Unreserved Wine Talk

Why is Bordeaux considered the ultimate luxury brand in the world of wine? Why did the Chinese market suddenly start buying Bordeaux wines in the 1980s and 90s? Why does Bordeaux in particular suit the ancient Chinese culture of prestigious gift-giving versus other expensive wines? How does the demand for Bordeaux in China affect both the prices you pay and the styles you drink?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, ...

What does it take to win Ontario’s Best Sommelier competition? What’s it like performing in front of a set of very stern-eyed wine judges and a live audience? What is the smartest question you can ask your sommelier in a restaurant? What is the deductive tasting technique and how can it help you drink better wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Emily Pearce-Bibona, Certified Sommelier and...

How did Provence become known as the heartland of Rosé? What does it mean to be part of the Rosé lifestyle? Why should you take a trip to the Provence wine region? Does the colour of Rosé give you a clue into its taste? Which unexpected but mouthwatering food pairing should you try with your next glass of Rosé?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with wine writer Jill Barth, who is also a Provence ...

Would you like to learn more about Austrian wines, especially its iconic grape, Gruner Veltliner? Do you know why this wine is one of the most versatile wines on the planet?  Why should an Austrian Heuriger be on your must-visit list? Which Austrian red wine should you try next?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Heidi Fisher Pfaffl who is in charge of business administration and marketing at...

What do you need to know about Nova Scotia’s signature grape, L'Acadie blanc? What is Tidal Bay and why is it Canada's first stylistic appellation? Why is one Nova Scotia winery burying barrels of wine underground? Which travel tips should you keep in mind when you visit Nova Scotia wineries?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Amy Savoury, a certified sommelier and instructor of culin...

How does the 100 point scale make wine scores easier for you to interpret? How can you drink better wines by finding a wine critic whose style you like? How does grade inflation affect you as a wine lover? Why is taking an online wine course often better than an in-person course?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm sharing a conversation I originally had with Pete & Vino Mike on their podcast, That Wine...

What’s it like serving wine to celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jay-Z, Beyonce and Miley Cyrus? How is being a sommelier different when you work at a Michelin-starred restaurant, especially when you're just 21 years old? Why is the wine world still largely an old boys club and how does that impact the wines you drink? Which shocking ingredients might you find in some non-organic wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk ...

What profound impact does buying your local wine have on your economy? Why will supporting the "Free My Grapes" campaign improve your choice and access to wine? How have Ontario wines changed since the 80s? What are the biggest challenges facing the Canadian wine industry?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Klaus Reif of Niagara-on-the-Lake's Reif Winery.

Have you tasted an Argentine Malbec? Which foods pair best with Malbec? Why is Malbec more like Pinot Noir than Cabernet? What are the health benefits of wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Dr. Laura Catena, a fourth-generation Argentine vintner, physician and author.

What makes you a supertaster? Does supertaster status play a role outside of wine tasting? How does age affect our senses of smell and taste? Why is mouthfeel an important aspect of a wine’s appeal? Why should you describe wine by sensation, rather than compound?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Dr. Gary Pickering, the inventor of the white wine mouthfeel wheel and the supertasting kit, a...

What is orange wine? How does fermenting with the stems and leave give you a more complex flavour profile? Can you find orange wine on restaurant wine lists? Which types of food should you pair with orange wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with Ann Sperling, winegrower and Director of Winemaking and Viticulture at Southbrook Vineyards.

What defines an icon wine? What are the hottest trends in BC wines right now? Which British Columbia wines are worth adding to your cellar? What will surprise you about BC wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with John Schreiner, author of Icon: Flagship Wines from British Columbia's Best Wineries, whom I consider to be the godfather of Canadian wine writing.

Do all wines taste better with time? What similarities are there between winemaking and cheese-making? Why is Zinfandel your perfect summer drink? How does dry farming impact the flavour of wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're chatting with one of the wittiest, smartest winemakers, John Williams, winemaker and owner at Frog's Leap Winery, about the unique benefits of organic winemaking and dry fa...

Should you hold firm to plans for travelling to wine regions in the near future? How are winery visits being impacted by quarantine restrictions? Can you still attend major wine events? How can you take advantage of online classes to continue to enjoy wine tasting experiences?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we're talking about how wineries and restaurants have been impacted by the current state of public h...

How sparkling wine spice up your menu? What complementary taste rule can you use to pair your food with wine? Which wines should you never pair with Indian food? Which red wine should be at the top of your list for pairing with spicy food? Does ambiance affect your wine tasting experience?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, Celebrity chef and author Vikram Vij and Head Sommelier Sean Nelson share their insider tip...

What's the one thing you can do when visiting wine regions to make it your best trip ever? How can yoga help you become a better wine taster? How do you calibrate your palate and why should you do it? What's it like competing in the World's Best Sommelier Competition? How can you develop your wine tasting vocabulary?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, Master Sommelier Elyse Lambert shares tips on how y...

Why would you want to challenge a young wine with oxygen? Why don’t you hear many technical conversations around wine? How can movie genres help you understand winemakers' intentions?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Clark Smith, winemaker for his own WineSmith label and several other brands, consulting winemaker, author, inventor, musician, and professor to the wine industry throughout t...

How is the wine industry embracing the digital world? What role do influencers play in wine marketing? What can you do to increase engagement and build deeper connections with customers? Why has the wine industry been so resistant to adapt to the digital age?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Paul Mabray, a wine unicorn and digital futurist who has created and led companies that have transform...

Does price affect your perception of a wine's quality? What would it be like to travel around the world in pursuit of eighty wines? Why does the wide variety of wine negatively affect your buying choices? How can you identify value wines?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, we’re chatting with Mike Veseth, The Wine Economist, award-winning author and professor emeritus of the University of Tacoma at Puget Sound...