Unreserved Wine Talk

What is it really like to be a wine industry insider? How can stories help you to learn? What makes Riesling one of the most food-friendly wines?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights What was my pat...

Did you know there's a triple crisis in the battle for the soul of wine right now? Why do you need to master the DaVino Code? What makes some of the claims on "better for you" wines misleading?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and editor of The Wine Economist newsletter, Mike Veseth.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean....

Which three forces have shaped the evolution of the modern wine market more than any others? What is a wine economist? How have the wine industry and wine buyers evolved in the past 10 years? How does that impact the wines you drink?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author and editor of The Wine Economist newsletter, Mike Veseth.   You can find the wines we...

How has Oregon white wine evolved since it was first produced? Which elements make up the "classic Oregon" style of wine? How do different types of soil express themselves in wine?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with entrepreneur and winemaker, Eugenia Keegan.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights How has...

Are you curious about what makes Oregon unique from other wine regions? How could climate change impact winemaking? What can we learn from the youngest generation in the wine industry?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Eugenia Keegan, a winemaker and pioneering legend in the wine industry.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.co...

How does telling your dinner party guests a few details about the wine you're serving dramatically change their perception of its taste? How does the shape of a restaurant table impact how much you eat, and which types of songs can make your Pinot Noir or other wines tastes more acidic?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with journalist Nell McShane Wulfhart.   You...

What exactly makes the sense of smell so evocative? How can you play with food and wine pairing to discover new flavours? What can you do to de-risk your exploration of new wines?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Guy Bower, host of The Good Life podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Whe...

How did Prosecco lead the way for many people discovering Italian wines, and then why did it get so much hate? How can "Mamma Jumbo Shrimp" help you as a wine lover? Is food or wine the main protagonist of most meals?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the founder of Vinitaly and host of the Italian Wine Podcast, Stevie Kim.   You can find the wines we discuss...

How can you learn more about the diverse regions and styles of Italian wine? What's the difference in impact between wine competitions and critic scores? And how do they influence the wines you buy and drink?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the founder of Vinitaly and host of the Italian Wine Podcast, Stevie Kim.   You can find the wines we discussed at htt...

Are you curious about why Cabernet Franc should have just as much respect from you as a wine lover, if not more than Cabernet Sauvignon? What makes wines from California's Paso Robles region unique? Why is it easy to fall in love with wines that have high acidity?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with winemaker, writer and podcast host, Lori Budd.   You can find...

What is it like to participate in the coveted en premiere tasting of the new vintage of Bordeaux wines in France while they're still in the barrels aging? Which Spanish foods should you pair with the fabulous red wine Monastrell? How does politics influence wine?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with winemaker, writer and podcast host, Lori Budd who graduated fro...

Why is icewine considered extreme winemaking, and what are some weird, but wonderful food pairings for this elixir? Which Canadian wine regions should you visit next? What unusual things can you do at Ontario wineries?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Janina Doyle, sommelier and host of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat podcast.   You can find the wines we di...

Why does Italy make such a fantastic wine destination to visit? Which underpriced wines for their quality should you try next? How can you successfully navigate the walls of bottles in a wine shop? Which simple technique can you use to improve your tasting skills and learn more about wine?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Janina Doyle, host of the Eat...

How has the pandemic positively impacted the wine industry? Why is the percentage of women buying online rising faster than men? How do consumers benefit when wine producers have access to more and better data?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Cathy Huyghe and Andrea Smalling, authors of the WineDirect x Enolytics 2021 Direct-To-Consumer Impact Report: What...

How have major events like the pandemic and the wildfires affected the way we buy wine online? Do younger generations, such as Gen Y, Gen Z and Millenials, have different criteria for buying wine? What impact does storytelling have on wine sales?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Cathy Huyghe and Andrea Smalling, authors of the WineDirect x Enolytics 2021 Dir...

Are you curious about the Australian wine scene and the latest trends and changes? How about tips on buying terrific Australian wines? What are some iconic Australian food and wine pairings you should try?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with James Atkinson, drinks journalist and host of the Drinks Adventures podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at htt...

What's the difference between a wine sommelier and a beer sommelier or cicerone? Which glass is best for properly appreciating great beer? What can you expect from Arizona as an up-and-coming wine region?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with James Atkinson, drinks journalist and host of the Drinks Adventures podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at http...

How can tuning into the retronasal aspect of smell take your wine tasting skill to the next level? What makes the sense of smell so fascinating? What does it mean to be a virtual wine brand? What do grapes & M&Ms have in common?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast.   You can find the wines we discus...

Have you ever dreamed of becoming a winemaker and wondered what it takes? What's it like to work a wine harvest without power? What makes Riesling the most difficult grape to ferment?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jim Duane, winemaker and host of the Inside Winemaking Podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepic...

What does it mean to be a supertaster? How did wine consumption habits change during the pandemic? Do Canadians have different wine preferences compared to drinkers in other regions? Why is food and wine pairing such a great way to get into the world of wine?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Robert Vernick and Peter Yeung, co-hosts of the XChateau pod...

Are you curious about British wines and their history that dates back to King Henry VIII? How is wine made in the driest place on Earth and where is that exactly? Are stemless wine glasses better than traditional stemware?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Janina Doyle, sommelier and host of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat podcast.   You can find the wines we discu...

What's it really like to work at a winery during the harvest? What is the magic behind blended wines versus single grape or varietal wines? How does English sparkling wine compare to Champagne?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Janina Doyle, sommelier and host of the Eat Sleep Wine Repeat podcast.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliema...

Why is Santa Maria BBQ different from other types and which wines pair well with it? What does it take to earn a living as a full-time wine writer? Why does grammar really matter? Why is passion not enough?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jaime Lewis, a fabulous food and wine writer, journalism professor and host of her own podcast, CONSUMED.   You can find...

Why does a lot of writing about wine ignore the alcoholic buzz? How did Audrey Hepburn kick start our guest's relationship with wine? What effect can pregnancy have on your palate?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with journalist and podcaster, Jaime Lewis.   You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks .   Highlights How did vi...

How did my love of stories as a child bring me to the world of publishing and podcasting? What is the problem with the way some wines are marketed toward women? Why am I so insanely passionate about the message I share in my upcoming memoir?   In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Bridget Albert and Julie Milroy on their excellent podcast called Served Up.   You ca...