The Wined Up

The Wined Up

Drink More , Try More, Learn More - Two mates tasting, learning, and sharing their experiences with wine from an unapologetically unprofessional perspective.

  1. He Turned His Garage into a Winery (And Learned Fast) With James Follent

    2 DAYS AGO

    He Turned His Garage into a Winery (And Learned Fast) With James Follent

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Wined Up Podcast, we sit down with amateur winemaker James Follent to unpack what really happens when curiosity turns into a full-blown garage winery obsession. What started with buying wine for Qantas points somehow turned into hand-picking grapes, experimenting with sparkling Chardonnay, making raspberry mead, joining the Sydney Amateur Winemakers Club, and producing nearly 300 bottles of wine at home. Along the way, James shares the chaos, mistakes, and happy accidents that come with learning winemaking from scratch, including dropping 23 litres of Moscato all over the kitchen floor. This conversation dives into what home winemaking actually teaches you about wine. From fermentation and faults to sulphites, ageing, oxidation, vineyard challenges, and why cleaning might secretly be the most important skill in winemaking. If you’ve ever wondered whether making wine would completely change the way you drink it… this episode is for you. Whether you're into Australian wine, home fermentation, garage winemaking, cellar culture, wine education, or just love hearing passionate people obsess over their hobby, this episode captures the messy, fascinating side of wine that most people never see. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00:00 Introduction - Do You Really Understand Wine? 00:00:37 Meet James Fallon - Amateur Winemaker 00:01:08 Lord James & The Scottish Land Story 00:02:25 Icebreaker Questions 00:02:28 Most Memorable Wine Moment 00:04:24 Who Would You Share a Bottle With? 00:05:21 Food & Wine Pairing + Biggest Lesson 00:06:53 Bottling a Life Moment (2025) 00:08:24 James' Wine Journey Begins 00:11:23 From Drinking to Making Wine 00:12:11 Sydney Amateur Winemakers Club 00:19:25 Sparkling Chardonnay 2025 Tasting 00:22:00 Chateau Falon - Name & Story 00:24:32 How Winemaking Changed His Perspective 00:25:40 Regenerative & Biodynamic Viticulture 00:28:44 Vermentino Mudgee 2025 00:31:25 Winemaking Mistakes & Lessons 00:33:33 Garage Winemaking Setup 00:35:15 Oak, Blending & Experiments 00:38:28 Raspberry Mead Tasting & Story 00:43:10 Regenerative Farming Deep Dive 00:47:38 Merlot Cabernet Blend 00:50:30 Future Plans - Going Commercial? 00:55:57 Final Thoughts & The Joy of Winemaking 00:57:32 Where to Find James & The Club 00:58:25 Closing & Cheers 👉 Subscribe to @thewinedup and tell us below: Have you ever thought about making your own wine? Drop it in the comments 👇 Go check out James Follent and his journey with amateur wine making at https://chateaufollent.com.au/ and his insta https://www.instagram.com/j.fol/. Alternatively if you want to be pursue the journey yourself, check out the Sydney Amateur Winemakers Club https://www.sydneyawc.com/   🎙️ Clip from The Wined Up Podcast  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow us on Instagram @the.wined.up  🌐 Visit https://www.thewinedup.com.au 📩 info@thewinedup.com.au  We Drink. We Learn. We Connect. Drink Responsibly. 🍷 Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    59 min
  2. What Does 500 Years of Wine History Taste Like? With Roman Aujoulat from Chateau La Nerthe

    2 MAY

    What Does 500 Years of Wine History Taste Like? With Roman Aujoulat from Chateau La Nerthe

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Wined Up Podcast, we sit down with Roman Aujoulat from Château La Nerthe in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. One of the Rhône Valley’s most historic estates to unpack what tradition really means when you’re the next generation helping carry it forward.   Roman grew up in the Rhône surrounded by wine at the dinner table, but stepping into a role representing one of the region’s benchmark estates still came with challenge and trepidation. From that first emotional Loire Valley Chardonnay moment that pulled him into wine, to travelling the world pouring Châteauneuf-du-Pape in places like Sydney, this conversation moves between personal story and deep regional insight in the best possible way.  Along the way we explore why Châteauneuf-du-Pape allows up to 18 grape varieties, how blending gives growers freedom in a changing climate, and why Grenache still quietly shapes the identity of the region. Roman also shares the lesser-known history behind Château La Nerthe itself, including Roman amphitheatre stones hidden in the cellar walls and sealed wartime cellars rediscovered decades later.  We taste through Rhône whites, Beaujolais Gamay, Châteauneuf-du-Pape whites and mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds while talking about ageing windows, vintage expression, and what it means to evolve a historic estate without losing its soul.  ⏱️ Chapters  00:00 – “You don’t need to be a pro to enjoy wine” 00:00:18 – Ice Breaker  00:04:00 – What Châteauneuf-du-Pape pairs best with at the table  00:05:42 – First tasting: Rhône white blend from La Nerthe  00:08:02 – Growing up with wine in the Rhône Valley  00:10:00 – Getting the call to represent La Nerthe  00:10:36 – What makes Rhône… Rhône?  00:12:39 – Robert Parker and global fame for Châteauneuf-du-Pape  00:13:00 – Why Châteauneuf-du-Pape allows 13 (or 18) grapes  00:16:27 – Why vintage variation matters more than consistency here  00:17:03 – The Richard family story: wine in Paris 140 years ago  00:20:25 – Second tasting: Beaujolais Gamay surprise  00:23:59 – How Château La Nerthe survived five centuries  00:26:21 – Phylloxera, rootstocks and saving the vineyards  00:29:22 – Hidden Roman stones and sealed WWII cellar stories  00:34:54 – What goes into white Châteauneuf-du-Pape  00:36:18 – How white Rhône wines age (and when to drink them)  00:48:58 – Modern vs old-school La Nerthe winemaking styles  00:49:06 – Mature Châteauneuf-du-Pape reds and ageing windows  00:57:22 – Final reflections + visiting Château La Nerthe  👉 Subscribe to @thewinedup and tell us below:  What’s your favourite Châteauneuf-du-Pape? Drop it in the comments 👇  Go check out Chateau Le Nerthe   https://www.domainesrichard.fr/chateau-la-nerthe/en/  🎙️ Clip from The Wined Up Podcast  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow us on Instagram @the.win Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    58 min
  3. Is Self-Care an Ingredient in Making Wine? With Dan Eggleton from Ben Murray Wines

    18 APR

    Is Self-Care an Ingredient in Making Wine? With Dan Eggleton from Ben Murray Wines

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Wined Up Podcast, we sit down with Dan Eggleton from Ben Murray Wines in the Barossa to talk about something the wine world rarely talks about. The pressure behind the label, the reality facing boutique producers right now, and why sometimes stepping back is the bravest decision you can make. Dan shares what led him to pause a vintage after nearly 30 years of making wine, how health and timing collided with a tough season, and what it felt like emotionally to draw that line. There’s honesty here about identity, resilience, and what happens when passion and practicality start pulling in different directions. Along the way we taste through new-release Mataro from Marananga, talk Barossa sub-regions, vineyard expression, and why some grapes quietly disappear into blends instead of standing on their own. There’s also stories from the early Ben Murray days, the growers who shaped the journey, and a moment involving a 1943 Madeira that reminds you why wine matters in the first place. But more than anything, this episode opens up a bigger conversation — about mental health in agriculture, in wine, and in industries where people are expected to just keep pushing through. If you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind a vintage decision, this one’s worth settling in for. ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Preview  00:00:49 Intro - Is self-care an ingredient in making wine?  00:02:17 The Wined Up Ice Breaker with Dan Eggleton 00:06:19 Ben Murray Wines – New Releases  00:06:48 Why Ben Murray released a straight Mataro  00:09:15 What makes Marananga different in the Barossa  00:15:09 The decision not to make a vintage  00:17:00 When stepping back is harder than making wine  00:20:00 Why boutique winemakers across Australia are reassessing  00:30:20 Ben Murray Barossa and Marananga Shiraz 00:34:11 Mental Health and Mateship Breakfasts 00:47:33 What gives hope for the future of wine culture 00:49:51 Ben Murray Anima Grenache  00:54:48 Ben Murray Reserve Shiraz 👉 Subscribe to @thewinedup and tell us on what is your favourite Ben Murray wine? Have you reached out to your mate?  Drop it in the comments 👇 Go check out the Ben Murray wines at https://www.benmurraywines.com/ and if you are interested about the Mateship Breakfast, reach out to dan@benmurraywines.com  🎙️ Clip from The Wined Up Podcast  📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube or listen wherever you get your podcasts.  Follow us on Instagram @the.wined.up  🌐 Visit https://www.thewinedup.com.au 📩 info@thewinedup.com.au #benmurraywines #mentalhealth #mataro #shiraz #barossa #marananga #mateshipbreakfast #TheWinedUpPodcast #wedrinkwelearnweconnect We Drink. We Learn. We Connect. Drink Responsibly. 🍷 Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    58 min
  4. Inside the Story of IHANA with Valtteri Bottas & Corrina Wright

    4 APR

    Inside the Story of IHANA with Valtteri Bottas & Corrina Wright

    Send us Fan Mail This week on The Wined Up Podcast, we sit down with Valtteri Bottas — Formula 1 driver, wine lover, gin maker, coffee roaster, off-road adventurer… and yes, calendar model. We chat about how his partnership with Corrina Wright from Oliver’s Taranga led to the creation of IHANA. A wine that brings together Finnish spirit and McLaren Vale heart. We delve into the topics of:  ·       What is the Valtteri Bottas wine journey? ·       IHANA wine and what is it all about? ·       The overlaps and comparisons of F1 and wine worlds ·       Delve into the fascinating subject of mindset of 2 perfectionists at their own craft ·       We have fun with Finnish and Australian culture These interviews is what really fascinates me, the stories, the insights, the revelations, the deep thought and understanding of the people behind the wine.    Chapters   00:00 Preview  00:46 Intro 02:03 Valtteri Bottas Icebreaker questions 06:58 Corrina Wright’s Icebreaker questions 08:57 Where Valtteri’s wine journey began 10:18 Wine culture in Finland today 13:20 The origins of the Ihana collaboration 20:05 Why the wine is called “Ihana”  20:40 Working together as two perfectionists 27:20 The thought process of creating Ihana 29:20 The meaning of the label 33:00 Ihana Edition #3 35:50 The 1 percenters  40:20 Instinct vs Science 41:00 Flow state 45:30 The difference between good and great  48:30 Reflection 54:20 Finnish culture vs Australian culture  58:30 Finnish vs Australian Food 1:00:40 Lighting Round Questions 1:04:51 Final thoughts and messages for listeners   Subscribe to @thewinedup and comment on what was your favourite insight on Ihana and the podcast? Have you tried Ihana and was it ihana for you?  Check out the IHANA Wines at https://ihanawine.com/ and Oliver’s Taranga (https://www.oliverstaranga.com/)  Follow Us on Instagram (The.Wined.Up) or TikTok (@thewinedup).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au/ or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au. #valtteribottas #oliverstarranga #formula1 #ihana #ihanawine #cadillacf1 #TheWinedUpPodcast  Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    1hr 6min
  5. Why Australia should be curious about Swiss Wines?

    21 MAR

    Why Australia should be curious about Swiss Wines?

    Send us Fan Mail Taste the Mountains!!!  In this episode of The Wined Up Podcast, we sit down with Dan Sangermani from Invidia Wines and Ned Goodwin Master of Wine to explore a world most people don’t even realise exists… Swiss wine. When you think Switzerland, you think chocolate, watches, skiing… Not wine. This is because they only export 1 – 2% of their wine with the rest being kept to themselves! We can now discover the often hidden secret world of Swiss wines Join us via the liquid postcard, and visit Switzerland vicariously through the glass with us at The Wined Up.  ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro  00:34 Should we be envious of Swiss wines?  01:10 Why no one thinks about Swiss wine  02:00 Meet the guests (and the mission)  02:45 Icebreaker — most memorable wine moment  03:40 The last glass you had  04:10 Who would you share a bottle with?  05:10 The wine tied to regret and family  06:30 Unexpected food and wine pairings  07:20 Biggest lesson from wine  08:10 If your life was a vintage…  09:00 The trip that changed everything  10:30 A once-in-a-lifetime bottle  12:00 When wine and health collide  13:30 The reality of drinking professionally  15:30 Where the Swiss wine journey began  17:00 The wine that sparked everything  18:30 From curiosity to importing Swiss wine Subscribe to @thewinedup and comment on whether you have discovered Swiss wines? Or your Swiss adventure?  Go check out some Swiss wines at https://invidiawines.com/  Follow Us on Instagram (The.Wined.Up) or TikTok (@thewinedup).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au/ or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au. #NedGoodwinMW #InvidiaWines #Ticino #SwissWine #WineTalk #AffordableWine #TheWinedUpPodcast Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    1hr 11min
  6. Aldi Blackstone Wine: Hidden Gems or Just Cheap Bottles?

    7 MAR

    Aldi Blackstone Wine: Hidden Gems or Just Cheap Bottles?

    Send us Fan Mail Most of us love wine… but let’s be honest — not all of us can open $80 bottles every week.  So today on The Wined Up Podcast, we ask a question that’s probably crossed every wine drinker’s mind while walking past the supermarket aisle:  Is Aldi wine actually good value… or is it just cheap wine?  After seeing the hype online (and struggling to even find bottles because they kept selling out), Trent dives into Aldi’s Blackstone Paddock range — a lineup designed to deliver regional Australian styles without the usual price tag.  This isn’t a technical wine review.  It’s a real-world test: what happens when wine passion meets cost-of-living reality?  From a Margaret River Chardonnay to a Tasmanian Pinot Noir and a Barossa Shiraz, the goal is simple — figure out whether these wines genuinely punch above their weight and where they actually fit into everyday life.  Because sometimes the best wine isn’t the most expensive one… it’s the one that makes Tuesday night feel like Friday.  🍷 Key Moments  The real definition of “value wine” (not just cheap wine)Why rising costs are changing how we buy wineThe Aldi hype — and why bottles were selling out everywhereMargaret River Chardonnay first impressions + perfect food matchThe surprise standout: Tasmanian Pinot NoirBarossa Shiraz rethinking what supermarket Shiraz can beHonest pricing test: what these wines feel like they should costReal-life wine awards: weeknight, dinner party & best value winnerBlind-pour test — would friends guess the price? ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Aldi wine — value or just cheap? 00:05 The Wined Up intro + why this episode exists 00:45 Cost of living & redefining wine value 01:20 What the Blackstone range actually is 02:30 Margaret River Chardonnay tasting 04:30 Food pairing thinking in real time 05:00 Tasmanian Pinot Noir surprise 06:30 Why this Pinot overdelivers 07:00 Barossa Shiraz tasting 08:10 BBQ wine vs dinner party wine 09:00 Real-life wine awards 09:45 Final verdict: Aldi value test Subscribe to @thewinedup and comment on what’s the best value wine you’ve ever discovered? Follow Us on Instagram (The.Wined.Up) or TikTok (@thewinedup). Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au/ or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.   #aldiwines #blackstonewines #aldiaustralia #budgetwine #TheWinedUpPodcast #WineMoments #wineconversation #DrinkMoreTryMoreLearnMore     Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    10 min
  7. A $1000 Wine With a Golden Gaytime?! Merrick Watts Tries Château d’Yquem 😅🍦

    21 FEB

    A $1000 Wine With a Golden Gaytime?! Merrick Watts Tries Château d’Yquem 😅🍦

    Send us Fan Mail What’s the one wine you’d taste if you were on your deathbed? Merrick Watts got asked that exact question… and it kicked off a proper “we have to do this” moment on the pod. In this episode of The Wined Up, Merrick returns (yep — first guest back!) and we crack into Château d’Yquem (half-bottle, because… reality), talk why sweet wines get underrated, and then do the most Aussie pairing experiment imaginable: d’Yquem + a Golden Gaytime. We also get into Merrick’s Roman-inspired hydration drink Posca, why it exists, and why everyone should be drinking it!  We also dive into wine stories and memorable moments including: ● “Deathbed wine” question + why d’Yquem was Merrick’s pick  ● First smell, first sip: apricot, orange blossom, honey + that razor acidity  ● The real talk: is it worth the hype (and the price)?  ● Noble rot explained in normal-person language  ● The Golden Gaytime pairing test (and the honest verdict)  ● Why some wines are best by themselves at the end of the night ● Posca Hydrate: ancient Roman origins, modern hangover use ● The “I invented it” bar story (and no one believing him) ● Favourite Posca flavours + when Merrick drinks each one ● Rapid-fire Aussie ice cream “this or that” (Bubble O’Bill truth bomb) ● Merrick’s final message: try a wine you’ve dismissed (except… Sauvignon Blanc 😅) Drink more, try more, learn more. Like, comment, and subscribe. ✅ Chapters 00:00 Deathbed wine question: “one wine before you die”  00:00:17 Merrick intro + the $1000 d’Yquem plan  00:01:13 Why Merrick’s been chasing Château d’Yquem  00:02:56 Fast facts: Sauternes, noble rot, why it’s so famous  00:04:07 First reactions: aroma → taste (apricot + orange blossom)  00:06:44 Enter Posca: “a drink better than this” segway  00:07:11 What Posca is + Roman soldiers, vinegar, salt + water  00:09:32 Hangovers, hydration, and the Hadrian story  00:11:05 How Merrick built Posca (30–40 bad versions → fizzy = unlock)  00:12:37 Real-world use: 1am two cans after a few wines  00:13:08 People mixing Posca with vodka + “I invented it” moment  00:15:02 Best Posca flavours + why acid balance matters  00:16:31 Vinegar benefits, prebiotics + electrolytes  00:18:30 Favourite flavours + post-training routine  00:19:50 Golden Gaytime time 🍦  00:22:00 Does Gaytime + d’Yquem actually work? (verdict)  00:23:32 Ice cream this-or-that rapid fire  00:25:30 Final message + Sauvignon Blanc stray 😂  00:26:55 Where to find Merrick + Idiot’s Guide to Wine Vol. 3 + Posca Check out Merrick at https://grapesofmirth.com.au/ and also check out the Posca Hypertonic drink at https://poscahydrate.com/  Subscribe to @thewinedup and comment on what would you pair with Château d’Yquem (and do you reckon the Gaytime pairing is genius or chaos?). Follow Us on Inst Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    27 min
  8. Merrick Watts on Comedy, Discipline & Wine 🍷 | The untold side of Merrick Watts

    14 FEB

    Merrick Watts on Comedy, Discipline & Wine 🍷 | The untold side of Merrick Watts

    Send us Fan Mail Public speaking is humanity’s biggest fear — so why does Merrick Watts love stand-up comedy? In this episode of The Wined Up, we sit down with Australian comedian and wine enthusiast Merrick Watts to explore the mindset behind performance, the evolution of comedy in the social media era, and what real discipline looks like behind the scenes. We also dive into wine stories, including a memorable Rockford Black Shiraz moment, the evolution of An Idiot’s Guide to Wine Volume 3. Topics include: ●       Stand-up comedy and controlling fear ●       Wine tasting stories and rare bottles ●       Comedy vs social media creators ●       Discipline vs motivation ●       Stoicism and emotional control ●       Balancing multiple careers and projects   Drink more, try more, learn more. Like, comment, and subscribe. ✅ Chapters 00:00 Stand-up, fear & mindset  00:00:31 Merrick intro + $1000 d’Yquem challenge  00:02:24 Wine icebreakers + best wine moment  00:08:23 Idiot’s Guide to Wine Vol. 3  00:13:45 Comedy origins + influences  00:17:35 Social media vs real stand-up  00:24:02 Discipline, balance & routines  00:31:49 Stoicism, growth & rapid-fire Subscribe to @‌thewinedup and comment on what would you pair with some Frangos?  Follow Us on Instagram (The.Wined.Up) or TikTok (@thewinedup ). Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au/ or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.   #wine, #winetasting, #winepodcast, #merrickwatts, #standupcomedy, #australianpodcast, #chateaudyquem, #discipline, #stoicism, #mindset, #wineinterview, #goldengaytime, #thewinedup Follow Us on YouTube (@TheWinedUp), Instagram (The.Wined.Up), Tik Tok (@TheWinedUp), Spotify (The Wined Up), Amazon Music ( TheWinedUp), and Apple Podcasts (The Wined Up).  Visit our website https://www.thewinedup.com.au or email us at info@thewinedup.com.au.    Drink More, Try More, Learn More.

    39 min
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About

Drink More , Try More, Learn More - Two mates tasting, learning, and sharing their experiences with wine from an unapologetically unprofessional perspective.

Information

  • Creator
    The Wined Up
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Wined Up
  • Show Website
    The Wined Up

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