''Somm 3'' is the third film in the SOMM documentary series, following 2013's '' SOMM'' and 2015's '' SOMM: Into the Bottle''. Directed by

Jason Wise Jason ( ; ) was an ancient Greek mythological hero and leader of the Argonauts, whose quest for the Golden Fleece featured in Greek literature. He was the son of Aeson, the rightful king of Iolcos. He was married to the sorceress Medea. He was ...

and distributed by

Samuel Goldwyn Films Samuel Goldwyn Films is an American film company that licenses, releases and distributes art-house, independent and foreign films. It was founded by Samuel Goldwyn Jr., the son of the Hollywood business magnate/mogul, Samuel Goldwyn. The curre ...

, SOMM 3 centers on two tastings reminiscent of the 1976

Judgment of Paris Judgement (or US spelling judgment) is also known as ''adjudication'', which means the evaluation of evidence to decision-making, make a decision. Judgement is also the ability to make considered decisions. The term has at least five distinct u ...

Synopsis

Narrated by Wine Folly's Madeline Puckette, SOMM 3 centers on two tastings reminiscent of the 1976 Judgment of Paris. The first tasting takes place at Verve in New York with Dustin Wilson, from the first two films, organizing the event. Participants include Laura Maniec, Pascaline Lepeltier, Sabato Sagaria, and Aldo Sohm. The blind tasting involves six Pinot Noir from around the world. The film goes back and forth from the tasting in New York to a tasting in Paris featuring three notable individuals in the wine world: Fred Dame,

Jancis Robinson Jancis Mary Robinson OBE, ComMA, MW (born 22 April 1950) is a British wine critic, journalist and wine writer. She currently writes a weekly column for the ''Financial Times'', and writes for her website JancisRobinson.com, updated daily. She ...

, and Steven Spurrier. The three bring forward bottles from their careers and open them as they discuss wine and significant moments. Meanwhile, in New York, the wines are ranked prior to the reveal of the names and the top wines are then taken to the second tasting in Paris, ready to be judged a second time by Fred, Jancis and Steven.

Cast

This third installment in the SOMM series continues with Ian Cauble, Brian McClintic, Dustin Wilson and DLynn Proctor along with Fred Dame, Jancis Robinson, Steven Spurrier, Laura Maniec, Pascaline Lepeltier, Sabato Sagaria, and Aldo Sohm.

Critical response

The film was well received with the ''Hollywood Reporter'' saying, "Closely examining the evaluation of wines from critical, hospitality and commercial perspectives, the pic takes the famed “Judgment of Paris” tasting event (amusingly portrayed in 2008's ''Bottle Shock'') as its departure point to explore the varied, and often subjective, characteristics that make great wines memorable and often very valuable." Decanter said, "This film serves to remind us that wine is subjective and deeply personal; it’s not about scores and ratings or price tag, but about who you’re with, where you are, and how you feel in the moment you taste it." Eater.com said, "The ‘Somm’ Franchise Gets Better With Age."

References

{{Reflist 2018 films Documentary films about wine