In this episode, Robert Tas, CorkRules founder, and Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, review the wine list wines of the <a href="https://www.oysterbarny.com/">Grand Central Oyster Bar</a>, a historic restaurant that originally opened in 1913 in NY&rsquo;s Grand Central Station. &nbsp;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.

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it&rsquo;s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here&rsquo;s a quick review of the most popular varietals&rsquo; tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Chardonnay has notes of yellow citrus, pear, green apple and maybe a touch of vanilla. It&rsquo;s a medium to full-bodied white and pairs well with rich seafood, cream sauces, and soft cheeses.

Sauvignon blanc is a little more bitter and tart than chardonnay. The notes include grapefruit pith sweeter notes of honeydew melon, passion fruit, and kiwi with a little herbaceous quality. It is a light- to medium-bodied wine that pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, Mexican, Vietnamese, and goat&#39;s cheese.

Pinot gris is light-bodied with delicate citrus and white floral notes. Light and easy to drink, these wines pair well with light fare such as salad, delicate fish dishes, and light, mild cheeses.

Riesling has notes of citrus and stone fruit these wines are usually floral with sweet herbal elements. They are high in acid when dry but they can also be sweet. These wines work well with Indian, Thai, Moroccan, and German fare.

Cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied red with bold tannins, a long finish, and also generally has a higher alcohol content. The tasting notes are black cherry, black currant, and cedar. This varietal pairs well with heavier, fattier meats such as lamb and beef, and hard cheeses like Pecorino.

Syrah is also a full-bodied red but these wines are fruitier with medium-weight tannins. Syrah is often used ot create the Rhone blend. It also pairs well with strong meat flavors of lamb or smoked meats and hard cheeses. The tasting notes are blueberry, plum, black pepper, so this wine is a little spicier and lighter than the cabernet, while still holding the weight.

Zinfandel is on the lighter side. It&rsquo;s a medium-bodied wine that&rsquo;s fruity and spicy. It pairs well with lighter meats like chicken and pork but also works well with full-flavor cheeses such as Manchego, or Tommes de Sauvignon.

The Grand Central Oyster Bar lives up to its name, but for more information on their wine list, and other tips for wine and seafood pairings check out the CorkRules <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/oyster-bar/episodes/11">wine review podcast.</a>&nbsp;

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the wine list through sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience makes it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, and provides you with personalized wine recommendations from your favorite restaurants. &nbsp;CorkRules helps you find the perfect wine for every occasion based on your preferences. Connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try and learn about wine. CorkRules makes it easier to discover and drink what you love. &nbsp;

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it’s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here’s a quick review of the most popular varietals’ tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Pairing Wine with Oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Alba Restaurant

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas visit the renowned steakhouse Alba in Quincy, Massachusetts. 

Wine List Review of Alba, Massachusetts

Michaela Quinlan

Alba

<a href="https://www.albaquincy.com/_files/ugd/9f98fb_ab607eb96f7e42e5af16a1b03b3f4a2b.pdf">https://www.albaquincy.com/_files/ugd/9f98fb_ab607eb96f7e42e5af16a1b03b3f4a2b.pdf</a>

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Music Intro:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

&nbsp;

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

&nbsp;

MQ: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;

RT: 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.

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

&nbsp;

RT: Today we are talking about Alba Restaurant in Quincy, MA. This classic steakhouse features a welcoming dining room, private event space, a rooftop bar, and live entertainment on the weekend.

&nbsp;

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

&nbsp;

MQ: Alba&rsquo;s wine list appeals to all palates with Old and New World favorites in standard, half, and large bottle formats.

&nbsp;

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

&nbsp;

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with a classic. Consider the 2020 Trimbach Riesling from Alsace, France.&nbsp; Trimbach has been producing award-winning wines since 1626. Alsatian Rieslings are often on the dry to off dry end of the sweetness spectrum. This particular Riesling is offered in a half bottle, or 375ml, and is dry with bright acidity, notes of honeysuckle, white flowers, dried apricot, and peach with a mineral finish. A wonderful pairing with spicy dishes and charcuterie.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Another classic producer offering a stellar selection in a half bottle format is the 2017 Muga Reserva from the Rioja in Spain. Bodegas Muga was founded in 1932. This 100% Tempranillo is perfectly aged, which we know from the label &lsquo;Reserva.&rsquo; For Spanish wines, this means the wine has aged for a minimum of three years, with at least 12 months in oak. This wine is rich, full bodied, and showcases ripe blackberries, black cherries, with notes of dried lavender, leather, smoke and notes of vanilla and cinnamon from the oak aging. An excellent companion to richly sauced steakhouse classics.

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

&nbsp;MQ: Another standout, bold red wine to consider is the 2018 Montes &lsquo;Purple Angel&rsquo; Carmenere from the Central Valley of Chile. While Carmenere did originate in Bordeaux, the grape now thrives in Chile. It is robust and features ripe blackberries, cassis, clove, cocoa, and nutmeg, with hints of rose and violets on the smooth, lingering finish. This is a beautiful member of the Montes portfolio and is truly a must try, especially when pairing with rich steakhouse fare.

&nbsp;

RT: These are some great calls.

So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

&nbsp;MQ: We have noted a few classic, bold reds, but if you are looking for something a touch softer, consider the 2018 Penner-Ash Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. This Pinot Noir is well balanced with ripe red cherries, cranberries, and dried strawberries, along with notes of mushroom, earth, and tobacco. This crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with all proteins and lightly sauced pasta.

&nbsp;

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind&hellip;&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

&nbsp;MQ: If you are considering seafood or lighter fare, don&rsquo;t miss the 2019 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio from Friuli in Italy. I love the bright acidity and freshness of Pinot Grigio grown in this area of Northern Italy. This wine features ripe pear, green apple, melon, and citrus, with a touch of honey on the finish. A crisp and refreshing white wine for an excellent price.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: There are many classics on this list, from producers, to varietals, to regions. Another can&rsquo;t miss, quality/value wine to consider is the 2018 Luca Old Vine Malbec from the Uco Valley of Argentina. This red beautifully balances fruit and spice. Notes of blackberries, black cherries, plumb, and fig, along with white pepper, clove, and nutmeg on the smooth finish make this wine a winner and wonderful companion to richly sauced pasta, steak, and pork.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;MQ: If you are looking to take your dining experience to the next level, then you must consider the following classic, the 2016 Tenuta dell &lsquo;Ornellaia&rsquo; from Bolgheri, located in Tuscany, Italy. The Ornellaia has been rated 98 points by Decanter and is highly sought-after by wine enthusiasts and collectors. With new ownership and French vines, Ornellaia became the talk of the town in 1981. This stellar vintage consisting of 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Franc, and 4% Petit Verdot, is full bodied with excellent structure. Featuring aromas and flavors of cassis, ripe plumb, black cherries, cedar, and clove, along with ripe, round tannins. This bottle is truly a classic to add to any special occasion.

&nbsp;

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Alba&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for Joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like Sam to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for and download the CorkRules app for ios. It makes personalized wine recommendations at over 40K restaurants, allows you to connect with friends and has price transparency. Order wine with confidence.

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Domaine du Colombier is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Beaujolais region in France. The estate has been producing wines for over 130 years and is known for its high-quality, elegant and complex wines.

Outpost of a small local-chain eatery offering inventive, French-inspired Mexican dishes.

Meson

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

BondST

Buenos Aires Restaurant

Buenos Aires

Meadowsweet

Casa Mono

Atera

La Cava

LAVO Italian Restaurant

Lavo

Quality Italian

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Anepalco's Cafe at Ayres Hotel

Available Wines
Total Wines - 9

Bodegas Faustino

I Gran Reserva NV

Tempranillo

Rioja, Spain

Josh Cellars

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Harken

Barrel Fermented Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Wycliff

California Champagne Brut NV

Blend

California, USA

Fernhook Estate

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

New Zealand

Zonin

Winemaker's Collection Pinot Grigio delle Venezie NV

Pinot Gris

Delle Venezie, Italy

Nia Pinot Noir, California NV

California, USA

California Roots

Rose NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Emercy Wines

Grenache - Petite Sirah - Syrah NV

Blend

Central Coast, California, USA