Hello, fellow CorkRulers! As the holiday season approaches, it&#39;s time to dust off your cocktail shakers and wine glasses. Whether you&#39;re hosting a small gathering or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, we&#39;ve got you covered with some fun and festive wine-based cocktails. From spritz to negroni, champagne to ros&eacute; fros&eacute;, let&#39;s dive into the merry world of holiday libations!

1. Aperol Spritz

Let&#39;s start with a classic Italian cocktail, the Aperol Spritz. This vibrant orange drink is a perfect aperitif to kickstart your holiday celebrations.

Ingredients:

- 3 parts Prosecco

- 2 parts Aperol

- 1 part soda water

- Orange slice, for garnish

Instructions:

Fill a wine glass with ice, pour in the Prosecco, followed by the Aperol. Add a splash of soda water and garnish with an orange slice. Simple, yet delicious!

2. Negroni Sbagliato&nbsp;

Next up is the Negroni, a sophisticated cocktail with a bittersweet twist. This ruby-red concoction is sure to warm you up on a chilly winter night.&nbsp;

Ingredients:&nbsp;

- 1 part sparkling wine or prosecco&nbsp;

- 1 part Campari&nbsp;

- 1 part sweet vermouth&nbsp;

- Orange peel, for garnish&nbsp;

Instructions:

Stir the gin, Campari, and vermouth in a mixing glass with ice. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice and garnish with an orange peel. Cheers to that!

3. Champagne Cocktail

No holiday celebration is complete without a bit of sparkle! This classic Champagne cocktail is a timeless choice for any festive occasion.

Ingredients:

- 1 sugar cube

- 2-3 dashes of Angostura bitters

- Champagne

- Lemon twist, for garnish

Instructions:

Soak the sugar cube in Angostura bitters and drop it into a Champagne flute. Fill the glass with Champagne and garnish with a lemon twist. Let the celebrations begin!

4. Ros&eacute; Fros&eacute;

Last but not least, let&#39;s shake things up with a frozen delight - the Ros&eacute; Fros&eacute;. This icy cocktail is a fun and refreshing twist on traditional ros&eacute; wine.

Ingredients:

- 1 bottle of ros&eacute; wine

- 2 cups of strawberries

- 1 tablespoon of sugar

- 2 tablespoons of lemon juice

Instructions:

Pour the ros&eacute; into ice cube trays and freeze until solid. Blend the strawberries and sugar in a blender until smooth, then add the ros&eacute; cubes and lemon juice. Blend until it&#39;s slushy and serve immediately. It&#39;s a froz&eacute; kind of holiday!

So, there you have it, wine lovers! Four fantastic wine-based cocktails to brighten up your holiday season. Remember, the key to a great cocktail is not just the ingredients, but also the company you share it with. So, raise a glass, share a toast, and enjoy these festive drinks with your loved ones. Happy holidays!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hello, fellow CorkRulers! As the holiday season approaches, it's time to dust off your cocktail shakers and wine glasses. Whether you're hosting a small gathering or simply enjoying a quiet evening by the fire, we've got you covered with some fun and festive wine-based cocktails. From spritz to negroni, champagne to rosé frosé, let's dive into the merry world of holiday libations!

Celebrate the Holidays with Wine-Based Cocktails: A Fun Guide

Syrah and Shiraz. Two different names for the same grape variety, but also the name of two different styles of wine. Originally from France but spread around the world today, it has found its own identity in regions far away from the original origin.

The black grape Syrah comes from the French Rhône valley and it’s still very much planted there. Here, it’s the only variety used in Hermitage and Cornas, and also used in blends with other local grapes in areas like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône to mention a few. The grape name won’t appear on the label though since in France, and in Europe in general, the origin is of more importance than the grape variety.

Decoding the wine label: Syrah or Shiraz?

Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it’s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year – the millésime style champagne.

Decoding the wine label: Millésime

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

Lyla Lila

Sam Hohl, certified sommelier, joins Robert Tas to explore Lyla Lila’s wine list. 

Wine List Review of Lyla Lila, Georgia

Sam Hohl

Lyla Lila

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier.

Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

SH: Hi Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;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&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

&nbsp;

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.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Lyla Lila.

&nbsp;

Cork Rules

Lyla Lila

Overview

Lyla Lila is located in Midtown, Atlanta Georgia. They are a Southern European-inspired spot with an Italian focus and feature locally sourced ingredients to create dishes ranging from seafood to pasta.&nbsp;

Sam, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list.

Where to start

This list has been crafted with primarily Italian producers, but it also offers wines from around the world to transport you wherever you want to go. There are plenty of options to complement their Italian and Southern European-inspired menu, and the focus here is selections from winemakers and grape growers who farm responsibly and create their wines using as little intervention as possible.

Starting off the evening I&rsquo;d go with something refreshing while still having some solid flavor, such as the 2014 Ca&rsquo; del Vent Anima. This is an Italian sparkling rose wine made from pinot noir from the Lombardy region. Antonio Torninkas is the naturalist behind Ca&rsquo; del Vent wines and is committed to farming his vineyards using biodynamic practices and applies minimal intervention in his winemaking. In 2015 Ca del Vent&rsquo;s wines were rejected from having DOCG status due to being &ldquo;too complex and rich.&rdquo; DOCG status means a wine is typical to an area, it guarantees quality and it means controlled winemaking methods. Antonio strives to provide an honest expression of his vineyards through his wines, and has actually embraced the fact that the wines are truly unique. This bottle is going to bring fleshy dark fruit flavors, notes of toasted biscuit, and gripping acidity. Super delicious to sip on and would be a true beauty with the crispy artichokes with lemon-mint aioli.

Another really fun way to start the evening would be with the 2019 &lsquo;Egg Fermented&rsquo; by producers Dirty and Rowdy. Now, you might be thinking what is up with that name? Don&rsquo;t be put off, it&rsquo;s in reference to how they ferment the white grape juice, using large egg-shaped cement containers

that are roughly 5-6 feet tall. It&rsquo;s a practice that is used in old and new-world winemaking. This is 100% Semillon from Napa Valley also ferments on the skins for 24 days, giving it structure. It&rsquo;s got tropical notes bursting with lime along with mineral and dried herbs. It would be wonderful alongside your pasta course and would really compliment the creaminess of the burrata cappelletti ravioli.

Value

The beauty of an Italian-inspired wine list is the wide range of prices. There&rsquo;s plenty of affordable bottles on this list for whatever your preference may be. I think the 2017 Guastaferro, &lsquo;Memini&rsquo; would be a great option. It comes from the Campania region and is made from 100% Aglianico grapes, which are known to produce full-bodied reds. The Guastaferro vineyards are family run and they have vines up to 200 years old. They&rsquo;ve trained their 10-foot vines to grow upwards like trees, so it almost gives off the feeling of a grove with those vines growing overhead, which is so cool. This bottle will have bright red cherry, pepper spice and smoke, with a silky mouthfeel. Pair it with the lamb rack with merk&eacute;n and black-eyed peas to complement the meat and play with the smoky flavors from the spices on the lamb.

Celebratory 

If you&rsquo;re out to celebrate an occasion or just looking to take your night to another level, I&rsquo;d try the 2018 Comando G Tumba del Rey Moro. This is a 100% Garnacha from the Sierra de Gredos mountain range in Spain and is grown from 60-70 year old vines. Winemakers Daniel Landi and Fernando Garcia took interest in exploring the inaccessible vineyard plots scattered through the mountain ranges they had heard about. Through this exploration they located and revived the high-altitude Tumba del Rey Moro plot a few years ago, which had been previously inaccessible and what they refer to as an &ldquo;ancient landslide&rdquo; that had been overgrown with brush. 2018 was a particularly good year for this wine, the weather was nice and cool, and the grapes were very healthy and able to fully ripen. The result is super mineral and stone flavors complimented by delicate floral and herbaceous notes. It&rsquo;s got juicy notes of strawberry and red fruit. This would be incredible alongside their pappardelle with morel &amp; oyster mushroom ragu.

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Lyla Lila&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

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: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> 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.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest and most respected wine producers in Burgundy, with a history dating back to 1825. They are known for producing high-quality wines that represent the terroir of the region.

Refined eatery offering classic Italian dishes, seafood & steak, plus a robust wine list.

Marc Forgione

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Celebrate the Holidays with Wine-Based Cocktails: A Fun Guide

About the Author