Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it&rsquo;s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year &ndash; the mill&eacute;sime style champagne.

So, what is mill&eacute;sime and what does it mean? It&rsquo;s actually not as complicated as it might seem, mill&eacute;sime is simply the French word for vintage and often used on the label for a champagne coming from one single year. Champagne is of course made in the region with the same name, located in northern France. In contrast with most other wine regions around the world, champagne is often a wine blended from many different vintages. This is an old tradition based on the conditions prevalent many years ago when the climate here was very cool. The cold and wet weather made the harvest risky and many years a part of the crop was lost to frost or rot. Depending on the amount of summer sun, grapes would also taste very different year to year.

This made a big impact on the wine, so the winemakers came up with a solution. They started keeping a reserve of wine in the cellar by saving a small part of the wine from each year. That meant they could use the reserve wine to get a bigger volume in tough years, but also provide a consistent flavor in their wine year from year by mixing cool and less cool vintages together. This style of wine with different vintages is called non-vintage and is the most common one on the market today.

The climate is still quite cool in the area today. However, some years are better than others giving the winemakers a chance to produce a style of wine that will highlight the characteristics of that specific vintage. This is when the mill&eacute;sime style is rightfully made, and many producers actually choose not to make their vintage label every year, only in the best ones. Besides the single vintage, a mill&eacute;sime wine also has to age in the cellar for longer, giving it more complexity. For a non-vintage wine, the minimum is 15 months, but for a vintage it&rsquo;s 36 months. A few vintages are universally accepted as outstanding, like the 1996 and 2002 vintage, both rather difficult to find today. However, 2008 and 2012 are both considered great as well and a lot easier to acquire for the upcoming celebrations. Don&rsquo;t miss the chance to cheers in style this year.

Check these great choices from <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/">Grape The Wine Company</a>:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/A-Bergere-Champagne-Millesime-Extra-Brut-2012-w0589236tt">A Bergere - Champagne Millesime Extra Brut 2012- $74.99</a>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Louis-Roederer-Brut-Millesime-2015-w6722859p1">Louis Roederer - Brut Millesime 2015 - $99.99</a>

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Stephane-Coquillette-Brut-Millesime-2018-w598611249">Stephane Coquillette - Brut Millesime 2018 - $74.99</a>

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Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it’s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year – the millésime style champagne.

Decoding the wine label: Millésime

Syrah and Shiraz. Two different names for the same grape variety, but also the name of two different styles of wine. Originally from France but spread around the world today, it has found its own identity in regions far away from the original origin.

The black grape Syrah comes from the French Rhône valley and it’s still very much planted there. Here, it’s the only variety used in Hermitage and Cornas, and also used in blends with other local grapes in areas like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône to mention a few. The grape name won’t appear on the label though since in France, and in Europe in general, the origin is of more importance than the grape variety.

Decoding the wine label: Syrah or Shiraz?

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

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

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

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

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

Girasole

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas embark on another wine adventure as they peruse the wine list at Girasole. Chef-owned and operated, Girasole serves authentic Italian cuisine.

Wine List Review of Girasole, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Girasole

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 Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

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Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

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MQ: Hi Robert!

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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.

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RT: Today we are talking about Girasole. Located in The Plains, the heart of Virginia&rsquo;s Hunt Country, Girasole is chef owned and operated and features authentic Italian cuisine with house made pasta and local ingredients.

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Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

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MQ: Girasole offers an extensive, Italian dominant list with half bottles, local wine selections, and a limited Reserve list. There are many options to pair with their fresh and local menu. We hope you enjoy today&rsquo;s selections.

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RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

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MQ: The first to catch my eye was the 2020 Wilhelm Walch &lsquo;Prendo&rsquo; Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige of Italy. This Northern Italian white wine is well balanced with bright acidity, tangerine, ripe green apple, and citrus, along with fresh herbs on the mineral finish. A perfect way to begin your dining experience or to pair with cheese and salads.

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RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

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MQ: Heading to Tuscany, a red that caught my eye was the 2018 Elisabetta &lsquo;Brunetti&rsquo; Sangiovese. While medium bodied with soft, round tannins, this Sangiovese can still stand up to richly sauced pasta and proteins. The ripe red cherries, blackberries, hints of white pepper, cedar, earth, and cocoa make this Sangiovese and excellent pairing with Girasole&rsquo;s menu.

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RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

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MQ: Travelling further south to Puglia, a must try is the 2020 Leone de Castris &lsquo;Five Roses&rsquo; Rose. This is the Rose for red wine drinkers. Consisting of a blend of Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, this richly colored Rose features citrus, tangerine, watermelon, and ripe strawberries, along with bright acidity, and a mineral finish. Pair this Rose with herbed proteins and charcuterie.

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RT: These are some great calls. So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

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MQ: Returning to Tuscany, a wine to consider for the table would be the renowned and consistently highly rated and organic 2018 Avignesi &lsquo;Desiderio&rsquo; Merlot. This full bodied, aromatic red wine features notes of sage, fennel, and eucalyptus, along with ripe black berries, boysenberry, and ripe plumb. The long, mineral finish lingers with smoke and leather. A winner for all richly sauced pasta and proteins.

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RT: Ooh, Terrific.

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Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

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MQ: I am a fan of this next grape varietal and I hope you become one as well. Consider the 2020 Tasca d&rsquo;Almerita Grillo from Sicily. Grillo is a white grape that produces bright, dry, and aromatic white wines. This wine features bright acidity, lemon and lime zest, notes of salinity, white flowers, and that classic almond/nuttiness on the finish. Pair this excellent quality and value wine with shellfish, seafood and cheese.

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RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

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MQ: Let&rsquo;s return to Tuscany for the 2019 Castell di Poppiano Syrah. If you have not tried many Syrah from Italy, do give this one a try. It showcases all of the Syrah qualities we love such as ripe red cherries, ripe plumb, notes of sage, black pepper, earth, and smoke. The round tannins and herbal notes make this an excellent quality and value wine to pair with pasta, pizza, and herbed proteins.

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RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

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&nbsp;MQ: What would an Italian list review be without mentioning a Barolo? If you are looking to add to your dining experience, consider celebrating with the 2018 Giacomo Conterno &lsquo;Cascina Francia&rsquo; Barolo from the Piedmont. While Barolo is the region within the Piedmont, the red grape in this stellar wine is Nebbiolo. This 97 point rated Barolo is rich and full bodied with fresh acidity, ripe red cherries, ripe blackberries, with notes of raspberries and herbs. The classic aromas of rose and licorice, along with smoke and tobacco on the finish make this wine one to celebrate. Extend your special event by allowing this wine to be decanted.

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RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Girasole&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

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To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

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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.&nbsp;

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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

Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest and most respected wine producers in Burgundy, with a history dating back to 1825. They are known for producing high-quality wines that represent the terroir of the region.

Locally sourced small plates paired with wine & classic cocktails in a casual-chic setting.

Marc Forgione

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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