Wine with Meg + Mel

• The Nebbiolo Episode: Australia vs Italy

  Send us a textIt 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 dishesFollow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel

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• Varietals you’ve never heard of

  Send us a textMeg 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 pomegranateWe'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.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel

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• Behind the Scenes of the Sydney Royal Wine Show with Angus Barnes

  Send us a textAngus 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 yearJoin 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.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel

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• JUST IN! We taste the seriously amazing Sydney Royal Wine Show Winners

  Send us a textEver 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.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel

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• Grape Identity Crisis: Shiraz v Syrah

  Send us a textProducer 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 spicy character with crunchy red fruits• Spinifex Barossa Syrah surprises with its true Syrah style despite coming from a warm region traditionally known for bold Shiraz• McLaren Vale "Syrah" disappoints by presenting classic Shiraz characteristics despite its French naming• Classic Barossa Shiraz from Greenock Creek delivers on all expectations with rich jammy fruit, oak influence, and aging potential• Serving temperature significantly impacts how these wines present, with cooler temperatures helping manage alcohol perceptionIf you enjoy exploring regional wine variations, try our recommended Spinifex Syrah from Barossa Valley ($30) for an exceptional value wine that delivers true Syrah character with Australian flair.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel

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