CorkRules - Episodes | Market del Mar

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About this Episode

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to San Diego where they review the wine list at Market del Mar, an upscale restaurant that serves Californian fare with a local, seasonal focus and a great international wine list including a stellar mix of whites, reds, roses, and of course, bubbles to set your evening in the right direction.

Wines reviewed include:

2014 Vueve Fourny Première Cru Blanc de Blanc
2018 Hubert Meyer Pinot Gris, Alsace
2018 Emmerich Knoll Gruner Veltliner, Austria

Transcript: Market del Mar

Market del Mar

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: Hey hey Robert! Happy to be here as always

RT: Before we jump in, let’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… 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: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today Grace and I will be chatting about Market Del Mar. Excited to hear your thoughts, Grace!

GH: Thanks Robert! This spot has been a San Diego staple in the fine dining scene for a while now. I’m friendly with a few of the sommelier’s that have added their unique touches to the list over the years. So, I’m excited to explore it further

RT: Awesome – should we dive right into it?

GH: Ain't nothing to it but to do it as I always say hahah starting off with bubbles, I’m gonna go with some labels I’ve actually never heard of! I really love to do that when I dine at restaurants – the best way to learn about wine and expand your palate is to be constantly trying new things! In this instance I’m choosing the Jacquesson Cuvee 743, or the 2014 Vueve Fourny Première Cru Blanc de Blanc

RT: Two excellent choices Grace. Love those recommendations. How is Market Del Mar looking for their white wine selection?

GH: They’ve got a nice international mix! If you’re looking for something light and aromatic, I would go with the 2018 Hubert Meyer Pinot Gris from Alsace, or could also do this 2018 Emmerich Knoll Gruner Veltliner from Austria, and for something more médium bodied, I would do the 2020 Albarino from Burgans out of Spain

RT: Much bueno senorita. Now I assume if we’re talking California fine dining, they must have a killer chardonnay selection

GH: They sure do Robert! It's basically twice the size of their other white selections. You def have to respect a restaurant that knows and honors its customers' palate. And the Del Mar neighborhood of San Diego def skews in that cali chardonnay selection. So with that in mind I’m going to recommend....omg they have a wine here that i made! Like for real! It's the 2020 Ojai Vineyard Bien Nacido Chardonnay! I worked the 2020 harvest at Ojai vineyard which is on the central coast outside of Santa Barbara. It was an incredible experience and I have such a special place in my heart for Ojai vineyard. So if you drink any of the 2020 vintages from Ojai vineyard, you can thank me later hahah

RT: Oh my gosh how fun Grace. We def should order some 2020 Ojai for our next CorkRules company tasting.

GH: I’m literally texting the general manager Fabien right now to put together a case for us hahah

RT: I love it! Great to have friends in the right places

GH: Amen to that Robert! OK any back to the Market Del Mar list. If you’re a die hard napa Chardonnay fan then I would def recommend the 2019 Grigch Hills, and if you love your Chardonnay from Sonoma, I would do the 2019 Ramey from Russian River Valley

RT: Winner winner chardonnay dinner hahaha Now I can only assume a place like Market Del Mar is gonna come out swinging when it comes to red wine.

GH: You are right about that buddy. Starting with pinot as always, they’ve got some great selections. If you’re thinking burgundy, I would recommend the 2013 David Duvand Grand Cru Clos Vougeot from the Cote de Nuit. If you’re a Willamette Valley pinot person like yours truly, they’ve got a 2017 from Penner Ash Vineyard. And then for my california pinot drinkers, oh man you’re in for a treat. It's 2004 Sea Smoke! That baby is ready to enjoy for sure

RT: Oh wow love seeing those older vintages on the list. I wonder how long they’ve been holding on to that bottle.

GH: I know right! Maybe they’ve been stashing it somewhere secret to age it!

RT : One can only hope. OK what are your recommendations for our friends who like more of a medium-bodied lush red?

GH: For an old world Syrah, I’m going with this 2011 Domaine Pichat from Cote Rotie. They’ve also got 2013 Barolo from Tenuta Luminatta, as well as a 2009 Lopez de Heredia from Vina Tondonia. Like legit three of my favorite Styles of red wines of all time, and some perfect vintages to drink them at in 2022.

RT: Oh man those are three killer choices. I’ll take one of each.

GH: We def know what we’re ordering when you finally make it out to the west coast Robert!

RT: Hey with winter coming up, I def might need some California sunshine come the new year.

GH: It’s always here waiting for ya buddy!

RT: Appreciate that Grace. Now we’ve come to the main event. If we thought the California chardonnay list was killer, can't wait to hear your picks from their cabernet selection

GH: Starting off in the world! I’m hitting you with a 1989 Gruraud Larose out of St. Julien Oooo wee a 33 year old Bordeaux! Gimme Gimme. Or if you’re a die hard napa cab person, they’ve got a 1999 from Freemark Abbey out of Rutherford

RT : 20 and 30-year-old cabs? Now you’re speaking my language. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Market del Mar. 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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