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Heather Wall

Certified Sommelier, WSET, mother, runner, goal setter.

I'm a wine writer for nataliemaclean.com. I'm also an active participant on social media, including being part of weekly wine chats on Twitter.

I graduated from the Algonquin College Sommelier Program in 2011, after three years of study for the program and have recently achieved Level 3 of the Wine & Spirits Education Trust(WSET) diploma program based in London, U.K.

I graduated from the School of Business at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario with a marketing and advertising major. My most important job is being a mother to two wonderful boys. I'm an avid runner addicted to half marathons, which helps keep my wine consumption in check.
A Week In France: The Moet-Hennessy Brand

A Week In France: The Moet-Hennessy Brand Experience

"It's approximately one and one half hours from Paris to Reims in good traffic." our driver says in very good English. After a 7 hour flight from Toronto to Paris' Charles de Gaulle, that was my cue t...
09/23/2016 08:04 EDT
Washington State Is A Special Place For

Washington State Is A Special Place For Winemaking

Columbia Crest Wine Estates portfolio Juan Muñoz Oca came to the Pacific Northwest via Argentina. He was born in Spain but as a small boy he moved to Mendoza, Argentina where his grandfather was the c...
07/08/2016 02:22 EDT
Ottawa Run For Women Brings Smiles For High School Run For Women

Ottawa Run For Women Brings Smiles For High School Girls

Physical activity makes us feel happy and more productive. We're more open to learning and more apt to share topics on a run than over a lunch. Perhaps the girls would learn a little more about themselves, be part of something bigger and take away tools to help them in their future.
06/07/2016 03:29 EDT
I'm Paying It Forward By Running For Women's Mental Heather Wall

I'm Paying It Forward By Running For Women's Mental Health

Mental illness can interfere with everyday living such as parenting, work, eating, personal hygiene, decision making and school. Here's where I come in. I'm a runner and I've participated in this event with my girlfriends. I've also suffered postpartum depression and anxiety.
04/20/2016 05:16 EDT
Ruffino Is A Lesson In Tuscan Terroir And

Ruffino Is A Lesson In Tuscan Terroir And Mamma

"Storytellers connect people, reflect culture and inspire discovery through the art of storytelling," according the Storytellers of Canada: The Art of Storytelling. On Oct. 18, 2015 I had the pleasure...
11/10/2015 06:00 EST
Wine Suggestions For a Hoppy Torsten Schon via Getty Images

Wine Suggestions For a Hoppy Easter

Easter long weekend with a new VINTAGES release hopping in to your local LCBO on April 4th. Our family and friends will gather around Easter feasts and no matter what is on offer -- turkey, ham, lamb, Prime Rib or fish -- VINTAGES has plenty of wine for a hippity-hoppity Happy Easter.
04/01/2015 01:09 EDT
New VINTAGES Wine Suggestions For Happier Thos Robinson via Getty Images

New VINTAGES Wine Suggestions For Happier Holidays

My love affair with Cava continues. Pale lemon green with lots of tiny persistent bubbles. The nose is clean and offers green apple, lemon, lemon zest, biscuit, pear. The palate is dry with lively acidity and noted baked bread. The length is medium on a crisp palate cleansing finish. Not overly complex but good quality and the price is right!
12/12/2014 12:46 EST
New at Vintages in

New at Vintages in November

The VINTAGES section of your local LCBO may be a bit of a mystery to you. The name itself suggests "Wine Snobs Only Please." Yes, VINTAGES is classed as the fine wine and premium spirits business of the LCBO, but excellent value limited quantity wines can be found if you venture inside.
11/10/2014 04:18 EST
Have You Been on a Wineglass Marathon

Have You Been on a Wineglass Marathon Yet?

I often joke with my running group and wine enthusiast friends that the reason I run half marathons is to keep my wine consumption in check. This is not exactly an exaggeration. In the past three year...
10/10/2014 11:17 EDT
The Best Wines From Niagara's Chardonnay Shutterstock

The Best Wines From Niagara's Chardonnay Celebration

It's been a week since the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration in Niagara wrapped up the Fourth Annual event (i4c14). I was one of the "CRU "behind the Cool -- a volunteer. I tasted 20 of the 117 wines over the weekend and selected my favourites.
07/29/2014 05:22 EDT
Chardonnay Gets its Cool Shutterstock

Chardonnay Gets its Cool Back

I loved Chardonnay even when Chardonnay wasn't cool. And the coolest of the uncool? Ontario Chardonnay. That's why I spent the weekend in Niagara at the International Cool Climate Chardonnay Celebration. This is the fourth year for this international event that draws together more than two thousand other lovers of the world's most planted -- and often, maligned -- grape, Chardonnay.
07/22/2014 05:47 EDT