Prairie Whale

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas visit the renowned steakhouse Alba in Quincy, Massachusetts. Michaela reviews Alba’s wine list with Old and New World favorites in standard, half, and large bottle formats. She offers pairing suggestions and identifies the tasting notes of several bottles on the list, and she points out wines from a winery that has been producing award-winning wines since 1626,  a bold Chilean wine made from the carmenere varietal, in addition to the value wines and wines that should not be missed. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, France

• 2019 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio from Friuli in Italy

• 2016 Tenuta dell Ornellaia,Tuscany, Italy

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas review the wine list at L’Auberge Chez Francois, an elegant restaurant serving classic French dishes in a farmhouse setting with a delightful garden patio. Family-owned since 1954, the ethos here is to set the standard for authentic French food that satisfies your appetite and your soul. Michaela reviews the extensive wine list of old-world and new-world wines, and shares her knowledge of pairing wines with the menu and tasting notes to help you make an informed decision. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Domaine Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer,  Alsace

• 2015 Domaine Brana, Bizi Berri, France

• 2019 Anthill Farms, Mixed Blacks, Russian River Valley, California

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas review the wine list at Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar. A restaurant that serves a fresh, unique menu in a rustic designed space. Michaela offers tantalizing descriptions of tasting notes with aromas of white flowers and citrus, along with notes of tangerine, ripe peach, and tropical fruit, or aromas of ripe cranberries, ripe red cherries, and blackberries, with notes of clove, spice, vanilla, and cocoa and she offers pairing suggestions and wine recommendations.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Dalila Reserva, Viognier and Grillo blend, Sicily

• 2020 Pago del Vicario, Tempranillo Blanco, Spain

• 2021 Tsililis, Theopetra Estate Assyrtiko and Malagouzia, Greece

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Eddy V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. This vibrant location offers a stand-out menu specializing in steaks and seafood and a classic wine list with a selection of old and new world wines to pair with items on the menu, including scallops and salmon, wines with spice to pair with smokey meats, and wines to  pair with richly sauced seafood and spicy dishes,

Wines reviewed include: 

• 2020 Cave de Lugny, Les Charmes, Burgundy

• 2018 K Vintners Millbrant Syrah, Washington State

• 2019 Bodegas Caro, Amancaya, Mendoza, Argentina

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The View in Oakdale, New York. A  Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, View’s wine list features an excellent selection of Old World and New World favorites. Michaela points out the hidden gems on the list, including a wine that pairs well with pairs well with bold spices and sushi, a delicious Spanish sparkling wine, and a few stand-out reds.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Frank Family Chardonnay from Carneros, CA

• 2020 Bertrand “Orange Gold”,  Languedoc of France

• 2015 Bodegas Muga ‘Conde de Haro’ Cava Brut, Rioja, Spain

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list of Il Capriccio in Whippany, New Jersey where they serve authentic Italian cuisine featuring local seafood, meats, and vegetables from their local 180-acre organic farm. Michaela shares her expertise in tasting notes and pairings to complement the menu and identifies the exceptional value wines in addition to those little-known gems and sparklers for all occasions. 

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Case Paolin, Coste Degli Angeli, Manzoni Bianco, Veneto, Italy

• 2014 Odoardi, Giovan Battista, Gaglioppo,  Calabria

• 2013 Bellavista Franciacorta Brut, Italy

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Clarity in Vienna, Vermont. Clarity offers an à la carte or gourmet prix fixe four-course dinner tasting menu that 

showcases the very best seasonal offerings, largely sourced from a close network

of local farmers and suppliers from across the country.  Specially selected wine and whisky pairings are available with tasting menu. Their wine program features over 400 wines from all over the world, ranging from classic wines available by-the-glass to fine vintages and some of the most exciting wines from all over the world.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2012 Pakravan-Papa, Prunice di Riparbella, Tuscany

• 2016 Valerie Forgues Gamay, Touraine, France

• 2019 Le Jade, Viognier Cave de Pomerols, Languedoc,  France

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Bellissimo, a northern Italian restaurant that serves locally grown produce, seafood, and house-made pasta, and a wine list that features Italian classics, unique varietals, and value wines. Michaela identifies the stand-out bottles for both red, white, and sparkling wines. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2012 Buondonno Campo al Ciliegi, Tuscany

• 2012 De Fillipo, Montefalco Sagrantino, Umbria

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Sandbar. A winner of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, this list features a beautiful selection of Old World and New World favorites. Michaela identifies the tasting notes of full-bodied reds, fresh bright Italian whites, Grand Crus and value wines, and offers pairing suggestions with a wide range of dishes on the menu. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Corey Creek Vineyard Cabernet Franc Blanc, Long Island

• 2020 Villa Pozzi Grillo, Sicily

• 2018 Heritiers de Comte, Lafon, Burgundy

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas talk tasting notes and wine pairings with a stellar selection of wines from Mirabelle at Three Village Inn. This restaurant has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence and offers a truly cosmopolitan wine list, featuring wine by region and varietal. Michaela identifies the tasting notes on wines that must not be missed for the discerning oenophile and discovers a few gems for the adventurous wine lover, including a dessert wine from Greece and a beautiful white Bordeaux.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Corte Pagliare Verdieri, Lambrusco Rosato “Ven Crud”,  Emilia Romagna, Italy

• 2018 Domaine du Coulet-Matthieu Barret “Et La Banniere”, Crozes-Hermitage, France

• 2017 Charles Smith “Kung Fu Girl” Riesling, Washington