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 deep dive into Chablis, the purest expression of Chardonnay. We blind taste three bottles from the same producer and vintage at three price points — Petit Chablis ($40), Chablis AOC ($48), and Chablis Premier Cru ($78) — to find out whether price really does equal quality. 

Along the way, we break down:
Why Chablis tastes like oyster shells
The difference between Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru
Left Bank vs Right Bank of the Serein River
When (and why) some producers start using oak
The real meaning of minerality in Chablis
Whether Premier Cru is actually worth the extra money

Angus kicks things off with a blind tasting challenge… and shockingly out-tastes a Master Sommelier to start 2026 in style.

If you think you don’t like Chardonnay, this episode might completely change your mind. 

SPONSORS

Grays.com https://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) 

What We’re Drinking

Producer: Simonnet-Febvre

Vintage: 2023

Petit Chablis – $40

Chablis AOC – $48

Chablis Premier Cru – $78 

Chapters

00:00 – Why Chablis Isn’t Oaky

01:50 – Blind Tasting Begins

03:25 – Does Price Equal Quality?

04:30 – Chablis vs Chardonnay Explained

08:35 – Left Bank vs Right Bank of Chablis

10:20 – What Is Petit Chablis?

12:35 – What Makes Chablis AOC Better? 

14:40 – Premier Cru vs Grand Cru

18:10 – Is Premier Cru Worth the Money?

20:00 – Why Some Chablis Uses Oak

26:45 – Steak vs Jus (Best Wine Analogy Ever)

28:10 – Master Sommelier Blind Tasting Fail

 

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If the world&rsquo;s best wines from France aren&rsquo;t using oak&hellip; why do so many Chardonnays in Australia and the New World taste so oaky?
In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O&rsquo;Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos take a deep dive into Chablis, the purest expression of Chardonnay. We blind taste three bottles from the same producer and vintage at three price points &mdash; Petit Chablis ($40), Chablis AOC ($48), and Chablis Premier Cru ($78) &mdash; to find out whether price really does equal quality.&nbsp;
Along the way, we break down:
<ul>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">Why Chablis tastes like oyster shells</li>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">The difference between Petit Chablis, Chablis, Premier Cru and Grand Cru</li>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">Left Bank vs Right Bank of the Serein River</li>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">When (and why) some producers start using oak</li>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">The real meaning of minerality in Chablis</li>
<li data-start="859" data-end="987">Whether Premier Cru is actually worth the extra money</li>
</ul>
Angus kicks things off with a blind tasting challenge&hellip; and shockingly out-tastes a Master Sommelier to start 2026 in style.
If you think you don&rsquo;t like Chardonnay, this episode might completely change your mind.&nbsp;
SPONSORS
Grays.com <a href="https://www.grays.com/search/wine">https://www.grays.com/search/wine</a>
RIEDEL <a href="https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller">https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller</a>
(Australians use code: GOTSOMME New Zealand: GOTSOMMENZ at check out for 20% off)&nbsp;
What We&rsquo;re Drinking
Producer: Simonnet-Febvre
Vintage: 2023
Petit Chablis &ndash; $40
Chablis AOC &ndash; $48
Chablis Premier Cru &ndash; $78&nbsp;
Chapters
00:00 &ndash; Why Chablis Isn&rsquo;t Oaky
01:50 &ndash; Blind Tasting Begins
03:25 &ndash; Does Price Equal Quality?
04:30 &ndash; Chablis vs Chardonnay Explained
08:35 &ndash; Left Bank vs Right Bank of Chablis
10:20 &ndash; What Is Petit Chablis?
12:35 &ndash; What Makes Chablis AOC Better?&nbsp;
14:40 &ndash; Premier Cru vs Grand Cru
18:10 &ndash; Is Premier Cru Worth the Money?
20:00 &ndash; Why Some Chablis Uses Oak
26:45 &ndash; Steak vs Jus (Best Wine Analogy Ever)
28:10 &ndash; Master Sommelier Blind Tasting Fail
&nbsp;
chablis, chablis wine, chablis vs chardonnay, petit chablis, chablis premier cru, chablis grand cru, blind wine tasting, master sommelier, wine podcast, got somme, wine education, french wine, white wine, chardonnay styles, why, chablis tastes mineral, oak, chardonnay, best chablis, wine tasting australia

'Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.

We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 

Fully accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with each episode filmed and posted online with captions at Got Somme

Cheers 🍇 

'Got Somme' is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in their glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.
We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. Carlos will aim to teach radio announcer and novice wine enthusiast Angus O'Loughlin how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over. 
Fully accessible for people who are deaf or hard of hearing with each episode filmed and posted online with captions at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme/">Got Somme</a>
Cheers 🍇

Wine Podcasts for enthusiasts hosted by a Master Sommelier 🍷

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

Got Somme is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in the glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.

We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. 

Carlos will aim to teach a novice wine enthusiast Angus how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over.

Fully accessible for people who are hard of hearing or deaf with each episode being filmed and posted on Instagram @GotSomme and YouTube with captions.

Got Somme is a podcast for wine lovers who know nothing about what's in the glass. The series will aim to educate listeners on types, tannins and taste to producers, appellations and age.
We speak to the best winemakers in the world finding out how they make the wine that has captured the attention of Master Sommelier Carlos Santos. 
Carlos will aim to teach a novice wine enthusiast Angus how to discern a good wine from a bad and empower listeners with a skill set good enough to choose the table wine next time you have friends over.
Fully accessible for people who are hard of hearing or deaf with each episode being filmed and posted on Instagram @GotSomme and YouTube with captions.