5 Compelling Reasons to Watch SOMM 3: The Pinnacle of Wine Documentaries
The third installment in director Jason Wise’s acclaimed trilogy on the world of wine and its dedicated experts stands as the strongest yet. SOMM 3 harnesses blind tasting—sampling wines without labels to eliminate bias—to educate viewers while championing personal preference. “People should drink what they enjoy, not just what others prescribe,” states Master Sommelier Dustin Wilson, who curates a mesmerizing tasting among three world-renowned wine authorities.
SOMM 3 premieres publicly in Solvang, California, on October 13, with worldwide iTunes release on December 11. Discover our top five reasons to experience this engaging 75-minute film, which pairs beautifully with your favorite bottle.
Wine FOMO
Tracking the tasting journeys of top global wine experts, SOMM 3 features only elite vintages. Unlike U.S. consumers who drink 95% of wines within eight hours of purchase, these are meticulously aged treasures, some decades old. A standout tasting highlights a rare 1959 Les Amoureuses Pinot Noir from Burgundy, 1968 Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, and 1908 Cockburn’s Port from Portugal. Who wouldn’t crave a seat there?
Star Cast
Wine enthusiasts will spot the star power instantly; newcomers will soon recognize these industry icons. The Paris blind tasting centerpiece unites critic Jancis Robinson, Master Sommelier Fred Dame (one of just 229 worldwide), and Steve Spurrier. Dozens of acclaimed sommeliers and winemakers elevate it to Hollywood caliber for oenophiles.
It’s An Education
“Audiences call SOMM 3 accessible to all or a wine geek’s dream,” notes director Jason Wise. It masterfully recounts key wine history, like the 1976 Judgment of Paris—Steve Spurrier’s blind tasting where California upstarts bested Bordeaux icons, boosting California’s global stature. Insights into America’s scoring system’s influence on winemaking and consumers are equally compelling.
It’s a Travelogue
SOMM 3 charts fine wine’s evolution from 1970s France-centric to global phenomenon. Travel vicariously to Burgundy, Dorset, Patagonia, and Santa Barbara—birthplaces of featured wines—via Jackson Myers’ sweeping cinematography, illustrating how terroir shapes every sip.
Consumers Win
SOMM 3’s triumph is empowering everyday drinkers. Fred Dame faults critics for breeding passive collectors; the film validates subjective tastes, even among Paris titans with surprising blind results. Director Wise sums it up: wine’s essence is personal—“Do you like it?” Absolutely.
For more, visit sommfilms.com.
