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.

Alto means high, referring to altitude when talking about wine, in both Spanish and Italian. Recently higher altitude locations have been planted more and more. A few decades ago, these areas were not seen as suitable for growing quality grapes as the climate back then was too cool. Today, with many producers witnessing a rising temperature, and a lot of new techniques in the vineyard, these areas are finally becoming viable. The higher you plant the cooler the temperature will be, but you will also receive more sun which in turn helps ripen the grapes. The temperature will be quite warm during the day, but very cool at night. This leads to ripe fruit aromas developing during the day, followed by a cool nighttime keeping the fresh acidity in the grapes, the best of both worlds for the grapes.

In Italy this development has been very prominent in northern Piemonte in the last decade. There is now talk about an area called Alto Piemonte, comprised of a few different wine regions. They are all located higher up in the mountains, and like the most famous wines from Piemonte many are based on the Nebbiolo grape. The most well-known wine regions would be Ghemme, Gattinara, and Boca.

But Alto Piemonte is not the only area where the term is used. In quite a few cases, in both Italy, Spain, Argentina and Chile the term can be seen used as part of a producer name or even as the name of a specific wine, sometimes to convey the wine is from a high planted vineyard. It is not uncommon however for winemakers to use the term to show it&rsquo;s their highest quality wine, not a wine from high altitude.

More wine growers have shown interest in high altitude vineyards lately, and the record of the highest planted one is something a few are trying to beat. It&rsquo;s safe to say the positive effects the altitude has on the growing grapes mean these vineyards are here to stay, and terms as alto may be used in more languages soon.

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

Smitty's Grill

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Smitty’s Grill in Pasadena, California

Wine List Review of Smitty's Grill, Pasadena

Grace Hood

Smitty&rsquo;s Grill

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! Happy to be here as always 

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s 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. Today Grace and I will be reviewing a Pasadena staple, Smitty&rsquo;s Grill. Grace what are your initial thoughts on Smitty&rsquo;s Grill

GH: Well right off the bat, they herald themselves with &ldquo;American comfort food at its best&rdquo;. Say less Smittys Grill! I&rsquo;m here for it ;)

RT:&nbsp;Oh man who doesn&rsquo;t love comfort food? Mac and cheese. Roast chicken. Food for the soul. Always puts you in a good mood. How is their wine list looking?

GH: Looking great! Not too big so we&rsquo;re not overwhelmed with choices. Different varietals and styles and price points. Def something for everyone here at this Pasadena dining room away from home, as they say hahah

RT: I love it. Where would you like to start? Bubbles as always?

GH: Hey I don&rsquo;t make the rules. I just choose the wine hahah but fun fact &ndash; champagne is a great pairing for everything, but especially fatty rich decadent meals, aka comfort foods! So if you wanted to pair with champagne, they have some really beautiful choices. From the Mignon Gentile Grand Cru, to the Philipe Gravier Grand Cru. And if you wanted rose champagne, they have a Bollinger which is always a solid choice

RT: Champagne and comfort food. What a life we live! Are you seeing some good selections in the whites as well?

GH: Absolutely Robert! If you wanted to go with some classic California selections, I would do the 2020 Twomey Sauvignon Blanc from Sonoma, or the 2017 Newton Chardonnay from Napa. However, if you wanted to go with some more unique wines that you don&rsquo;t see a whole lot of production from in California, they have an albarino out of Monterey from the La Marea Vineyard, and then they have another old school varietal, Ribolla Gialla from the Massican vineyard out of Napa. 

RT: Awesome. Really giving folks lots of options in California. Love it! Do you have some nice old-world options for whites as well.

GH: Oh for sure! If you&rsquo;re feeling Spanish, they have a Verdejo from Nisia vineyard out of Rueda, or if you wanted French, they have a Burgundian Chardonnay from Pascal Clemente. And they also have a few nice riesling selections. I would pick the 2017 from Jean Baptiste out of Rheinhessen Germany.

RT: Great global grapes grace! Haha! Say that five times fast.

GH: Great global grapes grace, great global grapes grace hahah

RT: Now how are we looking for red wine? Interested to hear the Smittys grill selections

GH: Starting off light with pinot. I would do the 2019 Kosta Browne from the Russian River Valley, or the 2018 Shae Vineyard from Sonria Vineyards out of the Willamette. Or if you wanted French pinot, I would go with the 2016 Marchand Tawse from Burgundy &nbsp;&nbsp;

RT: Yum those all sound like great choices. What about some merlots or malbecs for those medium bodied drinkers? &nbsp;

GH: Say no more Robert! They have a 2013 Merlot from the Coho Vineyard out of Napa. And they also have a 2015 Valle de Maipo from Cousino Mocoul from Chile. 

RT: Delicious. Any good Italians? &nbsp;

GH: It&rsquo;s like you&rsquo;re reading my mind Robert! Haha! My picks for Italian would be this 2015 Barolo from Fontanafredda, or if you wanted something bigger and bolder, they have a 2016 Brunello di Montalcino from San Felice

RT: Bellisima! Now I assume they have some killer tannic cabs from California, being a Pasadena restaurant and all &nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: 100%! They have a 2017 Coho and a 2016 Heitz, both from Napa, as well as a 2017 Paradigm from Oakville.

RT: Oh yum. Those will all really stand up to the delicious comfort foods on the menu. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the list at Smitty&rsquo;s Grill. 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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End

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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

Sycamore Lane is a popular wine brand that offers a range of varietals, including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and others. The wines are known for their consistent quality and affordability.

Handcrafted Italian grub, including pasta & wood-fired pizza, served in a casual, rustic space.

28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen

28-50

Bleu Provence

KOCHINYC

Kochi

Wally's

Hav & Mar

Bern's Steakhouse

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

Flour + Water

Borgogno Francesco

Barolo 2017

Nebbiolo

Barolo, Italy

Emilio, Modena, Nessun Dorma 2021

Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Furlani

Alpino Negrik 2021

Negrara Trentino

Vino d'Italia, Italy

Sauro Maule

Granselva 2018

Blend

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Vigna Nica

Mamertino, Italy, Sicily, Mamertino 2016

Nero d'Avola

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Ottoventi

20 Nero d'Avola NV

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Vigneti Vallorani

Zaccari 2015

Passerina

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Idlewild

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Muscat Blanc

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Cantine Madonna delle Grazie

Liscone Aglianico del Vulture, Basilicata NV

Basilicata, Italy

Sassara

Bardolino Goto 2020

Miscela

Veneto, Italy

Costadila ' slm' Frizzante, Veneto 2020

Veneto, Italy

Caprera

Agricola, Le Vasche Montepulciano d'Abruzzo NV

Italy

Bossanova Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2021

Italy

Caprera Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo, Italy, Abruzzi, Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo 2020

Italy

Terenzuola

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Vermentino

Colli di Luni, Italy