Category Archives: Tasting

THE VARIETAL SHOW Is At The North Coast Wine Challenge!

You read that right, three judges from the North Coast Wine Challenge, including special guest NFL Pittsburg Steelers‘ star safety DeShon Elliott, joins winemaker Jesse Katz, of Aperture Cellars, and Sawyer Somm on THE VARIETAL SHOW! DeShon shares how he soaked up the wine knowledge and talks competition flights.

SAVE THE DATE! North Coast Food & Wine Festival Saturday, June 15, 2024 @Luther Burbank Center for the Arts

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Going Whole Hog At Cochon Tasting Bar On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

Just off the Sonoma Plaza is a quaint little wine spot nook. THE VARIETAL SHOW chats with Adam Webb of Cochon Tasting Bar about his migration from OK to CA. We taste a sampling of his amazing wines, that truly represent how innovation meets tradition.

  • 2023 Cochon Old Vine Rose
  • 2023 Cochon Pinot Blanc, Dutton Family-Shop Block
  • 2021 Cochon Pinot Noir, Les Sirenes, Russian River Valley
  • 2022 Gardienne des Vignes, Old Vine Zinfandel, Collins Vineyard, RRV

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In The Cave With Parable Wines On THE VARIETAL SHOW

The story begins in 2020, which lead to a career change for Parable Wines partner Trey Eppright. Together with winemaker Kale Anderson, Parable came to be in Calistoga, CA. Join THE VARIETAL SHOW to learn more about this boutique family project, for a tasting in the cave:

  • 2022 Chardonnay, A18, Atlas Peak, Napa Valley
  • 2022 Chardonnay, Larry Hyde & Sons Vineyard, Carneros, Napa Valley
  • 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vangone Vineyard, Napa Valley
  • 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckstoffer Bourn Vineyard, St. Helena

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Watch the River Cruise Webinar – Link Available Here!

Did you miss our informational Webinar about the Breathless Wines-SawyerSomm AmaWaterways Unparalleled River Cruise Experience?

Well luckily, here is the LINK to watch our discussion about cruise details for that Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle Wine Cruise on July 23, 2025, with hosts Sharon CohnBreathless Sparkling Wines & Chris Sawyer Sommelier, Kim Green– CruiseOne Dream Vacations. (Use Promo Code: SawyerSomm)

Give it a watch and let me know if you have any questions!

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Clowning Around At GlenLyon On THE VARIETAL SHOW

Nestled in the idyllic Sonoma Valley lies a winery run by some clown: Squire Fridell, that is. Find out how GlenLyon Winery came to be through his distinctive road to success. Delicious and award-winning, we discuss Suzy’s Toast, Viognier; Hog Wilde Chardonnay; Squire’s Toast Red Blend; GlenLyon Estate Port.

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A European River Wine Cruise ~ Summer 2025

Join Breathless Wines and Sawyer Somm for Vineyards of the Rhine and Moselle, next summer, July 23-30, 2025! Now is the time to book your cabin with special discounts, use the Promo Code: SawyerSomm before March 31st.

Featuring 7-Nights, starting off in Amsterdam, traveling through special German wine regions, along the scenic Rhine & Moselle Rivers, abundant with castles, to the final charming destination Luxembourg.

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Robert Biale Vineyards Features Fine Zin On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

The perfect #Zinning combination, THE VARIETAL SHOW talks to winemaker David Natali, of Robert Biale Vineyards: Focus in on Zinfandel, the official state grape of California, and its origins in Napa Valley. From this traditional farming region, we discuss old vines averaging 50 years old and celebrate the revered vineyards. Taste the history with us: 2022 Black Chicken, Napa Valley; 2022 Dickerson Vineyard, St Helena, Napa Valley; 2022 Morisoli Vineyard, Rutherford, Napa Valley

Join us for more #Zinning moments at ZAP in SF Jan 25-27!


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THE VARIETAL SHOW Stops By Stoller Family Estate

The epic Oregon road trip continues for THE VARIETAL SHOW, with a visit to Stoller Family Estate: Introducing my good friends, Winemaker Melissa Burr and Vineyard Manager, Jason Tosch. We discuss the amazing Willamette Valley, which just finished celebrating 40 years as an AVA. Digging deep into soil and clones, we taste three amazing samples of their work: 2021 Stoller Reserve Chardonnay, 2019 Legacy Nancy’s Pinot Noir & 2020 History Colombia Valley Red Blend.

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AFWC’s “One Thousand Bottles” -January 14th!

Join me and the judging team of American Fine Wine Competition in Miami at the 17th Annual AFWC “ONE THOUSAND BOTTLES” event – to taste over 700 exceptional wines from small, boutique, family-run wineries across the US, including California, Ohio, Washington, New York, Colorado, Michigan, Virginia, and Oregon, while enjoying incredible food from local restaurants!

  • Meet award-winning winemakers pouring their wines
  • Win fabulous wine baskets at the raffle
  • Bid on exclusive private wine tasting experiences
  • Get 1000 Bottles TICKETS while they last!


Sunday, January 14th, from 6:30-9:00 PM FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management,
3000 NE 151st Street, North Miami, FL 33181

All proceeds benefit the Joel Feigenheimer Endowment Fund, supporting scholarships in the hospitality industry and End Childhood Hunger.

Special thanks to our incredible partners: Smart Source Marketing, Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at FIU, Two Men & a Truck, Advanced Roofing, VENU Magazine, City & Shore Magazine, South Florida Business Journal, FPL, Coravin, RC Music Group, Chef & Sommelier, Rod Coleman, Esq. & Associates, Preiser Key, Cheney Brothers, Restaurant Placement Group, A Flair For Fudge, The CrepeMaker, Island Fusion, Fogo de Chao Miami Beach, Royal India, and Cristina’s Family Bakery.

Holiday Wishes From Elk Cove Vineyards On THE VARIETAL SHOW

HO HO Hope Santa Somm filled your stockings with good wines! THE VARIETAL SHOW discusses the wine wonders of Oregon’s Willamette Valley with Adam Campbell of Elk Cove Vineyards, including the French connection, clones, estate vineyards & IPNC. Join us to taste the 2022 Estate Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley; 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley; and 2021 Pinot Noir, Five Mountains, Laurelwood District.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @11am PST! Email me about featuring your winery on #THEVARIETALSHOW

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