CorkRules - Episodes | Electric Lemon Electric Lemon

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About this Episode

Host Robert Tas and the delightfully effervescent Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, join forces to demystify the wine list at Electric Lemon, a restaurant with sleek decor, a serene atmosphere, and a stellar menu. In addition to inspired pairing suggestions and identifying the special bottles and value wines on the list, Grace explains the difference between mountain-grown grapes versus grapes grown in the valley and how those locations influence the wine.

Wines reviewed include:

2016 Eric Morgan Savineires
2017 Lingua Franca chardonnay from Willamette Valley
Pouilly-Fuisse from Domaine Leflaive

Transcript: Electric Lemon

Electric Lemon

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules! A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace, it’s great to have you!

GH: Have wine will chat!

RT: Hahaha totally 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.

So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. So, Grace today we are chatting about Electric Lemon, located in the Equinox hotel - initial thoughts?

GH: Totally! So, their whole thing is American cuisine celebrating the mid-Atlantic. I was interested to take a dive into this concept!

RT: Love it! So where do we start on the wine list?

GH: So, one wine that caught my eye on the sparkling list was this Brut Rose from the island of Tasmania in Australia! Now you might be thinking - Grace, Tasmania? Like the devil? HA! But on the real Tasmania makes lovely wine - they’re so far down south that they produce lovely cool climate wines.

RT: Wow I wouldn’t even guess that small places like that produced wine. Another great geographical lesson. Now, what are you thinking for whites?

GH: On the whites, if you want something on the lighter side, I would go with the 2016 Eric Morgan Savineires, which is chenin blanc from the Loire valley. Going to be a fun alternative to Loire's other famous white grape, sauvignon blanc. Chenin blanc will still have that nice acidity to it but have some more lush citrus elements to it. And then if you wanted to go with a richer style white, I would do the 2017 Lingua Franca Chardonnay from Willamette Valley, which is made by the legendary producer Larry Stone, known as the king of pinot noir! I got to meet him at a wine lunch in Vail a few years ago and he was just so sweet and humble.

RT: Life’s tough when you’re Grace Hood!

GH: Hahaha it’s true I do get to meet some incredible people in my line of work, including you, Robert!

RT: Oh, you flatter me Grace. Now, what are you thinking for reds?

GH: Oooo so one red that really stuck out to me was this 2011 Figli Ruigli Barolo, which is Nebbiolo made in north Italy. Being a pinot noir fan also means that I’m a big Nebbiolo girl, as they both are fabulous lighter style reds. And an 11-year-old Barolo is going to be oh so delicious. Now if you were wanting a heavier red, I would go with the 2007 Cain Five Vineyard red blend from Spring Mountain. In Napa, you basically can divide where the grapes come from in two categories - valley floor fruit and mountain fruit. Valley floor fruit are going to be those vineyards you see when you’re driving around Napa - smack dab in the middle of the mountains, getting tons of sun exposure and therefore leading to a more tannic and structured wine. As opposed to mountain fruit which is grown up in the hillsides under the brush and the trees aka in a lot more shade which will give you a lusher so` rounder mouth feel. I personally prefer mountain fruit because I like a rich, inky, velvety, sexy style of red.

RT: Oh wow what a great point. Valley floor versus mountain. Totally makes sense. Now Grace what are you thinking for some budget wines and some baller wines?

GH: For whites, I’m giving y’all two white Burgundies! Budget burg is going to be the premier cru chablis from Daniel Dempt, and the baller burg is going to be the Pouilly-Fuisse from Domaine Leflaive. And then on the red side we’re staying in France - and I’m recommending the 2019 Bourgogne from Domaine Michel Gros, and then you’re special occasion wine will have the 2005 mouton Rothschild!

RT: Amazing! Thank you so much Grace for helping us navigate the Upland wine list. 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. Follow us on social media @corkrules and @wineswithgrace.

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

Thank you.

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