Certified sommelier Maria Valetta explores the <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/smith-&amp;-wollensky/episodes/6">wine list of Smith and Wollensky</a>&nbsp;on the upper east side of New York City. Top wine varietals under the spotlight include a 2020 Louis Jadot Macon Village, the PAX 2019 Gamay, the 2018 Aperture Cabernet from Sonoma showcased on their Captain&rsquo;s Pocket List Page or the 2018 Hourglass Blueline Estate Cabernet from Napa.

When it comes to defining wine, you can categorize them by region, varietal, or style, but to really get to grips with understanding the world of wine, it makes sense to go to the source. The grape.

The type of grape is known as the varietal, and whereas once upon a time the varietals were specific to a region, in contemporary vineyards, varietals are planted, crossbred, and potentially, genetically modified. Additionally, the flavors, skins, and chemical compounds of each varietal will change depending on the terroir, temperature, and weather.

There are over a thousand different varietals of wine grapes but the following eight are the most commonly known grape household names. chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, &nbsp;pinot gris, and riesling, cabernet sauvignon, syrah, zinfandel, and pinot noir.

However, beyond these eight common varietals there exists a large and adventurous world of wine varietals to explore, each with its own unique characteristics based on environment, age, and production method.

At <a href="https://www.smithandwollenskynyc.com/">Smith &amp; Wollensky</a>, prime, dry-aged steaks are the cornerstone of their menu, but if fish, lobster or oysters are on your mind, you won&rsquo;t be disappointed with the Cold Water Lobster Tails or the Scottish Salmon Waldorf. Pair the salmon with the Benton Lane Pinot Noir from the

Willamette Valley to experience how a light tannin red works well with the meaty fish. Pinot noir is a lighter-bodied wine with notes of cherry, cranberry, and rose. It&rsquo;s drier and has a higher acidity with smooth tannins. The higher acidity and tannins pairs well with oily, meaty fish dishes. The tannins help bring out flavor that is carried in the fat, and in symbiosis, the fat tempers the tannins&rsquo; astringency, which allows the other characteristics in the wine to rise on the palate.

And with the Lobster, &nbsp;try a bottle of the Louis Jadot, Macon-Villages Chardonnay

Burgundy, and see how the chardonnay&rsquo;s notes of yellow citrus, pear, green apple pairs well with the rich seafood. Chardonnay is a full-bodied white that won&rsquo;t be overpowered by the richness of the lobster. When pairing wine with food, just like every good match, it&rsquo;s all about bringing out the best in each other.

On CorkRules podcast episode five, Maria identifies a few value wines on the list that should not be missed, she points out a few outliers that are well worth trying, and she shines a light on the meaning of verticals to help demystify the world of wine.

Cheers.

At Smith & Wollensky, prime, dry-aged steaks are the cornerstone of their menu, but if fish, lobster or oysters are on your mind, you won’t be disappointed with the Cold Water Lobster Tails or the Scottish Salmon Waldorf. Pair the salmon with the Benton Lane Pinot Noir from the

Top Wine Varietals at Smith & Wollensky

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

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

Terra Wood Fired Kitchen

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Terra in Los Angeles

Wine List Review of Terra, Los Angeles

Grace Hood

Terra

Terra

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a winelist 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: Hey hey 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 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 you&rsquo;ve been spending more time eating and drinking all over Los Angeles, is that correct?

GH: That it is indeed Robert! I&rsquo;ve loved being able to have these firsthand experiences to be able to bring to the podcast.

RT: We love that for you Grace. Appreciate your time, mind and liver ha-ha so what are we reviewing today?

GH: Today we will be chatting about Terra, which is the beautiful rooftop restaurant that is inside the Eataly marketplace! I had lunch there the other day and it was a lovely way to spend an afternoon &nbsp;

RT: The life you lead Grace. Where would you like to start us?

GH: So as many industry insiders know, Eataly is part of the Batali and Bastianich restaurant group. And I note this b/c for every restaurant wine list in this company, it will match the cuisine. So for instance, I was a sommelier at the Batali and Bastinach Spanish restaurant Casa Mono in New York City. And since it was a Spanish menu, it had an Spanish wine list. The same goes at Terra, except it&rsquo;s an all-Italian menu with all Italian wine list.

RT: Bellisima! I love it. So where would you start us on this all-Italian list?

GH: Well, it&rsquo;s a pretty reasonable 3 pages, and I love that not only have they broken it down by the usual red White sparkling rose, but they also have subcategories for the aromatics in the wine. So, for the sparkling they have &ldquo;fizzy and stimulating&rdquo; as well as &ldquo;Complex and elegant&rdquo;&nbsp; &nbsp;

RT: Which are definitely descriptors for this podcast hahaha

GH: hahaha absolutely Robert! Under the fizzy and stimulating, I would go with this Bollicinie rose from Serafini and Vidotto, and under the complex and elegant I would pick the Trento Doc Brut from Ferrari vineyards &nbsp;

RT: Oh yum those sound really unique and interesting. Can&rsquo;t wait to hear from they have for the white categories. &nbsp;

GH: So, starting with &ldquo;light Bright and floral&rdquo; I would choose this gruner veltliner from Alto Adige, mainly b/c you don&rsquo;t see a lot of gruner veltliner production outside of Austria. Or if you wanted a more classic light bright floral Italian white &ndash; can&rsquo;t go wrong with vermentino 

RT: Oh, Italian Gruner sounds amazing. Def interested in trying that. &nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: And then we move into their next category for whites which is &ldquo;rich and lavish&rdquo; aka what I aim to be hahaha and under that I would pick the Etna Bianco from Sicily 

RT: We&rsquo;ll all be rich and lavish once this podcast takes off Grace! &nbsp;

GH: Love that for us Robert! I think next category describes my current state &ldquo;complex and m&eacute;dium bodied&rdquo; hahaha and for my wine pick I would go with this Fruiliano from the House of Bastianich

RT: I see the last category is &ldquo;unusual and esoteric&rdquo;&nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: Color me intrigued in this category for sure! They&rsquo;re skin contact whites aka Orange wines! I think this Verdiccio Reserva would be an interesting choice.

RT: Awesome. Does that bring us to reds?

GH: It sure does Robert. Starting off we have &ldquo;soft and medium bodied&rdquo; and I would go with the 2013 Dolcetto from Piedmont. Moving right along into the next category which is &ldquo;elegant full and sophisticated&rdquo; they have a Bollicinie rose from Serafini and Vidotto which def caught my eye.

RT: Very cool. Those are two I haven&rsquo;t heard of in a while. Always fun to revisit some styles we haven&rsquo;t tried in a while. Is the last red category something like &ldquo;full bodied and rich?

GH: Very close! It&rsquo;s &ldquo;full and luscious&rdquo; which sounds like a hair care advertisement hahah but also def describes the wines in this category. My pick would be the 2013 Brunello di Montalcino. And that&rsquo;s amore!

RT: hahahah grazie mille &ndash; Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Terra. &nbsp;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

&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

&nbsp;

&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

Marotti Campi is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Marche region in Italy. They have been producing high-quality wines for over 100 years, using traditional winemaking techniques and sustainable farming practices.

Riverfront Southern grill restaurant with al fresco tables in a restored brick streetcar warehouse.

Cafe Champagne

The Metropolitan Grill

Ray’s Boathouse

Ray's Boathouse

Purple Café and Wine Bar

Purple Cafe & Wine Bar

Seastar Restaurant & Raw Bar

Seastar

The Butcher's Table

Sofreh

Have & Meyer

Don Angie

Ruffian

learn

Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

Steelbach at Armature Works

Wade Cellars

Three by Wade Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, USA

Wade Cellars

Three by Wade Blanc 2020

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, USA

Scarpetta

Frico Rosato NV

Sangiovese

Toscana, Italy

La Belle France

Bordeaux Blanc NV

Blend

Bordeaux, France

Giusti

Longheri Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Grigio

Italy

M. Chapoutier

Belleruche Cotes-du-Rhone 2020

Grenache

France

Skouras

White Roditis Moscofilero, Peloponnese NV

White Blend

Peloponnese, Greece

Villa Sparina

Gavi NV

Cortese

Gavi, Italy

Owen Roe

Yakima Valley Red, Washington NV

Washington, USA

Tabali, Micas Carmenere, Cachapoal Valley NV

Central Valley, Chile

Miguel Torres Chile

Cordillera Reserva Especial Carmenere NV

Carmenere

Curico Valley, Chile

Giusti, Extra Dry, Asolo Prosecco NV

Prosecco, Veneto, Italy

Patient Cottat Sauvignon Blanc Le Grand Caillou, France, Loire NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Loire Valley, France

Mt Difficulty

Roaring Meg Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Central Otago, New Zealand

Mar de Frades

Albarino & Caprile NV

Albarino

Rias Baixas, Spain