It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to the legendary winemaker, Miljenko &quot;Mike&quot; Grgich. His passing marks an end of an era in the world of wine; his legacy, however, will continue to inspire generations.

Born and raised in Croatia, Mike found his passion for wine at a young age. His journey led him across oceans where he became instrumental in putting Napa Valley on the global viticulture map. In 1976, at what came to be known as The Judgement of Paris - one of the most pivotal moments in modern wine history - Mike&#39;s Chateau Montelena Chardonnay outshone its French counterparts. This monumental victory not only brought international recognition for California wines but also shattered preconceived notions about New World Wines.

Grgich Hills Estate was born soon after this historic event and quickly gained fame for producing some of America&rsquo;s finest wines like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Grgich-Hills-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Napa-Valley-2018-w3230104mo">Cabernet Sauvignon</a>, Zinfandel and Merlot alongside their signature <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Grgich-Hills-Chardonnay-Napa-Valley-2020-w1289321q5">Chardonnay</a>. Each bottle crafted under Mike&#39;s meticulous supervision bore testimony to his commitment towards quality over quantity &ndash; a principle that won them numerous accolades including consistent 90+ scores from critics such as Wine Spectator and Robert Parker.

But even amidst all these achievements abroad, Mike never forgot his roots. He returned home to Croatia establishing Grgić Vina on the Pelje&scaron;ac Peninsula where he produced Posip (white) and Plavac Mali (red), bringing international attention back onto Croatian wines.

The impact left by Mike Grgich extends beyond just awards or high critic scores; it lies within every vineyard inspired by his sustainable farming practices; within every sommelier who appreciates the balance between tradition and innovation; within every sip savored by a connoisseur who recognizes quality when they taste it.

As we mourn this great loss today let us also celebrate what he stood for &ndash; a testament to the power of passion, hard work and an unwavering belief in one&#39;s craft. We raise our glasses to you, Mike Grgich - for teaching us that wine is not just about tasting notes or vintage years but about people, places and stories. Your life&rsquo;s work has forever changed the landscape of winemaking; your spirit will continue to inspire it.

Rest in peace, dear maestro. The world of wine is richer because of you.

It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to the legendary winemaker, Miljenko "Mike" Grgich. His passing marks an end of an era in the world of wine; his legacy, however, will continue to inspire generations.

Legendary Winemaker Mike Grgich, Key Figure in the Judgement of Paris, Passes Away at 100, Leaving a Lasting Impact on the Global Wine Community

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at the French brasserie, La Voile. 

Wine List Review of La Voile, Boston

Michaela Quinlan

La Voile

La Voile

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; 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:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about La Voile. This classic, French Brasserie is located in Boston and Brookline, MA. Featuring lunch and dinner seven days a week, this menu has it all, including three course tasting menus.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Calling all Francophiles! Not only do they offer a three-course dinner tasting, but a three-course dessert wine tasting as well. LaVoile&rsquo;s wine list is truly a lesson in French wines. I wanted to find some unique selections for us today, as there are so many wonderful options.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The first wine to catch my eye was 2020 Clos du Palet, Vouvray from the Loire Valley. This white wine consists of Chenin blanc which showcases aromas of white flowers, peach, apricot, and a nutty finish. A white wine to consider as you begin your dining experience, or to pair with shellfish, and lightly sauced proteins.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: &nbsp;A stand-out Bordeaux to consider would be the 2016 Chateau Vieux Chaigneau, from Lalande de Pomerol. Lalande de Pomerol is located on the Right Bank of Bordeaux just north of the prestigious Pomerol appellation. This Bordeaux blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon is rich and smooth with aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, cherries, cassis, earth and smoke. The lingering finish will also pair beautifully with richly sauced proteins.

RT: So, Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: For our fans of rich, red wines, consider the 2016 Chateau Montus, from Madiran, located in Southwest France. This red wine received 95 points from the Wine Enthusiast and consists of tannat and cabernet sauvignon. The tannat grape is similar to Malbec and is known in Southwest France and Uruguay. This must-try red features ripe blueberries, blackberries, fresh acidity, spice, and a finish of earth and smoke. A wonderful companion to rich pastas and sauces.

RT: These are some great calls.

So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: A beautiful bottle for the table would be the 2019 Domaine Tinel-Blondelet, Pouilly Fum&eacute; from the Loire Valley of France. Not to be confused with Pouilly Fuisse which produces chardonnay, the Pouilly Fume subregion produces sauvignon blanc. This white wine features bright acidity, and minerality with flavors of ripe pear, citrus, lime zest, and a hint of salinity on the finish. This is a wonderful selection if the table is kicking off the evening with a cheese plate, or to pair with light seafood.

&nbsp;RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: the first quality/value wine that caught my eye was the 2021 Domaine le Freud Pinot Gris, Tendance Sec from Alsace, France. This is a versatile, floral white wine that showcases white flowers, apricot, lime zest, with notes of honey on the finish. This dry, medium-bodied wine is perfect to pair with cheese, rich proteins, and spicy foods.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: For our red wine fans, a stellar quality/value wine is the 2019 Chateau de la Liqui&egrave;re, from Faug&egrave;res in the Languedoc region of France. This Syrah and Grenache blend is rich, full bodied, and showcases ripe blueberries, cherries, spice, black pepper, and notes of licorice on the finish. If you are eyeing pasta or richly sauced proteins, this is the wine to consider.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: A stellar wine for any special occasion would be the 1988 Chateau Labegorce Margaux from Bordeaux, France. This Left Bank Bordeaux winery is truly a classic, dating back to 1821. This blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot, and cabernet franc is certainly on the Bordeaux lover&#39;s list of wines to enjoy. The classic ripe red cherries, cassis, smoke, leather, and earth combined with rich, round tannins, make this classic vintage a joy to add to any special occasion.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate LaVoile&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

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: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> 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.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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End

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Wine Pairing, Wine Sommelier, Italian Red Wine, Wine Recommendations, Wine Varietels, Wine Tips, italian white wine, Best wine for beginners, Italian sparkling wine, Discovery wines

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