Unless you are born into a vineyard, grow up in wine country,&nbsp;a career in wine is not&nbsp;a go-to profession for most graduates. But for some people, their love of wine and career path are intertwined. This is how it was for <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jane-lopes-b67743a8/">Jane Lopes</a>, sommelier, co-founder of Legend Imports, and author of&nbsp; <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/Vignette-Stories-Life-Wine-Bottles/dp/1743795327">Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles. </a>

Jane graduated from the University of Chicago with a B.A. in English Language and Literature/Letters. Post-graduation, she worked in the hospitality industry, as so many students do before they find their path in life. It was as a server/bartender that Jane&rsquo;s formal education in the wine industry began. &nbsp;She worked at renowned restaurants including Eleven Madison Park in New York, The Violet Hour in Chicago, and The Catbird Seat in Nashville; her education at these establishments was intensive and hands-on, and by immersing herself in the world of wine, she fast-tracked her way towards accreditation as one of the world&rsquo;s few Master Sommeliers.

&nbsp;

In 2018, Jane was a candidate for the Master Sommelier, the most prestigious of accreditations in wine. To give you an idea of how difficult it is to achieve this standard, there are only 262 Master Sommeliers in the world, and candidates must pass four exams offered through the Court of Master Sommeliers (CMSA).

&nbsp;

Although Jane passed the exam, one of only 34 women to pass it; unfortunately, for all candidates sitting the 2018 exam, their results were nullified due to a previous candidate sharing information about the wines selected for the tasting exam. It seems rather unfair; however, it didn&rsquo;t stop Jane from pursuing her career in wine and proving her vast knowledge on the subject by publishing her book.

Vignette is a book for people who love wine without the pretension that often surrounds the wine industry. It is thoughtfully arranged and offers clarity on varietals, tasting notes, and a list of 100 bottles that represent wine regions from around the globe, and most importantly for the majority of wine lovers, Jane has added an appendix of affordable wines for the wine lover who wants a delicious bottle that meets the budget.

Jane&rsquo;s book is both informative and highly entertaining read as it documents her life&rsquo;s journey in wine, beginning with the earliest introduction to wine: a cheap, Californian chardonnay her parent&rsquo;s drank.

&nbsp;

Jane has recently completed a second book, How to Drink Australian, which will be published in September 2023. This book is inspired by the company she runs with her husband, <a href="https://legendaustralia.com/jane-jon/">Legend Australian Wine Imports</a>, a socially-focused wine importer. Jane and her husband founded this company with the goal of bringing the best of Australian wines to the U.S.

&nbsp;

Listen to Jane&rsquo;s story on <a href="https://corkrules.com/vignette:-stories-of-life-and-wine-in-100-bottles/episodes/384">Episode 268 of CorkRules</a> where she offers suggestions on wine and shares a little of her life&rsquo;s journey in the industry.

Unless you are born into a vineyard, grow up in wine country, a career in wine is not a go-to profession for most graduates. But for some people, their love of wine and career path are intertwined. This is how it was for Jane Lopes, sommelier, co-founder of Legend Imports, and author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles.

Stories of Wine & Life with Jane Lopes, Sommelier, Author and Co-Founder of Legend Imports

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

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

Whitney Grant

The Butcher's Table

The Butcher&rsquo;s Table

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

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 Whitney Grant, wine educator and certified sommelier,

Hello Whitney, it&rsquo;s great to have you back on with CorkRules.

WG: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me! I&rsquo;m excited to share these wine selections with you and the CorkRules listeners.

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: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about The Butcher&rsquo;s Table. Nominated for Seattle&rsquo;s Best Steakhouse by Thrillist. This sleek steakhouse and takeaway butcher counter offers classic preparations, prime wagyu cuts and has a stellar wine list. Whitney I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine offerings, where should we start with this list?

WG: How about we start with a few wines by the glass?&nbsp; &nbsp;

RT: Take it away, Whitney

WG: Let&rsquo;s start with the Tablas Creek Vineyards white blend from Paso Robles in California. This is a blend of 5 Rhone varietals. Grenache blanc, roussanne, viognier, marsanne, and clairette blanche. Crisp acids, with a rich mouthfeel, floral and tropical aromatics, structure, spice, freshness and minerality. Don&rsquo;t sleep on Paso! This hidden gem in California has amazing wineries producing excellent wines at better prices than wines in Napa or Sonoma.

WG: Next I would recommend the 2019 Flowers Chardonnay from the Sonoma Coast in California. This with has bright citrus notes, white flowers, white peach and hints of flint. Nice acidity balanced with flavor of orchard fruits, with a long bright finish. Flowers vineyard pioneered pinot noir and chardonnay. Focused on farming responsibly, harvesting by hand and using 100% native fermentation making wine with minimal intervention. Flowers is an iconic Sonoma producer.

&nbsp;RT: What wine by the glass would you recommend for red wine drinkers?

WG: The Jean-Luc Colombo &ldquo;Les Abeilles&rdquo; Red Blend is a 2018 C&ocirc;te-du-Rh&ocirc;ne blend. Cotes-du-Rhone accounts for more than half of the production of appellation wines in the Southern Rhone Valley of France. This blend is 60% grenache, 30% syrah, 10% mourvedre. Expect intense purple color with a nose of violets, plum, and casis. Silky dark red fruit with a hint of spice on the palate. Great food friendly wine!

 
RT:___

Finally the Melville Estate 2018 Syrah from the Santa Rita Hills in California. This is a plum colored wine with notes of fig, eucalyptus and pepper corns. Dark lingering fruit, black olive, delicate tannins with fresh acidity and a powerful finish. Melville estates was established in 1996&nbsp; in the heart of the Santa Rita Hills in California.

RT: The wine list at Butcher&rsquo;s Table is organized by Old World and New World. Could you tell us about that differentiation?

WG: Old World wines are wines made in the traditional wine-growing regions of Europe whereas New World is basically everywhere else.

There are also some stylistic differences between the old world vs. the new world. Old world wines are typically lighter bodied, with lower alcohol, higher acidity, less fruit and more minerality. New world tends to have fuller-bodied wines with higher alcohol, lower acidity, and more fruit flavors.

We can take a closer look at the stylistic difference for a particular varietal chardonnay.

RT: Let&rsquo;s do it!

WG: Chardonnay is grown in the Burgundy region of France in the old world, let&rsquo;s take a look at both Chablis and Puligny Montrachet.

Chablis is a village appellation within Burgundy. These wines typically have high mouthwatering acidity with flavors of green apple, citrus, lemon and wet stone. These wines are almost always unoaked.

Puligny Montrachet is a village within Burgundy located further south than Chablis. These wines tend to have flavors of lemon, golden apple, pear, quince, and yellow plum. These wines will typically be made in French oak giving flavors of cinnamon, almond, and bread from lees contact.

There is a range of styles for New World Chardonnay from cool climate unoaked Willamette Valley Chardonnays or Warmer oaked California Chardonnay. Looking at this list there is one I would definitely recommend giving a try. The 2018 Chateau Montelenda. Expect cinnamon, ripe peach, aromas of melon, fig and pear. Subtle notes of honeysuckle, vanilla and clove with a bright finish, and full texture. Chateau Montelena is one of the most important and significant wineries that put Napa Valley on the map internationally when their 1973 Chardonnay won the Judgement of Paris.&nbsp;

RT: So Whitney, is there anything you would recommend that would really impress a guest?

WG: The Vega Sicilia &ldquo;Unico&rdquo; 1962 Ribera del Duero. Coming from a world-renowned iconic producer. The Vega Sicilia vineyard offers the best of the best from vineyard aspect, to soil, to the wood chosen at different stages of the 10-year barrel aging process. These wines are known for consistently having elegance, style, and strength and are in a category of some of the best of the best classic wines of not just Spain but the world.

Now a wine this old is not something you could find at your average wine store, if you want to get your hands on a 1962 you are going to have to look into specialized auctions, so if you are looking to impress a guest, this wine will certainly do so!

RT: Wow! Enjoying that wine would be quite the experience. While we all wish we could crack open a bottle like that not everyone has the budget for a 4 figure wine, is there anything on the list that you would recommend that won&rsquo;t break the bank?

WG: Yes! There are a lot more affordable options on the menu. I love Argentinian wine and the&nbsp; Bodega Colom&eacute; Estate 2019 Malbec is a great choice. Malbec is Argentina&rsquo;s flagship variety these wines are typically deep colored and full bodied, and generally you can get them at reasonable prices.&nbsp; This wine comes from Salta region close to the border of Bolivia, with some of the highest vineyards of the world with some over 3,000 meters in elevation. This climate produces wine with great purity and concentration.

This wine has that beautiful bright &amp; intense signature malbec color. With aromas of blackberries, red fruit, and exotic floral notes. It&#39;s full and lush with spiced oak notes and hints of pepper. Fresh acidity balances the big bold tannins, it&#39;s wonderful, it&#39;s complex, and the price is right!

RT: Whitney, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Butcher&#39;s Table wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.

WG: Thanks for having me, Robert, I always enjoy chatting with you about great wines at great restaurants!

RT: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 an 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.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End

&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

Menade is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Rueda, Castilla y Leon. They are committed to producing organic and biodynamic wines with minimal intervention in the cellar. Through their sustainable practices, they strive to express the unique terroir of the region in their wines.

Wine shop known for its knowledgeable staff & a broad choice of natural & small-batch vintages.

Krasi

Sazon

La Boca

Coppa

Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro

Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

Ledger Restaurant & Bar

Ledger

Row 34

The Ordinary

The Fig

Harvest

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

Chambers Street Wines

Hervé Villemade

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Sauvignon Blanc

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Domaine de la Chevalerie

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Cabernet Franc

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Sant'Or

Roditis, Greece, Peloponnisos, Achaia 2019

Roditis

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Antica Tenuta Pietramore

Abruzzo Pecorino Superiore 2019

Pecorino

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Rogue Vine

Grand Itata Blanco 2019

Blend

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Bricco Ernesto

Rosso NV

Nebbiolo

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Laurent

Barth Muscat NV

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Bernard Baudry

Chinon Rouge 2020

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Giuseppe Rinaldi

Barolo 1961

Barolo, Piedmont, Italy

Heinrich Hartl Pinot Noir Classic, Thermenregion 2018

Thermenregion, Austria

Guichard Potheret & Fils

Pommard 2019

Pinot Noir

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Domaine FL

Roche aux Moines 2020

Chenin Blanc

France

Lecci e Brocchi Ragonaia, Chianti Classico DOCG 2018

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Cantina Ripoli

Chianti Classico 2017

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Illahe

Pinot Gris 2021

Pinot Gris

Willamette Valley, USA