&nbsp;

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy&#39;s most distinctive wines.

The Paola Bea estate, located near the town of Montefalco, has been in the family for generations. However, it was under Paola&#39;s stewardship that it gained international recognition. The vineyards are farmed organically without any chemical intervention and minimal mechanization.

Paola Bea wines are known for their intense character and depth of flavor. They reflect not only the unique terroir but also Paola&#39;s dedication to traditional winemaking methods such as long maceration periods and aging in large oak barrels.

His approach results in wines that are expressive, complex, and have a strong sense of place &ndash; characteristics highly valued by wine enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you&#39;re tasting the acclaimed Sagrantino or lesser-known blends like San Valentino Palo Bea, you can expect an authentic representation of Umbrian viticulture at its finest from this esteemed producer.

Review of San Valentino Palo Bea

San Valentino is a highly esteemed winery located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. Known for its dedication to organic and biodynamic farming practices, this producer has carved out a niche for itself as an innovative and sustainable wine creator. The vineyard was established by Umberto Cesari in 1965, who passionately believed in the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Romagna.

Color:

The San Valentino Palo Bea presents a rich, deep ruby red color that is almost opaque. This intense hue hints at the concentration and complexity within each bottle.

Nose:

On the nose, this wine offers an enticing blend of ripe black fruits like cherries and plums mingled with earthy undertones of leather and tobacco. There are also delightful notes of spices such as clove and cinnamon which add depth to its aromatic profile.

Tannins:

The tannins in San Valentino Palo Bea are well-structured yet supple, providing a robust backbone without overwhelming the palate. They contribute to its full-bodied nature while ensuring longevity for cellaring.

Taste:

Upon tasting, one can expect an explosion of flavors echoing those on the nose - ripe dark fruits layered with spice and earthy nuances. The finish is long-lasting with hints of sweet vanilla oak from barrel aging.

Critic Score &amp; Reviews:

San Valentino Palo Bea consistently receives high scores from critics around the world due to its exceptional quality. It frequently garners ratings above 90 points from renowned publications like Wine Spectator and Decanter Magazine. Reviewers often praise it for its balance between fruit intensity, tannic structure, acidity levels, making it both approachable now but capable of aging gracefully over time.

Food Pairing:

Given its robust character and complex flavor profile, San Valentino Palo Bea pairs wonderfully with hearty dishes such as grilled red meats, game, and rich pasta dishes. It also complements aged cheeses like Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano.

San Valentino Palo Bea is a testament to the winemaking prowess of its producer. Its full-bodied nature coupled with complex flavors and aromas make it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality Italian wine that showcases the potential of Sangiovese grapes from Emilia-Romagna.

Paola Bea is a legendary figure in the world of Italian wine, particularly in Umbria. The family is renowned for their commitment to natural winemaking and has been instrumental in establishing the reputation of Sagrantino di Montefalco as one of Italy's most distinctive wines.

San Valentino Paolo Bea an Italian treasure

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

Casa Mono

Camila Alvarez

Casa Mono

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 Camila Alvarez, wine sommelier and consultant.

Bonjour Camila,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you join our CorkRules Family from Paris!

CA: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

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.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

RT: Today we are talking about Casamono New York&hellip;.is a Michelin star Spanish restaurant close to Union Square.

It has a great energy and wine list to match.

Camila I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their extensive wine list?

CA: Casa mono has a totally Spanish wine list from Galicia to Canarias, passing through the big wines of Alvaro Palacios to small producers. If you don&rsquo;t know Spain well, this is a great way to introduce yourself to the wine and every region.

RT: That&rsquo;s great, as you looked at the list, did you see anything jump out at you?

CA: Something that caught my attention is that they have some appellations of wines that were in the process of disappearing. Like Sierra de Gredos and M&eacute;ntrida.

The wines of Jimenez Landi, especially the Sotorrondero Cuvee, express the true expression of Spanish Grenache and Syrah, with subtle aromas of red fruits and blackberries. Elegant and fresh with an excellent balance between price and quality, to discover if you already know a little about the wines of Spain.

RT: Ooohh those sound great.

So, Camila, their list seems to have lots of ways we could go but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

CA: A classic wine from La Rioja Alta is a must try like the wine &ldquo;La Rioja Alta 904 Gran Reserva 2010&rdquo;. 89% of Tempranillo, and 11 % Graciano. This wine is made from the oldest vineyards of the winery, and this is a classic from Rioja with black and plumy flavors, and balsamic notes of Tabaco due to the oak aging. Very good for a classic meat dish or to finish a dinner.

&nbsp;

RT: So, this list has so many great choices, what other wines would you suggest for our second or third course?

&nbsp;

CA: I would like to suggest a wine that is very particular, Enric Soler &ldquo;Espenyalluchs&rdquo; 2017 from Penedes, the grape variety Xarel-lo, is very aromatic herbal and some touch of oak. Long aging potential. Another option is a red wine from Priorat appellation, Clos Pissarra &ldquo;La Vinyeta&rdquo; 2009 made by two grape varieties Carinena and Garnacha.

Carinena is high in tannins, acid and color, a great grape variety for blends. Dark and black fruits, pepper and licorice.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Camila, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind. Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

CA: In the Basque country we can find great wines with a good quality for the price. Gaintza 2018 from Euskadi appellation is a blend of 85% Hondarrabi Zuri and Gros Manseng, it is a young wine with fresh aromas and herbal notes with some hints of green apple, is a good wine for starters and seafood.

RT: Now Camila, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

CA:&nbsp; For a special occasion I would like to choose a Cava from Agusti Torello Mata &ldquo;Kripta&rdquo; Brut 2010. In Cava appellation we have Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo. A complex Cava with a great value for money. Soft bubbles, a low level of alcohol great for the summer and special occasions.

&nbsp;

RT: Cava are always a good call for me, especially with seafood and Spanish food. &nbsp;

CA: I 100 percent agree

RT: Camila Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Casamono&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go back and try your great suggestions.&nbsp;&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.

&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

Soalheiro is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Vinho Verde region in Portugal. The winery is known for its high-quality Alvarinho wines, which are produced using sustainable farming practices and traditional winemaking techniques. Soalheiro's wines are characterized by their freshness, minerality, and complexity.

Seafood restaurant featuring seafood dishes & a raw bar also serves a variety of specialty beers.

Craft

Craft L.A.

Barbrix

Wally's

The Belvedere

Spago Las Vegas by Wolfgang Puck

Spago

Jeune Et Jolie

Cucina Urbana

Rossoblu

Petit Trois

Cowboy Star

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

Henlopen City Oyster House

Château de Vaudieu

Chateauneuf-du-Pape NV

Blend

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rhone, France

Mary Taylor

Pascal Biotteau Anjou Rouge 2021

Assemblage

Loire Valley, France

Le Rocher des Violettes Cabernet Franc, France, Loire Valley NV

Cabernet Franc

Loire Valley, France

Chilensis

Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 2021

Cabernet Sauvignon

Colchagua Valley, Chile

Château Mourgues du Grès

Capitelles Costieres-de-Nimes Blanc 2021

Blend

France

Trajarinho

Vinho Verde Trajadura Alvarinho 2021

Blend

Vinho Verde, Portugal

Stamnaki

Assyrtiko NV

Assyrtiko

Peloponnesos, Greece

Di Giovanna

Camurria Orange 2021

Grillo

Sicily, Italy

Domaine Vacheron

Sancerre Blanc 2013

Sauvignon Blanc

Loire Valley, France

PlumpJack

Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

Oakville, USA

Ampeleia

Bianco di Ampeleia 2021

Trebbiano

Toscana, Italy

Kobal Wines

Bajta Pet-Nat 2020

Yellow Muscat

Podravje, Slovenia

Keltis

Chardonnay Stajerska, Slovenia NV

Slovenia

Domaine Chevrot

Maranges Blanc 2019

Chardonnay

Burgundy, France

Elisabetta

Foradori Fuoripista Pinot Grigio Italy 2019

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy