&nbsp;

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy&#39;s most distinctive wines.

The Paola Bea estate, located near the town of Montefalco, has been in the family for generations. However, it was under Paola&#39;s stewardship that it gained international recognition. The vineyards are farmed organically without any chemical intervention and minimal mechanization.

Paola Bea wines are known for their intense character and depth of flavor. They reflect not only the unique terroir but also Paola&#39;s dedication to traditional winemaking methods such as long maceration periods and aging in large oak barrels.

His approach results in wines that are expressive, complex, and have a strong sense of place &ndash; characteristics highly valued by wine enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you&#39;re tasting the acclaimed Sagrantino or lesser-known blends like San Valentino Palo Bea, you can expect an authentic representation of Umbrian viticulture at its finest from this esteemed producer.

Review of San Valentino Palo Bea

San Valentino is a highly esteemed winery located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Known for its dedication to organic and biodynamic farming practices, this producer has carved out a niche for itself as an innovative and sustainable wine creator. The vineyard was established by Umberto Cesari in 1965, who passionately believed in the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Romagna.

Color:

The San Valentino Palo Bea presents a rich, deep ruby red color that is almost opaque. This intense hue hints at the concentration and complexity within each bottle.

Nose:

On the nose, this wine offers an enticing blend of ripe black fruits like cherries and plums mingled with earthy undertones of leather and tobacco. There are also delightful notes of spices such as clove and cinnamon which add depth to its aromatic profile.

Tannins:

The tannins in San Valentino Palo Bea are well-structured yet supple, providing a robust backbone without overwhelming the palate. They contribute to its full-bodied nature while ensuring longevity for cellaring.

Taste:

Upon tasting, one can expect an explosion of flavors echoing those on the nose - ripe dark fruits layered with spice and earthy nuances. The finish is long-lasting with hints of sweet vanilla oak from barrel aging.

Critic Score &amp; Reviews:

San Valentino Palo Bea consistently receives high scores from critics around the world due to its exceptional quality. It frequently garners ratings above 90 points from renowned publications like Wine Spectator and Decanter Magazine. Reviewers often praise it for its balance between fruit intensity, tannic structure, acidity levels, making it both approachable now but capable of aging gracefully over time.

Food Pairing:

Given its robust character and complex flavor profile, San Valentino Palo Bea pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes such as grilled red meats, game, and rich pasta dishes. It also complements aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

San Valentino Palo Bea is a testament to the winemaking prowess of its producer. Its full-bodied nature coupled with complex flavors and aromas make it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality Italian wine that showcases the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Emilia-Romagna.

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy's most distinctive wines.

San Valentino Paolo Bea an Italian treasure

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

Spring into Rosé: The Perfect Wine for Warmer Weather

We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Bin 26 Enoteca, an Italian restaurant where one can find simple foods to accompany the wines served there.

Wine Review of Bin 26 Enoteca, 

Sam Hohl

Bin 26

Bin 26

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules! 

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier

Hello Sam, great to have you back for another great wine list.

SH: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, 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.

Cork Rules 

Bin 26 Enoteca

Overview

Bin 26 Enoteca is in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston and is versatile in the experiences they provide. They encourage you to come enjoy small dishes while savoring wine, or join them for a full food and wine pairing experience.

Bin 26 has an extensive by-the-glass list, along with over 200 bottles to choose from. Wine is definitely at the heart of the design here, so this list has some favorites along with some surprises too.

Standouts

Bin 26 has a pretty extensive riesling section, which at first might seem confusing with their Italian inspired dishes. But if you haven&rsquo;t had riesling with Italian food, today is the day. Riesling actually compliments so many different cuisines and can go alongside foods with spice, acidity, and herbs. So don&rsquo;t be put off, it&rsquo;s actually super fun to play with! Now the options here really range, most notably in the sweet factor. Although, sometimes the designation of the type of riesling, like the Spatlese for instance, includes wines that can also be made in dry or sweet styles. Out of these many choices, the 2020 Neuenberg Riesling Grand Cru from Peter Lauer caught my eye. Weingut Peter Lauer is a well known German wine producer in Mosel who specialize in dry and off-dry rieslings. They take the tradition and history of the winemaking to heart, and really pride themselves on caring for their land. They farm organically and don&rsquo;t intervene on the winemaking process with unnecessary additives or manipulation of the wine. The grapes grew with sunny, cool mornings and warmer afternoons, and often with fog. This is a hugely mineral driven wine with deep fruit flavors because of all that sunshine they get, but still a dry wine. Try this with the Pappardelle with Ground Sausage, Walnuts, and Truffle Cream.

Value

Now let&rsquo;s say you&rsquo;re looking for a wine to have with a few dishes that is going to be a little more affordable, and not very common. I&rsquo;d love to start with the 2020 Weingut Beurer Schwabischer LandweinTrocken. This is a German Rose that&rsquo;s made by a former BMX champion now promoting natural wine and a hardcore advocate for his land and beyond. Beurer&rsquo;s wines come from Swabia, a region in southern Germany that isn&rsquo;t part of the old-school winemaking crew. Beurer is committed to making natural and biodynamic wines, honoring the land and the final product. He prides himself on these natural wines and encourages you to taste the &ldquo;anti-authoritarian viticulture.&rdquo; This Rose is bursting with jammy notes of raspberry, tart cranberry and subtle orange zest. It&rsquo;s going to be delicious to sip on, maybe have it with the Saffron and fontina Arancini to start the night off right.

Another great option if you&rsquo;re looking for something red would be the 2020 Bernard Baudry Les Granges. This is a Cabernet Franc from Chinon in the Loire region of France. This is going to be a lighter bodied, super easy drinking wine that still plays nice with food. It&rsquo;s going to be zippy with red fruit flavors and juicy berry tones. The tannins are going to be nice and soft so it&rsquo;s not going to clobber your palate. Those of you who maybe don&rsquo;t usually love a Cab Franc&rsquo;s distinctive earthy or peppery tones might be intrigued by this particular bottle. Try it with the Chicken Saltimbocca made with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto.

Celebratory 

Now, if you need a bottle that&rsquo;s going to join you in your celebration, try the 2003 Chateau Montrose, St. Estephe. Chateau Montrose is a highly regarded wine estate in Bordeaux&rsquo;s northern Medoc region. Chateau Montrose is classified as Second Growth on the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines, which is a classification of the 60 highest rated Bordeaux wines. They are known to be one of the best estates at the Second Growth level.&nbsp; This Bordeaux is going to be luscious and ripe. It&rsquo;s got a medium body with lots of blackberry and blueberry. It also has these big tannins that have been rounded out by the aging. It&rsquo;s also got these earthy, woody, tobacco notes to it as well. There&rsquo;s a lot to unpack and experience as this wine unfolds. It would be wonderful with the herb marinated hanger steak or enjoy it alongside a meat and cheese plate to start or end the evening.

Sam, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Bin 26&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try your great suggestions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Starborough is a family-owned winery located in Marlborough, New Zealand. They are committed to producing premium wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region, while also using sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. They offer a range of white wines, including Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay.

Espresso drinks & wines by the glass go with Italian small plates & baked goods at this urbane cafe.

The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network

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

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