144: Restaurant List Tips, Wine Courses & Buying Local Wines

Why are restaurant wine lists often tricky to navigate, even for wine professionals? Is it worth pursuing wine certifications and courses? Wine is the most value-added agricultural product we produce so why are there so many barriers for these small farmers who try to sell their wines across the country? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm being interviewed by Paul K on the Wine Talks with Paul K podcast. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Highlights What was my winding journey to sommelier certification like? What is it about wine that can feel so intimidating? Why are restaurant wine lists often tricky, even for professionals? How can you delicately navigate wine prices at restaurants? Should you pursue wine certifications? How can online wine classes help you become an expert on your own palette? Is it okay to throw away wine? How accessible are specialty wines in Canada? How did COVID act as an accelerant in the Canadian wine market?   About Paul Kalemkiarian Paul Kalemkiarian is the host of the podcast Wine Talks with Paul K on which he interviews wine industry royalty as well as Michelin starred chefs. He’s also the owner of America’s oldest wine club, the Original Wine of the Month Club. His expertise in the wine industry spans over 30 years. His father invented the idea of wine in the mail in 1972 and they have been serving wine enthusiasts ever since.   To learn more about the resources mentioned in this episode, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/144.