CorkRules - Episodes | Altro Paradiso Altro Paradiso

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About this Episode

Wine educator and certified sommelier Grant Wood joins Robert Tas to navigate the menu of Altro Paradiso, an Italian restaurant located in the heart of Soho. The menu draws from the many distinct Italian regions and the wine list is equally diverse and adventurous. Grant kicks off the episode with a few cocktails suggestions before navigating through the wine list to highlight the best bottles in the reds and whites, and wines to knock your socks off.

Wines reviewed include:

2019 I Clivi ‘R_B_L’ Ribolla brut nature from Friuli
2020 Alessandro Viola ‘blanc de blanc’
2019 Ciro Picariello ‘906’ Fiano di Avellino from Campania

Transcript: Altro Paradiso

Altro Paradiso

RT: Hello and Welcome back to another episode with CorkRules!

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grant, it’s great to have you join our CorkRules family!

GW: Hey Robert, I’m so happy to be here with you.

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

Located in the heart of Soho, this Italian classic by chef Ignacio Mattos is a true destination with a delicious, yet focused menu with great cocktails and wine to take you on a journey.

Let’s get shaken with cocktail to break the ice! My eyes were drawn to Negroni Messicano featuring Yola Mezcal, Giardino tradizionale, Zila and bitters which would be certain to warm the soul but I’m also intrigued by their Zafferano Sazerac with rye, congnac, saffron honey, bitters, and absinthe, yes please!

As for by the glass, the 2019 I Clivi ‘R_B_L’ Ribolla brut nature from Friuli would be a great bubbly to make a quick toast but the 2020 Caspri ‘vita bella’ which is a blend of Ciliegiolo and Caniaolo from Tuscany which is a fun red blend to try with pasta.

If we’re ordering bottles, there’s a good mix of Italian and French selections to try. For Italian bubbles I’d go for the 2020 Alessandro Viola ‘blanc de blanc’ made from the Catarratto variety made in the traditional method and is all organic and a great value at $84. If you want to splurge then I can’t resist the 2016 Ulysse Collin, ‘les Maillons’ blanc de blanc, Congy from Champagne. Ulysse is a fantastic grower-producer making dense, structured sparkling wine that really wrap around the palate.

On the whites, I think the 2019 Ciro Picariello ‘906’ Fiano di Avellino from Campania would be a great, fresh, easy drinking value wine to go with otherwise, the 2008 San Lorenzo ‘il San Lorenzo’ Verdicchio from the Marche would really turn some heads at the table as well. The 2018 Kalathas ‘La Foi’ Assyrtiko is another great value wine if you want to take a right turn into Greece plus Assyrtiko is just as fun to say as it is to drink.

For reds, the 2016 Andrea Scovero ‘Amphora’ Barbera d’Asti would be a fun value wine and have a lot of primal, savory, meaty flavors match with a variety of dishes. If you really wanna ball out with some badass Barolo, then check out the 1978 Giuseppe Mascarello ‘Villero’ which would really be quite the religious moment if you want to alter ones’ reality. Another wine to knock ones’ socks off would be the 1985 Produttori del Barbaresco ‘Rabajà Riserva. If you want to touch back down to earth then a great value from France’s Languedoc would be Domaine Sainte Croix ‘Pourboire Nature’ Grenache/Carignan which is a fun natty wine for the people.

All this to say, this is a well thought out list with some fun gems and even a little something for a simple Tuesday evening with friends.

Grant, great job today! Thank you for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Altro Paradiso’s wine list. I can’t wait to go and try your suggestions myself.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to:Info@corkrules.com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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