The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.&nbsp;

By the way, we love champagne with all kinds of food (seafood, fried chicken, spicy food, etc) and is more than just for a quick toast at midnight.&nbsp;

High-End Champagnes:&nbsp;

When it comes to high-end champagnes, names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug often come to mind. These prestigious champagnes are typically reserved for special occasions and are known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> is produced by Moet &amp; Chandon and is named after the Benedictine monk who is often credited with discovering the champagne-making process. Krug, on the other hand, is known for its rich and complex flavors, thanks to its unique production methods, including fermentation in small oak barrels. These won&#39;t disappoint! Yum!!&nbsp;

More Approachable Options:&nbsp;

If you&#39;re looking for a more approachable champagne that still offers great quality, there are plenty of options to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> are two examples of champagnes that are well-regarded but are often more affordable than their high-end counterparts. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> is known for its delicate, fruity flavors, while <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> is a type of champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, resulting in a crisp and elegant taste. Solid choices!&nbsp;

Blanc de Blanc:

Blanc de Blanc is a term used to describe champagnes that are made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay. This style of champagne is known for its light and crisp flavors, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a more delicate taste. Blanc de Blanc champagnes are often a great option for pairing with seafood or light appetizers.&nbsp;

Lower-End Examples and Spanish Cava:

If you&#39;re looking for lower-end champagne options, there are plenty of choices to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Piper-Heidsieck-Brut-Cuvee-w504046291">Piper-Heidsieck&#39;s Brut Non-Vintage</a> is a great affordable option that still offers great quality and flavor. This champagne is known for its fresh and lively taste, making it a great choice for casual gatherings. In addition to champagne, <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a> is another great option to consider for all budgets. Cava is a sparkling wine that is produced in Spain using the traditional champagne method, and it offers great quality at a more affordable price point.&nbsp;

Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider. From prestigious names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug to more affordable options like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a>, there&#39;s a champagne out there for every taste and budget.&nbsp;

Cheers to the holiday season! #drinkwhatyoulove #bubbles

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you're looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.

Bubbles for the Holidays!!

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

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Alexis Rogers

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Compagnie des Vin Surnaturales

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

&nbsp;I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Alexis Rogers, wine educator and restaurant sommelier

Hi Alexis, thanks for being back with us on another episode of CorkRules, - a podcast where we help simplify and demystify the wine lists at some of your favorite restaurants. We talk with certified sommeliers and wine professionals who point out interesting bottles, classic food and wine pairings, hidden gems, value wines, or splurge wines that will take your dining experience over the top.

AR: Glad to be here, thanks for having me.

RT:&nbsp; Today we are talking about Compagnie des Vin Supernaturels Wine Bar NYC in lower Manhattan. Compagnie comes to us from the same group behind Experimental Cocktail Club. This chic wine bar is known for their bangin&rsquo; Happy Hour featuring 25 wines by the glass and another 450 wines from around the world. The list is 70% French and is lovingly compiled by Sommelier Caleb Ganzer while Chef Eric Bolyard put out beautiful seasonal small plates perfect for pairing. Alexis, I know you&rsquo;ve picked out some great French wines for us&hellip;.

&nbsp;

AR: I have! But I don&#39;t actually know what the first glass is! There is an option on the glass pour list to &ldquo;Guess the Glass&rdquo;. Blind Tasters Rejoice! This is a great opportunity to test your abilities and win the bottle. I would be interested to know how specific they require your guess to be - just grape? Country? Region? Subregion? Vintage? Producer? Either way, it&rsquo;s fun and a great way to attract serious wine lovers - aside from the 40+ page wine list that is. Wine SHOULD be fun though. Blind tasting is all about narrowing down what a wine is NOT. Such as &ldquo;Finished too tart to be Napa Chard, or too minerally to be S African Chenin, a distinct rose and lychee aroma can only mean Gewurtztraminer but it&rsquo;s too lean to be Alsace - must be Germany? Cherry cola taste? That&rsquo;s gotta be Sonoma Pinot. It&rsquo;s about using clues and ruling out grapes and regions until you land on the most likely call.

RT : That DOES sound fun, you probably have to have a pretty solid foundation of wine knowledge for that though.

AR: Yes, or have tasted a lot of wines from all over the world. Speaking of wine from all over the world, this next pick is from Switzerland. It&rsquo;s the Domaine Piccard Coup de Fouet Villette Grand Cru 2018. This bottle is orange wine made from the Chasselas grape. Native to Switzerland near Lake Geneva, this grape is the classic pairing for authentic fondue. Chasselas produces wines with notes of red apple, apple blossom, melon, mint and smoke. This grape is very terroir influenced and any descriptors used to describe it can also be used to describe the country as well - crisp, clean, bright, fresh - even if they are a bit neutral. Haha&hellip; This bottle is also a skin-contact - or orange wine so we will see our varietal notes but in general, a bit more savory with added texture and funkiness. The mouthfeel on this wine is thrilling from start to finish. This unfiltered bottle has a tiny bit of cloudiness, a bit of tang, and a lil sparkle on the tongue. Well, more like a sprinkle.

RT: A Sprinkle? What do you mean? Is it a sparkling wine?

AR: No, not fully sparkling, but it does have a small amount of effervescence.

RT: That sounds like it hits all the &ldquo;wine nerd&rdquo; bullet points - obscure grape, non-classical region, orange wine. Sounds fun!

AR: Haha!!! For Sure - def a geeky wine. This next wine will also separate those in the know pretty distinctly - it&rsquo;s from Beaujolais. New or non-explorative wine drinkers will only think of the Fruit Punch-esque Beaujolais Nouveau and think this bottle &ldquo;unrefined&rdquo; But those in the know will make the joke that it&rsquo;s technically a Cru Burgundy. The bottle is Domaine Chapel Charbonnieres Fleurie. Made from the Gamay grape, Fleurie is one of 10 crus in the region recognized for making wines of exceptional quality and is noted for its feminine, floral characteristics. Tasting notes on this include juicy strawberry, rasp preserves, pink flowers, violets, hints of licorice, potting soil and crushed rocks. It&rsquo;s fruity, earthy, minerally, AND floral. These wines are just FUN to drink. Pair this low tannin, med-bodied wine with a charcuterie board as it goes with everything on it - meats, cheeses, pickles, fruit, mustards, jams - Cru Beaujolais tackles them all. This particular bottle is made from high-quality organic grapes w/ minimal intervention and no added sulphites and is a beautiful indication of the convergence of high-quality site and talented winemaking.

RT: Wow, that could be a whole meal right there! Alexis, thank you for being with us to talk about the very cool list at Compagnie Wine Bar and giving us a little insight on blind tasting, that was cool!&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:

Info@corkrules.Com 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 or wherever you get your podcasts.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

END

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

Riondo is a renowned Italian wine producer that specializes in the production of Prosecco. They have a long-standing history of producing some of the finest wines in Italy, and their commitment to quality and innovation has made them one of the most respected names in the industry.

Two-floor bistro for dry-aged steaks & other French fare, with a bar that's strong on absinthe.

Meson

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou

BondST

Buenos Aires Restaurant

Buenos Aires

Meadowsweet

Casa Mono

Atera

La Cava

LAVO Italian Restaurant

Lavo

Quality Italian

episodes

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.

Boucherie

Drappier

Carte Blanche Brut Champagne NV

Blend

Champagne, France

Jean-Luc Colombo St. Pray La Belle de Mai 2021

Roussanne

Rhone, France

Fuenteseca

Rose NV

Blend

Utiel-Requena, Spain

Terre

Tania & Vincent Careme Chenin Blanc, Brle 2021

Chenin Blanc

Coastal Region, South Africa

Bouvet-Ladubay

Cremant de Loire Excellence Brut Rose NV

Cabernet Franc

Loire, France

Famille Perrin

Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve Rouge 2021

Blend

Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France

Famille Perrin

Cotes du Rhone Villages Rouge 2020

Grenache

Cotes du Rhone Villages, Rhone, France

Paul Buisse

Eleve en Barriques de Chene Chinon 2020

Cabernet Franc

Loire Valley, France

Paul Jaboulet Aîné

Hermitage Le Chevalier de Sterimberg 2021

Roussanne

Hermitage, Rhone, France

Pierre Sparr

Pinot Gris 2020

Pinot Gris

Alsace, France

Francois Martenot

Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2020

Pinot Noir

Bourgogne, France

Maison Saleya

Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence Rose 2021

France

Louis de Grenelle

Saumur Brut Rose NV

Blend

Saumur, France

Prosper Maufoux

Macon-Villages 2021

Chardonnay

Burgundy, France

Baron de Saint-Onge

Rouge 2013

Blend

Bordeaux, France