Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

What happens when you hand a sommelier a mystery glass and ask them to identify a world-class red wine — completely blind?
In this episode of Got Somme, we put the palate to the ultimate test with a stunning Rioja Gran Reserva 2016 that left us speechless (and one of us with actual goosebumps).
We got ours here: https://www.platinumfinewine.com.au/product/bodegas-lan-gran-reserva/

From deep ruby colour to lingering pencil-shaving tannins, this wine delivered layer after layer of complexity — black currant, black plum, truffle, leather, clove, nutmeg, star anise, and what our co-host could only describe as fresh pasta flour. The nose alone was worth the price of admission.

Was it Bordeaux? Was it Rioja? Tune in as we break down every clue, make the call, and reveal just how well a 10-year-old wine can hide its age.

Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
Region: Rioja, Spain
Variety: Tempranillo
Aging: Gran Reserva (60 months total — 24 months in oak, 24 months in bottle minimum)
Oak: French oak (modern style — not traditional American oak)

00:00 – The blind tasting begins — what's in the glass?
00:05 – Colour analysis: deep ruby, brick rim, high viscosity
00:30 – Aromas: black fruit, truffle, mushroom, leather, pencil shavings
01:04 – Oak influence: baking spices, cloves, nutmeg, star anise
01:57 – Palate: grippy tannins, medium-plus body, dry finish
03:00 – The debate: Bordeaux or Rioja?
04:46 – Making the call — Rioja Reserva 2020 (spoiler: wrong on both counts!)
05:06 – The reveal: Rioja Gran Reserva 2016
06:24 – Why this wine doesn't show its age
06:39 – Reserva vs Gran Reserva: what's the actual difference?
07:40 – Food pairing: rump steak, chips, and fresh bread

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Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe on YouTube — this extended tasting content is YouTube-exclusive! Instagram gets the highlights, but YouTube gets the full blind tasting experience.
Watch: https://youtu.be/YVeWLAxQScg
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Burgundy is home to some of the most expensive wines in the world. Bottles of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti can sell for more than $30,000, yet in this episode of Got Somme we’re tasting a Burgundy white wine for under $100.How is that possible?The answer lies in one of Burgundy’s most underrated grape varieties: Aligoté.In this episode, Angus and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take a deep dive into the forgotten sibling of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. While Burgundy is famous for its iconic Grand Cru wines, Aligoté has quietly existed in the region for centuries, often overlooked despite producing bright, mineral-driven wines with incredible value.Carlos explains why Aligoté is having a quiet renaissance among sommeliers and wine lovers around the world, and why this historic Burgundian grape could be your gateway into Burgundy without the Burgundy price tag.Along the way, we unpack the fascinating history of the grape, how it compares to Chardonnay and Chablis, and the surprising role Aligoté played in one of France’s most famous cocktails.If you’ve ever wondered whether there’s a hidden gem in Burgundy, this episode might change the way you buy wine.In this episode• Why Burgundy prices have exploded and what that means for wine lovers• The forgotten Burgundy grape most people overlook• The family tree of Burgundy grapes including Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Aligoté• Why Aligoté can offer incredible value compared with Chardonnay• The surprising story behind the famous Kir cocktail• How Aligoté compares to Chablis and Chenin Blanc• The tasting profile you should expect from a great Aligoté• Why sommeliers are rediscovering this grape• The foods that pair perfectly with AligotéWhat does Aligoté taste like?According to Master Sommelier Carlos Santos, great Aligoté wines typically show:• Bright citrus and tangerine peel• Crisp acidity• Green apple and mineral notes• A subtle saline character• Fresh, food-friendly structureIt often sits stylistically between Chablis and Chenin Blanc, making it an incredibly versatile wine at the table.Where is Aligoté grown?Aligoté is native to Burgundy, France, where it shares the same genetic roots as:• Chardonnay• Pinot Noir• GamayThe grape is traditionally grown across Burgundy, with the appellation Bouzeron dedicated entirely to Aligoté production.Food pairings for AligotéThanks to its high acidity and freshness, Aligoté pairs beautifully with:• Oysters• Lobster• Shellfish• White fish• Light butter sauces• Fresh seafood dishesBIG thanks to The French Wine Centre for providing the bottle 🙏🏼https://frenchwinecentre.com/Check out their AMAZING mixed 6 of French Reds for $250https://frenchwinecentre.com/collections/packs/products/issue-02-mixed-3-the-redsSponsor: RIEDELhttps://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller (Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off)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.

Blind wine tasting is brutal. Even for a Master Sommelier.
In this episode of Got Somme, Carlos blind tastes a vibrant, medium-ruby red wine and reads the clues as Pinot Noir: juicy cherry, raspberry, Christmas cake spice, fine tannins, elegant structure, and that “Old World on the palate, New World on the nose” tension.
But then comes the reveal.
It’s actually Gamay from Beechworth, Victoria, a 2024 release, and it happens to be one of Angus’ favourite wines of all time.

This is the whole point of blind tasting: you follow the evidence, you make the call, and sometimes the wine still stitches you up.

If you’re learning wine, love Pinot Noir, or want to understand how sommeliers think in real time, this one is for you.
How to identify red wine blind using colour, aroma, tannin and acid

Pinot Noir vs Gamay: the overlap that tricks even pros

What “fine-grain tannins” and “perfume” really mean in practice

Why some Gamay can present like high-level Pinot

Hosted by Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos, Got Somme makes wine more fun, practical and less precious. New episodes weekly.

Recorded at SESSION in PROGRESS studios.

We risked $1,700 worth of wine to answer one question: is expensive wine worth it?

In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Somm Carlos Santos open two Grand Cru Burgundies (around $800 a bottle) and taste them side by side.
No posturing, no wine snobbery, just an honest test of what you’re paying for when the label gets serious.
We talk:
- What “Grand Cru” actually means in Burgundy
- Why producers matter as much as terroir
- The difference between a great $30 bottle and an $800 bottle
- Whether expensive wine is “worth it” or just status
- How to find underrated regions that deliver insane value

BIG thanks to The French Wine Centre for providing the bottles 🙏🏼
https://frenchwinecentre.com/
Check out their AMAZING mixed 6 of French Reds for $250
https://frenchwinecentre.com/collections/packs/products/issue-02-mixed-3-the-reds
If you’ve ever wondered whether luxury wine is genuinely better, this is the episode.
Comment your next episode idea:
Do we go cheaper and find the best $20 bottle?
Or do we keep climbing and chase the next Burgundy benchmark?

Subscribe for more blind tastings, wine stories, and the unfiltered truth about what’s in the glass.
Chapters
00:00 We’re risking $1,700 on wine
00:24 The most expensive bottles we’ve had
01:18 What we’re drinking: Echezeaux + Clos de la Roche
03:17 How we got the bottles (French Wine Center)
04:22 Why Burgundy prices get insane
06:55 First smell: “This is incredible”
09:20 First sip and the tannin moment
12:33 Why you rarely drink Grand Cru
13:00 Switching to Clos de la Roche
14:54 The big question: is expensive wine worth it?
17:06 The real answer: story, value, perspective
18:14 What should we taste next?

Carlos analyses colour, aroma, acidity, texture and structure to identify a mystery white wine. From Albariño to Garganega to Rhône blends and Viognier, the clues stack up… until the reveal throws everything off.Blind tasting is one of the hardest skills in wine. Even for a Master Sommelier.If you love learning wine in a fun, practical way, this series will sharpen your palate and teach you how sommeliers actually think.WHAT YOU’LL LEARN• How sommeliers approach blind wine tasting• Key clues from colour, acidity and aroma• Albariño vs Viognier vs Rhône blends explained• Why light bubbles and texture matter• The biggest mistakes even pros makeRecorded at SESSION in PROGRESS studios in Melbourne.Wine: 'The Story' Marsanne Rousanne Viognier 2020https://www.instagram.com/storywines/WATCH NEXT• Blind Tasting Red Wine Challengehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4jBm8qOfgg&t=7s• Best Value Wines Under $30https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOIUiUNobKw&t=689sSUBSCRIBENew episodes every week.Subscribe for wine tips, blind tasting challenges and interviews with winemakers.