Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let&rsquo;s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.

Omakase, a term that translates to &quot;I&#39;ll leave it up to you&quot; 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&#39;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.

In comparison with ordering &agrave; la carte sushi, omakase offers a more immersive and adventurous dining experience. The cooking techniques vary widely depending on the dish; sashimi may be delicately sliced raw fish or seafood, nigiri might involve hand-pressed rice topped with wasabi and neta (topping), while other dishes could be grilled or simmered.

An omakase meal typically lasts two to three hours and consists of anywhere between 10-20 courses. To show gratitude towards the chef for their skillful preparation, customers usually express verbal appreciation after each course is served.

Pairing wine with omakase can elevate this already exquisite experience even further. Here are some wines that complement different elements of an omakase meal:

1. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Von-Winning-Riesling-Herrenletten-Erste-Lage-Trocken-2021-w2600484yk">Riesling - Von Winning - Riesling Herrenletten Erste Lage Trocken 2021- $39.99</a>

Von Winning Winery has been producing wines since 1849 in Germany&#39;s Pfalz region known for its diverse soil types ideal for growing Riesling grapes. This particular wine showcases bright acidity balanced by notes of ripe peach and apricot alongside mineral undertones&mdash;a perfect match for delicate sashimi dishes.

2. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Hiedler-Gruner-Veltliner-Ried-Thal-2021-w5616107gk">Gruner Veltliner - Hiedler - Gruner Veltliner Ried Thal 2021 - $26.99</a>

Hailing from Austria&rsquo;s Langenlois region, Hiedler has been making wine since 1856. Their Gruner Veltliner Ried Thal is characterized by its fresh and lively acidity, with flavors of green apple and white pepper&mdash;excellent for cutting through richer omakase dishes.

3. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-LaFage-Rose-Miraflors-2022-w2115833ea">Ros&eacute; - Domaine LaFage - Ros&eacute; Miraflors 2022 - $18.99</a>

Domaine Lafage in France&#39;s Roussillon region is known for their high-quality wines produced from old vines. Their Ros&eacute; Miraflors boasts a vibrant pink hue with notes of red berries and citrus fruits&mdash;a versatile choice that can complement a variety of omakase courses.

4. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/sake/Konteki-Pearls-Of-Simplicity-Junmai-Daig-w52718362g">Sake - Konteki - Pearls Of Simplicity Junmai Daiginjo (720ml) - $37.99</a>

Produced in Kyoto, Japan&rsquo;s ancient capital, Konteki Sake represents the epitome of Japanese tradition. The &quot;Pearls Of Simplicity&quot; Junmai Daiginjo offers clean and smooth flavors with hints of pear and melon&mdash;an authentic pairing to honor the origins of omakase dining.

In conclusion, an Omakase meal is not just about eating; it&#39;s about surrendering yourself to the chef&#39;s expertise while embarking on a culinary journey that tantalizes your taste buds one course at a time&mdash;and when paired with carefully selected wines or sake, this experience becomes even more unforgettable.

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

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

TRIO Grill

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the Trio Grill in Falls Church, Virginia where the focus is on offering the finest steaks, the freshest seafood, and, most importantly, an extensive, award-winning wine list. 

Wine List Review of Trio Grill in Falls Church, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Trio Grill

Trio Grill:

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 Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

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:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Trio Grill. Located in Falls Church, VA, this classic, American grill features steaks, seafood, and is your go to for any special occasion.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Here we have another wine Spectator Award-winning wine list consisting of truly stand-out Old and New World favorites.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The first wine that caught my eye was the 2021 Badenhorst &lsquo;Secateurs&rsquo; Chenin Blanc from Swartland, South Africa. This is a beautiful Chenin Blanc. It is medium-bodied with bright acidity, notes of pear, tangerine, lemon zest, and dried apricot, with a touch of honey on the finish. Pair this white wine with salmon, tuna, scallops, and spicy dishes.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: I spotted an Old-World favorite to pair with classic American grill fare. Consider the 2020 Domaine Frederic Esmonin Les Genevrieres from Burgundy, France. This Pinot Noir from Genevrieres, which is a Premier Cru commune within Burgundy. This classic Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with notes of cranberries, ripe raspberries, sage, mushrooms, and a hint of clove on the finish due to its time aging in French oak. The soft tannins and bright acidity add to the pleasure of this Pinot Noir. Pair with herbed dishes and lightly sauced proteins.

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;?

MQ: If you are considering rich seafood such as scallops, tuna, or lobster, then you must try the 2019 Mer Soleil, Reserve Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California. This oaked Chardonnay offers both bright acidity, ripe green apple, and ripe pear, along with notes of brioche and honey with a creamy finish. The body and richness of this wine will certainly complement herbed proteins and well.

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?

MQ: If your table has been eyeing steak or other rich, steakhouse fare, then consider another classic, the 2018 Muga Reserva from the Rioja in Spain. While the Muga family has been making wine since 1932, they established their winery in 1968 and have since been crafting spectacular wines. The excellent structure of this Tempranillo along with aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, cassis, dried lavender, and notes of cocoa on the finish make this bottle a winner for the table.&nbsp;

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind. Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: If you are considering a more mineral and dry Chardonnay, consider the Zuccardi Q Series from Mendoza, Argentina. This Chardonnay is medium-bodied and showcases aromas of lime zest, ripe pear, bright acidity, and white pepper on the finish. Pair with lighter fare, and cheese, all for an excellent value.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: another standout producer is Yalumba. If you are looking for a rich, bold red of excellent quality and value, consider the 2014 Yalumba, the Cigar, Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawara, Australia. This Cabernet Sauvignon features ripe blackberries, black cherries, and plumb, with a lingering finish consisting of leather, smoke, mint, and sage. A wonderful consideration for your richly sauced proteins and pasta. &nbsp;

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: A wine to consider to take your dining experience to the next level, would be the classic 2012 Sandrone, Cannubi Boschis, Barolo from the Piedmont of Italy. This Northern Italian, 100% Nebbiolo is truly something to savor. It is bold, full-bodied, and complex, featuring aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries, fig, smoke, tobacco, and lavender, with nutmeg and cinnamon on the lingering finish. The aromatics of this wine are stellar as well, and you can begin enjoying them while you are decanting this bottle! A classic wine, and wine region to pair with any special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Trio Grill&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.

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.

Thank you.

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Catena is a renowned family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina that has been producing exceptional wines for over a century. Their expertise in high altitude winemaking has allowed them to craft some of the most sought-after wines in Argentina.

Brick-oven pizza & traditional Italian faves served in a cozy, casual setting in the Venetian mall.

Steak Frites

Alexis Percival is a New York City based CMS certified sommelier, consultant and event planner who puts the art in party.

Certified sommelier Alexis Percival

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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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