Certified sommelier and CorkRules&rsquo; resident Somm, Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise on the wine list of <a href="https://ilbuco.com/">il Buco.</a>&nbsp;il Buco&rsquo;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 &quot;one of the best and most exciting in America&quot; by Gourmet magazine and the wine list has won <a href="https://www.winespectator.com/">Wine Spectator&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;&quot;Award of Excellence&quot; several times.

The wine cellar was created by Roberto Paris, a childhood friend of Alberto Avalle&#39;s, the co-owner. Roberto is from the small town of Foligno, Umbria and he has brought his knowledge of the artisan producers to il Buco. The selection of wines is dedicated to small lesser-known producers of artisan wines that are expressions of the soils and cultures However, on a 400-wine list, you&rsquo;d expect to see wines from the world&rsquo;s more renowned wineries, and indeed, you will find a large selection of well-known and well-loved wineries.

In the by-the-glass section, try the La Lecciaia Brunello Riserva, Toscana. Made from sangiovese from a winery in central Italy, this wine is light, fruity and dry with notes of ripe red fruit, raspberry and cherry.

Another must-try on the by-the-glass section is the Arnaldo-Caprai &#39;Cuvee Secret&#39;, Umbria. Umbria is a region famed for the quality of its wine, and this one lives up to expectations. It&rsquo;s round and soft, at the same time fresh with notes of delicate flavors and citrus. It also comes from central Italy and is made from the grechetto grape.

Moving to the north of Italy, the Magia Lambrusco 2016 from Emilia-Romagna has a dark purple hue that pours a beautiful purple fizzy head. The bubbles are small and light, the notes are floral with red fruits. Delightful on a hot summer night.

Taking a break from Italian wines, let&rsquo;s move on to Slovenia and try a bottle of the Simčič Ribolla Classic 2016. The ribolla varietal is indigenous to Slovenia and is best grown in the mild Mediterranean climate. The bouquet is soft with notes of lemon, green apple, citrus and grapefruit. This wine would pair well with the Tagliatelle (house-made egg pasta, Perigord black truffle, parmigiano or the Risotto (Principato di Lucedio carnaroli rice, Oregon porcini, thyme, pecorino di noce).

If a trip to wine country in Italy is out of the question, may we suggest a visit to il Buco where you can peruse artisan wines&nbsp;at your pleasure.

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 thanks to sommelier&rsquo;s 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 will help 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;

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

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

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Red Fox, a restaurant renowned for locally sourced, four-course dining with local wine pairings. 

Wine List Review of The Red Fox, Virginia

Michaela Quinlan

The Red Fox

Red Fox Inn

<a href="https://www.redfox.com/menus/WineList-1-19.pdf">https://www.redfox.com/menus/WineList-1-19.pdf</a>

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 our mobile app and our podcast&rsquo;s 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 the Red Fox Inn and Tavern, part of Virginia&rsquo;s Hunt Country, in Middleburg, VA. Located one hour West of Washington DC, the historic Red Fox Inn and Tavern has been operating since 1728, and is truly a must visit.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what you think of their wine list.

MQ: The Red Fox features locally sourced, four-course dining with local wine pairings, along with Pub fare and their exceptional wine list. Today we will be featuring a number of local wines, along with Old and new World favorites.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great. As you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: We must begin with a local white wine. Consider the 2020 Pollak Vineyards Viognier from Greenwood, VA. With origins in Southern France, Viognier thrives in Virginia. This aromatic white wine features ripe green apple, dried apricot, ripe peach, with bright acidity and a creamy finish, as a&nbsp; small portion of the wine ferments in barrel. This Viognier is a perfect companion to herb-roasted chicken and salmon.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Another local consideration would be the 2021 Early Mountain Vineyards, Shenandoah Valley Cabernet Franc from Madison, VA. Aromatic as well, this Cabernet Franc is well-balanced featuring notes of ripe blackberries, and black cherries, with black pepper, earth, mushrooms, ripe tannins, and a long finish. Cabernet Franc is an excellent pairing with herbed and savory dishes.

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 classic producer to consider would be the JJ Prum, Graacher Himmelreich, Spatlese Riesling from Mosel, Germany. Spatlese means &lsquo;late harvest&rsquo;, which indicates this Riesling is on the sweeter end of the spectrum. Keep in mind Kabinet is less sweet, and Trocken indicates a drier Riesling. This Spatlese balances sweetness with tropical fruit, ripe peach, and cantaloupe. Fresh acidity with white flowers and a saline note on the finish add to the pleasure of this wine. Pair this Riesling with charcuterie and spicy 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: Another classic producer to consider to pair with dinner is the 95-point rated Ridge Vineyards, Lytton Springs, from Healdsburg, CA. This remarkable blend of Zinfandel, Petit Sirah, and Carignane is rich and full-bodied with notes of ripe red cherries, ripe raspberries, plumb, black pepper, and lavender, with round tannins and a mineral finish. Pair this rich red with proteins such as beef and lamb.

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:&nbsp; If you are seeking a quality/value white wine to pair with seafood, cheese, or as a refreshing aperitif, consider the 2021 Argiolas, Costamolino Vermentino from Southern Italy. This light, fresh white wine is a beautiful alternative for fans of Sauvignon Blanc. With bright acidity, lime zest, ripe peach, Meyer lemon, grapefruit, with a note of saline on the finish. This is truly a crowd-pleasing white wine.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: For the bold red wine drinkers in search of that hidden quality/value bottle, consider the 2017 Gimenez Mendez, Alta Reserva Tennat from Uruguay. This well-balanced, robust red features firm tannins, ripe red cherries, blackberries, and plumb, along with earth, mushroom, black pepper, clove, and nutmeg on the lingering finish. An excellent companion to all richly sauced proteins and pasta.&nbsp;

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: To add to your dining experience at this beautiful, historic inn, consider the classic 2017 Le Pauillac de Chateau Latour in Bordeaux, France. First crafted in 1989, the Pauillac de Latour ages beautifully, but is also stellar when enjoyed young. This Left Bank blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petit Verdot, showcases your classic Bordeaux characteristics, such as ripe black cherries, currants, cassis, leather, vanilla, and cigar smoke, with ripe, round tannins. This iconic producer never fails to impress. Enjoy this standout bottle during any special occasion, or your next trip to Hunt Country.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Red Fox Inn&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 or app 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 CorkRules app that has all your favorite restaurants wine lists with personalized recommendations and you can connect with your friends.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&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

Alta Luna is a wine producer located in the Vigneti delle Dolomiti region of Italy. Founded in 2001 by E&J Gallo Winery, the winery produces high-quality wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. With a large winery size, Alta Luna is able to produce a wide range of wines that are enjoyed by wine enthusiasts around the world.

Craft

Craft L.A.

Barbrix

Wally's

The Belvedere

Spago Las Vegas by Wolfgang Puck

Spago

Jeune Et Jolie

Cucina Urbana

Rossoblu

Petit Trois

Cowboy Star

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

Stan's Epicurean

Available Wines
Total Wines - 10

Chateau Coutet, Saint-Emilion NV

Saint-Emilion, Bordeaux, France

Louis Jadot

Bourgogne Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Bourgogne, France

Château Cap l'Ousteau

Haut-Medoc NV

Blend

Haut-Medoc, France

Antinori

Castello della Sala Bramito Chardonnay 2020

Chardonnay

Umbria, Italy

Silverado Vineyards

Estate Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Los Carneros, USA

Eroica Riesling Columbia Valley Wa 2020

Columbia Valley, USA

Louis Jadot

Pouilly-Fuisse NV

Chardonnay

Burgundy, France

Albert Bichot

Chablis Premier Cru NV

Chardonnay

Chablis, Burgundy, France

Adaptation

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Darioush

Cabernet Sauvignon (Signature) NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, USA