a powerhouse of a winery located in Napa!  Melissa went from graduating Rice University with a Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry degree to working with wineries in Chili to now heading up an iconic California winery. She's my guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast.

Of course, I spend my final night in Japan at a wine store that ONLY sells Canadian wine! If you find yourself in Tokyo, you have to check out Heavenly Vines and their excellent selection of all things Canadian vino. My guest on the podcast, making his return is the co-owner, Jamie Paquin.

Hey, look its famed winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble back on the podcast! BUT this time there’s a twist. Beyond making world class Ontario wines Ann and Peter have been making wine in Mendoza. The wine is called Versado and their latest release, the 2018 vintage is out now! This was a fun deep dive into their South American adventures … I always learn something new whenever this Dynamic Di...

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast’ I sit down the winemaker for Stoneleigh Winery, Jamie Marfell. Always love when I can do a deep dive on all things New Zealand wine.

On the latest episode of the 'Matt Talks Wine  Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast my guest is 2024 VQA Promoters Award winner (Hospitality) Robbie Raskin, the Owner of Archives Wine & Spirits. I visited Robbie's wine bar/bottle shop and left thinking how lucky St. Catharines is to have this cool small slice of wine heaven right in the middle of their downtown. There is a reason why Robbie...

My latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is Ed Madronich, President for Flat Rock Cellars. A thoughtful and engaging conversation from someone who has been in the wine making business for decades. We discuss perception versus reality when it comes to all things wine, the differences between American vs. Canadian customers plus Ed’s bold claim about Ontar...

I don’t do nearly enough on the topic of pairing food with wine. No better person to correct that oversight than with someone has written seven cookbooks, is a professional chef (and professional gastronaut), did a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most pancakes made. My interview with Bob Blumer! Needless to say, you’re going to enjoy this one. By the wa...

Part Two of the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast with Sommelier/TV Wine Personality/Wine Writer Renée Sferrazza we pick up on the conversation about pairing great wines with normal moments of your life, more excellent wines from Prince Edward County, the LCBO and the surprisingly good work being done by McManis Winery. 

Coming back for her third time is Sommelier, TV Wine Personality, Wine Writer, Content Creator and all-around advocate for all that is good and right in the wine world, Renée Sferrazza!!! This one was so good I had to break it up into two parts. In Part One we go over a wide range of wines all from Prince Edward County, a behind the scenes look about doing live TV wine segments and we fight about...

The Podcast is heading back to the famed Northern Italian wine region of Piedmont. My guest is Federica Boffa-Borgogno. She is a part of a fifth generation of wine growers. What make’s her family’s portfolio so impressive is the consistent level of quality. Of course, the Barolo Cannubi Riserva is gonna knock your socks off but so will the Barbera d'Alba and Dolcetto d'Alba.