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 Portuguese wines from 2008 and 2014 to seeing how dramatically Portugal’s restaurant scene and wine culture have developed.

They also settle a surprisingly heated Instagram debate about cork length, ageing wine in large-format bottles and why a shorter cork is not always a bad sign.

Then comes the main event: a 600-bottle (total) Pinot Noir from Portugal’s Douro Valley. Carlos sees elegance, freshness and a fascinating expression of an international variety in one of Portugal’s most iconic wine regions. Angus? He is less convinced.

Is it a brilliant, unexpected Pinot Noir, or simply a wine speaking a language your palate does not yet understand?

Sponsor: RIEDEL

Use code GOTSOMME or GOTSOMMENZ at checkout for 25% off RIEDEL Performance Pinot Noir glasses.

Chapters:

00:00 – Carlos returns from Portugal01:06 – A look inside Carlos’ Portuguese cellar02:20 – Portugal’s evolving restaurant and wine scene04:25 – The Instagram controversy: why was the cork so short?05:20 – Cork length, oxygen and ageing large-format bottles07:46 – Opening a six-litre bottle for a family celebration08:17 – Introducing a rare Douro Valley Pinot Noir09:00 – Why Portuguese wine is built around native varieties10:42 – Douro’s extreme vineyard conditions11:32 – Angus gives the wine an honest review12:36 – When a wine “speaks Portuguese” to your palate13:56 – Only 600 bottles: is this Pinot Noir worth seeking out?

Portuguese wine, Portugal Pinot Noir, Douro Valley wine, Douro Pinot Noir, rare wine, Portuguese wine regions, Carlos Santos, Got Somme, wine podcast Australia, Pinot Noir review, natural wine Portugal, Quinta de Toraj, Portuguese restaurants, wine cork length, large format wine bottles, RIEDEL Pinot Noir glass.

Angus Tries a Portuguese Pinot Noir… and Becomes Public Enemy #1

Got Somme : Master Sommelier's Wine Podcast

Angus Tries a Portuguese Pinot Noir… and Becomes Public Enemy #1