We spent over $1,000,000 on wine!

We spent over $1,000,000 on wine!

Author: SESSION in PROGRESS February 18, 2026 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 down how sommeliers curate world-class wine lists, negotiate rare allocations, and balance prestige bottles with everyday drinkers.


You’ll learn:

• How a Master Sommelier builds a wine list from scratch

• Why some wines sell more than others

• The hardest wines to source in Australia

• How trade tastings and supplier relationships work

• Why Australian wine is dominating restaurant lists

• How price psychology shapes customer ordersIf you love wine, restaurants, or the behind-the-scenes world of hospitality, this episode is for you.


Recorded at our new Collins Street studio by SESSION in PROGRESS.


SPONSORS

Grays.comhttps://www.grays.com/search/wine

RIEDEL: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller

(Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off)


FOLLOW GOT SOMME

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme/

Studio: https://www.instagram.com/session.in.progress/


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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 $1.5 million wine list reveal

01:30 Building a wine list from scratch

05:10 Choosing wines for Byron Bay diners

08:20 Hardest wines to source

12:00 Back vintages and vertical tastings

16:40 Why $40 wines outsell $1,000 wines

19:30 The $35,000 bottle

22:00 Trade tastings & negotiation secrets

25:00 Supporting Australian wineries


Welcome to Got Somme, the ultimate wine podcast where Master Sommeliers and wine experts share their tips, blind tasting challenges, and insider knowledge from vineyards around the world. Whether you’re a wine beginner or a seasoned enthusiast, we explore everything from wine education and wine tasting techniques to sparkling wines, red vs white, and the best wines under $30.


Subscribe for weekly episodes and join us as we taste, learn, and uncover the stories behind your favourite wines. Perfect for anyone looking to improve their wine knowledge, discover new wine regions, or just enjoy a fun, educational chat about wine.


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: 100

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Don't buy Rioja BUY THIS instead!  Master Somm's Spanish Wine picks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:53
In this episode, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos delve into the diverse world of Spanish wines, shining a spotlight on lesser-known regions and grape varieties. They discuss the distinct characteristi…
German Riesling MASTERCLASS | Hosted by Dr. Loosen [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:22
German Riesling with Erni Loosen. Exploring its evolution, the impact of global warming on grape ripening, and the unique terroir of the Mosel region. We discuss the versatility, the different styles and quality determin…
Master Somm's UNDERRATED Italian Region & HUGE show announcement [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:18
In this episode, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and Angus O'Loughlin drink into the rich and diverse world of Italian wine, shining a light on underrated regions and distinctive Italian varietals. They explore wines from…
This ISN'T worth the retail price | Grand Cru Burgundy Pinot Noir [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:39
Angus' first EVER Grand Cru Burgundy Pinot Noir! In this episode, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos guides us through the exquisite world of Burgundy wines, focusing on a rare 2016 Domaine De La Vougeraie 'Musigny' Grand Cr…
Master REVEALS how to pick DRY ROSÈ at bottle shop! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:01
Ever found yourself in a bottle shop or staring at a wine list, desperately searching for a dry Rosé? But how do you know which one to pick? Maybe you’ve opted for a French label, convinced by a friend’s mum that it's dr…
Master Sommeliers Wine of the Year | 2024 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:40
HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🥂🍾 In this special New Year's Eve episode, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and co-host Angus O'Loughlin reflect on their favourite wines and moments of 2024, sharing personal stories and emotional connecti…
A 'Unique' Australian Christmas Tradition | Sparkling Red Wine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:44
In this festive episode of 'Got Somme' hosts Master Sommelier Carlos Santos and Angus O'Loughlin explore the unique Australian Christmas traditions, particularly focusing on the 9am wake up with sparkling red Shiraz. The…
BLIND Wine Tasting - Master challenges Apprentice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:44
In this episode of Got Somme, Master Sommelier Carlos Santos challenges co-host Angus O’Loughlin to blind taste three exceptional wines: Nebbiolo, Pinot Noir, and a Bordeaux blend. While Carlos dives into what to expect…