Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

SESSION in PROGRESS
  • 4.3 (14)
  • Food
  • Updated Biweekly

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. 6d ago

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. Apr 22

    $50 vs $150 vs $800 | Burgundy Pinot Noir

    What’s the real difference between a $50 bottle of Burgundy and an $800 one? In this episode of Got Somme, we do a sophisticated tasting with Master Sommelier Carlos Santos to break down three Pinot Noirs from Burgundy at completely different price points. This is not just about taste. It’s about rarity, terroir, production, and whether any of that actually shows up in the glass. We’re putting it to the test: • $50 Burgundy (entry-level) • $150 Village-level wine • $800 Grand Cru (Thanks to the https://frenchwinecentre.com/) And asking the question every wine drinker wants answered:Is expensive wine actually worth it? You’ll learn: - What you’re really paying for in high-end wine - The difference between Bourgogne, Village, and Grand Cru - How sommeliers think about value vs prestige Whether most people can actually taste the differenceIf you’ve ever stood in a bottle shop wondering where your money should go… this episode is for you. Glassware used: RIEDEL 'Performance' Pinot Noir Use code: GOTSOMME at check out for 25% off!https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop/performance/pinot-noir-68840006700:00 The question everyone asks about expensive wine 00:17 What you’re REALLY paying for beyond taste 00:24 $50 vs $150 vs $800 Burgundy explained 01:05 Is $50 wine even good value anymore? 02:22 Burgundy explained simply (appellations & quality tiers) 09:14 Master Sommelier tasting notes – $50 wine 11:01 First jump: $150 Burgundy 13:04 How sommeliers guide customers (without mentioning price) 16:08 Is 3x the price actually justified? 18:52 The $800 Grand Cru… worth it? 21:45 Why Grand Cru is so expensive (rarity explained) 24:22 Honest verdict: which one would we actually buy? 26:05 Final takeaway – quality vs price burgundy wine explained expensive wine vs cheap wine Pinot noir burgundy review grand cru wine meaning Bourgogne vs premier cru vs grand cru is expensive wine worth it wine tasting master sommelier wine price comparison best value wine burgundy why is burgundy wine expensive wine tasting, burgundy wine, pinot noir, expensive wine, cheap vs expensive wine, master sommelier, wine education, grand cru, wine review, wine podcast, wine comparison, luxury wine, wine value, terroir, french wine #Wine #Burgundy #PinotNoir #WineTasting #MasterSommelier #ExpensiveWine #WineEducation Welcome 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.

    27 min

  7. Apr 15

    Blind Wine Tasting Chaos: Pinot Grigio or Did We Completely Miss It?

    This starts as a structured blind tasting and slowly turns into a geography exam with wine in the middle. The wine shows clean fruit, floral lift, and chalky minerality. No oak. Medium-plus acidity. Everyone immediately starts narrowing the field like they’re 90% confident. Then the guesses begin: Pinot Grigio feels right. Grüner Veltliner is in the conversation. Verdejo gets a mention. Chablis gets a respectful exclusion. Every option feels correct… until it doesn’t. Eventually, after a few detours through Italy, Spain and Austria, the wine lands exactly where it probably should have all along: Gavi from Italy. Sponsor: RIEDEL https://www.riedel.com/en-au/ (Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off) Key Themes- Blind tasting confidence vs reality - How structured tasting still turns into educated guessing - Old World white wine confusion (in a fun way) - The moment logic meets ego in a glass of wine Even experienced tasters don’t “know” straight away. They eliminate, argue, reassess, and slowly corner the wine until it gives up its identity. Or in this case: until it quietly reveals itself as Gavi.

    6 min

  8. Apr 8

    Single Vineyard vs Estate Wine - Worth double the price?

    Why do some wines cost double or triple the price of others, even when they come from the same winery? In this episode of Got Somme, we explore the difference between estate wines and single vineyard wines using two Pinot Noirs from Paringa Estate in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula. Together with Master Sommelier Carlos Santos, we break down the real factors behind wine pricing including terroir, vine age, production size, scarcity and winemaking techniques. We reveal why some bottles command a much higher price and whether the difference is actually worth it in the glass. Sponsor: RIEDELhttps://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sor... (Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off) Along the way we explore: • What the term estate wine actually means• How single vineyard wines highlight terroir• Why older vines produce more concentrated grapes• The role of oak, ageing and production scale• Why wineries release estate wines earlier• Whether expensive wine truly tastes better We also compare two bottles side-by-side to see if the $150 single vineyard Pinot Noir really delivers a dramatically different experience from the $60 estate wine. If you've ever wondered whether price equals quality in wine, this episode will change how you shop for wine forever. • Estate wine vs single vineyard wine• Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula• How terroir influences wine flavour• Why older vines produce better wine• Wine pricing and scarcity explained• Oak ageing and winemaking techniques• How to judge whether an expensive wine is worth it 00:00 – $60 vs $150 Pinot Noir comparison00:28 – What “estate wine” actually means01:18 – Where estate wine grapes can come from03:06 – Why wineries produce estate wines04:47 – Scarcity and wine pricing explained05:50 – Why wineries release estate wines earlier07:58 – Tasting the $60 Pinot Noir09:34 – The $150 single vineyard wine10:13 – Vine age and concentration13:40 – Why great fruit matters in winemaking16:07 – Oak influence in wine17:38 – Is the $150 wine actually worth it?18:27 – The final verdict single vineyard wine, estate wine meaning, single vineyard vs estate wine, why wine is expensive, pinot noir mornington peninsula, wine terroir explained, vine age wine quality, master sommelier wine tasting, why some wines cost more, expensive wine vs cheap wine, wine education podcast

    21 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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