Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting <a href="https://www.67pallmall.com/the-london-club/">67 Pall Mall,</a> an elite private members&#39; club in London that caters exclusively to wine enthusiasts. Nestled in a grandiose building steeped in history and charm, this establishment offers a rich gastronomic experience for all its patrons.

The Food:

Dining at 67 Pall Mall is akin to indulging your senses in an array of culinary delights. The menu was thoughtfully curated with dishes designed not just for their standalone merit but also how they pair beautifully with wines. From delicate canap&eacute;s to hearty mains and decadent desserts, each dish was crafted exquisitely using high-quality ingredients sourced locally.

The Wine Program:

The heart and soul of 67 Pall Mall lie undoubtedly within its extensive wine program &ndash; one that boasts over four thousand different labels from around the globe. Their highly trained sommeliers guide you through this labyrinthine list with grace and knowledge. Whether you&#39;re a novice or seasoned connoisseur, there&rsquo;s something incredibly satisfying about discovering new vineyards or vintages under their expert guidance.

What sets them apart is not only the diversity of their collection but also their impressive storage capabilities which allow them to house these thousands of bottles under optimal conditions ensuring perfect preservation.

Service &amp; Vibe:

Atmosphere plays a crucial role when it comes down to enjoying fine dining paired with exquisite wines; thankfully, this aspect has been mastered by 67 Pall Mall as well. With impeccable service that strikes the right balance between attentiveness without being intrusive along with an ambiance reminiscent of old-world sophistication mixed subtly with modern chicness - it&rsquo;s hard not be enamored by it all!

Global Presence:

Beyond London&#39;s historic St James district where it first opened doors back in December 2015 lies its international presence across Bordeaux, Beaune, Singapore, and Melbourne. Each location maintains the same high standards of service while reflecting the unique cultural nuances of their respective regions.

Comparison with Soho Franchise:

While both 67 Pall Mall and Soho franchise cater to an elite clientele seeking a refined experience, there are notable differences. Where Soho clubs tend to lean towards a broader spectrum of interests including arts, film and media; 67 Pall Mall is unabashedly dedicated to wine enthusiasts providing them with an unparalleled selection along with educational events hosted by industry experts.

The Need for Private Wine Clubs in New York:

Given New York&#39;s vibrant culture and its plethora of enophiles, it&#39;s surprising that private wine clubs like 67 Pall Mall aren&#39;t more prevalent here. Establishments such as Wing-Tip in San Francisco have demonstrated how these venues can become social hubs for those passionate about wines - combining education, appreciation and camaraderie under one roof.

Being part of a community like this not only expands your understanding but also refines your palate over time &ndash; making every sip you take thereafter a testament to your evolving sophistication. As I left the hallowed halls of 67 Pall Mall that evening - satiated yet yearning for more - I couldn&rsquo;t help but feel grateful for having been part of such an enriching experience. Here&rsquo;s raising my glass hoping many more will get to enjoy this oenophile&rsquo;s paradise!

Recently, I had the pleasure of visiting 67 Pall Mall, an elite private members' club in London that caters exclusively to wine enthusiasts. Nestled in a grandiose building steeped in history and charm, this establishment offers a rich gastronomic experience for all its patrons.

A Connoisseur's Sojourn to 67 Pall Mall - An Exquisite Oenophile's Paradise

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

Marc Forgione

Leire Tejada

Marc Forgione

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 Leire Tejada, wine educator and certified sommelier.

Hello Leire,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode

LT: Hi Robert!

&nbsp;

RT:

Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s 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.

RT: Today, we are talking about Marc Forgione here in NYC. A laid-back yet high-style approach to American cuisine in a comfortable and spirited setting.

Leira, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their extensive wine list?

&nbsp;

LT: I&rsquo;m so excited to share some information about Marc Forgione Restaurant where they offer a signature style of food and extraordinary wine list from across the best-known wine areas in the world.

&nbsp;

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

LT: Of course! I would definitely recommend to start with a glass of Cr&eacute;mant de Bourgogne Bruno Dangin &ldquo;Blanc the noir&rdquo; from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, organically farmed which is absolutely delicious with some snacks such as Smokin&rsquo; Hot Savage Blonde Oysters.

RT: Me neither, that is for sure unique.

So, Leire, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

LT: I definitely say yes, the menu is plenty of unique wines. Starting by the red wines by the glass the Castello di Volpaia Chianti Classico, 2019, from Tuscany is a classic red wine made from Certified organic 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot grapes. This is a well-structured wine with a fruity finish and a wonderful pairing with Piedmontese Hanger Steak.

&nbsp;

RT: I&rsquo;m always blown away by the Italian wines and am always finding new favorites. 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?

LT: Absolutely! There is an amazing selection, but today I&rsquo;m going to focus my attention on an extraordinary wine super drinkable during the Spring and Summer time. Getariako txakolina, Rubentis, 2021 from Ameztoi family winery, located in the Basque Country in the Northern coast of Spain. This wine is made from an indigenous grape called <a href="https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enCA923CA923&amp;q=Hondarrabi+Zuri+and+Hondarribia+bletz&amp;spell=1&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiVh6HUvdj3AhV0HjQIHTyuBqkQkeECKAB6BAgBEDI">Hondarrabi&nbsp;Zuri and&nbsp;Hondarribia&nbsp;bletz</a>

, and also are grown organically. Another curious fact is the tanks are closed towards the end of the alcoholic fermentation in order to preserve the naturally occurring carbonation. So, you will enjoy a delicate, effervescent character in each drop of wine. I would recommend this vibrant and complex wine with Chili lobster.

&nbsp;

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Leire, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

LT: Definitely, one of my favorite good value wines on the list is Chateau Beychevelle &ldquo;Les Bruli&egrave;res&rdquo;, 2018 from Haut M&egrave;doc Appelation (AOC) in Bordeaux. A sublime example of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grows organically under the traditional blend. A beautiful example of soft tannins, and a delicious mix of black fruit to share with the iconic plate Snowdance Farms Chicken Under a Brick.

RT: Now Leire, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

LT: Of course, Pax Mahle Syrah &ldquo;Walker Vine Hill Vineyard&rdquo; 2002 from Russian River Valley in California is a unique wine made by Syrah grapes from the ten acres of Walker Vine Hill vineyard sustainably farmed. This vineyard is situated in a unique micro-climate that traps cool coastal influences to allow the fruit to ripen slowly. Another important detail, the 2002 vintage for California was exceptionally good, so the result It&rsquo;s a great, ripe, and rich wine.

RT: For me personally, I always like wine with a little age on it.&nbsp;

LT: I 100 percent agree

RT: Leire Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Marc Forgione&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

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: <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.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

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BRAT

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Château Coucheroy is a historic estate that has been producing wine since the 17th century. The vineyards are located in the heart of the Pessac-Leognan appellation and are known for producing high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. The winery is owned by Domaines André Lurton, a family-owned company that is committed to producing exceptional wines that showcase the best of Bordeaux.

Craft

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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

Iron Rooster Canton

Freixenet

Blanc de Blancs Brut Nature NV

Blend

Cava, Spain

Two Oceans

Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Grigio

Western Cape, South Africa

Maggio Family Vineyards

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Lodi, USA

Michel Torino

Coleccion Reserve Malbec NV

Malbec

Salta, Argentina

Argentina

Michel Torino Cabernet Sauvignon Cuma Organic Estate NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Salta, Argentina

Poppy

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Monterey County, USA

JaM Cellars

California Butter Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

JaM Cellars

California Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

St. Michaels Winery Sauvignon Blanc, Maryland NV

Maryland, USA

Freixenet Prosecco, Veneto NV

Veneto, Italy

Gemma di Luna

Prosecco NV

Glera

Prosecco, Italy

Gooseneck Vineyards

Prosecco NV

Glera

Prosecco, Italy