Co-hosts Andrew and Lydia unpack the mounting crisis currently gripping one of the world's most famous wine-producing regions, and the unprecedented government response it just triggered. Facing a perfect storm of global oversupply, collapsing grape prices, and shifting consumer trends, the South Australian government has stepped in with a staggering $109 million (AUD) support package.

The duo breaks down exactly what this historic September 2026 lifeline entails, focusing on the jaw-dropping reality that the bulk of the funding (a $100 million loan scheme) is actually designed to help struggling grape growers transition out of the industry entirely by pulling up unviable vines. They also discuss the startling context behind the bailout: the 2026 South Australian wine grape harvest was the smallest reported crush since the year 2000, yet the regional surplus remains severe.

Andrew and Lydia explore the roots of this oversupply, what it means for the future of iconic regions like the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale, and how this state-level intervention is sparking industry calls for nationwide federal action. Grab a glass and join the conversation as the hosts decode the harsh economic realities of the global wine trade and what it ultimately means for the price and availability of your favorite Aussie pours.

In Episode 26 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are tackling the unprecedented news coming straight out of France's most prestigious sparkling wine region. The 2026 Champagne harvest hasn't just broken records with its historically early start in August; it has fundamentally challenged the very chemistry of the region's famous bubbly. The duo breaks down how a brutal string of summer heatwaves and drought sent grape sugars skyrocketing, forcing French regulators to grant a temporary, historic exception allowing some 2026 Champagnes to reach up to 15% ABV. Andrew and Lydia unpack what this massive shift means for the traditionally crisp, low-alcohol profile of Champagne, how winemakers are scrambling to use reserve blends to keep their cuvées balanced, and whether these intensely ripe, low-yield grapes will ultimately produce highly coveted single-vintage bottles. Whether you're worried about your favorite celebration pour getting a little too boozy or fascinated by how a changing climate is actively reshaping traditional winemaking, grab a glass and join the conversation as the hosts explore what this exceptional vintage means for the future of bubbles.

Co-hosts Andrew and Lydia return to the biggest industry shakeup of the year as the Michelin Guide officially drops its highly anticipated "Michelin Grapes" ratings for Bordeaux. A region famously anchored to its historic 1855 Classification is suddenly facing a brand-new hierarchy, and the results are stirring up plenty of drama on both the Left and Right Banks. The duo pours over the freshly released list, breaking down the biggest shocks and triumphs of the inaugural Bordeaux guide. They explore which iconic estates secured the ultimate Three Grape honor, the unexpected rising stars that snagged One and Two Grapes, and who successfully rounded out the entry-level Recommended tier. But perhaps the juiciest part of the conversation? Andrew and Lydia unpack the jaw-dropping snubs—the legendary, blue-chip châteaux that mysteriously missed the cut altogether. Whether you are a die-hard Bordeaux collector or just here for the wine world gossip, grab a glass and tune in as the hosts dissect what these new ratings mean for the future of France's most famous, and heavily structured, wine region.