Is This the Hardest White Wine to Identify Blind?

Is This the Hardest White Wine to Identify Blind?

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS May 27, 2026 Duration: 4:11

“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


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



Ever felt a bit lost staring at a wine list or wondering what you're actually tasting in your glass? Got Somme is here to help, without any of the pretence. This isn't a stuffy lecture; it's a conversation between Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and his mate, radio announcer Angus O'Loughlin, who's keen to learn but starting from scratch. Each episode, Carlos guides Angus-and by extension, all of us-through the fundamentals, breaking down everything from grape varieties and regional styles to understanding why a wine tastes the way it does. The real magic happens when they're joined by some of the world's most respected winemakers, who share the stories and craft behind their bottles. You'll hear Carlos explain how to pick a good wine from a bad one, demystifying terms like tannin and terroir along the way. It's an accessible, often funny journey into wine, perfect for anyone who enjoys a glass but wants to understand the world behind it. Produced by SESSION in PROGRESS, this podcast turns curiosity into genuine knowledge, one bottle at a time.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 50

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
We Travelled 17,000km for This Moment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:45
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…
I Bought 12 Bottles After One Sip of This $28 Wine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
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 exp…
Only 24 bottles off this wine exist in the WORLD! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:46
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 ra…
He called the Grape, Vintage and Alcohol blind! | Master Sommelier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:42
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 fill…
Gary Vee Predicts the Future of Wine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
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…
The BEST Shiraz in the WORLD 🌍 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:37
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 w…
Why Your Wine Might Taste Worse At Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:43
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…
Angus Tries a Portuguese Pinot Noir… and Becomes Public Enemy #1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:43
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 Po…
The Impossible Blind Wine Tasting! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:39
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, mea…
Australia's Most Underrated Wine Region? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:47
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 G…