SommTours

12/31/2020

If next year proves lucky number 21, it will be because we are able to meet its fortunes or misfortunes with our best intentions intact, with the clarity to make the best choice whenever we have a choice.

This year has forced us to view what we do differently. How do we gauge what goes in to each product on the shelf? While marketing teams work around the clock to force a purchase before it ever reaches our lips, we miss out on some of the finest experiences possible.

This endless hustle, the ever-present push towards unconscious consumption, it has led to a race for a life that is just above mediocre.

We, like you, believe in better.

At Sommtable, we believe that the finer things in life belong on every table. Knowing this, we set out to create a space where all can reach for worlds they’ve never been…yet.

See, our experiences are truly our own. So we deliver you more of these experiences. We bottle their essence to be uncorked at home. Let them breathe. Take a sip of their journey.

We deliver not just a name, but a way of relating to the world around us. An experience. Our experience.

With live classes led exclusively by Sommeliers and experts in fine products, you get a chance to not only hear the explanation of a product or its roots, but to live it as well, just as the expert has.

Our curated box kits are carefully packaged with hard-to-find products from all corners and areas of expertise; ranging from fine wines and ancient chocolate recipes, to one-of-a-kind spirits and ci**rs masterfully hand-rolled.

Sommtable goes through great lengths to find these unique products, pair them together with the right combinations, and locate the very best experts to walk you through the journey of what you’re tasting.

Live classes can be exclusive, or in groups. Whether celebrating a birthday, anniversary, corporate events or simple gathering of friends and family, this world is as open as you make it.

Just like us, each product is the sum of its own experience. They each have a story to tell, and search for those who are ready to listen.

There are those who let life happen around them. Seek the will to truly experience life. Because it is seeking you.

If we sound like look-on-the-bright-siders, it’s because we’ve seen glimmers all year. We are profoundly grateful to be surrounded by sommeliers, experts, and communities who—despite the trials of 2020 — habitually chose love over fear. Giving over taking. Perseverance. Progress. Creativity.

We thank you for giving us reason to feel thankful. And for helping us see all the ways we are already lucky.

Happy New Year 2021!

12/24/2020

Nog gonna lie - it’s alarmingly easy to make spiked Egg Nog at home with just a simple trip to your local grocery store! So lets Spice up your ‘nog
Link on BIO
https://buff.ly/3pktf0A

A favorite of US presidents, there are several ways to make eggnog a little merrier this Christmas

As temperature drops, pine trees are lit and fireplaces are aflame, it can only mean one thing: Christmas is right around the corner and with it comes one of the most popular beverages to accompany the holidays.

We’re talking about eggnog, which Americans have consumed with true delight for hundreds of years. Over 122 million pounds of the egg and cream-based drink goes down in the U.S. every year, according to Indiana University, with sales peaking in the weeks before and after Christmas.

Eggnog origins go back to the time of knights, chivalry and castles, when medieval Englishmen drank a posset, a hot cocktail that didn’t include eggs but was made of hot milk curdled with ale, wine, and often sweetened and spiced.

Eggs were added to the recipe later, but their high price and scarcity relegated the beverage to the nobles.

But on the arrival to the Colonies, where many had their own chickens and cattle, the drink renewed its popularity among the lower classes. The appeal only grew over time and even made it to the homes of the nation’s new leaders.

PRESIDENTIAL RECIPES

George Washington is said to have been one of those who enjoyed a good eggnog mug, albeit with a little extra to warm up bones in the cold winter days of the East Coast.

Kitchen records from the U.S. first president’s plantation, Mount Vernon, show that Washington served a similar drink to visitors packed with rye whiskey, rum and sherry.

Another historical figure who relished eggnog with some spike was Jefferson Davis, who served as president of the Confederate States during the U.S. Civil War from 1861 to 1865. Davis was actually one of the participants in the “Eggnog Riot” that took place December 24-25 1826 at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. The revelry began when cadets smuggled whisky into the Academy two days before Christmas to make eggnog, leading to an out-of-control party that simply got out of hand. The riot stopped Christmas morning and many cadets received court-martials.

Dwight Eisenhower was another eggnog lover. In 2015, the U.S. National Archives released the 34th President’s boozy recipe that included one quart of bourbon.

Read more
Link on BIO

12/24/2020

Nog gonna lie - it’s alarmingly easy to make spiked Egg Nog at home with just a simple trip to your local grocery store!

Check out our page for ingredients, recipes and more!

12/23/2020

Some last minute gift ideas for wine and spirit lovers

Any type of spirit is usually a good present for someone who enjoys a glass or two, and after the year we’ve had, we all deserve a drink.

If you’re still looking for a gift that will not only quench their palate, but also teach them something and even lead them to start a collection, we have some suggestions. They include games, unique whiskies and subscriptions services.

MAKE IT A GAME

Connoisseurs and beginners will get a kick out of “The Wine Game” that comes packaged like a wine crate and includes two decks of cards—one white, one red—featuring drawings from all major wine producing regions around the world. To play it, you match cards from these regions with the winner being the player with the most matches. Novices will soon be able to distinguish Bordeaux from Burgundy and Chardonnay from Chenin. To make it even more fun, pair with the game with your favorite bottle and make everyone take a drink every time they get matching cards.

Another option to hone your wine skills and have some fun along the way is the Somm Blinders Blind Tasting Game pack with cards for high or low acidity, high or low tannins, containing oak or not, regions and varietals. The point of the game is to match the cards in your hand to the wine that you think you’re drinking.

UNIQUE SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE

Merlot, Chardonnay or rosé, the choice is theirs.

Instead of gifting a subscription for wines that your loved ones may or may not like, why not give them one that you know they’ll enjoy. The Winc wine club is tailored to the individual’s taste and flavors. If you know what they like, you take a short quiz about their preferences and the company sends wines that adhere to that. If you don’t know exactly, you can simply give buy

them a e-gift card so they can choose it on their own. Either way, you can’t go wrong.

PERSONALIZE IT

Another way to customize a wine gift is to…well, personalize it.

Moët & Chandon sparkling wine allows you to personalize the packaging from a list of suggested words, or you can create your own message to print on the metal gift box. It can be something whimsical, kind, or simply the name of the recipient. Whatever you choose, it adds an extra layer of thoughtfulness to a simple gift. Some wine choices include Moët Impérial Brut with hints of peach and citrus, as well as rosé Impérial that tastes of red berries.

GIVE THEM A VINEYARD

Do you know a wine lover who always dreams about selling everything and owning their own vineyard? You might not be able to afford an entire site, but you can definitely get them closer to realize their dream. Several vineyards offer the chance to own a vine and enjoy its fruits in bottle form. Such is the case of the Maltzman Family Vineyards in Encinitas, California, which offers the option to adopt a Syrah vine at their Gold Creek Winery. The vineyard will commemorate your adoption with a customized sign on your vine, send you a photo of the vine and a 70 ml bottle of Syrah wine from the vineyard. For a closer relationship with the vine, you’re allowed to visit the site anytime the winery is opened and learn about the vine-to-wine process.

A STRONGER FLAVOR

For those with a stronger palate, and who may want to enjoy a different take on a familiar item, there’s the Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky. Hailing from south of the border, the golden-hued spirit is produced in the first distillery dedicated to Mexican whisky using a 4,000-year-old process nixtamalization—the same technique used to make tortillas. Doubly distilled in copper pots, the whisky is both rich and smooth and comes with hints of roasted grain, honey and almond.

TAKE YOUR BAR ON THE ROAD

For the avid traveler or the person who enjoys having a cocktail while on the road (but now while they’re driving), there’s no better gift than the Cartel Old-Fashioned, a mini bar kit that looks like a tin of breath mints but actually includes everything one might need to make six old-fashioned cocktails. The package comes with cane sugar cubes, three types of bitters, a muddler spoon, cocktail picks and a linen coaster for placing your drink without ruining the furniture. You’ll just have to add the spirit of your choice, maybe bourbon or rum.

START THEM ON THE COLLECTION CIRCLE

People collect coins, stamps, and why not corkscrews?

You can spend a few dollars at your local wine store or hundreds on a high-end item, such as the French Laguiole collection that are true works of art and are regarded as some of the best corkscrews on the market. You can also opt for rare, beautiful or antique corkscrews that can bring an added story or history with them.

FOR THE TECHY

For those who prefer the latest, high-tech gadgets there’s the Coravin Model Three Wine System that allows you to taste a wine without opening the bottle. Using a needle-like device, it extracts a small amount of the liquid without damaging the cork. Then, simply tip and pour and save the re…

Some last minute gift ideas for wine and alcohol lovers Any type of spirit is usually a good present for someone who enjoys a glass or two, and after the year we’ve had, we all deserve a drink. If you’re still looking for a gift that will not only quench their palate, but also teach them somethi...

12/11/2020

A fermentation class that will teach you how to craft creative cocktails (AND help boost your immune system?) Ja please!

Learn the ancient art of fermentation and its modern importance in bar culture from the German Viking himself, Simon Kistenfeger!

Simon has chosen to impart his wisdom on us in this unique and exciting SommClass, and we’re so excited, we’ve already dusted off our mason jars for some good old-fashioned fermenting!
https://buff.ly/3qNWZoc

This class is expected to fill up fast, so tag a friend you’d like to pickle something with and follow the link in our bio to grab your spot today!

11/21/2020

Are you currently teaching wine & spirits related classes online or in-person?
Let help! We're looking for talented Somms who are looking for a way to promote their craft.
we offer:
1) customized showcase that includes a complete profile of you and your class
2) Professional video edit of your video pitch (free shooting if located in LA)
3) Optimized article on our platform written by a journalist
4) Article posted to our social channels and our subscriber newsletter
5) zero commission booking app
5)

We invite you to explore the world of the sommelier with us through engaging content, virtual and in-person tours that you can book directly from our site, and through our online marketplace featuring products from around the world.
Come and explore the world of the sommelier with us…

At SommTable we welcome all. Whether you have a passion for wine, spirits, coffee, tea, chocolate or even to***co, SommTable invites you to join our global community.
We refer to members of our community as Somms, and you can be a Somm too. There are only two important requirements to becoming a Somm - passion for your craft and a love for creating memorable experiences.

At SOMMTABLE we believe that anyone with a passion for great taste and love for the craft of creating unique flavors is a Somm. That’s right! here we celebrate those that are dedicated to creating unique and memorable experiences no matter what their craft, trade, or training may be. Create a profile through our app today!

11/19/2020

NEW Chilean wines with renowned expert, Loreto Ruiz ⠀
Join us TODAY for this free live event .
We're going to discuss this truly brilliant region, as Chile transforms its identity to one of the top places for taste and quality. ⠀
NOV. 19th 5pm PST ***CLASS LED IN SPANISH***⠀

Todo lo que tienes que saber sobre los nuevos vinos chilenos: nuevas regiones, nuevas variedades y aclamados productores de moda, una de la experta en vinos Loreto Ruiz.⠀ .ruiz_ohmywine
https://buff.ly/3nCh1Q4 ⠀

11/19/2020

Discover NEW Chilean wines with renowned expert, Loreto Ruiz .ruiz_ohmywine

I hope you can join us for this free live event FRIDAY. NOV 13 - 6PM PST ⠀
Taste and discuss this truly brilliant region, as Chile transforms its identity to one of the top places for taste and quality.
*** CLASS LED IN SPANISH ⠀
Todo lo que tienes que saber sobre los nuevos vinos chilenos: nuevas regiones, nuevas variedades y aclamados productores de moda, una de la experta en vinos Loreto Ruiz.
https://buff.ly/36MLkwK
Cheers for Chile! ⠀⠀

11/16/2020

West of France, just north of Los Angeles is Santa Barbara beautiful wine country.
With six AVAs and nine distinct wine trails, you can explore Santa Barbara Wine Country for days and never have the same experience twice. Spend a day puttering on unexplored country roads dotted with estate vineyards, stroll through charming towns tasting and poking into boutiques and art galleries along the way, or have an edgy, city experience sampling small-batch producers on the Urban Wine Trail.

Join Brianne Cohen and Larry Schaffer, owner and winemaker in a small-format wine-tasting virtual event - A set is sent to your home for us all to have a shared tasting experience! You don't need to spend a ton of money to have 3, 4, or 5 full-size bottles of wine sent to you.

CA residents: $55 gets you the Zoom class with Larry and I, a small-format tasting set of 5 wines sent to your house, and Brianne's personal tasting sheet.
Deadline to order: 11/18 🍷
https://buff.ly/3ntkNev

11/13/2020

Discover Peruvian Pisco! In this , learn about this historic brandy produced in the coast and middle mountains of South America, with our master Pisco expert JOSÉ PEPE MOQUILLAZA ⠀
⠀⠀
He will teach us about how Pisco is made and the elaboration process. He will also describe all the varieties of Piscos and will lead you in a journey where you will taste the most important varieties of Pisco and learn to differentiate and appreciate its flavors. Join us on this FREE LIVE event FRIDAY. NOV 13 - 6PM PST ⠀⠀
** CLASS LED IN SPANISH**⠀
https://buff.ly/3nrM6WF⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

11/12/2020

Discover Peruvian Pisco! In this , learn about this historic brandy produced in the coast and middle mountains of South America, with our master Pisco expert JOSÉ PEPE MOQUILLAZA
⠀
He will teach us about how Pisco is made and the elaboration process. He will also describe all the varieties of Piscos and will lead you in a journey where you will taste the most important varieties of Pisco and learn to differentiate and appreciate its flavors. Join us on this FREE LIVE event FRIDAY. NOV 13 - 6PM PST ⠀
https://buff.ly/3plx1rj
** CLASS LED IN SPANISH**⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀