The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.&nbsp;

By the way, we love champagne with all kinds of food (seafood, fried chicken, spicy food, etc) and is more than just for a quick toast at midnight.&nbsp;

High-End Champagnes:&nbsp;

When it comes to high-end champagnes, names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug often come to mind. These prestigious champagnes are typically reserved for special occasions and are known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> is produced by Moet &amp; Chandon and is named after the Benedictine monk who is often credited with discovering the champagne-making process. Krug, on the other hand, is known for its rich and complex flavors, thanks to its unique production methods, including fermentation in small oak barrels. These won&#39;t disappoint! Yum!!&nbsp;

More Approachable Options:&nbsp;

If you&#39;re looking for a more approachable champagne that still offers great quality, there are plenty of options to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> are two examples of champagnes that are well-regarded but are often more affordable than their high-end counterparts. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> is known for its delicate, fruity flavors, while <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> is a type of champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, resulting in a crisp and elegant taste. Solid choices!&nbsp;

Blanc de Blanc:

Blanc de Blanc is a term used to describe champagnes that are made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay. This style of champagne is known for its light and crisp flavors, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a more delicate taste. Blanc de Blanc champagnes are often a great option for pairing with seafood or light appetizers.&nbsp;

Lower-End Examples and Spanish Cava:

If you&#39;re looking for lower-end champagne options, there are plenty of choices to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Piper-Heidsieck-Brut-Cuvee-w504046291">Piper-Heidsieck&#39;s Brut Non-Vintage</a> is a great affordable option that still offers great quality and flavor. This champagne is known for its fresh and lively taste, making it a great choice for casual gatherings. In addition to champagne, <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a> is another great option to consider for all budgets. Cava is a sparkling wine that is produced in Spain using the traditional champagne method, and it offers great quality at a more affordable price point.&nbsp;

Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider. From prestigious names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug to more affordable options like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a>, there&#39;s a champagne out there for every taste and budget.&nbsp;

Cheers to the holiday season! #drinkwhatyoulove #bubbles

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you're looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.

Bubbles for the Holidays!!

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

Benoit

Grace Hood

Benoit

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;(in each episode)&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, Wine Educator and Certified Sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hi Robert! Happy to be back!

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 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.

So, Grace - we&rsquo;re keeping with our French theme I see, but now we&rsquo;re heading from New Orleans to Europe!

GH: Hahaha totally - Excited to chat about the Benoit NYC wine list.

RT: Awesome - so what are your initial thoughts?

GH: Well, this list has a very thought-out approach - it&rsquo;s all French and American wine! It&rsquo;s always interesting to see what the wine director will choose for their establishments based on cuisine and clientele. And I am always a-ok with a wine list that is heavy on French selections b/c I personally adore French wine. France has been making wine for literally thousands of years and is arguably the most agreeable terroir in the world for the classic varietals. Wine is just a way of life in France! A lot of times it costs less than water!

RT: Au oui oui!! So where do we start when it comes to this list?

GH: So, we could go in a lot of different directions! It depends on what people feel like drinking. I think it might be fun to look at some French varietals and see what their American counterpart is on the list. For instance, we could choose the Brocard Chablis from Burgundy and put it against the RoseRock Chardonnay from Willamette Valley in Oregon. Chablis is arguably the crispiest most mineral-driven Chardonnay from Burgundy, which produces the most famous and high-end chardonnays in the world. But you might be asking &ldquo;grace why didn&rsquo;t you recommend a California Chardonnay b/c they&rsquo;re super famous for that&rdquo; - I picked an Oregon chardonnay b/c unlike in CA where they age their chardonnays in American oak, OR Chardonnay are usually aged in French oak. And the big difference between the two is going to come in the richness, the depth and the characteristics that come from both styles of oak. American oak traditionally has a way more oaky, caramel, almost creamy-like quality, which is why you end up with those big buttery chardonnays out of Napa &ndash; it&rsquo;s not the grape, it&rsquo;s the oak! Meanwhile, in OR, they&rsquo;re aging their Chardonnay in French oak which imparts more subtle, slightly nutty flavors into the wine.

RT: Wow amazing! It&#39;s incredible all the things that go into the end result of a wine. What would you think for an American vs a French red?

GH: You got it. A fun side-by-side comparison would be a French pinot and an American Pinot. And the ones I&rsquo;m going to pull out this time are the Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot from Sonoma, as well as the VOLNAY Premier Cru Dom. De Montille. The reason I picked the Russian River pinot rather any other American appellation, is b/c the Russian River in Sonoma is one of the coolest, dampest areas in CA, and thats important b/c pinot noir is a very thin-skinned grape, and thrives in those cloudy less hot areas. And on top of the prime climate, Russian River produces a ton of Burgundian clones of pinot - which essentially means rootstock that was originally grown in France, and was brought to Sonoma and planted in the Russian River. So you&rsquo;re going to have that same style of grape in both wines. I chose the Volnay over other Burgundies b/c Volnay is one of the most delicate and light French pinots, as opposed to the more weighty earthy styles like Gevrey Chambertin.

RT: Wow that&#39;s so cool - clones! Now Grace, sometimes people have a budget in mind..&nbsp; any great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

GH: Absolutely. So, in the whites, I would def go with one of my all-time favorite white wines - Sancerre, which is sauvignon blanc grown in the Loire valley of France. Drinking this wine is like putting your face in a bouquet of fresh flowers. It&rsquo;s heavenly. On the Benoit list I would go with the Petit Bateau Sancerre. On the value reds side, I would go with the Papillo CROZES-HERMITAGE, which is going to be a delicious Syrah from the northern Rhone. Syrah is grown all over the Rhone valley, but Syrahs from the northern rhone tend to be inkier, velvetier and sexier than their southern counterpart which is going to be more gravelly and earthy and spicy. Robert can I order these wines right now?? They&rsquo;re two of my favorite haha!

RT: hahaha coming right up Grace! Now, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

GH: Oh man, well we have so many amazing options to pick from on this list. On the white side, we&rsquo;re going grand cru burgundy which is arguably going to be one of the most high-end chardonnays in the world. I&rsquo;m gonna pull the trigger and go with the 2004 MONTRACHET From Colin-Morey. This is going to be a very unique white wine experience b/c chardonnay is notoriously one of the only types of white wine that ages well. Drinking older burgundies is like a right of passage if you&rsquo;re a wine nerd. And then on the red side, we gotta go with the classic - 2003 POMEROL From Chateau Petrus, which is one of the most high-end and famous Bordeaux in the world. I was lucky enough to taste some Petrus over the winter and wow - you just totally understand why this wine is a cult classic!

&nbsp;&nbsp;RT: Grace, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Benoit.

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. Follow us on social media @corkrules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End

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

Cakebread Cellars is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Napa Valley. Since its founding in 1973, the winery has been dedicated to producing exceptional wines that showcase the unique terroir of the region.

Relaxed destination with a warm ambiance offering creative Korean snacks, plus beer & cocktails.

Per Se

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

Barn Joo Nomad

Cellars

Jam, Toast Brut, California NV

California, USA

San Martino

Prosecco Rose Brut NV

Glera (Prosecco)

Prosecco, Italy

Casillero del Diablo

Cabernet Sauvignon (Reserva) NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Central Valley, Chile

Domaine de la Sangliere

Cotes de Provence Juliette Rose NV

France

Ledson Zinfandel Ancient Vine Sonoma Valley, USA, California NV

Zinfandel

California, USA

Trivento

Reserve Malbec NV

Malbec

Mendoza, Argentina

Giulia

Luca Paretti Prosecco, Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia NV

Glera

Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Cellars

Cline, Pinot Noir Seven Ranchlands, USA, California, Sonoma NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Craggy Range

Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

South Island, New Zealand

Vallepicciola

Chianti Classico Riserva NV

Sangiovese

Chianti Classico, Italy

Sonoma-Cutrer

Chardonnay Cutrer, Russian River Valley NV

California, USA

Frank Family Vineyards

Chardonnay, Napa Valley NV

California, USA

Château Beychevelle

Aspirant de Beychevelle Saint-Julien NV

Blend

Bordeaux, France

Frank Family Vineyards

Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley NV

California, USA

Moet & Chandon

Brut Imperial, Champagne NV

Champagne, France