Key Challenges Facing the Restaurant Industry 

Robert Tas talks to writer, and director Todd Norwood about his new film, Gap Weekend and the world of wine. Todd shares stories about the making of his film Gap Weekend, and, of course, wine. Todd shares why he chose to film in wine country, his favorite wine, how he paid the crew overtime, and where you can access the film. 

In this special episode of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews Bartholomew Broadbent, founder and CEO of Broadbent Wines Limited.  Bartholomew was named one of the “fifty most influential people in the wine world” by Decanter Magazine (1997) and ranked 48th in the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S Wine Industry” in 2013 by IntoWine.com, and in this episode, he shares his journey and adventures in the wine industry, beginning with an early introduction to the industry with his father, before moving on to the fascinating history of Madeira, the rise and fall of sales in the States, and how he chooses wine in a restaurant. 

Wines reviewed include:

• Rainwater Madeira

• 10 Year Sercial Madeira

• Broadbent Single Cask O 078 Verdelho Madeira

In this special edition of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews Gaia of Gaja Winery in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. Widely considered to be one of the greatest estates in the world, they have produced coveted and collectible labels and earned a reputation as winemakers who never compromise on quality. Robert and Gaia talk about the history of the vineyard, which spans five generations of winemakers, the regions, terroirs and varietals, why they are special to the vineyards, the family’s philosophy in winemaking, and what they are doing to deal with the impact of a changing climate. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Conteisa Barolo DOP

• 2020 Barbaresco DOP

• 2020 Gaia Rey Langhe DOP

Robert Tas and Channing Frye talk wine culture, wine community, and of course, Chosen Family Wines. Channing shares his journey from the NBA to winemaking, the community of winemakers he works with and how his company chooses the winemakers to work with. He also explains what he loves about the wine industry, what he thinks should change, and of course, his wines, including a bottle you’ll want to save for ten years, and an exciting rose.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Chardonnay, Lingua Franca

• 2021 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Salty Goats

• 2022 Willamette Valley Rosé, Chosen Family

In this episode of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews, Viva Lenoir Head of Aromas and Development Officer at Le Nez. Viva was born around the same time as Le Nez du Vin, the olfactory book created by her father, Jean Lenoir. A keen enjoyer of wine, she specializes in the sensory analysis of coffee and whisky. A former comedian and radio speaker, Viva had an interesting and adventurous life before returning to the world of wine. As a child, her father introduced her to the concept of tasting notes in wine, and now she follows her passion for aromas and the adventures of the olfactory system. 

Valentina Abonna talks about the generational family-owned and operated vineyard, Marchesi de Barolo. She shares the genesis of the Barolo wine (also known as the king of wines and wine of kings) that dates back to the 1600s, and is birthed from a love story when a young bride was brought to the village and decided that a quality wine was needed, long before the Piedmont region was recognized as a wine region. The family has owned the winery and vineyard since and still uses barrels that date back to the 1800s.

Key points include:

• The difference between Barolos and barbarescos

• What makes Barolos unique

• Innovation and the future of the winery

In this special episode of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews Allison Luvera and Lauren De Niro Pipher, the co-founders and CEOs of Juliet, a company that turns perceptions of boxed wine upside down and delivers quality wine in sustainable, accessible packaging.   They talk about their unique design choices, how they overcame the stigma surrounding the quality of boxed wine, and why they got into the business in the first place. They also discuss the quality of wine, including orange wines, and the longevity of wine due to the packaging.

Topics discussed include:

• The inspiration behind the design

• The innovative, sustainable packaging

• The premium quality of their wine, including appellations and varietals

Robert Tas and special guest, Bradley Knebel, General Manager of Tatiana, talk about Bradley’s career in wine, inclusivity and diversity in wine production, and, of course, the wines on the list at Tatiana's. From velvety pinots to sublime orange wines, Bradley shares the inspiration behind the list, the extraordinary bottles that should not be missed, and a little background knowledge on the producers.

Robert Tas interviews Cheron Cowan, an Advanced Sommelier from Court of Master Sommeliers and the beverage director from Craft, Tom Colicchio’s flagship restaurant where guests enjoy award-winning dishes in an elegant and comfortable space. This restaurant has won many awards for both food and wine. Whether you want a white, red, or rose, Cheron identifies the bottles on the list that should not be missed.

Wines reviewed include:

• Grongnet, Blanc De Blancs, Brut, Nv, Champagne

• 2020, Rías Biaxas, Spain

• 2021,Pinot Noir, Failla, Sonoma Coast

Hanna Lauerman,  General Manager of Haley.Henry Wine Bar and Robert Tas review the wine list at Haley Henry. This popular wine bar has an intimate and bohemian vibe and a stellar wine list. They made the semi-finalist list for the 2020 James Beard “Outstanding Wine Program” award, and they focus on responsibly sourced and natural, small-production wines, so you know exploring this list is going to be an adventure. Hanna points out the must-try little-known wines, shares a little background information on the producers and regions, and introduces orange wines from Greece and a PetNat inspired by punk rock.

Wines reviewed include:

• The Bodegas Albamar Albarino, Spain
• The Koukos Sidiritis Orange Wine, Greece
• The Forlorn Hope Abandoned Bicycle, California