Welcome!

Laurie MacKay -sommelier, reviews wine, beer, mead, spirits and cider for CBC Radio in Calgary Alberta Canada

I’m Laurie MacKay, Sommelier & Drinks Columnist on CBC Radio One

I believe wine is not simply a drink, it’s a journey. Every time you open a bottle, think of the people who crafted it, the country it hails from and when it was made. When you know every bottle has a unique story to tell, the whole experience is enriched. Let’s enjoy this journey together on a wine tour, a customized wine event, judging for your organization or via the radio. I would like to meet you.

Taste Talk Tune-In

I am the Drinks Columnist on CBC Radio One in Calgary - 99.1FM/1010AM. Tune-in on Wine Fridays when along with CBC Homestretch Host Chris Dela Torre, I pop the cork and discuss stories over a special bottle.

Passion & Curiosity for wine

Wine provides a common bond for me to connect with people and to explore my life. It acts as a bridge to enjoy art, travel, farming and culture. Wine has the power to spark up conversation and often great debate. I love the camaraderie that transpires over a glass of wine, whether with a group of friends or complete strangers.

Upcoming Events

wine tastings and events, curated and hosted by sommelier Laurie MacKay Calgary

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Friends of the Vine Wine Club Annual Bubbles Brunch

Time - 11:30 - 1:30 pm

Place -Cassis Restaurant - 2505 - 17 Avenue SW Calgary

Join me and Ann Spavor of Crush Imports for “A Sparkling Soiree”. We will taste a treasure trove of Sparkling wines from Spain, Italy, France, Australia and Canada!

Tickets - $129 per person for members & $154 per person for non-members

Sip Savour Sail

Wine river cruise created and hosted by Sommelier Laurie MacKay

There is nothing better than standing on the top deck with glass in hand as you watch your destination draw closer. Then you dock, hop off the ship and walk right into town!

My Craft Beer & Wine tour starts in Prague with beer as the focus. Once on the AmaWaterways ship in Vilshofen, Germany, we set sail southward to Budapest, Hungary, where wine fills our glasses. We learn about history and culture both in our wine glass and on our daily excursions. (The tour may also go the opposite direction, starting in Budapest and ending in Prague.)

Tastings

customized wine tastings with Sommelier Laurie MacKay

My tastings aim to be educational, fun and informative. The choice is yours if you prefer a virtual or in-person format. Either works for me.

Tastings are usually 2 hours in length. For in-person tastings, I am mobile and prefer to leave the venue location up to you. I can cater to any size of group. You can choose from one of my Popular Tastings or create your own theme.

Most Popular Tastings:

  • The Art of Wine Tasting

  • Spanish Wines & Cheeses

  • Danube Wine Tour in 6 glasses

  • C’est la Vie – French Wine & Cheese

  • Sparkling Wines from Around the World

Follow me on Instagram

Paired this delicious Les Lys Vouvray 2022 with a recipe in my new Love & Lemons cookbook. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #vouvray
Nothing like an Aperol Spritz on a Saturday night. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #thirstytraveltour #aperolspritz
On my CBC House Wine column today, I am talking about this full bodied red wine from Uruguay! Find out the story behind the Bodegas Garzon Reserva Tannat 2021. Tune into CBC Radio One The Homestretch today (99.1FM/1010 AM) at 5:45 pm or read my most
Thank you to the Rhone Academy and @hopscotch_season_canada for an informative webinar today. I received a tasting kit with 6 wines prior to the event - 2 whites and 4 reds. I enjoyed tasting the diversity of the region and learning about the researc
It’s a true honour to be invited back to host the Friends of the Vine Bubbles Brunch at Cassis Bistro on Saturday, November 30th, from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. For the third consecutive year, I’ll have the pleasure of selecting some of my fav
Sea Star Chardonnay. A gift from a friend who recently moved back from the west coast. 👍👍 Very good! Now I want to visit the winery on Pender Island. #bcwine #penderisland #gulfislandwine
I am back on CBC Radio this afternoon and cannot wait to share my Thanksgiving wine pick - Arnaud de Villeneuve Rivesaltes Ambre 5 Years! This is from the Roussillon region in southern France. Tune into 99.1FM/1010 AM in #yyc between 5:30 to 6:00 pm
Jane Ferrari, the Brand Ambassador for Jim Barry Wines, came to town last week to host a special back vintages tasting of the Armagh Shiraz. Jane is an entertaining storyteller. I could have listened to her for hours! She gave us a short history of t
Podere 414 Flower Power Rosato (Rose in Italian) 2023 + fresh tomatoes from my garden. Delicious!#cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #morellinodiscansano #maremma #vinoitaliano #flowerpower #rosato
Cheers Gino! I caught you drinking the good stuff - La Magia Ciliegio Brunello di Montalcino 2018. This bottle was 988 of 1566 made in this vintage. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #brunellodimontalcino #tuscany #montalcino #sangiovese
My timing to open this Morgenster Estate Reserve 2014 is perfect. At 10 years old its palate combines youthful fruit with a hint of savoury “wisdom” evident on the finish. It is no wonder this is “the crown jewel” of the @morg
Greece makes some fantastic wines. This Nestor Fileri Rose 2023 is one that I recommend. The Nestor winery is located in the south of Greece on the Peloponnese Peninsula.This is one of the least touristy areas in Greece and a place that I would love