Unreserved Wine Talk – Details, episodes & analysis

How does alcohol, especially wine, foster our creativity, trustingness, and sociability? What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about alcohol's role in the development of civilization? Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine and beer versus spirits?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Edward Slingerland, a professor of philosophy at the University of British Columbia and the author of Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell 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 one person randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!

Highlights

What drew Edward to study the history of drunkenness?

What does the “beer before bread” hypothesis suggest about how our desire to drink alcohol led to civilization?

Why was ancient beer production so costly?

What is the "Asian flushing syndrome" and why does Edward think it developed?

Why does Edward consider the prefrontal cortex to be the enemy of creativity?

How have we removed the inherent safety features of alcohol over thousands of years of evolution?

Should there be different minimum drinking ages for wine/beer versus spirits?

What makes wine the king of intoxicants?

How does alcohol affect the prefrontal cortex?

When does creativity peak relative to blood alcohol content?

Key Takeaways

Edward observes that alcohol stimulates the pro-social chemicals in our body, like serotonin and endorphin, that make us feel expansive and kind of feel good about ourselves and more kindly disposed toward other people. One of the brain regions that it quiets is the prefrontal cortex.

The traditional story is that alcohol is a result of an evolutionary or historical accident. But since then, archeologists believe that maybe the story was the other way around. The draw for hunter-gatherers to settle down and cultivate crops was not bread. It was beer. This is the so-called beer before bread hypothesis.

Edward observes that once distilled liquors became available on a large scale, the dangers of alcohol in the super potent form became greater because it can overwhelm our system and you can go from being sober to being really dangerously drunk in 10 or 15 minutes. Edward doesn’t think people should be allowed to drink distilled liquor until well into their 20s.

About Edward Slingerland

Edward Slingerland is a Distinguished University Scholar and Professor of Philosophy at the University of British Columbia, where he also holds appointments in the Departments of Psychology and Asian Studies. He is also Director of the Database of Religious History. Dr. Slingerland is the author of several academic monographs and edited volumes, a major translation of the Analects of Confucius, and approximately fifty book chapters, reviews, and articles in top academic journals in a wide range of fields.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/300.

Why should you look beyond Eurocentric wine and food pairings? What’s so special about making vineyard-designated wines? How can you get the most out of your next trip to Sonoma County?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with superstar winemaker Theresa Heredia who has worked for some of California’s most prestigious wineries.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One of you will win a bottle of Gary Farrell 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 one person randomly from those who contact me.  Good luck!

Highlights

What’s the difference between making vineyard-designated wines versus blends?

What flavours and aromas are imparted by including ripened stems in the fermentation process?

How many different types of soil are found in Sonoma County and how did this diversity develop?

How do microclimates differ across the wine neighbourhoods of the Russian River Valley and what is their influence on the wine’s characteristics?

What makes Chardonnay more of a “survivor” grape compared to other varieties?

What are some of the challenges that sustain the low level of diversity in the male-dominated wine industry?

How has being a gay woman impacted Theresa’s experience in the wine industry?

What can wineries do to be more inclusive towards the LGBTQ community?

What are Theresa’s top tips for your next visit to Sonoma County and the Gary Farrell winery?

What can you expect from Gary Farrell Wines Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir and Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir and how do they differ?

Why should we expand beyond some of the traditional Eurocentric wine and food pairings?

Key Takeaways

Eurocentric pairings don’t account for cultural and socioeconomic differences. We have to flip a switch in our brains to think of different descriptors and different food pairings that are more relevant to people from different cultural backgrounds.

Theresa loves making vineyard-designated wines because they each have unique characteristics. Some of them produce dark fruit, like Colberg and McDonald Mountain, versus an inland vineyard called the Middle Reach. Acid is there. It's a defining characteristic, but it's not quite as prominent as in those cooler climates.

Theresa advises getting out to Sonoma County restaurants. She also says to avoid booking too many tastings, perhaps just two or three in a day. Choose a well-known winery and one that's off the beaten path.

About Theresa Heredia

Theresa Heredia started her career at Saintsbury and has also worked at Joseph Phelps Vineyards and Domaine de Montille in France. She became Winemaker at Gary Farrell Winery in 2012 and achieved critical acclaim for her wines. At Gary Farrell, she developed strong relationships with some of the most prominent vineyards in California. She was twice nominated as Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and has received numerous other accolades.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/299.

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.

Are you curious about German-speaking wines and which ones you should try? Why is biodynamic winemaking particularly important for viticulture? What’s the real difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing journalist and co-founder of TRINK magazine, Valerie Kathawala.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What was it like to be a German translator at the UN in the time of the Iraq War?

How did Valerie’s interest in language - German in particular - develop?

What was the catalyst for Valerie to start her wine journey?

How did Valerie’s lifelong love of storytelling and writing show up before her wine career?

What made a writing trip to visit Rudi Tossen in the Mosel region of Germany the highlight of Valerie’s wine career so far?

What was the most painful mistake of Valerie’s wine career so far?

How does Valerie find the balance between connecting with people to get the story while asking the hard questions?

What is biodynamic winemaking and why is it particularly important for viticulture?

How do biodynamic practices offer some protection against climate change?

What are some common misconceptions about biodynamics?

Why is biodynamic farming an empowering tool for growers?

Where did biodynamic viticulture come from?

What are the characteristics of German-speaking wines?

How do you know when you have a great story?

What was Valerie surprised to learn about the natural wine scene in the Mosel?

What’s the difference between natural wine and biodynamic wine?

Which German estate played an important role in the resistance movement during World War II?

How did a labour scandal spotlight poor practices in the natural wine industry?

Key Takeaways

I loved how she described German-speaking wines as sharing a certain mindset, tradition and values, grape varieties, winemaking approaches, geography, and climate.

I agree with her that biodynamic winemaking provides an excellent framework for wine growers to keep vines in equilibrium to stay healthy.

Her explanation of the differences between natural wine and biodynamic wine was insightful.

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 Valerie Kathawala

Valerie Kathawala is a freelance journalist focused on the wines of Germany, Austria, South Tyrol, and Switzerland, with a particular interest in biodynamics. She’s a lifelong student of German culture and language and has lived and worked in both Germany and Austria. She crossed over from translation and editorial work at the United Nations to writing about “German-speaking wines” and hasn’t looked back since.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/200.

Are you drinking your wine at the wrong temperature? Which wine gadgets will help you explore new wines without overindulging? Why should you breathe out through your nose after sipping wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

Which dishes do Sandy and Michelle love to cook and which wines make great pairings?

What are the sisters’ all-time favourite wine and food pairings?

Where are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite places to enjoy a glass of wine?

What makes the tasting experience of Kinero Cellars Alice Grenache Blanc particularly enjoyable?

What’s the flavour profile of Sperling Vineyards Pinto Gris?

Which foods can you pair with Kinero Cellars Alice Grenache Blanc?

Which wine gadgets are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite?

What controversial wine opinions do the sisters hold?

What were the memorable smells from Sandy and Michelle’s childhood?

Which favourite childhood food would Sandy and Michelle now pair with wine?

What are Sandy and Michelle’s favourite wine books?

How can you choose the right wine to gift?

In a dream world, who would Sandy and Michelle want to share a bottle of wine with?

Which red wine warning would Sandy and Michelle want to put on a downtown billboard?

What are Sandy and Michelle’s top tips for improving your wine enjoyment?

Key Takeaways

I loved their tips on drinking wine at the right temperature and breathing out through your nose after you sip it for maximum pleasure.

They also had some great suggestions for gadgets will help you explore new wines without overindulging.

And I couldn’t agree more that sparkling wine is the perfect wine for gifting as well as pairing with fries.

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 Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester

The Wines To Find Podcast was created after the two hosts, sisters Sandy and Michelle, travelled together to France and Italy in 2019. Both sisters are wine enthusiasts that have tracked their wine purchases, palates and pairings for years. As a way to continue the thrill of their European trip and to document their wine journey, they created the Wines To Find Podcast with the goal of spending time together, further growing their palates, and sharing wine stories from guests. Wines To Find features two new wines tasted for the first time by the sisters & guests, who span the spectrum of the wine industry from winemakers, owners, growers, sommeliers, fellow enthusiasts and more.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/199.

What’s the single best thing you can do to improve your tasting skills? How can you discover some unusual but delicious food and wine pairings? How does music change the taste of wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm interviewing by Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester, hosts of the Wines To Find podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

When did Sandy and Michelle discover their love of wine?

How did a trip to European wine country inspire Sandy and Michelle to start the Wines To Find Podcast?

How do the sisters use YouTube to give their audience added value?

Where did the name “Wines To Find” come from?

How do Sandy and Michelle choose new wines to try in each podcast episode?

How does the Wines to Find scoring system work?

Which online systems does Michelle use to find new wines and wineries she might like?

Is there a grape style over which the sisters disagree?

Who have been Sandy and Michelle’s favourite Wines To Find guests so far?

Can music affect our perception of wine?

Key Takeaways

I love their approach to learning about wine through vertical and horizontal tastings, whether that’s picking maybe one grape, but it's grown in different countries, or perhaps go with one region. It's that side-by-side comparison that is so illustrative of the differences between wines.

They share some interesting tips on how you discover some unusual but delicious food and wine pairings.

I found their insights into how music can change the taste of wine fascinating.

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 Sandy Dawkins and Michelle Lester

The Wines To Find Podcast was created after the two hosts, sisters Sandy and Michelle, travelled together to France and Italy in 2019. Both sisters are wine enthusiasts that have tracked their wine purchases, palates and pairings for years. As a way to continue the thrill of their European trip and to document their wine journey, they created the Wines To Find Podcast with the goal of spending time together, further growing their palates, and sharing wine stories from guests. Wines To Find features two new wines tasted for the first time by the sisters & guests, who span the spectrum of the wine industry from winemakers, owners, growers, sommeliers, fellow enthusiasts and more.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/198.

Which candy-based trick can you use to teach yourself new flavors and aromas? What makes discovering a bargain wine more exciting than luxury wine? What does the tip “go south” mean when it comes to hidden values in wine?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lori Budd, winemaker, writer and host of the Exploring The Wine Glass podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

What makes finding an amazing bargain wine even more exciting than an expensive wine?

Why you should consider going south on your search for a new great wine to try?

How do food and wine elevate each other when paired well?

Why do I prefer to pair food with wine versus the other way around?

What is my favourite food and wine pairing?

Which candy-based trick can you use to teach yourself new flavours and aromas?

How can you pair wine and chocolate without ending in disaster?

What makes technology and wine a perfect pairing?

How do my website wine tools and mobile apps make choosing and pairing wine easy?

Which luxury wine would I wish to have if I were stranded on a desert island?

Why do I love podcasting?

Lori’s Opposites Game

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 Lori Budd

Lori Budd began her career as a microbiologist, but her need for excitement led her into Adventure Education, teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program, along with certifications from a number of other wine programs. She and her husband, Michael, own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s consumed by the stories that unfold as each glass is poured, and shares those in her award-winning blog and podcast called Exploring the Glass.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/197.

How does John Keats connect the romantic poets to wine? Why should you consider Champagne for other occasions outside of big celebrations? How do you handle the sting of rejection as an up-and-coming writer?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Lori Budd, winemaker, writer and host of the Exploring The Wine Glass podcast.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Highlights

How does John Keats connect my studies of romantic poets with my career in wine?

What unexpected beauty can you find in cemeteries across the world?

Which enduring traits do I attribute to my years of Highland dancing?

How did I find my way to wine?

What makes wine such a great medium for building connections?

Which wine memory stands out the most in my career so far?

Why is my love for writing central in everything I do in my career?

How do you handle the sting of rejection as an up-and-coming writer?

What was it like to be awarded World’s Best Wine Writer?

Which unforgettable experiences did I have while researching Red, White, and Drunk All Over?

Why is listening to audiobooks now my favourite way to “read”?

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 Lori Budd

Lori Budd began her career as a microbiologist, but her need for excitement led her into Adventure Education, teaching students how to rock climb, zip line and tie those all important survival knots. Along the way, she fell in love with wine and graduated from the prestigious UC Davis enology program, along with certifications from a number of other wine programs. She and her husband, Michael, own Dracaena Wines in Paso Robles. She’s consumed by the stories that unfold as each glass is poured, and shares those in her award-winning blog and podcast called Exploring the Glass.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/196.

What’s the difference between aroma and bouquet in wine? How does "bright acidity" taste? Why does Pinot Noir from different regions in California taste dramatically different?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kerith Overstreet, the winemaker at Bruliam Wines in Sonoma, California and a former medical doctor.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One listener in the U.S. will win a bottle of Bruliam's gorgeous Pinot Noir.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

How do different areas in Sonoma and Monterey counties express themselves in Bruliam Pinot Noir?

Which decisions can winemakers make to influence how a Pinot Noir ends up?

Where is the Petaluma Gap AVA and how does the climate impact grapes?

What does bright acidity mean for your tasting experience?

How does the topography of the Mayacamas Mountain Range impact the weather pattern in surrounding grape-growing regions?

Why is oxygenation desirable but oxidation to be avoided when it comes to winemaking?

What’s the difference between aromas and bouquet in wine?

How does Kerith use humour to bring a human element to her wine writing?

Which embarrassing encounter led to Kerith’s sourcing her dream Santa Lucia Highlands fruit?

What characteristics does Kerith look for when tasting wines?

What’s the tasting experience like with 2019 Torrey Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir?

Which foods should you try with your next glass of Pinot Noir?

How would you describe tasting 2018 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir?

What’s Kerith’s favourite childhood scent memory?

Which childhood favourite would Kerith pair with Champagne as an adult?

What are Kerith’s favourite wine book and wine gadget?

Which wine world celebrities would Kerith love to share a glass of wine with?

Key Takeaways

Kerith’s distinction of the differences between aroma and bouquet in wine was helpful, especially that bouquet is anything beyond the grape varietal character.

I liked her definition of how "bright acidity" tastes.

She gave us a great overview of how and why Pinot Noir from different regions in California taste dramatically different.

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 Kerith Overstreet

Kerith Overstreet is the winemaker at Bruliam Wines. When she was small, her dad used to say, “You can be whatever you want after medical school.” So she did. After completing medical school (U. of Rochester), residency, and two fellowships (UCSD), she thought winemaking sounded more fun.

To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/195.

Would you like to discover some weird but wonderful food pairings for zinfandel? How can American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) help you find new wines to love? How does yeast have a profound impact on wine’s taste?

In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Kerith Overstreet, the winemaker at Bruliam Wines in Sonoma, California and a former medical doctor.

You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks

Giveaway

One listener in the U.S. will win a bottle of Bruliam's gorgeous Pinot Noir.

How to Win

To qualify, all you have to do is email me at natalie@nataliemaclean.com and tell me that you’d like to win the bottle. I’ll select the winner randomly from those who participate.

Good luck!

Highlights

Who is Chewie the Marketing Collie?

As a student of literature, who are Kerith’s favourite authors?

How did Kerith bring her love of the humanities into her medical studies?

When did Kerith develop her passion for wine?

How did Kerith realize she wanted to shift from being a medical doctor to a winemaker?

Are there intersections between Kerith’s science background and her approach as a winemaker?

What lessons has winemaking taught Kerith when it comes to her Type A personality?

How has the support of fellow winemakers impacted Kerith’s journey?

Why does Kerith love experimenting with yeast?

What is the inoculation process in winemaking?

What types of experiments does Kerith do in the winemaking process?

How did the name “Bruliam” come about?

What roles do Kerith and her husband, Brian, have at Bruliam?

Which features of Rockpile make the biggest impact in their wines?

Which creative route did Kerith take to getting access to Rockpile Zinfandel?

Which delicious treat should you try dunked in a glass of Zinfandel?

Which unusual but simple wine and food pairings should you try next?

How do customers feature as the highlight of Kerith’s career so far?

Key Takeaways

I loved Kerith’s pairing suggestions for zinfandel. They’re on my list to try this week.

She shares a great overview of how American Viticultural Areas (AVAs)can help us find the particular styles of wine we love.

Kerith even manages to make yeast interesting as she lets us know its profound impact on wine’s 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 Kerith Overstreet

Kerith Overstreet is the winemaker at Bruliam Wines. When she was small, her dad used to say, “You can be whatever you want after medical school.” So she did. After completing medical school (U. of Rochester), residency, and two fellowships (UCSD), she thought winemaking sounded more fun.

To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/194.