Who am I meant to listen to? The truth about wine ratings with guests: Huon Hooke, Max Allen and Michael Anderson
Send us a textWine scoring systems have proliferated, leaving many consumers confused about who to trust when choosing their next bottle. We break down the differences between wine shows, critic ratings, classifications, and journalistic approaches to help you navigate the complex world of wine recommendations.• Wine shows use panels of expert judges who taste wines blind, scoring on a 100-point scale• Judges award bronze (85-89), silver (90-94), and gold (95+) medals based on technical merit• The Real Review groups wines by variety for comparative tasting, with critics having freedom to taste non-blind• Halliday Wine Companion uses regional specialists who focus on terroir-specific excellence• Langton's Classification is data-driven, ranking wines based on auction performance and collector demand• Wine writer Max Allen avoids scoring altogether, focusing on storytelling and context• Regional wine shows offer valuable insight into local specialties• Personal preferences should ultimately guide your wine choicesTo find wines you'll truly enjoy, consider which approach aligns with your own preferences and use these systems as helpful guides rather than definitive judgments.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel
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Wine Revelations: We geek out on the Endevour Report
Send us a textMeg 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 differencesFind the complete "State of Grapes" report online for more insights into Australia's wine consumption patterns.Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel
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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
The fun + frank podcast which helps you navigate the world of wine. Hosted by Australia's first female Master of Wine Meg Brodtmann, and self-titled Master of Sabrage Mel Gilcrist.
Australia