Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France&#39;s most celebrated wines for generations.

Nestled within the southern region of Rh&ocirc;ne Valley, France lies Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape - translated as &quot;the Pope&#39;s new castle&quot;. The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The terroir here is unique; large pebbles known locally as &#39;galets&#39; cover much of vineyards absorbing heat during daytime and releasing it at night which aids grape ripening process. Additionally, Mistral winds blow away any cloud cover ensuring ample sunshine throughout growing season.

Unlike other regions where one or two varieties dominate, up to thirteen different types are permitted under AOC regulations but Grenache Noir typically forms backbone due to its ability withstand harsh conditions while still delivering high-quality fruit. Other key varietals include Syrah offering structure and spice notes; Mourv&egrave;dre contributing tannins and dark fruit flavors; Cinsault providing softness along with floral aromas.

Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape reds are renowned for their robust character and complex flavor profiles. Expect a symphony of ripe black fruit flavors like cherry and plum, intermingled with earthy undertones, hints of spice such as white pepper or clove, often accompanied by herbal notes reminiscent garrigue (wild herbs native to region).

These wines have impressive aging potential; while they can be enjoyed young when fruit characteristics are more pronounced, over time they develop secondary aromas including leather or truffle which add complexity. A well-aged Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape is truly an unforgettable experience.

Given its full-bodied nature and rich flavors profile it pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes - think roasted meats (lamb in particular), game birds or beef stews. For vegetarians mushroom-based dishes work beautifully too due the wine&#39;s earthy elements.

The history of Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape is not just about popes and castles but also about generations winemakers who&#39;ve worked tirelessly to create some world&rsquo;s most respected wines under challenging conditions. It&#39;s a testament to human ingenuity coupled with respect for nature resulting into liquid poetry that continues enchant connoisseurs worldwide.

Here are three staff favorites:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Chateau-Beaucastel-Coudoulet-de-Beaucastel-Cotes-du-Rhone-2020-w2630129g4">Chateau Beaucastel - Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone 2020:</a>

Chateau Beaucastel is a prestigious winery located in Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape, in the southern Rh&ocirc;ne Valley of France. The estate has been owned by the Perrin family since 1909, and today is managed by the fifth generation of Perrins. The winemaker, Marc Perrin, follows a traditional approach to winemaking, emphasizing organic farming and minimal intervention in the cellar.

The Coudoulet de Beaucastel Cotes du Rhone 2020 is an affordable yet high-quality wine from this esteemed producer. This vintage displays a vibrant ruby color with purple hues. On the nose, it presents an intense bouquet of red and black fruits such as cherries and blackberries, along with spicy notes of pepper and licorice.

The structure is well-balanced with fine tannins that give way to a medium-to-full body. The palate echoes the nose with its fruity flavors complemented by earthy undertones and hints of garrigue - characteristic for wines from this region.

This wine has received praise from critics like Robert Parker&#39;s Wine Advocate which awarded it 91 points out of 100 in their review. No significant awards have been noted for this specific vintage yet but Chateau Beaucastel has a long history of accolades attesting to its consistent quality over time.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-La-Consonniere-Chateauneuf-du-Pape-2019-w73223116s">Domaine La Consonniere - Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2019:</a>

Domaine La Consonniere is situated in the heartland of Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape appellation in Southern Rh&ocirc;ne Valley. It&#39;s owned by Bernard Coste who also serves as its dedicated winemaker following family traditions rooted back to early last century when his ancestors first established vineyards here.

The Domaine La Consonniere Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2019 boasts an intense garnet color that gives away its concentration even before you take your first sip. The nose reveals rich aromas of ripe red fruits like raspberries and strawberries combined with warm spices such as cinnamon and cloves.

Its structure exhibits good acidity and firm tannins, resulting in a full-bodied wine. The palate mirrors the nose with an addition of complex notes of leather and tobacco that provide depth to this layered wine.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Olivier-Hillaire-Chateauneuf-du-Pape-Classique-2011-w0902472li">Olivier Hillaire - Chateauneuf du Pape Classique 2011:</a>

Olivier Hillaire is a small-scale winemaker based in Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape who started his own domaine in 2006 after selling his share from the family estate, Domaine des Relagnes. His meticulous attention to detail both in vineyard management and winemaking has quickly earned him recognition among Rh&ocirc;ne enthusiasts.

The Olivier Hillaire Chateauneuf du Pape Classique 2011 displays a deep ruby color with slight brick tones indicating its age. The nose opens up with opulent aromas of blackcurrant, plum jam intermingled with hints of truffle, smoke, and sweet spices.

Its structure is characterized by matured tannins that have softened over time leading to a full-bodied yet velvety texture on the palate. The taste reveals more dark fruit flavors combined with savory notes such as mushroom and cured meat adding complexity to this well-aged wine.

This particular vintage was highly praised by critics scoring an impressive 94 points from Robert Parker&#39;s Wine Advocate while also being awarded Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

&nbsp;

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

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

Andrea Morris, beverage director and sommelier, and Robert Tas talk wine at Essential by Christophe on the Upper Westside of NYC.

Wine List Review of Essential by Christophe, New York City

Andrea Morris

Essential by Christophe

Essential by Christophe 

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

Excited to announce our CorkRules app is now available for download, it has 40K of your favorite restaurants where you can get personalized recommendations, price transparency, and connect with your friends. It&rsquo;s a place to discover and order wine with confidence.

Welcome to today&rsquo;s podcast where&nbsp;we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Andrea, Beverage Director from newly opened Essential by Christophe located on UWS of NYC.

Hello Andrea,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you join us here on CorkRules.

AM: Hi Robert! Excited to be here.

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.

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.

RT: So today we are talking about on the hottest new restaurants in NY: Essential by Christophe

Christophe Bellanca, the French chef who rose to prominence in New York at Le Cirque and L&rsquo;Atelier de Jo&euml;l Robuchon, is creating his own modern French dining experience.

I have to say, I had the pleasure of dining there last week and it was off the charts. From food to wine to service.

So, Andre let&rsquo;s start by getting to know you a little and how you got involved with Christophe?

AM: Tell me about your background, journey to Essential and special experiences. Talk about your wine journey with Court of Masters Sommeliers.

RT: Wow impressive. Let&rsquo;s talk about Christophe and the restaurant?

AM: talk about the food, vision for the experience.

RT: Alright, let&rsquo;s jump and talk about your impressive wine list.

CC: Give an overview of the list, and highlight some key areas.

-French-focused but global

-My goal is to make it feel like a list that has been around for years

-a mix of classics and quirks

&nbsp;RT: Let&rsquo;s talk about BTG program, I always think this is a great way for folks to try cool stuff.

AM: Overview, then give 2-3 options be specific.

-The btg program mirrors the rest of list- French leaning, a mix of classics and new discoveries

-Every selection is made with the food in mind

-We always have a great Champagne and a great white burg btg

-Burklin Wolf Wachenheim R Riesling 2017 

-Champ de l&rsquo;Orphee Braucol super fun Sud-Ouest red

RT: Cool. Your list has a lot to offer, what are some the unique offerings that I might not see on other lists. Anything that folks might not know to try?

AM:

-Aligote w age- Denis Bachelet 2012, Naudin 2017. Extra important now that white burg is so expensive

-Wide variety of dry Chenin

-Spanish and Portuguese whites, textured, really seafood friendly

-Aged French reds at affordable prices. Look really hard for great values, lesser-known quality producers.

RT: What about some hidden gems for value hunters.

AM: 2-3 options

-Santei Zelen from Slovenia $55

-Camp Atthalin SLB Dessus les Vermots 2017 $65

-Pas de l&rsquo;Escalette Les Clapas Languedoc $65

&nbsp;

RT: Alright, I&rsquo;m gonna throw you an easy question, Essential is a special place that would be perfect to celebrate something what are your recommendations for my big night out?

&nbsp;

AM: Give 2-3 options, be specific.

-Hubert Lamy Macherelles 2012 $500

-Trimbach CFE 2010 $350

-Dujac Charmes-Chambertin 2002 $2000

RT: Andrea, thank you so much for joining us here on CorkRules talking about the fabulous list at Essential by Christophe a must-try.&nbsp;

AM: &hellip;

RT:&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: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please download the CorkRules app that has over 40K restaurants that provides personalized recommendations, provides price transparency, and allows you to connect you&rsquo;re your friends&mdash;order with confidence.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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Sandhi is a small, independent winery located in the Central Coast region of California, founded in 2010 by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman. The winery is known for its minimal intervention winemaking philosophy, which emphasizes the terroir and allows the grapes to express themselves. Sandhi produces a range of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines that are known for their elegance and finesse.

Mellow riverfront mainstay with basic Southern seafood & BBQ fare, plus an outdoor bar.

The American Express Centurion Global Lounge Network

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