&nbsp;

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy&#39;s most distinctive wines.

The Paola Bea estate, located near the town of Montefalco, has been in the family for generations. However, it was under Paola&#39;s stewardship that it gained international recognition. The vineyards are farmed organically without any chemical intervention and minimal mechanization.

Paola Bea wines are known for their intense character and depth of flavor. They reflect not only the unique terroir but also Paola&#39;s dedication to traditional winemaking methods such as long maceration periods and aging in large oak barrels.

His approach results in wines that are expressive, complex, and have a strong sense of place &ndash; characteristics highly valued by wine enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you&#39;re tasting the acclaimed Sagrantino or lesser-known blends like San Valentino Palo Bea, you can expect an authentic representation of Umbrian viticulture at its finest from this esteemed producer.

Review of San Valentino Palo Bea

San Valentino is a highly esteemed winery located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Known for its dedication to organic and biodynamic farming practices, this producer has carved out a niche for itself as an innovative and sustainable wine creator. The vineyard was established by Umberto Cesari in 1965, who passionately believed in the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Romagna.

Color:

The San Valentino Palo Bea presents a rich, deep ruby red color that is almost opaque. This intense hue hints at the concentration and complexity within each bottle.

Nose:

On the nose, this wine offers an enticing blend of ripe black fruits like cherries and plums mingled with earthy undertones of leather and tobacco. There are also delightful notes of spices such as clove and cinnamon which add depth to its aromatic profile.

Tannins:

The tannins in San Valentino Palo Bea are well-structured yet supple, providing a robust backbone without overwhelming the palate. They contribute to its full-bodied nature while ensuring longevity for cellaring.

Taste:

Upon tasting, one can expect an explosion of flavors echoing those on the nose - ripe dark fruits layered with spice and earthy nuances. The finish is long-lasting with hints of sweet vanilla oak from barrel aging.

Critic Score &amp; Reviews:

San Valentino Palo Bea consistently receives high scores from critics around the world due to its exceptional quality. It frequently garners ratings above 90 points from renowned publications like Wine Spectator and Decanter Magazine. Reviewers often praise it for its balance between fruit intensity, tannic structure, acidity levels, making it both approachable now but capable of aging gracefully over time.

Food Pairing:

Given its robust character and complex flavor profile, San Valentino Palo Bea pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes such as grilled red meats, game, and rich pasta dishes. It also complements aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

San Valentino Palo Bea is a testament to the winemaking prowess of its producer. Its full-bodied nature coupled with complex flavors and aromas make it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality Italian wine that showcases the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Emilia-Romagna.

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy's most distinctive wines.

San Valentino Paolo Bea an Italian treasure

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

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

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

Becco

Alexis Rogers

Becco&nbsp;

RT: Hello and Welcome to Corkrules!

&nbsp;I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Alexis Rogers, Wine Educator and&nbsp; Restaurant Sommelier

Hi Alexis, welcome back to another episode of CorkRules, - a podcast where we help simplify and demystify the wine lists at some of your favorite restaurants. We talk with certified sommeliers and wine professionals who point out interesting bottles, classic food and wine pairings, hidden gems,&nbsp; value wines, or splurge wines that will take your dining experience over the top.

AR: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me back to talk some more Italian wine!

RT:&nbsp; Today we are taking a look at the wine list @ Becco. Located on the famous Restaurant Row in Manhattan, Becco is an Italian restaurant opened in 1993 by Lidia Bastianich and her son Joe. Beyond their prestigious location, Becco is known for 2 things - unlimited pasta service and a $35 a bottle wine list. That&rsquo;s right, every bottle of wine on their list is $35. So let&rsquo;s dive in.

AR: First of all, I can&#39;t get over the unlimited pasta! There are 3 daily pasta preparations served tableside. The variety can make pairing a bit tricky so we look to our wine pairing all-stars - sparkling and rose - so why not both here? Flor is a project of chef Mario Batali and Lidia and Joe themselves. The Flor Sparkling Rose is 90% Glera (the grape used to make Prosecco) and 10% Pinot Nero ( the Italian name for Pinot Noir. Would I classify this as a &ldquo;serious wine&rdquo;? No. But wine doesn&#39;t have to be serious all the time. Sometimes you just want a fun sparkly wine that&rsquo;s going to taste great with your meal. The versatility of this wine is going to make it a great choice for whatever pastas chef William Gallagher throws out at you that day - be it a tomato sauce, a lemon white wine sauce, or a marjoram butter sauce.

RT : Versatility in a wine is definitely useful and who doesn&#39;t love some pink sparkles? This wine list definitely seems to be carefully selected to match the menu here.

AR: It sure does! Let&rsquo;s take a look at the antipasti menu at Becco. It&rsquo;s brimming with salty, savory cheeses and meat, fresh seafood and even homemade meatballs. 3 or 4 of these alone could be a meal! Especially with a bottle of the 2016 Tenuta Ponte Greco di Tufo. Grecco is the grape here and Tufo is one of the villages where it&rsquo;s grown so we get the Greco di Tudo DOCG. Located in S. Italy near the town of Avellino in the Campania region, bottles that carry this label must be from here and have a minimum of 85% Greco. The solid here is call &ldquo;tuff&rdquo; and is composed of compacted ash ejected from volcanic explosions. Tuff gives the wines intense perfume and mineral complexity. Look for varietally common notes of dried apricots, white blossom, green apple, lemon peel and then some honey and toasted nuts developed from 6 years of bottle age. It&rsquo;s a great wine to pair with any of those savory antipasto dishes as the saltiness only increase the perception of fruit in this wine.

RT: There seems to be an endless list of underappreciated Italian white wines. It&rsquo;s not just Pinot Grigio there!

AR: For sure. When most people think of Italian wine, they think of those big bold rustic reds. What they DON&rsquo;T usually think of is slightly sweet, sparkling reds. That&rsquo;s Lambrusco - not rose, but red wine. Lambrusco gets a bad rap here in the States as most people think of the sticky, syrupy bottlings you find on the bottom shelves of grocery stores. But good Lambrusco is not that, trust me. Well-made Lambrusco is characteristically a dry to slightly sweet demi sparkling wine made from about 8 closely related grapes native to Italy. This particular bottle is from producer La Battagliolo and uses the Lambrusco Grasporossa grape. These grapes make the boldest style of Lambrusco and have notes of blackcurrants and blueberries as well as violets, rhubarb and cream. It&rsquo;s not specified on the list, but this producer makes a 15 dosage and a 30 dosage version with the 30 being the sweeter of the 2 so be sure to ask your server which is on offer. Definitely pair this with the Peperoni Ripieni which are beef, pork and veal stuffed peppers in tomato sauce.

RT: You&rsquo;re definitely right about what comes to mind when you hear Lambrusco! I guess I haven&#39;t had a well-made one yet. I have to get on that! Making my way through this $35 bottle list is probably a great place to start! Alexis, thank you for being our guide through yet another all-Italian wine list. 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:

Info@corkrules.com 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 or wherever you get your podcasts.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

END

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

Marqués de Cáceres is a family-owned winery founded in 1970 by Enrique Forner. They are known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of each vineyard they work with. They use sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques to create wines that are elegant, complex, and expressive.

Upscale eatery offering Northern Italian cuisine, weekend brunch & a robust wine list.

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

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