CorkRules - Episodes | Portale Portale

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About this Episode

Host Robert Tas and Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, dive in to the wine list of Portale, a contemporary Italian restaurant in the heart of the Chelsea neighborhood. The wine list includes both old and new world producers and a fabulous selection of Italian wines.

Wines reviewed include:

The Sella & Mosca Torbato Alghero Brut from Sardinia
La Raia Gavi Riserva
2013 Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella

Transcript: Portale

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: Bueno Serra Roberto!

RT Bongiorno Grace! 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. Alright, Grace - today we are tackling the fabulous New York Italian restaurant Portale, what are your initial thoughts on the list?

GH: Well, I mean…. who doesn’t love Italian food?? Just one look at this menu and I was craving pasta, haha and this is another big wine list so let's dive right into it! They have a nice mix of new and old world, with an emphasis on Italy naturally. To start we could go with The Sella & Mosca Torbato Alghero Brut from Sardinia. Torbato is a rare and precious grape which sees little production outside of Sardinia, so it is definitely a special wine to try.

RT: So cool - there are so many varietals I have never heard of.

GH: Totally - and staying in Italy, on the white side I would go with the La Raia Gavi Riserva, which is a medium-bodied grape from the Piedmont region. Gavi is a great alternative to pinot grigio and goes with a ton of Italian classic dishes

RT: Delicious. I love Gavi. Perfect for springtime.

GH: Exactly. And then on the interesting Italian red side, let's go with the 2013 Roccolo Grassi Amarone della Valpolicella. Now for those who don’t know, Amarone is one of, if not, the most alcoholic red table wines on the market! Most red wines end up being around 13/14% alcohol, but Amarone is notorious for being around 15/16% - it's big bold heavy and boozy! Perfect pairing for a rich hearty meat dish.

RT: Oooo yeah, those Amarones will get ya! Now, what about some Italian value wines?

MV: You got it - I noticed they have a very old and rare grape - Albana, from the Vini Marta Valpiani winery in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Albana can trace it’s lineage back to the 4th century romans! Seriously amazing wine history there. And then on the red side I would go with the Barbera d’Asti from Pico Maccario Lavignone, who is a legendary Barbera winemaker in the Piedmont region.

RT: Delicious. And how about what you call a Baller Bottle?

MV: haha! Gotta go with a classic super Tuscan - Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia!

RT: Incredible. Grace, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate the Portale wine list.

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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