Picture this: you&#39;re at a fancy restaurant, ready to indulge in a delicious meal. As you peruse the wine list, your eyes catch something intriguing - magnums. No, we&#39;re not talking about Harry Potter spells or secret codes; we&#39;re talking about those fabulous oversized bottles of wine that scream &quot;fun&quot; and &quot;cool.&quot; But what&#39;s the deal with these larger-than-life vessels? Why do they taste better than their regular-sized counterparts? Let&#39;s dive into the world of magnums and find out!

First things first, let&#39;s clarify some bottle sizes because when it comes to wine, size does matter! We have our standard 750ml bottle (you know, the one you usually grab off the shelf), but then there are these superstars:

1. Magnum (1.5 liters): This is where all the magic happens! Double up on your usual dose of vino with this bad boy.

2. Jeroboam (3 liters): Feeling generous? The Jeroboam has got your back &ndash; it holds four standard bottles&#39; worth of wine!

3. Methuselah (6 liters): If you want to make a statement at dinner parties or simply enjoy an extended evening of sipping pleasure, go for this gigantic beauty.

4. Salmanazar (9 liters): Now we&#39;re getting serious! Hosting a soir&eacute;e fit for royalty? The Salmanazar will keep everyone happily hydrated.

Now that we&#39;ve covered sizes let&#39;s get back to why magnums reign supreme when it comes to taste bud satisfaction.

The secret lies within how wines age inside these magnificent giants. When winemakers fill smaller bottles like 750ml ones, there is more oxygen trapped between both liquid and air space within each bottle&mdash;oxidation can occur faster due to increased surface area exposed to air through corks or screw caps over time which can affect the wine&#39;s flavor.

However, with magnums, there is less oxygen relative to the amount of wine inside. This means that as they age, the wines experience a slower and more controlled maturation process. The result? Enhanced flavors and aromas that are simply irresistible!

But wait, there&#39;s more! Ordering a magnum at a restaurant not only guarantees you an exceptional taste experience but also adds an extra dash of fun and coolness to your dining adventure. Picture it: your server gracefully presents this oversized bottle before expertly uncorking it in front of you and pouring its luscious contents into elegant glasses. Heads will turn; jaws will drop - all eyes on you as you bask in your wine-loving glory.

Not only does ordering a magnum create an unforgettable visual spectacle, but it also ensures everyone at the table gets their fair share without constantly flagging down the waiter for refills. Plus, sharing from one bottle fosters camaraderie among friends or family &ndash; creating memories that last long after the last sip has been savored.

So next time you find yourself perusing a restaurant&#39;s wine list or planning a special occasion dinner party, consider opting for something bigger than life itself &ndash; choose a magnificent magnum! Not only will you be sipping in style like never before, but your taste buds will thank you too. Cheers to experiencing wine at its finest!

Picture this: you're at a fancy restaurant, ready to indulge in a delicious meal. As you peruse the wine list, your eyes catch something intriguing - magnums. No, we're not talking about Harry Potter spells or secret codes; we're talking about those fabulous oversized bottles of wine that scream "fun" and "cool." But what's the deal with these larger-than-life vessels? Why do they taste better than their regular-sized counterparts? Let's dive into the world of magnums and find out!

Why Wine Magnums are the Coolest Way to Sip in Style

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

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

Sazon

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Sazon, in Santa Fe New Mexico. 

Wine List Review of Sazon, Santa Fe

Sam Hohl

Sazon:

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 Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier.

&nbsp;

Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

&nbsp;

MQ: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules, which is now available in the Apple App store to demystify wine lists because we know from experience that sometimes when we get that&nbsp; list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

&nbsp;

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.

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

&nbsp;

Cork Rules

Saz&oacute;n

&nbsp;

Overview

Saz&oacute;n is located in Santa Fe, New Mexico and features modern takes on classic Latin American dishes made by their James Beard Award winning chef. They also offer an award winning cocktail and wine program to accompany their carefully curated menu.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Where to start

This is definitely a special spot- along with their delicious Mexican-inspired cuisine they also feature an extensive range of spirits, with a focus on tequilas and mezcals. You can do tasting dinners here as well with featured wine and spirits which sounds like a blast. The wine list here is categorized into 5 sections and one is for Mexican wines, which is so exciting to be able to explore what Mexican wines have to offer!

&nbsp;

The 2019 Bruma &lsquo;Ocho Blanco de Carignan&rsquo; would be a really great start to the night. This is from Bruma winery located in the Valle de Guadalupe wine region, which is where a majority of Mexican wine is produced. This bottle is unique in that it&rsquo;s a Blanc de Noir, so they use a red grape to make a white wine, like the method usually used for Champagne. The red skins don&rsquo;t have contact with the wine so it&rsquo;s just the juice used to make the white wine. This bottle will have notes of lemon, peach and melon. It&rsquo;s going to be creamy on the palate with zippy acid, making it wonderful with shellfish and cream based dishes, so you could try it paired with the shrimp enchiladas.

&nbsp;

If you&rsquo;re looking for a red you could try the 2019 Solar Fort&uacute;n Petit Verdot. Solar Fart&uacute;n winery is also in Valle de Guadalupe where the vineyards are made up of Southern Rhone and Bordeaux grape varietals. 2019 was a great vintage for this Petit Verdot and it brings beautiful blueberry notes along with violet and hints of savory herbs. It&rsquo;s a natural pair with this menu since it&rsquo;s so good with rich meats or dishes with lots of spices and flavor.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Value

There&rsquo;s some wonderful range on this list, and the 2021 Casa Magoni, &lsquo;Manaz&rsquo; is an exciting choice at a great value. Camillo Magoni is the winemaker behind Casa Magoni and he is from Italy but has been making a name for Mexican wines in Baja California for over 50 years. This bottle is half Friano and half Viognier. You&rsquo;ll get really lovely floral qualities from the Viognier, along with notes of green apple and grapefruit. There&rsquo;s some subtle tropical fruit flavors as well.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Another value find would be the 2020 Casa Jipi Nebbiolo. Casa Jipi is located in the San Vicente Valley region of Baja California. This Nebbiolo is going to be full of blueberry and blackberry fruit along with hints of pepper and chocolate. It&rsquo;s aged in stainless steel so it&rsquo;s going to be a bit more fruit forward than a Nebbiolo aged in oak. This is a bigger wine that has nice tannins so it&rsquo;s definitely a food wine and it will hold up to something like the Black Pepper Crusted Tenderloin on the menu.

&nbsp;

Celebratory

There are some really nice options on here to make your night special. First, the &lsquo;Heredad Reserva&rsquo; from Segura Viudas would be a beautiful choice for some bubbles. They&rsquo;re located in the Pened&egrave;s wine region located about an hour from Barcelona. This Cava is made from 75% Macabeo and 25% Chardonnay. This bottle will have notes of pastry, honey and delicate citrus. It&rsquo;s going to be a really refreshing and uplifting choice to celebrate with!

&nbsp;

There&rsquo;s also a Reserve Selection where you can find some really stand-out higher end bottles. One that caught my eye was the &nbsp;2015 Dominio del &Aacute;guila, &lsquo;Pe&ntilde;a Aladas&rsquo; Gran Reserva. This would be a gorgeous red to celebrate with. It&rsquo;s from the Ribera del Duero region and is a blend made primarily with Tempranillo. It gets barrel aged for four years and has flavors of silky dark fruit along with tobacco and chalk. It&rsquo;s full bodied with a long finish to savor. This is just a beautiful vintage and under 2300 bottles made so it&rsquo;s a special one to find.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Sazon&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

To our audience, Thank you all for Joining us here on CorkRules.

&nbsp;

If you would like Sam 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 cue as quick as possible.

&nbsp;

Also please download the CorkRules app where we have all your favorite restaurants, and you can get personalized recommendations and connect with your friends.

&nbsp;

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. Please check out our the app or website for all our latest episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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End

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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J Vineyards is a renowned winery located in the heart of California's Russian River Valley. Founded in 1986 by Judy Jordan, the winery is known for its exceptional sparkling wines and Pinot Noirs, which are crafted using traditional methods and sustainable farming practices. With over 100 acres of vineyards and a state-of-the-art winery facility, J Vineyards is committed to producing wines of the highest quality that reflect the unique terroir of the Russian River Valley.

Cosy venue serving sharing plates, oysters & charcuterie, plus craft cocktails & a robust wine list.

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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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