With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

That&rsquo;s all about to change. Listening to Chris Phelps talk about his first foray into making wine makes you appreciate his deep knowledge and consideration for the grape and the land.

In Episode 283 of CorkRules, Robert Tas talks to Chris about his background in wine, how his son encouraged him to start making wine, and origin story of&nbsp; <a href="https://www.advivumcellars.com/">Ad Vivum,</a> but throughout this interesting conversation, one thing is clear: Chris has an immense passion for the land, the grape, and, of course, the alchemy that happens when you bring the grape through fruition, fermentation, and finally wine.

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Wine for Body, Mind and Soul

Like so many passionate vintner&rsquo;s Chris&rsquo; path into the vineyard was shaped by fate. Originally enrolled in pre-med at Davis University, he spent a summer firefighting where he encouraged a friend, a passionate wine geek, to join him at Davis where they ran a viticulture/enology program. The tables turned when the friend later encouraged Chris to jump from medicine to wine.

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Fast forward a few years of studying and working in France and at various vineyards, including a wine ch&acirc;teau within the village of Puisseguin-Saint-&Eacute;milion in Bordeaux, and Chris is now a consultant for wineries, including Inglenook in Napa Valley, and Grounded Wine Company.

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For Chris, the joy of selecting a varietal that produces exceptional and original fruit is just the beginning. He talks passionately about finding those unique grapes, picking them at the right time, not an hour later or earlier, and how the moment of tasting the raw, as yet unfermented fruit, a few days after cold soaking, reveals the aromatics and top notes.

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Today, Chris produces small productions of select wines, usually just several hundred cases each year. The wines are selectively and directly distributed locally at wine shops and restaurants. He is the winemaker, and his son runs the business side of sales and promotion. The father-son team also run Coil Wines where they produce a Mendocino County Pinot Noir and a rare old-vine Napa Valley Chenin Blanc.

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Chris believes the secret to good wine lies in the love of the land. He spends time in the vines, getting to know them, watching how they grow so he knows when they should be harvested. Timing is key when picking grapes, the sugar content and ripe factor play a major role in the final product. And of course, good vintners know that the vitality of the terroir is, well, vital for the health, growth, and taste of the grape. He pays attention to which grapes do well in which area of the land. He takes note of the sun, water, wind, and minerals in the soil all of which play a role in the magical science that turns vine into wine.

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However, Chris also believes that wine is about more than selective wine tasting and the snobbery that may be encountered within the industry. Wine is about life, and his philosophy rings true with many wine lovers across the globe for whom the love of the juice reaches far beyond tasting notes: it&rsquo;s about sharing and pairing; it&rsquo;s about long conversations and enjoying an evening of&nbsp; convivial company.

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As Chris so eloquently states, &ldquo;Ad Vivum was the first single-vineyard wine to emerge from a unique name: Ad infers movement toward a goal with intention. Vivum is the synthesis of two Latin words &mdash; vivere (to live) and vinum (wine). Ad Vivum, is, therefore, where wine and life meet.&rdquo;

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Cheers to that, Chris, and may your wine glass be always half full.

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With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

Chris Phelps on Wine and Life

Love me some Paso! Located in the heart of California's Central Coast wine region, Paso Robles is a hidden gem for wine enthusiasts and food lovers alike. With its diverse array of wineries and charming tasting rooms, this scenic destination offers an unforgettable experience for visitors.

Come discover Paso Robles hidden gems for Wine and Food Enthusiasts

A lot of things go into the price tag of a wine and not all of them relate to quality.

Shopping for Value and How to Find It

The most important things to consider while aging wine is temperature and angle. So, please, no storing wine vertically on top of the fridge in the hot sun!

How to Age Wine

To understand what to pair with oysters or any other meal for that matter, it’s good to understand the basic tasting notes and how they work with certain foods. So here’s a quick review of the most popular varietals’ tasting notes and the foods that pair well.

Pairing Wine with Oysters at the Grand Central Oyster Bar

For something light and giggly, consider the Rossini Royale, a delicious combination of Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, strawberry, and "Sant Ambroeus" Prosecco. If a refreshing pick-me-up is what you need, the Summer in the ends is a light blend of Bombay Dry Gin, cucumber water, and spring herbs cordial and it will not disappoint. However, if you’re looking for something with a little more weight, try the Carta Bianca with Glenmorangie X, Amaro Lucano, pineapple, and almond orgeat may offer what you want.

Cocktails and Wine at Casa Lever

To help you find the perfect wine to pair with lobster and more, Kim Kuznitz wine educator and certified sommelier explores Atlantic Grill’s wine list. This wine list carries 160 labels The menu here is inspired by ocean life, in fact, an abundance of fresh fish is displayed on ice and in an aquarium, although they do offer a couple of meat dishes, this restaurant is definitely focused on seafood and sushi.

Pairing Wine with Lobster at the Atlantic Grill

Balthazar is an iconic French Brasserie in the heart of Soho, Manhattan, and indeed, it is so very French. The waiting staff, the decor, the clientele and the vibe is reminiscent of a typical French cafe. Elegantly casual, but let’s move on to the wine list. The wine list is all French, and as such, most wines are made from French grape varietals, so let’s take a look at the nuances and notes of a few varietals that are the foundation of the wine.

Bordeaux Wines at Balthazar

The world of wine has always been associated with sophistication, elegance, and a sense of refined taste. However, it may surprise you to discover that some of the world's most renowned NBA players have not only conquered the basketball court but also ventured into the captivating world of winemaking. In this comprehensive article, we will explore the fascinating stories behind NBA players turned vintners, discover their exceptional wines, and uncover the origins of their passion for winemaking.

When Passion Unites: NBA Players and their Exquisite Wines

Benoit is a Parisian-style bistro in midtown Manhattan where they provide an exceptional dining experience and a 28-page wine list with a stellar selection of bottles from every region in France.

Wines from Burgundy at Benoit

Brera Osteria

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde on Instagram, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Brera, on the Las Vegas strip 

Wine List Review of Brera, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Brera

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Brera Osteria Venetian

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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

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MV: Hello Robert we are transporting ourselves to Italy today

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RT: That&rsquo;s right&hellip; via Las Vegas because today we are reviewing the wine list at Brera Osteria, in St. Mark&rsquo;s Square in the Grand Canal Shoppes of the Venetian Hotel and casino. Italian for Lunch, dinner and Happy hour is the name of the game here with Chef Auriana&rsquo;s Risotto Milanese being critically acclaimed as &ldquo; Magical&rdquo;. So grab a seat facing the square and people watch to your heart&#39;s content with a glass of Italian vino and savor the moment. Maria, let&#39;s take a look at what we should be sipping on!

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MV: Sure thing! So Breza is def focused on Italian wines which makes sense given the menu is Italian,, there are of course the obligatory champagne offerings and also a sprinkle of USA and few other French wines, but I say, stick with Italian vino starting with a glass of the FALANGHINA San salvatore, Campania, Italy 2019 for something crisp and bright and refreshing or For a red robust option , the NERO D&rsquo;AVOLA Crisera Luna Nuova, Sicilia, Italy 2019&nbsp; which will be dry and intense with dark black fruits and a little forest floor earthiness.

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RT: I see there are tons of great appetizers to choose from, so how about selecting some value options for us by the bottle that would be very food versatile?

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MV: Oh yeah they have everything from Panzanella, to charred octopus to beef Carpaccio and even pizzas - great dishes for sharing.. so I would go for the VERMENTINO mesa, sardegna, italy 2017&nbsp; or from the other Italian island&hellip; the CARRICANTE BLEND terra costantino &ldquo;deaetna&rdquo;, sicilia, italy 2016 because we are talking about island wines you just know that they will pair well with fresh fish and seafood fare.

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RT: well that makes a lot of sense, I like those options&hellip; and great pricing on both! Now, we decided to order ALL the starters what&rsquo;s going to work with seafood and meat and cheese options?

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MV: That&rsquo;s easy actually&hellip; the AGLIANICO san salvatore, &ldquo;vetere&rdquo;, campania, italy 2020. This is an Italian Rosato or what we call ros&eacute; - made from Aglianico grapes &ndash; so a beautiful pink hue, organic grapes, and a funky little shaped bottle.. If you want to step up your Ros&eacute; game, this is the wine to do it with also great with spicy food.

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RT: I can get on board with that&hellip; now I&rsquo;m sure you have some value reds for us too.

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MV: I do! The MONTEFALCO ROSSO tenute lunelli, &ldquo;ziggurat&rdquo;, 2013 is a wine that Italians love to drink it&rsquo;s from Umbria and is a mix of mostly Sangiovese plus about 15% sagrantino and 15% merlot

another good one is the&nbsp;

DOLCETTO bruno Giacosa, piemonte, italy 2017. We just opened up the 2018 of this wine and could not believe how big it was&hellip; the 18 needed more time but this 17 should be ready to go- Giacosa is one of my very fav producers in Piedmont.

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RT: So many great options at great prices&hellip; so what if we want to step up our wine game what stands out as REALLY good juice?

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MV: Two reliable standouts for me are the Valdicava BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO Toscana,Italy 2016. I know how much we both love Brunello and Valdicava never disappoints or you could try the Borgogno, BAROLO &ldquo;Cannubi&rdquo;, Piemonte, Italy 2010, if you like some age on your wine like I do.. this one is all cherries, black top and dried roses, elegant yet powerful at the same time, traditional in style and a lovely vintage as well. It&rsquo;s calling for that BRAISED PORK SHANK with parmesan risotto

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RT: And that&rsquo;s what I call a perfect note to end on!

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MV: Right? Cue the Italian Music!

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RT: RT: Well thank you Maria 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 right to your phone. You can find more wine educational tips from Maria on Instagram @mariathewineblonde and on the CorkRules app.

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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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Wally's

Bartholomew Broadbent

Buddy V's

Krasi

Airy, modern outpost for raw fare, wood-fired seafood & other plates plus a U-shaped cocktail bar.

Mandolin Aegean Bistro

The Surf Club

Itamae

Itamae Miami

Veranda

Boia De

Huertas

Kesté Pizza & Vino

Keste Pizzeria

Taverna di Bacco

Tavern on the Green

Leyland Brooklyn

Junoon

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

Fort Oak

Weingut Bründlmayer

Gruner Veltliner Landwein 2021

, Niederosterreich,

Domäne Wachau

Gruner Veltliner Federspiel Terrassen 2021

, Wachau,

La Rioja Alta

Vina Alberdi Crianza 2018

, Rioja, Spain

Tenuta Campo al Mare

Bolgheri Rosso 2021

Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Château de Saint Cosme

Cotes du Rhone Les Deux Albion 2019

Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France

Domaines Schlumberger

Riesling Alsace Grand Cru 'Saering' 2018

, Alsace, France

G.D. Vajra

Dolcetto d'Alba Coste & Fossati 2019

Dolcetto d'Alba, Piedmont, Italy

Hendry

Hendry Block 28 Zinfandel 2018

, California, USA

Laurent Fayolle

Sens Crozes-Hermitage 2020

, Crozes-Hermitage, France

Frog's Leap

Merlot 2019

, Rutherford, USA

Comte Lafond

Sancerre Blanc 2021

, Loire, France

Le Domaine d'Henri

Chablis Premier Cru 'Fourchaume' 2020

Chablis, Burgundy, France

François Chidaine

Les Choisilles Montlouis Sur Loire 2020

, Loire, France

Siduri

Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2020

, California, USA

Le Domaine d'Henri

Chablis Premier Cru 'Fourchaume' 2015 2020

Chablis, Burgundy, France