In this episode, Robert Tas, CorkRules founder, and Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, review the wine list wines of the <a href="https://www.oysterbarny.com/">Grand Central Oyster Bar</a>, a historic restaurant that originally opened in 1913 in NY&rsquo;s Grand Central Station. &nbsp;They identify the perfect oyster wine, whites from the Loire Valley, and wines from the list that will take your dining experience to the next level here.

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it&rsquo;s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here&rsquo;s a quick review of the most popular varietals&rsquo; tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Chardonnay has notes of yellow citrus, pear, green apple and maybe a touch of vanilla. It&rsquo;s a medium to full-bodied white and pairs well with rich seafood, cream sauces, and soft cheeses.

Sauvignon blanc is a little more bitter and tart than chardonnay. The notes include grapefruit pith sweeter notes of honeydew melon, passion fruit, and kiwi with a little herbaceous quality. It is a light- to medium-bodied wine that pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, Mexican, Vietnamese, and goat&#39;s cheese.

Pinot gris is light-bodied with delicate citrus and white floral notes. Light and easy to drink, these wines pair well with light fare such as salad, delicate fish dishes, and light, mild cheeses.

Riesling has notes of citrus and stone fruit these wines are usually floral with sweet herbal elements. They are high in acid when dry but they can also be sweet. These wines work well with Indian, Thai, Moroccan, and German fare.

Cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied red with bold tannins, a long finish, and also generally has a higher alcohol content. The tasting notes are black cherry, black currant, and cedar. This varietal pairs well with heavier, fattier meats such as lamb and beef, and hard cheeses like Pecorino.

Syrah is also a full-bodied red but these wines are fruitier with medium-weight tannins. Syrah is often used ot create the Rhone blend. It also pairs well with strong meat flavors of lamb or smoked meats and hard cheeses. The tasting notes are blueberry, plum, black pepper, so this wine is a little spicier and lighter than the cabernet, while still holding the weight.

Zinfandel is on the lighter side. It&rsquo;s a medium-bodied wine that&rsquo;s fruity and spicy. It pairs well with lighter meats like chicken and pork but also works well with full-flavor cheeses such as Manchego, or Tommes de Sauvignon.

The Grand Central Oyster Bar lives up to its name, but for more information on their wine list, and other tips for wine and seafood pairings check out the CorkRules <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/oyster-bar/episodes/11">wine review podcast.</a>&nbsp;

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list 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. &nbsp;CorkRules helps you 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;

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it’s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here’s a quick review of the most popular varietals’ tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Pairing Wine with Oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar

Love me some Paso! Located in the heart of California's Central Coast wine region, Paso Robles is a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike. With its diverse array of wineries and charming tasting rooms, this scenic destination offers an unforgettable experience for visitors.

Come discover Paso Robles hidden gems for Wine and Food Enthusiasts

A lot of things go into the price tag of a wine and not all of them relate to quality.

Shopping for Value and How to Find It

The most important things to consider while aging wine is temperature and angle. So, please, no storing wine vertically on top of the fridge in the hot sun!

How to Age Wine

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Chiado a Portuguese restaurant in Toronto.

Wine List Review of Chiado, Toronto

Michaela Quinlan

Chiado

Chiado:

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 Chiado. This Toronto restaurant showcases &ldquo;Progressive Portuguese&rdquo; cuisine in a bold and modern style. Open for lunch and dinner, Chiado is the place for corporate events, private functions, and special events.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Chiado features a number of Old World and New World classics, along with a stellar list of Port. We have an exciting selection of wines specifically from Portugal for you today.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with a red blend from the Dao region of Portugal with the 2017 Quinta de Pellada, Quints de Saes Reserva. This dry, medium to full-bodied red blend, made predominately of Touriga Nacional, showcases ripe cranberries, red cherries, with smoke, earth, and notes of vanilla on the finish from its time spent aging in oak. A perfect companion to savory dishes and lightly sauced proteins.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Heading to the Douro of Portugal, another red blend to consider would be the 2015 D. Graca Reserva. This full-bodied blend of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, and Tinta Roriz features rich flavors and aromas of ripe blackberries, black cherries, white pepper, sage, and smoke. This is your got-to pairing for richly sauced proteins and pasta.

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: We have noted a few great reds, now it is time to feature a standout white wine from Northern Portugal. Consider the 2018 Alves de Sousa, Branco da Gaivosa. This Malvasia Fina blend is medium bodied, dry, and features aromas and flavors of lime zest, mandarin orange, ripe melon, with notes of vanilla on the creamy finish due to the brief time in oak. Pair this white wine with shellfish and seafood.

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: Another red wine to note for the table is the 2010 Camplargo Baga from Northern Portugal. The Baga grape is bold, full-bodied, and features ripe raspberries and ripe plums with notes of lilac, licorice, earth and sage. The age has softened the round tannins on the long finish. Another perfect pairing for richly sauced proteins and pasta.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. &nbsp;Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind...&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: The region of Vinho Verde in Portugal brings us the 2020 Esporao Bico Amarelo. This light, dry, white wine showcases bright acidity and minerality with notes of citrus, ripe, green apple, with notes of white flowers and saline on the finish. This white wine of excellent quality and value makes a wonderful companion to shellfish, seafood, and soft cheese.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: An excellent quality and value wine from Southern Portugal is the 2016 Cortes de Cima blend of Syrah, Aragones, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, and Petit Verdot. This incredible red blend showcases aromas and flavors of ripe plum, fig, ripe blackberries, and cassis, with notes of vanilla and cinnamon on the finish. A smooth, full-bodied red wine to pair with richly sauced proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;MQ: The 1975 Quinta do Noval &ldquo;Nacional&rdquo; Vintage Port of the Duoro Valley of Northern Portugal. Keep in mind that only 2% of port production ever reaches the quality to declare a vintage. Dating back to 1715, Noval has been known as an innovative producer of varying styles of port. This exceptional vintage exudes aromas and flavors of honey, figs, and raisins with vanilla and prune on the finish. Enjoy each sip as you extend your visit to Chiado and special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Chiado&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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