CorkRules - Episodes | COTE Miami Cote Miami

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About this Episode

Tina Johansson, a Michelin restaurant sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Cote Miami a MICHELIN-starred and James Beard Award-nominated KOREAN STEAKHOUSE™where they navigate the wine list that hosts 1200 labels from around the world and places a big focus on wines from California and Burgundy.

Wines reviewed include:

2017 Crozes-Hermitage, Domaine Combier
2000 Viña Tondonia Rosado, López de Heredia. Rioja
Vouette Sorbée Blanc d’Argile, Champagne

Transcript: Cote Miami

COTE Miami

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

I’m your host Robert Tas along with Tina Johansson, Michelin restaurant sommelier.

Hi Tina, thanks for joining us on this episode of CorkRules, - a podcast where we help simplify and demystify the wine lists at some of your favorite restaurants. We talk with certified sommeliers and wine professionals who point out interesting bottles, classic food and wine pairings, hidden gems, value wines, or splurge wines that will take your dining experience over the top.

TJ: Thank you Robert, I’m very excited to be joining you here for the first time!

RT: So today we’re exploring the wine list of the Korean Steakhouse COTE Miami. COTE opened in Miami at the start of 2021, but its flagship restaurant is in New York City. Both venues have one Michelin star since COTE Miami got theirs in 2022. The menu here is quite exciting with Korean twists of American steakhouse classics. How does Kimchi Wagyu Paella or Dry Aged Ribeye sound to you?

TJ: Well, I think it sounds amazing! But besides the food menu, the wine list is actually equally compelling for wine lovers like us. It’s comprised of over 1200 labels from around the world but with a big focus on California and Burgundy. But you can find most things here, from small artisan producers to big, iconic brands and everything from red wine from Uruguay and fun orange wine to the classics. Another fun thing is that all wines sold by the glass here comes in magnum bottles. I don’t know about you, but big bottles are always extra fun!

RT: I agree! So, what to drink while sitting here among neon lights and cabinets with meat dry aging? I know their cocktails are amazing, but if we are looking for a great red to pair with all these outstanding meats?

TJ: I would say a safe bet to go with, no matter which cut of meat you’re choosing for the night, is the 2017 Crozes-Hermitage from Domaine Combier. It would pair great with their Butcher’s Feast where you get four different cuts of meat with Korean sides. The wine has quite ripe fruit flavors that can handle the ban-chan, that’s the Korean pickled vegetables, but it’s full-bodied enough to handle all kinds of meat – not to mention great value for money!

RT: That sounds delicious. But with a wine list as big as this there must be something unique to try for the adventurous drinker?

TJ: Yes, too many to choose from actually! But a wine that really stands out to me is the Viña Tondonia Rosado, vintage 2000 from López de Heredia. This is one of the most iconic and most traditional rosé wines from Rioja in Spain. Usually rosé wine from Rioja are young and fruit driven, but quite dark in color and a bit more flavorful than pale rosé wines. This one however, is made as how rosé wines were made here a long time ago, meaning that white and black grapes are fermented together, and then the wine is aged in oak barrels. This wine will have ripe fruit flavor due to the warmer climate here, sweet spices from ageing in oak which isn’t very common for rosé today, but also maturity notes like nuts and mushrooms due to it being 22 years old. This is actually the only rosé I’ve ever had that really benefits from ageing this long. So, if you want to try something new, but an equally good pairing for your steak, this is it! I’m sure it would be a treat with COTE Miami’s tuna tartare as well.

RT: I hear you, the Tondonia wines are all great. I would love to drink their rosado, I know it’s quite hard to get a hold of in comparison to the red one. But if you could choose one bottle to celebrate with at your night in COTE Miami, which bottle would be the special one?

TJ: Well I’m thinking, why not take advantage of the fact that this place has so many great wines in magnum bottles? For me, celebration is always best with champagne. I could go for the magnum of Non-Vintage Vouette Sorbée Blanc d’Argile, it’s a small grower champagne made from chardonnay. This producer is based in the Côte des Bar, the most southern part of Champagne meaning it’s a bit closer to Burgundy (both geographically and in style) giving a rounder, creamier champagne that can handle a bit more flavorful food like in COTE Miami.

RT: Yes, it’s just like we said earlier, big bottles are always extra fun. Thank you, Tina, for giving us your favorite wines from the COTE Miami wine list, I can’t wait to go there. And 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 an 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 wherever you get your podcasts.

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

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