Bardot Brasserie

Bardot Brasserie Aria Casino and Resort Las Vegas

Winelist:

RT): Hi Everyone,  welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that’s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists.

I’m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria the Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert! Today we are checking out a Las Vegas French Brasserie

RT: Tres Bien! I love it., but before we get started, let’s talk about CorkRules. CorkRules was created to help you navigate the wine list so you will always love the wine you drink. With CorkRules in hand, you can easily and confidently make selections from the wine lists based on your wine preferences of flavor, style, region, and even price point. Plus, you can check out the wines your friends tried and order them yourself. So have a listen to our podcast as our top Sommeliers help you find those hidden gems, value wines, and those special celebration-worthy bottles.

RT: Today we are discovering the wine list at Bardot Brasserie, located in the Aria Hotel and casino in Las Vegas. Michael Mina designed Bardot to mimic the vibe of the intimate cafes lining the streets of Paris. The menu features elevated versions of traditional Parisian Brasserie fare for dinner and weekend brunch all served in a cozy dining atmosphere. The wine list is expansive with both new-world and old-world options. When Michael Mina is at the helm you know the wine is going to be a knock-out selection, so I can’t wait to see what you think of this list, Maria!

 

RT: This list is incredible! I mean I knew it would be . All of Michael Mina’s wine lists are hand selected and super interesting. This one, of course, features plenty of options from France, but also the US, Italy, Germany, even Australia, South Africa, Chile, and Argentina are well represented. Very well thought out.

RT: SO where do we begin with a list like this?

Well with over 25 wines by the glass I’d say order something by the glass as you peruse through the rest of this foreverrrr list. I'd recommend to start with a glass of the

MICHEL GONET, BLANC DE BLANCS BRUT, CHAMPAGNE, FRANCE  this is going to be all Chardonnay grapes. I love this producer and I don't see it often available by the glass but if this is a little bit on the pricier side then I would recommend the

LUCIEN ALBRECHT, CRÉMANT DE ALSACE ROSÉ,  ALSACE, FRANCE  an Alsatian sparkling wine made in the same method as champagne. The lovely deep pink color from 100% pinot noir grapes is just gorgeous!

RT: How about white and red standouts by the glass?

MV: The CRISTOM, CHARDONNAY,from  EOLA-AMITY HILLS, in WILLAMETTE VALLEY, OREGON  

$28 I love all of their wines… especially their Chardonnay so much going on in this glass and perfect with French butter sauces.

My Red Pick by the glass is the FAMILLE PERRIN 'SINARDS' , CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE come on tell me how often do you see CHÂTEAUNEUF DU PAPE by the glass at a restaurant?

RT: like never…

MV: right so this is a must-order wine especially with this style of food b because it has a rustic character.

RT: Maria Are there any treasures that one should not miss?

MV: The GREG LINN 'HOWLING', SYRAH from ARROYO GRANDE VALLEY, in CALIFORNIA 1.5 Liter 2009 I have this wine in my cellar as we speak, I have 2 bottles left and I’m going to cry when they are all gone. Hard to find this good of a wine for THIS price point remember it’s a magnum size!

RT: wow awesome find!

RT: How about some value wines? I mean I see they have a magnum of DOMAINE DE LA ROMANÉE-CONTI 'LA TÂCHE' for $45,000 but seriously… who normally has that kind of budget? Can you help us find some hidden gems at great price points?

MV: Oh yeah that’s like next next next level!

Sure, so 2 standouts GUY BRETON 'VIEILLES VIGNES', (veeyaya Veenya) MORGON 2020 

$100. Morgon is one of the 10 crus of BEAUJOLAIS. IT IS MADE FROM 100% GAMAY GRAPES AND IS from one of my favorite wine importers Kermit Lynch anything he endorses is always stellar and this is going to go with everything from steak tartare to the whole roasted duck.

Now You could also go a different direction with French wine from the cooler climate of the Loire Valley in France with the DOMAINE DE NOIRÉ 'DOLIA' 2019 Chinon.

$120, that’s A great value, this is all cabernet franc – “dolia” is the Latin name for a terracotta amphora these vessels have a beautiful tulip shape. The Winemaker used only amphora to age this wine - you will get a silky texture in the mouth because of this aging process.

RT: Those sound like 2 great affordable French red beauties for our listeners. Any whites you could recommend? Something for the Trout Almondine?

MV: Yes, what is really intriguing to me is the BORGOGNO 'DERTHONA' 2018 Timorasso… which is a white grape from Italy, indigenous to the NW area of piedmont.  This is one of those wines that would have been extinct but was recently revived thanks to local winemakers. They are usually full-bodied whites with a little bit of floral honey on the nose.  I say get out of the chardonnay box and try some TimorAsso! $120

RT: Fun! Trying a grape I have never had. Sign me up! Now obviously you could really splurge here given the price of that DRC Burgundy, but what about something that is special, still pairs well with the food, is celebration-worthy and ya know… still attainable for wine lovers like you and me?

MV: yes.. ha-ha – I got ya! So If you’re at Bardot for Brunch then Champagne or Rosé are the way to go and you can’t go wrong with the PIPER HEIDSIECK 'RARE’ 2006 vintage region… this beautiful bottle is Piper’s Top Cuvee. I just popped a magnum of this baby, the 1998 vintage and it was magical.

And for a stunning Rosé The CHÂTEAU D'ESCLANS 'GARRUS', CÔTES DE PROVENCE 2019 $285    I'm sure you heard of whispering Angel?

RT: yes !

RT: well, this is the top bottle from the same producer but this is no ordinary rose this is single-vineyard Rosé, made from nearly 100-year-old Grenache vines fermented and aged in new large French oak barrels and that’s why it’s so much more expensive.

RT: NICE! Any reds we can treat ourselves to?

My Pick, the CHÂTEAU PONTET - CANET 

$525 a Bordeaux blend dominated by cab sauvignon, Pauillac produces some of the most concentrated and complex wines in the world and they need TIME… so here you go aged and ready to drink and ready to pair with that herb-roasted prime rib.

RT: now that sounds satisfying to the soul!

MV: C’est Vrai! It’s Heaven really!

RT: Well thank you Maria for finding us some fabulous gems on the wine list at Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Thank you everyone for joining us today you can find more wine tips from Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Remember the only rule in wine is “drink what you LOVE”.

MV: Have a favorite wine List? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at info@CorkRules.com You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on

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