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:
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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