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, March 23, 2024

Crazyweed Restaurant in Canmore

Time - 1:00 pm

Theme - Wine Tasting Party

Tickets - $80 - call to reserve your spot - 403-609-2530

Come join the fun! All the wines to be paired with wonderful snacks by chef and owner of Crazyweed Jan Hrabec.

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

This caught my eye. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #soulvines #winesigns
A Classico match! Pasta puttanesca and Volpaia Chianti Classico 2020. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #chianticlassico #italianstyle #redwine #sangiovese
Edible works of art! These desserts @charcut are as tasty as they are pretty. Starting at the top and working clockwise - Portuguese Doughnuts with kirsch macerated cherries, Charcut Cheesecake with poached rhubarb and Salted Caramel Crunch with carm
This beautiful 2001 Faustino Gran Reserva Rioja is drinking in its prime. It is a very special bottle. It was named #1 Wine of the Year by Decanter Magazine in 2013! Thank you @salt_and_smoke_charcuterie for sharing this amazing wine! #soulvinesomm #
Wrapping up a meal on a high note with a round of digestifs. Digestifs are drinks served after a meal to help aid digestion. On tonight’s menu are an assortment of Italian digestivos - Amaro, Limoncello and Clementino. I choose the Amaro Dell&r
Meet chef Amit of the Calcutta Cricket Club. I popped in for lunch today to check out their new location. I was so happy to see the carousel leopard perched over top the bar. The colourful decor reminds me of my glorious travels in India back in the
Great start to the week. Attending an industry masterclass hosted by Laurent Drouhin of @maisonjosephdrouhin Tasting a flight with a combination of wines from Oregon & Burgundy. It’s fun to taste the different terroirs! #cbcsoulvines #soulv
Come say hi! I have pleasure of representing @riojawine at the Calgary Winefest this weekend. Rioja is the Featured Wine Region this year. I am at booth 311 and as you can see we have some amazing wines open for tasting. Find out why Rioja is Spain&r
A snow storm has blown in so I’m staying home. I’ve lit a fire and grabbed a bottle of @prieuredemontezargues Tavel 2022. Happy Leap Day! (A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Clairette and Syrah) #leapday #tavel #rosewine #prieurédemont
Behind the scenes of the inaugural #StampedeCellarShowdown international wine competition. Taking place in Calgary on February 23-25th. I have the good fortune to be one of the judges. The winners will be unveiled at #stampedecellaruncorked and offer
Happy Global Wine Day! I’ve decided to celebrate the day with wines from one of my longtime favourite Australian producers- Yalumba! Located in the Barossa Valley, Yalumba is Australia’s oldest family run winery (dates back to 1849). Now
Hosting a corporate event called Team Building With Wine! Thank you @bin905wines for providing the lovely space and to @peasant_cheese for the sensational cheese platters. #cbcsoulvines #soulvinesomm #teambuilding #corporateevents #winetasting #chees