Unreserved Wine Talk Natalie MacLean

Why has German beer been so much more successful marketing-wise than German wine in foreign markets, particularly in the U.K. and North America? How does German law make it complex to navigate the country’s wines for consumers? What is selective harvesting, and why is it fundamental to understanding German wine?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Anne Krebiehl.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Giveaway
One of you will win a copy of Anne Krebiehl's terrific book, The Wines of Germany.
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 one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!
 
Highlights
How did Simon and Garfunkel help Anne learn English?
What was Anne’s experience getting her first article published while working at Deutsche Bank?
What drew Anne to shift from food writing to wine writing?
Why did Anne want to work harvests around the world, and how did she convince wineries to let her join?
What is Central Otago, New Zealand like, and what was Anne’s most memorable moment from the harvest?
How do the landscapes of Piedmont, Italy, and Baden, Germany, differ from Central Otago?
What makes Anne’s book, The Wines of Germany, different from other books about German wine?
What is it about German wine law that can make it complex and confusing for consumers?
What is selective harvesting?
How did German wines become known to be sweet?
Why has German beer been so much more successful than German wine?
How does the central geography and climate of Germany impact its wine production?
 
About Anne Krebiehl
Anne Krebiehl MW is a freelance wine writer and lecturer. She is the editor for Germany, Austria, Alsace and Grower Champagne for Vinous Media and publishes widely in trade and consumer publications. Her first book, The Wines of Germany, won Domaine Faiveley International Wine Book of The Year 2020 at the Louis Roederer International Wine Writers’ Awards.
 
Bonus Interview - Ottawa Independent Writers | Writer's Workshop: Highlights
The mistake in following a chronological series of events. There's nothing that will put readers to sleep more quickly than a this happened, then this happened narrative.
The mistake of underestimating the difficulty of navigating a dual timeline. While it can be difficult to try to weave back and forth, clumping together parts of your story by category won't be satisfying to the reader.
The mistake of believing that memoir is more closely aligned to non-fiction than fiction. A memoir is a true account but the techniques of memoir are all on the fiction side of things - plot, character development, climax and conflict.
 
About Ottawa Independent Writers Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was formed in 1986 as a venue for people with a passion for creating fiction and non-fiction, for writing poetry and plays, and for stringing words together in a variety of other formats. OIW’s members are involved in every aspect of the printed and electronic word.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/295.

Why are pigs roaming up and down the rows of more and more vineyards? Do biodynamic preparations really help vineyards by treating them more holistically or is this junk science? How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Sophie Menin.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Giveaway
Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.
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 does “fixing nitrogen” mean, and why is it important for vines?
Do biodynamic preparations help vineyards by treating them more holistically?
How does the moon's gravitational pull influence the ideal time for pruning vines?
Why are shoot thinning and winter pruning necessary for improving vine architecture?
How have bats, pigs, and sheep become essential additions to many vineyards?
Why did one winery decide to plant vines in concentric circles rather than the traditional rows?
How does light influence wine production?
What are "crystalline cathedrals," and how do they help to protect buds in sub-zero weather?
What methods are vineyards using to warm the air and combat potential damage from frost?
How does fog help vineyards, especially in Napa and Sonoma?
In the Museum of Sophie Menin, what three objects would be in the central display?
Which wine would Sophie pair with her favourite childhood food, carrot cake?
What are Sophie’s favourite wine gadgets?
Which bottle of wine would Sophie Menin want to share with Alice Waters?
 
About Sophie Menin
Sophie Menin is an author and journalist who has contributed to several top publications such as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and more. Her wine writing focuses on the myriad ways that wine connects us with our senses and the rhythms of the natural world.
 
Bonus Interview - Ottawa Independent Writers | Writer's Workshop: Highlights
The five steps to tasting wine
What makes a good wine versus a mediocre wine?
Memoir mistake #1: Assuming that your story is the focus of the book. This is especially important if you’re planning to write your own story someday, whether it’s for broad publication or just for friends and family as a legacy.
 
About Ottawa Independent Writers Ottawa Independent Writers (OIW) was formed in 1986 as a venue for people with a passion for creating fiction and non-fiction, for writing poetry and plays, and for stringing words together in a variety of other formats. OIW’s members are involved in every aspect of the printed and electronic word.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/294.

Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Sophie Menin.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Giveaway
Three of you will win a copy of Sophie Menin and Bob Chaplin's terrific new book A Year In The Vineyard.
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 one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!
 
Highlights
What was the exact moment Sophie decided she wanted to become a writer?
What were the best and worst moments of Sophie's writing career?
Why would Sophie want to be a teacher if she didn’t pursue writing professionally?
What was the inspiration behind writing A Year In The Vineyard?
Which moments were most memorable from Sophie’s experience with the Olivier Leflaive vineyard?
How did Sophie’s collaboration with Bob Chaplin make A Year In The Vineyard different from other books on similar topics?
How did Sophie choose which wineries to feature in A Year In The Vineyard?
What was the most surprising thing Sophie discovered while researching the book?
How are some wineries changing the way they treat vineyard workers?
What was the most impactful feedback Sophie received on the book?
What were some of the challenges of writing A Year In The Vineyard?
How was the visual storytelling developed?
Which emerging trends in vineyard practices did Sophie observe in her research?
Why is natural resilience important in vineyards?
How did Sophie convince Hugh Johnson to write the foreword?
Why does Sophie consider vineyards to be gardens?
What does it mean for winemakers to hold an "aesthetic vision"?
Why is it important to live close to the earth?
What’s behind the recent practice of wineries planting roses at the end of each vineyard row?
Why is biodiversity important to vine health?
 
Key Takeaways
Why do many wineries plant roses at the end of each vine row? Anything that could negatively impact the vineyard, such as mildew or pests, will affect roses first. The roses are like that proverbial canary in the coal mine.
What does bee activity tell you about a vineyard? Well-cared-for vineyards begin to look like English gardens or even the Biblical Eden because they’re not only full of flowers and other plants, but they also have lots of bee activity. It’s a measure of their health and biodiversity.
What does it mean for winemakers to have an "aesthetic vision"? Every choice winemakers take considers what kind of wine they want to make.
 
About Sophie Menin
Sophie Menin is an author and journalist who has contributed to several top publications such as The New York Times, Wine Spectator, and more. Her wine writing focuses on the myriad ways that wine connects us with our senses and the rhythms of the natural world.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/293.

Should we, as consumers, be concerned about buying wines from regions which have experienced wildfires? Why does smoke taint intensify as a wine ages? How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Highlights
Why does smoke taint show up differently in different wines despite the same level of exposure of the grapes?
How can wineries mitigate the risk of producing smoke-tainted wine?
Is there a health risk associated with wine made from smoke-exposed grapes?
Why does smoke taint intensify with wine aging?
Why does the perception of smoke taint become stronger with every sip?
What are some similarities and differences between wildfire smoke exposure and the smoky aromas achieved with oak barrels?
Are some grape varieties more susceptible to smoke taint than others?
What are some of the main challenges in researching the effects of smoke exposure on wine?
Were there differences between the wildfires in BC, California, and Australia wine country?
Where is the current research focus for prevention and mitigation of smoke taint?
How would routine testing of grapes in vineyards help researchers establish benchmarks for risk assessment?
How could understanding more about the terroir of the air positively impact the wine industry?
 
Key Takeaways
Just because a wine region is experiencing wildfires or even smoke drift from fires farther away, it doesn’t mean that the wine will be tainted.
Smoke taint gets worse as wine ages because the wine develops new, more subtle tertiary aroma compounds which may be bolder.
Australia has pioneered techniques such as making Rosé that’s not fermented on skins where the taint is. Smoke taint is less problematic for white wine because it too isn't fermented on skins.
 
Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live
Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.
I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?
Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621
 
About Wes Zandberg
Before beginning his independent research career at The University of British Columbia (2015), Wes earned a PhD in chemistry at Simon Fraser University with Prof. B. Mario Pinto. Wes loved the rainy Fraser Valley so much that he remained at SFU, completing his post-doctoral research with Prof. David Vocadlo. This training instilled in Wes a fascination for glycoscience as well as a realization that the study of the structures/functions of carbohydrates (i.e. glycoscience) was—and still is—impeded by a dearth of suitable analytical tools and methods. Now, students in Wes’ lab at devise glyco-analytical methods that actually work for real samples rather than off-the-shelf model systems.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/292.

What are the main causes of wildfires in wine country? Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the severity of wildfires each season? What impact do wildfires have on the taste of your wine, and why is it difficult to predict whether smoke-exposed grapes will, in fact, produce tainted wine?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with researcher Wes Zandberg.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Highlights
What sparked Wes’ interest in winemaking and wine chemistry?
Why are BC wineries at a disadvantage coming out of 2022 and 2023?
What are the main causes of wildfires in British Columbia?
How much damage was caused by the wildfires in late 2023 and why were they worse than in the past?
Why did the wildfires start so early in 2024?
Which two weather-based factors are the strongest predictors of the risk of wildfires each season?
How does fire play an important role in the forest ecosystem?
How do wildfires affect wine itself chemically?
What is the economic impact of wildfires on the wine industry?
Why is it challenging to predict smoke taint through analytical tools alone?
How does yeast activity contribute to smoke taint in wine post-fermentation?
 
Key Takeaways
In 2021, Wes notes that the BC’s Okanagan Valley experienced severe wildfires due to arson. The vast majority, though, of wildfires are started by lightning and human causes, both errors and malevolence.
Wes observes that the quicker snow melts and evaporates, leaving drier conditions, the greater the risk of wildfires. This is exacerbated if seasonal rains are below average, especially in June and July.
There isn’t a chemical test to determine whether smoke-exposed grapes will actually produce smoke-tainted wines. Smoke taint also doesn’t express itself in unfermented grapes, making it even harder to predict its impact on the wine.
 
Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live
Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.
I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?
Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621
 
About Wes Zandberg
Before beginning his independent research career at The University of British Columbia (2015), Wes earned a PhD in chemistry at Simon Fraser University with Prof. B. Mario Pinto. Wes loved the rainy Fraser Valley so much that he remained at SFU, completing his post-doctoral research with Prof. David Vocadlo. This training instilled in Wes a fascination for glycoscience as well as a realization that the study of the structures/functions of carbohydrates (i.e. glycoscience) was—and still is—impeded by a dearth of suitable analytical tools and methods. Now, students in Wes’ lab at devise glyco-analytical methods that actually work for real samples rather than off-the-shelf model systems.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/291.

What is agri-tourism and why did people begin to embrace the farming experience? Why don't Ontarians drink as much of our own wine as other provinces or countries? How did one woman lead the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada?
In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Jennifer Wilhelm.
You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks
 
Giveaway
Three of you will win a copy of Jennifer Wilhelm's terrific new book Sharing a Glass: Inspirational Memoirs & Memories of the Women Who Shaped Ontario's Grape & Wine Industry. Three of you in Canada will win a bottle of the full-bodied, buttery-rich Chloe Chardonnay. The latter restriction relates to the cross-border shipping of alcohol and all the fun that entails.
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 one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!
 
Highlights
What was it like for Debbie Zimmerman campaigning door-to-door in the 70s?
What did Debbie Zimmerman learn from Canadian politician and activist Nellie McClung?
How did Debbie Zimmerman’s political and journalism careers help her negotiate between Ontario grape growers and wineries?
How has Ann Sperling led the charge for biodynamic and organic wines in Canada?
Why don't Ontarians drink as much of their own wine as other provinces?
What were Barbara Leslie’s contributions to the Ontario wine industry?
What is agritourism and how did Nicolette Novak get people from the city to embrace it?
How did Madame Andrée Bosc highlight the value of giving people context for the wines they are drinking?
What were some of the challenges and lessons that Jennifer experienced writing her book during the pandemic?
What does Jennifer love about the stories behind the Maenad Wine Company and Liebling Wines?
 
Join me on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube Live
Join the live-stream video of this conversation on Wed at 7 pm ET on Instagram Live Video, Facebook Live Video or YouTube Live Video.
I want to hear from you! What’s your opinion of what we’re discussing? What takeaways or tips do you love most from this chat? What questions do you have that we didn’t answer?
Want to know when we go live? Add this to your calendar: https://www.addevent.com/calendar/CB262621
 
About Jennifer Wilhelm
Jennifer Wilhelm has dedicated her career to Ontario’s hospitality industry. She is a certified Sommelier, and holds credentials from WSET, Prud’homme, Hospitality Management, and Human Resources with a focus on training and development. She taught at Niagara College for 17 years and was named 2010 Ontario Wine Educator through the VQA Promoters Awards. She received a Lieutenant Governor’s Community Volunteer Award for her contributions to the Ontario wine industry.
 
 
 
 
To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/290.