Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

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Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. We aim to educate you on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age. We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 

  1. 20 hrs ago

    Angus Tries a Portuguese Pinot Noir… and Becomes Public Enemy #1

    Carlos is back from Portugal with a tan, a cellar full of memories and a very rare bottle to share. In this episode of Got Somme, Angus and Carlos unpack Carlos’ recent trip home, from rediscovering beautifully evolved Portuguese wines from 2008 and 2014 to seeing how dramatically Portugal’s restaurant scene and wine culture have developed. They also settle a surprisingly heated Instagram debate about cork length, ageing wine in large-format bottles and why a shorter cork is not always a bad sign. Then comes the main event: a 600-bottle (total) Pinot Noir from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Carlos sees elegance, freshness and a fascinating expression of an international variety in one of Portugal’s most iconic wine regions. Angus? He is less convinced. Is it a brilliant, unexpected Pinot Noir, or simply a wine speaking a language your palate does not yet understand? Sponsor: RIEDEL Use code GOTSOMME or GOTSOMMENZ at checkout for 25% off RIEDEL Performance Pinot Noir glasses. Chapters: 00:00 – Carlos returns from Portugal01:06 – A look inside Carlos’ Portuguese cellar02:20 – Portugal’s evolving restaurant and wine scene04:25 – The Instagram controversy: why was the cork so short?05:20 – Cork length, oxygen and ageing large-format bottles07:46 – Opening a six-litre bottle for a family celebration08:17 – Introducing a rare Douro Valley Pinot Noir09:00 – Why Portuguese wine is built around native varieties10:42 – Douro’s extreme vineyard conditions11:32 – Angus gives the wine an honest review12:36 – When a wine “speaks Portuguese” to your palate13:56 – Only 600 bottles: is this Pinot Noir worth seeking out? Portuguese wine, Portugal Pinot Noir, Douro Valley wine, Douro Pinot Noir, rare wine, Portuguese wine regions, Carlos Santos, Got Somme, wine podcast Australia, Pinot Noir review, natural wine Portugal, Quinta de Toraj, Portuguese restaurants, wine cork length, large format wine bottles, RIEDEL Pinot Noir glass.

    15 min

  2. Jun 17

    The Impossible Blind Wine Tasting!

    In this episode of the Got Somme Blind Wine Series, Angus throws Carlos Santos, Master Sommelier, one of the hardest blind tastings yet. The twist? The wine is served in a fully blacked-out RIEDEL blind tasting glass, meaning Carlos can’t see the colour, viscosity or clarity. It could be Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Grüner Veltliner or even something completely unexpected. As Carlos works through the aromas, structure, acid, body and flavour profile, the wine starts to point in every direction at once. Fresh citrus, green apple, pear, almond shell, savoury texture and a salty finish all suggest a white wine, but the reveal leaves both Angus and Carlos genuinely stunned. The wine? Bianco di Merlot from Switzerland. Thanks https://invidiawines.com/ Yes, a white wine made from Merlot. This is one of the most surprising blind tastings we’ve done on Got Somme, and a perfect example of how much colour influences the way we assess wine. Episode Highlights - Angus introduces the RIEDEL black blind tasting glass - Carlos explains why colour is so important in blind wine tasting - The wine presents as fresh, citric and savoury - Carlos considers Chablis, Grüner Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Aligoté, Chasselas and Sylvaner - The reveal shocks both Angus and Carlos - Carlos explains why Bianco di Merlot would be almost impossible to identify blind Chapters 00:00 – “I didn’t even know this could happen” 00:07 – Blind wine tasting with a twist 00:17 – The RIEDEL blacked-out glass reveal 00:33 – Why colour matters in blind tasting 01:22 – Carlos begins assessing the wine 01:51 – First guesses: Chablis, Grüner Veltliner or Pinot Grigio? 02:32 – Angus admits he was way off 02:49 – Carlos narrows down the options 03:33 – The shocking wine reveal 03:38 – White Merlot from Switzerland 04:05 – How can Merlot become a white wine? 04:27 – Why this is an impossible blind tasting

    5 min

  3. Jun 10

    Australia's Most Underrated Wine Region?

    Everyone knows Margaret River. But just north of one of Australia's most famous wine regions sits Geographe — home to passionate growers, boutique producers and some of the country's best-value wines. After discovering a Geographe Chardonnay by chance, Angus found himself heading down a rabbit hole of wines from a region he'd barely explored before. A few weeks later, a chance meeting at the Good Food & Wine Show led to this conversation with Ryan from Aylesbury Estate. Joined by Master Sommelier Carlos Santos, the team explores what makes Geographe one of Australia's most exciting emerging wine regions. Stretching between Perth and Margaret River, Geographe combines coastal influence, elevated vineyard sites and a growing reputation for exceptional Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and alternative grape varieties. Ryan shares his family's 150-year farming story, explains why Geographe consistently overdelivers on value and discusses the collaborative spirit driving the region's future. Along the way, the team tastes wines from Aylesbury Estate, Willow Bridge Estate and Vineyard 28 while discussing why Australian wine lovers should be paying much closer attention to what's happening north of Margaret River. If you've never explored Geographe wines before, this episode might just convince you to start. Check out all the wineries (and visit them) here: https://www.geographewine.com.au/visit-our-region/ In this episode: 🍷 Why Geographe is different from Margaret River🍷 The rise of alternative grape varieties in Australia🍷 Why boutique producers are thriving🍷 Cabernet Sauvignon that truly tastes like Cabernet🍷 The incredible value hidden in lesser-known wine regions🍷 Why buying direct from producers matters more than ever🍷 The future of Australian wine Featured Producers & Wines • Aylesbury Estate• Willow Bridge Estate• Vineyard 28• Green Door Wines• Talisman Wines Chapters 00:00 Why Geographe Is Australia's Hidden Wine Gem02:02 Meeting Ryan From Aylesbury Estate03:37 Understanding The Geographe Wine Region06:00 A 150-Year Family Farming Story08:15 Why Boutique Producers Matter10:01 Geographe Chardonnay vs Margaret River Chardonnay12:09 The Wine That Stopped Us In Its Tracks13:49 Australian Nebbiolo Done Right16:05 Alternative Varieties Thriving In Geographe18:16 Terroir, Elevation & Vineyard Sites19:15 The Cabernet That Won Carlos Over22:09 Farming Cattle & Growing Grapes22:53 Why Geographe Offers Incredible Value24:05 Ryan's Favourite Wine From Aylesbury Estate24:39 Planning A Geographe Wine Trip25:58 The First Geographe Wine You Should Buy #GotSomme #AustralianWine #Geographe #MargaretRiver #WinePodcast #WineTasting #CabernetSauvignon #Chardonnay #Nebbiolo #WesternAustraliaWine #WineEducation #CarlosSantos #AylesburyEstate #WineTravel #WineLovers

    27 min

  4. May 27

    Is This the Hardest White Wine to Identify Blind?

    “The Wine That Fooled a Master Sommelier” | Pieropan Soave Blind Tasting In this episode of Got Somme Blind Wine Series, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos is put to the test with a blind white wine tasting that sends him across Spain before revealing an iconic Italian classic. From citrus and sea spray notes to debates around Albariño, Viognier and Riesling, this episode captures the chaos, confidence and humility of blind tasting at the highest level. What starts as a confident call for Rías Baixas Albariño ends with a surprise reveal: Pieropan Soave made from Garganega. Carlos breaks down the wine’s structure, aromatics, acidity and texture in real time, giving listeners an inside look at how Master Sommeliers think through a blind tasting grid. Along the way, he explores why certain wines can completely disguise themselves stylistically, and why Garganega continues to be one of Italy’s most underrated white grape varieties. This episode is a must-watch for wine lovers, sommeliers, hospitality professionals and anyone fascinated by blind tasting psychology. Glassware used: RIEDEL Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off!https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ Blind tasting an iconic Italian white wineWhy Carlos initially thought the wine was Albariño from SpainThe aromatics that pointed toward Viognier and tropical stylesHow texture and alcohol can alter acidity perceptionThe challenge of identifying Garganega blindWhy Pieropan remains one of Italy’s benchmark producersThe role structure plays in blind wine assessmentMaster Sommelier thought process in real time Got Somme, blind wine tasting, Master Sommelier blind tasting, Carlos Santos, Pieropan Soave, Garganega wine, Italian white wine, Albariño vs Garganega, wine podcast Australia, blind tasting challenge, Soave Classico, wine education podcast, white wine tasting notes, sommelier reacts, wine tasting breakdown, best Italian white wines

    4 min

  5. May 20

    The Rioja Carlos Calls “Iconic”

    What makes a wine truly iconic? In this episode of Got Somme, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and Angus O'Loughlin open a bottle from one of the most historic producers in Spain: López de Heredia. Founded more than 150 years ago, López de Heredia has become one of the defining names of traditional Rioja, holding onto old-school winemaking methods while much of the wine world chased trends. Carlos explains why this producer is considered one of the great benchmark wineries of the world, compares it to legendary Bordeaux estates, and reveals why he’s never had a bad bottle in 26 years of tasting wine professionally. Glassware used: RIEDEL Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off! https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ The conversation dives deep into: What makes traditional Rioja differentWhy American oak is central to classic Rioja characterThe history of Rioja during the phylloxera crisisWhy López de Heredia releases wines years later than most producersHow modern winemaking trends changed RiojaThe difference between Crianza, Reserva, and Gran ReservaWhy Carlos became genuinely offended when Angus questioned Rioja qualityThere’s also a fascinating breakdown of how French winemakers helped shape Rioja during the 1800s, why counterfeiting became a huge issue for historic Spanish producers, and what wine lovers should actually look for when identifying quality Rioja. If you’ve ever wondered why some wines become timeless while others chase trends, this episode is for you. 00:00 – “You can’t just call a wine iconic” 00:32 – Why López de Heredia matters 02:29 – The blind Rioja tasting that inspired this episode 03:39 – What traditional Rioja should taste like 06:40 – How phylloxera changed Spanish wine forever 08:24 – Why this producer never chased trends 10:27 – Angus questions Rioja pricing and quality 12:41 – Carlos explains what separates great Rioja 14:00 – Why López de Heredia releases wines so late 16:11 – Final thoughts on one of Rioja’s great producers

    17 min

  6. May 13

    Master Sommelier Thought This Australian Wine Was Bordeaux

    What happens when a Master Sommelier mistakes an Australian Merlot for Bordeaux? In this episode of Got Somme, Carlos Santos goes deep into a blind wine tasting challenge packed with blackcurrant, oak spice, massive confidence… and a few dramatic turns along the way. From “this is definitely Bordeaux” to correctly calling the grape, alcohol, and vintage, this blind tasting proves just how deceptive great wine can be. Expect chaos, elite palate breakdowns, wine education, and plenty of laughs as Carlos works through every clue in the glass. If you’ve ever wanted to understand how sommeliers actually taste wine blind, this episode is for you. Bottle: 2023 Summerfield Wines Merlot https://summerfieldwines.com.au/shop/merlot-2016/ Glassware used: RIEDEL Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off! https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ In This Episode How sommeliers analyse wine blindBreaking down tannins, alcohol, acidity, and oakWhy Merlot can taste like BordeauxThe difference between Old World vs New World wine stylesBlind tasting pressure and deductionSummerfield Wines surprising a Master SommelierBlackcurrant, Ribena, spice, oak, and structure explained“Can confirm it’s not Chardonnay.”“There’s definitely engineered oak.”“Merlot from Bordeaux… some sort of Bordeaux AOC.”“You got the vintage, alcohol, and grape variety right.”“We’re gonna f*** the box. Gotta grab the grape.” Blind wine tasting, Master Sommelier, Merlot tasting, Bordeaux vs Australian wine, wine podcast Australia, GOT SOMME podcast, Carlos Santos, blind tasting challenge, wine education, Merlot vs Bordeaux, wine tasting notes, best wine podcasts, wine expert reacts, sommelier challenge, Australian Merlot, Summerfield Wines

    4 min

  7. May 6

    "One of the BEST White Wines in the World"

    A Master Sommelier gives Angus a bottle he only gifts to close friends… and it turns into one of the most fascinating white wine episodes we’ve ever recorded.Carlos Santos introduces us to Condrieu, one of France’s most premium white wine regions, made exclusively from Viognier. Once nearly extinct, this grape is now producing some of the richest, most textural and most underrated white wines in the world. Bottle: 2018 Yves Cuilleron Condrieu ‘Les Chaillets’ Viognier Vieilles Vignes Glassware used: RIEDEL Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off! https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ We break down: - Why Condrieu is so expensive - Why Viognier nearly disappeared - How to blind taste Viognier - Why this 2018 bottle still tastes young - The perfect food pairing (Murray cod + butter sauce) - Carlos ranks Viognier in his top white grape varieties If you love Chardonnay, Chablis, Albariño or discovering hidden gems, this episode is for you. Subscribe for weekly wine episodes with a Nuffy and a Master Sommelier. #WinePodcast #Condrieu #Viognier #WhiteWine #WineTasting #GotSomme #FrenchWine #MasterSommelier #WineEducation Chapter Timestamps 00:00 The bottle Carlos only gifts friends 01:20 Why this wine nearly went extinct 03:00 What is Condrieu? 04:45 Condrieu vs Viognier explained 06:50 Why Condrieu is expensive 08:45 Can white wine age properly? 10:45 How to blind taste Viognier 12:50 Is Viognier beginner friendly? 15:55 Why Carlos gifted Angus this bottle 17:00 Best food pairing for Condrieu 20:45 Carlos ranks Viognier top 5 21:35 Final thoughts Got Somme, Condrieu wine, Viognier wine, best white wines France, premium white wine, French white wine explained, wine podcast Australia, Carlos Santos sommelier, blind tasting wine, Northern Rhone wine, luxury white wineWelcome to Got Somme, the ultimate wine podcast where Master Sommeliers and wine experts share their tips, blind tasting challenges, and insider knowledge from vineyards around the world. Whether you’re a wine beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, we explore everything from wine education and wine tasting techniques to sparkling wines, red vs white, and the best wines under $30.Subscribe for weekly episodes and join us as we taste, learn, and uncover the stories behind your favourite wines. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their wine knowledge, discover new wine regions, or just enjoy a fun, educational chat about wine.

    18 min

  8. Apr 29

    The Bottle That Outsmarted a Master Sommelier

    In this episode of Got Somme, the boys put wine knowledge to the ultimate test with another instalment of the Blind Wine Tasting Series. Carlos goes in blind with only the glass in front of him, breaking down colour, aroma, structure, tannin, alcohol and region clues in real time. What follows is a fascinating look inside the mind of a Master Sommelier as he narrows down possibilities across Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece and France before making his final call. From volatile acidity and jammy red fruit notes to debates around Grenache, Xinomavro and Mediterranean climates, this episode is equal parts education, entertainment and pressure. Then comes the reveal. Did Carlos nail it, or did the wine win? If you love blind tasting, wine education, sommelier reactions or simply watching experts under pressure, this one is for you. In This Episode:- How sommeliers analyse wine blind - Why alcohol, acidity and tannin matter - Carlos rules out Italy, Spain and Portugal - The Greek wine curveball- Why Grenache can be deceptive in blind tastings - The final reveal and reaction Glassware used: RIEDEL Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off! https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ Blind wine tasting, Master Sommelier challenge, Grenache blends, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Xinomavro, Mediterranean wines, tasting notes, wine education, sommelier skills, how to taste wine.

    7 min
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Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. We aim to educate you on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age. We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 

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