Heading on down to Paso Robles and meeting up with Ranchero Cellars Winemaker Amy Butler, the Diva of Carignan! In this ode to Rhone, The Varietal Show has a relaxing poolside chat about this vineyard, that started pretty much on a dare, and tastes her fabulous 2017 Viognier and 2018 Carignan, The Tethered Beast.
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San Francisco Wine School is thrilled to welcome star sommelier and wine educator, Chris Sawyer and Pinot Noir expert, Ben Papapietro, Owner/Winemaker of Papapietro Perry Winery, and Steve Rogstad, Winemaker of Cuvaison Estate Wines, for a rare opportunity to delve deep into the legacy of the noble red grape Pinot Noir and taste its diverse clonal variations.
Select either In Person or Virtual (Roomer or Zoomer!) at checkout: Reserve your TICKETS for June 10, 6-8pm!
Whet your palate! On the surface, Pinot Noir is commonly marked with a thin skin, light hue, fruity flavors, soft tannins, and delicate demeanor. But when you follow its rich legacy back 2,000 years, you will see it is more than a classic grape variety listed in the vitus vinifera family, but a super genius with the unique special powers to mutate and express itself in different forms.
In the white grape category, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc are mutations of Pinot Noir, and Chardonnay is its genetic offspring. It is also the father of the red grape variety Pinot Meunier, commonly grown in the Champagne region. But as a stand-alone grape, Pinot Noir has the rare ability to mutate and multiply in the form of “clones,” which have spread to the United States and propagated amazing variations for winegrowers and winemakers to work with in the cool-climate regions on the West Coast of California!
Meet Sommelier and wine educator Ian Blackburn! The Varietal Show hooked up with him at the Los Angeles International Wine Competition to talk about films (A Perfect Vintage!) and wines, particularly his brand Beekeeper Cellars, and how Mauritson Wines played a part in his destiny.
Check out his site: Learn About Wine!
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Join me at Gravenstein Grill for the 3rd Annual Rhone Rendezvous! We will be featuring incredible wines from some of the best wineries in Sonoma County, along with small bites by Chef Simontacchi, hosted on our spacious outdoor patio.
Get your TICKETS, which include a tasting with ALL of the guest wineries, including Acorn, Anaba, Bee Hunter, Crux, Donelan, Enkidu, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Longboard, Miner Wines, Ramey, Ram’s Gate, Scherrer, Trentadue & Truchard!
See you there! Christopher
That’s right, TWO YEARS, and thanks to Adam, and some creative staging during the uptick of a pandemic, The Varietal Show arose. This time I visited him at LaZarre Wines in Paso Robles, where we virtually span the states of CA, OR, WA, to taste his various wines; Moshina white blend, Portlandia Pinot Noir & “Big Believer” Cabernet Sauvignon, and finally Broadside Cabernet Sauvignon!
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The Varietal Show sits down with Dick Dore & Jenny Williamson Dore at Foxen Vineyard & Winery! We dive into a little details about Santa Maria Valley: Join us to taste and talk about a slew of wonderful wines; 2020 Chenin Blanc, 2017 Syrah, 2018 Cuvee Jeanne Marie, 2017 Pinot Noir Block 8, 2017 Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills and 2018 Cabernet Franc.
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The Varietal Show digs in for an amazing discussion about Terminin Rhone blend, all white, 100% syrah, in this second discussion with Donald Patz and Collaborateur François Villard; Their Rhone varietals, amazing vineyards and food pairings! Then a little touch of Donald’s other projects of love from Secret Door and JML!
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Celebrating the 50th Vintage at Alma Rosa Winery, with California Pinot Noir icon Richard Sanford. In Part One, The Varietal Show stops in for a chat about this historic location in Santa Barbara County, learning more about Richard’s earlier wine ventures and how he discovered this prime location.
Then in part two, we get a little SIDEWAYS, if you recall that notorious wine film that literally took place here; A taste of Richard’s 2016 Alma Rosa El Jabali, Pinot Noir from Sta Rita Hills, and in depth about the hillside setting, farming benefits of his soil, and how this special ranch is the soul of this vineyards.
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Plan to join me at the Telluride Wine Festival, on June 23-26, 2022! If your winery has participated before then you already know it is a great event in one of the most beautiful mountain towns, where you meet high-end clientele from across the United States.
I am hoping you are interested in showcasing your wines in one of my educational seminars, for tasting, learning and greeting an ever receptive audience.
Sign up at the REGISTRATION LINK now, and put in the code: SAWYER to get on my seminar A-list! Please let us know if you have any questions: wine(at)sawyersomm.com
Some exciting news! Announcing BEST SOMMELIER Christopher Sawyer for the ninth year as well as some other nods for some of my buds.
Read about more winners at North Bay Bohemian!
