&nbsp;

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and ros&eacute; can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we&rsquo;ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Vi&ntilde;a Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/cider/Wolffer-Dry-Rose-Cider-No-139-w2804729of">&nbsp;Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139 - $9.99</a>

W&ouml;lffer Estate Vineyard is located in Sagaponack on Long Island&#39;s South Fork in New York. Founded by Christian W&ouml;lffer in 1988, it has grown into a premier winery known for its elegant wines and ciders. Roman Roth, their esteemed winemaker since inception, brings a European touch with his German roots.

Tasting Notes

Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139 boasts a pale golden hue with effervescent bubbles that dance in your glass. On the nose, expect vibrant aromas of green apple skin mingled with hints of citrus zest and floral undertones. The palate is crisp and refreshing with flavors of tart apple balanced by subtle notes of pear and lemon peel.

Food Pairings

This cider pairs beautifully with light summer fare such as grilled shrimp skewers, fresh salads with citrus vinaigrette, or even a classic Margherita pizza.

While specific scores may vary annually, Wolffer Dry Cider consistently garners praise for its balance and drinkability&mdash;often scoring above 90 points from various critics who appreciate its refined structure.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Cune-Vina-Real-Rose-2022-w7114652zf">Cune Vi&ntilde;a Rosado 2023 - $8.99</a>

Compa&ntilde;&iacute;a Vin&iacute;cola del Norte de Espa&ntilde;a (CUNE) was founded in Haro within Spain&rsquo;s Rioja region back in 1879 by two brothers Eusebio and Raimundo Real de As&uacute;a y Ugartechea.Their dedication over generations has made them one among Rioja&rsquo;s most respected producers under head winemaker Mar&iacute;a Larrea today.

Tasting Notes

The Vi&ntilde;a Rosado presents itself elegantly pinkish-hued offering delicate strawberry aromas intertwined subtly alongside rose petals &amp; ripe watermelon nuances upon swirling your glass invitingly so! Upon tasting experience fresh red berry fruitiness well-balanced acidity delivering long satisfying finish leaving you craving more!

Food Pairings

Ideal companion versatile dishes think charcuterie boards comprising prosciutto melon figs soft cheeses alike; alternatively try pairing seafood paella roasted chicken Mediterranean herbs olives feta cheese ensemble surely impress guests effortlessly so!

Consistently high-rated vintage after vintage receiving accolades notable publications including Wine Spectator Robert Parker frequently bestowing scores ranging mid-to-high nineties highlighting exceptional quality value proposition making must-try enthusiasts everywhere!

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Spiritus-Terrae-Malvasia-Organce-2021-w7521338pw">Spiritus Terrae Terre Di Chieti Malvasia Orange 2021 - $16.99</a>

Spiritus Terrae is a boutique winery dedicated to producing organic and natural wines that express the true essence of their terroir. Located in the picturesque region of Abruzzo, Italy, Spiritus Terrae prides itself on its commitment to sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking practices. The winery focuses on indigenous grape varieties, allowing them to shine through with authentic character and purity.

The driving force behind Spiritus Terrae is Elena Lorenzo and Jos&eacute; Manuel. Both bring a wealth of experience and passion for viticulture and enology. Their philosophy revolves around respecting nature&#39;s rhythms, using biodynamic farming methods, and ensuring that each bottle captures the spirit of the land from which it comes.

Tasting Notes

Spiritus Terrae Terre Di Chieti Malvasia Orange 2021 is an intriguing wine that showcases the complexity achievable through skin-contact fermentation. This orange wine presents a striking amber hue with golden highlights.

On the nose, expect an aromatic bouquet brimming with notes of dried apricots, orange peel, white flowers, honeycomb, and subtle hints of almond. These complex aromas are complemented by earthy undertones reminiscent of wet stones and herbal nuances.

The palate reveals layers of flavor starting with ripe stone fruits such as peach and nectarine followed by citrus zest. There&rsquo;s a pleasant tannic grip from extended skin contact balanced beautifully by bright acidity which adds freshness to this medium-bodied wine. The finish is long-lasting with lingering flavors of chamomile tea and a touch of salinity.

Food Pairings

This versatile orange wine pairs exceptionally well with diverse culinary delights:

Cheese Boards: Soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert as well as aged hard cheeses.

Seafood Dishes: Grilled octopus or seared scallops.

Vegetarian Fare: Roasted root vegetables or Mediterranean-style dishes featuring eggplant or zucchini.

Poultry: Herb-roasted chicken or turkey breast accompanied by savory sides.

Wine Enthusiast: Often rates this unique expression between 90-93 points highlighting its innovative approach within traditional frameworks while maintaining high-quality standards consistently across vintages noted particularly vibrant profile harmonious balance overall appeal discerning palates alike!

Thank you&nbsp;<a href="http://Thank you Grape The Wine Company for the great selection of wines.">Grape The Wine Company&nbsp;</a>for the great selection of wines.&nbsp;

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

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

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Belvedere located in the Peninsula Hotel in Los Angeles. 

Wine List Review of The Belvedere in Los Angeles

Grace Hood

The Belvedere

The Belvedere

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode, 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!

GH: Just another great day to talk about wine! &nbsp;

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:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Grace what are we chatting about today?

GH: We are going to be looking into the wine list at the Belvedere which is located in the Peninsula Hotel in Los Angeles. &nbsp;

RT: This place looks great. Very elegant. I&rsquo;m sure they have a wine list to match. Where would you like to start? Bubbles I presume?

GH: Most certainly Robert! If you&rsquo;re in the mood for traditional champagne, you could go with the Petrous LeBrun Grand Cru or if you love Brut Rose, the Laurent Perrier would be a great choice. But if you wanted a vintage champagne, they have a 2009 Cristal Brut or their 2013 Brut Rose which would be lovely.

RT: Champagne for everyone I love it. Now how about some nice aromatic whites? I know that&rsquo;s one of your favorite styles.

GH: You know me too well Robert. For lighter-style whites, I would go with this 2014 Gwetrz&rsquo; Pinot Gris Riesling blend from one of my favorite Oregon boutique producers Big Table Farms. Another delish floral white would be this 2016 Pouilly Fume from Jean Claude D&rsquo;Aganeau from the Loire valley. 

RT: I can smell the bouquets from here ha-ha alright since we&rsquo;re talking about a California restaurant, I assume their chardonnay collection is going to be out of this world.

GH: You got that right Robert! If we&rsquo;re talking domestic, I would do either the 2017 Ma Belle Gille from Peter Micheal out of Sonoma, or the 2012 from one of my favorite central coast producers, Au Bon Climat. And we can&rsquo;t forget about my favorite place &ndash; Oregon &ndash; they&rsquo;ve got 5 stellar vineyards represented, but it&rsquo;s going to have to be 2015 Sigrid from Bergstrom

RT: Love those West Coast picks. How about some choices from Burgundy?

GH: &nbsp;You can&rsquo;t go wrong with any of these honestly. If you want something crispy, the 2020 Chablis from Domaine Larocher would be delish. But if you want something a little richer, it&rsquo;s gonna have to be the 2015 Puligny Montrachet from Domaine Laflaive

RT: Oh, those both sound amazing. I can taste the terroir now ha-ha Now I assume a place like the Belvedere brings in some serious red wine drinkers. What would you recommend for those folks?

GH: Oh man well they have a page and a half of just domestic pinot noir which you know I am loving. My picks for American pinot would be the 2014 Cristom estate from the Eoal Amity Hills in the Willamette Valley. And if you are more of a California pinot person, I would go with the 2016 Radio Coteau from the Russian River, or if you love the central coast like yours truly &ndash; they have a 2013 from Melville out of the Santa Rita Hills. 

RT: Oh, yum can&rsquo;t go wrong with any of those? How about something for our Burgundian fans out there?

GH: Oh la la they have so much to choose from. They have a few Joseph Drouhins which I personally love - You could do their 2013 Grand Cru Musigny or 2011 Nuits St George 

RT: Great calls on the Joseph Drouhin selections. How about something more medium bodied?

GH: Oh absolutely. One that really stuck out to me was this 2003 variation one from arietta out of napa, which is an incredible merlot/syrah blend. &nbsp;Also can&rsquo;t go wrong with this 2005 Vina Tondonia Rioja from Lopez Heredia

RT: Oh wow those both sound delicious and I know right up your alley Grace ha-ha now how about something big and bold for our cabernet fans?

GH: Got some real treats coming up for our cabernet drinkers. They have some heavy hitting classics on the menu &ndash; it was hard to choose just a few. Starting with napa, they have a 2004 Pillar Rock from Stags Leap as well as a 2009 Rudd out of Oakville

RT: I&rsquo;ll get the decanter ready ha-ha. What about some Bordeauxs for our French fans?

GH: Oh man they have a ton of older vintages which I am geeking out over ha-ha. You could do this 2001 Chateaux Margaux, a 2002 St. Emillion from Chateaux Cheval Blanc, or this 2000 Saint Julien from Ch&acirc;teau Talbot. 

RT: Wow those are come iconic bottles. Love to see it on the Belvedere menu. Alright Grace &ndash; what would you recommend to our friends who are looking for some great wine, but want to stay within a certain price point?

GH: Budget bottles coming up &ndash; for a white I would do this 2017 Vinho Verde from Adego de Monaco. And for a red I would do this 2009 Barbaresco &nbsp;

RT: Good call Grace. And what about if we&rsquo;re coming to the Belvedere to celebration a special occasion?

GH: Gonna have to be the 2008 Dom Perignon Brut Rose. And for a red? I spy a 2003 Grand Cru Vosne Romanee from Domaine Romanee Contee.

RT: 2 classic choices - I love it. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at The Belvedere. &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.

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

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&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

Mazzei is one of the oldest wineries in Italy, with a history dating back to 1435. Over the centuries, the Mazzei family has been responsible for many innovations in Tuscan winemaking, including the use of Sangiovese as a single varietal wine. Today, the winery is run by Lapo Mazzei and his sons, and is known for producing some of the finest wines in the region.

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

The View

Il Capriccio

Clarity

Bellissimo Restaurant

Bellissimo

Sandbar

Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn

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

Blooming Hill Farm

Sean Minor

Signature Series Chardonnay 2020

Chardonnay

Sonoma Coast, USA

Desiderio Jeio

Bisol, Prosecco NV

Prosecco, Italy

Broadbent, Vinho Verde 2020

Vinho Verde, Portugal

High Note

Malbec (Elevated) 2020

Malbec

Uco Valley, Argentina

Vigna Lenuzza Ribolla Gialla, Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Friuli 2021

Ribolla Gialla

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Peyrassol

Cuvee des Commandeurs Cotes de Provence Rose 2020

Assemblage

Provence, France

Macari Vineyards

'Horses' Sparkling Cabernet Franc Rose 2021

North Fork of Long Island, USA

Familia Torres

Secret del Priorat 2019

Grenache

Priorat, Spain

Avancia

Godello 2021

Godello

Galicia, Spain

Royal Tokaji

Dry Furmint 2018

Furmint

Tokaj, Hungary

Benanti

Etna Bianco 2021

Carricante

Sicily, Italy

Albert Bichot

Moulin-a-Vent 2019

Gamay

France

Château Meyney

Saint-Estephe 2017

Cabernet Sauvignon

Saint-Estephe, France

Domaine de Beaurenard

Rasteau Les Argiles Bleues 2020

Blend

Rasteau, Rhone, France

Collosorbo

Brunello di Montalcino 2017

Sangiovese

Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy