I don’t do nearly enough on the topic of pairing food with wine.
No better person to correct that oversight than with someone has written seven cookbooks, is a professional chef (and professional gastronaut), did a Domaine de la Romanée-Conti and holds the Guinness Book of World Records for most pancakes made.
My interview with Bob Blumer!
Needless to say, you’re going to enjoy this one.
By the way his latest book: 'Flavorbomb: A Rogue Guide to Making Everything Taste Better' is out now!

Part Two of the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast with Sommelier/TV Wine Personality/Wine Writer Renée Sferrazza we pick up on the conversation about pairing great wines with normal moments of your life, more excellent wines from Prince Edward County, the LCBO and the surprisingly good work being done by McManis Winery. 

My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Andrew Carter, the Executive Chef & Owner of the famed Yorkville The Oxley Public House restaurant.  
A powerhouse of an interview!!
Andrew went from working as a teenager in food halls to working under Nico Ladenis, the first British chef to be awarded three Michelin stars to opening up arguably the best British style pub in Toronto.
The energy, the stories and the passion ... you will be hooked from start to finish.

Is 2020 the greatest vintage in Niagara in over 25 years? Wine writer and Wine Journalist of the Year award winner Rick VanSickle believes it may be the vintage of the century. The publisher of winesinniagara.com is my guest on the latest podcast.

Comedian Matt O’Brien joins Matt to talk about his video wine series, $3.99 wine, reactions from wineries and whether or not he finishes the truly terrible bottles of wine he reviews. 

The wine podcast goes digital with Jennifer Tkachuk-Tremblay, Founder and CEO of Somm, an app that helps consumers pick the right wine for the right occasion.

You know when the term “award winning” is thrown around & it’s totally bogus? Well not this time! I have 2-Time Canada’s Best Sommelier award winner & the first woman to make the podium at the World’s Best Sommelier competition, coming in 2nd place in 2013. Véronique Rivest is my latest guest!!!

The final Wine Podcast for 2020 with Super Wine Girl Angela Aiello! Angela was one of the first teachers I ever had way back in 2006 with iYellow Wine Club.

On my latest wine pod I’m joined by the owner of America’s oldest wine club, Paul Kalemkiarian. Paul goes through 75 wines every Tuesday & has tasted over 100,000 wines during his career. 

On the latest Podcast Matt is joined by Frank Ihrig, the chef/owner of Hessenland County Inn. His winery, Schatz, near the shores of Lake Huron, is home to some of Ontario’s most vibrant cool climate grape varieties. This interview is a fascinating look into wine making in one of Ontario’s newest wine regions. 

On the latest Podcast Michael Bracegirdle returns for his second interview. Last time we spoke he was the GM for L’Unita, an upscale restaurant in Yorkville. Now he’s running one of the best BBQ joints in Toronto, Cherry Street Bar-B-Que. We discuss his transition and what it’s like trying to run a restaurant in Toronto in this time of COVID-19. Also wine pairings with BBQ!

Everything you wanted to know about wine auctions and how they are providing a huge boost for charities! Lotta fun here with Iron Gate Wine President Warren Porter 

On the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast' I'm joined by Charlotte Big Canoe from The Full Plate. (thefullplate.ca) They're a non-profit organization who provides essential services for people in the service industry. We discuss a different way of looking at wine by examining the relationship between the land and the indigenous history behind the terroir. Also: “If the server says ‘Do you want to hear the specials’ just say yes.” That & other tips.

My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Jeff Moote the founder and winemaker for Divergence Wines, a virtual winemaker based in Niagara.
Cool origin story about how Jeff went from working as an Engineer in the chemical process industry to making wine! 
A hell of leap of faith that has led to a rather impressive sparkling program!

I may have a new candidate for guest with the busiest schedule. When Theodora Lee (aka Theo-patra, Queen of the Vineyards) is not working as a trial lawyer she is making wine for her winery, Theopolis Vineyards located in Anderson Valley. Theo is my guest as chat about her unique journey into wine, Robert Parker and all things Petite Sirah. 

On the latest podcast I interview wine writer, educator and the founder of Black Wine Professionals Julia Coney.  This is a wide ranging interview from Champagne pairings, helping wine professionals of colour gain the access they deserve, her wine epiphany moments and the crazy growth of her site Black Wine Professionals.

On the latest episode Matt is joined by former NHLer (LA Kings) and now the owner of Patine Cellars Jim Fox.  Between broadcasting Kings games Jim makes some killer single vineyards Pinot Noir. Jim’s passion for wine is so wildly apparent and his journey into pro hockey player to winery owner is such a cool story.  

Matt is back in Rueda spreading the good word about all things Verdejo. In this episode Matt speaks with three different export managers from three different wineries.  Luis Eduardo García (Bodega Emina), Jorge Herreras (Bodega Reina de Castilla) and Loren Gill (Bodegas Shaya) share their stories.

He was a Sommelier at The French Laundry, won the Best Young Sommelier in America competition and makes killer wine. My interview with the wildly talented/accomplished winemaker André Hueston Mack is my latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast. Wide range of topics from how the TV show ‘Frasier’ help turn him onto wine, breaking into the wine business and his wine philosophy.

It’s the first returning guest to the Podcast, its Sommelier Heather McDougall from sipstoronto.com. Heather’s outlines a thoughtful/passionate approach to how restaurants can improve the lives of all those who work in the service industry. This is a really smart episode. 

On the latest Wine Pod I interview Ed Madronich, the president of Flat Rock Cellars. Ed is unapologetic about how good Ontario wine is, screw-caps & his desire to stick with Chardonnay, Riesling & Pinot Noir.  

On the latest Podcast Matt is back in the Côtes du Rhône with winemaker and owner Frédéric Lavau. His family history starting with his great grandfather Rene is fascinating one as are the stories about how drinking wine during cold winters in Ottawa played such a key role in his journey into wine. You’ll learn a bunch about the wines of Southern Rhone and hear all about a village level Côtes du Rhône with plenty of depth that goes for just $17!!

It’s my first socially distanced in-person wine podcast interview with Spanish wine importer and founder of Cosecha Imports Jason Axmith. This was a great primer on all things Spanish wine that don’t come from Rioja.

On the latest wine pod I interview Dr. David Meadows about his company PureWine Inc. There products help alleviate wine allergies & wine headaches (Hangovers). I tried their products after heroically consuming 26 ounces of wine and the next day no headache.  This interview is all about science, wine allergies and trying to find a way for everyone to enjoy wine. Note: This ain’t no infomercial. I would never release the interview if Meadows’ product did not work on me. 

The Podcast is heading to the Southern France wine region of Roussillon.
My guest is Moritz Bak, owner of Res Fortes winery.
A cool story about a young winemaker who fell in love with this part of the world and wanted to make world class wine. (I grabbed his last 6-Pack of Syrah!)

On the podcast Matt heads down to South East Spain, the wine region of Penedès to interview Joan Cusine owner of the Parés Baltà Winery. They discuss how the winery has survived many wars, how it’s doing in the time of COVID-19 and the wineries shift from large scale grape producer to making high quality single vineyard wines. Matt reviews their white wine, Calcari made from Xarel·lo, .a wildly underappreciated grape. 
Thanks to Noble Estates (nobleestates.com) for helping to set this up.

On the latest Podcast Matt heads down to Southern Rhone to interview winemaker Xavier Vignon. From Champagne to Australia to making high end Côtes du Rhône Xavier has a hell of a journey. Matt reviews Xavier’s 2016 Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes and may have hit a new high (low) in terms of mispronouncing a guest’s name. Thanks to Noble Estates (nobleestates.com) for helping to set his up. 

Matt “travels” back to Tuscany for his latest wine interview this time with Gregorio Bandinelli, winemaker for his family estate, Villa di Geggiano. Gregorio was a ball of energy as we discussed all things Chianti, the impact of COVID-19 and the crazy wines he drank on his final night in New York before being forced back to Italy. 

On the latest podcast Matthew talks with owner/winemaker of Trujillo Winery Michael Trujillo. We chat about Napa Cabernet, the stigma surrounding Cabernet Sauvignon from California and you learn the differences between “Mountain” fruit vs. “Valley” fruit. I also feel shame about all my empties and I review a funky Southern Rhone white wine. 

On the latest Podcast Matt sits down with the Technical Director and CEO for Château Larose Trintaudon. This was a fascinating exploration into Bordeaux and a reminder that great wines from this region is not limited to the pricy world of classified growth Bordeaux. 

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast Matt gets to chat with Corey Beck the winemaker for Francis Ford Coppola! Beyond Coppola tales Corey talks about driving a tractor at the age of 12 through the vineyards of Chateau Montelena, how swimming pools can help a winery, cannabis and how you can go from White Claw to Sauvignon Blanc. 

Cool podcast with Francesca Paladin from Verona winery Casa Paladin learning about the under rated Refosco grape, sparkling red wine and a Chianti deep dive. 

The second part of my interview with Lenz Moser, head winemaker for China’s top winery, Château Changyu–Moser XV. Come for the mispronunciations stay for what it's like making Cabernet in China.  

Part One of my interview with famed Austrian Winemaker Lenz Moser. Lenz discusses his journey from Grüner Veltliner in Austria to making high end Bordeaux blends in China working for Château Changyu–Moser XV 

On Part II of my interview with J.P. Colas from 13th Street winery J.P. has some very different takes on biodynamic winemaking, he waxes poetic on the joy of Gamay and the entire Niagara region.

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by prolific Instagram star Cokie from Cokies World of Wine. (Find her here: https://www.instagram.com/cokiesworldofwine/)
I’ve met so many people who have committed so much of their life to the study of wine … I don’t think I have ever encountered anyone with the passion/ work ethic for all things vino like Cokie. 
She is so damn impressive and is a MUST FOLLOW for anyone who wants to learn about wine.
Seriously as you are reading this I can almost guarantee Cookie is studying a map of some random wine appellation. 

It took me a year of nagging but I finally got 13th Street wineries award winning winemaker Jean Pierre Colas on the Podcast. It was totally worth the wait. This one was so good I had to split it up into two parts. Here is Part One.

Matt’s latest interview is winemaker Laura Rizzotto all the way from Verona, Italy. They chat about how Coronavirus is impacting the Italian wine industry, why volcanic soil helps impart real depth in her Soave and all things about her winery, Balestri Valda. 

Matt is joined by a man who makes wine for Aubert de Villaine and makes his own wine in Sonoma Coast ... winemaker Stéphane Vivier. 

Matt’s Prince Edward County wine tour continues this time with Colin Stanners the winemaker and owner of Stanners Vineyard.

Matt is joined by winemaker & owner of Grange Winery Caroline Granger! Highlights include: Making wine with her kids How being a Ford Model in Paris helped lead her to wine to her wine philosophy A Toronto Star review called have her wine the “Oscar the Grinch Award”. BUT then that same reviewer blind tasted the same wine & gave it a gold medal!

What was supposed to be a quick impromptu chat with Maggie Granger from Grange Estate Winery turned into a wildly entertaining 40 minute conversation about all things wine and the politics of what to order when you are out for dinner with friends. 

On Part II of my interview with winemaker Dan Sullivan from Rosehall Run we discuss  the future of wine in Prince Edward County, the similarities/differences between PEC and Burgundy and what you can learn from a bad vintages.

Some of my favourite quotes from Rosehall Run winemaker Dan Sullivan: “I hopped on a tractor and I prayed I wouldn’t kill myself, the vines or other people” & “If you are making Pinot at 15% you are probably planting your Pinot in the wrong place” This conversation went so well I had to split it up into two parts. 

On the latest Podcast Matthew speaks with Mr. Bernard de Laâge de Meux the General Manager for the iconic Napa winery Sloan Estate.  

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I do my second Skype interview. I interview Jamie Paquin, the owner of Heavenly Vines a Tokyo sine store that sells only Canadian wine.

When a winery has the highest of aspirations to make the best wines from the Niagara terroir the Bat Signal will go out to winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble!!
They are the Batman and Batman of extracting the best out of the Niagara region.
On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I bring back Ann (Third time on the Pod) and Peter (Second time) to go over their latest project, Dobbin Estate Winery.
This passion project by Wade Dobbin started in 2018 after the acquisition of their prized vineyards needed some of the best minds in the land which Wade got with Ann and Peter.
This was an epic interview that also featured Assistant Winemaker Dave Brennan and Dobbin Estate General Manager Nathan Dobbin and included tasting their Chardonnay, two wildly different Rieslings and a Right Bank style Bordeaux Blend.

On the latest podcast I'm joined by Mackenzie Putici, owner of the New World Wine Tours. We give tips when touring wine country: -3 wineries is best -Small groups are best -Go on a weekday if you can Plus my "classy" phrase that will guarantees you more free wine!

In Part II of my interview with Thomas Bachelder I learned a lot, mispronounced vineyard names + what does it really mean when a wine is made in the “Burgundian Style”. Also Thomas expands on this insight: "Ontario wine is in a great place as consumers are shifting away from heavy/high alcohol wines. Our grapes can fully ripen BUT still have 12% alcohol." 

In Part I of my interview with legendary winemaker Thomas Bachelder we discuss his journey from getting a winemaking kit from his brother to making wine in Niagara, Oregon & Burgundy. Interesting stuff about what to do at harvest and people telling you lousy wine stories.