Nothing screams cheesy quite like a heart-shaped pizza and pasta dish at restaurants decked out in pink and red streamers and balloons on Valentine&rsquo;s Day. And it doesn&rsquo;t get more clich&eacute; than scarfing it down with a bottle of Champagne. Bubbles are festive, but aren&rsquo;t you tired of spending the holiday of love and romance the same way every year?

Valentine&rsquo;s Day should be an authentic celebration of the love and joy shared between two people, and there are plenty of ways to convey this without reaching for that same old yellow-label Champagne or eating from last year&rsquo;s prix-fixe menu.

&ldquo;Cultivating an experience where both people are discovering something new together is a great way to spend the holiday,&rdquo; says Samantha Hohl, a sommelier in Boston.

&ldquo;Getting out of your comfort zone and trying something new, whether it&rsquo;s food or wine, is a fun way to get close to your person. I always like to find a place where my partner and I can sit down and go on an adventure together,&rdquo; Hohl continues.

The key to success on Valentine&rsquo;s Day is opting for off-the-beaten-path restaurants with wine lists as exciting and extensive as dinner menus &mdash; otherwise, spend the evening at the restaurant with a thoughtfully curated wine list and take it from there. Look for farm-to-table establishments, where dishes are created with local delicacies and intention, or restaurants that focus on small plates for sharing with a partner. Restaurants with serious wine programs that offer wine-pairing menus can provide an enchanting date night experience by giving dinner guests a chance to experience a journey through the glass and on the plate.

&ldquo;My husband and I like to go to restaurants with wine pairings with their tasting menus, like <a href="https://bellagio.mgmresorts.com/en/restaurants/le-cirque.html">Le Cirque</a>, inside the Bellagio Hotel,&rdquo; says Las Vegas sommelier Maria Valetta. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a very classy restaurant, but it&rsquo;s not stuffy. The sommeliers there are so knowledgeable and entertaining, and they always have great stories about the pairings for each course. To have that special wine with every dish &mdash; like pairing foie gras with Sauternes &mdash; is an exciting and mind-blowing experience to share with a partner.&rdquo;

And never underestimate the power of simplicity.

<a href="https://alcoveboston.com/">&ldquo;Alcove in Boston&rdquo;</a> is a really fun restaurant with an awesome wine list separated by different adjectives. The food program is straightforward and focused on New England coastal dishes, but the wine list is so fun and approachable. You can order wines under categories like &lsquo;crisp and refreshing,&rsquo; &lsquo;mineral driven,&rsquo; or &lsquo;advanced textures,&rsquo;&rdquo; says Hohl.

Of course, restaurants are always necessary to enjoy an evening of romance. Sometimes all you need is your favorite takeout and the cozy comforts of home to set the mood, and wine can undoubtedly come in handy for those intimate moments too.

&ldquo;Opening up a bottle that you love and sharing it with someone you care about can make for an extraordinary moment and celebration of love,&rdquo; says Grace Hood, a sommelier in San Diego. &ldquo;Your whole mood changes after you open a special bottle. It sets a nice mood, an elevated ambiance that can really play up the romance.&rdquo;

Hood adds, &ldquo;Not to mention, wine makes a great gift.&rdquo;

Valetta recommends looking for bottles that can amplify the loving theme of Valentine&rsquo;s Day, like the vibrant and thirst-quenching <a href="https://www.stolpmanvineyards.com/product/Love-You-Bunches-2022">&ldquo;Love You Bunches&#39;&#39; </a>carbonic Sangiovese by Santa Barbara winery Stolpman Vineyards or Jean-Louis Chave&rsquo;s fruit-forward and peppery <a href="https://www.astorwines.com/item/11871">&lsquo;Mon Coeur&rsquo; </a>C&ocirc;tes du Rh&ocirc;ne, which translates to &ldquo;my heart.&rdquo; Want to go the expensive route? <a href="https://www.morrellwine.com/wines/Chateau-Calon-Segur-St-Estephe-2017-w0493344es">Ch&acirc;teau Calon S&eacute;gur</a> makes one of the most recognizable bottles of Bordeaux with a heart-shaped label. However, more affordable options help crank up the heat, too, like <a href="https://www.slodownwines.com/products/2019-love-hammer">&#39;Slow Down Wines&rsquo;</a> Lovehammer Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley.

Another fun option could be Gerard Bertrand&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.plummarket.com/store/2022-gerard-bertrand-cote-des-roses-rose-languedoc.html">Cote du Roses Ros&eacute;</a>, which comes in a beautiful bottle with a rose design. &ldquo;I would love for someone to show up at my door with five of those bottles turned upside down and wrapped with a bow like a ros&eacute; bouquet,&rdquo; says Valetta.

&ldquo;Playing around with different wines and looking for bottles with a special meaning or name that centers on love, joy, and companionship could make for a unique Valentine&rsquo;s Day wine lineup,&rdquo; Valetta continues.

Nothing screams cheesy quite like a heart-shaped pizza and pasta dish at restaurants decked out in pink and red streamers and balloons on Valentine’s Day. And it doesn’t get more cliché than scarfing it down with a bottle of Champagne. Bubbles are festive, but aren’t you tired of spending the holiday of love and romance the same way every year?

Make This Valentine’s Day One to Remember with These Exceptional Wines and Restaurants

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

Eric Asimov's recent article isn't just about the "luxury" of sommeliers vanishing from restaurants. It's a stark warning about the potential collapse of a vibrant corner of our social and cultural ecosystem: the world of wine.

Why the Decline of Sommeliers Is a Crisis for All of Us

Giada - The Cromwell Las Vegas

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas visit Giada’s Restaurant.

Wine List Review of Giada's Restaurant, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Giada’s Restaurant

Giada Las Vegas&nbsp;

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Beverage.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Beverage.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Dinner.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Dinner.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Brunch.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Brunch.pdf</a>

<a href="http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Tasting.pdf">http://marketeammenucromwellgiada.com/Giada_Tasting.pdf</a>

Robert Tas (RT): Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can learn to order wine with confidence.

I&rsquo;m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert we are talking about a famous food network star&rsquo;s restaurant in Las Vegas

RT: That&rsquo;s right Maria, and it&rsquo;s not Gordon Ramsey. oh no, SHE is much easier on the eyes, we are talking about Giada DeLaurentis and her namesake Restaurant in The Cromwell Hotel in Las Vegas Nevada.

This is Giada&rsquo;s first foray into the restaurant Biz, and she could not have picked a better city for her experiential concept. You know you have made it BIG-TIME when you have your very own restaurant IN Sin City. But the only things sinful here are the insanely delicious dishes from this award-winning celebrity chef.&nbsp; You can expect all her Italian favorites elevated with fresh California flavors served in an upscale setting. The bright and airy semi-circle dining room has some of the best views of the Las Vegas Strip. Add to that, a wine list that has garnered the Wine Spectator&rsquo;s&rdquo; 2019 Best of, Award of Excellence, and you have a real winning combination.

RT: Maria, I know you have dined here, so does the wine list complement the food?

MV: Robert it sure does, I love how the wines by the glass are separated into flavor profile categories, with descriptors such as sweet wines, medium to bold reds, and fruit-forward reds, helping the customer choose more easily. I also love that by the bottle list uses a leafy symbol to denote organic wines which truly is the most sustainable way forward in our wine industry. Plus, it is a well-balanced list covering most of the major wine-producing countries, which is great to see because when I dined here, I thought it was only going to have Italian wines on the list! SO this was a fantastic surprise and maybe even the way to go here given the California influence.

Robert: I&rsquo;m so jealous you have dined at Giada&rsquo;s restaurant, my wife and I adore her, and love watching her on TV, so which wine did you start with?

MV: I started with a glass of the Sparkling Schramsberg Vineyards, Blanc de Blancs , Sonoma, California 2018&nbsp; The term Blanc de blanc on a sparkling wine or champagne literally translates to &ldquo;white of whites&rdquo; and this means that the wine is made with 100% chardonnay grapes (all white grapes)

RT: That&rsquo;s a great tip, Maria because I have quite a few friends that say they don&rsquo;t like chardonnay, but they love champagne, so I found it surprising to know that most champagne and a lot of champagne-method sparkling wine is made with 1/3 chardonnay or in this case all chardonnay grapes.

MV: even the &ldquo;anything but chardonnay&rdquo; lovers will love the green apple freshness mixed with roasted pineapple and toasted almonds that you get with this champagne style beauty from Schramsberg- I&rsquo;ve been a big fan of theirs for years - pair it with fresh raw seafood such as the oyster crudo or shellfish tower!

RT: Any Other wine BTG you recommend?

MV:&nbsp; I ordered my husband the Super Tuscan Dainero, Castiglion del Bosco 2013 b/c like you he, loves his reds. We visited this winery in Montalcino and this Tuscan blend is one of the more reasonable offerings from the estate formerly owned by the Ferragamo family. 50% merlot 50% Sangiovese -nice round richness full of fruit and spice- the Orecchiette Bolognese is the best pairing.

RT: Lovely, can you find us some quality wines that are reasonably priced? I know Vegas wine lists can be quite expensive so this is important for a lot of our listeners

MV: Honestly Robert, I am pleasantly surprised here with this list- I found the pricing to be far better than most Italian restaurants on the Vegas Strip a reason to visit alone. And, there are some really great finds that are worth a whirl.. or should I say worth a swirl!

RT: HAHA tell me about them:

To pair with that California influence in her dishes I ordered these 2 Cali wines:

Three Sticks, The James, Santa Rita Hills 2013 Pinot Noir 

Three sticks is a Sonoma based small family-owned winery committed to crafting artisanal wines and they produce wines from very notable vineyards, If you love well-made Pinot Noir, you&rsquo;ll love the Three Sticks wine - I am in love with all of their vineyard wines. This one is dusty cocoa, smashed berry pie, with a soft delicateness given it is 2013.

Now if you like a bolder wine, you will prefer the Herman Story, Nuts and Bolts, Paso Robles 2017 <s>$115 (</s>further S in Cali whete is get quite a bit warmer overall)

100 % Syrah -&nbsp; inky, fabulously fruit-forward with a hint of sweet-spiced, beef jerky on the nose This calls for meat &ndash; The petite filet with the blackberry-port reduction is going to be so perfect with the Herman Story!

MV: For under $125 these wines are both great finds.

RT: That&rsquo;s great, Maria, super helpful.&nbsp; Do you have something special you could recommend for us? A red and a white?

<s>MV:&nbsp;</s>I do, The Chateau Rauzan Segla 🌿 2005 a Great Bordeaux Blend, great vintage, 2005 was awesome, from Margaux so you get all the plumy red and black fruit but lots of floral notes, it&rsquo;s a lovely feminine Bordeaux if that makes sense. Right now, the complexity is really showing well and this wine is organic! Yay

If you want a special white to pair with Giada&rsquo;s favorite dish which is the Lemon Spaghetti with Shrimp and mascarpone cheese, the&nbsp; GAJA, Vistamare, Toscana 2020&nbsp; is going to be so a memorable pairing&hellip; Vermentino/Viognier you have to be careful with seafood - too much oak and your shellfish will taste fishy, but here it is so well integrated because it&rsquo;s only partially oaked. This is from one of the great producers of Italy, <s>this </s>Very small production, a full-bodied white with lots of floral notes and a touch of refreshing salinity on the finish.

RT: Anything California worth dropping the dime on?

MV: You read my mind, Robert, I was just going to mention that they have 2 wines from Lokoya that are killer &ndash; Lokoya repeatedly receives 100-point reviews from various publications. I&#39;ve met their winemaker Chris Carpenter and he is wickedly smart but also an all-around great guy

Lokoya, Diamond Mountain , Napa Valley 2014 795 Blackberries and dark Red Bing cherries, a layer of rich dark chocolate weaved into the fine-grained silky tannins 
Lokoya, Mount Veeder, Napa Valley 2011 Powerful, blackberries and wild blueberries, intense tannin structure even with the age on it, and don&rsquo;t hesitate about this vintage while 2011 was difficult for some, Lokoya knocked it out of the park with this baby. We have vintages going back over 10 years of Lokoya in our cellar &ndash; it is a great investment if you are collecting wine.

RT: Maria, thank you for all your helpful wine tips and food pairing selections on today&rsquo;s episode on Giada&rsquo;s Restaurant in Las Vegas. Be sure to follow Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Thank you everyone for joining us here on CorkRules. Remember the only rule in wine is &ldquo;drink what you LOVE&rdquo;.

MV: Have a favorite wine list? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at <a href="mailto:info@corkrules.com">info@CorkRules.com</a> You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on CorkRules.com be sure to subscribe and like. And check out @CorkRules on Instagram for episode updates and upcoming giveaways. Must be 21 and older, please drink responsibly.

&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

Castello del Trebbio is a historic winery located in the heart of Chianti. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines using traditional winemaking practices. Castello del Trebbio is committed to sustainable winemaking practices and has implemented various measures to reduce their environmental impact.

Venerable local institution with a tiki bar offers steak & seafood with water views on 2 levels.

Delfina Restaurant

Delfina

AFICI

Afici

Ancora

Muller & Lux

The Morris

Spruce

Chez Panisse

Bar Sprezzatura

Sprezzatura

Rich Table

The Progress

sommeliers

Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

The River House

Cellars

Coastal Vines, Cabernet Sauvignon, California NV

California, USA

Crane Lake

California Red Blend NV

Blend

California, USA

Quixote

Petite Sirah NV

Petite Sirah

California, USA

Gruet

Sauvage Blanc de Blancs NV

Chardonnay

New Mexico, USA

Mer Soleil

Silver Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Santa Lucia Highlands, USA

Hess Select

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Monterey, USA

Foucher Lebrun

Le Mont Sancerre Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Loire, France

Marca

Prosecco NV

Prosecco, Italy

Foucher Lebrun

Touraine Sauvignon NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Touraine, France

Kim Crawford

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Marlborough, New Zealand

Kim Crawford

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

Santa Margherita

Pinot Grigio Alto Adige NV

Pinot Grigio

Italy

Château d'Esclans

Whispering Angel Rose NV

Grenache

France

Treana

White NV

Marsanne

Central Coast, USA

Meiomi

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA