<a href="https://ko.momofuku.com/">Momofuku Ko</a>&nbsp;is an award-winning restaurant in NYC that offers an exceptional dining experience. &nbsp;It won two Michelin stars in 2009 and has maintained that status ever since. It was also awarded three stars by the New York Times in 2015, and in 2019, it was ranked No. 76 on the World&rsquo;s 50 Best Restaurants list. With credentials like this, you&rsquo;d expect a top-quality wine list and you would not be disappointed.

So, if dining Japanese, which wines pair well?

Japanese cuisine is quite varied and includes a wide range of seafood dishes, tempura, sushi and sashimi, pork, chicken, ramen&hellip;, the flavors and textures are diverse, which means we need a wine list with a variety of options.

With sushi and sashimi, you can go wrong with a crisp, clean white wine like a gr&uuml;ner veltliner. A white wine with high acidity and lemony, citrus notes works well with seafood. Sauvignon blanc also pairs well with sushi, and, of course, Champagne also works well.

If you opt for a bowl of ramen or miso soup, the strong umami calls for a bolder wine that won&rsquo;t be overpowered nor overpower. Consider choosing a fortified wine like an Assyrtiko from Greece or even a Manzanilla sherry. However, many ramen dishes use soy sauce, in this case, a light-bodied pinot noir will also work well.

Fried, battered and grilled dishes like tempura, katsu, karaage and agedashi tofu pair well with aromatic and full-bodied whites, such as chardonnay or pinot gris. However, light to medium reds can also work spectacularly well. Think pinot noir, gamay or grenache.

If you are thinking of dining at Momofuku Ko, &nbsp;check out the CorkRules<a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/momofuku-las-vegas/episodes/23">&nbsp;podcast </a>episode with certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan. She navigates the wine list at &nbsp;Momofuku Ko and offers a few stellar suggestions.

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. 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;

Momofuku Ko is an award-winning restaurant in NYC that offers an exceptional dining experience.  It won two Michelin stars in 2009 and has maintained that status ever since. It was also awarded three stars by the New York Times in 2015, and in 2019, it was ranked No. 76 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. With credentials like this, you’d expect a top-quality wine list and you would not be disappointed.

Pairing Wine with Japanese Food at Momofuku Ko

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

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

Bottega Louie Restaurant & Gourmet Market

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head downtown Los Angeles to Bottega Louie where they review the wine list. 

Wine List Review of Bottega Louie, Los Angeles

Grace Hood

Bottega Louie

Bottega Louie

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 Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Bongourno Roberto!

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. So, Grace what are we reviewing today?

GH: Today we are chatting about LA hot spot Bottega Louie. They have 2 locations &ndash; one in West Hollywood and one in the downtown district. I had the pleasure of dining at their downtown location the other night and had a fabulous time! The ambiance and food were both lovely and delicious &nbsp;

RT: Sounds like a great time Grace. What did you think of their wine list?

GH: Very easy to navigate! It&rsquo;s just one page broken down by style etc. we ended up getting the oldest red on the list &ndash; the 2013 Barbaresco Nebbiolo blend from Castelle de Nieve and once it had time to open up, it was real tasty &nbsp;

RT: Oh nice. Love a Barbaresco with some age on it. Would love to get some of your other hot takes on the Bottega Louie list!

GH: Totally! If you were thinking of starting with bubbles, I would go with the Nicolas Fuelliant Rose, or the Tattinger Prelude Grand Cru. &nbsp;

RT: Can&rsquo;t go wrong with either of those! How are they looking in the whites?

GH: They&rsquo;ve got a nice mix of French Italian and American. A few that caught my eye for the lighter Styles were the 2021 Pinot Gris from Kings Estate in Oregon, as well as the 2020 pecorino from Abruzzo. It&rsquo;s not just the name of a cheese, ya know!

RT: Yum. And I can only assume they have some chardonnays on the menu &ndash; I feel like Governor Newsome makes it mandatory for California restaurants

GH: Hahahah he probably does! For my California Chardonnay drinkers they have either Kistler or Gary Farrell, and then for my fellow White burgundy drinkers they have Domaine Michel Gros or a la Chablisienne

RT: All sound delicious. Thanks for that Grace. So since we&rsquo;re at an Italian restaurant, I can only imagine they have a killer red selection.

GH: Oh they absolutely do. Starting with some lighter styles. They have two 2017 Barolos from two of the most prestigious and well-known Italian wineries &ndash; Vieta and Pio Cesare &ndash; either of which would be spectacular. Or if you wanted to go the pinot noir route &ndash; they have two 2019 vintages &ndash; 1 from the Four Graces in the Willamette valley, as well as a one from Faille out of Sonoma coast

RT: Very nice. Any of those would be a great choice. Now what about some bigger bolder reds for our tannic earthy drinkers out there. &nbsp;

GH: Well to start with on the Italian side, they have a 2019 Gaja Red Blend from Tuscany that I am super curious about. But if you wanted something tried and true they have a 2018 Brunello di Montalcino from Piancornello, as well as a 2019 Rosso di Montalcino, both out of Tuscany

RT: I&rsquo;ll take one of each hahah what about some California cabs?

GH: They&rsquo;re reppin Napa real hard at Bottega Louie haha They&rsquo;ve got the 2018 Elizabeth Spencer Special Cuvee, as well as a 2018 Stags Leap. But if it&rsquo;s me choosing, I&rsquo;m going with the 2016 Opus One. And done!

RT: I love it &ndash; Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Bottega Louie. &nbsp;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.

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

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

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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

Fullglass Wines is a family-owned winery located in the heart of McLaren Vale, known for producing high-quality wines that express the unique terroir of the region.

Elevated Mediterranean dishes are matched by wine & craft cocktails at this upmarket restaurant.

Per Se

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

Dagon

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Louis Roederer

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Rare, Champagne NV

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Col d'Orcia

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