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.

Alto means high, referring to altitude when talking about wine, in both Spanish and Italian. Recently higher altitude locations have been planted more and more. A few decades ago, these areas were not seen as suitable for growing quality grapes as the climate back then was too cool. Today, with many producers witnessing a rising temperature, and a lot of new techniques in the vineyard, these areas are finally becoming viable. The higher you plant the cooler the temperature will be, but you will also receive more sun which in turn helps ripen the grapes. The temperature will be quite warm during the day, but very cool at night. This leads to ripe fruit aromas developing during the day, followed by a cool nighttime keeping the fresh acidity in the grapes, the best of both worlds for the grapes.

In Italy this development has been very prominent in northern Piemonte in the last decade. There is now talk about an area called Alto Piemonte, comprised of a few different wine regions. They are all located higher up in the mountains, and like the most famous wines from Piemonte many are based on the Nebbiolo grape. The most well-known wine regions would be Ghemme, Gattinara, and Boca.

But Alto Piemonte is not the only area where the term is used. In quite a few cases, in both Italy, Spain, Argentina and Chile the term can be seen used as part of a producer name or even as the name of a specific wine, sometimes to convey the wine is from a high planted vineyard. It is not uncommon however for winemakers to use the term to show it&rsquo;s their highest quality wine, not a wine from high altitude.

More wine growers have shown interest in high altitude vineyards lately, and the record of the highest planted one is something a few are trying to beat. It&rsquo;s safe to say the positive effects the altitude has on the growing grapes mean these vineyards are here to stay, and terms as alto may be used in more languages soon.

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

Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern

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.

Wine List Review of Mirabelle at Three Village Inn in Stony Brook, New York.

Michaela Quinlan

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn

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<a href="https://www.mirabelleatthreevillageinn.com/menus/#wine-list">https://www.mirabelleatthreevillageinn.com/menus/ - wine-list</a>

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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.

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MQ: Hi Robert!

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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&nbsp; 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.

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RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

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RT: Today we are talking about Mirabelle at Three Village Inn in Stony Brook, NY. Built in 1751, the property was used as a private residence until the 1930&rsquo;s when it became a restaurant and Inn. Serving lunch, dinner, and brunch featuring a French inspired menu, Mirabelle at Three Village Inn is a perfect destination for weddings and special occasions.

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Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

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MQ: This Wine Spectator Award of Excellence recipient is truly a crowd pleaser. Featuring wine by Region and varietal, this award winning list showcases Old World and New World favorites. We hope you enjoy today&rsquo;s selections.

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RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

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MQ: When I spotted this first wine, I immediately craved cheese, charcuterie, and spicy food. Consider the 2017 Corte Pagliare Verdieri, Lambrusco Rosato &lsquo;Ven Crud&rsquo;&nbsp; from Emilia Romagna in Northern Italy. This Lambrusco di Sorbara is the lightest of all Lambrusco. It is dry and floral featuring white flowers, violets, red cherries, watermelon, and tangerine. A beautiful wine with a touch of effervescence, or frizzante.

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RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

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MQ: The second wine that caught my eye was a dessert wine from Greece. I am more familiar with Vinsanto from Italy, but here we have a Vinsanto from Greece. Consider the 2004 Argyros Vinsanto from Santorini, Greece. Arriving in a 500ml bottle, this Vinsanto is an Assyrtico blend that ages in French Oak for 12 years, resulting in aromas and flavors of caramel, candied apricot, candied peach, and brown sugar. A stellar dessert wine.

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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; ?

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MQ: A must try is the classic 2018 Chateau Carbonnieux &lsquo;Grand Cru&rsquo; Graves Blanc from Pessac-Leognan in Bordeaux, France. Graves is a subregion that produces standout wines. This medium bodied Sauvignon Blanc features bright acidity, lemon zest, white flowers, and a grassy/mineral finish. A beautiful white Bordeaux to pair with cheese, seafood, herbed and lightly sauced proteins.

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RT: These are some great calls.

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So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

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MQ: Another classic, French wine worthy of consideration would be the 2018 Domaine du Coulet-Matthieu Barret &lsquo;Et La Banniere&rsquo; from the Crozes-Hermitage in the Northern Rhone of France. This medium to full bodied Syrah features ripe blackberries and boysenberries, with notes of white pepper, black olives, and an earthy/mushroom finish. The round tannins add to the pleasure of this wine. Pair with richly sauced proteins and savory dishes.

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RT: Ooh, Terrific.

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Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind..&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

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MQ: the following winemaker always has a great story behind each of his wine creations. One to consider of excellent quality and value is the 2017 Charles Smith &lsquo;Kung Fu Girl&rsquo; Riesling from the Columbia Valley in Washington State. As the story goes, Charles Smith was enjoying Chinese takeout while watching a martial arts film and decided he needed to create a wine that shared the same energy. This Riesling is truly intense! Aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, dried apricots, ripe pear, and ripe green apple, with a touch of minerality make this wine perfect to pair with shellfish, and spicy food.

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RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

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MQ: A red wine of excellent quality and value comes to us from the Morgon, which is a subregion within Beaujolais, located in&nbsp; Burgundy, France. Consider the 2018 Anthony Thevent, &lsquo;Cuvee Julia.&rsquo;&nbsp; This light to medium bodied red wine consists of the Gamay grape which showcases ripe cranberries, ripe raspberries, with a touch of earth, and baking spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg. Gamay is an excellent pairing for richly sauced dense fish such as salmon, along with lighter proteins, all for an excellent price.

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RT: For me personally&hellip;

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MQ: Absolutely!

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RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

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&nbsp;MQ: Today&rsquo;s selections have consisted of a number of classic, Old World favorites. The next consideration follows suit. Consider the consistently highly rated 2011 Chateau Figeac &lsquo;Grand Cru&rsquo; from Saint Emilion in Bordeaux, France. Chateau Figeac is a stunning, Right Bank estate dating back to the 2nd century. This blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc continues to delight with the historic elegance of Bordeaux. From aromas of ripe blackberries, and cassis, to mushrooms, sage, thyme, and nutmeg, along with the round tannins and lingering finish, this blend is truly worth celebrating during any special occasion.

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RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Mirabelle at the Village Inn&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&nbsp;

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To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like us 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 and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

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Thank you.

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End

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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

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