As the days grow longer and warmer, it&#39;s time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing ros&eacute;. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.

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Ros&eacute; originates from France, specifically Provence - the world&rsquo;s leading ros&eacute; region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, ros&eacute;s are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

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The process used to make ros&eacute; differs significantly from that used to produce red wines. While both types involve fermenting grape juice with skins on (which gives wine its color), in making rosé the skins are removed after just a few hours or up to two-three days as opposed to weeks or months in case of red wines &ndash; hence their pink hue!

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Now let&#39;s talk about food pairings! With its bright acidity and often subtle fruit flavors like strawberry or melon, ros&egrave; makes an excellent companion for salads, seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp or salmon tartare; even heartier fare like barbecue chicken can be enhanced by this adaptable vino.

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Let us now delve into reviews of three exceptional bottles you should consider trying this season:

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<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-LaFage-Rose-Miraflors-2022-w2115833ea">1) Domaine LaFage - Rose Miraflors 2022</a>&nbsp;- $18.99

Domaine Lafage hails from Roussillon area in Southern France where Jean-Marc Lafage serves as winemaker at his family estate established over six centuries ago! Their Rose Miraflors uses predominantly Mourv&egrave;dre grapes along with some Grenache Gris resulting in a vibrant yet elegant wine offering notes of ripe strawberries balanced by zesty citrus undertones.

Pair it with light pasta dishes or fresh goat cheese salad. Critics rave about its delicate balance and refreshing finish, earning it scores of 90+ consistently.

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<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-Ott-By-Ott-Rose-Cotes-de-Provence-2022-w88558000k">2) Domaine Ott - By Ott Rose Cotes de Provence 2022</a>&nbsp;- $26.99

Domaine Ott is a historic winery founded in 1896 by Marcel Ott, an agricultural engineer from Alsace who dreamed of establishing a great wine estate near the Mediterranean. Today, cousins Christian and Jean-Fran&ccedil;ois run the property producing some of the most iconic ros&eacute;s.

Their By Ott Ros&eacute; blends Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah grapes to create a sophisticated palate with hints of peach, apricot and subtle floral notes.

Pair this elegant ros&eacute; with grilled fish or even spicy Asian cuisine for an interesting contrast. This vintage has been praised for its complexity receiving high scores across various critics&#39; reviews.

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<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-Tempier-Bandol-Rose-2022-w33149027b">3) Domaine Tempier - Bandol Rose 2022</a>&nbsp;- $53.99

The family-run Domaine Tempier has been operating since 1834 in Bandol region known for its unique terroir that gives wines their distinctive character. Led by winemaker Daniel Ravier, they produce one of the world&#39;s best roses using Mourv&egrave;dre as primary grape along with Grenache &amp; Cinsault.

This full-bodied rose exhibits flavors like cherry blossom, raspberry coupled with earthy undertones making it ideal pairing choice for dishes like roasted lamb or duck confit. It enjoys stellar reviews scoring well into mid-90s on several occasions.

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Don&#39;t let spring pass you by without enjoying at least one glass (or bottle!) of these fabulous French ros&eacute;s!

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

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

The Federal

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at The Federal where white table elegance and an innovative “new American” cuisine with Italian and French influences ensure an enjoyable and memorable dining experience, but let’s not forget the wine. 

Wine List Review of The Federal, Restaurant and Wine Bar,  Massachusetts

Michaela Quinlan

The Federal:

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 The Federal. Located in Waltham, MA, The Federal has modernized the classic steakhouse. With a scratch kitchen and local ingredients, The Federal is a must visit.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: You know I love an extensive wine list that also features half bottles, magnums, and excellent dessert wines. Not to mention the standout value wines. This menu has it all.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The Federal is also known for their seafood selections, so I had to note the 2021 Castello di Neive, Montebertotto, Arneis, from the Piedmont region of Italy. This medium bodied white wine has bright acidity, aromas of peach and nectarine, a slight effervescence, and that classic nutty/almond finish. The freshness of this wine makes it an excellent companion to shrimp, clams, and rich cheeses.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Now on to a red. With the extensive steakhouse dining selections, we have to consider a bold, classic Napa Valley red blend. One that I find to be a winner is the 2017 Robert Foley, The Griffin, Red Blend. I enjoy this incredible blend of Merlot, Petit Syrah, and Petit Verdot. These grapes combine to produce rich, ripe red and dark fruit aromas and flavors of cherries, and blackberries, with notes of smoke, vanilla, and licorice.&nbsp; The firm tannins and long finish allow this wine to pair well with richly sauced proteins such as steak and lamb.

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 lighter proteins or seafood, a beautiful wine to consider is the 2019 Domaine Christian Moreau 1er Cru Chablis Vaillons from Burgundy. Vaillons is one of the largest 1er cru Chablis appellations in Burgundy. The Chardonnay grown here is quite special. This dry, white wine is medium bodied with bright acidity, minerality, along with notes of citrus, green apple, and white peach. Certainly, a must try and don&rsquo;t miss.

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? &nbsp;

MQ: I have a personal favorite, and classic for you to consider if the rich menu items caught your eye. Do consider the 2018 Paul Hobbs CrossBarn from Napa Valley. This highly rated, organic, Cabernet Sauvignon showcases ripe blackberries and cassis, notes of herbs and cocoa, with smooth tannins on the long finish.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;&nbsp;

MQ: Of course. I am always excited when I find a wine from Graves on any list. Today we are discussing the 2020 Chateau Graville-Lacoste Graves Blanc. Graves is located in Bordeaux, and this light to medium bodied white wine consists of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillion. The soil in Graves, you can probably guess, is quite gravelly, which is reflected in the bright minerality in the wine. The crisp acidity, citrus, grapefruit, and cantaloupe make this quality and value wine quite the standout and perfect pairing for shellfish and rich fish such as salmon and tuna. &nbsp;

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: We know I am a fan of Old-World wines, and I have to stop when I find those of great value. One of my favorite quality and value wine regions is Gigondas in the Southern Rhone. Gigondas is a neighbor to Chateauneuf du Pape where you benefit from the same climate, soil composition, and incredible Grenache and Syrah, but without the Chateauneuf du Pape price tag. The ripe blueberries and blackberries, along with notes of spice, black pepper, smoke, minerality,&nbsp; and a touch of vanilla make this wine an excellent consideration for all richly sauced dishes.

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 warmth of The Federal&rsquo;s dining room makes you feel as if you are dining in a historic library. If you are looking for that historic bottle to add to the experience, consider the 2012 Grand-Puy Ducasse from Pauillac on the Left Bank of Bordeaux.&nbsp; &nbsp;This property dates back to the 1700s and has some famous neighbors Lafite and Pontet-Canet. This Grand Cru vineyard produced this stellar blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot is quite aromatic and showcases ripe blackberries, cassis, smoke, and leather, with notes of earth, mint, and vanilla on the finish. A true classic to add to any special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Federal&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.

Thank you.

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End

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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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