Wine can bring out the best in food, and yes, that does include seafood, but it&rsquo;s not only white wine that pairs well with seafood, despite the popular misconception, some red wine pairs well with some seafood. When you are choosing wine to pair with seafood, you should pay more attention to the wine notes, sweetness and dryness, than the color of the wine.

So how do you choose which wine pairs well with seafood. Certified sommelier, Michaela Quinlan reviews the wine list at Oceana where she reviews the list and offers pairing suggestions.

The wine list at Oceana is an extensive, award-winning 33-pages. A list of this size would take quite some time to navigate, but Michaela quickly identifies fabulous standout wines from around the globe and offers a few tips on pairing wine with seafood to help you make a wiser and tastier choice all in under five minutes.

Let&rsquo;s start with the bubbles because who doesn&rsquo;t like adding a little sparkle to the beginning of the meal?

All of the sparkling whites, whether French, Italian or Spanish,&nbsp; Champagne, Prosecco, Cava, will complement fried dishes like calamari, or any seafood fried and cooked in batter, but these bottles also pair deliciously well with caviar.&nbsp; At Oceana, you can order several by the glass, including&nbsp; Prosecco, Palidin, Extra Dry, Millesimato, Veneto, Italy 2020.

Moving on to the more obvious choice of white wine with seafood, to choose wisely, all foodies should understand which whites pair well and why. For example, a dry white wine like pinot gris or sauvignon blanc pairs best with meaty fish like cod and tilapia.

Moving on to the Spanish whites Michaela recommends the Albari&ntilde;o,&nbsp; Valtea, R&iacute;as Baixas, 2020.

The traditional cuisine of Portugal and Spain are seafood rich, so it makes sense that the local varietals of albarino and veldehro pair well with shellfish dishes of mussels, crab, scallops and lobster. These wines are light and fresh with notes of lemon and the right acidity and crispness, to complement the delicate flavors of the shellfish. Just as shellfish should not be overcooked, the wine should not overpower.

If chardonnay all day is your comfort zone, you are in good company. Chardonnay is popular for good reason. These fuller whites are heavier than the pinot gris or sauvignon blanc, but work well with bass, oysters, salmon, and even lobster. The heavier the seafood the more full-bodied the wine is a good rule to follow. At Oceana, the Chardonnay, Saint-V&eacute;ran, Domaine Luquet, Burgundy, 2020 is a good way to go.

Interested in more wine tips and recommendations? Click the link and listen to <a href="https://corkrules.com/episode/details/3">the podcast wine review</a> of Oceana.

Cheers.

Wine can bring out the best in food, and yes, that does include seafood, but it’s not only white wine that pairs well with seafood, despite the popular misconception, some red wine pairs well with some seafood. When you are choosing wine to pair with seafood, you should pay more attention to the wine notes, sweetness and dryness, than the color of the wine.

Wines that Pair Well with Seafood at Oceana

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

Harriet's Rooftop

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Harriet’s Rooftop, an elegantly comfortable space where patrons can take in the most expansive views of vibrant Toronto.

Wine List Review of Harriet's Rooftop, Toronto, Canada

Michaela Quinlan

Harriet&rsquo;s Rooftop:

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode, 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 lists 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 Harriet&rsquo;s Rooftop. Located at the 1 Hotel in Toronto, this luxurious rooftop features light fate with classic cocktails, Sunday brunch, and an exceptional selection of wine.&nbsp;

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: A gorgeous rooftop view always lends itself to a celebration, no matter the reason. Their menu features several small and large dishes, sushi, along with local and organic wines. We have several noteworthy wines for you today.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s kick things off with a local selection. Consider the 2020 13th St Winery Chardonnay from Creek Shores, Canada. This lightly oaked Chardonnay exudes aromas and flavors of ripe green apple, melon, and peach, with notes of vanilla on the creamy finish. This would be a wonderful pairing for sushi and seafood.

RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?

MQ: Staying local, The 2020 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay from Beamsville Bench, Ontario is one to consider. This sustainable and vegan Gamay rivals the Gamay of Beaujolais. This medium-bodied red wine features notes of earth, ripe raspberries and cranberries, with hints of white pepper and a soft, mineral finish. This is an excellent pairing with lightly sauced proteins 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 must-try would be the 2019 Juggernaut Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in California. This organic Pinot Noir showcases ripe cranberries, and cherries, with aromas of spice, and floral notes. A finish of vanilla and cinnamon come through, as this wine ages in French oak. Pair this Pinot Noir with light proteins, rich fish, and pasta.

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: After checking out the sushi and lighter fare on Harriet&rsquo;s Rooftop&rsquo;s menu, I was excited to see which Sauvignon Blanc was available. The 2020 Stattlerhof Sauvignon Blanc from Austria caught my eye. This highly rated, organic Sauvignon Blanc is bright and aromatic with notes of lemon zest, ripe peach and apricot with a mineral finish. Pair this with fresh herbs, soft cheese, and lightly sauced fish.

RT: Ooh, Terrific. Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind, any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: Another standout organic wine to consider of excellent quality and value would be the 2019 Alois Lageder &ldquo;Dolomiti&rdquo; Pinot Grigio from Alto Adige in Italy. Aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, ripe pear, lemon zest and spice make this bright, white wine an excellent aperitif, or to pair with shellfish and sushi.

RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?

MQ: If you are considering a full-bodied, rich, red wine of excellent value that is also organic and vegan, look no further than the 2018 Earthworks Shiraz from the Barossa Valley of Australia. Ripe plumb, black cherries, notes of sage, earth, and vanilla make this red a true gem. Pair this New World winner with richly sauced proteins and pasta all for an excellent price.

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or a special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

&nbsp;MQ: Rooftop celebrations certainly lend themselves to something sparkling. A favorite, and true classic, is the Piper Heidsieck Cuvee from Champagne. It all began in 1777, when Florens &ndash; Louis Heidsieck wanted to produce &ldquo;a wine that smiles.&rdquo; History as certainly proven his success in this endeavor. This highly rated cuvee consists of a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, and Chardonnay and showcases bright citrus and pear, with notes of almonds, hazelnuts, and brioche. A perfect addition to any celebration.

RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Harriet&rsquo;s Rooftop&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.

&nbsp;

Thank you.

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End

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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

The Melting Pot - Knoxville

Pacific Rim Riesling Vin de Glacire, USA, Washington, Columbia NV

Riesling

Washington, USA

Placido

Moscato d’Asti NV

Moscato Bianco

Moscato d'Asti, Italy

Domaine Ste. Michelle

Michelle Brut Rose NV

Pinot Noir

Columbia Valley, USA

Drumheller

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Washington, USA

Francis Ford Coppola Winery

Diamond Collection Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

California, USA

Kendall-Jackson

Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

Michael David Winery

Petite Petit NV

Petite Sirah

California, USA

Salentein

Portillo Malbec NV

Malbec

Argentina

Starborough

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

Nevio

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo NV

Montepulciano

Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy

Fleur De Prairie Languedoc Rose France Roussillon NV

France

Maso Canali

Trentino Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Gris

Trentino, Italy

Michael David Winery

Zinfandel, Lodi NV

California, USA

Rodney Strong

Chalk Hill Estate Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Chalk Hill, USA

Impero Collection

Premium Merlot NV

Merlot

Terre di Chieti, Italy