The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.&nbsp;

By the way, we love champagne with all kinds of food (seafood, fried chicken, spicy food, etc) and is more than just for a quick toast at midnight.&nbsp;

High-End Champagnes:&nbsp;

When it comes to high-end champagnes, names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug often come to mind. These prestigious champagnes are typically reserved for special occasions and are known for their exceptional quality and craftsmanship. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> is produced by Moet &amp; Chandon and is named after the Benedictine monk who is often credited with discovering the champagne-making process. Krug, on the other hand, is known for its rich and complex flavors, thanks to its unique production methods, including fermentation in small oak barrels. These won&#39;t disappoint! Yum!!&nbsp;

More Approachable Options:&nbsp;

If you&#39;re looking for a more approachable champagne that still offers great quality, there are plenty of options to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> are two examples of champagnes that are well-regarded but are often more affordable than their high-end counterparts. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> is known for its delicate, fruity flavors, while <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Charles-Heidsieck-Brut-Blanc-De-Blancs-w1263779l4">Charles Heidsieck Blanc de Blanc</a> is a type of champagne made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, resulting in a crisp and elegant taste. Solid choices!&nbsp;

Blanc de Blanc:

Blanc de Blanc is a term used to describe champagnes that are made exclusively from white grapes, typically Chardonnay. This style of champagne is known for its light and crisp flavors, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a more delicate taste. Blanc de Blanc champagnes are often a great option for pairing with seafood or light appetizers.&nbsp;

Lower-End Examples and Spanish Cava:

If you&#39;re looking for lower-end champagne options, there are plenty of choices to consider. <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Piper-Heidsieck-Brut-Cuvee-w504046291">Piper-Heidsieck&#39;s Brut Non-Vintage</a> is a great affordable option that still offers great quality and flavor. This champagne is known for its fresh and lively taste, making it a great choice for casual gatherings. In addition to champagne, <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a> is another great option to consider for all budgets. Cava is a sparkling wine that is produced in Spain using the traditional champagne method, and it offers great quality at a more affordable price point.&nbsp;

Whether you&#39;re looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider. From prestigious names like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/MoA-t-and-Chandon-Dom-Perignon-Brut-2013-w87575582p">Dom Perignon</a> and Krug to more affordable options like <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Ruinart-Brut-Rose-w2136832vx">Ruinart Rose</a> and <a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Gramona-Brut-Corpinnat-Imperial-2017-w91087350j">Spanish Cava</a>, there&#39;s a champagne out there for every taste and budget.&nbsp;

Cheers to the holiday season! #drinkwhatyoulove #bubbles

The holiday season is a time for celebration, and champagne is a popular beverage of choice for many. Whether you're looking for a high-end champagne to mark a special occasion or a more approachable option for casual gatherings, there are plenty of choices to consider.

Bubbles for the Holidays!!

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

Lambrusco: The Party in a Bottle You Need to Try under $25

As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

Spring into Rosé: The Perfect Wine for Warmer Weather

We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

Furmint: Hungary's Hidden Gem for Wine Lovers

Check out these four whites wines under $24, from some great producers across various terroirs – France, Italy, Spain. Spring is in the air.

Four must try white wines for under $24 from France, Spain, and Italy

Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas talk shellfish, seafood, and, of course, wine to pair with the fresh seafood, enjoy immensely and remember. 

Wine List Review of Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

Sam Hohl

Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

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 Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier.

Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

SH: 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.

Cork Rules

Helm Oyster Bar &amp; Bistro

Overview

Helm Oyster Bar &amp; Bistro is located on the waterfront in Portland, Maine.They focus on showcasing all that Maine&rsquo;s oceans and farms have to offer through their dishes made with fresh Seafood along with local meat and produce. They have a beverage program tailored to pair with their menu, and a wine list focusing on low-intervention wines.

Where to start

This is a fun list that highlights natural and low-intervention wines and has lots of wonderful French options along with some other Old and New World bottles too. I have a few finds that stood out to me, but let&rsquo;s start our night with the 2019 Movia &lsquo;Rebula&rsquo; for a bottle that will be unique and delicious. The Movia estate has been around since the 1700&rsquo;s and is located in Slovenia bordering Italy. This bottle is made with Ribolla Gialla grapes which are indigenous to the area and not a common find on a wine list! It&rsquo;s going to bring flavors of orange citrus, apple, and honey with herbs and salt. It will pair well with seafood so it&rsquo;s a great bottle to have with many dishes on the menu.

If you&rsquo;re a red lover you could try the 2019 Domaine Usseglio &lsquo;Cuv&eacute;e Girard.&rsquo;This is a Southern Rhone red blend made with primarily Grenache. It&rsquo;s going to have both red and black fruit flavors, hints of pepper, along with violets and herbs. It would pair nicely with something like the house-cured Mangalitsa Ham.

And how about some Sicilian Ros&eacute;? The 2020 Lamoresca is made with primarily Frappato but has Zibibbo blended in as well. It will have floral aromas, flavors of juicy pomegranate and red fruit, along with dried herbs. It&rsquo;s also going to have lovely acidity and light tannins. It would be so good with the Beets and House Ricotta or the Black Bass Crudo.

Value

Let&rsquo;s talk about a few value bottles since there&rsquo;s some options that will be amazing with the fresh seafood theme of this menu. The 2020 Olivier Tricon Chablis is a wonderful value bottle. It&rsquo;s got all those delicious citrus, apple and mineral notes that pair so well with food. It&rsquo;s going to be wonderful with their shellfish, like the mussels or prawns, but would be great with something like the Kunik goat&rsquo;s cheese too.

Now let&rsquo;s talk value bubbles. I love that this list has options to enjoy sparkling wines no matter what budget you&rsquo;re working with. The 2018 Francois Chidaine &lsquo;Brut Tradition&rsquo; is a sparkling Chenin Blanc from the Mont Louis region that would be delightful to sip on and pair. The Chenin Blanc is grown biodynamically and the yields are small. This bottle has acid that just sings and is accompanied by lemon, apple, grapefruit and hints of pastry.

Celebratory 

While this list has some excellent value bubbles, there&rsquo;s also some incredible celebratory bottles if you&rsquo;re looking for something to make the evening memorable. The 1999 Pascal Doquet &lsquo;Vertus&rsquo; Premier Cru. This bottle has age, it has beauty, it&#39;s just a stunner of a Champagne. Delicate bubbles but complex flavors with notes of biscuit, nuts, and zippy green apple. You could order up a plate of Maine oysters with this one, but it would be amazing with so many of the fresh seafood dishes here.

Another great way to celebrate especially for red lovers would be the 2018 Domaine Pierre Gelin &lsquo;Les Hervelets.&rsquo; A gorgeous Pinot Noir from Fixin, Burgundy. Full of red fruit, raspberry, earthy flavors and slight spice along with herbal aromas as well. Silky tannins and refreshing acid make for a delicious and special red.

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Helm&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 Sam 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.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for and download the CorkRules app for ios. Its makes personalized wine recommendations at over 40K restaurants, allows you to connect with friends and has price transparency. Order wine with confidence.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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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

Mussel Bay is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Marlborough, New Zealand. They are known for producing high-quality wines with a focus on sustainability and minimal intervention winemaking. Their vineyards are located in the Wairau and Awatere valleys, which are known for their ideal growing conditions for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir.

Frenchette

Le Bernardin

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Charlie Bird

Becco

Buddha-Bar Restaurant New York

Buddha Bar

Franks Wine Bar

Frank's

Maison

Maison Premiere

Pastis

Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Aldo Sohm

learn

Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

Aged Cork Wine & Spirits

Dashe Cellars

Vineyard Select Zinfandel NV

Zinfandel

California, USA

Heron

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Talley Vineyards Bishop's Peak Pinot Noir NV

Central Coast, USA

A to Z Wineworks

The Essence Of Oregon Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Oregon, USA

Abbazia di Novacella (Stiftskellerei Neustift)

Kerner NV

Kerner

Italy

Alice

Happs, iSeries East of, Red, Margaret River NV

Western Australia, Australia

A to Z Wineworks

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Oregon, USA

Antinori

Peppoli Chianti Classico NV

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Decoy

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

Chardonnay

Ben Haines, Yarra Valley NV

Victoria, Australia

Talley, Bishop's Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles NV

California, USA

Colli di Lapio di Romano Clelia

Fiano di Avellino NV

Fiano

Campania, Italy

Donnafugata

Sherazade Nero d'Avola NV

Nero d'Avola

Sicily, Italy

Ben Haines

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Victoria, Australia

Bishop's Peak

Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

San Luis Obispo County, USA