Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God, the popular manga series by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto, has been adapted into a television series by AppleTV and has some buzz in the wine world. The AppleTV series tells a story about a competition between Camille&#39;s (Fleur Geffrier) estranged daughter and Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita), the prot&eacute;g&eacute; after the death&nbsp;of&nbsp;Camille&#39;s father, a famous wine collector, to win his world-renowned wine collection valued at $100M+.

The show has been compared to the 2004 movie Sideways, which follows the journey&nbsp;of&nbsp;two friends as they travel through California&#39;s wine country. Both&nbsp;Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God&nbsp;and Sideways share a common theme&nbsp;of&nbsp;discovering wine&#39;s joys and the culture surrounding it. The film had an immediate impact on both tourism and sales by introducing people unfamiliar with wines.

However,&nbsp;Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God&nbsp;takes it to a new level with its intricate and detaileddescriptions&nbsp;of&nbsp;wines, vineyards, and the people behind them. The series has created a buzz in the wine world, with viewers becoming curious about the winesmentioned in the show and eager to try them themselves.

The cultural impact&nbsp;of&nbsp;Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God&nbsp;has been immense in Japan, with the manga series selling over 30 million copies and the television series was a huge hit. The show has inspired a generation&nbsp;of&nbsp;young people to explore the world&nbsp;of&nbsp;wine and has even led to an increase in tourism to wine regions.

This is a golden opportunity, but yet it&#39;s surprising the wine world has not leaned into&nbsp;Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God&nbsp;more, missing a chance to bring people&nbsp;of&nbsp;all ages into the wine world. With the decline in wine sales, it&#39;s clear that the industry needs to reimagine how it markets its products and brings new consumers into its ecosystem.

This emphasis on education is something that many experts argue could be key for helping bring new consumers into the wine world who have until now been unaware or intimidated by all there is out there; young people can significantly benefit from having access to this kind&nbsp;of&nbsp;information without needing expensive classes or sommelier certifications first.

Drops&nbsp;of&nbsp;God&nbsp;comes at a unique point in time for the wine world and&nbsp;offers a significant opportunity to educate and bring people&nbsp;of&nbsp;all ages into the wine world. The cultural impact&nbsp;of&nbsp;the series in Japan and the potential impact it could have in the US and around the world cannot be ignored.&nbsp;Time is ticking, and the wine world cannot afford to miss this opportunity.

&nbsp;

Drops of God, the popular manga series by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto, has been adapted into a television series by AppleTV and has some buzz in the wine world. The AppleTV series tells a story about a competition between Camille's (Fleur Geffrier) estranged daughter and Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita), the protégé after the death of Camille's father, a famous wine collector, to win his world-renowned wine collection valued at $100M+.

Drops of God: The AppleTV Series That Could Save the Wine Industry

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

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

Frenchie Wine Bistro

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Frenchie Wine Bistro in Boston where they review the wine list and offer pairing suggestions. 

Wine List Review of Frenchie Wine Bistro in Boston

Michaela Quinlan

Frenchie Wine Bistro:

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&nbsp; 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 Frenchie Wine Bistro. Located in Boston&rsquo;s South End, Frenchie&rsquo;s is the place to relax, meet friends, and enjoy a French inspired menu. Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list?

MQ: This predominately Old World wine list organizes selections by style, and showcases a number of favorites.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with a favorite destination in the Loire Valley, known as Vouvray. The 2019 Vincent and Tania Careme &lsquo;Spring&rsquo; Vouvray. The grape in this dry white wine is Chenin Blanc and features ripe peach, tangerine, and green apple, along with aromas of white flowers and a mineral finish.

I mention minerality often, and this is the dryness that you taste in a wine, many define it as chalk dust, or I liken it to the smell when the first raindrops hit the sidewalk on a hot day. This comes from the soil composition in each growing region. Here in Loire, you will find limestone and schist, so certainly the grapes will take on these characteristics. This minerality is one of the reasons why this wine pairs beautifully with shellfish and seafood.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Another famous French wine region is the Northern Rhone.&nbsp; Do consider the 2019 Domaine Lionel Faury Syrah, from the Saint-Joseph appellation of the Northern Rhone. This full-bodied Syrah features rich ripe blackberries, black cherries, and plumb with smoke, leather, and a hint of nutmeg on the finish. This wine is meant to pair with richly sauced and herbed dishes, along with anything from the grill.

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: The Loire Valley features one of my favorite appellations, Chinon. The 2020 Chateau Du Petit Thouars, Chinon &quot;Les Georges&quot; Cabernet Franc. I enjoy the balance of fruit and earthiness of this wine. The ripe cherries and strawberries pair with black olives, black pepper, and earth, making this an excellent pairing for herbed and savory dishes.

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: Many may think of Provence only for their stellar rose, however, Provence produces standout red and white wines as well. A white wine to consider would be the 2020 Clos Saint Madeleine Cassis Blanc which consists predominantly of Marsanne and Ungi Blanc. This dry, medium-bodied blend features aromas of white flowers and honeysuckle, along with flavors of lemon curd, ripe peach, and lime zest, along with bright acidity and a mineral finish. Being fuller-bodied, this wine would pair beautifully with dense fish such as salmon and tuna.

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: I always look for quality/value wines, and when you find a top sparkler in there, you have to go for it!&nbsp; Do consider the Caneva da Nani, Col Fondo Valdobbiadene, Glera from the Veneto. Glera is often the grape used in Prosecco. This Glera is light, dry, citrusy, and refreshing. This is a wonderful way to begin your dining experience or if you are considering any shellfish, cheeses, or fried dishes, look no further. A fun, light sparkler at an excellent price.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: We had some fun with that sparkler, now let&rsquo;s get serious and head to Cahors in Southwestern France. The 2016 Domaine du Prince &quot;Le Plaisir du Prince, Malbec, from Cahors. This bold and rich Malbec features ripe plumb and dried blackberries, with cinnamon and clove. This is your selection to pair with richly sauced proteins.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: If you are considering a dessert wine to add to your special event and are having difficulty deciding, one to consider would be the 2016 Planeta, Passito di Noto, from Sicily. Passito is the Italian word for raisin. Much like other late harvest wines, such as Sauternes, the Moscato grapes in this dessert wine also over-ripen to maintain natural sweetness. Featuring aromas and flavors of apricot, mango, honey, and tropical fruit, this dessert wine is the perfect pairing with dessert, cheeses, and any special occasion.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Frenchie Wine Bistro&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 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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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

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L'Auberge Chez Francois

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Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Soalheiro is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Vinho Verde region in Portugal. The winery is known for its high-quality Alvarinho wines, which are produced using sustainable farming practices and traditional winemaking techniques. Soalheiro's wines are characterized by their freshness, minerality, and complexity.

Fashionable restaurant furnishing steak, seafood & vegan dishes, plus inventive cocktails.

Dante

Geronimo

La Mercerie

Bar Primi

Kirby’s Steakhouse

The Grill

request

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.

Barry’s Downtown Prime

L'Ecole No 41

Estate Syrah (Seven Hills Vineyard) 2016

Shiraz/Syrah

Walla Walla Valley (OR), USA

Brandini

Resa 56 Barolo 2013

Nebbiolo

Barolo, Italy

Copain

Tous Ensemble Pinot Noir 2016

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Archery Summit

Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2021

Oregon, USA

Mindego Ridge

Chardonnay 2014

Chardonnay

California, USA

Pursued by bear

Baby Bear Syrah, Columbia Valley 2014

Washington, USA

Charles Krug

Pinot Noir 1977

Pinot Noir

Los Carneros, USA

Gaja

Pieve Santa Restituta Rennina Brunello di Montalcino 2013

Sangiovese

Brunello di Montalcino, Tuscany, Italy

Valdicava

Madonna del Piano 2016

Brunello di Montalcino, Italy

Chteau d'Yquem, France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes 1935

Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blend

Bordeaux, France

Remoissenet Père & Fils

Les Amoureuses Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 1967

Pinot Noir

Chambolle-Musigny, France

E. Guigal

Chateau d'Ampuis Cote-Rotie 2019

Shiraz/Syrah

France

Méo-Camuzet

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2009

Pinot Noir

Burgundy, France

Tenuta di Trinoro Campo di Magnacosta 2008

Tuscany, Italy

Rose & Arrow Estate 'Black Walnut' Worden Hill Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2017

Dundee Hills, USA