#10
Oyster Bar
Latest Episode
- 4/30/22 | 5:11
About this Episode
In this episode, Robert and Maria review the wine list wines of the Grand Central Oyster Bar, a historic restaurant which originally opened in 1913 in NYC's Grand Central Station. They identify the perfect oyster wine, whites from the Loire Valley, and wines from the list that will take your dining experience to the next level here.
Wines reviewed include:
- 2018 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine
- Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir, 2014
- Louis Baisinbert La Piece Sous Le Bois -Meursault Premier Cru, 2013
The Grand Central Oyster Bar
RT: Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that’s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists!
RT: I’m your host Robert Tas along with Maria Valetta Certified Sommelier and Wine educator Hello Maria
MV: Hi Robert..we have another great episode
RT: yes we do, Today we are reviewing the wine list from Grand Central Oyster Bar. This historic restaurant which originally opened in 1913 in NY’s Grand Central Station on the lower level has become an icon I myself self a commuter have enjoyed some freshly shucked oysters and some of their fish market favorites.
Maria, they really know how to cater to those on the go, Look at all those great wines by glass
MV: amazing right?
RT: Sure is.
MV: I feel like That’s what they are known for, they have more than 30! it’s really great to have this kind of selection without a commitment to an entire bottle.
RT: Where do you start?
MV: Well with oysters of course… which calls for a glass of the 2018 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine because this is known as THE PERFRECT OYSTER WINE!
Muscadet serve et Maine is a white wine from the Loire Valley in western France where the coastline there is known for their briny oysters so it only makes sense that they would grow grapes that pair well with oysters.
RT: So I know French labels can be a little tricky…what’s the grape?
MV: The Grape used to make Muscadet is Melon de Bourgogne. And not to be confused with Muscat or Moscato Muscadet is not sweet. In fact you may not even need a citrus squeeze on your oysters if you’re drinking this wine because the bright citrus flavors could easily stand in for a slice of lemon.
RT: Yum I love those Pink Moon oysters for PEI. You maria, they have
an amazing selection of oysters from across the northeast, and Canada, Mass, RI, to Vancouver so delicious.
Maria, as we move to thinking about bottles, you know I’m one of those people that drink red with seafood. What do you think?
MV: As you can see most of their selection is white wine and that’s simply because most of their menu is fish and seafood-focused so they are showcasing wines that will really highlight the food. That said, if you would like a bottle of red I would suggest one of the Pinot Noirs, and because Pinot Noir grapes have thinner skins which translates into that lower tannin structure (meaning it’s not going to have that hefty grip on your tongue) and they won’t overpower any of the delicate Flavor profiles of the fish. I’d say try the Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir 2014 the age on it makes it even more food-friendly to fish, and Hanzell knows how to make PINOT!
RT: Oh that sounds great. What About something unique and wallet-friendly?
MV: Sure. Then I’m ordering the Jean Luc Columbo Viognier ‘La Violette’ 2018 it’s listed in the Other Italian Whites Section … but it should be in either the Chenin Blanc/ Viognier section or the Other FRENCH whites section, because this bottle is produced in southern France not Italy! Jean Luc is a dedicated producer of southern French wines.
RT: I guess that happens sometimes on lists.
MV: It sure does.. and I catch these things all the time, but wouldn’t stop me from ordering it because from halibut, monkfish, shrimp.. to crabcakes you name it, this wine is going to go great with all of it!
RT: Now what about that wine, that’s going to take your dining experience to the next level here?
MV: I’m placing all my bets on White here but splurging for a stunner. I can not pass up a great Meursault which is a chardonnay from the region of Burgundy France and they have one, it’s the Louis Baisinbert La Piece Sous Le Bois -Meursault Premier Cru, 2013. Premier Cru tells you you are getting a high-quality wine, and this chardonnay will be a little buttery without being heavy. It’s one of my favorite expressions of the grape.
RT: I can’t wait to try it. I’ve been working on expanding my white wine portfolio. Well, that’s all we have time for today. Thank you for joining us here on CorkRules. Remember the only rule in wine is “drink what you LOVE”.
MV: Have a favorite wine List? Let us review it here on CorkRules. Send us your requests at info@corkrules.com and remember to check out all of our episodes on Corkrules.com.
Want to request a Restaurant?
Interested in having a restaurant’s wine list featured in a future podcast episode? Let us know here.
Related Episodes
Buddy V's
- 6:46 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head to Las Vegas where they stop in at Buddy V’s an Italian restaurant in the Venetian resort with views of the strip. What a great place to relax, enjoy, and people-watch in Vegas. Maria kicks off the review with wines from the extensive wines-by-the-glass list before moving on to a stellar bottle for prosecco lovers, and a fabulous, must-not-be-missed Friuli. For red fans, she also spots a baby Super Tuscan, a certified organic barolo and many more.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2019 Trinchero, Iron & Sand, Paso Robles, California
-
Nino Franco Rustico, Prosecco Veneto
-
2015 Ziata, Mia Madre, Bordeaux Blend Napa
Yardbird
- 8500 Beverly Blvd Suite 112, Los Angeles, CA 90048, United States
- 7:23 min
Robert Tas talks wine with Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde on Instagram. If you have ever wondered what to wine to pair with Southern Fried Chicken or ST. Louis Ribs, this is the episode for you. Maria includes an English sparkling wine, an award-winning cabernet franc, and an insanely delicious Burgundy.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Chalk Hill Sonoma Coast, Chardonnay, California
-
2018 Ridge Lytton Springs Dry Creek
-
2016 The Mascot, Napa Valley
Chica
- 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd St 106, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
- 7:13 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas chat about wines to pair with Latin food as they explore the wine list at Chica where Chef Lorena Garcia has melded the vibrant flavors from Venezuela, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico to provide a wholly unique dining experience and to ensure we choose the wine that pairs well with the hot spice, Maria offers pairing suggestions from a list that presents Latin wines from Spain, Argentina, and Chile in addition to wine from Europe and North America. For all chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon lovers who are ready to venture out of their comfort zone, Maria offers a few delicious alternatives that will expand your list of favorites.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2019 Agro de Bazán Granbazán Etiqueta Verde Rias Baixas, Spain
-
2019 Carmenère from Montes Alpha Colchagua Valley, Chile
-
2018 Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Mosel
Bar Zazu
- 7:45 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas join forces for a fun review of the wine list at Bar Zazu where they offer wines from around the globe with a special focus on Spain. If you wonder just what to pair with the charred Spanish octopus with chorizo, gremolata, almond, romesco or the seafood paella, Maria has the wine for you. In addition to wines that make your meal just too delicious for mere words, Maria offers a little wine education on lesser-known varietals such as the Tintilla, the Callet, and the Tannat.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2018 Samuel Tinon “Birtok”, Tokaj, Hungary
-
2017 Anima Negra “An” 2017, Mallorca
-
2016 Garzon Single Vineyard Tannat, Uruguay
Hell's Kitchen, Las Vegas
- 6:49 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas dare to review the wine list at Hell’s Kitchen, a Chef Gordon Ramsay restaurant in Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. Among many of the stellar wines, Maria suggests are a bottle of bubbles from the UK and a beautiful example of an all-chardonnay sparkling wine made in the champagne method, a Burgundy made in the Champagne style, a value wine from Australia that showcases a little-known varietal, and a wine from the king of pinot noir vines.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2017 Domaine Tempier, Bandol, France
-
2017 Foley Johnson, Rutherford, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
-
2014 Three Sticks Gap’s Crown Pinot, Napa Valley
Brera
- 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
- 8:36 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde on Instagram, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Brera, on the Las Vegas strip where they offer over 200 wines with a focus on Italian wines from all the best wine producing regions to pair with the delicious Italian cuisine.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2019 Nero D’Avola Crisera Luna Nuova, Sicilia, Italy
-
2020 Aglianico San Salvatore, “Vetere”, Campania, Italy
-
2010 Borgogno, Barolo “Cannubi”, Piemonte, Italy
Jasmine
- 8:24 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Jasmine, in Bellagio Hotel. This restaurant is located in a beautiful setting that serves Cantonese, Szechwan, and Hunan cuisine. If you don’t know what to pair with Asian food, don’t worry, Maria identifies the tasting notes in wines and offers pairing suggestions with meals on the menu, including well-known favorites such as Peking Duck and, for the adventurous oenophile, she suggests trying China’s best wine from the foothills of the Himalayas.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Marc Bredif, Vouvray, Loire Valley, France
-
2019 Sokol Blosser, Dundee Hills, Oregon
-
2018 Ashes & Diamonds, Blanc, a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend, California
Estiatorio Milos
- 3355 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109, USA
- 7:54 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas hit the Las Vegas strip and pop into Estiatoria Milos to review the wine list at this award-winning Greek restaurant that serves authentic Greek cuisine and an eclectic wine list that features a wonderful selection of Greek wines, including 20 wines-by-the glass options which offers guests the opportunity to branch out and explore new wines, and Maria provides insights and recommendations on which wines to try.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2021, Ktima Geravassiliou Malagousia
-
Agiorgitiko Ktima Driopi Nemea, Greece
-
2019 Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley
Naxos Taverna
- 12:55 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria the Wine Blonde, interviews Beverage Program Director Tim Keller at Naxos Taverna at Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa in Las Vegas. talks about his experience in the hospitality industry, how he first became interested in wine, and his enterprising journey from waiter to restauranteur, and finally, how he was hired at Naxos Taverna. Tim talks about how he chooses wine for the wine list to introduce patrons to Greek wines and wines that pair well with Greek food. He reviews several special bottles, including wines from Macedonia, and a few alternatives to popular favorites such as sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio to help wine lovers find a few new favorites and expand their wine knowledge.
Holsteins
- 6:29 min
Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Holsteins in the Cosmopolitan hotel and casino, home of the best burger in town and a wine list that’s broken into four sections: Reds, Rosé slash Sparkling Rosé, Whites, and Champagne & Sparkling wine. Maria kicks off the review with a cocktail to whet the appetite before diving into the wine list where she finds some spectacular wines to pair with the specialty burgers this restaurant is famed for, or how about a wine that will pair well with the Firecracker Chicken Meatballs with Chives, or the Brussel Sprouts Ceaser.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Whitehaven, Marlborough New Zealand
-
2020 Moulin Jamet Sancerre
-
2015 North by Northwest Red Blend, Columbia Valley, Washington
Use the QR Code or
click on Download to install!