The Impossible Blind Wine Tasting!

The Impossible Blind Wine Tasting!

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS June 17, 2026 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, 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 black blind tasting glass

- Carlos explains why colour is so important in blind wine tasting

- The wine presents as fresh, citric and savoury

- Carlos considers Chablis, Grüner Veltliner, Müller-Thurgau, Aligoté, Chasselas and Sylvaner

- The reveal shocks both Angus and Carlos

- Carlos explains why Bianco di Merlot would be almost impossible to identify blind


Chapters

00:00 – “I didn’t even know this could happen”

00:07 – Blind wine tasting with a twist

00:17 – The RIEDEL blacked-out glass reveal

00:33 – Why colour matters in blind tasting

01:22 – Carlos begins assessing the wine

01:51 – First guesses: Chablis, Grüner Veltliner or Pinot Grigio?

02:32 – Angus admits he was way off

02:49 – Carlos narrows down the options

03:33 – The shocking wine reveal

03:38 – White Merlot from Switzerland

04:05 – How can Merlot become a white wine?

04:27 – Why this is an impossible blind tasting



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
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