Category Archives: Tasting

Music, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Virtual, Wine

Ahoy Alaska! Special Episodes Of THE VARIETAL SHOW.

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Off we go, on another epic cruise to ALASKA on the Celebrity Solstice: Sharing wine with my special guests and enjoying the panhandle of this spectacular state! THANK YOU to all the wineries sending along splendid tastes for the journey; J. Lohr, Dry Creek Vineyards, Muscardini, Cuvaison, Bee Hunter, Cochon, Rodney Strong, Davis Family, Chehalem, Balletto, Davis Bynum & Fifth Hill.

To celebrate, here are a few episodes of THE VARIETAL SHOW, including Stoller, which I will be pouring onboard, and a musical guest from a previous voyage. See more cruise episodes on the YouTube channel!

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Appellation, Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Wine

Wind To Wine Festival!

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Join THE PETALUMA GAP AVA on Saturday, August 5, at SOMO Village in RP, for a celebration and tasting of over 100 wines! Enjoy artisanal cheese pairings by Point Reyes Cheese Company, wine-infused chocolates by Bert’s Desserts, and savory bites catered by the culinary talents of Sally Tomatoes.

General Admission TICKETS are still available with entry at 2 PM. The last pour is at 4 PM (ends time is 4:30 PM). See you there! Chris

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

Celebrating ZIN On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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With the upcoming Zin-spiration Festival at Gravenstein Grill on Wednesday July 19th, we want to highlight a few amazing interviews with local producers whose wines will be featured at the amazing event among these stellar selections: Croix, Three Wine Co, Robert Biale, Carol Shelton, Florence, Gamba, Goldschmidt, Nalle, Jeff Cohn, Hendry, Limerick Lane, Woodenhead, Wilson, Cast, Pezzi King, Hartford, Ridge, Once and Future, Pedroncelli & MORE! See you there. . . meanwhile watch these ZIN episodes with Miro and Dry Creek Vineayards.

Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

1st Annual Zin-spiration Festival! Wednesday, July 19th

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Come to Gravenstein Grill and taste the varied styles of California’s own varietal: Zinfandel! The grapes grown & produced here in Sonoma County boast a huge range of styles, from the soft elegant cold climate coastal Zins to the bold, in your face juicy ripe Zins from Dry Creek & the gnarly unique and full of character old vine Zinfandels that were grown in the region for over 100 years!

Taste wines from 20 select world class Zinfandel producers, including Gamba, Biale, Limerick Lane, Nalle Winery, Jeff Cohn Cellars, Three Wine Co, Woodenhead, Croix, Carol Shelton, Wilson & Pezzi King!

There will also be passed appetizers featuring locally sourced meat & produce by Chefs Simontacchi & Colunga, and live music by Alan Watt! Get your TICKETS!

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

THE VARIETAL SHOW Chats With Fred Cline

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At Cline Family Cellars, the Rhone Rangers were honoring American Rhone pioneer Fred Cline. THE VARIETAL SHOW sat down with him (yes, in a train car) to talk about his legacy, Carneros AVA, and more! Tasting some gems together: Cline 2021 Ancient Vines Mouvedre, Contra Costa County; 2021 Estate Grown Syrah, Los Carneros; 1999 Viognier, Los Carneros.

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

A classic snapshot of Fred, with good buddy Randall Grahm, of Bonny Doon Vineyard.
Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Madroña In The Mountains On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Climbing the Sierra Nevadas, one does not often think of growing wine. But that is just what some Gold Rush settlers planted in this historical Zinfandel region. Stepping in the footsteps of these pioneers, Paul Bush and his family started Madroña Vineyards & Winery 50 years ago. Their celebration at 3000 feet elevation, overlaps the 40 Year Anniversary of its AVA, El Dorado. THE VARIETAL SHOW reminisces and discovers their unique Nebiolo 2019, Syrah 2019 Signature, Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 Signature and in closing with a classic 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon!

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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Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Passion For Pinot On Thurs June 29 @Gravenstein Grill!

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It’s here – the Passion for Pinot segment of the Summer Wine Series! Join Gravenstein Grill for 25 of the top Pinot Noir producers who work with world-class fruit grown in the celebrated cool-climate regions of Russian River Valley, Green Valley, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast and beyond.

Featured wineries include: Benovia Winery, Cobb Wines, Marimar Estate, Joseph Swan, Radio Coteau, Sherrer Winery, Papapietro Perry, Hartford Family Winery, La Follette Wines, Davis Bynum, & More!

Appetizers will be provided by Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga & live Jazz Guitar by Jay Messer on the scene!

This event sells out and is not to be missed, so buy a ticket today! Tickets are $55 preorder, $65 at the door, and include tastings with all participating wineries.

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

Nalle Winery Has It All On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Let’s talk about cult wine in Dry Creek Valley with a visit to Nalle Winery! THE VARIETAL SHOW is honored to be hosted by Lee & April Nalle, on the 40th Year Anniversary for both the winery and AVA. Their unique style of Zin, and other Reds, come from some very old gnarly vines, and we taste the 2021 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley & 2020 Ranch Red, Dry Creek Valley for an amazing sampling!

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

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

Flambeaux Wine On THE VARIETAL SHOW Is Tres Fabuleux!

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In the northern regions of Sonoma County lies the Dry Creek Valley AVA, where Flambeaux Wine is located, not far from the idyllic town of Healdsburg. THE VARIETAL SHOW joins proprietor Art Murray and winemaker Ryan Prichard for a discussion of New Orleans roots, culinary connections and to taste some mighty fine wines!

  • Flambeaux 2020 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast
  • Flambeaux 2020 Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley
  • Flambeaux 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley

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