Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico&hellip; 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&rsquo;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.

This development has not been historically exclusive to Chianti, leading to the creation of more than one Classico district. In general, the Classico wines tend to be slightly better as these regions are smaller and have stricter rules regarding plantings and winemaking. If not better, at least more traditional and typical of the region.

The most well-known Classico regions, apart from Chianti, would be Valpolicella Classico making red wine from Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara, also known as the grapes for Amarone. Valpolicella Classico is located within Valpolicella in the region Veneto, also home to two lesser known Classico regions: Bardolino Classico and Soave Classico. Bardolino Classico is located to the west of Valpolicella and produced from the same grapes, while Soave Classico, in contrast to the rest, makes white wine from the local Garganega. All great wines and certainly part of the Italian wine history.

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

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

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

Bavette‚Äôs Steakhouse & Bar ‚Äì Las Vegas

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the classic steakhouse Bavettes, MGM in Las Vegas.

Wine List Review of Bavettes, Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Bavettes

Bavettes Park MGM 

Robert Tas (RT): Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can learn to order wine with confidence.

I&rsquo;m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert!! We have a sophisticated steakhouse to discover today in our podcast

RT: we sure do, but before we get started, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. CorkRules was created to help you navigate the wine list with confidence so you will always love the wine you drink. With CorkRules in hand, you can easily select wines from your favorite restaurant wine lists based on your preferences of flavor, style, region, and even price! Plus, you can check out which wines your friends ordered and try them yourself. Want to get started? Our podcast wine list reviews are here to help you find those hidden gems, value wines, and those special celebration-worthy bottles on the list. So be sure to listen and check out what our Top Sommeliers recommend at your favorite restaurant.

MV: Today we are talking about Bavettes Las Vegas located in the Park MGM Hotel and Casino. You could almost forget you are on the Las Vegas strip when you step into this dimly lit- sultry and sexy intimate outpost of the Chicago Classic Steakhouse. Nouveau-style mirrors, colorful Tiffany glass shaded lamps, cozy red leather banquettes and gallery-style vintage art give this den-like restaurant made-up of multiple rooms a classy feel. The menu is as stylish as the immaculately appointed and knowledgeable servers. Expect standouts such as tiered seafood platters, sizzling seafood plates, and 42 day dry-aged ribeyes on this classic steakhouse menu that has become a favorite among the fashionable steakhouse-loving clientele.

RT: Maria after that description I am definitely putting this restaurant on my list when I come to visit. How does their Wine list look?

MV: Overall, It is a tad smaller than I expected but that makes it a little easier to navigate, I&rsquo;d love to see them expand on this by adding some options from Australia, New Zealand, and Chile and more from Argentina to round things out. But they do have a great selection of California Cabs and French Bordeaux which is a must for a steakhouse like this.

RT: It sure is Maria, So where will we begin?&nbsp;

MV: I am always inclined to start with oysters or a shellfish tower at a steakhouse before things get all meaty, so I would start with a glass of the Ros&eacute; Cremant, Lucien Albrecht Brut Ros&eacute;, from Alsace, in France, I mean sure you could start with the Champagne, by Nicolas Feuillatte, Reserve Exclusive, but not everyone is up for spending upwards of $35 on a glass of wine, clocking in at around $16 the Lucien Albrecht is still going to give you lots of bubbly goodness at a better price so you can spend more on the steak wine! A Cremant is produced in the method of champagne but produced in regions outside of Champagne and sometimes using different grapes... But This particular one is using 100% Pinot Noir.

RT: Cool great tip, what about a red by the glass.

MV: Okay- check this one out, the

Malbec, Susana Balbo, Mendoza, Argentina&nbsp;2019&nbsp; [bin - 7312] This is the only wine I could find on the list from Argentina. At this reasonable price point of$16 a glass, you can&rsquo;t go wrong and Susana is the most recognized female winemaker in Argentina, she literally started a movement there and when we visited it we had the most memorable lunch and wine pairing at the estate in Mendoza.

RT: Awesome Maria, now what about finding us some bottles of white and red that aren&rsquo;t going to blow a hole in the wallet?

MV: Sure, quite a few incredible options!

The DeLille Cellars &quot;Chaleaur Blanc&quot;, WA&nbsp;2018&nbsp; [bin - 8641]

$84A gorgeous Bordeaux style white blend from Columbia Valley Washington, Sauvignon blanc and Semillon are the grapes and this wine is going to be rich but fresh, cirtusy but tropical, perfect with that crab stuffed avocado I&rsquo;m eyeing on the menu..

RT: That sounds like a perfect pairing..

MV: I agree, And for my Pinot lovers, the Alexana, Revana Vineyard, Willamette Valley, Oregon&nbsp;2013&nbsp;vintage&nbsp; [bin - 8392] a medium plus bodied red with csome cellaring on it, this is my go-to wine here because often we will do more of a surf and turf sharing and so this wine works with just about everything. The Founder Dr. Revana, a cardiologist has wineries in Willamette Valley Oregon, Napa Valley California, and Mendoza Argentina, and they all produce highly accoladed wines from site specific quality vineyards.&nbsp; A great deal as it is under <s>$140 ($132)</s>

RT: those are 2 great Options Maria, and can you recommend for us 2 steakhouse reds for those of us wanting a special occasion option?

MV: I would love to, now a special occasion wine might be in the $500+&nbsp; range for some and more like the $200 range for others, it&rsquo;s all relative, so here are 2 wines from the same producer in those pricepoints. The Ch&acirc;teau Lynch Bages, 2012 And the estates so called &ldquo;second wine&rdquo;, the Ch&acirc;teau Lynch Bages Echo de Lynch Bages, 2012

NOW Both are excellent Bordeaux Blends from the commune of Pauillac, where some of the most famous and expensive wines in the world come from. Both are going to be Cabernet Sauvignon Dominant, typical of the red wines from the left Bank of the Gironde river in Bordeaux.

But here&rsquo;s where they differ: the flagship wine is from much older vines, has a higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon and along with merlot and Cab franc, adds a little bit of P. verdot. (72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 6% Cabernet franc, 3% Petit) it&rsquo;s also aged in Wood barrels for 18 mo 75% of which are brand new barriques (this is where a lot of the expense comes in for making the wine)&nbsp;

Now the Echo is produced from the younger vines on the property, sees a higher proportion of Cab Franc and merlot and is aged in previously used French oak barrels for just 14 months. (a lot less cost in oak).

You will still find both wines to be textbook Pauillac, Rich Sturdy Black Currant flavors dusted with graphite pencil shavings and cigar box aromas. But the Flagship wine will have longer ageabilty, more aggressive tannins and more complexity due to the older vines, but the Echo will certainly hold its own to any of the steaks on the menu (which by the way I have had my most flavorful steak ever at Bavettes!) CLASSIC RIBEYE - CHICAGO CUT

RT: Wow- Maria this is great for our listeners to learn about as I often look for these second wines from my favorite Bordeaux estates. I find them much more attainable and thoroughly enjoyable.

MV: This menu is great they have quite a few of them from many of the most well-regarded estates. It&rsquo;s a great question for the restaurant Sommelier, where you can still look sophisticated in front of your guests, just ask the Somm to help you choose a second wine from one of the great Bordeaux Estates.

RT: Great TIP! Thank you Maria, it&rsquo;s been a pleasure to discover Bavette&rsquo;s wine list with you. You can find Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. Thank you everyone for joining us here on CorkRules. Remember the only rule in wine is &ldquo;drink what you LOVE&rdquo;.

MV: 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 website. Be sure to follow @CorkRules on Instagram for episode and app updates Must be 21 and older, please drink responsibly.

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