Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let&rsquo;s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.

Omakase, a term that translates to &quot;I&#39;ll leave it up to you&quot; 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&#39;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.

In comparison with ordering &agrave; la carte sushi, omakase offers a more immersive and adventurous dining experience. The cooking techniques vary widely depending on the dish; sashimi may be delicately sliced raw fish or seafood, nigiri might involve hand-pressed rice topped with wasabi and neta (topping), while other dishes could be grilled or simmered.

An omakase meal typically lasts two to three hours and consists of anywhere between 10-20 courses. To show gratitude towards the chef for their skillful preparation, customers usually express verbal appreciation after each course is served.

Pairing wine with omakase can elevate this already exquisite experience even further. Here are some wines that complement different elements of an omakase meal:

1. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Von-Winning-Riesling-Herrenletten-Erste-Lage-Trocken-2021-w2600484yk">Riesling - Von Winning - Riesling Herrenletten Erste Lage Trocken 2021- $39.99</a>

Von Winning Winery has been producing wines since 1849 in Germany&#39;s Pfalz region known for its diverse soil types ideal for growing Riesling grapes. This particular wine showcases bright acidity balanced by notes of ripe peach and apricot alongside mineral undertones&mdash;a perfect match for delicate sashimi dishes.

2. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Hiedler-Gruner-Veltliner-Ried-Thal-2021-w5616107gk">Gruner Veltliner - Hiedler - Gruner Veltliner Ried Thal 2021 - $26.99</a>

Hailing from Austria&rsquo;s Langenlois region, Hiedler has been making wine since 1856. Their Gruner Veltliner Ried Thal is characterized by its fresh and lively acidity, with flavors of green apple and white pepper&mdash;excellent for cutting through richer omakase dishes.

3. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-LaFage-Rose-Miraflors-2022-w2115833ea">Ros&eacute; - Domaine LaFage - Ros&eacute; Miraflors 2022 - $18.99</a>

Domaine Lafage in France&#39;s Roussillon region is known for their high-quality wines produced from old vines. Their Ros&eacute; Miraflors boasts a vibrant pink hue with notes of red berries and citrus fruits&mdash;a versatile choice that can complement a variety of omakase courses.

4. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/sake/Konteki-Pearls-Of-Simplicity-Junmai-Daig-w52718362g">Sake - Konteki - Pearls Of Simplicity Junmai Daiginjo (720ml) - $37.99</a>

Produced in Kyoto, Japan&rsquo;s ancient capital, Konteki Sake represents the epitome of Japanese tradition. The &quot;Pearls Of Simplicity&quot; Junmai Daiginjo offers clean and smooth flavors with hints of pear and melon&mdash;an authentic pairing to honor the origins of omakase dining.

In conclusion, an Omakase meal is not just about eating; it&#39;s about surrendering yourself to the chef&#39;s expertise while embarking on a culinary journey that tantalizes your taste buds one course at a time&mdash;and when paired with carefully selected wines or sake, this experience becomes even more unforgettable.

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

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

Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head to Las Vegas where they stop in at Buddy V’s an Italian restaurant in the Venetian resort with views of the strip. 

Wine List Review of Buddy V's, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Buddy V's

Buddy V&rsquo;s Ristorante&hellip; Venetian resort in Las Vegas

<a href="https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/content/dam/venetian/restaurants/buddy-v/drink-menu.pdf">https://www.venetianlasvegas.com/content/dam/venetian/restaurants/buddy-v/drink-menu.pdf</a>

RT): Hi Everyone, welcome back to CorkRules! The wine APP &amp; podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your FAVORITE restaurant wine lists.

I&rsquo;m your host, Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde on Instagram. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert we have been on an Italian restaurant kick lately!

RT: We sure have&hellip;. and coming up today is Buddy V&rsquo;s Ristorante&hellip; so get ready for cannolis and raviolis and lots of wine ~ Because the Cake Boss has more than just cake on offer, at his restaurant in the Venetian resort in Las Vegas! You can expect his Family&rsquo;s recipes of Italian favorites with window views of the strip&hellip;

So Let&rsquo;s get to it, and pair some wines with all that Red Sauce from the &ldquo;BOSS&rdquo;!

MV: Robert now that&rsquo;s a good one! Okay so let&rsquo;s check out this wine list: it&rsquo;s mostly Italian American themed.. like the food here.. lots of reasonable options and more new world focused on offer by the glass.

RT: So take us through it!&nbsp;

MV: Okay to start&hellip; your best bets for By the glass are the

SAUVIGNON BLANC San Simeon, Paso Robles,

For a crisp bight wine or for a richer, carefully oaked style then order,

&nbsp;the Chalk Hill, Chardonnay from Sonoma County, 2019 .under premium pours.

&nbsp;And reds the CABERNET PINOT NOIR Four Graces, Willamette Valley, 2019 ....&nbsp; Or the Trinchero, Iron &amp; Sand, Paso Robles 2019 for a bigger bolder option.

RT: oh yeah I see definitely California focused &hellip;so now that we have a glass of wine in our hand.. let&rsquo;s roll into the wines by the bottle, you said lots of reasonable options right?

MV: I did.. so I have a few great suggestions starting with a fresh sparkling&hellip;

..I know a lot of girlfriends that like to start with prosecco at Italian restaurants and while I do personally prefer Franciacorta, prosecco has its place and can be a fun wine IF it&rsquo;s a good producer&hellip; and the Nino Franco Rustico, Prosecco Veneto, NV .................. 52 is a good one and a good value

But if you want to just roll into a really great white wine because you know you&#39;re having the Bronzino for your main entree, then check out the wines from the producer Jermann. &nbsp;now I know you have heard me mention the pinot grigio from Jermann before a couple of times but not everyone carries the other wines this fantastic producer makes, but Buddy Vs has two on this list that are&nbsp; must order wines.. the RIBOLLA GIALLA Jermann, Vinnae, Fruili, 2019 that falls into the value category and the jermann, Dreams, Chardonnay 2018............... 138 that falls into the premium category&hellip; I think you will fall in love with these wines, especially when paired with the right foods.

RT: And so speaking of food if we are all about that red sauce&hellip; what do you recommend in the red value category?

MV: You mean red gravy? Lol! Okay then you go Italian red like the Antinori, il Bruciato, 2019 baby SUPER TUSCAN <s>&nbsp;</s>Primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah with a small percentage of Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot complex with layers of fruit and spice but it &rsquo;s&nbsp;the rounded integrated tannins that just makes you want to take sip after sip especially with that Valastro Sunday gravy dish which has a bunch of different meats layered over Rigatoni

MV: If you&#39;re all about California wines and have decided on the ANGUS NEW YORK STRIP steak then go for the Seghesio, ZINFANDEL Sonoma, 2017 ...................... 52 it&rsquo;s super affordable and everyone will love the fruit-forward profile its tannins are softer than a stuffed animal.

RT: Red Zin is actually really good with a little char on your steak too &hellip; And then, you mentioned earlier, the Dreams chardonnay in the more premium category what&rsquo;s on par for reds?

MV: Yeah&hellip; Check out these 2, for Italian,&nbsp; the Ceretto, 2016 BAROLO........................ 152 this family-owned wine estate in the Lange Hills of Piedmont is one of the most respected producers of Barolo (and Barbaresco) all the wines are organically certified and this 2016 vintage has just begun to show it&rsquo;s best side..

For my American pick, the Ziata, Mia Madre, BORDEAUX BLEND Napa, 2015

64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Malbec, and 9% Petit Verdot. Funny because it has an Italian name even though it&rsquo;s a California wine&hellip; it&rsquo;s a creation by Karen Cakebread.. now we all know the cakebread name in wine.. she named this wine after her mother&rsquo;s maiden name Annunziata and is Karen herself is really involved in all the details of making this one .. Give it a try, it would be a great wine to sip on in the lounge while listening to the live music they have on Tuesdays-Thursdays!

RT: Live music and wine.. now you&#39;re talking!

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: Well thank you Maria for talking wine at Buddy V&rsquo;s in Las Vegas with us, and thank you everyone, for joining us on another episode of CorkRules. Be sure to download the app from the Appstore and start getting your personal restaurant wine recommendations directly to your phone. You can find more wine educational tips from Maria on Instagram @mariathewineblonde and on the CorkRules app.

MV: It&rsquo;s here! The CorkRules App! Download it for free today from the app store so you can browse restaurant wine lists, connect with your friends, and start drinking wines you love.&nbsp;

Have a favorite wine List? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at <a href="mailto:info@corkrules.com">info@CorkRules.com</a> You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on The CorkRules app. Be sure to follow @CorkRules on Instagram for episode updates. Prices and selections subject to change, please drink responsibly.

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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

MWC is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Australia's wine country. We are dedicated to producing exceptional wines that reflect the unique terroir of our vineyards.

Eddy V's Prime Seafood Restaurant

The View

Il Capriccio

Clarity

Bellissimo Restaurant

Bellissimo

Sandbar

Mirabelle Restaurant & Tavern

Mirabelle at Three Village Inn

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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

Stagecoach Restaurant

Nuà

Prosecco NV

Glera (Prosecco)

Prosecco, Italy

Fortant

Lux Royal Brut Rose 2020

Grenache

Santa Margherita

Pinot Grigio Alto Adige 2018

Pinot Grigio

Italy

Roscato

Bianco Dolce – Sweet White NV

Chardonnay

Provincia di Pavia, Italy

Mount Riley

Sauvignon Blanc 2020

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

Castelfeder, Pinot Grigio 15, Alto Adige 2018

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

Fortant

Grenache Blanc - Chardonnay Pays d'Oc 2019

Blend

Pays d'Oc, France

Windemere

Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Cabernet Sauvignon

Dry Creek Valley, USA

Fortant

Terroir Littoral Chardonnay 2019

Chardonnay

Pays d'Oc, France

Mauro Molino

Leradici Barbera d'Asti 2019

Barbera

Barbera d'Asti, Piedmont, Italy

Teutonic

Muscat 2021

Muscat Blanc

Oregon, USA

I Castelli di Romeo e Giulietta

Prosecco NV

Glera (Prosecco)

Prosecco, Italy

I Castelli di Romeo e Giulietta

Prosecco NV

Glera (Prosecco)

Veneto, Italy

Royal

Cuvee, Brut Nature Joseph Perrier Champagne Dry White France NV

Champagne, France

Dom Perignon Champagne Vintage Brut Box Legno France 2006

Champagne, France