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About this Episode

Sommelier Johnna Green and Robert Tas explore the wine list of Contento. Contento is a Peruvian restaurant situated in the heart of East Harlem. The mission of this restaurant is a belief that you will be restored by food, beverage, and community, and the wine list is curated to match the mission. 

Wines reviewed include:

  • Petit Manseng from Virginia
  • 2019, Marquis D'Angerville Bourgogne Aligote
  • Supernatural Wine Co., 2019 “Spook Light” from New Zealand
Transcript: Contento

Contento

RT: Hello and Welcome Corkrules! 

A podcast where we review wine lists from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Johnna Green wine educator.  

Hello Johnna, it’s great to have join our CorkRules family.

JG: Hi Robert!

RT: 

Before we jump in, let’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… it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting. 

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

RT: So, sit back and listen as we take you through Contento, one of NY’s hot new Restaurants located in East Harlem run by Yannick Benjamin, who himself has been one of NY’s top somms. The restaurant is known for its peruvian food and inclusive hospitality. The is personal for Yannick as he has helped design the restaurant to accommodate people with disabilities. This passion is felt across the entire dining experience.

RT: Johnna,  I can’t wait to hear what you think uniquely curated list?

JG: Contento has wines on their list from regions that even I haven’t tried. It’s very thorough and has a bunch of really cool and unique wines that the average wine drinker has probably never heard of.

RT: I probably shouldn’t be surprised by Yannick’s range. Did you see anything jump out at you?

JG: There’s an entire section devoted to wines in their backyard, along the east coast. The Petit Manseng from Virginia, for example, sounds super interesting. This is a grape that doesn’t have the name recognition of say Chardonnay, but it is rising in popularity in Virginia. 

RT: Totally, some say Virginia is Napa Valley of the east coast. I keep hearing about wine from there.

So Johnna, as we dig in is there anything that you would say is a “must-try”?

JG: I love Beaujolais, I’ve always been a huge fan of Beaujolais. Whether you need to sip on a glass while you’re waiting or need something that pairs with practically everything, Beaujolais is the move. Contento has a Beaujolais by the glass and bottle Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Beaujolais, France – 2018 so I’d say definitely opt for that if you’ve never had one before.

RT: Tell us a little about Beaujolais, as some people may have a misperception about the wine.  

JG:  It’s a really light-bodied red wine with high acidity and low tannins.

RT: Thanks for the primer. Ok, Johnna, what if I’m looking to order a bottle for dinner where would you guide us? 

MV: YES, I’d say the 2019__MARQUIS D'ANGERVILLE BOURGOGNE ALIGOTE. This is a white wine from Burgundy that’s really bright and refreshing. It pairs perfectly with seafood and poultry. Plus that higher acidity really helps cut through all the cheeses and cream sauce.

RT: Great suggestion. I’ve been loving those Aligote’s wines. Remind us about the grape and where it comes from?

JG: Aligote is a white grape from the Burgundy region as well. This has notes of citrus and a lemony character.

RT: Johnna, getting back to the list. The list seems to have something for everyone, what if I’m hunting for value, I’m sure Yannick has something for all budgets. What would you point us too? 

JG: If you’re going for a budget bottle with dinner, I’d definitely opt for the 2019 Supernatural Wine Co. “Spook Light” from New Zealand. it’s a really great price point. This wine is a Pinot Gris skin contact, so though it’s technically a white wine, it was left in contact with the skins to impart tannins and give it a fuller body, making it a really great food wine. This wine is also certified organic and naturally vinified with minimal sulphur added.  

RT: Now Johnna, what if I have a special occasion and want something special for the evening?  

MV: I would choose the_NV_Vintage_ Bérêche et Fils “Reflet d’Antan, hands down. This is a grower’s Champagne, meaning it was produced and bottled at the estate where the grapes were grown - and is not as common as one would assume in the Champagne region. This bottle is one-third each of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay, drawn from a perpetual reserve of 600-litre barrels begun in 1985 by Raphaël’s and Vincent’s father, Jean- Pierre. I mean what better way to celebrate than with bubbles, right?

RT: I totally agree.

JG: Plus, fried foods and bubbles are just a match made in heaven.

RT: Johnna Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Contento’s wine list. I can’t wait to go try them 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 cue as quick 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.

 

End

 

 

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