The Chronicle
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110 results across all types
podcast· 16:21Should You Drink That 'Old' Bottle Now?
What happens when four Australian Cabernet wines from the same vintage, stored in the same cellar for 30 years, are opened and tasted blind? \In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos taste a flight of 1996 Australian wines from four different states: New South Wales, Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia. The lineup includes two celebrated Australian producers and two lesser-known challengers. But when the bottles are revealed, reputation counts for nothing. Carlos explains how to store wine correctly, why old corks can disintegrate, how oxygen affects ageing and the signs that a mature wine may be approaching the end of its drinking window. The pair also explore the tobacco, cedar, leather, dried fruit and cigar-box characters that develop as Cabernet ages. Which Australian wine region produced the best-performing 1996 Cabernet? And should you open that old bottle sitting in your cellar before it is too late? Thank you to Mark Dietz f
- podcast· 15:29
100-Year-Old Wine: Poison or Perfect?
Angus thought he had spent $450 on a bottle of wine from 1927. Then Master Sommelier Carlos Santos revealed that the label did not tell the whole story. In this episode of Got Somme , Angus and Carlos open a rare Seppeltsfield 1927 Para Liqueur Tawny and investigate what the date on the bottle actually means. Is the wine genuinely almost 100 years old, or does it contain only a small portion of wine from 1927? Carlos explains how these historic Australian fortified wines were blended, why the year represented the oldest component in the bottle and how ageing in oak transforms a dark red wine into an intensely concentrated Tawny. They also explore the difference between Tawny and Ruby fortified wines, how long an opened bottle can last, the best temperature for serving fortified wine and what food you should pair with it. Was this historic bottle worth $450? Watch until the end for Angus and Carlos’ verdict. What “1927” actually means on a bottle of Para Liqueur Tawny Whether this wine
- podcast· 13:45
We Travelled 17,000km for This Moment
Got Somme has gone global! After being nominated in two categories at the 2026 67 Pall Mall Wine Communicator Awards, Angus flies from Melbourne to London to find out whether Got Somme can take home an international award. Before the winners are announced, we explore London’s incredible wine culture, beginning at Ye Olde Wine Shades, one of the city’s oldest and most historic wine bars. Angus tastes grower Champagne from a traditional pewter tankard and pairs classic British dishes with wines from England, France, South Africa and Spain. From English sparkling wine with fish and chips to Chardonnay with a Scotch egg, Grenache with bangers and mash, and Port with Stilton, this might be the most British wine tasting Got Somme has ever attempted. We also receive special access to 67 Pall Mall for a conversation with founder and CEO Grant Ashton. Grant shares his plans for 67 Pall Mall Melbourne, the challenges of importing international wine into Australia and why Australian wine deserves
- podcast· 31:19
I Bought 12 Bottles After One Sip of This $28 Wine
What if your new favourite Australian wine came from a region you have never heard of and cost less than $30? Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos are joined by winemaker Andrew Dawson from Yeah Wine to explore Blackwood Valley, one of Western Australia’s most exciting and overlooked wine regions. Nestled inland from Margaret River, Blackwood Valley is home to family-run vineyards, rolling hills and a distinctive continental climate that produces beautifully expressive Chardonnay, Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, without the premium price tag. The conversation begins with a 2023 Whimwood Estate Chardonnay so good Angus ordered 12 bottles. Hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in French oak, this impressive Blackwood Valley wine is crafted using techniques commonly associated with much more expensive Chardonnay. From there, the trio tastes Beulah Wines’ 2023 Shiraz, a bright, medium-bodied expression grown by the Nield family, before discovering Andrew’s Ye
- podcast· 19:46
Only 24 bottles off this wine exist in the WORLD!
There were only 24 bottles of this rare Swiss wine left in the world. Then Angus and Carlos opened one.In this episode of Got Somme, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and Angus O’Loughlin explore the fascinating world of rare and allocated wines. Does limited production genuinely signal exceptional quality, or is scarcity sometimes little more than a clever sales technique designed to create FOMO? Carlos reveals how wine allocations work inside the world’s best restaurants, including why venues may receive only one or two bottles of legendary wines such as Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. He also explains how relationships with distributors, purchasing history and global demand determine who gets access to the most sought-after bottles. The pair then taste an experimental Swiss Merlot from Ticino, supplied by Daniel of Invidia Wines. With the winemaker having passed away and production ending, this bottle represents a genuinely finite piece of Swiss winemaking history. https://invidiawines.co
- podcast· 6:42
He called the Grape, Vintage and Alcohol blind! | Master Sommelier
Can Master Sommelier Carlos Santos identify an Australian Sauvignon Blanc completely blind? In this episode of the Got Somme Blind Wine Tasting Series , Angus O’Loughlin pours Carlos a youthful and aromatic white wine filled with classic Sauvignon Blanc characteristics. Carlos immediately discovers a pale straw colour, slight spritz and a pungent nose packed with asparagus, gooseberry, green apple, lemon and passionfruit. On the palate, he finds high acidity, warm alcohol, savoury notes and no obvious oak influence. He correctly identifies the grape variety, vintage and almost the exact alcohol percentage, but can he identify where in Australia it was produced? The wine is revealed as the 2025 Bunderra Estate Sauvignon Blanc from Blackwood Valley, Western Australia . Angus and Carlos compare the wine with the more intensely aromatic Sauvignon Blanc styles of Marlborough, the mineral and restrained wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, and the Bordeaux-inspired Sauvignon Blanc blends comm
- podcast· 30:47
Gary Vee Predicts the Future of Wine
Before Gary Vaynerchuk became known around the world as GaryVee, he built his first audience talking about wine. In this special episode of Got Somme, Gary returns to his roots for a conversation with Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos about wine, business, collecting and where the global wine market could be heading next. Gary explains why he believes wine buyers currently have more power than producers, with oversupply creating extraordinary opportunities to purchase premium bottles for a fraction of their traditional prices. He reveals the remarkable deals he is seeing from Australia and New Zealand, including Barossa Shiraz, Margaret River Chardonnay and Central Otago Pinot Noir, and explains why this could be one of the greatest wine-buying periods he has experienced in 35 years. Gary predicts that blockchain technology could allow collectors to buy, sell and trade ownership of physical bottles without repeatedly moving them between warehouses. The wine could rema
- podcast· 17:37
The BEST Shiraz in the WORLD 🌍
Is The Standish Wine Company producing the best Shiraz in Australia, and potentially the world? In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos taste two extraordinary Australian Shiraz wines: the highly acclaimed Standish Lamella and the exceptionally rare Andelmonde. Andelmonde has returned after a six-year absence and was only available to customers who purchased the entire Standish collection. With tiny production numbers, immediate sell-outs and two 100-point wines in the range, these bottles have become some of the most difficult Australian wines to find. Carlos breaks down the intense floral aromas, violet, lavender, dark fruit, chocolate, spice, graphite, acidity and fine-grained tannins found across both wines. The pair also discuss how long these powerful Barossa and Eden Valley Shiraz wines could age, why Standish wines benefit from being opened well in advance and whether decanting can unlock their full potential. They also compare the expe
- podcast· 36:43· S4E24
Why Your Wine Might Taste Worse At Home
In this episode of Got Somme, Angus and Carlos are joined by Mark Baulderstone from RIEDEL Australia and New Zealand for a full glassware masterclass. Same wine. Three different glasses. Completely different results. Mark takes us through the philosophy behind varietal-specific glassware, why the right glass acts as the “translator” between the winemaker and the drinker, and how shape, height, rim diameter and design can change the way a wine smells, tastes and feels. We also explore the new RIEDEL Manufaktur range, a handmade collection that celebrates craft, function and the beauty of imperfection. Shop the RIEDEL Manufaktur range here: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/collections/riedel-manufaktur Australian listeners can get 25% off at checkout using the code: GOTSOMME Follow RIEDEL: @riedel_official Follow Mark: @riedel_mark.baulderstone In this episode: • Why one wine tastes different in multiple glasses • The difference between universal glassware and varietal-specific glassware • W
- podcast· 14:43· S4E23
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
- podcast· 4:39· S4E23
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
- podcast· 26:47· S4E22
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. A
- podcast· 4:11· S5E19
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, hosp
- podcast· 16:52· S5E19
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 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 chang
- podcast· 4:19· S5E19
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 blind Breaking down tannins, alcohol, acidity, and oak Why Merlot can taste like Bordeaux The difference between Old Worl
- podcast· 17:48· S4E18
"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 M
- podcast· 6:50· S5E16
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 curve
- podcast· 26:40· S5E15
$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 Us
- podcast· 5:33
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
- podcast· 21:12· S4E8
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: RIEDEL https://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 win
- podcast· 7:53
Cab Sav from Bordeaux or Rioja from Spain? Master Somm MUST choose!
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 (mod
- podcast· 11:53· S4E7
Burgundy Under $100? Meet Aligoté
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
- podcast· 5:12
Can Carlos Guess Angus' FAVOURITE wine of ALL TIME!?
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
- podcast· 18:48· S4E6
We Risked $1,700 to Answer: Is Expensive Wine Worth It?
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 fin