Lavo

Lavo

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules! 

A podcast where we review a Wine List from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Camila Alvarez, wine sommelier and consultant.

Bonjour Camila, it’s great to have you join our CorkRules Family from Paris!

CA: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, 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 review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about LAVO New York a restaurant and hopping nightclub with an amazing vibe and scene. Energy is high but so are the food and wine.  

Camila I can’t wait to hear what do you think of their extensive wine list?

CA: What a beautiful wine list from the sommelier selection to the very amazing sparkling and champagne selection. This wine list is just well developed, with good brands and vintages wines. Ideal place to try wines from every country and different styles.

RT: That’s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

This wine menu has a particularity different from the other menus, it offers the possibility to taste different types of sparkling wines. That's why I would start with a sparkling wine from Italy.

First option to taste is ‘the Franciacorta’ from Ca’ del Bosco in Lombardia. This sparkling wine made by “classic method”; it is a very similar method to the champagne traditional method. The bubbles are elegant, with freshness. This is called “the champagne from Italy”, and Ca’ del Bosco is one of the first wineries doing the Franciacorta.

RT: Ooohh those sound great.

So, Camila, their list seems to have lots of ways we could go but was there anything that you would say is a “must-try”?

CA: This wine list gives us the possibility to taste wines from regions that are not so common to taste like Wachau region in Austria.

The most famous Austrian grape variety is the Gruner veltliner.

My suggestions is to try the Gruner veltliner from Nikolaihof Hefeabzug 2015 from the Wachau area.

Magnifique acidity with notes of citrus, white pepper and some watermelon aromas.

RT: Thanks for the primer

CA: Amazing country to try and the region also because it is not easy to find it.

So, this list has so many great choices, what other wines would you suggest for our second or third course?

CA:  HARLAN State 2012 and from Lebanon Château Musar 1999.

Harlan state is an icon from Napa Valley, it is a bordelaise style, full bodied with some notes of cherry, ripen fruits, elegance and body. It is a good wine for aging.

On the other side, I choose another full-body red wine but from Lebanon, Chateau Musar is one of the most famous wineries and produces excellent wines. Château Musar 1999 is a full-body wine made by cabernet sauvignon, cinsault and Carignan; the aromas are still there baked fruit and little bit spicy aromas.

Good pairing for these wines: mature cheese, stakes. Also “from the grill” are great pairing with these wines.

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Camila, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind..  any other great value wines you’d point us too? 

 

CA: Some great value wines like the rosé French wines grenache from the south of France is one of my favorite grape varieties. Easy to pair with tapas, for example, the Château Minuty “M” 2020, salmon colour with aromas of red fruits, and delicate freshness.

RT: Now Camila, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

CA: For an old world wine perspective Ermitage “Le Pavillon” 2013 from Chapoutier, syrah at its best.

Licorice, prune and plum. This wine is good for aging, full body with rich aromas from tabac due to the aging in oak during 18 to 30 months and still the licorice there.

This wine is made in biodynamic, what does it means that they respect the soil, the vine and the lunar calendar as in the past. A full respect for the terroir and one of the most famous producers in Côte du Rhône.

RT: Oh that’s great!

CA: Amazing wine to try the classic syrah.

RT: Cabs are always a good call for me, especially with meats/steaks.  

CA: I 100 percent agree

RT: Camila Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Lavo New York Wine List. I can’t wait to go back and try your great suggestions.   

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. 

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

Thank you.