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 Risked $1,700 to Answer: Is Expensive Wine Worth It? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:48
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 tast…
The White Wine That Fooled a Master Sommelier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:04
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 ta…
We spent over $1,000,000 on wine! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:03
Master Sommelier Carlos Santos goes behind the scenes of building a $1.5 million restaurant wine list for a new Byron Bay venue created by chef Shannon Bennett.From $35,000 magnums to $40 best-selling wines, we break dow…
Chablis Explained: Petit vs Chablis vs Premier Cru [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:47
If the world’s best wines from France aren’t using oak… why do so many Chardonnays in Australia and the New World taste so oaky?In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take a dee…
This Wine Looks Like Rosé, Tastes Italian… But Isn’t either?! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:54
This wine breaks every assumption.It looks like a rosé.It drinks like something from Italy.But it’s neither.In this episode of Got Somme, we put a mystery wine in front of a Master Sommelier for a full blind tasting. No…
This Wine Is So Thick It Pours Like Paste (Fortified Wines Explained) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:22
Fortified wines might be some of the most misunderstood wines in the world — often dismissed as “old-fashioned,” too sweet, or too strong. In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos…
Master Somm tries a CLEANSKIN for the FIRST TIME EVER! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
For the first time in Got Somme history, Angus is using a spittoon.For the first time ever our Master Somm is tasting clean skin wine. In this episode, Angus and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos put six $5 clean skin wines…
The BEST Wine of 2025: A Master Sommelier’s Top Pick [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:06
In the final episode of Got Somme for 2025, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos reflect on the year that was through the wines that defined it. Rather than revisiting bottles already featured on the podca…
Barolo vs Barbaresco: Which One Should You Actually Buy? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:30
In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take you into one of Italy’s most iconic wine rivalries: Barolo vs Barbaresco. We break down everything from grape variety, regional diffe…