In this episode, Robert Tas, CorkRules founder, and Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, review the wine list wines of the <a href="https://www.oysterbarny.com/">Grand Central Oyster Bar</a>, a historic restaurant that originally opened in 1913 in NY&rsquo;s Grand Central Station. &nbsp;They identify the perfect oyster wine, whites from the Loire Valley, and wines from the list that will take your dining experience to the next level here.

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it&rsquo;s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here&rsquo;s a quick review of the most popular varietals&rsquo; tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Chardonnay has notes of yellow citrus, pear, green apple and maybe a touch of vanilla. It&rsquo;s a medium to full-bodied white and pairs well with rich seafood, cream sauces, and soft cheeses.

Sauvignon blanc is a little more bitter and tart than chardonnay. The notes include grapefruit pith sweeter notes of honeydew melon, passion fruit, and kiwi with a little herbaceous quality. It is a light- to medium-bodied wine that pairs well with fish, chicken, pork, Mexican, Vietnamese, and goat&#39;s cheese.

Pinot gris is light-bodied with delicate citrus and white floral notes. Light and easy to drink, these wines pair well with light fare such as salad, delicate fish dishes, and light, mild cheeses.

Riesling has notes of citrus and stone fruit these wines are usually floral with sweet herbal elements. They are high in acid when dry but they can also be sweet. These wines work well with Indian, Thai, Moroccan, and German fare.

Cabernet sauvignon is a full-bodied red with bold tannins, a long finish, and also generally has a higher alcohol content. The tasting notes are black cherry, black currant, and cedar. This varietal pairs well with heavier, fattier meats such as lamb and beef, and hard cheeses like Pecorino.

Syrah is also a full-bodied red but these wines are fruitier with medium-weight tannins. Syrah is often used ot create the Rhone blend. It also pairs well with strong meat flavors of lamb or smoked meats and hard cheeses. The tasting notes are blueberry, plum, black pepper, so this wine is a little spicier and lighter than the cabernet, while still holding the weight.

Zinfandel is on the lighter side. It&rsquo;s a medium-bodied wine that&rsquo;s fruity and spicy. It pairs well with lighter meats like chicken and pork but also works well with full-flavor cheeses such as Manchego, or Tommes de Sauvignon.

The Grand Central Oyster Bar lives up to its name, but for more information on their wine list, and other tips for wine and seafood pairings check out the CorkRules <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/oyster-bar/episodes/11">wine review podcast.</a>&nbsp;

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the wine list through sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience makes it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, and provides you with personalized wine recommendations from your favorite restaurants. &nbsp;CorkRules helps you find the perfect wine for every occasion based on your preferences. Connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try and learn about wine. CorkRules makes it easier to discover and drink what you love. &nbsp;

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it’s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here’s a quick review of the most popular varietals’ tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Pairing Wine with Oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar

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

Magnolias at the Mill

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Magnolias at the Mill in Virginia where new American dining meets old America complete with barnlike wood decor, quilts, and rustic charm. 

Wine List Review of Magnolias at the Mill in Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

Magnolias:

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 intimating, 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 Magnolia&rsquo;s at the Mill. Located in Purceville, VA, in the heart of Loudoun County Wine Country, Magnolia&rsquo;s offers American fare for lunch, dinner, brunch, and special events.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list.

MQ: Magnolia&rsquo;s features and extensive wine list, along with regularly scheduled wine-paired dinners. Enjoy today&rsquo;s Old World, New World selections, and local favorites.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: The first wine to catch my eye was a classic grape from a standout producer. Consider the 2021 Zuccardi, Serie A Torrontes from Argentina. Torrontes is a medium-bodied white grape that produces a fresh and aromatic white wine which would pair beautifully with the number of rich seafood and shellfish selections on Magnolia&rsquo;s menu. Notes of lemon and lime zest, white flowers, with pineapple, ripe pear, and mango make this white wine a winner.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: A rich, full bodied Italian wine to consider is the 2018 Zenato Veronese Alanera Rosso from the Veneto of Italy. This red wine consists of 100% Corvina. Corvina is a grape often found in Amarone blends, making this red exude ripe black cherries, fig, and black pepper, with smoke and cocoa on the soft, lingering finish. Pair this with all richly sauced proteins such as steak and pork.

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: A local, must try to pair with tuna or salmon would be the 2017 Linden Vineyards Hardscrabble Chardonnay from Linden, VA. This chardonnay is well balanced with fresh acidity, ripe green apple, and ripe pear, along with notes of honey, brioche, and vanilla on the lingering finish, as this Chardonnay spends some time in French oak. Certainly, a local must try!

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: A crowd-pleasing red wine to consider for the table would be the 2018 Archery Summit Pinot Noir from the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Another standout, aromatic wine, this Pinot Noir features ripe cranberries, ripe red cherries, along with black pepper, herbs, and dried lavender. This Pinot Noir will certainly stand up to sauced proteins.

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.&nbsp; Any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: If you are looking for a light, crisp white wine as an aperitif or to pair with shellfish, salads and lighter fare, consider the 2020 Loimer Lois Gruner Veltliner from Austria. This quality/value white wine combines lime zest, grapefruit, tangerine, and ripe peach with white pepper and an herbal finish. Another dry, crowd-pleasing white wine, all for an excellent price. &nbsp;

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Another value wine of exceptional quality is the 2018 Barboursville Vineyards Nebbiolo. Located outside of Charlottesville, VA, Barboursville Vineyards has been producing Nebbiolo, along with other award-winning varietals, since the 1990s. This Nebbiolo is rich and full-bodied with firm, round tannins, ripe blackberries, cassis, herbs, mushroom, earth, and smoke. Pair this exceptional local wine with herbed proteins and roasted root vegetables.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: Of the many options to take our dining experience to the next level, a wine to consider would be the 97-point rated Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa, the 2016 Hess &lsquo;The Lion&rsquo;. The Lion is featured on the label of this sophisticated red wine consisting of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot. He is everything you look for in a rich, Napa red. With ripe blackberries, fig, prune, and cassis, along with smoke, vanilla, and silky tannins make this a winner for any special event.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Magnolia at the Mill&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &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 cue as quick 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.

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End

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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

di Montalcino is a historic winery in the heart of Tuscany, known for producing some of the finest Sangiovese-based wines in the world. The winery is dedicated to capturing the unique character of the Montalcino region in every bottle.

Upscale steakhouse & grill serving a menu including chops, seafood, wine & cocktails.

Marc Forgione

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

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Willakenzie

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Les Pommiers Pinot Noir NV

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Duckhorn

Napa Valley Merlot NV

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Langlois-Chateau

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Blend

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Stags' Leap

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

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Jordan Alexander Valley NV

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Far Niente

Dolce, Napa Valley NV

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Groth

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

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Faust

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Carmel Road

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Valle Las Nencias

Malbec Reserve NV

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Cline

Cashmere Red NV

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California, USA

Nickel & Nickel

Hayne Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon NV

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California, USA