If I'm going to deviate from wine I may as well explore one of the most iconic single malt Scotch whiskies, The Macallan.

My guest is John MacPherson the Brand Specialist for Eastern Canada.

Had the pleasure of tasting Macallan TIME : SPACE Collection, a limited release celebrating their 200th anniversary.

I have never been a big spirits fan but it was impossible not to appreciate the level of craftsmanship in this impressive whisky.

A great conversation about a world that is admittedly a blind spot for me.

The Podcast continues it's preview of the upcoming Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) with finalist Matthew Landry.

Matthew is the Sommelier for the Michelin Star Restaurant Pearl Morissette and has twice finished as a finalist for the Best Sommelier of Canada.

I love wine competitions especially from the perspective of some of Canada's best Sommeliers.  

With the Best Ontario Sommelier Competition (BOSC) coming up my guest is one of the finalists Christian Perreault Hamel.

Christian is the Wine Director for famed steakhouse Harbour Sixty Toronto and is the Co-founder of Pelican Wine Imports.

We discuss what the preparation is like for a high stakes wine competition and how it differs from getting ready for the highest levels of the Court of Master Sommeliers. 

James Peden, the Director of Operations for Liberty Entertainment Group is back for his second appearance. 

Bovine Wine Club is a brand-new private wine club opening up in Toronto.

It is brought to you by the same people behind Don Alfonso, Blueblood Steakhouse, Cibo Wine Bar and so many other wine forward restaurants. 

What I appreciate the most about this new venture and the work that James is doing is that when you strip away all the high-end designs and features you would come to expect from Liberty this wine club is, at its heart, all about the wine.

James and his entire team of 'Wine Avengers' are just as nerdy about wine as the members and treat each bottle with the respect it deserves. 

My guest on the 'Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People' Podcast is Four-Time James Beard Foundation Journalism Award winner Natalie MacLean.

In my near 200 episodes this interview is the most serious I have been a part of.

We discuss excessive drinking, dealing with divorce and her darkest days back in 2012 when her entire career was on the brink.

This is a candid and honest conversation that I promise is balanced with plenty of lighter fare as well.

On the ‘Matt Talks Wine & Stuff with Interesting People’ Podcast my guest is International Olive Oil Expert Fil Bucchino. His company Abandoned Grove is all about rejuvenating and sustaining thousands of olive trees all over Florence.

What a fascinating conversation with a man who went from the music industry to producing and protecting high end olive oil.

*Yes, there is wine tie ins as well! 

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.