Episode 36 - Lions, Leopards and Legs: Matt's Kruger Adventures and a Wembley Night with Harry Styles

In this episode of Cabernet Queens, Matt Morgan and Deb Lee are back together after a summer of adventures. Matt recounts his week in Kruger National Park in vivid detail - bush walks at sunrise and a giraffe encounter nobody saw coming.

Deb, meanwhile, has been to Wembley for Harry Styles, has strong opinions about the support act and is very much still on a high about it. There is also a mystery bottle, climate change, sour milk and the usual chaos. A proper Cabernet Queens episode.

Key Takeaways

The panorama route outside Kruger is non-negotiable.

Matt's first stop before heading into Kruger proper, the canyons and scenery left him genuinely speechless. For anyone planning a South Africa trip, he is emphatic - you just have to do it.

Deb found Harry Styles genuinely brilliant and would go again.

Not her usual musical territory, but an absolutely magnificent show by all accounts. Anya, their thirteen-year-old niece, had the time of her life at her first ever gig.

The one rule on a bush walk is the one you will most want to break.

Do not run. Everything in the bush will outrun you and everything will want to chase you if you do. The rangers say it every time for good reason.

This week's mystery bottle is one of the best they have had on the show.

From the first pour, both Matt and Deb agree it is just how a red wine should taste and smell. Beautifully wrapped by Jay, it goes down far too easily - and Matt gets the closest he has ever come to a perfect guess.

Key Moments

"He just put his hand up and everyone stopped. That's how it works in the bush."

"Just ignore the giraffe. I'm like - what giraffe?"

"He was just walking with such – I’m the dog's bollocks."

"I have just got that bang on. Chris Connolly, eat your heart out."

"It's not my usual listening area. But he was absolutely brilliant."

About Cabernet Queens

Cabernet Queens is the podcast where great wine meets even better stories. Each episode, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee uncork a mystery bottle, share travel tales and take listeners along for the ride.

Part wine show, part travel podcast, part catch-up between two brilliant friends - grab a glass and drink along.

How to Get in Touch

Follow Cabernet Queens and join the conversation:

Instagram: @cabernetqueens

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, leave a review and share it with your fellow wine and travel enthusiasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Cabernet Queens, Matt Morgan is thousands of miles from the usual setup - broadcasting live from Kruger Shalati, a Michelin-keyed lodge elevated over the Sabi River inside Kruger National Park, South Africa.

With Deb Lee back home and a stunning sunset over the bush, Matt is joined by Carmen, Sales Manager at Moths My Collection, and Tinashe Chirukure, resident sommelier at Kruger Shalati, for a three-wine tasting unlike anything the show has done before. Three South African bottles, all hidden in brown paper bags, a sommelier who grew up identifying fruit in his grandmother's garden in Zimbabwe, and a podcast that goes rather later into the evening than planned.

Key Takeaways

Kruger Shalati is unlike anywhere Matt has ever been on his travels.

Elevated directly over the Sabi River, with two Michelin Keys and its own sommelier, it is the kind of property that has to be seen to be believed - and Matt has promised the pictures on Instagram.

South African wine is barely represented in what reaches UK shelves.

Between tax, export logistics and the sheer exclusivity of the estates producing the best bottles, what most British wine drinkers know of South Africa is a fraction of what is actually out there.

The second wine sparks the most debate of the evening.

Both Matt and Carmen suspect Pinot Noir. Tinashe lets them go back and forth before revealing that the grape in the glass has a fascinating South African backstory rooted in a case of mistaken identity that lasted decades.

The third wine comes with one of the most famous names in South African history on the label.

An Italian cultivar, a story that neither guest sees coming, and a bottle that prompts the admission from Tinashe that the best wine is not always the most expensive one on the list.

Key Moments

"If it helps him become impartial with his sound judgement - I can do my job better with wine too."

"The wine they have in the stores is not the wine we actually have here. Don't judge us off that basis."

"Tea time, dinner time, anytime."

About Cabernet Queens

Cabernet Queens is the podcast where great wine meets even better stories. Each episode, hosts Matt Morgan and Deb Lee uncork a mystery bottle, share travel tales and take listeners along for the ride.

Part wine show, part travel podcast, part catch-up between two brilliant friends - grab a glass and drink along.

How to Get in Touch

Follow Cabernet Queens and join the conversation:

Instagram: @cabernetqueens

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, leave a review and share it with your fellow wine and travel enthusiasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Cabernet Queens, Matt is away, so Deb is joined by her best friend Jay to relive their unforgettable girls' holiday to Crete. As they taste a mystery wine, the conversation drifts from airport Prosecco and luxury boutique hotels to sourdough starters, delayed flights and a memorable encounter with cabin crew over some rather cheeky miniature bottles of wine. Full of laughter, friendship and travel mishaps, this episode perfectly captures the spirit of Cabernet Queens, great wine, brilliant stories and plenty of laughs along the way.

Friendship Makes the Holiday: Deb and Jay reflect on why travelling with the right person makes all the difference. Their shared sense of humour, relaxed attitude and ability to laugh through every setback turned an ordinary holiday into an unforgettable one.

The Best Trips Don't Need a Busy Itinerary: Rather than filling every day with excursions, the pair embraced slow travel—relaxing by the pool, enjoying exceptional food, reading books and making the most of their boutique hotel.

Travel Doesn't Always Go to Plan: Flight delays, airport chaos and an unexpected overnight hotel stay could have ruined the trip home, but choosing to laugh instead of complain became part of the adventure.

About the Hosts

Matt Morgan is a passionate travel specialist committed to turning your dream holidays into reality. Offering expert, impartial advice and 24/7 support, Matt ensures every step of your journey is stress-free. From crafting itineraries across all continents to arranging weddings, honeymoons, cruises, and city breaks, he handles every detail, including visas and check-ins. With strong industry relationships and ATOL protection, Matt delivers personalised, worry-free travel experiences tailored to your needs.

Find out more: https://luxurytravelexperts.co.uk/

Deb Lee is the owner of Aldridge Mortgage & Protection, a family-run business focused on helping clients achieve their property goals. From first-time buyers to seasoned investors, Deb offers tailored advice on purchasing, refinancing, and borrowing. Based in the West Midlands but serving clients nationwide, she provides flexible support through remote or face-to-face consultations. With a client-first approach and a passion for making the mortgage process simple and stress-free, Deb ensures her clients' property dreams become reality.

Find out more: https://aldridgemp.co.uk/

See the wine they drink and keep up to date with their adventures: https://www.instagram.com/cabernetqueens/

Get in touch with Cabernet Queens with any questions: cabernetqueens@gmail.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.