The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
111 results across all types
- podcast· 1h 09m· Ep 388
388: What Are the Insider Tips to Discovering and Buying the Best Cheese of Your Life? with Michael Finnerty
Why does buying from a good cheese shop often beat picking up a wedge from the supermarket? How do people underestimate the physical labor and other demands of being a cheesemonger? How does using a cheese iron reveal where a wheel of cheese is in its life? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty's new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why do so many people underestimate the physical labor and other demands behind life as a cheesemonger? How does using a cheese iron re
- podcast· 1h 08m· Ep 387
387: The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul With Michael Finnerty
Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than either one alone? Why do some wines collapse when paired with certain cheeses? What will surprise you about cheese that's similar to wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Michael Finnerty, author of the terrific new book The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Michael Finnerty's new book, The Cheese Cure: How Comté and Camembert Fed My Soul . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Why do some wine and cheese pairings taste better together than alone? Why did a natural red wine collapse when paired with Camembert? How do acidity and bubbles transform rich cheese? How d
- podcast· 50:56· Ep 386
386: How Did a World Memory Champion, a Theatre Director, a Voice Coach, a TV Actor, and a Professional Magician Help Gerard Basset Win the World's Best Sommelier Competition?
How did a world memory champion, a theatre director, a voice coach, a TV actor, and a professional magician all help one person win the World's Best Sommelier Competition? How do top performers use nerves and adrenaline to their advantage? What do high achievers do when they accomplish the dreams they've been chasing for years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World's Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Nina and Romané Basset's commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World's Favorite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people rand
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 385
385: How Did Discovering Wine Lead Gérard Basset to Become the World's Best Sommelier?
How did Gérard Basset discover wine and then go on to become the World's Best Sommelier? What does truly exceptional hospitality look like in practice? How did a man with no fine dining background develop such a deep understanding of what excellence looked and felt like? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Nina and Romané Basset, who have just published a commemorative edition of the book Tasting Victory: The Life and Wine of the World's Favourite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Nina and Romané Basset's commemorative edition of Tasting Victory: The Life and Wines of the World's Favorite Sommelier by Gerard Basset. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What
- podcast· 51:51· Ep 384
384: Is It the Wine or Is It You? Alan Ramey on What Really Makes Wine Taste Good
Is a fully organic future in agriculture possible or even affordable, or are there limits to how far we can go? Why has biodynamics thrived in wine when many of its founder's ideas were rejected in medicine and education? How much of what you enjoy in wine comes from what's in the glass versus your mental perception of what you're drinking? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Alan Ramey, author of Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alan Ramey's terrific new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highligh
- podcast· 1h 10m· Ep 383
383: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries That Have Shaped the World of Wine Like Organics With Alan Ramey, Author of Pressing Matters
What might surprise you about the amount of research on organic versus conventional farming when it comes to winemaking? Why are many strong opinions in wine accepted without much challenge or push for validation? Why are traditional wine regions being forced to balance heritage with visibility and branding in today's market? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Alan Ramey, author of the new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Alan Ramey's terrific new book, Pressing Matters: The Debates, Controversies and Mysteries that have Shaped the World of Wine . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlight
- podcast· 46:03· Ep 382
382: The Prison That Became a Distillery: Belfast's Most Unlikely Comeback Story with McConnell's Irish Whisky
Why do Irish distillers believe triple distillation creates a smoother, more refined whiskey? What makes a whiskey feel warm and smooth on the palate instead of fiery or harsh? Why does the Belfast origin of ginger ale make it such a natural pairing with McConnell's Irish Whisky? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with John Kelly, CEO of the Belfast Distillery Company, responsible for reviving one of Belfast's most famous brands, McConnell's Irish Whisky. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights Why does Irish whiskey traditionally favour triple distillation while Scotch producers rely on double distillation? How do first-fill American bourbon barrels shape the citrus, vanilla, and floral character of McConnell's five-year-old whiskey? Why does the balance between grain and malted barley affect whether a whiskey feels warm and smooth or fiery on the palate? How does a higher malt content contribute to a
- podcast· 1h 06m· Ep 381
381: From Hard Time to Happy Hour: The Remarkable Resurrection of McConnell's Irish Whisky
What's the hidden meaning behind the opaque ribbed glass at the bottom of a McConnell's Irish Whisky bottle? What made the opportunity to revive McConnell's Irish Whisky important enough to leave a long and secure career behind? How does a master distiller notice that something is off long before anyone else can spot it? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with John Kelly, CEO of the Belfast Distillery Company, responsible for reviving one of Belfast's most famous brands, McConnell's Irish Whisky, which actually dates back 250 years this year to 1776. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What made John take on the challenge of bringing McConnell's back to Belfast? How did Belfast go from exporting more than 75% of Irish whiskey to losing the McConnell's brand for nearly 80 years? What do the symbols on the McConnell's bottle reveal? How does the opaque glass at the base of the bottle pay tribute to th
- podcast· 51:49· Ep 380
380: The Ghost in the Glass: 5 Ways AI Is Rewriting the Story of Wine
If your wearable device knows your cortisol level, your heart rate, and the ambient light in your dining room, should it also choose the perfect wine for you? The Romans raved about Falernian. The Georgians were fermenting in clay vessels eight thousand years ago. Could AI finally let us taste what they were drinking? Conversely, can AI write an accurate tasting note for wine still in the bottle before a single human lifts the glass? When every appellation is covered, every vintage scored, and every back label written by an algorithm, what is a wine writer actually for? You're going to discover the stories and tips that answer those questions in this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast. I'm going solo rather than interviewing a guest, as I'd like to share these thoughts that have been on my mind. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What first drew Sarah toward Champagne, and why did the region capture her imagination so s
- podcast· 57:33· Ep 379
379: More Than a Drink: Why Wine Divides & Unites Cultures with Sarah Heller MW
Why do some cultures embrace wine as a cultural expression while others see it simply as a beverage? Why do some cultures embrace wine as a cultural expression while others see it simply as a beverage? Can fine wine actually be defined, or is it something subjective to be debated? Why is it so important to identify both the aroma and structure of wines when tasting? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sarah Heller, Master of Wine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights What was it about tasting Barolo for the first time that completely changed Sarah's understanding of wine complexity? How does Nebbiolo grown on clay soils in Piemonte create a sense of density and structure that feels different from Tuscan Sangiovese? How has Attilio Scienza's perspective on synesthesia shaped Sarah's approach to wine education? Why does Sarah believe wine should be understood as a cultural artifact rather than just
- podcast· 56:50· Ep 378
378: Does Formal Wine Tasting Language Strip the Emotion Out of Wine Writing? with Sarah Heller
Why is spitting essential if you want to taste wine seriously? What made Hong Kong's wine boom in 2010 feel both extravagant and generous? Does formal wine tasting language strip the emotion out of wine writing? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sarah Heller. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights How did Sarah's wine career almost end before it began? Why did her accident in southern France strengthen her commitment to the wine industry? What was it like to represent a restaurant alone at age 20 at the world's largest wine trade fair? How did an early lesson about spitting wine become a memorable introduction to professional wine culture? What's the difference between wine marketing and wine education? What made Hong Kong's wine scene during the 2010s feel both extravagant and unusually generous? How did Burgundy tastings in Hong Kong highlight the intersection of rarity, money, and shared passi
- podcast· 50:38· Ep 377
377: What Does It Mean For A Wine To Gain Wisdom As It Ages? with Neal Hulkower
Should wine competitions give judges the option to say that none of the wines in a category deserve a medal? Why have some classic regions become inaccessible while others remain within reach for wine drinkers? What does it mean for a wine to gain wisdom as it ages? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Neal Hulkower, a PhD rocket scientist, who has just published his first book, Grape Explications . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Neal Hulkower's terrific new book, Grape Explications . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What was one biostatistician's objection to the way wine competitions were scored? Why does Neal fundamentally disagree with the view that some judges' opinions
- podcast· 1h 02m· Ep 376
376: What Can 1970s Wine Notes Reveal About Luxury Wines Today?
How can a single bottle of wine completely change your understanding of what wine can be? What makes a wine so remarkable that you can almost taste it again in your memory decades later? Why are people drawn to tasting notes even when words can never fully capture the experience of tasting and smelling wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Neal Hulkower, a PhD rocket scientist, who has just published his first book, Grape Explications . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Neal Hulkower's terrific new book, Grape Explications . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What surprised Neal most when he reread five decades of his own wine writing while compiling Grape Explications? How
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 375
375: Why is Your Taste in Wine as Individual as Your Fingerprint? Jordan Salcito Shares the Story
Why did this author start the book with tasting, rather than history, regions or grapes? Was that because you wanted to get right into the sensory experience, rather than maybe some of the drier knowledge? Why is your experience of what tastes good as personal as a fingerprint? When it comes to wine, what do you mean by structure? Why are these important, these structural components? Do you think they matter more than identifying that, that wine's from Burgundy, that wine's from Bordeaux? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jordan Salcito, author of Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, & Everyone We Know . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Jordan Salcito's terrific new book, Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, and Everyone We Know . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a revi
- podcast· 1h 06m· Ep 374
374: What Makes a Wine Feel Soulful? Jordan Salcito Shares the Secret in Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, & Everyone We Know
What makes a wine feel soulful, transporting you beyond taste into a deeper emotional connection? What does experiencing harvest firsthand reveal about winemaking that never show up in books? What makes Northern Rhône Syrah come across as black peppery, smoky, and reminiscent of pastrami? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jordan Salcito who has published Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, & Everyone We Know , which was just selected as one of the best wine books of the year by the New York Times. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Jordan Salcito's terrific new book, Smart Mouth: Wine Essentials for You, Me, and Everyone We Know . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How di
- podcast· 54:03· Ep 373
373: How Do You Create A Successful International Wine Brand? Nam Stanley Tells The Story of Solicantus
What goes into creating a successful international wine brand that tells a story before the bottle is even opened? What does it look like to build a young wine brand vintage by vintage? What makes Bordeaux such a hard place to break into as an outsider? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Namratha Stanley, author of the new memoir Vineyard Melody . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Namratha Stanely's terrific new book, Vineyard Melody: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life, One Grape At A Time . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What was it like arriving alone in rural Margaux for an internship? What made Namratha push through fear, exhaustion, and the pressure of a visa dependent on
- podcast· 57:26· Ep 372
372: How is Namratha's "Vineyard Melody" memoir the wine version of Eat, Pray, Love?
How can a wine story rooted in darkness leave you feeling hopeful about your life? Why is France such a symbol of freedom, possibility and reinvention for her? How can discovering France through art, cinema, and wine become an escape into a completely different world? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Namratha Stanley, author of Vineyard Melody: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life, One Grape At A Time . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Namratha Stanely's terrific new book, Vineyard Melody: How One Woman Rebuilt Her Life, One Grape At A Time . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights Which childhood moments shaped Namratha's sense of courage and adventure and understanding of injustice?
- podcast· 1h 00m· Ep 371
371: Why Do Some Non-Alcoholic Wines Keep Their Fruity Aromas While Others Lose Everything?
How did winemakers first figure out how to remove alcohol from wine without destroying it? Why is it so difficult to perfect the flavours and aromas in wine once the alcohol is removed? Why do some non-alcoholic wines keep their fruity aromas while others seem to lose everything? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr Wes Pearson, a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights How was the German winemaker, Carl Jung, a pioneer in the field of no and low alcohol wine? Why is the reverse osmosis process better suited to small alcohol adjustments rather than full dealcoholization? How has the spinning cone column become one of the most effective tools for removing alcohol from wine? Why is it so challenging to preserve flavour and aroma in non-alcoholic wines? Why are low alcohol wines often more successful than alcohol free wi
- podcast· 57:11· Ep 370
370: Wes Pearson: What Happens When the World's Most Expensive Wines Are Tasted Blind
What really happens when the world's most expensive wines are tasted blind, without their labels or reputations? Why is the Len Evans Tutorial considered such a valuable experience in the wine world? How did Grenache go from a filler grape to one that producers take seriously? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr Wes Pearson, a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Highlights How did a curiosity for astrophysics shape Wes's mindset as a wine researcher and sensory scientist? Why does Wes believe that the more you learn about wine, the more you realize how little you know? Why does Wes see scientific research and hands-on winemaking as complementary approaches? What role did the Len Evans Tutorial play in shaping his palate and wine judging standards? What is it like to taste hundreds of benchmark wines blind, including Domaine
- podcast· 55:11· Ep 369
369: How Did One Viognier Go From the Brink of Extinction to Being Planted Around the World?
How did one Viognier go from the brink of extinction to being planted around the world? Why is the Mistral one of the most miserable experiences for people, yet a saviour for Rhône vineyards? Why is working with bush vines so much harder than trellised vineyards? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Matt Walls, author of the terrific new book The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Matt Walls' terrific new book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What are the famous galets roulés of Châteauneuf du Pape and what is it like to experience them in person? How do the galets affect viney
- podcast· 56:37· Ep 368
368: Why did the Rhone region ban flying saucers? Matt Walls reveals the story behind why that rule still exists
Which French wine region banned flying saucers from landing in its vineyards and why is the rule still there? How did the devastating February 1956 frost reshape the southern Rhône into the vineyard landscape we know today? What sets the northern Rhone apart from the south in terms of grapes and winemaking style? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Matt Walls, author of The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Matt Walls' terrific new book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to the Rhone Valley . To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did a family picnic become a memorable introduction to the northern Rhone? How did a visit to a small pr
- podcast· 1h 02m· Ep 367
367: Why Are So Many Swiss Vineyards Planted on Dangerous Terrain? Simon Hardy Reveals Why in the Smart Traveller's Guide to Switzerland
Why are so many Swiss vineyards planted on dangerous terrain? How do the "three suns of Lavaux" shape the ripeness and character of Chasselas? Which unexpected historical figure owns the world's smallest vineyard in Switzerland? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Simon Hardy, author of the terrific new book The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to Switzerland . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Simon Hardy's terrific new book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to Switzerland. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What makes Switzerland's vertiginous vineyards some of the most dangerous in the world to farm? How do growers move grapes from inaccessible cliffside plots during harvest? Why wer
- podcast· 55:25· Ep 366
366: The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to Switzerland with Simon Hardy
Why You Can't Buy Switzerland's Exceptional Wines Abroad? Why does Switzerland grow so many grape varieties, and which ones are the key players that define the country's wine regions? What makes high-altitude wine regions uniquely capable of producing wines that balance great concentration without being too heavy? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Simon Hardy, author of The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to Switzerland . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of Simon Hardy's terrific new book, The Smart Traveller's Wine Guide to Switzerland. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and let me know that you've posted a review of the podcast. I'll choose two people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did a teenage exchange trip to a small Burgundy wine family spark Simon's lifelong fascination with wine? What
- podcast· 57:08
Dr. Wes Pearson on the Science of Blind Tasting and the Chemistry of Non-Alcoholic Wine
What is it really like inside the legendary Len Evans Tutorial, where elite tasters spend a week benchmarking themselves against the world's greatest wines? What are the surprising lessons that come from tasting ultra-rare wines blind? What happens when famous labels disappoint, or a legendary bottle proves why it earned its reputation? Why did the McLaren Vale's ancient bush-vine Grenache go from being a "blend filler" to one of Australia's most exciting fine wine styles? How did a handful of producers help drive that transformation? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Wes Pearson, a senior research scientist at the Australian Wine Research Institute in Adelaide. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks . Key Takeaways The current vintage of the Romanée-Conti Grand Cru is about $15,000 on release. Not only was the legendary Len Evans Tutorial a great opportunity to taste these holy grail wines that would oth