403: When Do Wine Tasting Notes Become So Over-The-Top That They Stop Meaning Anything? Maryse Chevriere Talks About Descriptors That Have Jumped The Shark

How can a hospitality disaster completely change your approach to wine and service? When do wine tasting notes become so over-the-top that they stop meaning anything? What makes natural wine like an unfiltered snapshot of a single moment? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Maryse Chevriere, author of the new book How to Sound Wine Smart. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks.   Giveaway Three of you are going to win a copy of Maryse Chevriere's terrific book, How to Sound Wine Smart: An Illustrated Guide. To qualify, all you have to do is email me at [email protected]. I'll choose three people randomly from those who contact me. Good luck!   Highlights What was Maryse's most mortifying moment while working as a sommelier? Does wine education need more humour and plain language? What finally convinced Maryse to move from food writing into the wine world? How did working a harvest in Alsace shape the way Maryse thinks about natural wine? Why is working in a wine shop as much about listening as it is about recommending? Why are underdog grapes like Riesling and Chenin Blanc some of Maryse's favourites? How did a wine bar bathroom wallpaper eventually lead to Maryse's book deal? Why does Maryse describe a "loud" wine as one of her favourite tasting terms? What inspired the name Fresh Cut Garden Hose, and why has it become such a perfect fit for her illustrations? Why does Maryse think "sweet" is one of the most misunderstood words in wine? Why have tasting notes become so over-the-top?   About Maryse Chevriere Maryse Chevriere is a writer, wine professional, and illustrator living in Boston, Massachusetts. A certified sommelier, her career in wine has spanned across New York City, San Francisco, and Boston, where she has enjoyed roles as a retail consultant, restaurant wine director, and distribution sales representative. Her witty, whimsical "drunk doodles" have been published in print and online in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Wine Enthusiast, and more. Her printed work has appeared in restaurants and wine bars in New York City, Washington, DC, Boston, and London. In 2016, her Instagram @FreshCutGardenHose was honored with a prestigious James Beard Award in the category of humor. In 2020, her account was nominated as a finalist for a IACP Digital Media Award. Maryse is a fervent proponent of living life glass (at least) half full and believes that learning and talking about wine should be as accessible and fun as drinking it is.       To learn more, visit https://www.nataliemaclean.com/403.