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

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

Il Capriccio

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas review the wine list at Il Capriccio where they serve an award-winning Italian wine list.

Wine List Review of Il Capriccio

Michaela Quinlan

Il Capriccio:

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 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.

RT: Today we are talking about Il Capriccio. Located in Waltham, MA, this Northern Italian eatery prioritizes locally sourced seafood, meat, and produce. Come enjoy their ever-changing menu in their casual bar, formal or private dining rooms.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Their Italian dominant list features many of our favorites and new varietals as well. I hope you enjoy today&rsquo;s selections.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Of my many favorite Italian white wines, one that caught my eye was the 2017 Paternoster &#39;Vulcanico&#39; Falanghina from the Basilicata region of Southern Italy. Another stand-out white wine, the Falanghina showcases bright acidity, citrus, lime zest, tangerine, a nutty/almond finish with a hint of salinity. A wonderful aperitif, or to pair with cheese and seafood.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Absolutely! One to consider would be the 2014 Roagna Rosso from the Langhe region in the Piedmont. The grape in this full-bodied red is 100% Nebbiolo and features aromas and flavors of ripe red cherries, and strawberries, with notes of lavender and tobacco on the finish. A perfect companion to herbed dishes and rich proteins.

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 must try is the highly rated 2014 Bucci &#39;Villa Bucci&#39; Verdicchio Riserva from Castelli di Jesi in the Marche region of Central Italy. The medium-bodied verdicchio grape produces white wine that showcases ripe green apple, pear, citrus, crisp minerality and salinity on the finish. This is your go to pairing for lobster and rich seafood 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: Every Italian dining experience should consist of Sangiovese. One to consider for the table would be the 2017 Fèlsina &#39;Rancia&#39; Chianti Classico Riserva from Tuscany. This classic Sangiovese from the Chianti Classico region features aromas of lavender, ripe red cherries, blueberries, leather, smoke, and notes of vanilla on the finish due to the oak aging. Certainly, a bottle to consider to pair with pasta and rich proteins.

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: Absolutely. A stand-out quality/value wine is the 2017 Colterenzio &#39;Weisshaus&#39; Pinot Bianco from Alto Adige in Northern Italy. This Pinot Blanc is a wonderful consideration to pair with cheese, light seafood, and shellfish. The aromas and flavors of pear, green apple, melon, and citrus will certainly win you over.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: Heading back to the Piedmont, a red wine to consider would be the 2018 Cascina Borgatta Dolcetto d&#39;Ovada. The Dolcetto grape is dry, bold, full bodied, and floral. This wine showcases aromas and flavors of violets, blueberries, and ripe blackberries. Pair this wine with pasta and proteins. An excellent bottle for an incredible price.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: There are many classic Italian grape varietals, however a favorite is Montepulciano. For a special event, you may consider the 2001 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d&#39;Abruzzo, of Central Italy. The Emidio Pepe winery currently features highly-rated wines from fourth-generation winemakers. This single vineyard produces rich, red wines showcasing plumb, ripe blackberries, cassis, earth, tobacco, and smoke, with round, smooth tannins. This classic grape varietal pairs beautifully with rich pastas, herbed sauced dishes, and any special occasion.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Il Capriccio&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 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.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End

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BRAT

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Matteo's

Bessa Valley is a boutique winery located in the heart of Bulgaria's Thracian Valley. The winery is known for producing premium wines that are rich, complex, and expressive. Bessa Valley's vineyards are situated on the slopes of the Rhodope Mountains, which provide a unique microclimate and soil composition that is ideal for growing high-quality grapes.

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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

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