The Rioja Carlos Calls “Iconic”

The Rioja Carlos Calls “Iconic”

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS May 20, 2026 Duration: 16:52

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 changed Rioja
  • The difference between Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva
  • Why Carlos became genuinely offended when Angus questioned Rioja quality

There’s also a fascinating breakdown of how French winemakers helped shape Rioja during the 1800s, why counterfeiting became a huge issue for historic Spanish producers, and what wine lovers should actually look for when identifying quality Rioja.

If you’ve ever wondered why some wines become timeless while others chase trends, this episode is for you.


00:00 – “You can’t just call a wine iconic”

00:32 – Why López de Heredia matters

02:29 – The blind Rioja tasting that inspired this episode

03:39 – What traditional Rioja should taste like

06:40 – How phylloxera changed Spanish wine forever

08:24 – Why this producer never chased trends

10:27 – Angus questions Rioja pricing and quality

12:41 – Carlos explains what separates great Rioja

14:00 – Why López de Heredia releases wines so late

16:11 – Final thoughts on one of Rioja’s great producers



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…