Category Archives: Tasting

Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

ZinEX 2023-Get Your Tickets!

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Coming up quickly it is time for ZinEX, in San Francisco on January 26, 27 & 28 atThe Pavilion at One Market (30 Steuart St)! So many events, so many winemakers, so many somms – myself included!

Schedule of Events begins Thursday, January 26 – Opening Night Dining; Friday, January 27 – Flights! and Winemakers Dinner & Auction ~ A Red Carpet Gala; Saturday, January 28 – Grand Tasting

Get your TICKETS! Catch the Somm-Winemaker pairings at the Friday Flights! event & lot of Zinfandel every day:

  • Ian Blackburn, Learn About Wine – Paired with Ryan Schmaltz, Winemaker at Bella Vineyards
  • Matt Montrose, OMVino – Paired with Clay Mauritson, Owner of Mauritson Wines
  • Tonya Pitts, One Market Restaurant – Paired with April Nalle, Co-owner at Nalle Winery
  • Cara Patricia, DECANTsf – Paired with Hugh Chappelle, Winemaker at Quivira Vineyards
  • Chris Sawyer, Sawyersomm.com – Paired with Jeff Stewart, Winemaker at Hartford Family Winery
  • Sarah Trubnick, The Barrel Room – Paired with Trester Goetting, Ridge Vineyards

SEE YOU ALL THERE! Christopher

Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Holidaytime At Domaine Carneros On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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FLASHBACK to holidays 2021! THE VARIETAL SHOW just had to visit with a favorite of mine in the sparkling wine realm, Remi Cohen of Domaine Carneros. We discuss our love of the Carneros region, why it is a perfect place to make bubbles and still wines, culinary pairings and the great teamwork involved! Taste along with us the Cuvee de la Pompadour, Le Reve, and Le Ciel Serein Pinot Noir.

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Event, People, Sommelier, Video, Virtual, Wine

Legends: Next Gen @Watch It on SawyerSomm.com!

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Here is the video for those that were unable to attend the Sonoma County Wine Library: Sonoma County Wine Legends event in November, Legends: Next Gen that was moderated by Sawyer Somm and features five next-generation professionals of the local wine community. Sit down with a local glass of vino and enjoy the discussion!

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

In The Cellar At Joel Palmer House Restaurant On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Levi Seed is the Sommelier extraordinaire at the amazing Joel Palmer House Restaurant! THE VARIETAL SHOW huddles with him in the wine cellar to discuss the history of this mushroom centric eatery in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, as well as the ‘Omakase’ Experience, and the largest selection of Pinot Noir in the country: We celebrate with some Ribbon Ridge ‘RR‘ Reisling & Authentique Pinot Noir!

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

Sergio González On THE VARIETAL SHOW Sharing Mexican Wines!

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México Selection is a special competition put on by Concours Mondial de Bruxelles. This year THE VARIETAL SHOW was in Parras de la Fuente, in the region of Coahuila. While there I sat down with representative Sergio González, Certified Sommelier for The Court of Master Sommeliers, to discuss the history of wine in México, which includes the oldest winery in the Americas. Together we enjoy the tastes of Casa Madero, Don Leo and Parvada. (Of special note, this region is also famous for Dinosaurs!)

México Selection RESULTS from a total of 737 wines and spirits, from 21 producing states of Mexico and the United States, “Guest Country of Honor 2022”, competed for a distinction. LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for notification about upcoming episodes, most Tuesdays @12:30pm!

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

Stoller & THE VARIETAL SHOW Wishing You HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

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With a nod to Thanksgiving week, THE VARIETAL SHOW returns to Stoller Family Estate, that was originally home to a turkey farm! Here I met with Karl Weichold, Production Winemaker, in the vineyard to discuss weather patterns in Willamette Valley, winemaking techniques and his status as Vigneron. Taste along with us the 2021 Chardonnay, Rose and Pinot Noir Dundee Hills.

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

Chillin’ With Chehalem Winery On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Continuing my visits in the Willamette Valley, next stop Chehalem Winery for THE VARIETAL SHOW. There I met with winemaker Katie Santora where we discuss some interesting sub-AVA’s, and dip into the beauty of Pinot Blanc, Reisling fruit and Reserve Pinot Noir!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Has Wine With Wynne of Ribbon Ridge!

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Try saying that 10 times fast! In the Yamhill-Carlton AVA of Willamette Valley, Oregon, THE VARIETAL SHOW dropped in on good friend Wynne Peterson-Nedry of Ribbon Ridge Winery. We discuss the details of this family project she shares with her father Harry, and try some of their tasty products; Ridgecrest Estate 2021 Grüner Veltliner, Ridgecrest Estate 2021 Dry Riesling, Ridgecrest Estate 2019 Pinot Noir & RR 2017 Reserve Pinot Noir.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

A Top 100 Winery! THE VARIETAL SHOW Meets Bergström Wines

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Josh with Tony Soter, of Soter Vineyards!

On my southern Oregon press trip, we gathered Abbey Road Farm, in the wonderful Willamette Valley, where THE VARIETAL SHOW was able to catch up with Josh Bergström of Bergström Wines. They were recently announced as a Wine & Spirits Top 100 Winery! We discuss and taste Pinot Noir, and weird weather dynamics in recent vintages.

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Stoller Family Estate Makes Perfect PINOT NOIR On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Stopping by Stoller Family Estate in the amazing Dundee Hills of Oregon, THE VARIETAL SHOW was able to chat with winemaker Kate Payne Brown. Tilt your screen forward to brighten the your the view, where they just finished their picking at this Willamette Valley vineyard! We discuss and taste the diversity of their Pinot Noir, as well as what to pair with each; Estate 2020 White Pinot Noir, Winemaker’s Series 2021 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir & Estate Brut Sparkling Wine.

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