In episode three of the CorkRules podcast, certified sommelier Grace Hood shares her expertise on how sommeliers create and organize a great wine list and provides a brief overview of how to pair wines. She also reviews the wine list of <a href="https://www.qualitymeatsnyc.com/">Quality Meat Steakhouse</a>, a restaurant renowned for serving the finest steaks and cuts of meat in NYC.

If you are looking for a robust cabernet sauvignon to pair well with the Bone-In Dry-Aged Prime Sirloin, consider the reasonably-priced Post &amp; Beam by Far Niente, 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Napa Valley. It is the heavy presence of tannins in cabernet sauvignon that make it such an excellent match with a rare cut. The effect of tannins is in the texture, not the taste. Just as a strong cup of tea heavy with tannins makes the mouth feel dry, a heavy tannin wine is best to cut through fat.

At Quality Meat Steakhouse, the 15-page wine list provides a wide variety of types, styles, and vintages of wine with a vast array of tasting notes and subtle differences.

With so many choices, how do you make a wise, and informed choice of wine to pair with your food. It can take years to understand which wines pair well with what foods. Luckily, that&rsquo;s where a certified sommelier can help you. This is their area of expertise and experience, so why not take advantage of it and ask for their advice? For instance, if choosing the Fresh Cracked Lobster the Caposaldo, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, 2020 would be a wise choice. Dry white wines generally work better with shellfish because the shellfish is slightly sweet and mild, a crisp dry white helps accentuate the flavors without adding to the sweetness, much like a twist of lemon adds just a nice amount of acidity to help balance the fats and sugars.

If you don&rsquo;t have a sommelier by your side, these simple rules on pairing wine with food will help you decide what to choose.

<ul>
	<li>When it comes to acidity, the wine should be more acidic than the food.</li>
	<li>Likewise, the wine should be sweeter than the food.</li>
	<li>Choose wine and food that are comparable in flavor.</li>
	<li>Bold, tannin-heavy red wines pair best with heavier, red meats</li>
	<li>Crisp, dry white wines pair best with light-intensity meats</li>
	<li>Bitter wines, tannin-rich wines are best balanced with fat.</li>
	<li>When eating sauce-rich foods, pair the wine to the sauce, not the meat</li>
</ul>

If you want to hear more about the wine list at Quality Meat Steakhouse, check out the CorkRules <a href="https://corkrules.com/episodes">wine review podcast </a>where Grace identifies the notable wines from Bordeaux, points out the best-value wines on the list, and shares a little knowledge on the wine and moonshine history in the States.

Cheers.

In episode three of the CorkRules podcast, certified sommelier Grace Hood shares her expertise on how sommeliers create and organize a great wine list and provides a brief overview of how to pair wines.

Quick Tips on Pairing Wine at Quality Meat Steakhouse

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

Eric Asimov's recent article isn't just about the "luxury" of sommeliers vanishing from restaurants. It's a stark warning about the potential collapse of a vibrant corner of our social and cultural ecosystem: the world of wine.

Why the Decline of Sommeliers Is a Crisis for All of Us

Mon Ami Gabi

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Mon Ami Gabi, an expansive restaurant at the base of the Vegas Eiffel Tower in the Paris Hotel Casino. 

Wine List Review of Mon Ami Gabi, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Mon Ami Gabi Las Vegas Paris Hotel and Casino 

Robert Tas (RT): Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can learn to order wine with confidence.

I&rsquo;m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, Certified Sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert! It&rsquo;s wine o clock!

RT: It sure is, but before we get started, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. CorkRules was created to help you navigate the wine list with confidence so you will always love the wine you drink. With CorkRules in hand, you can easily select wines from your favorite restaurant wine lists based on your preferences of flavor, style, region, and even price! Plus, you can check out which wines your friends ordered and try them yourself. Want to get started? Our podcast wine list reviews are here to help you find those hidden gems, value wines, and those special celebration-worthy bottles on the list. So be sure to listen and check out what our Top Sommeliers recommend at your favorite restaurant.

Today we are talking Mon Ami Gabi LAS VEGAS. You will fall in love with this expansive restaurant at the base of the Vegas Eiffel Tower in the Paris Hotel Casino. The multiple dining rooms give you all the French Bistro Vibes thanks to &ldquo;Lettuce Entertain You Restaurant Group&rdquo; who did a phenomenal job with the d&eacute;cor &ndash; every room feels so classically French

As you make your way through the dark wood intimate bar area and continue to the sun-lit main room, you&rsquo;ll notice the retro tile flooring, charming tulip lamps, bevelled mirrors galore, and chalkboard menus. This all leads to the famous people-watching hot spot, a large outdoor patio with bright red awnings and umbrellas, that overlooks the famous dancing Bellagio Fountains. &nbsp;The food menu matches the d&eacute;cor perfectly&ndash; expect classic French bistro favorites such as Escargot, Steak Frites, and Trout Almondine.

Maria, I am excited to talk about Mon Ami Gabi&rsquo;s wine list.

I am as well because this restaurant is one of my favorite spots in Las Vegas for Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch, or an early dinner. And I love their reasonably priced wine list, but did you know they also have a reserve list?

RT: Like a secret wine menu? I bet most people did NOT know this.

MV: You must ask for it! But more on that later, I think we should start with the wines by the glass.

RT: Well absolutely, what do you like to start with here Maria?

MV: I truly love the Pinot Blanc, the Dopff &amp; Irion, 2018 $16 &nbsp;An Alsatian beauty&hellip; if you like Pinot Grigio this will blow you away.. after all this grape IS a white mutation of Pinot Gris (aka pinot grigio) so you have some similar characteristics.

This is such a lovely wine. I had it with lunch recently and my friend tried mine and then she also ordered a glass. It has this rich roundness to it, with a hint of ginger and soft fresh peach, but not the hoppy bitterness you can sometimes get with a pinot grigio.

RT: what else can you recommend by the glass?

MV: The Malbec Chateau Armandiere 2018 This is malbec from the southwest area of France called Cahors, and it has been growing malbec since the early Middle Ages, it&rsquo;s more rustic than the plusher malbecs of Argentina, but this is what makes the wine pair so perfect with classic French Bistro fare, try it with the Steak tartare or Chicken liver pate

RT: Nice food and wine pairing there, do you have a favorite bottle on the regular wine list?

MV: I do, I love the Condrieu &ndash; by E. Guigal, &#39;19 Bin 2401&nbsp;

Now it is a little pricey, but I love the white wines from this region in Northern Rhone France. They are made exclusively from the Viognier grape and in very tiny quantities, that&rsquo;s why it&rsquo;s a little expensive but the wines are always very distinctive and fashionable to drink and Guigal is one of the most famous and experienced wineries in the area.&nbsp; Viognier is an aromatic grape so expect quite a bit of floral notes on the nose, and an almost waxy roundness in the mouth. It&#39;s unlike any other wine you have tried, I promise.

RT: I bet that is not a wine a lot of our listeners have tried and so this is a great recommendation maria. So now I think before we look at the reserve wine list can you select a few bottles off the main wine list where the options are more reasonable?

MV: I sure can, now this next wine is perfect if your table is split on the ordering, say 2 people have ordered the seared salmon and 2 have ordered steak Frites but you want a red, then I would suggest the Jacky Janodet Domaine les Fines Grave Moulin-a-vent Beaujolais Cru 2018 It is a perfect compromise and will compliment both dishes. 100% Gamay, Old Vines, Small production. Spiced red cherries, blue flowers. Velvety in the mouth those fine soft tannins make it Very enjoyable and able to cross over with fish.

RT: That is a helpful recommendation as I know all of us have encountered that food and wine pairing issue more than once. How about a white?

MV: Another great selection for around $60 is the Sauvignon Blanc Pascal Jolivet &ldquo;Attitude&rdquo; 2020 &ndash; an Excellent Loire Valley producer. BRIGHT FRESH! Green apple, Kiwi, Lemon Zest! Oysters, salads, Baked Goat cheese.

RT: So Now let&rsquo;s check out that reserve list!

MV: Let&rsquo;s do it &ndash; Interestingly the reserve list is not ALL French like the main wine list. It also has wines from California, Oregon, and Germany

2 Favorites worth dropping a dime on: The first one is the Peter Michael MON PLAISIR 2016 Knights Valley&nbsp; Chardonnay, 50% new French oak was used in the making of this stunning California chardonnay, baked apple pie, French Lemon cream, Just gorgeous and perfect with anything that has a butter sauce&hellip; remember to pair your wine with the sauce as that is usually the dominant flavor of the dish.

RT: Delicious pairing &ndash; I know Peter Michael is a coveted collector&#39;s wine &ndash; so you&#39;re right it&rsquo;s worth spending the money on. How about a reserve red?&nbsp;&nbsp;

MV: French food with a fine French burgundy is what life is all about, so if you&rsquo;re up for spending, order the Richebourg Grand Cru Thilbault Liger Belair (it is spelled wrong on the menu &ndash; we need to correct that&nbsp; LOL) but this wine is from the oldest and one of the greatest CRUs of Vosne Romanee a very terroir-driven organic wine, and while I do not always recommend wine this expensive, this one is a steal because to buy it online it would cost you more money, so basically no mark up at all here and that is a rarity

RT: Ha well watch them change the price now that the secret is out.

MV: Yes, that could happen, or it could sell out, but if not, this wine with the Roasted chicken with mushrooms and bacon is going to bring out all the wonderful earthy flavors in this beautiful complex Pinot Noir. Pinot with mushrooms is so insanely good

RT: Magnifique Maria! Thank you for all of your wine highlights from Mon Ami Gabi&rsquo;s lists.

Be sure to follow Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Thank you everyone for joining us here on CorkRules. Remember the only rule in wine is &ldquo;drink what you LOVE&rdquo;.

MV: Have a favorite wine list? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at <a href="mailto:info@corkrules.com">info@CorkRules.com</a> You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on

CorkRules.com be sure to subscribe and like. And check out @CorkRules on Instagram for episode updates and upcoming giveaways. Must be 21 and older, please drink responsibly.

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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Saved is a boutique winery located in the heart of California wine country. They specialize in producing high-quality, hand-crafted wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. Their wines are highly sought after by collectors and wine enthusiasts around the world.

White-tablecloth environment for Argentinean empanadas & churrasco meats grilled over a wood fire.

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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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