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Explore every episode of the podcast Wine with Meg + Mel

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TitlePub. DateDuration
Australian Icons Part 105 Dec 202500:46:00

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We taste a line-up of Australian icons. From Tasmanian bubbles to Hunter Semillon, Canberra Shiraz Viognier, and Yarra Cabernet blends, we map style, site, and ageability with unashamed love for homegrown greatness.

• Arras Late Disgorged 2009 
• Tyrrell’s Vat 1 2019
• Tolpuddle Chardonnay 2004
• Clonakilla’s Shiraz Viognier 2024
• Yarra Yering Dry Red No. 1 2021

Please follow us on Instagram, rate the show on your podcast app, and share it with a friend


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Wine News: Backlash from an unfortunate slogan; Aluminum bottles; French protests; A Review of Netflix's New Holiday Movie, "Champagne Problems"29 Nov 202500:33:23

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A toast to legacy, a clash over creativity, and a bottle that could change how we drink. We open with a tribute to Peter Fraser—winemaker, mentor, and quiet force at Yangarra—then step straight into the friction points shaping wine right now: the awards that reward meaningful storytelling, the slogan that sparked a pile-on, and the packaging pivot that’s bigger than aesthetics.

We unpack the Wine Communicator Awards and why Halliday’s podcast comeback matters when trust is hard-won. Max Allen’s recognition is a reminder that longform writing still anchors the culture—holding memory, nuance, and accountability. From there, we tackle the Next Crop t-shirt controversy. Was it a bad call? Yes. But the deeper lesson is how to build safe creative lanes for emerging leaders: responsible messaging, clear guardrails, and mentorship that keeps bold ideas alive rather than shutting them down.

Innovation takes a more practical turn with Brown Brothers’ aluminium wine bottle. Lighter to ship, infinitely recyclable, and container-deposit friendly, it addresses the carbon drag of glass without asking the wine to change. We explore why consumers push back, how category cues evolve, and what it takes to make sustainability feel like an upgrade. Then we zoom out to France, where grower protests signal a global reality: oversupply hurts. Distillation aid and vine pull schemes buy time, but the honest fix is right-sizing plantings, shifting styles, and aligning with demand.

For a festive detour, we fact-check Netflix’s Champagne Problems—funny, charming, and gloriously wrong on méthode traditionnelle. It’s a teachable moment that starts with pop culture and ends in real craft. We wrap with something practical: a standout Aldi Malbec that nails benchmark Argentinian style—dark fruit, firm tannin, bright acid—and doubles as a great learning bottle. And a heads-up: we’re about to taste through some of Australia’s most iconic wines, from Grange to regional legends, to map where heritage and modern taste meet.

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, share it with a friend who loves wine (or loves a good debate), and leave a quick review to help more listeners find us. What change do you want to see in wine next?

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Wine Revelations: We geek out on the Endevour Report 18 Sep 202500:26:54

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Meg and Mel dive into the groundbreaking Endeavor wine industry report that reveals surprising insights about Australian wine consumption patterns across demographics and regions.

• Affluence drives wine purchase more than age, with wealthy consumers favouring Champagne, Chardonnay, and surprisingly, Riesling
• Gen Z unexpectedly over-indexes on Champagne consumption despite limited budgets
• Tasmania and Western Australia show the strongest loyalty to their local wine regions
• The Yarra Valley is experiencing growth while Tasmania faces market challenges despite producing top-rated sparkling wines
• Victoria drives wine trends like Pinot Noir and spritz culture that spread across Australia
• Queensland shows unique preferences for New Zealand wines and sweeter styles
• Prosecco dominates the sparkling category nationwide, particularly from King Valley
• Millennials are just now coming into red wine and Champagne as their palates mature and incomes increase
• Each Australian state displays distinct wine personality profiles that reveal cultural differences

Find the complete "State of Grapes" report online for more insights into Australia's wine consumption patterns.


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French wine, in this economy? We show you how. 17 Mar 202300:30:59

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Dan Murphy's Imported Fine Wine buyer Nick Rose brings us top white wines you don't need to pay top dollar for. Needless to say, we have a few new favourites! 

Wines tasted:

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Blind tasting Burgundy: from $45 Bourgogne to $250 Premier Cru. The difference will be obvious... right? 09 Mar 202300:33:50
Why do we do this to ourselves? Blind tasting. 02 Mar 202300:35:31

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Thanks Kranthi for your help!

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Southern Tassie 23 Feb 202300:32:23
How much should you spend on Chablis?16 Feb 202300:49:58

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If you gave us $230 to spend on a wine, we probably wouldn't choose to spend it on Chablis. But we got one! So let's see if it's worth it... 

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Mornington Pinot Noir 09 Feb 202300:46:02
A spot of bad news 02 Feb 202300:02:35

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We're unable to bring you our usual episode this week, so instead a look at two sides of Pinot. Who are you with - Scottie or Miles?

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Chenin Blanc rocks.26 Jan 202300:37:59

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This week, we're talking all about an absolute classic: Chennin Blanc. We're so excited to share some of the amazing bottles we tried from France, South Africa, and Australia.

Wines tasted: 






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Piquette: The not-quite-wine we can't get enough of 19 Jan 202300:41:53

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Meg and Mel are joined by Rob Aitken, wine buyer at Dan Murphy's and Piquette passionate! We talk about how we love the cateogory for ticking all the boxes... even if it's not quite wine. 

Piquette tasted:

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Is Yarra Valley Cabernet underrated?12 Jan 202300:50:51
The Nebbiolo Episode: Australia vs Italy12 Sep 202500:31:20

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It came to our attention that our Nebb ep wasn’t uploaded currently so you all never heard us Greek out over one of our fav grapes… well…  here it is! 

Meg and Mel explore the world of Nebbiolo, comparing Australian examples from Victoria with Italian classics from Piedmont.

• Nebbiolo is known for its paradoxical nature - light in colour but powerful in tannin and structure
• Classic descriptors include tar, roses, dried cherries, and a distinctive "bricky" character
• Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo ($35) from King Valley offers an approachable entry point to the variety
• Traviati Beechworth Nebbiolo ($45) presents a more serious, age-worthy Australian expression
• Fontana Freda Langhe Nebbiolo ($40-45) shows distinctive herb notes alongside tar and roses
• Fontana Freda Barolo 2019 ($95) demonstrates the depth, complexity and powerful tannins expected from Barolo
• Australian Nebbiolo may never become as mainstream as Sangiovese but offers excellent value and quality
• Nebbiolo is perfect for autumn dining, pairing beautifully with mushrooms, truffles and hearty dishes


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Finale: Our Top 10 Podcast Wines of the Year16 Dec 202200:38:00

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We tasted a lot of wine on the show this year, over 250 in fact!

And while we find a gem or two most weeks, it was time to boil down to the best of the best.  If you only taste a few wines from the season, make them from our top lists.

Mel's Top 5:
5. Belardent Picpoul de Pinet $18 - From S02E35 "Wines on trend for summer"
4. Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo $33 - From S02E36 "How good's Nebbiolo?!"
3. Delamere NV Cuvee $40 - From S02E07 "The Women Behind the Wine"
2. Bollinger Rosé $147 - From S02E04 "P2: "Top Champagne houses with Neil"
1.  All Saints 2012 Marsanne $110* -  LIMITED RELEASE FOR PODCAST LISTENERS From S02E23 "Rutherglen + aged Marsanne with Nick Brown"

*All Saints only release museum wines once a year due to limited quantities. They have made it available exclusively for our listeners at the above link.

Meg's Top 5:
5. Tempus Two Gruner Veltliner $12 - From S02E14  "Get Around Gruner"
4. Osicka Selection 2021 Shiraz ,  Tooborac,  $60 - from S02E37  "A deep dive into Heathcote"
3. Carranco Etna Bianco Villa dei Baroni $70 - From S02E35 "Wines on trend for summer"
2. Michele Chiarlo Barbaresco Reyna $75 - From S02E19 "Italy part 2: Piedmont"
1. All saints Museum Fortified - 100 years old $1500 bottle or $160 50ml - From S02E "Funky and Fortified - Part 2 of Rutherglen with Nick Brown"

 





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Wines for your "summer playlist"08 Dec 202200:26:57

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Summer is coming and it's time to stock our fridges with fitting wines for the hot days. Meg and Mel trial what wines will make the cut for their "summer playlists."

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We finally do Durif 01 Dec 202200:33:57

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After putting it off for months, Meg finally gets Mel to do the Durif episode, and they find some surprises! 




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Not-dry wine part 2 and we answer your questions! PH, storage + Blaufrankisch 24 Nov 202200:44:57
Can a wine be good if it's not dry?17 Nov 202200:35:29

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Meg tries to change Mel's opinion on wines with residual sugar.
 
Wines tasted:
2021 Gieson riesling 

2020 Winkel Riesling $28

Dr Loosen Bernkasteler Lay Kabinett Riesling $34






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Weird-ass wines you've never heard of, but you're gonna love10 Nov 202200:33:15

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What Meg's drinking: Guigal Côtes du Rhône

Weird wines tasted:

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We like big Malbec and we cannot lie 03 Nov 202200:31:46
How Low Can You Go? Trying the cheapest wine we can find. 27 Oct 202200:30:36

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We taste $4 wine so you don't have to. 

Hilarious page we mentioned: @fake.booze

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Fantastic Fiano (all under $15!)20 Oct 202200:34:54

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We love finding wines with bang for buck. Fiano's delivering! 

What Meg's drinking: Non Vintage Brut Elite

Wines tasted: 

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Stop ignoring Central Victoria13 Oct 202200:39:35

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Awesome wines from overlooked regions.

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Varietals you’ve never heard of 05 Sep 202500:34:29

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Meg and Mel dive into the world of unusual grape varieties, exploring wines most people have never heard of and definitely can't pronounce. From a surprisingly good organic Australian Chardonnay to obscure European varietals, they share discoveries that will expand your wine horizons.

• Yolumba Organic Chardonnay from South Australia delivers unexpected quality for $23
• Exploring the difference between organic certification and sustainable practices
• Arinto, a Portuguese grape variety, shows beautiful minerality and citrus notes in Australian terroir
• Falanghina from McLaren Vale offers apricot notes and oily texture reminiscent of "sunshine in a bottle"
• Discussion of Brettanomyces in wine – when is it a fault versus a complexity element?
• Agiorgitiko from Greece's Peloponnese region delivers remarkable leather and plum notes with Nebbiolo-like tannins
• Perfect food pairings for these unusual wines, especially Greek wine with lamb, feta and pomegranate

We'd love to hear your experiences if you try any of these unusual varietals! Message us with your thoughts and let us know if you've discovered any hidden gems of your own.


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A deep dive into Heathcote - will it change Meg's mind?06 Oct 202200:45:07

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We're finally here in Heathcote! Meg had expressed in Season 1 that she wasn't a fan of Heathcote Shiraz, so we got a local pro to take us through a bunch from different sub regions to see if we could change her mind.

What Simon's drinking: Melbourne Gin Co Negroni

Wines tasted:

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How good's Nebbiolo?!29 Sep 202200:44:29

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So good.  Meg and Mel taste a couple of examples from Italy then see how the Aussie ones compare, and boy to they step up to the plate. 

What Meg's drinking: a whole bunch of fancy wines we mere mortals could never dream of tasting.

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Wines on trend for summer (that we're stocking up on!)22 Sep 202200:53:30

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We asked Dan's Head of Fine Wine Andrew Shedden what wines are on trend for summer. The key things are whites with "tension and texture" and "brighter and lighter" reds. Andrew brought in a bunch of wines which include some new favourites for us - and for as little as $17!

What Andrew's drinking: AR Lenoble Champagne Cuvée Intense NV $70

Wines tasted:

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Inside the Dan Murphy's buying process16 Sep 202200:44:24

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With the help of Endeavour's Head of Fine Wine Andrew Shedden we find out exactly what goes in to choosing the wines which end up on shelf. 

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Sustainable wines you can feel good about drinking08 Sep 202200:34:32

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Sustainably made and packaged wine is exploding. We explore the impact each of these has on the planet, and of course, see how they taste!

What Meg's drinking: Julg Riesling Kalkmergel 2019 $49

Wines tasted: 


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Stop overlooking Semillon02 Sep 202200:29:48

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We taste through one producer's different ranges to see the impacts of age and vineyards on this seriously underated grape! 

Wines Tasted:





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Battle of the Chardonnays: Mineral vs Buttery25 Aug 202201:00:11
Wines of Margaret River 19 Aug 202200:47:08

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A region with wines to mirror Bordeaux, tucked away in Australia. Meg and Mel see how it shapes up! 

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The islands of Italy: Sicily and Sardinia11 Aug 202200:42:06

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Let's see what cool wines we can dig up from the hottest part of Italy.

Wines tasted:


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Are single varietal wines better then blends? We put them to the test.04 Aug 202200:38:13
Behind the Scenes of the Sydney Royal Wine Show with Angus Barnes28 Aug 202500:39:56

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Angus Barnes, Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Show, shares insider perspectives on Australia's premier wine competition and his journey through the wine industry. 

• Born in the Hunter Valley, Angus fell in love with wine while backpacking through Europe
• His extensive career spans roles at Pernod Ricard, NSW Wine, Wine Communicators Australia, and now Bunamagoo Estate Wines
• The Sydney Royal Wine Show judged 1,550 wine samples and poured over 15,000 glasses during the competition
• This year's Wine of Show winner was a $27 Abbeville Cabernet Sauvignon from Margaret River
• Chardonnay dominated the gold medals with 12 awarded across different regions
• Margaret River showed exceptional form with gold medals across multiple varieties
• The wine show process maintains integrity through blind tastings and strict conflict of interest protocols
• Judges are selected with diversity in mind, balancing technical expertise with stylistic perspectives
• The Grape, Grain & Graze Festival on September 20th offers consumers the chance to taste all competition wines
• The RAS supports industry development through scholarships for nine emerging wine professionals each year

Join us at the Grape, Grain & Graze Festival on September 20th to taste these award-winning wines yourself! Enter our competition on Instagram by following @winewithmeganmal and @royalagricultural_nsw and tagging who you'd bring along.


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Viognier (viogn-YEAH!) 28 Jul 202200:40:13

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Meg and Mel taste through this variety at different price points and styles, finding some awesome wines!
 
Wines tasted:

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The dream life? What it's like to be a food + wine reviewer with Kara Monssen21 Jul 202200:35:05

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Weekly fine dining and an apartment full of free wine; we chat to the Herald Sun's Kara Monssen about what it's like to be in a dream job.

Melbourne wine bars reccomended:

Wines discussed:

You can check out Kara's food + wine reviews in the Herald Sun every Tuesday, and on her instagram, @Karafoodwine.

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Is Aussie Prosecco as good as the OG from Italy? Let's find out. 14 Jul 202200:38:37
Funky and Fortified - Part 2 of Rutherglen with Nick Brown07 Jul 202200:28:34

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Meg and Mel get a real treat; tasting a blend of their favourite varieties, but also a 100 year old fortified wine. Spoiler - Meg loses her mind.

Wines tasted:


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Rutherglen + aged Marsanne with Nick Brown30 Jun 202200:40:12

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Nick Brown from all saints joins us to talk about the so often mis understood region of Rutherglen, and makes Mel's week by brining a range of aged Marsanne. Meg geeks out big time. 

Wines tasted:

  • All Saints 2021 Family Cellar Marsanne (from barrel) - not available for purchase (yet!) 
  • All Saints 2012 Marsanne
  • All Saints 2010 Marsanne 
  • All saints 2007 Marsanne

If you have interest in the museum Marsannes (and trust us, you should be), you can register your interest here: https://www.allsaintswine.com.au/museum 

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All about Gamay (Gam-yay!)23 Jun 202200:43:21

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Mel (and millenials) love it, Meg (and anyone who's ever done nouveau) hates it. Tune in to see who will win out! 

Wines tasted:



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Beware the brie: pairing cheese + wine17 Jun 202200:42:38

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Meg and Mel dive into cheese and wine pairing, proving some classic pairings can't be messed with, and that some rules are made to be broken.

Our pairings

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Aldi wines we'd actually buy 09 Jun 202200:42:43
Italy part 2: Piedmont02 Jun 202200:40:46

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We're in Meg's favourite Italian region, Piedmont (or Piemonte), and Meg's got a wine that will leave Mel speechless. 

What Meg's drinking: Provence Rosé

Wines tasted:

Wines purchased from Dan's.

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Italy part 1: Veneto26 May 202200:40:24

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Join us as we taste through Italy! For part one, we're going to Veneto, and taste one style three ways.

What Meg's drinking: Koerner Riesling $35

Wines tasted:

Wines purchased from Different Drop.

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JUST IN! We taste the seriously amazing Sydney Royal Wine Show Winners 22 Aug 202500:43:11

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Ever wondered what $27 worth of Cabernet Sauvignon can get you? How about the prestigious Wine of Show trophy at one of Australia's most respected wine competitions?

We're in studio with crystal clear audio this week, tasting our way through the top winners from the Sydney Royal Wine Show – and the results are truly eye-opening. Among 1,500 wines entered by 261 exhibitors, we sample four standout bottles that captured the judges' attention and took home multiple trophies.

First up is Jim Barry's 2025 Clare Valley Riesling, claiming Best Value Wine at $25. This quintessential Australian style showcases the searing acidity, minerality and lime-driven character that makes our Rieslings distinctive on the world stage. We dive into why Australian Riesling consistently overdelivers at modest price points and how it ages beautifully for those patient enough to cellar it.

We're absolutely blown away by Tyrell's 2013 Vat One Semillon, which swept three major trophies: Best Semillon, Best NSW Wine, and Best Mature Wine. This iconic Hunter Valley style begins life as a delicate, low-alcohol white before developing remarkable complexity with age – honey, nougat, toast, and creamy textures while maintaining incredible freshness. At around $165 for this vintage, it represents Australia's white wine heritage as powerfully as Penfolds Grange does for reds.

The alternative varieties category brings us De Bortoli's One Line Sangiovese from Rutherglen ($24), demonstrating how warm regions are successfully diversifying beyond traditional offerings. But the most stunning revelation comes with the Wine of Show – Abbeyvale's 2023 Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon. Priced at just $27, this wine outperformed entries from prestigious producers across all categories, showing beautiful complexity, fine dusty tannins, and distinctive regional character.

Want to taste these wines yourself? Follow our Instagram for a chance to win tickets to the Grape, Grain and Graze Festival on September 20th or a collection of these award-winning bottles! And don't miss next week's episode where we interview Angus Barnes, Chair of the Sydney Royal Wine Show, answering all your questions about wine competitions and judging.

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Scottie Blind Tests Meg + Mel19 May 202200:42:29

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Can't believe we let him do this... but here we are. 

If you want to send in suggestions (or wine) for us to blind taste, get in touch with @scottiethewino on instagram.

What Meg's Drinking: 2016 Robert Weil Kiedrich Grafenberg Eiswein

Wines (blind) tasted:

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Spanish Reds from Rioja12 May 202200:51:44

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It's time to learn about tempranillo from the region most famous for the grape! 

Wines tasted:

Wines gifted from Pernod Ricard and are all available at First Choice.

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Make Meg love Mumm05 May 202200:56:18

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Mel was upset that Meg didn't love Mumm champagne as much as she does, so she enlisted the help of Champange Ambassador Manu de Madreto help plead the case.

And as the champagnes are too limited to buy in most stores, Manu is giving listeners exclusive access to the friends & family website to buy them! DM your email to our instagram @winewithmegandmel to get on the list!

What Manu is drinking:  2018 Passopisciaro Etna Rosso

Champagne tasted:

  • RSRV Blanc de Noirs 
  • RSRV Rose 
  • RSRV LaLou

https://www.mumm.com/en-au/the-collection/rsrv-collection/ 


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