Category Archives: Tasting

Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

Tasty Talk At Trelio on The Varietal Show!

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Cruising along Hwy 99, on my early May road trip I stopped in at the spectacular restaurant oasis Trelio, in the central valley town of Clovis, for some double somm time on The Varietal Show with my friend Chris Shackelford, and his dad Jim: Off the spectacular wine list we share a bottle of Claudio Vio 2019 Pigato (Riviera, Ligure di Ponente, Liguria, Italy), so join us for a good talk and delicious tasting!

Visit TRELIO Restaurant in Clovis, CA: Located at 438 Clovis Ave #4: Call for details 559-297-0783!

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

Rhones Alone At Tablas Creek Vineyards On The Varietal Show!

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Whew! SIXTY episodes in, so The Varietal Show is having a little vacay. But still taking time to send you halfway back to EP #30 (& 31) from last autumn, in this two-part sit down with Jason Haas at Tablas Creek Vineyards in Paso Robles! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting upcoming episodes, Tuesdays @12:30pm!

EP #30: On my trek down to Paso Robles The Varietal Show explored the joys of red wines made with Rhone varietals grown on their marvelous estate properties, featuring the first tasting of the 2018 Tablas Creek Esprit Rouge!

EP #31: My conversation with Jason Haas continues, reflecting on lessons from his dad with wine, and sharing 3 tiers of red blends including a tasty Mourvedre on The Varietal Show. Paso Robles wine country is open for business!

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

Epoch Estate Wines Talks AVA & Art on The Varietal Show

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Here are two unique episodes of The Varietal Show featuring Jordan Fiorentini of Epoch Estate Wines in San Luis Obispo County! Scroll down to watch both and then LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays @12:30pm!

First up is the York Mountain AVA that I got to visit with Jordan: Join us on this epic adventure where we talk about the beauty of this AVA, their 2018 Grenache and Syrah!

Next enjoy Jordan’s “visual tasting notes” as we try the Rosé and White wines together, for an epic discussion about pairing art and yummy food for summer!

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

The Varietal Show Takes 2 At Joseph Swan Vineyards!

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Going backwards a bit to loop everyone in on my visit to Joseph Swan Vineyards, with The Rodfather, AKA Rod Berglund, and his tales from a terrific palate! Parts 1 & 2 of The Varietal Show interview are shared here.

#SawyerSomm sits down in Russian River Valley to taste the Valdiguié, Syrah and glimpse of a Simi North Coast Burgundy from the early 60’s! Then The Rodfather shares his knowledge about this landmark site and the historic Trenton region, as well as some Russian River Pinot & Chardonnay that is definitely worth talking about! LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays at 12:30pm

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

On Top of Pride Mountain Vineyards With The Varietal Show

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Pride Mountain Vineyards is right on the edge of Sonoma & Napa counties, and The Varietal Show had the fortune of discussing this dichotomy with Winemaker Sally Blum Johnson! We taste and talk about the Viognier, Merlot and Cab Franc, both in the bottle and history of the vines.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays at 12:30pm

Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Vlog, Wine

The Real TASTE of Amador County on The Varietal Show

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The Varietal Show has a spirited discussion about the joys of wine, food and the Sierra Foothills with fellow sommelier and proprietor Tracey Berkner, who established Taste Restaurant, Rest Hotel, and Volcano Union Pub & Inn in Amador County with star chef and husband, Mark Berkner. We taste, talk and pair wine from Cedarville Vineyard and Turley Wine Cellars with some of her signature dishes.

LIKE, SHARE & FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications on more exciting episodes, Tuesdays at 12:30pm

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A few delicious signature dishes that we touch on from TASTE, and the cozy store front at 9204 Main Street in downtown Plymouth!

Appellation, Event, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Wine

Watch The Rutherford Dust Society PNV 2021 Virtual Celebration

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The #PNV21 Virtual Event was a success! It was an amazing presentation, fun was had by all. I was honored to lead this great show with members of the Rutherford Dust Society, and support the Napa Valley Vintners.

You can watch the show below with talented and energetic winemakers from Inglenook, Peju Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, Alpha Omega, and St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, seen with me in the photo above! Glad to represent and include the great wines from Morisoli Vineyard, Amici Cellars and Quintessa in my film pairings as well!

Event, Music, Tasting, Virtual, Wine

Symphony of Flavor: A Wine + Music Experience

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Experience this virtual wine + music event featuring a live performance by Toronto Symphony Orchestra musicians Sonority Sisters, as well as a guided tasting of three wines from Napa Valley’s Ghost Block Estate Wines on Wednesday June 16, 5-6:30pm PDT. An experience brought to you by Melier.

The Sonority Sisters was founded by musicians Clare Semes and Kelly Zimba, a violin and flute duo that shares music in creative, safe, and socially distanced ways.

Participants will dig into pairing wines with music, engage with the musicians, and socialize with other wine lovers. ORDER YOUR TICKETS (to request wine delivery at least 6 days in advance).

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Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Vlog, Wine

#OregonWineMonth 2021 In Review, On The Varietal Show

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What an amazing month of interviews I was privileged to do on my OREGON trek this year, wrapping it up with a big Zoom finale of fabulous Willamette Valley producers from Brooks Wine, Elk Cove Vineyards, Lenné Estate and Utopia Vineyard & Winery!

Watch that episode here, and follow the links below to see more of my OREGON conversations with Abacela Winery, Lingua Franca, Sokol Blosser Winery, Troon Vineyard & Biodynamics. FOLLOW my You Tube channel, for weekly notifications, Tuesdays at 12:30pm

LINKS to more Oregon Winery episodes on The Varietal Show: THANKS FOR WATCHING!

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#OregonWine #WillametteValley #TheVarietalShow #SawyerSomm

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Video, Vlog, Wine

SPECIAL Pinot Noirs in Willamette Valley Episode on The Varietal Show!

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The Varietal Show makes a big finish to #OregonWineMonth with four wineries! Don’t miss this invigorating discussion about the world-class winegrowing region of Willamette Valley, and sub-AVA’s.

Join Carl Giavanti and I for the PREMIERE on Tuesday June 1, at noon, to taste through the spectacular 2014 Pinot Noirs with . . .

And peruse my You Tube channel for more Oregon winery episodes on The Varietal Show!

#OregonWine #WillametteValley #BrooksWine #ElkCoveVineyards #LennéEstate #UtopiaWine #TheVarietalShow #SawyerSomm