Category Archives: Sommelier

People, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Marvelous Miro On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Tune in for a wonderful conversation with gifted winemaker Miro Tcholakov, of Miro Cellars and Trentadue Winery, in Alexander Valley. THE VARIETAL SHOW goes international with his migration from Bulgaria, beginning his journey as a winery intern, and gets in depth discussing Italian blends. It is all so interesting we just lose track of time . . . more for the next show with Miro!

  • Miro Cellars, 2021 Cuvée Sasha
  • La Storia by Trentadue, 2020 Cuvée 32
  • La Storia by Trentadue, 2021 Zinfandel
  • La Storia by Trentadue, 2020 Petite Sirah

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Appellation, Event, Farm, Food, Garden, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

Get Your PASSPORT To Dry Creek Valley! April 29-30

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Join 35 wineries for the 32nd Passport to Dry Creek Valley April 29 & 30, 2023. Enjoy amazing wine, delicious food, vibrant entertainment and a fun-filled spring weekend within the backdrop of idyllic Dry Creek Valley.

TICKETS with the special Sawyer Somm pricing are available at this link! How does it work?

  • Choose your starting winery and go at your own pace with no reservations necessary
  • Fabulous wine & food pairings
  • Access to countless wines that you can’t find on the shelf
  • Interactions with the winemakers and growers
  • Coveted spots in wine clubs
  • Entertainment all weekend
  • Skip the line with check-in option Friday in Healdsburg (info at checkout)
  • OPTION to purchase Friday evening (April 28) Winemakers welcome dinner at The Madrona
  • Hope to be seeing you in DCV! ~Chris
People, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

GO-GO-GO Goldschmidt Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Intrepid tasters are we, Nick & me (center row above) at the North Coast Wine Challenge! Get ready for fun times with legendary Kiwi and Sonoma County winemaker Nick Goldschmidt! THE VARIETAL SHOW talks to this multinational wine personality about his history in the industry, with his home base in Dry Creek Valley for Goldschmidt Vineyards. Tasting together the 2019 Singing Tree Chardonnay, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley; 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Game Ranch, Oakville; 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Yoeman, Alexander Valley.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Tastes Talisman Pinot Noir!

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What is a variety show? Join Scott Rich of Talisman Wine, and Chris Sawyer of THE VARIETAL SHOW for a little introduction and pontification about the splendors of Pinot Noir; tasting, plantings, sites, textures & clones! Find out why Talisman likes small clonal selections, and being patient with the vines when you taste this perfect panel of Pinot:

  • 2018 PN Gunsalas Vineyard, Russian River Valley (Green Valley)
  • 2018 PN Red Dog Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain
  • 2016 PN Adastra Vineyard, Los Carneros, Napa Valley
  • 2004 PN Ted’s Vineyard, Russian River Valley

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Awards, Festivals, Film, Judging, Sommelier, Varietal, Wine

6th Annual SIFF Wine Awards

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It is official as of today, Sunday March 26th, where the announcement was made at the SIFF Awards Brunch! Here are the best of the best, selected by our premiere judging panel. Try some for yourself to find out why.

BEST SPARKLING WINE

Breathless NV Blanc de Blancs, Sonoma County 98 Points

BEST AROMATIC WHITE WINE

En Garde 2021 Allez Blanc, California 94 Points

BEST SAUVIGNON BLANC

Gehricke 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma Mountain 91 Points

BEST CHARDONNAY

Dutton Estate 2021 Chardonnay, Kyndall’s Reserve, Dutton Ranch, Russian River Valley 96 Points

BEST PINK WINE

Benziger 2022 Rosé, Sonoma County 97 Points

BEST PINOT NOIR

DeLoach 2019 Pinot Noir, Green Valley of RRV 97 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Idell Family 2018 MB-5V Red Wine, Oscar Vineyard, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST RHONE WINE (Tie)

Larson Family 2019 Syrah Sonoma Coast 98 Points

BEST RED BLEND

Bartholomew Estate 2019 Press Release Red Wine, Sonoma Valley 95 Points

BEST ZINFANDEL

Buena Vista 20120 Zinfandel, Private Reserve Sonoma County 95 Points

BEST CABERNET SAUVIGNON

Sebastiani 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cherryblock, Sonoma Valley 98 Points

BEST DESSERT WINE

Larson Family 2018 Late Harvest Gewurztraminer, Dolce, Carneros 98 Points

Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Feelin’ Foxen On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Reminiscing about my visit to Santa Maria Valley last year: The Varietal Show sat down with Dick Dore & Jenny Williamson Dore at Foxen Vineyard & Winery! 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.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST!

Art, Event, Festivals, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Virtual, Wine

Let SAWYER SOMM Entertain YOU!

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Want to spice up your wine tastings? Bring in Sawyer Somm!

I am always interested in sharing my knowledge with you, and your group, at wineries or along with tour visits. We could also set up a special tasting, Seminar Style, for your large or small group onsite, or at another select venue around wine county. Food pairings are always a fun addition!

So let us know what you are thinking and let Sawyer Somm supplement your incredible wine experience! Cheers, Chris

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Competition, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Friends Of Pinot Meunier Society Visit THE VARIETAL SHOW

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For the past 5 years, down in Del Mar at the Toast Of The Coast (TOTC) Wine Competition, the annual meeting for Friends of Pinot Meunier Society has been held. THE VARIETAL SHOW talks to Traci Dutton (CIA) and Adam LaZarre (LaZarre Wines) to find out more about this distinctive varietal!

Join the FOPMS group on Facebook! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST!

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Some stellar PINOT MEUNIER examples to share: Best’s Great Western, Bouchaine, Draxton & Left Coast!