Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they&rsquo;re grown in, even though they&rsquo;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.

This white grape variety is called Pinot Gris in its home country, France. Gris means gray in French and it refers to the unusual color of the grape skins. The color can differ from grey, slightly purple or even orange or pink. For white grape varieties these colors are quite uncommon. Due to this it is sometimes used for blush wine, light ros&eacute; styled wine that is. The name is similar to the black grape Pinot Noir, and Pinot Gris is actually naturally mutated from this variety hundreds of years ago.

The same grape is also grown in Italy under the name Pinot Grigio. They grape may have originated in France, but it&rsquo;s here in Italy where the most acres are planted to the grape. Even though it&rsquo;s the same variety, the styles made are worlds apart. The French style, made in the wine region Alsace, can be full-bodied with intense aromas of peach and honey even though the wines are not sweet. The colored grape skin can also give these wines a deeper golden color. The Italian style finds its home in the Alps in the northern part of the country. The cool climate here provides fresh and light styles of wine, with aromas of green apple and lime often meant for early consumption.

Today the grape can be found in other countries like the USA and New Zealand where the chosen name of the grape stated on the label tends to link back to the style made either in France or Italy. Both styles can be great and it depends on the occasion which one that should be opened. The richer style made in Alsace is perfect to flavorful food where the elegant Pinot Grigio is best as is or to raw fish or seafood. Which is your favorite?

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

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

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

Barberian's Steak House

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Barberian's Steakhouse in Toronto, Canada

Wine List Review of Barberians, Toronto

Michaela Quinlan

Barberians

Barberian&rsquo;s:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

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 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.

&nbsp;

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Barberian&rsquo;s Steakhouse. This family-run Toronto steakhouse has been in business since 1959. The classic menu, comfortable dining room, private dining in their extensive wine cellar, and many displays by local artists, make Barbarian&rsquo;s a must-visit.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: If you are looking for a who&rsquo;s who of top producers, and in nearly every vintage, you have come to the right place. With over 100 pages to peruse, there is certainly something for all palates.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Where to begin? Let&rsquo;s start with the 2016 Sacred Hill, Riflemans Chardonnay from Hawkes Bay, New Zealand. This well-balanced white wine features bright acidity, lemon zest, ripe pear and green apple, along with notes of vanilla and cinnamon on the creamy, round finish. Consider this oaked Chardonnay when pairing with rich fish such as tuna, or richly sauced and herbed chicken.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: If you are considering classic, steakhouse fare, the 2019 Anthill Farms Syrah from the Sonoma Coast of California is a winner. I love the Syrah from Anthill Farms, as it showcases ripe cranberries, black pepper, and spice. The balance of bright acidity and ripe, round tannins allow this standout red to stand up to steaks and pork chops.

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: Another must-try wine is the 2010 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Reserva from Rioja Spain. The Lopez de Heredia family began creating age-worthy wine around 1877 becoming one of the first three wineries in Rioja. This 97-point rated Tempranillo blend features ripe, red cherries, plumb, dried flowers, ripe tannins, with notes of earth and vanilla on the finish. We know this wine has aged in oak, as it notes the Reserva designation, where the wine ages for a minimum of three years, with at least 12 months in oak. Again, we can thank Spain for aging this beautiful wine for us, as it is certainly ready to enjoy with all the steakhouse classics.

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: Have I mentioned there are many, many stand-out wines on this list? Another, bold, rich, red wine to consider to pair with all steakhouse fare is the &nbsp;2018 Chappellet Signature from Napa Valley, California. This organic blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, and Malbec showcases aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, plumb, fig, and cassis, with notes of cedar, smoke, and nutmeg on the lingering finish. A Classic Napa wine for richly sauced proteins and pasta.

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: A bone-dry, medium-bodied white wine of excellent quality and value is the 2014 Domaine Gardies, Mas Las Cabes Blanc from the Languedoc region of France. This Muscat Blanc features aromas of white flowers, lemon and lime zest, tangerine, and apricot, with a mineral finish. Enjoy this white wine with lightly sauced proteins, grilled vegetables, and cheese.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Next we have an incredible Italian red wine of excellent value for your consideration. The 2015 Arnaldo-Caprai, Montefalco Rosso from Umbria. This stand out blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, and Merlot is rich, full bodied, and features ripe blackberries, white pepper, sage, and lavender, with notes of vanilla on the lingering finish. Pair this quality/value red with herbed proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: With so many remarkable wines on this list, you can certainly find multiple options to take your dining experience to the next level. Staying true to my favorite regions and varietals, consider the &nbsp;2008 Quintarelli Cabernet Franc Alzero from the Veneto of Italy. Rated 95 points by the Wine Advocate, this wine was first produced in 1983 and has yet to ship a vintage. The process of making this wine is similar to Amarone by allowing the grapes to dry prior to extended oak aging. This result is rich flavors of dried fig and prune, with notes of raisin, earth, and vanilla on the long finish. The round tannins add to the pleasure of this wine. Certainly, pair this exceptional bottle with all steakhouse favorites and any special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Barberian&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.

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End

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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

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Bulli 'Cor', Emilia-Romagna NV

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Feudo Montoni

Vrucara Nero d'Avola 2016

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Sandonna

Ciliegiolo di Narni 2020

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Bisson

Ciliegiolo Golfo del Tigullio 2018

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Cascina Fontana

Dolcetto d'Alba 2020

Dolcetto

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Vignaioli Contra Soarda

Gaggion Marzemino Nero Veneto IGT 2019

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Boniperti Vignaioli

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Vespolina

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'A Vita

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Paltrinieri

Leclisse NV

Lambrusco

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Il Monticello

Groppolo Vermentino 2013

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Collestefano

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Gulfi, Rossojbleo, Sicilia 2020

Sicily, Italy