Category Archives: Tasting

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

Passion For Posada On THE VARIETAL SHOW!

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Do you have a hankering for contemporary southwestern cuisine? Well then you should hop on the saddle and mozy over to Posada Restaurant in the Livermore Valley! THE VARIETAL SHOW sips wine with owner Eduardo Posada & sommelier Jorge Tinoco, to discuss the humble beginnings of this fine establishment, featuring Mexican food with a twist! #MakeThePanCry

Match that with an extensive wine list from around the world;
Jean-Claude Ramonet Chardonnay, Familia Torres Pazo das Bruxas Alberiño, Steven Kent Cabernet Franc

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Food, Sommelier, Tasting, Travels, Wine

ALASKA 2023: Cruise With Me On The CELEBRITY SOLSTICE!

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Did you miss my epic Alaska wine cruise last summer? Well now you have another opportunity to join me on this spectacular voyage!

This 7-day Celebrity Cruise on the Solstice, exclusively through Costco Travel, departs from Seattle on July 21, 2023. Your exclusive wine experiences will include a welcome reception, two wine tasting seminars and a wine-paired luncheon!

Let me know if you have any questions and BOOK YOUR WINE CRUISE (<—here) before it sells out like the last one. Cheers! Chris

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Some snapshots from my Alaska cruise in Summer 2022!

Film, Food, Holidays, People, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

A Week Of Sweets & Treats For #VALENTINESDAY

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For Valentines Week, I am going to assail you with some special tidbits in this single blast of love! Start by reading this seductive article by Dr. Liz Thach, for a lovely selection of cocktails: Mine is the Blood Orange Rose 75, so start mixing!

Follow that up with the classic romantic film, An Affair To Remember: A fine sparkling wine that can live up to this level of romance is Domaine Carneros Brut Rosé. This charming bubbly exudes fruity, tangy flavor, has a beautiful color and a long enchanting finish. To further enliven the senses, serve this sparkling gem with aphrodisiac delights such as oysters on the half shell, fresh berries, or toasted nuts.

Lastly, let’s revisit my wine & chocolate pairing on THE VARIETAL SHOW from last year. It’s never too late to get specialty treats for your loved ones! Especially if it is Acumen Wine & Phillip Ashley Chocolates.

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History, Sommelier, Sports, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Horsing Around With Tamber Bey On THE VARIETAL SHOW

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It is not often that wine pairs with horses, but at Tamber Bey it does! THE VARIETAL SHOW visits Barry Waitte at his winery, and we reminisce about the history of farming and orchards in Calistoga, the northernmost region of Napa Valley. We talk about his love of horses, while tasting his Chardonnay Sans Chêne, Pinot Noir Mes Filles Vineyard, and Cabernet Sauvignon Deux Chevaux Vineyard.

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Art, History, Sommelier, Tasting, Video, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

THE VARIETAL SHOW Is Back-With Mike Dunne!

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THE VARIETAL SHOW is back! Kicking off the first episode of 2023 with writer and wine judge Mike Dunne, sharing his new book “The Signature Wines of Superior California“. We get into some stories about Gold Rush county wines, including Amador, El Dorado, & Calaveras: Then taste with us the delightful 2020 markus nimmo, from Markus Wine Co. in Lodi.

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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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