Send us a text

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 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

Send us a text

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 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 perception

If 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

Send us a text

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 less)
• The fermentation process naturally converts grape sugars into alcohol
• Laboratory testing confirmed the "zero-sugar" wines contained typical residual sugar levels
• The company's advertisements quote "Judith Smalls," a Master of Wine who doesn't exist
• The hosts found the wines extremely acidic and unpleasant despite premium pricing
• When questioned on social media about their claims, the company deleted comments
• Low-alcohol wines achieve their status through earlier grape picking, often sacrificing flavour
• Marketing terms like "clean," "natural," and "zero-sugar" are often misleading in the wine industry
• Higher quality wines focus on balance and flavour, not dubious health claims

Find out who Judith is! If you've encountered similar misleading wine marketing, we'd love to hear about it.

Follow us on instagram @winewithmegandmel