If fine French dining is your raison d&rsquo;etre, <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/le-coucou/episodes/21">Le Coucou</a>&nbsp;is the place for you. Internationally acclaimed chef Daniel Rose made his name in Paris with his flair for French cuisine, and he brought his culinary creativity to New York where he established an elegant restaurant and exceptional dining experience.

And what better way to complement French fare than with a spectacular French wine? Bring on the Cru and let the fun begin.

But wait, should you splurge and opt for a grand Cru or will a simple cru do, and what&rsquo;s the difference anyway?

Let&rsquo;s demystify the terminology and move on to enjoyability.

Quite simply, the term &lsquo;cru&rsquo; is used within classifications of French wine to indicate a high-quality vineyard or group of vineyards. Cru literally means growth, and this term has been adopted in classification as a nod to the importance of the terroir.

Grand Cru is the recognized designation of higher quality wine. Grand Cru refers to the quality of a particular vineyard and the terroir in which the grapes grow. The terroir of the region that gains this accreditation is known to produce consistently high-quality vintages. Grand cru literally means great growth. The term is first found to be used in the region of Burgundy in the middle ages when the Cistercian monks and the Catholic Church classified each vineyard according to quality. In Burgundy, grand cru wines must be made with only grapes from villages that fall under a grand cru region.

Fast forward and move over to Bordeaux in 1855 when the term is officially recognized as a classification of the Left Bank Bordeaux (thanks to Napolean). The classification in Burgundy is all about the vineyards and terroir, but in Bordeaux, the classification of grand cru can be given to a winery that holds the status.

Premier cru wines are a step down from grand cru, however, since a premier cru vineyard could be literally next door to a grand cru vineyard, the difference in the quality of the wine may be negligible. Premier cru or 1er cru accounts for no more than 5% of the total Burgundian production, and grand cru makes up a tiny and exclusive 1% of production in Burgundy.

But if these high-status wines are outside of the budget, consider opting for village wines. These wines are from the same classified regions, but the yield allowed per hectare is more, allowing more of the grapes to grow, the vines themselves may be younger (old vines add complexity to wine). There are plenty of quality village wines on the market, and this is a great place for finding delicious wine at a good price.

If a white Burgundy is on your mind or you are looking for a grand cru wine, click over to the CorkRules <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/le-coucou/episodes/21">wine review podcast</a>&nbsp;with certified sommelier Grace Hood. She&rsquo;s identified a few good bottles on the wine list at Le Coucou.

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list&rsquo; picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the wine list through sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience, makes it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, and provides you with personalized wine recommendations from your favorite restaurants. Through CorkRules you can find the perfect wine for every occasion based on your preferences. Connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try and learn about wine. CorkRules makes it easier to discover and drink what you love. &nbsp;

If fine French dining is your raison d’etre, Le Coucou is the place for you. Internationally acclaimed chef Daniel Rose made his name in Paris with his flair for French cuisine, and he brought his culinary creativity to New York where he established an elegant restaurant and exceptional dining experience.

Premier Cru & Grand Cru at Le Coucou

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

Eric Asimov's recent article isn't just about the "luxury" of sommeliers vanishing from restaurants. It's a stark warning about the potential collapse of a vibrant corner of our social and cultural ecosystem: the world of wine.

Why the Decline of Sommeliers Is a Crisis for All of Us

rhodora wine bar

Grace Hood

Rhodora

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;we will review a Wine List from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hey Hey Robert!

RT Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about those wine lists. We created CorkRules to help 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;Today we&rsquo;re reviewing the wine list for the Brooklyn wine bar Rhodora. Grace what are your initial thoughts?

GH: So, this place has a really amazing concept &ndash; they&rsquo;re all about sustainability, heralding themselves as a zero-waste establishment, which we love to see. Apparently, they are the first restaurant in America to have this zero-waste concept, in that nothing goes to the landfill, there isn&rsquo;t even a trash can on premise! Instead, the scraps get put in a trash compactor and turn it into mulch for their flower beds outside the restaurant &ndash; how delightful is that! But this place is definitely first and foremost a wine bar &ndash; the food menu is pretty limited but gives you some lovely shared plates tapas style options.

RT: Love that they&#39;re committed to environmental causes. More places need to follow suit. So, what are your thoughts on the wine list?

GH: So, with Rhodora, we&rsquo;re exploring a trendy buzzword in the hospitality industry &ndash; natural wine. Which essentially just means it&rsquo;s a wine that was made in the most organic, ancient, back to basics way. It&rsquo;s all about letting the grape and the terroir shine through by having minimal human intervention, as opposed to these big production wineries that will manipulate their wine with food coloring and flavor chips to make the wine taste how they want it to, rather than how it naturally should be.

RT: Oh, wow you definitely have a point there Grace. So where should we start on the Rhodora natural wine menu?

GH: At only 2 pages, this is a pretty approachable list. Coupled with the fact that their prices are really really affordable. The average bottle price looks to be around $80, which is a steal when it comes to New York City fine dining. This is the place to take that chance and get some really unique wines you haven&rsquo;t tried before. And since this is a wine bar, the staff will be really educated on the list and you&rsquo;ll be able to fully nerd out with them, or trust that they will guide you to something you&#39;ll really enjoy. Now if you&rsquo;re asking what I would drink &ndash; I&rsquo;m starting with the sparkling pinot gris from the Alsace region. I absolutely love the still pinot gris&rsquo; from that &aacute;rea &ndash; which is the most northern in all of Europe that produces wine. So think about these slightly mountainous cool climate &aacute;reas with all this rich f&eacute;rtile soil. Alsace makes some fabulous and totally under-the-radar light whites. And speaking of lighter style french whites, I&rsquo;m super curious about the 2020 Jerome Jouret sauv blanc from Ardeche, which is in the southeast region of France. Usually, you see sauv blancs coming from the west of France &ndash; either in the Loire Valley or in Bordeaux. So I&rsquo;m really interested to see how a sauv blanc from an untypical region would taste.

&nbsp;

RT: Oh totally. All great points Grace. What else caught your eye?

&nbsp;

GH: Well, they have a pretty extensive Orange wine list! And I know for a lot of people, Orange wine is a little intimidating or just strange for most wine drinkers who haven&rsquo;t had a lot of experience with Orange wine. Like we talked about on another episode, Orange wine is just a white wine grape that has been done in a red wine style. In that the grapes were fermented whole berry or whole cluster, instead of the juice being pressed off like a normal white wine. So you&rsquo;re going to get this really interesting rich lush mouth feel. Because there are so many different varietals on this Orange wine list, my suggestion would be to pick one of your favorite white wine grapes, and order the Orange wine made out of that! That&rsquo;ll be a really cool contrast &ndash; your palate can draw from the memories of that grape as done in a white wine style, and you can compare it to the grape done in an Orange wine style. Just because I&rsquo;m a huge nerd and I love rare grapes, I&rsquo;m going to be choosing the muscadet 2019 from Jura. Usually, muscadet is grown in the west, so its interesting to see it grown in jura which is in the east borderline with Switzerland. Pick your favorite white grape and go with it in an Orange wine! Have fun with it!

RT: Love that approach Grace. Makes the orange wine list not so daunting. Now what are you thinking for reds?

GH: Oh man, there are so many good options! One that stuck out to me was the 2013 merlot from Dario Princic from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. It&#39;s one of the only older red vintages on the menu so I def want to give that one a go &ndash; anticipating how lush and soft it will be! Another one I&rsquo;m interested in is the 2017 Syrah Crozes-Hermitage from the Aleofane vineyard in the Rhone valley. Rich and decadent without too much acidity. And one that I&rsquo;ve got questions about, is a Slovenian pinot noir! Slovenia is one of those countries that has been producing wine for centuries, but a lot of it doesn&rsquo;t make it to the domestic marketplace because there is no demand for it &ndash; but that&rsquo;s only because people don&rsquo;t know Slovenia makes wine, let alone how good it is. Places like Rhodora, with their thoughtful and affordable list as well as knowledgeable staff, will be the perfect place to go out of your comfort zone and try something new.

RT: Amazing Grace. Great choices as always. Thank you for helping us navigate the wine list at Rhodora.

To our audience, thank you all for Joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; 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.

&nbsp;

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. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

&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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Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Riondo is a renowned Italian wine producer that specializes in the production of Prosecco. They have a long-standing history of producing some of the finest wines in Italy, and their commitment to quality and innovation has made them one of the most respected names in the industry.

Gallerylike boutique specializing in high-end Italian wines from all regions & hosts tasting events.

Grape the Wine Co.

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

Italian Wine Merchants

Antinori

Castello della Sala Bramito Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Umbria, Italy

Loimer

Lois Gruner Veltliner 1970

Gruner Veltliner

Niederosterreich

Magana

Anza Diego NV

Rioja, Spain

Marchese Antinori Montenisa Brut Rose, Franciacorta DOCG NV

Franciacorta, Italy

Antinori

Tenuta Montenisa 'Marchese Antinori' Donna Cora 2016

Blend

Franciacorta, Italy

Comando G

'La Bruja de Rozas' Sierra de Gredos NV

Spain

Dominio Aguila, Ribera del Duero, Picaro Aguila Vinas Viejas NV

Tempranillo Blend

Castilla y Leon, Spain

Antinori (Montenisa), Donna Cora Saten, Franciacorta NV

Lombardia, Italy

Antinori

Tenuta Tignanello 'Marchese Antinori' Chianti Classico Riserva NV

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Eulogio Pomares

Penapedre NV

Blend

Galicia, Spain

Beronia, Vinas Viejas, Rioja 2019

Rioja, Spain

Antinori

Tenuta Montenisa Franciacorta Blanc de Blancs Dizero NV

Chardonnay

Lombardia, Italy

Enric Soler

Nun Vinya dels Taus NV

Xarel-lo

Catalunya, Spain

Vieux Château Certan

La Gravette de Certan Pomerol NV

Merlot

Pomerol, France

Dominio del Águila

Reserva NV

Tempranillo

Castilla y Leon, Spain