Wine with Meg + Mel

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We put goon on trial by tasting Bagnum versus a classic tap cask, blind, and learned just how easily packaging can mess with perception. Along the way we unpack why a Goon Bag can inflate (unintentionally, unlike Austin's high school pillows), what freshness really means in larger formats, and why the cheaper option can still be the best drink in the glass. 

• What counts as goon and why the tap matters 
• Bagnum versus cask pricing and how it plays out per bottle 
• The “inflated Bag” problem explained by CO2 and heat 
• Blind Sauvignon Blanc tasting WOW
Banrock Station Sauvignon Blanc
https://banrockstation.com.au/collections/our-wines/products/sauvignon-blanc-2l?variant=50397991698736

• Blind Shiraz tasting
WineSmith Shiraz 2025
https://www.winesmiths.com.au/premium-selection-shiraz-nv/RESSHI6.html

• Cost of goods in alternative packaging and why bigger is not always cheaper 
• Extraction, free run and pressings explained in plain language 
• Freshness tips for boxed wine and why retailer turnover matters 

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Listen next week as we tell you "what to buy when you're staring at a wall of WTF?!"

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We break down why hedge funds are shorting Treasury Wine Estates in plain language, explore how Victoria Wine posted a record year, and unpack Penfolds’ culture pivot with Troye Sivan and the switch from the Australian Open to F1. We close by mapping the new logic of event sponsorships and what authenticity now means for wine brands.

• How short selling works and why TWE is targeted
• Luxury strategy under China headwinds
• Why Victoria’s wine contribution hit records
• The role of exports, trade fairs, and funding
• Authenticity versus prestige for younger drinkers
• Penfolds x Troye Sivan collaboration strategy
• Shifting from AO/Melbourne Cup to F1 to reach new audiences
• De Bortoli at Melbourne Cup and brand stretch
• Sponsorship ROI, ethics, and audience fit
• Teaser for goon versus bagnums next week

Tune in next week for Goon Versus Bagnums!

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We test Thai favourites (roti with satay, pad Thai and green curry) against a tight wine list to find pairings that truly work. A skinsy white surprises with satay, Riesling shines with pad Thai, Moscato calms green curry, and a light red secretly turns up the heat.

We would love your feedback on this episode! 
Did you enjoy it, or do you want us to just shut up and keep giving you actual education about wine?

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What passes the Pub test?
Beyond catchy slogans and sleek aesthetics, where does alcohol marketing cross the line? We examine Australia’s ABAC standards through the lens of recent, real-world complaints. By breaking down which campaigns were cleared and which were banned, Mel takes us inside the alcohol marketing world and boy did we get an education!

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Forget everything you thought you knew about the Limestone Coast being "just for Cabernet." We’re following Meg’s week-long trek along South Australia’s wind-whipped shoreline to discover a region that’s cooling down and sharpening up. From the electric Blue Lake of Mount Gambier to the chalky soils of Robe and Cape Jaffa, we’re trading heavy reds for whites that speak with a bright, textural accent. It’s a coastal vibe where the air is crisp, the acids are zesty, and the Sauvignon Blanc actually tastes like an explosion of passionfruit and sea spray.
We’re stripping the ego out of the glass and getting into why "skin contact" is more than just a buzzword, it’s the secret to making a Riesling the ultimate partner for fatty sausages or miso veg. Along the way, we settle the ultimate dinner-party debate (yes, you do pronounce the ‘T’ in Moët) and celebrate the cellar door moments that actually stick—think dog treats, impromptu picnics, and which labels pair best with a bag of chips. Whether you’re a die-hard Cabernet fan or ready to join "Team Coastal White," this is your permission slip to explore the grippy, unpretentious, and slightly salty side of the southeast.
Wines Tasted
Wangolina Sauvignon Blanc 2025, $23.00
https://www.wangolina.com.au/wine/limestone-coast-sauvignon-blanc/57593/
Wangolina Original Semillon 2023, $35.00
https://www.wangolina.com.au/wine/the-originals-semillon/52892/
Patrick of Coonawarra Methode Skinny Riesling 2023, $32.00
https://patrickofcoonawarra.com/collections/all-wines/products/2023-methode-skinny-riesling-20-off
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