Category Archives: Tasting

Festivals, Literature, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Varietal, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Rex Pickett Goes Sideways On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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At the Anderson Valley Pinot Festival, THE VARIETAL SHOW was lucky to run into Rex Pickett, world renowned author of Sideways. If you recall the film based on his novel, it makes sense to find him celebrating Pinot Noir. Together we discuss the AVA, the film, his books and his latest novel based in New Zealand. Of course, all the while, tasting spectacular PN from Anderson Valley, including Waits-Mast Family Cellars, Lula Cellars & Goldeneye Winery! #GoMendo #GoSideways

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

Getting Todo Un Poco On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Be forewarned, this episode will make you hungry! Todo Un Poco is the creation of Chef & Sommelier Maria Mertz; THE VARIETAL SHOW visits this amazingly unique restaurant located in Elk Grove, not far from Sacramento. To translate from Spanish, it means “a little bit of everything” which perfectly describes the menu of these Mexican & Italian dishes with influences from around the world.

Celebrating their 25 year anniversary we sample prawn salad, meatballs with tomatilla salsa and an Indian chorizo mixup, as well as some equally interesting wines of their list; Clarksburg Wine Co, White Delta Blanc & Zuccardi, Concreto Malbec.

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Event, Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Wine

Rose & Aromatic White/Pink Wine Festival on Thurs May 25th!

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Join Gravenstein Grill for an early evening celebrating all the incredible aromatic white & rose wines produced in Sonoma County! We’ll have wines being poured by over 20 guest wineries, including Balletto Vineyards, Anaba, Crux, Cochon, Banshee, Davis Family, Muscardini Cellars, Radio-Coteau, Red Car Wine, Sea Wolf, Marimar, Porter Creek, Raft, Inman Family, Quivira, Chenoweth Wines, Kobler Estate, Benziger Winery, Imagery Winery, Rodney Strong & More!

This event is Thursday May 25th, 5-7pm, outdoors on the garden patio. TICKETS are $35 if ordered online, $45 at the door, and includes tastings with all the wineries!

To accompany these world class wines there will be passed appetizers by Chefs Bob Simontacchi & Makana Colunga. This is the first of the Summer wine series at Gravenstein Grill – and it is not to be missed!

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

Diggin’ Jessies Grove Winery On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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Proprietor Greg Burns, and winemaker Tana Cole, of Jessies Grove Winery in Lodi host THE VARIETAL SHOW! Find out about this historic property from 1868, before wine grapes were finally planted in 1900. Together we taste unique grape varietals including . . .

  • 2022 Rose of Cinsault, Bechhold Vineyard
  • 2021 Cinsault, Bechhold Vineyard
  • 2019 Carignane, Ancient Vine, Estate
  • 2020 Fancy Quest Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi Appelation
  • 2020 Alicante Bouschet, Estate

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Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Celebrates 3 Years With Peju Winery!

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In 2020 THE VARIETAL SHOW began, and is now celebrating its Third Anniversary! We celebrate by exploring the wonders of Napa Valley, with Peju winemaker Sarah Fowler, talking about being Nor Cal natives, Rutherford Dust and the AVA 40 Year Anniversary! Tasting REDS together: 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford, 2018 Cabernet Franc & 2019 Fifty/Fifty!

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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.

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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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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.

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