This Week on Unwined with Mandi: A Barossa Legend, a Fresh New Look, and a New Way to Date!

This week on Unwined with Mandi, we’re heading to Australia’s Barossa Valley to discover the fascinating story behind one of the country’s most iconic wine names, Peter Lehmann.

I’m joined by Andrew Stark from Peter Lehmann Wines to talk about the man who helped shape the Barossa wine industry, his extraordinary legacy, and the wines that continue to carry his name. We’ll also discuss the winery’s refreshed look, including its new, elegant labels. The packaging may have changed, but the great wines inside remain the same!

Then, we’re switching gears from wine to romance!

Marie-Chantal Pénouf, founder of VYBZ, joins me to talk about a fresh approach to dating in Montreal. With so many singles frustrated by dating apps, VYBZ is bringing people together through real-life connections and experiences. We’ll find out what inspired Marie-Chantal to launch the service, how it works, and why meeting someone in person might just be making a comeback.

This Thanksgiving weekend on Unwined with Mandi, we’re exploring what to pour for everyone around the table. Dawn Murray joins us to introduce Vierge, a Canadian-owned, Quebec-made non-alcoholic wine alternative crafted with fermented tea, fruit concentrates and tannins. We’ll discover what inspired her to create it and how she builds flavour and texture without relying on alcohol.

Pierre-Adrien Fleurant of Maison AIX takes us to Provence to talk rosé, and why this versatile wine deserves a place alongside your Thanksgiving turkey and all the trimmings. Then, Alessandro and Alberto Tasca of Sicily’s Tasca d’Almerita share their approach to sustainability and the work behind protecting the land that produces their wines. Plus, my Wines of the Week, with delicious recommendations and pairings for your Thanksgiving meal.

This week on Unwined with Mandi, we’re heading to Italy with Alessandro Medici of Medici Ermete to debunk some of the biggest misconceptions about Lambrusco. We’ll discover what makes their Concerto so unique — a single-vineyard Lambrusco that’s dry, vibrant, high-quality and seriously delicious.

Plus, I’m sharing details about the upcoming Unwined & Uncorked trips to Portugal, Madeira and the Azores in 2027! Click on the link below for more info :

https://deltatur.pt/en/portugal2027/?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleAUt7FVleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBwZG9mAmZkaWQWUPlzfIBL-bnzyxxJCjHjVrIXQECLunNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp33luHoXk9iDVXAhvvAXx4PCIllXfuCBmzuCh4geu5ruKBgarlVUHo59w8As_aem_ysmBrrydOipuy3rzmPGSZQ

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.

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.

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/

Today on Unwined with Mandi, we’re diving into the food, rum and culture of Martinique as Martinique Gourmande returns to the city.

I’m joined by Muriel Wiltord from the Martinique Tourism Committee, Martinican chef Prisca Morjon, and Ralph Couteperoumal from Trois Rivières rum to talk about the flavours of the island, what makes Martinican cuisine so distinctive, and of course, its incredible rhum agricole.

And if we make you hungry, you can experience it for yourself! The Marché Créole is happening this weekend September 12-13 at the Montréal Science Centre in the Old Port, bringing together Martinican chefs, food, rum, music and plenty of opportunities to discover the island without leaving Montreal.

https://martiniquegourmande.ca/

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.