Wine with Meg + Mel

Send us Fan Mail 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 • Expl...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 exhibitor...

Send us Fan Mail Producer Austin joins Meg for a spirited exploration of Shiraz/Syrah variations from different regions, discovering how labeling influences expectations and uncovering surprising stylistic differences. • Syrah and Shiraz are the same grape variety, with different names indicating stylistic differences • The French Crozes-Hermitage exhibits lighter body, higher acidity, and fresh s...

Send us Fan Mail Meg and Mel tackle misleading wine marketing claims, exposing a company that touts "zero-sugar wine" as revolutionary when most dry wines already contain negligible sugar levels. They investigate a suspicious endorsement from a non-existent Master of Wine and taste-test the underwhelming products. • Most dry wines already contain minimal sugar (around 0.5g per litre or l...

Send us Fan Mail Sweet wines are often purchased during tastings but rarely opened at home due to our psychological tendency to prefer sweeter options in small quantities rather than full glasses. • Four different styles of dessert wine explained - late harvest, cane cut, muscat, and botrytised Sauternes • Dessert wines need sugar levels above 50 grams per litre to be classified as sweet • The psy...

Send us Fan Mail Remember when you swore you'd never wear barrel-leg jeans again? That's how many wine lovers feel about Sauvignon Blanc – but just like those jeans eventually won you back, this misunderstood grape variety deserves a second chance. We're diving deep into Sauvignon Blanc's remarkable diversity, exploring expressions that go far beyond the familiar Marlborough st...

Send us Fan Mail The Australian wine industry faces pivotal changes with new transparency regulations while debating the broader issues of health labeling and market fairness. We explore the Emerson Report's game-changing recommendations that could revolutionize how wine is sold and marketed across Australia. • Trying the viral jalapeno wine trend – is adding spice to rosé worth the hype? • T...

Send us Fan Mail The Master of Wine qualification represents the absolute pinnacle of wine education – a credential so challenging that only 5-10% of candidates ever pass. Since its creation in 1952, just 480 people worldwide have earned these prestigious initials. But what exactly makes this qualification so formidable? Taking you behind the curtain of this elite examination, we dissect real ques...

Send us Fan Mail Meg and Mel dive into the world of Barbera, exploring whether this Italian red variety truly deserves its reputation as the wine of choice for "cool kids." • Barbera comes from Piemonte in northern Italy, at the foot of the Alps • The grape produces wines with high acidity, minimal oak influence, and distinctive purple color • Typical flavor profile includes blackberry,...

Send us Fan Mail Australian sparkling wines showcase distinctive regional characters that rival champagne in quality while expressing unique Australian terroir. • Blind tasting of four Australian sparkling wines from three different regions: Tasmania, Yarra Valley, and Whitlands High Plateau • Traditional method sparklings have many variables beyond region, including aging on lees and fruit charac...

Send us Fan Mail Meg and Mel tackle changing dynamics in the Australian wine industry, from restaurant closures to big investments and new marketing directions. • Meg shares insights from VinExpo Asia where Australian wine received positive feedback and shows a shift toward lighter-bodied reds and more whites • Oak Ridge restaurant closure highlights broader hospitality industry struggles with pro...

Send us Fan Mail Mel tests her theory that Margaret River Chardonnay producers are abandoning their signature big, buttery style for leaner expressions through a tasting of four wines across different price points. • Meg Brotman argues that Margaret River has traditionally delivered reliable, high-quality big Chardonnays with texture and weight • Meg describes Margaret River Chardonnay as having a...

Send us Fan Mail Dan Murphy's inaugural Best in Glass Wine Awards evaluates wines based on drinkability and value rather than traditional wine show metrics, so we thought we'd see what we thought of their top picks.  • Dan Murphy's tasted over 1,400 wines for their first Best in Glass Awards • Categories include Best Value, Best International, and overall Best winners • Tim Adams Cl...

Send us Fan Mail In light of the new pope, we ask the question: what do they drink in the Vatican? (The answer has Mel considering turning up to Sunday mass) Wine’s new power player, Vinarchy, and what it means for the industry.  An update on China exports – restocking, or a true comeback? A few industry shout-outs And… things get real. Meg opens up about what it’s really like when the winery you...

Send us Fan Mail What Meg's been drinking: Hirsch Hill Rose  Pizzini La Volpe Nebbiolo $35 2022 Traviarti Mezzo Nebbiolo $45 Fontanafredda Langhe Nebbiolo $40 Fontanafredda Barolo DOCG $110 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and TikTok! @winewithmegmel

Send us Fan Mail German Riesling demystifies the often confusing terminologies found on labels by breaking down quality classifications based on ripeness levels at harvest and their relationship to final sweetness. We unpack the intricate world of German wine labels to help you navigate these complex yet incredibly rewarding wines. • German quality wine is ranked based on grape sugar levels at har...

Send us Fan Mail Meg and Mel explore the fascinating world of ageworthy white wines, examining which varieties cellar best and how to identify bottles worth laying down. What Meg's drinking: 2023 Marchand & Burch Mount Barrow Pinot Noir $72 Wines tasted: 2024 Howard Park Great Southern Riesling $36 2014 Howard Park Great Southern Riesling  2024 Scarborough The Obsessive Semillon $35 2018...

Send us Fan Mail We dive into the world of chillable red wines, What Meg's drinking: Running with Bulls Fringe Societe Gamay $21 Garage Project Fairy Bread Red $28 Chaffey Bros Not Your Grandma's Chillable Red $25 Domane Wachau Blauer Zweigelt $30 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and TikTok! @winewithmegmel

Send us Fan Mail Chinese wine is making waves in the global market with premium producers like Silver Heights showcasing the potential of regions like Ningxia through biodynamic viticulture and French winemaking techniques. We taste and evaluate two high-end offerings that challenge our expectations and reveal the rapid evolution of China's wine industry. • China ranks as the 12th largest win...

Send us Fan Mail We’re back and better than ever with an exciting setup for the new season, ready to delve into current wine news and trends. The episode highlights the current challenges faced by the wine industry and how we can navigate through them.  • Return of the podcast and upcoming plans for the season  • Update on vintage trends and climate impact on wine quality  • Discussion on cellar d...

Send us Fan Mail What Meg's drinking: 2018 Tyrrell's Semillon $35 Wines tasted: Terra Rossa Merlot Coonawarra 2020 $33 Casillero Del Diablo Reserve Carmenere $26 Earthworks Barossa Tempranillo $19 Salterio Mencia Bierzo $17 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and TikTok! @winewithmegmel

Send us Fan Mail Our top picks from every wine we tried this year! 9. 2022 MDI Picolit $29 8. Horton white classic $10 7. 2022 Wallis Chardonnay $90 6. Mumm 4 Ans $77 5. 2021 Carranco Etna Bianco Villa dei Baroni $60 4. 2021 Yarra Yering Pinot Noir $130 3. Velich Welschriesling 2021 $40 2. 2022 Sabi Wabi Semillon $39 1. Howard Park Riesling - 2018 $45 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and...

Send us Fan Mail Uncover the secrets to enjoying a festive wine selection without breaking the bank this Christmas!  Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and TikTok! @winewithmegmel

Send us Fan Mail Our unfiltered thoughts about some key discussions from the Chardonnay Symposium. Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel and TikTok! @winewithmegmel