The Spill: Latest buzz on Sonoma Valley wine news

Bestselling Wines: The Talk of the Town

With tourist season in full swing, bartenders are busy pouring select summer wines. Here, Sonoma locals get an insider's view of customer favorites, popular pours, and unusual varietals that made the top of the wine list:

B&V Whiskey Bar: Benziger Sauvignon Blanc 2016 and Barletto Rosé of Pinot Noir 2016

Girl and the Fig: Truchard Rousanne 2015, and The Girl & the Fig House Grenache Rosé 2015

The Plaza Bistro: Imagery Tempranillo 2013 and Artesa Chardonnay 2013

El Dorado Kitchen: Cross Barn Pinot Noir 2014 and Gloria Ferrer Blanc De Noirs Champagne

Sonoma Grille: Cline Pinot Noir 2015 and St. Francis Chardonnay 2015

Maya: Buena Vista Pinot Noir 2014 and Leese-Fitch Red Blend 2014

Delhi Belly: Cline Viognier 2016, and Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2014

Oso: Robert Craig Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, and Gehricke Zinfandel 2014

Taste of Sonoma's one of a kind event

The Taste of Sonoma event takes place on Saturday, Sept. 2, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Green Music Center on the Sonoma State University campus. With its new location, people don't have to travel far to watch Sonoma County's top chefs, winemakers, and growers in action to demonstrate the best wine and food selections the region offers. Over background of music, you'll taste a variety of bites with exquisite flavors as the local chefs pair their creations with Sonoma County wines. Seminars and demonstrations will deepen your understanding on the importance of terroir, winemaking and culinary techniques, as well as leave you with lessons learned and handy culinary tips. Come to the Taste of Sonoma for good wine and fun times. VIP access on Saturday is from 11 a.m. to noon before the event opens to the general public. sonomawinecountryweekend.com

Sommeliers in Sonoma Valley

Wine stewards are trained and knowledgeable professionals. They usually work in high-end restaurants and know their stuff when it comes to the perfect wine and food pairing. For those wanting a wine education during their own fine dining experience, Santé, a Michelin star restaurant, located inside the Sonoma Mission Inn Hotel, has a sommelier, Mike Irwin. He can be seen on the restaurant premises and is at your disposal. Owner Saul Gropman of La Haye plays a dual role as sommelier and wine buyer, selecting award-winning wines for over 20 years, then shares his extensive tasting notes with his staff tending the tables. It seems like the Lodge at Sonoma is looking to hire a new sommelier. Right now, they have an interim sommelier/beverage supervisor, Dan Noreen, who has 43 years of experience in the business, and who also teaches a weekly wine class at the Lodge. He is not, however, working in the restaurant when people are fine dining. A call to Sonoma's other restaurants found a dearth of dedicated sommeliers elsewhere, however.

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