Hello, movie buffs and wine enthusiasts! Get ready to swirl your glasses as we introduce you to a new cinematic delight that will take you on an intoxicating journey through the picturesque vineyards of California wine country. It&#39;s time for another grape-infused adventure with &#39;Gap Weekend,&#39; a film that promises to be this generation&#39;s answer to &#39;Sideways.&#39;

<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/gap-weekend-a-film-shoot-in-wine-country/episodes/915" target="_blank">Check out CorkRules Podcast Episode #417</a>

&#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is written and directed by Todd Norwood, who has brilliantly managed to weave together humor, drama, friendship, and fine wines into one compelling narrative. A heartbroken guy befriends an offbeat girl after posting his dating manifesto online. As the two spend a weekend together in a pretend relationship, a connection grows that may both heal and complicate aspects of their natural lives. The two of them spend the weekend pretending they are a couple so long as they follow the rules. &quot;Nothing physical. No kissing. No one gets hurt.&quot; As the weekend progresses, they find that following those rules proves to be very difficult.

The charm of this film lies not just in its plot but also in its stunning backdrop - the enchanting vineyards of California wine county. If you loved how Sideways celebrated California&#39;s viniculture while telling a touching tale about middle-aged men grappling with life&#39;s disappointments, then Gap Weekend is going down your alley, too!

Let&#39;s talk about our captain steering this ship &ndash; writer/director Todd Norwood. Known for his knack of telling heartwarming stories that resonate with audiences, Norwood has done it again with &#39;Gap Weekend.&#39; With an impressive filmography, including the critically acclaimed short films Just in Time and Running on Empty, he&#39;s repeatedly proven he knows how to create engaging narratives.

Norwood&#39;s directorial style is characterized by a keen eye for detail, rich character development, and an ability to bring out authentic performances from his actors. He possesses a unique talent for capturing the essence of everyday life in extraordinary circumstances - something we see shining through in &#39;Gap Weekend.&#39;

One thing you can always expect from a Todd Norwood project is relatable characters navigating through their journeys amidst beautiful landscapes &ndash; running across barren fields or sipping wine overlooking lush vineyards. His movies are not just about storytelling; they&#39;re about creating experiences.

So, where can you catch this delightful cinematic experience? Well, I have good news: it&#39;s out today! &#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is available on most of your major streaming platforms, e.g., Amazon Prime Video! Plus, the novel version will be coming out in Dec as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is more than just a movie; it&#39;s an invitation to take a breather, enjoy life&#39;s simple pleasures and celebrate friendships. It&#39;s about exploring new horizons (and exquisite wines!) while rediscovering oneself amidst laughter, love, and shared memories.

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Hello, movie buffs and wine enthusiasts! Get ready to swirl your glasses as we introduce you to a new cinematic delight that will take you on an intoxicating journey through the picturesque vineyards of California wine country. It's time for another grape-infused adventure with 'Gap Weekend,' a film that promises to be this generation's answer to 'Sideways.'

Uncorking the Delights of 'Gap Weekend': Via California Wine Country

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

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

Rustico Italiano

Grace Hood

The Clocktower

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, Wine Educator and Certified Sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hey hey Robert! Another day another wine list :)

RT Hahah yes, I love it Grace 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.

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. Alright Grace today we will be reviewing the list from the fabulous British-inspired New York hot spot, the Clocktower

GH: All right then governor lollll I actually have lived in England over the years. It has a very special place in my heart for sure. Very excited to chat all things UK

RT: Man, you are a true gypsy soul born for leaving Grace hahaha so tell us your initial thoughts on Clocktower

GH: So the first thing I notice is that is has a fairly dense French section, which is actually to be expected as, for centuries, England has been one of the largest importers of French wine. Mainly b/c they were one of the wealthiest countries and their aristocracy had a penchant for French wine. In fact, some of the terminology we use in wine today comes from the Brits - like Claret. Claret is the British slang term for Bordeaux, which they imported a ton of, minus when the French and British were at war, and then the Brits got their wine from Portugal instead haha

RT: Wow I love all these history lessons. So informative.

MV: I am here to edutainRobert :) that&rsquo;s Educate and Entertain haha

RT: And that you do Grace! Besides France, what other selections do we have with this list?

MV: So it definitely has a nice mix of New World and Old World. Because British cuisine leans towards salty and savor, you&rsquo;re going to have lots of options when it comes to traditional wine pairings. If you wanted to kick off with a sparkling, there is actually one on the list from Germany, which I have not seen in a while - the Peter Lauer Reserve, and its a 1994 which would be a fascinating experience drinking it in 2022.

RT: Super cool! I didn&rsquo;t know Germany makes bubbles!

MV: Most wine regions do have some sort of sparkling production. Whether it gets exported to the United States is another story.

RT: Ahhh good point. Definitely something unique to try then.

MV: Totally. And then in the whites section, of course a classic choice would be a white Burgundy from their extensive collection. However, if you wanted to go with another delicious French white, they have a lovely selection of Vouvray, which is Chenin blanc from the Loire Valley. Chenin blanc is a medium-bodied white grape indigenous to France but sees its largest production in South Africa; it was brought there by the Huguenots when they escaped France in the 1600s. Vouvrays can range in their sweetness levels, and it&#39;s important to read the label to make sure you&rsquo;re getting the type you want. Sec, sec, is the designation for a dry lean Vouvray, while demi-sec will be a bit sweeter fruiter Vouvray. For the menu at Clocktower, I would go with the 2015 Philippe Foreau Sec - refreshing and delicious.

RT: Fantastic. Thanks for the Vouvray lesson. Where do you go when it comes to reds?

MV: So again they have a big collection of French rends here, however, I&rsquo;m going to head a bit more south and go for another fabulous traditional old world country, Italy! Clocktower has a delicious collection of Barolos, which is the Nebbiolo grape grown in the north of Italy. I like to call Nebbiolo the pinot noir of Italy - its delicate, aromatic and depending on where its grown, it can be light and zingy, like Barbaresco, however Barolos are a bit more tannic and bold and definitely need more time to age, but when you pop one open that&rsquo;s had its time to mature, it is more notorious for being rich and inky and velvety, and is definitely my personal favorite Italian red. On the Clocktower list, I would go with the 1996 Giacomo Conterno. A 26-year-old Barolo ooooo wee that&rsquo;s going to hit the spot. &nbsp;&nbsp;

RT: Amazing. Can&rsquo;t be a fabulous Barolo. Now how about those value wines if you&rsquo;re not looking to go over the top?

GH: You know - you can never go wrong with a rose! Rose&rsquo;s are traditionally very affordable, as well as being absolutely delish, and a great alternative to whites. I would go with the 2018 Thibault Boudignon, Ros&eacute; de Loire. And then on reds, let&rsquo;s do the Saintsbury Pinot noir from Carneros, which is one of the most unique Ava&rsquo;s in American b/c Carneros can technically be considered both Napa and Sonoma, as it is split in half with the east side being in Napa and the west side in Sonoma.

RT: Super cool. Now what would you pick for a special occasion wine?

GH: Ya know what, let&rsquo;s stay in Napa, and order the 1987 Dunn Howell Mountain, which happens to be my birth year, and honey let me tell you, 35 years old for me and this wine - we&rsquo;re both at a great age :)

RT: Incredible. Grace, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Clocktower

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us an 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. Follow us on social media @corkrules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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End

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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

Marotti Campi is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Marche region in Italy. They have been producing high-quality wines for over 100 years, using traditional winemaking techniques and sustainable farming practices.

Equinox Hotel restaurant for veggie-forward dishes & crudos in a polished venue with a terrace.

Per Se

restaurant

Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

Uncorking the Delights of 'Gap Weekend': Via California Wine Country

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