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.