Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It&rsquo;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.

One of the most well-known countries for high quality sweet, and partly sweet, wines would be Germany. This is based on old climatic factors since it used to be a very cold country, sometimes struggling to fully ripen the grapes. Unripe grapes will result in a wine with a very high and sharp acidity. To solve this and make the wines more drinkable winemakers resorted to keeping part of the sugar in the wine to balance the acidity.

This style of wine has had quite a bad reputation as they once were made in large volumes from lesser grapes, resulting in a low quality product. Today, the production is very different and the semi-sweet wines are often very good and there are a number of styles to explore, often made from Germanys most iconic variety, Riesling.

In Germany wines are sorted into different quality levels depending on the sweetness of the grape must before fermentation. The riper the grapes, the better the quality was the device when the system was born. Even though that might not be true today, the system is still in place. The six different levels existing today are called pr&auml;dikat, the first one being kabinett. Kabinett is the driest style, though in reality often off-dry or even sweeter. Great with dishes like ceviche with a slight chili heat to them. Next up is sp&auml;tlese and auslese, both of which could technically be dry wines, but almost always end up as semi-sweet or sweet. The following three are all dessert style wines called beerenauslese, trockenbeerenauslese or eiswein depending of the production method. These are all great, but designed for dessert pairings only.

If you&rsquo;ve tried these styles and would still prefer a style without sweetness, look for the term trocken on the label as it translates to dry in german. Despite the high quality of sweet wines Germany also produces some exceptional dry white wines, regarded as some of the best in the world. In other words, a country with many talents.

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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

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

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

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Barbrix a wine shop and restaurant hotspot in Los Angeles 

Wine List Review of Barbrix, Los Angeles

Grace Hood

Barbrix

https://www.barbrix.com/wine

&nbsp;

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 Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

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GH: Happy to be here as always Robert &nbsp;

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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 list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

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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. Grace what great spot are we reviewing today?

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GH: We are chatting about LA wine spot Bar Brix. This place definitely has a modern twist to it. Along with some great classic selections, they highlight some of niches of our industry that is getting a lot of buzz - woman wine makers, orange wine, pet nat wines, natural wine etc.

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RT: Oh wow they are very on trend with everything happening in the wine world. I&rsquo;m excited to get into it. Shall we start with bubbles?

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GH: Why wouldn&rsquo;t we! Hehe! They&rsquo;ve got 1 option for champagne coming from Deutz which is a very small producer. And if you&rsquo;re in more of a Frizzante mood, I would do this 2020 Prosa sparkling Rose from Austria. 

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RT: Oh wow I&rsquo;ve never heard of those. I always love discovering new producers. Thanks for that Grace. Now - what are you feeling in the white wine section?

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GH: They&rsquo;ve got some really unique selections! I am loving the look of this 2020 Xarelo from Pares Balta out of Spain. Or you could also go with a classic &ndash; Jermann Pinot Grigio. And for Chardonnay they only have 1 choice! The 2018 Domaine Eden.

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RT: 1 chardonnay on a California wine list? That can&rsquo;t be true. &nbsp;

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GH: That&rsquo;s why I love little unique independent wine spots like this. They have a vision and they stick to it. You can get Cali chard anywhere. Bar Brix is looking to highlight other Styles and grapes and I am here for it. &nbsp;

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RT: Amen to that sister. They probably have some delicious roses then. &nbsp;

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GH: &nbsp;They sure do Robert. I&rsquo;m loving the look of this 2021 &ldquo;Ode to Lulu&rdquo; Rose from Bedrock, which our fellow CorkRules sommelier Grant works at! Hey Grant! You&rsquo;re doing great sweetie hahah

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RT: Hey would you look at that! Keep up the good work at Bedrock Grant. Alright Grace &ndash; want to hit us with some unique reds?

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GH: I sure do Robert &ndash; If you&rsquo;re feeling something light but structured, you could do this 2020 Barbera d&rsquo;Alba from Sottimano Pairolero, this 2020 la Croix Rouge from Domaine de la Coche, or this 2021 Nero d&rsquo;Avlo from Due Terre Nivuru 

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RT: Very cool. Love to see these smaller producers making waves. What about some picks for those medium bodied wine drinkers?

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GH: They&rsquo;ve got a 2018 Rioja from Bodegas Ugalde. Oh, and a Grace Hood favorite &ndash; a 2015 St. Joseph from Domaine Boissonet out of the northern Rhone. And they have a really fun blend from the Willamette Valley &ndash; the 2021 Vin de Days from Day wines 

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RT: Love the sound of those. And how about rounding it out with some big boys?

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GH: They&rsquo;ve got a 2016 Tannat Cabernet blend from Chateau Peyros Madiran, as well as a 2010 Veja Sicilia &Uacute;nico 

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RT: Great choices. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Barbrix. &nbsp;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.

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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. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

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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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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

Aveleda is one of the largest and most reputable wine producers in Portugal, with a rich history dating back to the 19th century. The winery is known for producing high-quality wines that are a true representation of the Minho region, and for being a pioneer in sustainable winemaking practices.

Casual, modern neighborhood venue offering a menu of casual bites & 34 rotating craft beers.

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

Blackmoor Bar and Kitchen

Murphy-Goode

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Santa Cristina

Sangiovese - Cabernet Toscana NV

Blend

Toscana, Italy

Prima

NV, Perla Prosecco, Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia NV

Glera

Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Le Grand Courtâge

Grande Cuvee Brut Rose NV

Blend

Vin de France, France

Cà Montini

Terre di Valfredda Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Gris

Trentino, Italy

Saracco

Moscato d'Asti NV

Moscato Bianco

Moscato d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Michel Torino

Coleccion Malbec NV

Malbec

Calchaqui Valley, Argentina

Michel Torino

Cuma Organic Malbec NV

Malbec

Calchaqui Valley, Argentina

50° Degree

Riesling Feinherb 1950

Riesling

Rheingau, Germany

La Crema

Monterey Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Intrinsic

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington, USA

Silver Palm

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

La Crema

Sonoma Coast Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Cà Montini

L'Aristocratico Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Gris

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Edmeades

Mendocino County Zinfandel NV

Zinfandel

California, USA