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 under the microscope to answer a question we get asked all the time:

Are clean skin wines actually drinkable, or are they only good for cooking?

With six bottles on the table, including Sauvignon Blanc, two Chardonnays, Rosé and Shiraz, Carlos gives an honest, no-nonsense assessment of what’s worth drinking, what’s best kept for the kitchen, and what should probably go straight down the sink.

What Is a Clean Skin Wine?

Clean skin wines are bottles sold without a branded label. Often they are the result of:


Oversupply from wineries


Wines not making the cut for a producer’s main label


Brand changes or ownership transitions


Excess wine needing to be cleared quickly

In some cases, these wines may even come from large, well-known producers who simply can’t move stock fast enough in the current market.

Wines Tasted in This Episode:

All wines were purchased for approximately $5 per bottle.


Sauvignon Blanc (2024)


Chardonnay (modern branded clean skin)


Chardonnay (traditional black-and-white clean skin)


Rosé


Shiraz

Each wine was assessed for aroma, palate, balance, drinkability and value for money.

The Results: Which $5 Wines Passed the Test? ✅ Drinkable at $5

According to Carlos, these wines are genuinely drinkable at the price point:


Sauvignon Blanc
Fresh, fruity and recognisably Sauvignon Blanc in style. High acidity and noticeable sulfites, but surprisingly competitive in blind tasting against entry-level New Zealand styles.


Chardonnay (traditional clean skin label)
Simple, short and one-dimensional, but balanced and inoffensive. Better on the palate than the nose and acceptable for casual drinking or food pairing at the price.


Shiraz
The standout of the lineup. Peppery, dark fruit driven, recognisably Shiraz and the most enjoyable overall. Less aggressive sulfites due to tannin structure and the best value of the bunch.

❌ Best Left for Cooking


Rosé


Chardonnay (modern branded version)

These wines showed strong sulfite aromas, artificial flavours and lacked balance. Fine for slow cooking, sauces or reducing into a dish, but not recommended for drinking.

Does Wine Quality Matter When Cooking?

Carlos explains that for most everyday cooking, especially slow cooks like:


Bolognese


Stews


Braises

There is little difference between using a $5 bottle and a $100 bottle. Once wine is reduced and cooked for hours, nuance disappears. Save the good stuff for the glass.

Final Verdict on Clean Skin Wines


Clean skins can be drinkable


Oversupply in the wine industry means quality can trickle down the price ladder


At $5, expectations matter


Some are fine for drinking responsibly


Most are perfectly suitable for cooking

If you’re on a tight budget, a chilled glass from Carlos’s top three is acceptable. If you can stretch to $15–$20, you’ll still get more consistency and enjoyment.

Carlos’s Top Picks (In Order)


Shiraz


Chardonnay (traditional clean skin)


Sauvignon Blanc

Want to See the Bottles?

Head to @gotsomme on Instagram to see the exact labels tasted in this episode.

Have questions about clean skin wines?
Drop them in the comments. We reply to every single one.

Thanks for watching and we’ll see you on the next episode of Got Somme 🍷

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 under the microscope to answer a question we get asked all the time:
Are clean skin wines actually drinkable, or are they only good for cooking?
With six bottles on the table, including Sauvignon Blanc, two Chardonnays, Ros&eacute; and Shiraz, Carlos gives an honest, no-nonsense assessment of what&rsquo;s worth drinking, what&rsquo;s best kept for the kitchen, and what should probably go straight down the sink.
<hr data-start="889" data-end="892">
What Is a Clean Skin Wine?
Clean skin wines are bottles sold without a branded label. Often they are the result of:
<ul data-start="1014" data-end="1188">
<li data-start="1014" data-end="1042">
Oversupply from wineries
</li>
<li data-start="1043" data-end="1099">
Wines not making the cut for a producer&rsquo;s main label
</li>
<li data-start="1100" data-end="1142">
Brand changes or ownership transitions
</li>
<li data-start="1143" data-end="1188">
Excess wine needing to be cleared quickly
</li>
</ul>
In some cases, these wines may even come from large, well-known producers who simply can&rsquo;t move stock fast enough in the current market.
<hr data-start="1328" data-end="1331">
Wines Tasted in This Episode:
All wines were purchased for approximately $5 per bottle.
<ul data-start="1429" data-end="1564">
<li data-start="1429" data-end="1453">
Sauvignon Blanc (2024)
</li>
<li data-start="1454" data-end="1494">
Chardonnay (modern branded clean skin)
</li>
<li data-start="1495" data-end="1548">
Chardonnay (traditional black-and-white clean skin)
</li>
<li data-start="1549" data-end="1555">
Ros&eacute;
</li>
<li data-start="1556" data-end="1564">
Shiraz
</li>
</ul>
Each wine was assessed for aroma, palate, balance, drinkability and value for money.
<hr data-start="1652" data-end="1655">
The Results: Which $5 Wines Passed the Test? ✅ Drinkable at $5
According to Carlos, these wines are genuinely drinkable at the price point:
<ol data-start="1806" data-end="2435">
<li data-start="1806" data-end="2011">
Sauvignon Blanc Fresh, fruity and recognisably Sauvignon Blanc in style. High acidity and noticeable sulfites, but surprisingly competitive in blind tasting against entry-level New Zealand styles.
</li>
<li data-start="2013" data-end="2228">
Chardonnay (traditional clean skin label) Simple, short and one-dimensional, but balanced and inoffensive. Better on the palate than the nose and acceptable for casual drinking or food pairing at the price.
</li>
<li data-start="2230" data-end="2435">
Shiraz The standout of the lineup. Peppery, dark fruit driven, recognisably Shiraz and the most enjoyable overall. Less aggressive sulfites due to tannin structure and the best value of the bunch.
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-start="2437" data-end="2440">
❌ Best Left for Cooking
<ul data-start="2470" data-end="2516">
<li data-start="2470" data-end="2478">
Ros&eacute;
</li>
<li data-start="2479" data-end="2516">
Chardonnay (modern branded version)
</li>
</ul>
These wines showed strong sulfite aromas, artificial flavours and lacked balance. Fine for slow cooking, sauces or reducing into a dish, but not recommended for drinking.
<hr data-start="2690" data-end="2693">
Does Wine Quality Matter When Cooking?
Carlos explains that for most everyday cooking, especially slow cooks like:
<ul data-start="2814" data-end="2849">
<li data-start="2814" data-end="2827">
Bolognese
</li>
<li data-start="2828" data-end="2837">
Stews
</li>
<li data-start="2838" data-end="2849">
Braises
</li>
</ul>
There is little difference between using a $5 bottle and a $100 bottle. Once wine is reduced and cooked for hours, nuance disappears. Save the good stuff for the glass.
<hr data-start="3021" data-end="3024">
Final Verdict on Clean Skin Wines
<ul data-start="3064" data-end="3298">
<li data-start="3064" data-end="3096">
Clean skins can be drinkable
</li>
<li data-start="3097" data-end="3180">
Oversupply in the wine industry means quality can trickle down the price ladder
</li>
<li data-start="3181" data-end="3211">
At $5, expectations matter
</li>
<li data-start="3212" data-end="3254">
Some are fine for drinking responsibly
</li>
<li data-start="3255" data-end="3298">
Most are perfectly suitable for cooking
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;re on a tight budget, a chilled glass from Carlos&rsquo;s top three is acceptable. If you can stretch to $15&ndash;$20, you&rsquo;ll still get more consistency and enjoyment.
<hr data-start="3465" data-end="3468">
Carlos&rsquo;s Top Picks (In Order)
<ol data-start="3504" data-end="3577">
<li data-start="3504" data-end="3515">
Shiraz
</li>
<li data-start="3516" data-end="3556">
Chardonnay (traditional clean skin)
</li>
<li data-start="3557" data-end="3577">
Sauvignon Blanc
</li>
</ol>
<hr data-start="3579" data-end="3582">
Want to See the Bottles?
Head to @gotsomme on Instagram to see the exact labels tasted in this episode.
Have questions about clean skin wines? Drop them in the comments. We reply to every single one.
Thanks for watching and we&rsquo;ll see you on the next episode of Got Somme 🍷

'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.