Category Archives: Varietal

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Rhône Adventures Continue with Tablas Creek Vineyards on The Varietal Show

Leave a comment

In this Part Two from my discussion with Jason Haas of Tablas Creek Vineyards, he reflects about lessons from his dad with wine, and he shares three tiers of red blends including a tasty Mourvedre on The Varietal Show.

Find out more about their Rhône connection on our Rhone Rangers Webinar, Thursday November 19th! As well as a viewing of Tablas Creek Vineyards, Part One, on The Varietal Show.

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

Tablas-Creek-Proprietor-Jason-Haas CROP
Tablas-Creek-sign
Animal-herd-at-Tablas-Creek
Holidays, Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

Rhône At Home With This November 19th Webinar!

1 Comment

Jump in on this Webinar with ME and the Rhone Rangers, that I will be moderating next Thursday, November 19th, at 4pm PST! White Rhône-blends are perfect for sipping fireside and celebrating the holiday season: Hear direct from the winemaker’s who craft these incredibly versatile wines, optimal in any season. Discover favorites to pair with your Thanksgiving menu!

Advance registration via Zoom is required; click here to Register. Featured wines include:

Caliza Winery, Paso Robles – Carl Bowker, 2019 Kissin’ Cousins (47% Viognier, 31% Grenache Blanc, 22% Roussanne)

Kita Wines, Santa Barbara County – Tara Gomez, 2018 T’aya (Marsanne, Roussanne, Grenache Blanc)

Terre Rouge/Easton Wines, Sierra Foothills – Bill Easton, 2013 Enigma (49% Marsanne, 26% Viognier, 24% Roussanne, 1% Grenache Blanc)

Tablas Creek Vineyard, Paso Robles – Jason Haas, 2018 Esprit de Tablas Blanc (66% Roussanne, 21% Grenache Blanc, 8% Picpoul Blanc, 3% Picardan, 2% Clairette Blanc)

20180426_204012
20160415_110246
92891507_10158455029984287_2376496960694648832_o
20160415_155832

Caption this! In the days before social distancing at Hospice du Rhône, a Paso Robles staple in years gone by.

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Take a Rhône Rendezvous on The Varietal Show With Tablas Creek Vineyards

Leave a comment

On my way down to judge at the Central Coast Wine Competition, The Varietal Show made a little stop to explore the joys of red wines made with Rhône varietals grown on the marvelous Tablas Creek Vineyards estate properties: This first part features the first tasting of the 2018 Tablas Creek Esprit Rouge, come back for more next week!

Check it out here and remember to hit LIKE, SHARE, and FOLLOW my channel for more exciting weekly episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm!

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

Pinot Noir at Keller Estate with The Varietal Show

Leave a comment

The Varietal Show talks about Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir with my friend Ana Keller of Keller Estate. Enjoy our conversation and then make your tasting appointment to try it for yourself! (And if you fancy Pinot Gris, then watch our previous episode . . .)

Be first to watch when you SUBSCRIBE to my You Tube Channel for new episodes on Tuesdays at 12:30pm.

Setting PINOT NOIR free at vineyards of Keller Estate!
Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

#MerlotMe Mania Continues!

Leave a comment

Just a brief reminder about my Masters of Merlot Webinar with Cuvaison & Duckhorn Vineyards on Wednesday October 28th at 5pm PST: Reserve your Zoom space NOW!

Also, with Merlot Month ending on Saturday, we just had to squeeze in one more treat (no tricks!). Join ME along with two powerhouse Merlot producers, Peju Winery & Markham Vineyards, for a celebration of Napa Valley Merlot, its beauty, and styles, October 29th at 5pm PST, join via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The #MerlotMe festivities may continue even past October, moving toward International Merlot Day on Saturday November 7th: Keep tuned in for further developments! Cheers, Chris

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Wine

Masters of Merlot: Duckhorn Vineyards & Cuvaison, October 28th

Leave a comment

Join me in celebration of International Merlot Month as I host a very special virtual tasting with two of America’s most acclaimed MERLOT winemakers, Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards and Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison. Together, we’ll explore how these two iconic wineries helped to establish Napa Valley Merlot as one of America’s greatest wines, and how they are leading the way in showcasing the beauty and sophistication of Merlot in the modern era.

Click Here To Register
ZOOM Webinar – Wednesday October 28 at 5pm

Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards
Top: Steve “Roggy” Rogstad from Cuvaison
Above: Renée Ary of Duckhorn Vineyards

As we taste through sought-after wines from both wineries, Renée and Roggy will discuss what makes great Napa Valley Merlot so extraordinary, how beautifully it pairs with food, and how the film Sideways was actually good for Merlot. Whether you’re a Merlot fanatic, or are just discovering how approachable, age-worthy, and simply delicious Merlot is, this is a tasting you do not want to miss!

We will sample wines from the famed vine rows of Duckhorn’s Three Palms Vineyard in Calistoga, which was the source for Wine Spectator’s 2017 “Wine of the Year,” to Cuvaison’s legendary estate in the cooler Los Carneros region of Napa—which has unique parallels to the Merlot heartland of Bordeaux’s Right Bank—to learn about the terroirs where Merlot achieves its finest expressions. JOIN US!

2017 Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot Three Palms Vineyard
Carneros_select-017tweek
2017 Cuvaison Arcilla Merlot

Sommelier, Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog, Wine

Introducing “The Varietal Show” with Somm Chris Sawyer!

Leave a comment

Well it is about bloody time, right? Let’s just start talking to wine personalities about their work and have a good time with it, which I already like to do anywhere anytime 24/7!

This is my inaugural discussion on “The Varietal Show” which features Eric Sussman of Radio-Coteau and County Line Vineyards. Relaxing in an empty dining room at Gravenstein Grill, we practice social distancing as we taste and talk!


Tasting, Varietal, Virtual, Vlog

Hospice du Rhône 2020: Video, Virtual & Rescheduled!

Leave a comment

We can all still celebrate Hospice du Rhône 2020 in a few ways.  You can start with this informative video I made a few years back about the wines and region.  After that, scroll down for some updates to the HdR calendar that you can partake in this week!

Now start your own #RhôneAtHome campaign on social media.  Share what you are drinking with other Rhône-fans, and show your support of Rhône producers.  Use the hashtag @hospicedurhone, and HdR will share your post!

This all leads up to the BIG virtual cheers on Saturday, April 25th 2020:  Join to celebrate the wines, people and regions that embody Rhône varieties!  Zoom link to cheers with us will be posted on the HdR website, and sent to their mailing list.

Lastly, be sure to add the new dates of Hospice du Rhône to your calendar on April 22 – 24, 2021 at the Paso Robles Event Center in California.  (All visitor and exhibitor tickets, along with sponsor partnerships will remain valid.)

Cheers, hope to see you all LIVE next year!
Christopher

news, Sommelier, Varietal, Wine

Read My Work About Rhône & Somm Camp in the Latest Somm Journal!

Leave a comment

In between all my comings and goings there is a wee space to satiate my journalistic beginnings.  In addition to my occasional Sawyer Somm blog posts, take a minute to peruse some industry magazines either in print or online.  The 2020 February/March issue of  The SOMM Journal is a great place to start with my two published pieces!

 

My column Inside Sonoma is on  page 18.
Here to Stay: Sonoma County Producers Continue to Embrace Rhône Varieties

My article about The SOMM Journal Camp is on page 100.
With Love From The Russian River Valley: DeLoach Vineyards Leads SOMM Campers in a Regional Exploration of Wine and Vine

Happy Reading! Chris

Event, Varietal, Wine, zigsaw

Coming Soon: ZinEX & #ZIGSAW Discount at the Grand Tasting!

Leave a comment

Get ready San Francisco, because here comes Zin EX, January 30-February 1!  Three spectacular days to celebrate the marvelous varietal Zinfandel.  It starts with the Opening Night Dinner at Le Colonial (SOLD OUT, sorry!).

Moving on, there is a fantastic seminar, Legendary Zinfandel Vineyards – As seen through the Eyes of Their Caretakers on Friday January 31, 10:30 to 1pm at The Palace Hotel, with moderator extraordinaire Joel Peterson, founding winemaker at Ravenswood Winery (TICKETS Available!). Later in the evening comes Havana Nights, the SOLD OUT Winemaker Auction & Dinner.

Saving the best for last is the Grand Tasting on Saturday February 1st, at Pier 27:  This Zinfandel expedition will have over 100 participating wineries and culinary stations to sample delectable bites from leading chefs!  BE SURE to include the code #ZigSaw for $10 OFF your PUBLIC Grand Tasting entry at 2pm!

 

 

Looking forward to an ZIN-tastic weekend!
Cheers, Chris & Ziggy (aka #ZIGSAW)