An Aussie Châteauneuf-du-Pape
2006 Charles Melton, Nine Popes, Barossa Valley, South Australia (£24.95, Philglas & Swiggot, 020-7924 4494; Bennetts Fine Wines, 01386-840392; Hanging Ditch, 0161-832 8222; Rannoch Scott Wines, 01787-281944; Harrogate Fine Wine Co, 01423-522270).
Charlie Melton launched his first ever vintage of Nine Popes live on air, on the old GLR 94.9FM radio station, during a wine slot that I used to host every week in the late eighties.
A hilarious moment came when I asked him how he came up with the name for the wine. He looked at me oddly and nudged me in the ribs and said "You know, Jukesy, Châteauneuf-du-Pape!" I spluttered and replied, "Charlie, that means the new Château of the Pope, not the Nine Popes!"
Well, bearing in mind the recent furores at the BBC over blue language on air, Charlie's Anglo-Saxon expletive was lucky not to send the entire studio up in flames. Thankfully, we were all laughing so much that not one complaint came in. 2006 is the best vintage of this grenache/shiraz wine (modelled on the aforementioned Southern Rhône classic) in ages.
• Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition's Communicator of the Year.