&nbsp;

Calling all curious wine drinkers! Let&#39;s raise a glass to Furmint, a captivating white grape from Hungary with a fascinating history and an impressive range of styles. Buckle up, as we delve into the world of this intriguing grape variety.

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&#39;s most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint&#39;s Versatility: But Furmint is no one-trick pony. Besides the world-renowned dessert wines, it can also be vinified in a variety of dry styles, ranging from light and refreshing to full-bodied and complex. Think of it as a chameleon, adapting to different winemaking techniques to offer a spectrum of flavors &ndash; from citrusy and mineral to floral and even slightly smoky.

Comparing Furmint: If you&#39;re familiar with Sauvignon Blanc, you might find some similarities in Furmint&#39;s crisp acidity and zesty citrus notes. However, Furmint often boasts a richer texture and can develop intriguing honeyed or almond-like aromas with age. Compared to Chardonnay, Furmint tends to be lighter-bodied and less oaky, making it a great choice for those who prefer a more refreshing white wine.

Food Pairings: Furmint&#39;s versatility extends to food pairings. Lighter styles go beautifully with seafood dishes, while richer Furmints complement creamy pastas or grilled chicken. For the adventurous foodie, try pairing a dry Furmint with spicy Thai cuisine or Hungarian goulash &ndash; the acidity cuts through the richness, creating a harmonious symphony of flavors.

Ready to Explore? Now that you&#39;ve peeked into the world of Furmint, here are 4 renowned producers to get you started:

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://bevmo.com/products/34547">Royal Tokaji:&nbsp;</a>Experience the legacy of Tokaji with their classic dessert wines.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.winemadeeasy.com/wine/white-wine/disznoko-tokaji-dry-furmint-2021-750-ml-60182.html">Diszn&oacute;kő Tokaj:</a>&nbsp;Discover their range of dry Furmints, showcasing the grape&#39;s versatility.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.plummarket.com/store/2019-vega-sicilia-oremus-tokaji-furmint-dry-mandolas.html">Oremus:&nbsp;</a>Explore their award-winning dry and sweet Furmints, produced with meticulous care.</li>
	<li><a href="https://con-nois-seur.ca/products/furmint-2021">Patricius Winery:</a>&nbsp;Delve into their single-vineyard Furmints, each reflecting the unique terroir.</li>
</ul>

So, the next time you&#39;re at the wine shop or restaurant, don&#39;t be shy &ndash; ask for Furmint! This Hungarian gem is waiting to introduce you to its captivating world of flavors and history, one sip at a time.

&nbsp;

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

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

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

Empire Steak House

Sam Hohl

&nbsp;

Empire Steak House

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier

&nbsp;

Hello Sam, great to have you back for another great wine list.

&nbsp;

SH: Hello Robert!

&nbsp;

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 wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

&nbsp;

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, 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.

Cork Rules

Empire Steakhouse

Overview

Today we&rsquo;re headed to the Empire Steakhouse Midtown West location. Empire Steakhouse features premium steaks, fresh seafood and an extensive wine list. We know steak and wine have that beautiful synergy, so let&rsquo;s see where this list might take us.

Standouts

Tonight&rsquo;s the night, you&rsquo;re headed to Empire Steakhouse to satisfy that craving for a juicy steak and a wine that will make it soar. Empire&rsquo;s wine list has extensive red options so it can be hard to know where to start. Your go-to &ldquo;steak wine&rdquo; is most definitely on this menu, like their extensive Cab Sav section. But this list offers a lot of beautiful red wines and there could be something else to explore.

For instance, the 2015 Kir-Yianni Ramnista stood out to me. Yup, we&rsquo;re going Greek. This wine comes from the Macedonia region and is made from 100% Xinomavro grapes. Xinomavro wines are often compared to&nbsp; Borolos, so if you&rsquo;re a fan of those, this might be a fun way to branch out. It will have notes of red fruit, cherry, raspberry and subtle smoke essence. It&rsquo;s got some great tannins to it as well, which we love with a juicy steak. Try this out with the bone-in ribeye steak or the double-cut rack of lamb.

RT: What about white?

For you white wine lovers- you aren&rsquo;t left out! Empire has some great white options as well. I would go with the Orogeny Russian River Valley Chardonnay. The warm days and cool, foggy nights in Russian River Valley make for really beautiful fruit expression in this wine. It&rsquo;s going to have notes of tropical fruit and peach, accompanied by some wonderful acidity because of the climate the grapes are grown in. This would be delicious with the lobster tail or the Chilean sea bass, or even with your filet mignon if that&rsquo;s how you roll!

Value

Alright, let&rsquo;s move on to a bottle that will be affordable with no sacrifice to flavor. The 2019 Bedell North Fork Cab Franc would be a great direction to go. Bedell is a family-owned winery on Long Island and uses sustainable practices to make small-batch wines. This Cabernet Franc is going to have notes of both red fruit and dark fruit along with some peppery earthy flavors. Long Island&rsquo;s cooler climate helps the Cab Franc maintain really nice acidity and it won&rsquo;t be as heavy on tannins. This wine is going to be good with steaks that are a little less fatty, like the Japanese Wagyu tenderloin.

Celebratory 

This list has a great range for celebratory bottles as well. You can really go all out and find something exceptional. The 2010 Chateau L&#39;Evangile would definitely be one of those bottles. Chateau L&#39;Evangile is owned by the Domaines Barons de Rothschild, the world-famous winemakers, so you know this is going to be special. This is a Bordeaux blend of merlot and cab franc from Pomerol. It will be rich, full-bodied and have wonderful layers of jammy dark fruits, with delicate floral notes in the background. It&rsquo;s also going to have some tobacco and leather notes to it from the aging. This beauty could definitely stand up to the porterhouse steak on the menu.

Sam, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Empire Steakhouse&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try your great suggestions.&nbsp; &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like Sam 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.

&nbsp;

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

Rodney Strong Vineyards is a family-owned winery located in Sonoma County, California. They specialize in producing high-quality wines made from sustainably farmed grapes grown in their estate vineyards. The winery has a long history of winemaking excellence and has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades over the years.

Refined eatery plating seasonal New American fare in a converted firehouse or on the garden patio.

Delfina Restaurant

Delfina

AFICI

Afici

Ancora

Muller & Lux

The Morris

Spruce

Chez Panisse

Bar Sprezzatura

Sprezzatura

Rich Table

The Progress

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

Mulvaney's B & L

Available Wines
Total Wines - 9

Pol Roger

Sir Winston Churchill Brut Champagne 2002

Blandning

Champagne, France

Sandhi

Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay 2012

Chardonnay

California, USA

Lucia

Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir 2014

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Shafer

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2002

Chardonnay

Los Carneros, USA

Snowden

The Ranch Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, USA

Hebrart Special Club Brut Millesime, Champagne 2016

Champagne, France

Rack & Riddle

Brut NV

Blend

North Coast, USA

Turley Cinsault Bechthold Vineyard 2016

Cinsault

Central Valley, California, USA

Gamling & McDuck

Cabernet Franc 2014

Cabernet Franc

Napa Valley, USA