Is this really Australia’s best wine? The 2024 Thistledown “Charming Man” Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache has just been awarded Wine of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, and Grenache of the Year at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.

In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O’Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos taste and review the $95 Grenache to see if it lives up to the hype.

You’ll hear from winemaker Giles Cook MW on what makes this single vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache so special, plus Carlos breaks down how to assess Grenache vs Pinot Noir on colour, nose, palate, and ageing potential.

We tackle the “Poor Man’s Pinot” debate, explore the history of Grenache in Australia (Barossa & McLaren Vale old vines), and ask: is this wine really worth $95—or more than $300 on a restaurant wine list?

Sponsors: 
RIEDEL Wine Glasses: https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller 
Grays.com Buy the wine, drink the wine where we get ours: https://www.grays.com/search/wine

Socials: 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast

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

 

What you’ll learn in this episode:


Why Grenache is making a comeback in Australia.


How climate change has influenced Grenache’s popularity.


The key differences between Grenache and Pinot Noir.


What makes the Halliday Wine Companion judging process unique.


How to taste Grenache like a sommelier (colour, nose, palate, finish).

Featured Wine:


2024 Thistledown “Charming Man” Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache (McLaren Vale, South Australia).

Watch:

Halliday Wine Companion Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhZJshq0FUk 

 

Is this really Australia&rsquo;s best wine? The 2024 Thistledown &ldquo;Charming Man&rdquo; Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache has just been awarded Wine of the Year, Red Wine of the Year, and Grenache of the Year at the 2026 Halliday Wine Companion Awards.
In this episode of Got Somme, Angus O&rsquo;Loughlin and Master Sommelier Carlos Santos taste and review the $95 Grenache to see if it lives up to the hype.
You&rsquo;ll hear from winemaker Giles Cook MW on what makes this single vineyard McLaren Vale Grenache so special, plus Carlos breaks down how to assess Grenache vs Pinot Noir on colour, nose, palate, and ageing potential.
We tackle the &ldquo;Poor Man&rsquo;s Pinot&rdquo; debate, explore the history of Grenache in Australia (Barossa &amp; McLaren Vale old vines), and ask: is this wine really worth $95&mdash;or more than $300 on a restaurant wine list?
Sponsors: 
<ul>
<li>RIEDEL Wine Glasses: <a href="https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller">https://www.riedel.com/en-au/shop#sort=bestSeller</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li>Grays.com Buy the wine, drink the wine where we get ours:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grays.com/search/wine">https://www.grays.com/search/wine</a></li>
</ul>
Socials: 
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@gotsommepodcast</a>
&nbsp;Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme">https://www.instagram.com/gotsomme</a>
&nbsp;
What you&rsquo;ll learn in this episode:
<ul data-start="1195" data-end="1506">
<li data-start="1195" data-end="1246">
Why Grenache is making a comeback in Australia.
</li>
<li data-start="1247" data-end="1307">
How climate change has influenced Grenache&rsquo;s popularity.
</li>
<li data-start="1308" data-end="1364">
The key differences between Grenache and Pinot Noir.
</li>
<li data-start="1365" data-end="1431">
What makes the Halliday Wine Companion judging process unique.
</li>
<li data-start="1432" data-end="1506">
How to taste Grenache like a sommelier (colour, nose, palate, finish).
</li>
</ul>
Featured Wine:
<ul data-start="1529" data-end="1631">
<li data-start="1529" data-end="1631">
2024 Thistledown &ldquo;Charming Man&rdquo; Single Vineyard Old Vine Grenache (McLaren Vale, South Australia).
</li>
</ul>
Watch:
Halliday Wine Companion Podcast: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhZJshq0FUk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhZJshq0FUk</a>&nbsp;
&nbsp;

'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.