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.

In Episode 24 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia take a hard look behind the label of Spain’s most famous sparkling wine to discuss the mounting economic crisis facing the Cava industry. While consumers have long celebrated Cava as an affordable, high-quality alternative to Champagne, the reality on the ground in Penedès tells a much darker story. The duo breaks down the core forces driving the storm: severe overproduction, a dramatic collapse in grape prices that has left generational vine growers struggling to survive, and the tension between massive industrial production houses and small-batch quality producers. Together, Andrew and Lydia explore how rock-bottom grape pricing squeezes local farming communities, fuels grower strikes, and has driven a growing movement of premium winemakers to walk away from the Cava DO entirely in favor of alternative designations like Corpinnat. Grab a glass and join the conversation as the hosts pull back the curtain on the delicate economics of sparkling wine and discuss what this crisis means for the future of Spanish bubbles—and the bottles on your local wine shop shelf.

In Episode 23 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are keeping the late-summer momentum going as they wrap up the VDV Select August Wine Club with Part 2. Shifting gears from the crisp whites of the first half, the duo explores two distinctly fascinating, chillable pours that beautifully blur the lines between seasons. First in their glasses is the Fabulas "Fortitudo" Cerasuolo di Montepulciano, a deeply pigmented, structured Italian wine that sits right on the delicious boundary between a robust rosé and a light red. They unpack its vibrant cherry notes and refreshing acidity, explaining why it is the ultimate late-summer food wine. Next, they travel to the historic, old-vine vineyards of Chile to explore the fiercely traditional and highly crushable Lomas de Llahuen Gustavo Riffo Pipeño. Andrew and Lydia break down the rustic, earthy charm of this light-bodied, chill-ready red, proving it is the exact bottle you want in your cooler at an August barbecue. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with the back half of your August shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the ultimate guide to finishing the month strong.

In Episode 22 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are soaking up the final stretch of summer with Part 1 of the VDV Select August Wine Club. Join the duo as they pop the cork on the first half of this month’s four-bottle lineup, starting with the bright and alpine-fresh Alois Lageder Vigneti delle Dolomiti 'Misto Mare' Bianco. Together, they head to the stunning peaks of Northern Italy to explore how this crisp, aromatic white blend delivers the ultimate thirst-quenching energy for hot August afternoons. Next, they journey to the Loire Valley to pour the Domaine Maison Cheverny Blanc, breaking down how its classic, zesty marriage of Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay strikes a perfect balance of vibrant citrus and elegant texture. Whether you are already pulling the corks and tasting right along with your own August shipment, or listening leaves you inspired to officially join the wine club yourself, Andrew and Lydia serve up the perfect pours to keep you cool all month long.

In Episode 21 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are treating their palates to something decadent with a deep dive into the luscious world of dessert wines. Often misunderstood by modern drinkers as being simply "too sweet," the duo breaks down the fascinating science, extreme patience, and intensive labor required to craft these liquid gold pours. They explore the incredibly diverse methods winemakers use to naturally concentrate sugar and flavor—from the miraculous "noble rot" (botrytis) that gives us iconic wines like Sauternes and Tokaji, to the freezing temperatures required for Ice Wine, and the rich tradition of fortified favorites like Port. Along the way, Andrew and Lydia discuss the crucial secret weapon behind every great sweet wine—bright, balancing acidity—and share their favorite, sometimes unexpected, food pairings (hint: bring on the salty, blue cheese!). Whether you are a lifelong fan of a sticky nightcap or looking to expand your palate beyond dry wines, grab a glass and prepare to treat yourself to the ultimate after-dinner sip.

In Episode 20 of Thanks! It's Vintage, co-hosts Andrew and Lydia are tackling one of the most famous—and perhaps most polarizing—grapes in the entire wine world: Chardonnay. Often referred to as the ultimate "winemaker's canvas," this highly adaptable grape can take on wildly different personalities depending on where it is grown and how it is crafted in the cellar. The duo breaks down the full spectrum of Chardonnay styles, traveling from the razor-sharp, unoaked minerality of Chablis to the rich, buttery, and oak-driven classics of California. Along the way, they address the infamous "Anything But Chardonnay" (ABC) movement, explaining exactly where those polarizing butter and vanilla notes come from (hello, malolactic fermentation and new oak!) and why there is truly a style of this grape out there for every palate. Whether you are a lifelong fan of this versatile white or a skeptical drinker willing to give it a second chance, grab a glass as Andrew and Lydia pour out the history, science, and undeniable charm of the world's most planted white grape.