The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
61 results across all types
- news
Why does a Manhattan cocktail and a hamburger make an insanely great pairing?
Introduction Why does a Manhattan cocktail and a hamburger make an insanely great pairing? Can strongly brewed black tea really scratch the itch for whiskey in a non-alcoholic Old Fashioned? How did the arrival of drinking straws make new types of cocktails possible? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Kara Newman, the author of eight cocktail books. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of one of Kara Newman’s terrific drink decks. How to Win To qualify, all you have to […]
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Which 3 B.C. wines should you pour for Come Over October?
Come Over October: Pull Up a Chair This month, Wine Growers Canada is inviting us to put down our screens and pull up a chair. It’s called Come Over October. The idea is simple. Open your door, make room for one more, and share a glass with the people around you. Who better to help us than drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be with you, Mona! Come Over October is a simple idea. Invite someone over, open your door, and open a bottle. […]
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Which 3 drinks, 3 friends & 3 chairs for Come Over October?
Pull Up a Chair for Friendsgiving Thanksgiving is this weekend, but it’s also Friendsgiving and Come Over October. Come Over October is a global movement that’s changing how we gather. It invites us to break free from scrolling on our phones and rediscover the magic of real connection, by having the people who matter most come over. Here to help us with who we should invite and what to pour is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving without […]
- news
How is the new Canadian sparkling wine, Fracette, poised to take on Champagne, Prosecco and Cava? John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines, reveals the strategy
Introduction France has Champagne. Italy has Prosecco. Spain has Cava. So what’s the new Canadian sparkling wine style that’s just launched? Will Canadians remain loyal to domestic wines once American wines return to store shelves? Is the wine industry making a costly mistake by assuming young drinkers will turn to wine as their incomes grow? How could boxed wine change the way you think about buying and enjoying wine at home? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines Canada. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join […]
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Which 4 toasts and wines will make your Thanksgiving table cheer?
The Grateful Toast Thanksgiving is the one dinner of the year where someone is expected to stand up and give a toast. Most of us mumble something into our glass and sit back down. Who better to help us than the toastess with the mostest, Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Thanksgiving is the one dinner of the year where the speech has more critics than the turkey. Not to worry though because I have a toast for every pour. Borrow […]
- news
Which wines do you want with turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving?
I’m really looking forward to Thanksgiving this weekend. But I have to confess, with all the flavours on the table, I struggle to know what wine to pair with everything. Natalie MacLean, you always give great advice! What would you suggest? We pile turkey, cranberry, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy onto one plate, and then look at the wine as though it’s the one being difficult! We don’t need one wine that does everything. We just need a few good bottles that get along with the whole table, like the aunt who cracks everyone up with a good […]
- news
How can a bottle of wine become the invitation for Come Over October? John Boynton, CEO of Arterra Wines Canada, shares his insights
Introduction How can a bottle of wine become the invitation, slow down the moment, and create space for real conversation? Why does the wine industry need to look beyond wine itself to win back consumers? How can wine become more relevant to younger consumers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with John Boynton You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll […]
- news
How can a bottle of wine become the invitation for Come Over October? John Boyton, CEO of Arterra Wines Canada, shares his insights
Introduction How can a bottle of wine become the invitation, slow down the moment, and create space for real conversation? Why does the wine industry need to look beyond wine itself to win back consumers? How can wine become more relevant to younger consumers? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with John Boynton You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll […]
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Which Maritime wines belong on your Friendsgiving table?
Thanksgiving weekend is almost here, and there’s a second celebration on the calendar. Friendsgiving is the friends’ version of the long weekend. It’s also part of Come Over October, a movement that encourages us to put down our phones and invite the people who matter most to come over to share a glass of wine. Who better to help us than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Friendsgiving is Thanksgiving without the seating chart. That’s why Come Over October pairs so well with it. […]
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Which 3 drinks should the Chief Pouring Officer serve at Thanksgiving?
Give Thanks for a Chief Pouring Officer Thanksgiving is almost here, but the host spends most of it in the kitchen. Every request for a top-up pulls them away from the stove. Today’s fix is a promotion. Promote one guest to become the Chief Pouring Officer. Here to tell us how that works is Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you, Melissa! I’m promoting you today to Chief Pouring Officer. It even comes with an official lanyard. We’ve done the pouring ahead […]
- news
How can two rums taste completely different even though they’re both made from sugar cane? Kara Newman reveals the secret
Introduction How can two rums taste completely different even though they’re both made from sugar cane? What makes Jamaican rum so famously funky, and what does a dunder pit have to do with it? How does the type of ice you use change the strength, temperature, and texture of a cocktail? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Kara Newman, the author of eight cocktail books. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of one of Kara Newman’s The Cocktail Cabinet. How to […]
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How are modern whisky makers using blending to capture emotions and experiences?
Introduction How does smoking whisky grains with elephant dung translate into flavours like raspberry and sandalwood? What does the saying “you can’t turn a donkey into a racehorse” reveal about making great whisky? How are modern whisky makers using blending to capture emotions and experiences? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Kristiane Westray. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Kristiane Westray’s terrific book, Savour. How to Win To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let […]
- news
Fracette: The Sparkling Wine Canada Invented
Canada has a brand-new wine category. Not a new label, not a new winery, a whole new category with its own rules written into our wine regulations. The first bottles have just arrived in liquor stores. Who better to help break the latest wine news than Natalie MacLean, editor of Canada’s largest wine review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! I’ve spent years explaining other countries’ bubblies. Now I get to tell you about one that’s all ours. Today is pretty much the peak of my career :) So what […]
- news
In “Savour,” Kristiane Westray reveals: Is smelling whisky different from smelling a glass of wine?
Introduction Is smelling or nosing whisky different from smelling a glass of wine? How did a 1960s marketing campaign convince generations of whisky drinkers that single malt was better than blended whisky? What is it like to step inside a working whisky kiln and experience peat smoke firsthand? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Kristiane Westray, author of Savour: A Guide To Tasting and Exploring Whiskies of the World. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Kristiane Westray’s terrific book, Savour: A […]
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How Did The Launch of the Super Premium Rosé Whispering Angel from Château D’esclans Change Provence?
Introduction How did Sacha Lichine’s launch of Garrus and Whispering Angel from Château d’Esclans, which now exceeds 10 million bottles a year change Provence? What happens to a wine region when historic family estates are increasingly bought by wealthy outsiders and corporations? How can classifying wine by colour get in the way of understanding what’s actually in the glass? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben […]
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Why Has Rosé Wine Struggled To Be Taken Seriously By Professionals Despite Its Popularity With Consumers?
Introduction How is Provence far more diverse as a wine region than just Rosé? Why has Rosé struggled to be taken seriously by wine professionals despite its enormous popularity with consumers? Does Provence make the best Rosé in the world or simply the best Rosé in its style? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Liz Gabay and Ben Bernheim’s terrific book, The Wines of Provence. How to Win To […]
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What are the Best Drinks for Summer Sipping at the Cottage?
As we head into this weekend, we can treat it as the warm-up for the long weekend that follows. Whether you’re heading to a cottage or making the most of your own backyard, there are still lots of beautiful warm evenings ahead of us. Yes, and they deserve something great in the glass. So what should we be pouring? 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! This is my favourite stretch of the year. Nobody has said the word […]
- news
What Drinks are Perfect for Casual Saturday Afternoon or Evening?
Pickleball is now the fastest growing sport in the country. Almost 2 million of us are playing. That means a lot of us are sitting beside a court on a Saturday afternoon and wondering what to pour. Who better to help us than our favourite drinks expert Natalie MacLean, editor Canada’s largest drinks review site at nataliemaclean.com. Welcome, Natalie. Great to be back with you! Pickleball has a zone called the kitchen, and the rules say you’re not allowed to stand in it. I’ve finally found a sport that understands me. I’ve always been kitchen- […]
- news
What’s the difference between a lean wine and one that’s thin? Maryse Chevriere on How to Sound Wine Smart
Introduction What’s the difference between a wine that’s lean and one that’s thin? Why is asking for a “smooth” wine one of the least helpful ways to describe what you actually want? What’s the fastest way to learn more about wine without feeling intimidated? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the terrific new book, How to Sound Wine Smart. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere’s terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated […]
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When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? Maryse Chevriere Talks About Descriptors That Have Jumped The Shark
Introduction How can a hospitality disaster completely change your approach to wine and service? When do wine tasting notes become so over-the-top that they stop meaning anything? What makes natural wine like an unfiltered snapshot of a single moment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the new book How to Sound Wine Smart. You can find the wines we discussed here. Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere’s terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide. How to Win To qualify, […]
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Why We All Smell Something Different in the Same Wine?
Introduction How do our personal memories shape the aromas we recognize in wine? What incredible Argentine wines are people missing when they focus only on Malbec? Why do food and wines from the same region often pair beautifully even when they break the usual rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube […]
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Why We All Smell Something Different in the Same Wine? How to Sound Wine Smart with Marisol de la Fuente
Introduction How do our personal memories shape the aromas we recognize in wine? What incredible Argentine wines are people missing when they focus only on Malbec? Why do food and wines from the same region often pair beautifully even when they break the usual rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube […]
- news
When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? How To Sound Wine Smart with Marisol de la Fuente
Introduction How do our personal memories shape the aromas we recognize in wine? What incredible Argentine wines are people missing when they focus only on Malbec? Why do food and wines from the same region often pair beautifully even when they break the usual rules? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube […]
- news
How Did Argentina Help Save Europe’s Vineyards During The Devastating Phylloxera Crisis?
Introduction How did Argentina help save Europe’s vineyards during the devastating phylloxera crisis? Why is wine still treated as an exclusive product despite being more accessible than ever? How can vineyards that endure extreme temperatures still produce elegant, vibrant wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I’m chatting with Marisol de la Fuente. You can find the wines we discussed here. Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live Video Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wednesday at 7 pm eastern on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video. I’ll be […]