The Wine Animal Show

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• 2023 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay - https://wineanimal.com.au/products/20...

Can wine connoisseurs recognise an iconic Australian Chardonnay without seeing the label? At La Paulée, I put a group of wine connoisseur to the test with a blind tasting of the 2023 Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay from Margaret River.No labels, no hints, just what's in the glass!Can they identify the producer, region or even the wine itself? Watch as I challenge their palates and put their Chardonnay knowledge to the test.Would you recognise Leeuwin Art Series Chardonnay in a blind tasting? Let us know in the comments!

I headed to Gembrook Hill to catch up with Andrew Marks and explore over 40 years of family winemaking in the Yarra Valley. From award-winning Sauvignon Blanc to exceptional Pinot Noir, we dive into the vineyards, the stories behind the wines, and what makes Gembrook Hill so special. And yes, there's a bottle of JKM Pinot Noir I'm definitely not sharing!

I sat down with Gwyn Olsen from Henschke to taste three wines from the 2023 Legacy Collection: Tapas Shiraz, Keyneton Euphonium Shiraz Cabernet and Marble Angel Cabernet. We explore what makes each wine unique, why Keyneton Euphonium is such an important part of the Henschke story, and why you should drink wine when you enjoy it, not when someone else tells you to! We also talk Barossa terroir, trophy winning wines and the art of knowing when a bottle is ready to go.

I sat down with Gwyn Olsen, Senior Winemaker at Henschke, for a proper deep dive into wine, winemaking and what it really takes to judge a wine. We talk about her journey from university to Henschke, wine show judging, the AWAC, the legendary Len Evans Tutorial, and why not liking a wine doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad wine.

I cracked open the Blood of the Earth Mornington Peninsula Pinot Noir, a private label wine from Pinnacle Drinks, and tasted it completely fresh. Brambly fruit, cherries, raspberries and that unmistakable forest floor character, followed by good acid and surprising length. I reckon this is a seriously well made wine, and blind, I’d happily call it a banger.

I headed to Aldi with $30 and one mission: find out if you can actually get a decent bottle of wine for under $10. I tasted a French sparkling, a Clare Valley Riesling and a French Pinot Noir, with one of them turning out to be an absolute belter. From lime sherbet and racy acidity to crunchy Pinot and a surprisingly drinkable sparkler, here’s my honest take on what your $10 can get you. 🍷

I headed to the mighty Yarra Valley to taste Giant Steps' 2025 Single Vineyard Chardonnays with Mel and Mike. From Tarraford and Sexton to Applejack, Primavera and Bastard Hill, we explored what makes each vineyard unique. We also talked Australian Chardonnay, great bottles and why sometimes you just have to let the vineyard do its thing. And yes, there were dirty martinis, Dolly Parton and Chardonnay before lunchtime.

Brenden tastes through four 2024 Standish Shiraz wines from the Barossa and Eden Valleys, exploring their wildly different personalities, from bold and spicy to floral, fresh, and silky. Discover the standout characteristics of The Relic, Standish, Schubert Theorem, and Lamella, and find out which wines Brendan would drink now, cellar, or bring out to impress.

Step inside Mount Pleasant, one of Australia's most iconic wineries, and discover the legacy of Maurice O'Shea, century-old vineyards, and Chief Winemaker Adrian Sparks. From the birthplace of the Shiraz-Pinot blend to some of Australia's greatest wines, Brenden explores why Mount Pleasant continues to shape the future of Australian wine while honoring its remarkable past.

Ever wondered how great Champagne stays consistent year after year? In this deep dive with Hervé Dantan, we uncover the art of blending hundreds of wines, decades of reserve stocks, and multiple tastings to create a single bottle of Champagne Lanson Black Création. A fascinating look at why non-vintage Champagne may be the most challenging wine to make.