Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

“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 wine
Why Carlos initially thought the wine was Albariño from Spain
The aromatics that pointed toward Viognier and tropical styles
How texture and alcohol can alter acidity perception
The challenge of identifying Garganega blind
Why Pieropan remains one of Italy’s benchmark producers
The role structure plays in blind wine assessment
Master Sommelier thought process in real time

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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 different
Why American oak is central to classic Rioja character
The history of Rioja during the phylloxera crisis
Why López de Heredia releases wines years later than most producers
How modern winemaking trends changed Rioja
The difference between Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva
Why Carlos became genuinely offended when Angus questioned Rioja quality
There’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

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 blind
Breaking down tannins, alcohol, acidity, and oak
Why Merlot can taste like Bordeaux
The difference between Old World vs New World wine styles
Blind tasting pressure and deduction
Summerfield Wines surprising a Master Sommelier
Blackcurrant, 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.”

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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.

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.