The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there&#39;s another contender that&rsquo;s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant hails from various regions in France and Luxembourg. It uses the same traditional method as champagne (m&eacute;thode champenoise) to achieve its delicate bubbles, yet it often comes at half the price or less! The secret? Well, it&rsquo;s all about location; while Champagne can only be produced in its namesake region under strict regulations, cremants are free to flourish across multiple French territories.

But don&#39;t let their affordable prices fool you into thinking they&rsquo;re inferior &ndash; these wines are nothing short of exceptional when it comes to quality and taste. In fact, many top producers have garnered impressive scores from esteemed wine critics worldwide.

Let&#39;s talk grapes first though. Unlike champagne which primarily uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier grapes; cremants enjoy a more diverse palette including Chenin Blanc (Loire), Riesling (Alsace), Mauzac (Limoux) among others depending on their region of origin.

We have two fabulous recommendations that are great values:

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Sylvain-Bzikot-Cremant-de-Bourgogne-w2303009kb">1) Sylvain Bzikot - Cremant de Bourgogne NV</a>. Priced at a modest $23.99, this sparkling wine is an absolute steal considering its quality and taste.

Sylvain Bzikot hails from a family of winemakers that has been rooted in Puligny-Montrachet since 1940s. Over the years, they&#39;ve perfected their craft and today produce some of Burgundy&#39;s most sought-after wines.

The Cremant de Bourgogne NV embodies all the qualities you&#39;d expect from such a distinguished producer; it&#39;s elegant yet full-bodied with complex aromas of ripe apples, toasted brioche and subtle hints of honeycomb. The palate reveals fine bubbles that lead to a crisp finish &ndash; making it perfect for any celebration or as an accompaniment to seafood dishes.

Critics are equally impressed with this cremant sparkler; Wine Enthusiast awarded it 90 points while praising its &quot;bright acidity&quot; and &quot;rich apple flavors&quot;. It&rsquo;s no wonder why many consider this bubbly as one of Burgundy&#39;s best-kept secrets!

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Francois-Baur-Cremant-d-Alsace-Brut-Reserve-w3941620en">2) Fran&ccedil;ois Baur - Cr&eacute;mant d&#39;Alsace Brut Reserve NV</a> priced at just $17.99! This wine comes from one of Alsace&rsquo;s oldest estates dating back to 1741 which transitioned into biodynamic farming in early 2000s &ndash; showcasing their commitment towards preserving nature whilst producing top-quality wines.

This cr&eacute;mant is made predominantly from Pinot Blanc grapes along with small proportions of Chardonnay &amp; Pinot Noir adding depth and complexity to its profile. Expect fresh notes of green apple, pear coupled with creamy undertones resulting in well-rounded mouthfeel balanced by lively acidity.

Wine critics have showered praises on this bubbly; Decanter Magazine awarded it 91 points, noting its &quot;delicate mousse&quot; and &quot;persistent finish&quot;. This is a testament to the winery&#39;s dedication towards producing high-quality wines that deliver exceptional value.

Both Sylvain Bzikot - Cremant de Bourgogne NV and Fran&ccedil;ois Baur - Cr&eacute;mant d&#39;Alsace Brut Reserve NV are outstanding examples of what cremants can offer. They&rsquo;re not just affordable alternatives to champagne but also quality sparklers in their own right &ndash; proving once again that great wine doesn&#39;t have to break the bank!

So how do we best enjoy these fantastic bubblies during summer? With food pairings galore! For starters try pairing your favorite cr&eacute;mant with a plate of fresh oysters or grilled prawns, the acidity and bubbles work wonderfully to cleanse your palate. If you&#39;re planning a picnic in the park, why not bring along some creamy brie cheese or smoked salmon sandwiches? The rich flavors are beautifully balanced by cr&eacute;mant&rsquo;s crispness.

So, cremants offer incredible value without sacrificing quality or taste - they truly deserve their place at our tables alongside (or even instead of) champagne this summer season! So next time you reach for that bottle of bubbly remember &ndash; there&#39;s more than just champagne out there waiting to tickle your tastebuds. Cheers!

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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

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

Junoon

Cecilia Bonet

JUNOON &ndash; NEW YORK

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Cecilia Bonet, certified sommelier.

It&rsquo;s great to be back together again for another episode.

CB: Hey Robert! Happy to be here :)

RT Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that those lists can sometimes be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list with confidence, find those hidden gems, 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.

Today we are talking about a sophisticated Indian restaurant located in the Union Square/Flat Iron area -Junoon which in Hindi means passion. Serving modern high-end yet authentic Indian food, in an elegant setting with a killer wine list to boot.

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Cecilia, I&rsquo;m excited to hear you take on their wine list?

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Top Level View

Superb selection of wine by the glass, from quality to variety. The offer of Half bottles and Magnums are also great!

The wine list is very well structured which makes it easy to read it. It is extensive and offers many interesting options.

It has an Incredible variety, believe me, if there is something you are looking for, you will most likely find it here.

RT: So, I personally never feel comfortable pairing Indian food, where shall we start?

Unique Stuff

Robert, before I recommend the gems of this wine list, let me say that It is not always easy to choose wines, much less when we want to pair them with cuisine such as the Indian.

The elements to consider when pairing Indian food are the spices, the sauce and the seasoning. We are talking about very aggressive spices such as cinnamon, cumin, turmeric, ginger and garlic. In these cases, the beverage must take a secondary role in the complexity of the spices.

But our goal would be finding a wine that stands up to these flavors. And here are some suggestions to keep in mind&hellip;

The NV Chartogne-Taillet, Brut Ros&eacute; is a delicate champagne from a small family estate, sourced from just 11 hectares of vineyards growing in the Montagne de Reims. The lower the alcohol, the better it will pair with spicy dishes. Choosing sparkling wines can be refreshing, because It helps to neutralize the heat, and I love the cleansing effect of the bubbles.

This wine pairs especially well with the Saloni Maachi.

RT: Excellent suggestions but folks like me who love our reds?

For those of you who prefer a red wine, I found the 2016 Antica Terra, Coriolis, produced in Dundee Hills, Oregon. It is a Pinot Noir with character but still velvety, created in one of the best vintages of the region, from a pretty small winery and led by Maggie Harrison, winemaker. My suggested pairing would be the Mushroom &amp; Truffle Khichdi.

RT: Terrific, did you see any great value wines on their list?

Value Wines

I would say that the 2019 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben, Kabinett, &Uuml;rziger W&uuml;rzgarten, from Mosel. This Kabinett, or better said off-dry German Riesling, is very versatile with species because of its sweetness. The residual sugar in wine helps to coat our tongues and calm some of the heat we feel from our spicy favorites. A good pairing it could be the Malvani Fish. The fruity notes and bright acidity of the wine help to carry the spices in the dish and balance its richness.

RT: All right this seems like a list with a lot of choice, what about for the special occasion or big client dinner?

Bigger budget/Special Occasion

I&rsquo;d love to recommend the 1999 Ch&acirc;teau Musar, which is a Cabernet Sauvignon Blend from Lebanon. Chateau Musar is located in Bekaa Valley, 24 km from Beirut, where the wine culture goes more than 6,000 years back.

The 1999 Musar delivers a level of elegance, harmony and energy that makes it a brilliant vintage for this wine. The &#39;99 has explosive notes of spice, herbs and dark fruits, but with soft tannins. The 1999 is destined to be one of the great Musars.

But if you have a chance in your life to taste an emblematic wine, I wish you a chance to drink the 2015 Domaine du Pegau, Cuv&eacute;e da Capo, Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape.

Made only in exceptional vintages, the Cuv&eacute;e da Capo is a powerful, deeply nuanced wine with fruit and earth complexities. Black-cherry and red-plum flavors with some smoke and fur. It&#39;s soft and silky on the palate yet composed.

Ch&acirc;teauneuf-du-Pape is the appellation which sits towards the bottom of the Rh&ocirc;ne Valley, close to the border of Provence, and the name means &ldquo;pope&rsquo;s new castle&rdquo;.

This wine is not only unique because of its character, and its history, but also because it is one of the few Chateauneuf that still makes the blend with its 13 permitted grape varieties, but mostly Grenache, Syrah and Mourv&egrave;dre. It is a lovely option as this wine,

These two wines for example would go very well with a lamb chops dish.

RT: Cecilia, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Junoon&rsquo;s wine list.

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.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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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

Château Montaud is a historic winery located in the heart of Provence, France. Founded in 1934, the winery has a long tradition of producing exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region. Today, Château Montaud is known for its elegant and complex wines that are highly sought after by wine enthusiasts around the world.

Wood-fired pizzas & homemade pastas highlight this rustic Italian with a skylight in the back room.

A Multi-Sensory Evening in New York

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Emporio

Terre Stregate

Svelato Falanghina 2021

Falanghina

Campania, Italy

Leonardo

Bussoletti Umbria Ciliegiolo di Narni, Italy 2020

Ciliegiolo

Umbria, Italy

Leonardo

Bussoletti Ciliegiolo Rosato di Narni IGT, Umbria 2020

Umbria, Italy

Crotin 1897

San Patelu Grignolino d’Asti 2020

Grignolino

Asti, Italy

Polvanera

Primitivo Dolce Puglia IGT Italy 2019

Italy

Canevel

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut NV

Glera (Prosecco)

Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore, Italy

Fibbiano

Fonte delle Donne 2021

Cuvee

Toscana, Italy

Fattoria Fibbiano

Fonte delle Donne, Toscana 2021

Toscana, Tuscany, Italy

J. Hofstätter

Weissburgunder Pinot Bianco 2020

Pinot Blanc

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Viticoltori de Conciliis

Donnaluna Aglianico 2018

Aglianico

Campania, Italy

Scacciadiavoli

Montefalco Rosso 2016

Miscela

Montefalco, Italy

Viticoltori de Conciliis

Donnaluna Fiano, Cilento 2020

Campania, Italy

Necotium Friuli Colli Orientali Sauvignon Blanc Fondo Indizeno 2021

Sauvignon Blanc

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Cornarea

Roero Arneis 2020

Arneis

Roero, Piedmont, Italy

Crotin Camporotondo, Italy, Piedmont, Vino da Tavola 2021

Malvasia

Piedmont, Italy