Tawse Winery is celebrating 25 years in Niagara, and what a way to mark the occasion. The winery has just been named Canadian Winery of the Year for an incredible fifth time. This week on Unwined with Mandi, we celebrate the people, wines and vision behind one of Ontario’s most celebrated wineries. Owner Moray Tawse takes us back to the beginning and shares his thoughts on how far Ontario wine has come, what it feels like to celebrate 25 years, and where the winery is headed next. We’ll also meet Head Winemaker Jessica Otting and Vineyard Manager Augusta VanMuyen, two super talented young women helping shape the next chapter at Tawse. Plus, we’ll talk Niagara, what makes this region so special, and feature some standout Tawse wines.... including a special sparkling wine created to celebrate their 25 years.

Tawse Winery is celebrating 25 years in Niagara, and what a way to mark the occasion. The winery has just been named Canadian Winery of the Year for an incredible fifth time. This week on&nbsp;Unwined with Mandi, we celebrate the people, wines and vision behind one of Ontario&rsquo;s most celebrated wineries. Owner Moray Tawse takes us back to the beginning and shares his thoughts on how far Ontario wine has come, what it feels like to celebrate&nbsp;25 years, and where the winery is headed next. We&rsquo;ll also meet Head Winemaker Jessica Otting and&nbsp;Vineyard Manager Augusta VanMuyen, two super talented young women helping shape the next chapter at Tawse. Plus, we&rsquo;ll&nbsp;talk Niagara, what makes this region so special, and feature some standout Tawse wines.... including a special sparkling wine created to celebrate their 25 years.

Mandi Robertson talks to all the shakers and movers in the beverage and food industry in addition to sharing some of her favourite selections to excite your tastebuds.

Mandi Robertson talks to all the shakers and movers in the beverage and food industry in addition to sharing some of her favourite selections to excite your tastebuds.

Unwined with Mandi Robertson

The latest audio and podcasts from CJAD 800 Montreal.

The latest audio and podcasts from CJAD 800 Montreal.

CJAD 800 - The Latest Audio and Podcasts

Unwined: Tawse Winery

Today on Unwined, we begin with a category that is changing quickly: sophisticated wine alternatives for those choosing not to drink alcohol. Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, co-founder of French Bloom, joins me to discuss the creation of the brand and the challenge of producing a premium French sparkling wine with 0.0% alcohol. Made with organic French grapes, French Bloom was created to bring the complexity, elegance and celebratory character of traditional sparkling wine to the non-alcoholic category. We talk about how the wines are made, the growing demand for elevated alcohol-free options and why choosing not to drink should never mean settling for something uninspiring in your glass.

Then, we travel to Burgundy for a conversation with Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, one of the region’s most respected and historic family-owned producers. Laurent shares his perspective on the latest harvest and what the growing season may reveal in the finished wines. We also explore the fascinating diversity of Chardonnay in Burgundy, from the freshness, minerality, and precision of Chablis to the texture, depth, and complexity found in the great white wines of the Côte d’Or.

It is a conversation about terroir, vintage variation, and the extraordinary ability of one grape variety to express itself so differently depending on where it is grown.

Today on Unwined, we begin with a category that is changing quickly: sophisticated wine alternatives for those choosing not to drink alcohol. Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger, co-founder of French Bloom, joins me to discuss the creation of the brand and the challenge of producing a premium French sparkling wine with 0.0% alcohol. Made with organic French grapes, French Bloom was created to bring the complexity, elegance and celebratory character of traditional sparkling wine to the non-alcoholic category. We talk about how the wines are made, the growing demand for elevated alcohol-free options and why choosing not to drink should never mean settling for something uninspiring in your glass.
Then, we travel to Burgundy for a conversation with Laurent Drouhin of Maison Joseph Drouhin, one of the region&rsquo;s most respected and historic family-owned producers. Laurent shares his perspective on the latest harvest and what the growing season may reveal in the finished wines. We also explore the fascinating diversity of Chardonnay in Burgundy, from the freshness, minerality, and precision of Chablis to the texture, depth, and complexity found in the great white wines of the C&ocirc;te d&rsquo;Or.
It is a conversation about terroir, vintage variation, and the extraordinary ability of one grape variety to express itself so differently depending on where it is grown.

Unwined: Sophisticated wine alternatives for....non-drinkers!

What does it mean to inherit a family winery, and decide where to take it next? This week on Unwined with Mandi, I’m joined by Isabel Gassier, the fifth generation of her family to work in wine in southern France. We’ll talk about the history behind Domaine Gassier, the wines of Costières de Nîmes, and how her interest in regenerative farming is shaping the estate’s future.

Then we’re heading to Australia’s Yarra Valley with Cameron Gordon of Punt Road Wines. If your idea of Australian red wine is big, heavy and high in alcohol, the Yarra Valley may surprise you. Cameron and I will talk about what makes this cooler region so exciting, why its wines deserve more attention here in Québec, and the Airlie Bank Garden Red, a fruity, fresh, wonderfully crushable red I’ve been keen for you to try.

What does it mean to inherit a family winery, and decide where to take it next? This week on Unwined with Mandi, I&rsquo;m joined by Isabel Gassier, the fifth generation of her family to work in wine in southern France. We&rsquo;ll talk about the history behind Domaine Gassier, the wines of Costi&egrave;res de N&icirc;mes, and how her interest in regenerative farming is shaping the estate&rsquo;s future.
Then we&rsquo;re heading to Australia&rsquo;s Yarra Valley with Cameron Gordon of Punt Road Wines. If your idea of Australian red wine is big, heavy and high in alcohol, the Yarra Valley may surprise you. Cameron and I will talk about what makes this cooler region so exciting, why its wines deserve more attention here in Qu&eacute;bec, and the Airlie Bank Garden Red, a fruity, fresh, wonderfully crushable red I&rsquo;ve been keen for you to try.

Unwined: What does it mean to inherit a family winery?

This week on Unwined with Mandi, we’re celebrating the flavors of the season—and taking you straight to Portugal.

First, Mandi sits down with Lumir Jardak to make the most of fresh fig season. They’re talking about a beautiful fig tart made with crisp phyllo pastry and cheese: a recipe that looks impressive, tastes incredible and is much easier to prepare than you might think. Lumir shares how to choose perfectly ripe figs, how to work with delicate phyllo pastry and what makes this tart sit so beautifully between sweet and savoury. And, of course, Mandi has the perfect wine pairing: Port.

Then, we travel to the Douro Valley for a conversation with Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, one of Portugal’s most historic and respected wine estates. Miguel shares the story of his family, the extraordinary landscape of the Douro and what makes this region unlike anywhere else in the world. They’ll talk about Port, but also the outstanding dry red wines being produced in the Douro—including two affordable Quinta do Crasto wines available at the SAQ.

And finally, Mandi is officially launching the return of her all-inclusive Portugal food and wine tour in July 2027. This immersive seven-day experience takes guests through Porto, the Douro Valley and Vinho Verde, with boutique hotels, exceptional wineries, authentic Portuguese cuisine and experiences that bring travellers closer to the country’s wine, culture and people. 

https://deltatur.pt/en/portugal2027/

This week on&nbsp;Unwined with Mandi, we&rsquo;re celebrating the flavors of the season&mdash;and taking you straight to Portugal.
First, Mandi sits down with Lumir Jardak to make the most&nbsp;of fresh&nbsp;fig season. They&rsquo;re talking about a beautiful fig tart made with crisp phyllo pastry and cheese: a recipe that looks impressive, tastes incredible and is much easier to prepare than you might think. Lumir shares how to choose perfectly ripe figs, how to work with delicate phyllo pastry and what makes this tart sit so beautifully between sweet and savoury. And, of course, Mandi has the perfect wine pairing: Port.
Then, we travel to the Douro Valley for a conversation with Miguel Roquette of Quinta do Crasto, one of Portugal&rsquo;s most historic and respected wine estates. Miguel shares the story of his family, the extraordinary landscape of the Douro and what makes this region unlike anywhere else in the world. They&rsquo;ll talk about Port, but also the outstanding dry red wines being produced in the Douro&mdash;including two affordable Quinta do Crasto wines available at the SAQ.
And finally, Mandi is officially launching the return of her all-inclusive Portugal food and wine tour in July 2027. This immersive seven-day experience takes guests through Porto, the Douro Valley and Vinho Verde, with boutique hotels, exceptional wineries, authentic Portuguese cuisine and experiences that bring travellers closer to the country&rsquo;s wine, culture and people.&nbsp;
<a href="https://deltatur.pt/en/portugal2027/" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="0">https://deltatur.pt/en/portugal2027/</a>

Unwined: Tawse Winery

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