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We promised & promised- and now we deliver! We finally did it- A blind tasting where neither of us know what the wine is! Christi & Alex sit down with Kit 115A from Master The World, a company based in San Mateo, California,  that sells wine tasting kits. This kit has 6 wines in it, 3 white and 3 red -all packaged with labels over the labels, so the tasting is completely  "blind" unless you choose otherwise! As part of the service, Master The World has several On-Line Tasting Grids that you can work through, and in the end have the wine revealed to you. All wines have been "road-tested" by three Master Sommeliers, and their notes are laid out next to your selections - so you can compare your experience to theirs, flavor by flavor! And all of this without the tension of a formal testing environment!So the pressure is on, can the CERTIFIED SOMM get the wine right? Or has he been B.S.-ing us all along? Grab a glass, pop in the earbuds, & join Christi & Alex as they Drink Something Amazing!Domaine Gassier Costieres de Nimes Nostre Pais Rouge 2016Costieres De Nimes, Rhone, France55% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, 5% Carignan & 5% Cinsault15% abv$20.99RP 91JD 94WE 90Winemakers NotesNostre Païs, our “Our Land” is Michel Gassier’s attempt at capturing what makes the Costières de Nîmes unique in the Rhône valley. For the Nostre Païs Rouge, Michel employs all the permitted red varieties in the appellation: Grenache, Carignan, Mourvedre, Cinsault and Syrah. He avoid over maturity and prefers to ferment only half the cuvée in neutral French oak barrels. Fermentation are indigenous and varying amounts of whole clusters are retained based on the vintage.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & Alex are sharing a perfect summer wine- easy on the wallet, easy to drink, easy on the alcohol! This light, mineral driven wine goes perfectly by itself, and even better with crudité! Perfect for the patio, delightful in the dining room, lovely in the living room-  It was the darling of Somm's everywhere until PetNat took the mantel- what could it be?Grab a glass, pop in the earbuds, & join Christi & Alex as they Drink Something Amazing!Loimer Langenlois Kamptal Gruner Veltliner 2018Langenlois, Kamptal DAC, Austria100% Gruner Veltliner12.5% abv$23.99Winemaker NotesGrüner Veltliner is the signature grape of Austria and produces a dry white wine with savory aromas, spicy flavors, and good acidity. Young Grüner Veltliner is fresh-tasting with notes of green apple, lemon, radish, and arugula. Lighter styles of Grüner Veltliner are intended for immediate drinking, while more structured examples can age for many years.Grüner Veltliner’s bright acidity and savory character make it an ideal partner to mildly spiced Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese dishes. Fish and shellfish are accented by Grüner Veltliner’s citrus and mineral profile while its acidity cuts the richness of pork or ham. It can also work well with foods that are difficult to pair such as bitter greens and asparagus.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

This is one of the first SOMM-thing wine podcasts recorded, when they were finding their feet and figuring out what they were doing! So while the quality may be low, at least the content isn't dull! This is first time Christi encountered "Esther", while Alex was trying to introduce her to "esters" instead. So.. yeah. This is where all of THAT started! Join us as Christi & Alex explore what's in the glass, who or what an "Ester/Esther" is, and be a part of the first days of SOMM-Thing To Drink About!Substance Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Columbia Valley AVA, Washington, USA100% Cabernet Sauvignon 14.5% abv$18.99 average priceWinemaker Notes#52 Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Best Buys of 2018Classic Cabernet Sauvignon. Currant, blackberry, cigar box with touches of chocolate, cedar and pencil lead. Full flavored & just so damn good.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Not all wine needs to be in a bottle, and not all wine needs to be expensive. What happens when we throw away preconceptions and just taste what's in the glass? French winemaker Jean Pierre Perrin established La Vieille Ferme over 50 years ago, when "he chose to produce an inexpensive, straightforward Rhône wine to sell by direct mail to French wine lovers. He used the same grape varieties in similar proportions to those planted at the family's Chateau de Beaucastel, in a similar vinification process."Made from grapes sourced in Côtes du Ventoux, this is a classic blend of Cinsault, Carignan, Syrah, and mostly Grenache. Plump, delicious, and easy drinking- this is a wine in a box that needs no apology! La Vieille Ferme Vin Rouge 2019Vin de France (Wine of France) Carignan. Cinsault, Grenache, Syrah13.5% abv $8.99  average price for 750ml bottle$19.99 average price for 3 liter bag-in-box ($4.99 per 750ml)Winemaker NotesPretty purple colour with shiny reflections. The nose reveals a seductive bouquet of red fruit and spices. Full of delicacy, the palate is full of freshness and well balanced, with aromas of cherries and very soft tannins, giving this wine great drinkability.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Bubbles are wasted when saved for a special occasion- but sometimes the price can make drinking champagne feel like it's too expensive to enjoy on just any night! Wouldn't it be nice if there was a bottle just like champagne, but a third the price so you didn't have to feel guilty for popping the cork?Well, surprise surprise surprise!! Christi & Alex have just the thing! It's a sparkling wine made in all the same ways as a true champagne, but it comes in at a surprisingly affordable price!What is this miracle in a glass, you ask? Well, if you give us just thirty minutes, you will have your answer!! So...Grab a glass, pop in the earbuds & join Christi & Alex as they Drink Something Amazing!Langlois-Chateau Cremant de Loire Brut NVAOC Loire, FranceChenin Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc12.5% abc$22.99Winemaker NotesLanglois-Chateau first established its reputation with its rich and elegant sparkling wines. Owned today by renowned Champagne house Bollinger, their Crémant de Loire is an affordable alternative to French Champagne. Made in the "méthod Champenoise" tradition and according to strict rules governing harvesting and production similar to Champagne, this fresh wine with fine bubbles will leave a lasting impression.Pale yellow color, with a complex nose of quince, peach, and grapefruit. A fresh, delicate taste with an elegant roundness. It pairs perfectly as an aperitif with hors-d'oeuvres and smoked salmon.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Wine by itself is amazing, but a wine that brings food to life? That is something special! It's rich, red, & Italian! Tuscany has produced some of the world's most amazing wines, but are they still doing anything new, or has everything already been done? This wine hails from a family winery, using centuries old techniques adapted with modern sensibilities, and the wines they produce are typically priced in the hundreds of dollars-- so what is this $20 marvel that is the focus today? Grab a glass, pop in the earbuds, & join Christi & Alex as they Drink Something Amazing!IrRosso di Casanova di Neri 2016IGT Tuscany, Italy90% Sangiovese, 10% Bordeaux Varietals14% abv $19.99Winemaker NotesThe most recent creation from Casanova di Neri is their "IrRosso di Casanova di Neri" Toscana IGT. The name, "Irrosso" translates to "our red wine" in Florentine dialect and refers to a good value, easy-drinking red to share with friends and family. The wine is primarily made up of Sangiovese (90%) from younger Brunello vineyards and blended with a small amount of Bordeaux varieties, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, from vineyards in the southern part of Montalcino. "Irrosso" is the most approachable of Neri wines, at an early stage of development but can still age well.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

It's a Holiday Wine & it is a classic! This wine is one bottle in millions made each year - it drinks like high quality champagne, it's made through the same exact process, and yet it costs less than $15 a bottle! How can a wine this amazing be produced for a fraction of the cost? Grab a glass, pop in the earbuds, and join Christi & Alex as they Drink Something Amazing!Los Dos Brut Cava NVD.O. Cava, Penedes, Spain Xarello, Macabeo, Paralleda 11.5% abv $11.99Winemaker NotesA classic blend of Macabeo, Xarel-lo and Parellada. Straw yellow in color with green highlights. Fresh and expressive primary aromas such as green apple and pear along with dried nuts and fresh baked bread notes. Fruity flavors combined with those from the ageing on lees. Fresh with medium structure.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Grown on the side of a volcano, on an island in the heart of the Mediterranean, this wine shows the finesse of elevation, the unique minerality of volcanic soil, and the heart of a culture that has roots extending back hundreds of years. The wine this week is red, deep, rich and as full of history as it is of flavor! Grown by a family who have been raising grapes in the same soil for close to three centuries, this unique varietal is grown almost no where else in the world. The wine is as unique as it is expressive, and a fantastic introduction to a wine growing region that is only going to become more and more important in the next few years as the world discovers what has been in front of them all along!Join Christi & Alex this week as they Drink Something Amazing! Tasca D'Almerita  Lamùri 2016Sicilia DOC, Sicily, Italy100% Nero D'Avola13.5% abv$18.99 average priceWinemaker NotesMade for a selection of Nero d’Avola grapes cultivated on the high hills. It expresses the primary aromas, without excess from the ripening process, it’s distinguished by the variety from the warmest parts of Sicily. Different age barriques provide soft and elegant tannins, with subtle hints of wood. Its name comes from the Sicilian word for love, “L’Amore”, the same love that Tasca d’Almerita put into its work.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & Alex visit a wine that is perfect for the Holiday season. Bursting with berries, touched with earth, hinting at brown baking spices- this is a wine that pairs well with food, drinks well alone, and won't break your wallet! What do they have in their glass today? Come pop in your earbuds, pour a glass, and let's Drink Something Amazing!Elk Cove Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016Willamette Valley AVA, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA100% Pinot Noir13.5% abv$30.00 average priceWinemaker NotesBlackberry and candied orange scents intertwine with notes of cinnamon and dark chocolate. A vibrant, juicy core of ripe dark cherry and Italian plum shows great freshness of fruit, leading into a long spicy finish of nutmeg, earth and black pepper.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & Alex return to their home state with a wine that sings of warmth, good winter cheer, balance & depth. Grown from several different key vineyards throughout the Columbia Valley, these are grapes that have been shaped by the heat and elevation of some of Washington's finest vineyards. These individual plots are brought together to create an expression of Cabernet Franc that is truly Washington, and showcases what Walla Walla Winemakers can do.  Tamarack Cellars Cabernet Franc 2017Columbia Valley AVA, Washington USA100% Cabernet Franc14.1% abv$30.00 average priceWinemaker NotesCrushed gently and dropped into 1.5 ton bins, cold soaked for 24 to 72 hours, then inoculated with a variety of yeasts, hand-punched and pressed directly to barrel where the wine finishes both primary and secondary fermentations. The individual lots of wine that comprise the Cabernet Franc are kept separate for at least one year before they are blended.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

What happens when fresh grapes are picked, but not processed? If you are in Rome, the answer might be that these grapes are being laid to rest in wooden crates in their own little home, with gentle, cool breezes sweeping off the hills to slowly, carefully and patiently reduce the water level in them. Once these grapes have lost 30% of their water, they are then pressed & fermented, where their higher concentration of sugar & solids create a more intensely flavored wine- a wine that expresses the passion & fire of the town where Romeo wooed, wed, courted & died with his love Juliet! (All in the span of three days, but who's counting, right??)Familia Pasqua uses ancient techniques brought to modern days in creating a wine worthy of Shakespeare's passionate romance, and yet inexpensive enough to be part of your own wooing! So go grab a bottle of this fun, unique wine & Drink Something Amazing!Familia Pasqua Passimento Rosso 2016Vento IGT, Verona, Italy14% abv$18.99 average priceWinemaker NotesA blend of Corvina and Croatina grapes with a percentage of Merlot, which the drying period renders velvetier still. Vinification takes place separately in steel tanks; the blend being created only after this. Passione Sentimento is aged in oak tonneau barrels for 3 months.Beautiful deep ruby red in color, an intense and lingering nose, with striking notes of red fruits and spicy overtones. Balanced, rounded, plush and caressing on the palate, with velvety tannins.Great with red meat and game or with aged cheese.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

The mist shrouded hills of northern Italy have given birth to some of the world's most incredible food wines & this wine is part of that proud tradition. What makes this wine exceptional is also how well it drinks by itself!These grapes are grown in a place where the Alps reach down into the Mediterranean, unfolding from snowcapped, razor sharp peaks into rolling hillsides covered in vineyards & fields, reaching through narrow valleys to touch the blue waters of the Ligurian Sea. Piedmont, literally translated as "foot of the mountain", is a land of rolling hilltops & shaded valleys set against the crisp backdrop of the Alps. Vineyards cling to the hillsides today, as they have for thousands of years, and each autumn they are bathed in the fog from which these grapes, and this wine, gets it's name, the "nebbia". So pop in the earbuds, pull open a bottle, and let's Drink Something Amazing!Vietti 'Perbacco' Nebbiolo della Langhe 2017Langhe DOC, Piedmonte, Italy100% Nebbiolo 14% abv$29.99 average priceWinemaker NotesOffers up generous fruit along with menthol, spices and hard candy, showing notable intensity while retaining an essentially mid-weight style. Strong, intense and powerful when young, complex and elegant with aging.Pair with a hearty stew, wild game, roasted red meats, and sharp, aged cheeses.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & Alex are back with a glass full of delicious dark wine from the heights of Andalusia. Join them as they walk through the wine, exploring the sense filling panorama that can only come from the high plains of Campo de Borja, Spain.So pop in the ear buds, pop a bottle and put up your feet! It's time to Drink Something Amazing!2016 Alto Moncayo VeratonCampo de Borja DO, Spain100% Garnacha15.5% ABVSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & I sat down to record this on the evening when I first read this article. This is my/our response to the New York Times article published on 10.29.2020 revealing the abusive of privilege and authority by multiple Master Sommeliers in the Court of Master Sommeliers, Americas. It is not edited for clarity, but rather a raw response to the impact I felt immediately after reading the article by Ms. Julia Moskin. (read the article here)I have proudly associated myself with the Court ever since I achieved my pin in 2015. I do not regret my education, but I am ashamed to associate myself with an organization that has done so much damage to women, people of color, and those who have given them their trust & money. My facts from this article are not 100% accurate, but my response is purely my own.  If you have feedback or an opposing opinion, I would love to hear it. Please. www.sommthingtodrinkabout.com@SommthingA on Instagram & TwitterSpokaneSomm@gmail.comSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

This is a fun one! A delicious wine, and a great back story- Join Christi & Alex for another fun glass of wine, a great story and a little education!A wine that started with a passion for French Wine, a memorable dinner in San Francisco, and a little help from Andre.Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2014Alexander Valley AVA, Sonoma, California79% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13.7% Merlot, 5.8% Petit Verdot, 1.2% Malbec, 0.3% Cabernet Franc13.8% abv$58.99 average priceSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Christi & Alex grab a glass of Deep Purple & let the games begin! Mendoza Argentina has been growing wines since the 1540's, but it has only been in the past 20 years that all of their hard work has finally come to be recognized by the international wine community.Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Torrontes, Bonardo... so many different grapes, so many different wines, and such an amazing array of places to grow & make them! Grab a glass & let the wine exploring begin!Catena Malbec 2016Mendoza, Argentina 100% Malbec13% abv$15.99 average priceSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Some wines aren't meant to be drunk alone, either without food or without friends. No wine exemplifies this more than the wines of Italy, where great food and great wine are part of a rich tapestry extending back thousands of years. Having given that much away, there will be no more hints! Grab a glass & join Christi & Alex as they work through this week's mystery glass! After all, no wine journey is complete unless it is shared with friends! Saluté!Barone Ricasoli Colledila Chianti Classico Gran Selezione 2013Chianti Classico, Chianti, Italy100% Sangiovese13 abv$69.99 average priceSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

A whole new continent! A whole new wine! It's amazing that wine grapes can be grown on six of the seven continents in this world and do pretty well in all of them! (Antartica is giving the wine makers some problems, so maybe global warming isn't all bad!)Join Christi & Alex as they open a brand new continent when the open this brand new bottle! What can it be? No matter what the wine is, it will be entertaining, educational and a lot of fun! So raise a glass & press play!Kanonkop Pinotage 2014 Estate WineSimonsberg, Stellenbosch, South Africa100% Pinotage14.8% abv$42.99 average priceThe name Kanonkop is derived from a "kopje" (small hill) on the property, from which a cannon was fired in the 17th century to announce the arrival of the Dutch East India Company’s trading ships at Table Bay.Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

Ever been to Sicily? Let me paint you a picture of an island surrounded by the blue water of the Mediterranean, the soaring majesty of Mt. Etna dominating the east, volcanic soils under foot, and the history of humanity written on every overturned pebble. People have been living, loving, fighting and dying on these shores for thousands of years. And for almost every one of those years, grapes have been giving their precious all to make wine.So why have we heard so little about the wines of this fabulous corner of Italy? Join Christi & Alex as they lift a glass and taste their way into a little known corner of paradise!Firriato Soria Frappato 2016Sicily DOC, Sicily, Italy100% Frappato13.2% abv$17.99 average priceSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)

We're taking requests! Someone asked for an episode on a wine that they love, so Christi & Alex broke out the wine glasses and are doing a Three Bottle Special! Have a wine you love? Send us a Facebook message or follow us on Instagram!This week it's all about the Ports! Is every Port the same? Do they all taste like cough syrup and candied mouthwash or is there some reason this wine region has been thriving for over two hundred years?Tune in to this weeks episode and learn what Tawny, Ruby, Colheita & Quinta all mean!Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SOMMthing)