NEW YORK, Feb. 13, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CorkRules launched today on iOS as the first digital wine experience aimed at making it easier for consumers to navigate the restaurant wine list. Through the CorkRules app, consumers can easily find the perfect wine for every occasion based on their preferences, connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try, and learn more about the world of wine. Users will get personalized wine recommendations at thousands of restaurants, making what can often be an overwhelming experience an easier one. CorkRules is available now for free on Apple iOS devices in the <a href="https://apps.apple.com/app/id1631528589">App store</a>.

The CorkRules app is designed to help consumers feel more confident and comfortable ordering wine in restaurants. In a recent survey conducted by the company, only 9% of respondents indicated feeling confident when making a wine selection or purchase. And only 23% considered themselves knowledgeable on wine. &ldquo;Ordering wine at restaurants can be intimidating and complex, even for me as a wine enthusiast,&rdquo; says Founder Robert Tas, who has spent his career focused on building consumer experiences through digital platforms. &ldquo;I created CorkRules to make it easier for people to find and drink what they love.&rdquo;

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Key features of the app include: 

Personalized Wine Recommendations from Thousands of Restaurants: The CorkRules database includes wine lists from restaurants across the United States, and the team is actively expanding the database to include more restaurants every day.

Wines Tailored to Each User: Special Occasion? On a budget? Love Bordeaux? CorkRules provides users with expert wine recommendations tailored to their preferences in just a few taps.

Social feed: CorkRules users can keep up with friends and wine experts too, including certified sommeliers through the CorkRules feed, built with social media like features including the ability to post, like, comment and share updates pre, during and post a dining and wine experience. This will allow users to keep up on restaurant trends and discover new wines.

Connect with Friends: CorkRules provides the ability for users to &ldquo;Friendsource&rdquo; trusted wine recommendations by discovering wines friends have rated, reviewed or shared like to expand their wine choices CorkRules is built using proprietary technology leveraging machine learning to surface personalized and tailored recommendations, and leans on a team of wine experts, sommeliers and restaurateurs to advise on ongoing development. For a complete list of wine experts and CorkRules sommeliers, visit CorkRules.

Wine sales in general are lagging among younger consumers. And restaurants, especially, have seen the impact, with a 2022 wine sales growth rate at 9.6 percent, down from growth of 18.2 percent in 2021. Tas is looking to address that &ndash; both making diners feel more comfortable purchasing wine in restaurants through technology and in enabling restaurants to sell more wine from their inventory. The hope is that this app will enhance the beverage team in the restaurant, will provide conversation starters at the table and will allow restaurateurs to manage their inventory.

&ldquo;You shouldn&rsquo;t need a PHD to order a bottle of wine at a restaurant. This app will allow consumers to understand value, quickly discover what they love, and find recommendations based on what they have enjoyed in the past,&rdquo; Tas added.

CorkRules is also committed to expanding wine education through easy-to-digest articles and helpful wine tips in partnership with wine experts, including content on understanding wine varietals, quick tips for picking wines by occasion and cuisine, and basics of pairing, and will add features about wine, such as understanding wine varietals, quick tips for picking wines by occasion and cuisine. The company introduced a podcast, The CorkRules Podcast, in 2022 featuring wine experts making suggestions from wine lists at top restaurants around the country.

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ABOUT CORKRULES: CorkRules is the first digital wine experience aimed at making it easier to navigate the restaurant wine list by providing consumers with personalized wine recommendations. Launched in February 2023, the CorkRules app gives consumers personalized wine recommendations for every occasion at thousands of restaurants across the United States based on a user&#39;s wine preferences, expert opinions and friends&rsquo; reviews. Available for download now on Apple iOS devices. To learn more, visit CorkRules.com.

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Media Contact: Lori Lefevre Wells, lori@lorilefevre.com

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Certified sommelier and CorkRules’ resident Somm, Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise on the wine list of il Buco. il Buco’s wine cellar holds a selection of over 400 wines and includes an exciting range of lesser-known, artisan wines from Europe. This restaurant has been called "one of the best and most exciting in America" by Gourmet magazine and the wine list has won Wine Spectator’s "Award of Excellence" several times.

Artisan Wines at Il Buco

Orange wine is made from white grapes, but the skin stays in contact with the juice longer during the maceration period, which increases the tannins and turns the normally white wine a more golden hue. The longer the contact,  the darker the hue, which increases the tannins and a stronger intensity. Pinot gris and malvasia are two common grape varieties used to make orange wine, but if you dig a little deeper, explore a little further, you can find some delightful orange wines along the border between northeastern Italy and Slovenia where orange wines are madefrom indigenous grapes on the region, including sauvignon vert (friulano), ribolla gialla, and pinot grigio.

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Unless you are born into a vineyard, grow up in wine country, a career in wine is not a go-to profession for most graduates. But for some people, their love of wine and career path are intertwined. This is how it was for Jane Lopes, sommelier, co-founder of Legend Imports, and author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles.

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Frasca Food and Wine

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas tune in to Frasca in Boulder, Colorado where they explore wine for all occasions including hanging in the mountains or after skiing down the slopes.

Wine List Review of Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder Colorado

Grace Hood

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 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 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. Alright, Grace &ndash; what fabulous spot are we chatting about today?

GH: Well, we are diving into a wine list that came as a request from one of our listeners. Today we&rsquo;ll be chatting about the selections at Frasca in Boulder Colorado.

RT: Sounds great. Now I know you spent some time working in the wine scene of Colorado, correct?

GH: That is correct Robert! I was a sommelier in Vail for the 2018 ski season. And I&rsquo;ve spent time in lots of other parts of Colorado &ndash; Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver Aspen, Steamboat etc. they might not be able to grow grapes, but Colorado people definitely love to drink good wine.

RT: Love the sound of that. Sancerre in the snow. Merlot in the mountains.

GH: Amen to that Robert!

RT: Hahah alright should we jump into the Frasca list?

GH: Let&rsquo;s do it! They have a lovely international mix of wines, but they specialize in the &aacute;rea of Fruili in Italy. So, we&rsquo;ll def be seeing some unique Italian wines on the list.

RT: Bellisima &nbsp;

GH: Prego Roberto haha starting off with bubbles. If you&rsquo;re feeling a classic champagne, you could go with the Chartogne Tallier Brut Rose or the 2016 Bereche et File Beaux Regards. And if you wanted an Italian sparkling, they have the Scarpetta Brut Rose from the owner of Frasca himself, Bobby Stuckey&nbsp;

RT: Oh yeah Bobby is famous in Boulder, correct?

GH: &nbsp;Indeed Robert! He kind of put Boulder on the map as a foodie town. And has since added winemaker onto his resume.

RT: He sounds like you Grace &ndash; having your hand in every part of the wine industry.

GH: Totally! Knowledge is power as they say.

RT: Alright moving on from sparkling. What are you thinking for some light white selections?

GH: Well we definitely have to highlight from Fiuili wines. My picks would be the 2019 Borgo de Tiglio Fruiliano. As well as the 2018 Kante Malvasia.

RT: Mmm I can taste the acid and the citrus from all the way here in Connecticut. Wine really does transport you all over the world, doesn&rsquo;t it?

GH: It certainly does Robert. It&rsquo;s so simple yet so complex.

RT: What else is looking tasty in the whites section?

GH: Well, it&rsquo;s not an Italian list without some pinot grigio. I&rsquo;m digging the look of 2020 Foradori from Alto Adige. Also interested in this 2020 Vintage Tunia from the classic Italian producer Jermann.

RT: Yum both of those sound great. Now how about some Italian chardonnay?

GH: Reading my mind Robert! I would go with either the 2019 from Borgo de Tigli, or the 2020 from Ronc Platat

RT: Great choices Grace. Thanks for that. Alright, have we come to the main event? Italian reds?

GH: Ain&rsquo;t nothing to it but to do it! Starting off with some light pinot nero, I would go with the 2017 from Fruili Colli Oreientalli. And then if you wanted something with a bit more weight on it, they have a 1999 le Macchiole Syrah from Bolgeri.

RT: Oh, wow we don&rsquo;t drink nearly enough Italian syrah. Move over France haha

GH: I know right? I&rsquo;m super curious about that one. And speaking of curious, I wouldn&rsquo;t turn down this 2001 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d&rsquo;Abruzzo, or this 2006 Isole e Olena Chianti Classico Gran Selectzione.

RT: Oh, wow neither would I. Those both sound killer. Thanks for pointing those out, Grace. Alright what are you thinking for our listeners who like something big bold and tannic?

GH: Oh man they have a 1994 San Leonardo from Gonzaga, or a 2004 Brunello di Montelcino from Cerbaiona.

RT: Grazi Mille! Grace - thank you so much for helping us navigate the Italian wine list at Frasca. &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

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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