The Chronicle
Latest dispatches
98 results across all types
- podcast· 38:02· Ep 328
328: On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy with Susan Keevil
How was Brunello discovered? How did the medieval sharecropping system help to shape Tuscany's wine landscape? What's the origin of the iconic black rooster symbol of Chianti Classico? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Susan Keevil, editor of the beautiful hardcover On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, On Tuscany: From Brunello to Bolgheri, Tales from the Heart of Italy . 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 inspired Susan to take on the monumental task of compiling and editing On Tuscany ? How is On Tuscany different from other books about the region? What was the most captivating wine story S
- podcast· 42:07· Ep 327
327: What do Famille Perrin, Torres and Gaja Wines Have in Common that Makes Them Uncommon? Fiona Morrison Goes Behind the Scenes of These Family Businesses
What is unique about Famille Perrin in France's approach to running their family wine business? How do traditional wine families differentiate their brands and market their wines in a crowded marketplace? How has the Gaja family of Italy made significant contributions to winemaking and the Piemonte community? What is unique about Famille Perrin in France's approach to running their family wine business? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Fiona Morrison. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, 10 Great Wine Families: A Tour Through Europe . 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 the Frescobaldi family make a massive impact on the arts in their transition from banking
- podcast· 49:38· Ep 326
326: Who Are The 10 Great Families of Wine? Fiona Morrison Gives Us A Tour Through Europe
How do you tame a grape like Merlot which actually has higher sugar and alcohol levels than Cabernet Sauvignon? What's the little-known history behind the cult wines of Le Pin in Bordeaux that sell for as much as $10,000 a bottle when first released and then go up from there at auction? Why is it an advantage to have many stakeholders in family-owned estates? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Fiona Morrison, author of the terrific book 10 Great Wine Families: A Tour Through Europe. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, 10 Great Wine Families: A Tour Through Europe . 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 studying literature at the University of Exeter spark Fiona'
- podcast· 32:01· Ep 325
325: Why is the Languedoc a Hotbed of Experimentation? Rosemary George Reveals What This Means for the Wines You Drink
Introduction Why is the Languedoc a hotbed of experimentation, and what does that mean for the wines you drink? What role have white and rosé wines played in the transformation of the Languedoc wine scene? What prompted the shift from mass-produced table wines to higher-quality appellation wines in Languedoc? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Rosemary George. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Wines of the Languedoc. 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 the Languedoc's appellations come to be and why were they relatively late to the game? Why is the Languedoc a hotbed of experimentation, and what does that mean for the wines you drink? How did the mon
- podcast· 32:59· Ep 324
324: Why are Languedoc Wines Capturing Worldwide Attention? Rosemary George Tells the Story
What makes the Languedoc particularly well-suited for organic viticulture? How have the wines of the Languedoc evolved since the 70s? How do the wines of the Languedoc region of southern France differ from neighbouring Roussillon? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Rosemary George You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of her terrific book, Wines of the Languedoc. 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 was it like becoming one of the first women to earn the Master of Wine designation? How did Rosemary's journey into wine writing begin? What inspired Rosemary's initial fascination with the Languedoc region? What do you need to know about the Languedoc region in terms of geography and how it
- podcast· 1h 11m· Ep 323
323: Why Did Greece Have the First Sommeliers, Wine Tastings and Writers? Konstantinos Lazarakis Reveals the Answers
What are some of the significant contributions that Greece has made to the world of wine? How does the Greek volcanic island of Santorini produce wines of stunning depth and freshness at the same time? How are Greek wines shifting the perspective on what's possible for warm climate wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine Konstantinos Lazarakis. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, The Wines of Greece. 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 some of the significant contributions to wine made in Greece? What are some of the unique and complex terroirs found in Greece for wine production? How do Santorini's wines achieve both incredible depth and fre
- podcast· 1h 14m· Ep 322
322: What are the Surprising Wines and Regions of Greece? Konstantinos Lazarakis Shares His Favourites
What makes wine worth waiting for? How much wine is produced in Greece? What would surprise you about the wines of Greece. In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Konstantinos Lazarakis, author of the new book The Wines of Greece. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, The Wines of Greece. 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 Konstantinos find his first passion for heavy metal music? Do fine wine and heavy metal have anything in common? What memorable moment happened to Konstantinos while delivering a presentation to wine buyers in Russia? How did Dominus wine end up making an in-flight splash for Konstantinos? What sparked Konstantinos' initial passion for Greek wine?
- podcast· 41:28· Ep 321
321: Why is Chardonnay the Winemaker's Grape + What a Family Brand Means with Chris Benziger
Why is Chardonnay the one grape that is equally made in the vineyards and the winery? What's the difference between biodynamic and regenerative farming? What does it mean to be part of a family brand of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chris Benziger, winemaker with the Benziger family wines in Sonoma, California. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win one of three bottles of the superb Benziger wines. This is open to Canadian residents because shipping alcohol across borders is still bound-up with prehistoric laws. 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 does the Benziger family's "flaming hoops" program help to ensure family members are a value add if they work at the winery? How did the 2017
- podcast· 46:37· Ep 320
320: Pioneer California Biodynamic Winemaking + 100 Adorable Sheep with Chris Benziger
What was it like to move to biodynamic wine farming at a time when hardly anyone was doing it? What crucial role do 100 adorable sheep play at the Benziger winery? How do biodynamic preparations that might seem a bit "woo" actually benefit the vineyard? What are the benefits of biodynamic farming practices for vine health and wine quality? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Chris Benziger, winemaker with the Benziger family wines in Sonoma, California. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win one of three bottles of the superb Benziger wines. This is open to Canadian residents because shipping alcohol across borders is still bound-up with prehistoric laws. 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 did Chris
- podcast· 1h 02m· Ep 319
319: The Biggest, Most Surprising Wine Myths with Hailey Bohlman
What's the important difference between dry wines and the dry feeling you get when tasting certain wines? Do all or even most wines taste better when they're older? How can you make the most of a trip to Washington wine country? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Hailey Bohlman You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What was Hailey's experience with hosting her first virtual wine tasting during the pandemic? How did Hailey get actor Kyle MacLachlan to do a virtual wine tasting with her tasting club? Is there an overlap between Hailey's wine career and her career in technical program management? How does Hailey's background and passion for mathematics influence her approach to understanding and teaching about wine? What's been the most challenging wine concept for Hailey to explain in her Wine 101 series? What's the most mind-blowing scientific fact about winemaking that Hailey has learned? Which win
- podcast· 42:15· Ep 318
318: Flute or White Wine Glass for Champagne, Serving Tips and Styles with Chris Ruhland
Should you drink Champagne from a white wine glass or a flute? What is the ideal temperature range for serving Champagne? What might surprise you about the technical side of Champagne production? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Christopher S. Ruhland, author of Press for Champagne: A Guide to Enjoying the World's Greatest Sparkling Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Press for Champagne . 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 does Chris prefer using a white wine glass instead of the traditional elongated flute for Champagne? What's the problem with clear glass bottles for Champagne? What is the ideal temperature range for serving Champagne? Which point
- podcast· 49:11· Ep 317
317: Dom Perignon, Grand Cru Champagnes and Marketing Myths with Chris Ruhland
Did the Benedictine monk Dom Perignon invent Champagne? Why is Grand Cru Champagne not necessarily the best Champagne? What makes Champagne so versatile and food-friendly? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Christopher S. Ruhland, author of the award-winning Press for Champagne: A Guide to Enjoying the World's Greatest Sparkling Wine . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of his terrific book, Press for Champagne . 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 makes Champagne so versatile and food-friendly? What do you need to know about the main styles of Champagne? Why is Rosé Champagne made differently from still Rosé? What sparked Chris' interest in Champagne in particular? How did Chris
- podcast· 1h 06m· Ep 316
316: Piemonte Sparkling Wines, Roero Nebbiolo and Visiting Alba with David Way
In northern Italy, Alba, Barolo and Barbaresco have become wine tourist destinations. How can you make the most of your visit to these regions in Piemonte? Why should you try a Nebbiolo wine from Roero? Why is there so much excitement about the sparkling wines of Piemonte now? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with David Way, author of the terrific book The Wines of Piemonte . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, The Wines of Piemonte . 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 should you know about Gaja and the Barbaresco cooperative? Why did David have to wait outside a Barbaresco winery for an hour past his appointment without any explanation? How does Moscato d'Asti compare
- podcast· 1h 19m· Ep 315
315: Exploring Piemonte Wines Beyond Barolo and Barbaresco with David Way
Are you curious about the wines of Piemonte in northern Italy? Why are Barolo and Barbaresco often compared with Burgundy? What makes Nebbiolo unique as a grape? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with David Way, author of the new book The Wines of Piemonte . You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, The Wines of Piemonte . 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 David's book, The Wines of Piemonte, different from other Italian wine books? How does Piemonte compare geographically to other well-known Italian wine regions? Why does the Piemonte region have so many wine denominations and what are the challenges this presents? What approach does David recommend for understanding
- podcast· 45:08· Ep 314
314: Why We Struggle to Describe Wine Yet Keep Trying with Hugh Johnson
Why is it so difficult to describe wine? How did England pave the way for Champagne as we know it today? What do winemaking and gardening share beyond being plant-based? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Hugh Johnson. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his marvellous memoir, The Life and Wines of Hugh Johnson . 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's behind Hugh's decades-long love for Bordeaux? How did Hugh's first book about trees come about? How has writing about wine and about horticulture influenced each other? Are there commonalities between gardening and winemaking? Where was Hugh's favourite place to enjoy wine? What was it like tasting wine with former Dom Pérignon chef de cave Ri
- podcast· 41:33· Ep 313
313: The legendary Hugh Johnson, author of The World Atlas of Wine, on how you can improve your wine-tasting skill and pleasure
Are you curious what it would be like to ask for wine advice from legendary Hugh Johnson, author of The World Atlas of Wine, among many other books? What would he advise you on how you can improve your wine-tasting skill and pleasure? Why was Hugh initially against wine scoring and how has his perspective changed over the years? What makes a wine great in Hugh's opinion? Why does Hugh now prefer English sparkling wines over his long-time favourite Pol Roger Champagne? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Hugh Johnson. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will win a copy of his marvellous memoir, The Life and Wines of Hugh Johnson . 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 is it about Chablis that makes it Hugh's fav
- podcast· 41:31· Ep 312
312: How Can You Improve Your Sense of Smell with Wine? Johannes Frasnelli Has Great Tips
How can you train your sense of smell? Why does smelling require much more focus than our other senses? What is retronasal olfaction and why is it so important when it comes to enjoying wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Johannes Frasnelli. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights Do wine aroma kits help to improve our ability to smell and taste wine? What positive changes occur in the brains of master sommeliers? How does our emotional state influence our ability to perceive scents? Do humans have pheromones, and how can our body odours influence each other? Is there a difference in how our brains process wine aromas compared to synthetic scents? How is olfactory marketing used by certain brands to improve their customer experience? What is the role of retronasal olfaction in wine tasting and flavour perception? What is synesthesia, and how does it relate to perception in wine tasting? W
- podcast· 44:17· Ep 311
311: Smell, the Cinderella Sense, Goes Full Princess on Wine with Johannes Frasnelli
Why is smell, often called the Cinderella sense, so underrated in our culture, especially when many luxury products, such as wine, spirits and perfume, are based on it? Even though dogs have more than twice the number of scent receptors than humans, why are we better at detecting wine aromas? What might surprise you about how we perceive the senses of taste and smell? Why is the sense of smell so evocative compared to other senses? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Johannes Frasnelli. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What were some of the most memorable smells from Johannes' childhood? How did Johannes first become fascinated with the subject of smell and the science behind it? What were the most surprising things Johannes discovered about our sense of smell in his research so far? What might surprise you about how we perceive the senses of taste and smell? Why is the sense of smell of
- podcast· 48:08· Ep 310
310: Women, Wine and Health: The Good News with Tony Edwards
What might surprise you about the impact of alcohol on heart disease? How can wine drinkers reduce the risk of certain cancers with one supplement? Does wine help protect against cognitive decline and dementia? Why do some organizations make extreme recommendations for eliminating alcohol? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Tony Edwards. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, The Very Good News About 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 three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights What positive health effects were found in Harvard's long-term research on alcohol and heart disease? How can wine consumption decrease the risk of certain cancers? What did the Mayo Clinic study find about the relationship b
- podcast· 45:09· Ep 309
309: The Surprising Health Benefits of Wine with Tony Edwards, Author of The Very Good News About Wine
Have the health risks of moderate wine consumption been grossly overstated? How does moderate wine consumption reduce heart disease? What is the ideal amount and pattern of wine consumption for maximum health benefits, and how does it differ between men and women? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Tony Edwards. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Three of you will win a copy of his terrific new book, The Very Good News About 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 three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck! Highlights How did Tony's experience as a BBC producer and a medical columnist shape his approach to researching and writing about wine? Why does Tony believe the glycemic index is more accurate than the calorie theory for measuring food values? What impact does
- podcast· 43:27· Ep 308
308: Defining Minerality, Mouthfeel and Musty Aromas with Gus Zhu
Why do certain musty or animalistic aromas, like barnyard or manure, become more acceptable to wine lovers over time? What does minerality really mean when it comes to wine? Why is mouthfeel so important to appreciating wine? How does the colour of wine influence our perception of how it tastes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Giveaway Two of you will a copy of his terrific new book, Behind the Glass: The Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting . 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 Why do certain musty or animalistic aromas, like barnyard or manure, become more acceptable to wine lovers over time? What's behind the perception of saltiness and minerality in wine?
- podcast· 46:31· Ep 307
307: Umami, Petrol and Vegetal Aromas Behind the Glass in the Chemical and Sensorial Terroir of Wine Tasting with Gus Zhu
Can you learn to appreciate aromas such as spice, petrol, and even gamey or foxy notes in wine? And would you want to, or should you? How can you better understand the taste of umami in what you eat and drink? How do culture and lifestyle influence your perception of the aromas and taste of wine? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine, Gus Zhu. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What was the moment Gus realized he wanted to make wine his career? How did it feel to become the first Chinese Master of Wine (MW)? Which aspects of Gus' multicultural education helped him pass his MW exam on the first try? What is Gus' book, Behind the Glass, about? What makes Behind the Glass different from other books on wine science? What are chemical terroir and sensorial terroir? What was the most surprising thing Gus learned while researching and writing Behind the Glass? Why is the concept of the "ton
- podcast· 42:05· Ep 306
306: Wine and Folklore Share Terroir and Storytelling with Jo Penn Author of Blood Vintage
How far would you go for that first evocative taste of an elusive wine? Why should you try wines and books outside your comfort zone? How is folklore as rooted in a sense of place as much as wine is? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jo Penn. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What's the significance of terroir and what are the parallels with a writer's voice? How did Jo make sure to capture the sensory details when writing Blood Vintage? Why does Jo recommend watching the TV show Drops of God? How did Jo weave folklore and pagan rituals into Blood Vintage? What is the genre of "folk horror," and how does it differ from traditional horror? What was the most difficult part off writing Blood Vintage? Why did Jo decide to launch Blood Vintage through Kickstarter? If Jo could share a bottle of wine with anyone, who would it be, and what wine would
- podcast· 42:08· Ep 305
305: Blending Biodynamics and Suspense with Jo Penn Author of Blood Vintage
Why is biodynamic viticulture sometimes associated with dark magic or the occult? Why is using wine in religious rituals as a sacrament considered normal for many people, but taking it beyond that is not? Why are wines from England becoming increasingly popular? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jo Penn, the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, about her latest novel, Blood Vintage, set in an English vineyard. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks Highlights What were the most memorable aspects of the Pinot Noir tours Jo attended in South Otago while living in New Zealand? Which New Zealand foods pair best with their Pinot Noirs? What is Jo's new book, Blood Vintage , about? Which wines would Jo and I pair with Blood Vintage ? How did Jo find the inspiration for writing Blood Vintage ? What's behind the rise of English wines? How did a high school performance of Euripides' "The Bacchae" influence