Send us a text 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? • Tributes to industry pioneers including Dr. Richard Smart, Simon Killeen, and Angela Muir MW • Celebrity win...
Jul 18, 2025•41 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Send us a text 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 questions from this year's MW papers, attempting to answer them ourselves with varying degrees of success ...
Jul 11, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Send us a text 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, blackcurrant, and herbal notes • Australian versions from Adelaide Hills and Alpine Valleys compared to Italian ...
Jul 04, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 11
Send us a text 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 character • Yarra Yering (Yarra Valley) shows distinctive red apple fruit and rich brioche character from 10...
Jun 27, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Send us a text 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 profit margins shrinking from 10% to 6-8% • De Bortoli's vine pulling in warmer regions reflects necessar...
Jun 13, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Send us a text 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 fuller style with riper fruit, moderate acidity, and more evident oak compared to cooler regions • Th...
Jun 06, 2025•38 min•Season 4Ep. 8
Send us a text 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 Clare Valley Pinot Gris 2024 ($20.29) is the standout winner, drinking like a $35 wine • Chapel Hill The Parson Pinot Gr...
May 23, 2025•28 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Send us a text 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 work for goes into administration. Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
May 16, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Send us a text 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...
Apr 24, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 harvest, not final sweetness • Kabinett (11.5% potential alcohol) features citrus, green apple, and high ...
Apr 17, 2025•32 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Send us a text 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 Scarborough The Obsessive Simillion 2023 The Obsessive Chardonnay $45 2019 The Obsessive Chardonnay Key thin...
Apr 11, 2025•48 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text 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...
Mar 20, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Send us a text 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 wine producer in the world • Chinese wine industry began serious development in the late 1970s when the countr...
Mar 15, 2025•18 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Send us a text 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 doors closing and the shift in wine tourism • Insights into the joint marketing between Australia and New ...
Mar 06, 2025•24 min•Season 5Ep. 1
Send us a text 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...
Feb 27, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Send us a text 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...
Dec 20, 2024•20 min•Season 4Ep. 31
Send us a text Uncover the secrets to enjoying a festive wine selection without breaking the bank this Christmas! Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel
Dec 12, 2024•18 min•Season 4Ep. 30
Send us a text Our unfiltered thoughts about some key discussions from the Chardonnay Symposium. Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel
Dec 05, 2024•35 min•Season 4Ep. 29
Send us a text Everything we follow about the world of wine. Wine News Wine titles – daily wine news Winebusiness.com SVB Harpers.co.uj Drinks business IWSR Euromonitor Jancis Robinson Wine Reviews and stories Halliday The Real Review Podcasts Wine Blast Food Matters Got Somme Thirty Fifty Interpreting wine Wine Victoria Podcast Instagrams @Huntress_wines @The_angry_somm @Shittywinememes @Karafoodwine Movies + Series Side ways Somm Blind side Drops of God Uncorked Red Obsession Sour Grapes Follo...
Nov 28, 2024•28 min
Send us a text Ever wondered why white wine blends don't get the same spotlight as reds? Join us as we explore their hidden complexities and charmWe know red blends are 'a thing' - what about whites? We find out. What Mel's drinking: 2018 Crittenden Cri de Coeur Savagnin Sous Voile $95 Houghton White Classic $10 2023 Eleventh House Sorella $28 Sun Monkey White Blend NV $22 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Nov 08, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 27
Send us a text Celeb wines worth the hype? Let's find out. Wines tasted: Dolly Parton Sparkling NV $22 Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rose $20 Miraval Studio Rosé $29 19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Red 2020 $16 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Nov 07, 2024•21 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Send us a text What Meg's drinking: Humis 2024 Grenache Blanc $29 Wines tasted: Red Hill Estate Sparkling Cuvee $14 Jim Barry Watervale Riesling $15 De Bortoli Rosé $14 Z Wine Rustica Barossa Valley Grenache $19 Sydney Wine Bar: Flight Path Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Oct 25, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 25
Send us a text News we discuss this week: What the re-instating of the outsed Australian Vintage CEO says about company culture Gimlet has won Australia's Wine List of the Year award for 2024 (T imeout ) An update on Aussie wine in China as we get more negative press over "expired" moscato ( Vino Joy News ) An anonymous letter stirs the pot on nepotism in the wine industry ( Wine Business Magazine ) The Orange wine region's new identity, "A Drop Above,"- is regional branding working in Australia...
Oct 10, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 24
Send us a text Guigal Côtes du Rhône $30 Claymore You’ll Never Walk Alone Clare Valley GSM $17 Serafino McLaren Vale GSM $25 Hentley Farm The Marl Grenache $25 Final drop: Handpicked Wines Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2019 $50 Handpicked Wines Collection Yarra Valley Chardonnay 2019 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Oct 04, 2024•26 min
Send us a text A closer look into museum wines - we compare three young wines with their older counterparts. Wines tasted: - Howard Park Riesling - 2023 + 2018 - Ten Minutes by Tractor Wallis Chardonnay - 2022 + 2015 - Lowe Zinfendel 2021 + 2017 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Sep 20, 2024•40 min•Season 4Ep. 22
Send us a text All about museum wines. Meg nerds out. Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel
Sep 13, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Send us a text Ever wondered how the right kind of bubbles can elevate a sparkling wine experience? We explore the science and art behind creating perfect bubbles with a story about ultrasonic sound and its impact on wine ratings. Glassware can make or break your sparkling wine journey, and we dive into why that’s the case with a deep dive into the visual appeal and taste enhancements offered by a $100 hand-blown glass. Join us for a fun and nerdy session full of wine-geek moments! Wines tasted:...
Sep 09, 2024•36 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Send us a text Ever wondered what’s beyond Austria’s famous Grüner Veltliner? We’re diving into some great white wines like Riesling and some lesser-known treats such as Welsh Riesling and Muscat Ottonel. If you’re into white wines, this is a must-listen! Wines tasted: Domane Wachau 'Federspiel Bruck' Riesling 2021 $32 Velich Welschriesling 2021 $40 2020 Velich Muskat Ottonel $40 2022 Pittnauer Perfect Day $54 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Aug 29, 2024•27 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Send us a text Are the days of affordable Australian wines numbered? Tune in to this episode of Wine with Meg and Mel as we uncover the seismic shifts in ownership shaking up the Australian wine industry. From Pernod Ricard passing its wine portfolio to Accolade Wines, to Treasury Wine Estates offloading well-known brands like Lindemans and Wolf Blass, the landscape is changing fast. We're also celebrating the stars of the 2025 Holiday Wine Awards! Plus, we'll share how Aldi UK's marketing magic...
Aug 22, 2024•28 min
Send us a text Ready to discover which country reigns supreme in our first-ever Wine Olympics? Join us as we pit iconic wines from four nations against each other. What meg's drinking: Vue on Halcyon Rose Andre Kientzler Gewurztraminer Osterberg $97 Tahbilk Marsanne 2016 $20 Southern Right Pinotage $60 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel $60 Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel...
Aug 15, 2024•31 min•Season 4Ep. 17
