274: The Golden Rule to Buy Burgundy & Avoid High Prices with Raymond Blake, Author of Côte d’Or

Should you avoid wine with sulphites? What are some of the important differences in the way wine is marketed to men versus women? How can you practice mindful drinking without giving up the wine you love? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Erica Diamond on The Erica Diamond Podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Why did I choose to write a completely different genre for my third book, Wine Witch On Fire? How did I first realize my drinking was sliding away from healthy? Why do I say wine today is like Virginia Slims were in the 1960s? What are some of the stark differences in how wine is marketed to men versus women? What are some of the red flags that your drinking might be problematic? Why did I decide to focus on harm-reduction techniques instead of going sober? How do I now practice mindful drinking, considering that wine is integral to my career? Should you avoid wine with sulphites? What signs should you be aware of that suggest your drinking habits might be becoming unhealthy? What words of wisdom would I offer my younger self if I could?   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 Erica Diamond & The Erica Diamond Podcast The Erica Diamond Podcast is getting you motivated and inspired by conversations with today’s thought leaders and coolest people. Each episode, get up close and personal with compelling guests who share stories and tips that empower you to live your best life. Erica Diamond is a Certified Life and Career Coach and certified Yoga and Meditation Teacher who helps women completely transform their days to vibrate at a high energy frequency and feel calm at the same time. She's the definition of multi-passionate and also can be seen as the Lifestyle & Parenting Correspondent on Global TV, on stage as a Professional Speaker, hosting The Erica Diamond Podcast, teaching Busy To Bliss and trying her hand in the kitchen (to many blunders!).       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/282.  

What makes Vin Jaune from France's Jura region so special? What can you discover about the diversity of wine coming out of Jura and the French Alps? What are some insider tips for planning a journey to the French Alps? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Wink Lorch. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch's terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 exactly goes into the winemaking process for Vin Jaune that sets it apart from other wines? Why does Wink describe the taste of Vin Jaune as a “shock to the palate”? What are some great food pairings for Vin Jaune, and how should they be stored and served? How does using the méthode ancestrale influence Bugey Cerdon sparkling wine? Which traditional dishes from the Jura region are a must-try, and how do they pair with Bugey Cerdon? What are the best tips for having great wine-tasting experiences in the picturesque French Alps? What inspired Wink to turn to Kickstarter for crowdfunding her books and other wine-related projects? Why was there a need for a book on Jura alone and what challenges come with self-publishing and crowdfunding such a project? What can you discover about diversity when you explore wine from Jura and the French Alps?   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 Wink Lorch British wine writer, author and educator Wink Lorch has always worked in the world of wine: writing, editing, teaching and presenting tastings having started her career working for British wine importers. Based between London and the French Alps, over the past 20 years, she has become known as the English-language specialist of the wines of Jura and Savoie.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/281.

What is it about wines from the French Alps and Jura that makes them so different from any other wine region in the world? How has climate change impacted wines in the region? How did their perception as “ski resort wines” negatively impact Jura and Savoie wineries? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with author Wink Lorch. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of Wink Lorch's terrific book about the wines of Jura and the French Alps. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 sparked Wink’s interest in the French Alps and Jura? Why is it important to distinguish between the French Alps and Prealps? What’s the connection between Jura and Savoie? Where exactly are Jura and the French Alps located, and what does the landscape look like? How does Jura's terroir compare to Burgundy's, and what does this mean for their wines? How did the historic Mont Granier landslide impact the region? What was Louis Pasteur’s influence on the wine industry, and where can you visit to learn more about him while visiting the Jura region? How do the mountains in the region impact the vineyards in Savoie and Jura? How has climate change impacted the wine industry in the region, and should we be concerned? What unique challenges face Jura and Savoie wine producers, considering their small production and export rates? How did the historical association of Savoie wines with ski resorts affect their perception? Why have Jura wines become popular with sommeliers in some trendy Manhattan restaurants? What makes Jura wines so distinctive, and what challenges are they currently experiencing?   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 Wink Lorch British wine writer, author and educator Wink Lorch has always worked in the world of wine: writing, editing, teaching and presenting tastings having started her career working for British wine importers. Based between London and the French Alps, over the past 20 years, she has become known as the English-language specialist of the wines of Jura and Savoie.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/280.

Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? How are younger producers bringing renewed optimism to Beaujolais? What is indigenous fermentation, and how does it contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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’s behind the increasing alcohol levels in Beaujolais wines? Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? How do carbonic maceration and other techniques often used in Beaujolais winemaking work? How did Beaujolais develop a reputation for “bubblegum and banana” aromas? How are younger producers and innovative approaches driving the current vibrant and dynamic atmosphere in Beaujolais? What is indigenous fermentation, and how does it contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines? Why are stories the best way to share your love of wine? How would Natasha pair wine and snails? Who’s on the guest list for Natasha’s dream dinner party and why? What’s Natasha’s top temperature-based wine tip?   Key Takeaways Why are Beaujolais wines so versatile when it comes to food pairing? As Natasha observes, these are crunchy wines, you take them on a picnic, you open them with charcuterie and salads and don't take them too seriously. How are younger producers bringing renewed optimism to Beaujolais? Natasha says they’re revitalizing the region with new approaches and experimenting with indigenous yeasts. How does indigenous fermentation contribute to the complexity of Beaujolais wines? Yeast populations in the winery and on grape skins are allowed to take over the fermentation process, resulting in more complex 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 Natasha Hughes Natasha Hughes MW graduated as a Master of Wine in 2014, winning four out of the seven prizes awarded that year, including the Outstanding Achievement Award. Natasha began her wine trade career as deputy editor for Decanter’s website but left in 2001 to begin freelancing as a journalist, specialising in wine and food. Natasha has contributed material for a number of books, and is currently working on her first solo effort, a book on Beaujolais, for the Wine Library series.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/279.

What’s behind the surprising complexity and variety of Beaujolais wines? How has Beaujolais Nouveau distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? What makes Beaujolais such a good value wine? In this Unreserved Wine Talk podcast episode, I'm chatting with Master of Wine and author, Natasha Hughes. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you will win a copy of a terrific, new book to which Natasha Hughes is a contributor- On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Tales. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 might surprise you about the complexity of the Beaujolais region and wine? How has Beaujolais Nouveau somewhat distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? Where is Beaujolais connected to Burgundy? How does soil greatly influence the quality of wine produced from Gamay grapes? When was Beaujolais Nouveau introduced to the world and how did it affect the quality of wine produced in the region? What was behind the declining popularity of Beaujolais in the 80s and 90s? Which are Beaujolais’ top 10 crus? Why are Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent, and Morgon the most structured of the cru wines? How is the geological complexity of Beaujolais reflected in the wines produced in the region? What’s behind the elevating prices for Beaujolais wines? How can a vineyard gain Premier Cru status?   Key Takeaways What’s behind the surprising complexity and variety of Beaujolais wines? There’s a lot of geographical complexity, despite it being such a small region. How has Beaujolais Nouveau distorted the public perception of Beaujolais? Nouveau introduced the world to cheap and cheerful wines, but the quality of wine suffered in the race to compete with new, easy-drinking New World wines. What makes Beaujolais such a good value wine? Despite increasing quality and correspondingly increasing prices, Beaujolais represents a good value compared to bordering regions.   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 Natasha Hughes Natasha Hughes MW graduated as a Master of Wine in 2014, winning four out of the seven prizes awarded that year, including the Outstanding Achievement Award. Natasha began her wine trade career as deputy editor for Decanter’s website but left in 2001 to begin freelancing as a journalist, specialising in wine and food. Natasha has contributed material for a number of books, and is currently working on her first solo effort, a book on Beaujolais, for the Wine Library series.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/278.

Why don’t I think that artificial intelligence (AI) will replace human writers any time soon? What are some tips you can use for maintaining a healthy relationship with wine? What are some of the challenges women in the wine industry still face? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Ellen Clifford on The Wine Situation podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Highlights Was wine part of my family’s culture growing up? When did I start learning about wine, and why did I decide to make the career transition? When did I introduce my son to wine, and what is his relationship with alcohol like as an adult? How do I account for different tastes and preferences when I’m writing wine reviews? Is there a place for AI in writing? Why don’t I think AI will replace human writers any time soon? What was the inspiration for using the metaphor of witch trials in Wine Witch on Fire? What are some of the challenges women in the wine industry are still facing? Why is it often a complex issue figuring out how to present yourself at after-work wine industry events? What are some tips for maintaining a healthy relationship with wine? Why should you try Southbrook Vineyard’s orange wine? What makes Rosé and ketchup chips a perfect pairing? If not wine, what are my favourite beverages? Why do I find so much joy in the connections I make with readers?   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 Ellen Clifford & The Wine Situation The Wine Situation hosts everyone from winemakers to writers to find out what a person’s situation is…with wine. It’s the solo season with host Ellen Clifford, but listen in with a glass, and nobody is drinking alone! At the end of every action-packed episode, Ellen is phoning a friend with her Final Five questions. Ellen also contributes to Delectable, The Wine Situation, Salon, Food52, Hello Giggles, MassLive.com, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and Independent Living.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/277.

Which wineries are leading the way with vegan wines? How are some restaurants expanding into innovative vegan or vegetarian menus? What makes Riesling so versatile, especially with vegan dishes? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, authors of The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the first book ever on plant-based food and wine matching. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 surprised Jen about Riesling’s versatility? What is Priya’s favourite unexpected and daring pairing? Which recent advancements in the world of plant-based foods would Priya and Jen include in an updated edition of the Social Herbivore? How are some restaurants expanding into innovative vegan or vegetarian offerings? Which wineries are leading the way in producing vegan wines? What goes into vegan charcuterie and cheese? What is carbonic maceration, and how does it impact the taste and aroma of a wine? What were Priya and Jen’s favourite vegan food and wine pairings? How do the differences between animal and plant proteins and fats affect wine pairings? How can you create a fun tasting experience to figure out the best wine pairings for spicy foods? What can you do to extend the shelf life of an opened bottle of 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 Priya Rao A foodie and wine lover, Priya switched to a vegetarian diet in 1995 and then to a vegan one in 2011. She had previously hosted vegan food and wine events, appearing on Breakfast Television as a guest wine expert on 640AM and Rogers Daytime, and writing articles for Prince Edward County’s Grapevine Magazine, and more. She is currently a contributor for Vineroutes.com on all things vegan food & wine.   About Jennifer Huether Jennifer’s love affair and studies in wine started in her early twenties with taking an interest course at George Brown college. From there, she immediately leapt into the Sommelier Certification from ISG graduating top of class, then Diploma of Wine from WSET, followed by the Advanced Sommelier passing in 2005 and finally the Master Sommelier Exams-becoming Canada’s first female Master Sommelier in 2011 graduating in Dallas Texas. Jennifer is one of thirty women Master Sommeliers in the world.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/276.

Are vegan wines better for our health? What three aspects of a wine determine whether it’s vegan or not? How can you identify whether or not a wine is vegan by looking at the label? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Jennifer Huether and Priya Rao, authors of The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of Priya Rao & Jennifer Huether's terrific book, The Social Herbivore: Perfect Pairings For Plant-Based Cuisine - the first book ever on plant-based food and wine matching. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 Priya end up tasting an 1812 Madeira, and what was that experience like? Which Burgundy wine was responsible for Jennifer’s most memorable wine moment? How has the plant-based movement influenced the wine industry’s interest in vegan wine? What are the three aspects of wine that determine whether it’s considered vegan? How are animals and animal products used in winemaking? What animal-free alternatives are used by vegan winemakers? How do vegetarian and vegan diets differ? Are there official symbols on a wine label that indicate whether it’s vegan? Is there a connection between vegan wines and organic/ biodynamic wines? Are vegan wines better for our health? What’s the difference between a plant-based and vegan diet? How does the book approach wine pairings? Which wines have the most versatility when paired with vegan dishes?   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 Priya Rao A foodie and wine lover, Priya switched to a vegetarian diet in 1995 and then to a vegan one in 2011. She had previously hosted vegan food and wine events, appearing on Breakfast Television as a guest wine expert on 640AM and Rogers Daytime, and writing articles for Prince Edward County’s Grapevine Magazine, and more. She is currently a contributor for Vineroutes.com on all things vegan food & wine.   About Jennifer Huether Jennifer’s love affair and studies in wine started in her early twenties with taking an interest course at George Brown college. From there, she immediately leapt into the Sommelier Certification from ISG graduating top of class, then Diploma of Wine from WSET, followed by the Advanced Sommelier passing in 2005 and finally the Master Sommelier Exams-becoming Canada’s first female Master Sommelier in 2011 graduating in Dallas Texas. Jennifer is one of thirty women Master Sommeliers in the world.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/275.

How did the French region of Burgundy come to the world’s attention as a wine region in the first place? What’s the golden rule for buying Burgundy, especially Pinot Noir? What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering stratospheric prices of Burgundian wines? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with one of Ireland’s leading wine writers, Raymond Blake. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine Talk – An Enthusiast’s Take on the People, the Places, the Grapes, and the Styles. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 will you experience as you go through Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune in Burgundy? How did Burgundy come to the world’s attention as a wine region in the first place? How did the Napoleonic code and inheritance laws in Burgundy complicate the region even further? What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering pricing of Burgundy wines? Are there affordable options when it comes to Burgundy wines? What are some of the characteristics of Burgundy wines produced through the challenges that came with the 2021 vintage? What tasting notes will you experience from Jean-Marc Vincent Bourgogne Blanc 2021 and Jean-Claude Ramonet Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2021? What are some of Raymond’s more unconventional wine-drinking habits that often raise an eyebrow? Why shouldn’t you serve your red wines at room temperature? Which are Raymond’s favourite versatile wines for food pairing? What are some of Raymond’s favourite wine gadgets?   Key Takeaways How did Burgundy come to the world’s attention in the first place? 1 The influence of Benedictine and Cistercian monks; 2 Geography as a trade route; 3 High quality of the wine. What’s the golden rule for buying Burgundy, especially Pinot Noir? Start with the producer who made the wine. What’s behind the sometimes eye-watering stratospheric prices of Burgundian wines? Fashion/market trends and the rise (and fall) of secondary markets.   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 Raymond Blake Raymond Blake is one of Ireland’s leading wine writers and has been writing about wine and related topics for over 25 years. Raymond is the Burgundy correspondent for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and a regular contributor to The World of Fine Wine magazine. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books, including Breakfast in Burgundy and Côte d’Or.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/274.

Why is Pinot Noir considered the holy grail of wine? What makes the French region Burgundy so complicated, and how can we untangle it? What would surprise and delight you about how both the wine and the region have changed in the past five years? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with one of Ireland’s leading wine writers, Raymond Blake. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks   Giveaway One of you is going to win a copy of On Burgundy: From Maddening to Marvellous in 59 Wine Tales and two of you will win a copy of Wine Talk – An Enthusiast’s Take on the People, the Places, the Grapes, and the Styles. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected] 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 Raymond transition into a career in wine writing? What inspired the title of Raymond’s first wine book, Breakfast in Burgundy? What does it mean to do a tasting of the world? Why is Raymond so passionate about spreading the wine gospel? How can we make learning about wine more approachable and fun? What are some of the geological and human factors that contribute to the complexity of Burgundy? How are viticulture practices changing in response to climate change? How are some of the more recent innovations in winemaking - like glass globes - being used? Why is Pinot Noir considered the holy grail for winemakers in Burgundy?   Key Takeaways Pinot Noir is considered the holy grail of wine because it’s so difficult to make and not easy to disguise with oak or other winemaking modifications if things don’t go well during the vintage. As a region, Burgundy can be difficult to understand since, geologically, if you cross from one side of the road to the other, things change completely, and that's reflected in the wine. Add in the human element and different naming conventions, and no wonder we’re confused. Burgundians are now training the vines differently and using fewer oak barrels. Instead, they’re using new types of vessels, eg. glass globes and stainless steel "barrels." All of this has a profound impact on the wine and its taste.   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 Raymond Blake Raymond Blake is one of Ireland’s leading wine writers and has been writing about wine and related topics for over 25 years. Raymond is the Burgundy correspondent for Hugh Johnson’s Pocket Wine Book and a regular contributor to The World of Fine Wine magazine. He is the author of four critically acclaimed books, including Breakfast in Burgundy and Côte d’Or.         To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/273.