Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People

On the latest Wine Podcast Matt is joined by the remarkable winemaking team of Head Winemaker Rob Power and Assistant Winemaker Yvonne Irvin from Creekside Estate Winery, located in the Beamsville Bench, Niagara.

Creekside produces some of the best Ontario Syrah's and their entry level Syrah is one of the best value Canadian wines. 

Been a fan of this winery for years so it was a thrill to chat about their respective journey's, making Syrah in Niagara and just how different the Niagara wine scene is now versus when Creekside first launched.

On the latest ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast I’m joined by wine novelist Steven Laine.

His latest book ‘Jupiter’s Blood’ is a fast-paced wine thriller that is part ‘Da Vinci Code’ and part Decanter Magazine. 

You don’t need to be a wine expert to enjoy this hard to put down novel.

One of the coolest developments in the Ontario wine scene is the creation & growth of Niagara Custom Crush Studio.

Started in 2022 it is part production facility to help small independent winemakers make/sell their wine and a kick ass wine bar in the middle of Niagara wine country.

My guests on the Podcast is Graham Rennie, Founder and CEO of Niagara Custom Crush Studio and their new Chief Operating Officer and Head Winemaker Kevin Panagapka. Kevin has been on the pod before talking about his virtual winery, 2027 Cellars.  

Meet Melissa Devore, the president of Amici Cellars, a powerhouse of a winery located in Napa! 

Melissa went from graduating Rice University with a Chemical Engineering and Biochemistry degree to working with wineries in Chili to now heading up an iconic California winery.

She's my guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast.

Of course, I spend my final night in Japan at a wine store that ONLY sells Canadian wine! If you find yourself in Tokyo, you have to check out Heavenly Vines and their excellent selection of all things Canadian vino. My guest on the podcast, making his return is the co-owner, Jamie Paquin.

Hey, look its famed winemakers Ann Sperling and Peter Gamble back on the podcast!

BUT this time there’s a twist.

Beyond making world class Ontario wines Ann and Peter have been making wine in Mendoza.

The wine is called Versado and their latest release, the 2018 vintage is out now!

This was a fun deep dive into their South American adventures … I always learn something new whenever this Dynamic Dionysus couple come on the Podcast. 

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People Podcast’ I sit down the winemaker for Stoneleigh Winery, Jamie Marfell.

Always love when I can do a deep dive on all things New Zealand wine.

On the latest episode of the 'Matt Talks Wine  Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast my guest is 2024 VQA Promoters Award winner (Hospitality) Robbie Raskin, the Owner of Archives Wine & Spirits.

I visited Robbie's wine bar/bottle shop and left thinking how lucky St. Catharines is to have this cool small slice of wine heaven right in the middle of their downtown.

There is a reason why Robbie won his VQA award and it starts with this fantastic bar.

Thrilled to hear he is expanding into Toronto soon.

My latest guest on the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast is Ed Madronich, President for Flat Rock Cellars.

A thoughtful and engaging conversation from someone who has been in the wine making business for decades.

We discuss perception versus reality when it comes to all things wine, the differences between American vs. Canadian customers plus Ed’s bold claim about Ontario terroir versus the rest of the world. 

Perfect timing to sit down with Ed as the winery is releasing their 20th Anniversary Bottle of their Twisted series of wines!

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!