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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?).

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Drink More, Try More, Learn More.