Holiday Season Wine Trends, what our CorkRules App users drinking!

As we delve into the holiday season, our community of wine enthusiasts at CorkRules is buzzing with excitement. Our users are out and about, savoring some fantastic wines that are trending this festive period. We have compiled a list of these top-rated wines complete with detailed reviews, tasting notes, producer&#39;s history and food pairing recommendations.

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Billecart-Salmon-Brut-Rose-Champagne-w9034541ol">1. Billecart Salmon - Brut Rose Champagne NV</a>

Champagne is always a top selection among our users. Billecart-Salmon is at the top of list and they been producing exceptional champagnes since 1818 in Mareuil-sur-A&yuml;, France. The Brut Ros&eacute; NV is no exception to their tradition of excellence. It received an impressive score of 94 points from Wine Spectator.

This champagne enchants you with its beautiful pale pink color and delicate bubbles. On the nose, it reveals aromas of fresh red fruits and citrus zest which carry through to the palate along with subtle hints of dried fruit and toasted brioche. The body is light yet expressive; acidity perfectly balanced making it crisp but not overwhelming; tannins are almost imperceptible giving way to a smooth finish.

Pair this delightful bubbly with smoked salmon or sushi for an unforgettable gastronomic experience!

Partial List of Featured Restaurants serving Billecart &ndash; Restaurant Guy Savoy, Las Vegas, NV &ndash; Aquerello San Francisco, CA &ndash; Barbuto NY, NY

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Melville-Chardonnay-Estate-Sta-Rita-Hills-2019-w7644576n6">2. Melville - Chardonnay Estate Sta Rita Hills 2019</a>

Melville Winery located in California&rsquo;s Santa Rita Hills AVA has been crafting exquisite wines since 1987 focusing on cool-climate varietals like Chardonnay. Their Estate Chardonnay scored a commendable 92 points by Robert Parker&#39;s Wine Advocate for its vibrant character.

It opens up with intoxicating aromas of ripe apple, pear, white flowers complemented by subtle oak nuances. On tasting it offers a medium-bodied structure packed full flavors mirroring the nose along with mineral undertones that add complexity. Acidity levels are well-balanced, making it refreshing while the tannins are soft and well-integrated.

This Chardonnay pairs beautifully with creamy pasta dishesor grilled chicken.

Partial List of Featured Restaurants serving Melville &ndash; Essential by Christophe NY, NY - Plumed Horse Saratoga, CA &ndash; Woodwind Chicago, IL

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Trimbach-Riesling-390th-Anniversary-2016-w9458613ag">3. Trimbach - Riesling</a>

Trimbach, a family-owned winery in Alsace, France has been producing wines since 1626. Their Riesling 390th Anniversary edition celebrates their rich heritage and scored an impressive 93 points from Wine Enthusiast.

The wine exhibits vibrant aromas of green apple, lime zest, wet stone and white flowers. On the palate it is dry with high acidity which gives it a zesty freshness. The body is medium with flavors echoing the nose along with a minerally finish that lingers on your palate.

Enjoy this Riesling alongside spicy Asian cuisine or fresh seafood for a delightful pairing!

Partial List of Featured Restaurants serving Trimbach &ndash; STK Steakhouse Scottsdale, AZ - The Martin&#39;s Key West, FL, - Lure Fishbar NY, NY

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Alain-Graillot-Crozes-Hermitage-2019-w2646348x3">4. Alain Graillot - Crozes Hermitage 2019</a>

Alain Graillot established his winery in Northern Rh&ocirc;ne Valley in 1985 and quickly gained recognition for his Syrah-based wines like Crozes-Hermitage.

It received a notable score of 92 points from Vinous due to its expressive character. The wine opens up with enticing aromas of blackberry, black pepper spice, violets followed by earthy undertones. On tasting you will find it full-bodied yet balanced by firm tannins and good acidity levels providing structure to dark fruit flavors present on the palate.

Pair this red wine with hearty meat dishes like lamb stew or steak au poivre for an excellent match!

Partial List of Featured Restaurants serving Alain Graillot &ndash; The Lobster Club NY, NY - Del Ray Cafe Alexandria, VA - Bourbon Steak Seattle, WA

<a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Cade-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Howell-Mountain-2018-w0854190qc">5. Cade - Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain 2018</a>

Cade Estate Winery located on Napa Valley&rsquo;s Howell Mountain was founded in 2005 by Gavin Newsom &amp; Gordon Getty focusing on environmentally responsible winemaking practices. Their Cabernet Sauvignon received a stellar 96 points from Wine Advocate for its bold character.

The wine greets you with rich aromas of black cherry, cassis, mocha and cedar. On the palate it is full-bodied with robust tannins and balanced acidity supporting flavors that mirror the nose along with hints of dark chocolate on the finish.

This Cabernet Sauvignon pairs wonderfully with grilled red meats or mature cheeses.

Partial List of Featured Restaurants serving Cade: Buffalo Club Santa Monica, Ca &ndash; Frankie and Johnnie&rsquo;s Steakhouse NY, NY &ndash; Karne Korean Steakhouse Houston, TX

We hope this list inspires your holiday season wine selections. Remember to share your experiences on CorkRules app as we love hearing about your wine adventures! Cheers to a festive season filled with great wines and good company!

As we delve into the holiday season, our community of wine enthusiasts at CorkRules is buzzing with excitement. Our users are out and about, savoring some fantastic wines that are trending this festive period. We have compiled a list of these top-rated wines complete with detailed reviews, tasting notes, producer's history and food pairing recommendations.

Holiday Season Wine Trends, what our CorkRules App users drinking!

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

TRIO Grill

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the Trio Grill in Falls Church, Virginia where the focus is on offering the finest steaks, the freshest seafood, and, most importantly, an extensive, award-winning wine list. 

Wine List Review of Trio Grill in Falls Church, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Trio Grill

Trio Grill:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

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 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.

RT: Today we are talking about Trio Grill. Located in Falls Church, VA, this classic, American grill features steaks, seafood, and is your go to for any special occasion.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Here we have another wine Spectator Award-winning wine list consisting of truly stand-out Old and New World favorites.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The first wine that caught my eye was the 2021 Badenhorst &lsquo;Secateurs&rsquo; Chenin Blanc from Swartland, South Africa. This is a beautiful Chenin Blanc. It is medium-bodied with bright acidity, notes of pear, tangerine, lemon zest, and dried apricot, with a touch of honey on the finish. Pair this white wine with salmon, tuna, scallops, and spicy dishes.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: I spotted an Old-World favorite to pair with classic American grill fare. Consider the 2020 Domaine Frederic Esmonin Les Genevrieres from Burgundy, France. This Pinot Noir from Genevrieres, which is a Premier Cru commune within Burgundy. This classic Pinot Noir is medium-bodied with notes of cranberries, ripe raspberries, sage, mushrooms, and a hint of clove on the finish due to its time aging in French oak. The soft tannins and bright acidity add to the pleasure of this Pinot Noir. Pair with herbed dishes and lightly sauced proteins.

RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: If you are considering rich seafood such as scallops, tuna, or lobster, then you must try the 2019 Mer Soleil, Reserve Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California. This oaked Chardonnay offers both bright acidity, ripe green apple, and ripe pear, along with notes of brioche and honey with a creamy finish. The body and richness of this wine will certainly complement herbed proteins and well.

RT: These are some great calls.

So, you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: If your table has been eyeing steak or other rich, steakhouse fare, then consider another classic, the 2018 Muga Reserva from the Rioja in Spain. While the Muga family has been making wine since 1932, they established their winery in 1968 and have since been crafting spectacular wines. The excellent structure of this Tempranillo along with aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, cassis, dried lavender, and notes of cocoa on the finish make this bottle a winner for the table.&nbsp;

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind. Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: If you are considering a more mineral and dry Chardonnay, consider the Zuccardi Q Series from Mendoza, Argentina. This Chardonnay is medium-bodied and showcases aromas of lime zest, ripe pear, bright acidity, and white pepper on the finish. Pair with lighter fare, and cheese, all for an excellent value.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: another standout producer is Yalumba. If you are looking for a rich, bold red of excellent quality and value, consider the 2014 Yalumba, the Cigar, Cabernet Sauvignon from Coonawara, Australia. This Cabernet Sauvignon features ripe blackberries, black cherries, and plumb, with a lingering finish consisting of leather, smoke, mint, and sage. A wonderful consideration for your richly sauced proteins and pasta. &nbsp;

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: A wine to consider to take your dining experience to the next level, would be the classic 2012 Sandrone, Cannubi Boschis, Barolo from the Piedmont of Italy. This Northern Italian, 100% Nebbiolo is truly something to savor. It is bold, full-bodied, and complex, featuring aromas and flavors of ripe raspberries, fig, smoke, tobacco, and lavender, with nutmeg and cinnamon on the lingering finish. The aromatics of this wine are stellar as well, and you can begin enjoying them while you are decanting this bottle! A classic wine, and wine region to pair with any special occasion.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Trio Grill&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.

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.

Thank you.

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Catena is a renowned family-owned winery in Mendoza, Argentina that has been producing exceptional wines for over a century. Their expertise in high altitude winemaking has allowed them to craft some of the most sought-after wines in Argentina.

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Alexis Percival is a New York City based CMS certified sommelier, consultant and event planner who puts the art in party.

Certified sommelier Alexis Percival

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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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