The Wine Animal Show
Welcome to the Wine Animal Podcast, where wine, stories, and good company collide. Hosted by Brenden the Wine Animal, each episode uncorks the people and passions behind the bottles; from legendary winemakers to local legends. Expect honest chats, wild stories, and plenty of laughs. If you love wine and the characters who make it, pour yourself a glass and join the jungle.
Episodes
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.
For over 70 years, Wynns Coonawarra Estate has helped define Australian Cabernet Sauvignon. In this episode, we explore the history, legacy, and enduring appeal of one of the country's most iconic wine producers.
Wine Animal visits McGill Wines in the heart of the Barossa Valley to explore a unique passion project built around estate-grown wines, one-litre bottles, and unforgettable vineyard stays. From sunset views and old vines to Shiraz, Cabernet, and Nero d’Avola, this is a deep dive into boutique Barossa wine culture done differently.
Master of Wine David LeMire joins Wine Animal for a deep dive into Tolpuddle Vineyard, Tasmania’s iconic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer. From the challenge of earning the Master of Wine title to the philosophy behind one of Australia’s most respected wine labels, this episode explores terroir, tasting, vintage evolution, and what makes Tolpuddle wines so unforgettable.
From bottle shops to global wine authority, Erin Larkin joins The Wine Animal for a deep dive into Australian Chardonnay, wine criticism, and what truly defines great wine.
Brenno and Erin Larkin unpack one of Australia’s most iconic wines, Leeuwin Estate Art Series Chardonnay.
From the exceptional 2023 vintage to the discipline behind its timeless style, this conversation explores why some wines transcend trends and only get better with time.
A blind wine tasting between friends quickly turns into a battle of instinct, ego, and experience. With no labels and no hints, every guess relies purely on what’s in the glass, and that’s where things start to unravel.
Watch as confident calls shift, assumptions get challenged, and subtle flavor cues lead both tasters down completely different paths. It’s a raw, honest look at how even seasoned wine lovers can be ...
Brenno sits down with Dan Eggleton of Ben Murray Wines for a conversation that goes far deeper than wine.
After tragedy in the Barossa community, Dan started a simple monthly breakfast, bacon, eggs and coffee, creating a space where growers, winemakers and locals can talk openly and support each other.
This episode explores the pressures of rural life, the importance of mateship, and why sometimes a simple conversation can make all t...
Mount Edelstone, raw, uncut, and standing among 113-year-old vines.
In this episode, we step into one of Australia’s most historic single-vineyard Shiraz sites. From deep red-brown soils and mass selection blocks to rocket-scientist trellising and meticulous vine management, this is viticulture at its most detailed and deliberate.
We taste the 2021 Mount Edelstone in the vineyard itself and explore how it differs from Hill of G...
Meursault is one of Burgundy’s most revered names, yet it holds no Grand Cru vineyards. So the question is… does it even need them?
In this episode, we sit down with Alex Rougeot, whose family history in Meursault stretches back generations. We explore soils, elevation, microclimates, and the producers whose wines command extraordinary prices, unpacking what truly gives this appellation its power.
A deep dive into pedigr...
Standing among 150-year-old Shiraz vines in Eden Valley, Stephen Henschke shares the story of migration, faith, farming, and family that shaped one of Australia’s most iconic wines. We explore vineyard orientation, Easter harvests, screwcap philosophy, and what makes this site so singular.
A conversation about legacy, longevity, and the responsibility of custodianship.
From Sauternes inspiration to the science of botrytis, we unpack how humidity, timing and noble rot create remarkable concentration and freshness. With more than 182 trophies to its name, this isn’t just dessert wine, it’s heritage in a glass.
We also explore ageing potential, closure choices, and why the best sweet wines are always about balance, not sugar.
From a quiet Adelaide Hills winery to more than sixty years of lived experience, this episode explores the philosophy behind Riposte and a winemaker who has seen every side of the craft. It’s a story built on observation, patience, and the belief that the most important decisions happen long before the grapes reach the winery
Tim reflects on 64 consecutive vintages, unpacking the realities of cold-climate growing, vineyard sel...
From Prussian roots to Eden Valley icon, this episode dives deep into the Henschke family story: a legacy shaped by six generations, relentless attention to detail, and an unwavering belief that great wine is built in the vineyard, not manufactured in the winery.
Stephen Henschke shares the journey from forced migration to farming some of Australia’s most important vineyards, exploring soil science, old vines, Riesling, Shiraz...
In this episode, I sit down with Gords from 1683 Wines, a genuinely global winemaker whose journey runs from France to New York, Japan, Australia, Burgundy and finally Margaret River.We talk about:* Why copying Bordeaux or Burgundy misses the point* Cabernet Franc and Malbec as serious Margaret River wines* What “sense of place” actually means (and why it’s often lost)* Old world prestige vs new world reality* Why...
Back at De Bortoli in the heart of the Yarra Valley, I sit down with Jai and Kate to talk vineyards, vintages, and where Australian wine is heading next.
From old-vine Chardonnay planted in the 1970s to the growing case for Gamay as a future-proof variety, this episode dives into:
* Why Gamay is ripening later, holding acidity, and winning hearts
* The difference between Upper and Lower Yarra, beyond just altitude
* Old vines, new vess...
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