Certified sommelier Grant Wood joins Robert Tas in this episode of CorkRules where they review the wine list of <a href="https://www.casalever.com/menu/">Casa Lever</a>, a classic Italian restaurant located within the Park Avenue glass skyscraper the Lever House, so you know it&rsquo;s going to be classy. Damien Hirst artwork adorns the walls. In 2010, a New York Times critic described it as &ldquo;a new Italian restaurant of the Manhattan old school, built for socialites and those who finance them, staffed by handsome, rakish men with huge wristwatches. . . .&rdquo; It may be a little more inclusive and accessible today, but this Manhattan landmark it&rsquo;s still immensely elegant.

For something light and giggly, consider the Rossini Royale, a delicious combination of Grey Goose Vodka, Italicus, strawberry, and &quot;Sant Ambroeus&quot; Prosecco. If a refreshing pick-me-up is what you need, the Summer in the ends&nbsp;is a light blend of Bombay Dry Gin, cucumber water, and spring herbs cordial and it will not disappoint. However, if you&rsquo;re looking for something with a little more weight, try the Carta Bianca&nbsp;with Glenmorangie X, Amaro Lucano, pineapple, and almond orgeat may offer what you want.

They also offer all the classic cocktail favorites: Bellinis, Pimm&rsquo;s Cups, Martini&rsquo;s etc. Whatever cocktail kicks off the evening for you, the bar will provide, but show some restraint, there&rsquo;s a lovely wine list to explore before the evening is over.

The wine list&nbsp;includes dozens of wines by the glass, ranging from $17 to $80. So if you have an occasion to celebrate or just want a delicious glass of wine that won&#39;t break the bank, this list will meet your needs. &nbsp;

Moving on from cocktails to bubbles, Casa Lever&rsquo;s&nbsp;wine list&nbsp;offers a lovely selection of Prosecco, Champagne, and Lambrusco. Splurge on a glass of the &nbsp;Champagne Brut &quot;Rare&quot;, Piper Heidsieck, (2007) a wonderful blend of chardonnay and pinot noir or consider ordering a bottle of the less-costly Prosecco di Valdobbiadene &ldquo;Cartizze&rdquo; by Villa Sandi This wine offers exceptional value and quality.

For whites, there is a lovely if small selection from Italy with one or two from the U.S. and France. The Vouvray Sec &quot;Clos Naudin&quot;, Philippe Foreau, (2015) Chenin Blanc, from the Loire Valley is well worth trying, but if you want a medium-bodied dry white, order the Sauvignon Blanc &quot;Asimenia&quot; (2021), from Toscana. This white will pair nicely with a rich dish like the &nbsp;Carbonara.

On the red side of life, on the wines-by-the-glass list French and Italian wines dominate, and you can&rsquo;t go wrong with a Ch&acirc;teauneuf du Pape &quot;T&eacute;l&eacute;gramme&quot;, Vieux T&eacute;l&eacute;graphe, (2019) a wonderful blend of Grenache, Syrah, Mourv&egrave;dre, and Cinsault, from the Rh&ocirc;ne Valley.

To learn more about the wine list at Casa Lever and the difference between Cava, Champagne and Prosecco, <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/casa-lever/episodes/13">listen to the CorkRules podcast </a>with certified sommelier Grant Wood.

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the wine list through sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience, makes it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, and provides you with personalized wine recommendations from your favorite restaurants. Through CorkRules you can find the perfect wine for every occasion based on your preferences. Connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try and learn about wine. CorkRules makes it easier to discover and drink what you love. &nbsp;

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

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

Eric Asimov's recent article isn't just about the "luxury" of sommeliers vanishing from restaurants. It's a stark warning about the potential collapse of a vibrant corner of our social and cultural ecosystem: the world of wine.

Why the Decline of Sommeliers Is a Crisis for All of Us

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Lago restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

Wine List Review of Lago in Las Vegas

Maria Valetta

Lago

Lago 

RT:&nbsp; Hi Everyone,&nbsp; 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, wine educator, and certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hello Robert! I&rsquo;m excited to talk about this special Italian hot spot with Fountain views today

RT: That&rsquo;s right Maria, but before we get started, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. CorkRules was created to help you navigate the wine list so you will always love the wine you drink. With CorkRules in hand, you can confidently and easily select wines from 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? Then check out our podcast wine list reviews, our Top Sommeliers are here to help you find those hidden gems, value wines, and those special celebration-worthy bottles.

Now Maria, let&rsquo;s talk about this Bellagio restaurant favorite.

MV: Let&#39;s get into it. Today we are talking about Lago Restaurant in the Bellagio Hotel and Casino by the James Beard award-winning chef, Julian Serrano. Get ready for your tastebuds to take a culinary tour of the many different regions of Italy. The menu features creative interpretations of innovative Italian small plates and handmade pastas that are perfect for sharing, while taking in the romantic view of the iconic Bellagio fountains.

RT: I bet this is a hot spot in Vegas. How does the wine list look Maria?

MV: It sure is, we have come here for a few celebrations, and the wine list has so many wonderful choices from all over the world. Plus the view really is one of the best!

RT: That&rsquo;s great to hear,&nbsp; so why don&rsquo;t you select a few options by the glass to kick off our meal.

MV: Yes, I would recommend if you wanted to start with something light, and as refreshing as those fountains, the Nino Franco,&#39;Rustico&#39;, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene, from the Veneto region of Italy. I&rsquo;m particular with my prosecco, some of them can honestly be boring, but the Nino Franco is one that I really like and it&rsquo;s the most reasonably priced bubbly on the by the glass list. It&rsquo;s going to be great with the oysters, or the fish Crudo options.

RT: Any still wines that would also pair with those dishes?

MV: yes, the Cordero de Montezemolo, Arneis 2020. &nbsp;Now Arneis is an indigenous Italian white grape from the piedmont region of Italy. This wine is pure expression of the fruit, this is not an oaked wine, I love this grape.

Now If you are a butter chardonnay drinker and would prefer a wine with oak influence then I would suggest the Patz &amp; Hall, &#39;Dutton Ranch&#39;, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley&nbsp;2018&nbsp;

RT: 2 great options, and how about some nice reds by the glass?

MV: I would order the Vajra, (*Viara)Barbera d&#39;Alba, Piedmont, Italy [3825855]&nbsp;2018&nbsp;

$20 Great producer that also makes killer Barolos but, loves their Barbera too because of the

Dark rich fruits like blackberries and black currants here, and this would be stellar with the mushroom risotto!

Another great option is the Edge, Cabernet Sauvignon, Alexander Valley 2019&nbsp;a luscious and smooth, wine that is lovable without breaking the bank.

RT: Fantastic! What about the list of bottles.. so much to choose from, what caught your eye that our listeners should try?

MV: Well Robert they have some great champagnes and I think that a bottle of champagne is a perfect way to kick off an evening in Vegas.

Delamotte, Blanc de Blanc, Le Mesnil sur Oger 100 % chardonnay grapes a multi vingtage option and for vintage, the Piper-Heidsieck, Rare, Reims 2008&nbsp;

The top cuvee they make also called Tete du Cuvee This bottle is beautiful!! Just stunning!

Also loving that they have some Greg Linn wines. They are always awesome. I love their motto, which is &ldquo;whatever it takes&rdquo; because quality is the most important thing for them.

RT: Any of those fall in the value category?

MV:Yes actually, the Greg Linn 2019&nbsp;Langhe Nebbiolo, he produces great Barbaresco and Barolos, this is the same grape, Nebbiolo, so basically a declassified, lighter structured Barbaresco is what you get and&nbsp; a much more reasonable price point comes with it.$180

RT: That&rsquo;s a great&nbsp;find Maria, what else falls into the value category?

MV: The Planeta, Eruzione 1614, Nerello Mascalese &nbsp;2018&nbsp;from Sicily. 

$102 This is a lighter-bodied red that I often recommend to those that favor a lighter-bodied like Pinot Noir. There&rsquo;s some similarities here and get this 1614 correlates to the eruption of the Etna volcano which in year erupted and lasted for a legendary 10 years, And get this

The vines which produce this wine grow on actual lava Flow

RT: that is just super cool, now I do see a lot of seafood on the menu so a white would also be a&nbsp; nice recommendation here.

MV: For sure, I can give you 2 Italian whites, the Reva, Grey, Langhe 2018&nbsp;

$ This is a white from the piedmont region 50% SB and 50% Sauvignon Gris organic, vegan-friendly, a medium-bodied, mineral-driven fresh white, perfect with seafood pasta grilled vegetables or pesto. And the Poggio al Tesoro, Solosole, Vermentino, Bolgheri a Tuscan white 2020&nbsp; that would be lovely with the mixed seafood Grill.

RT: Now we need 2 final&eacute; wines! Something as spectacular as those fountains!

MV: haha! Love that, they are spectacular! The Dominique Lafon, &#39;Les Champs Gains&#39;, 1er Cru 2017&nbsp;Puligny Montrachet white burgundy from French is the origin of course. vines averaging 50+ years in age. Hard to find, this is chardonnay at a whole other level. INCREDIBLE balance with the oak here.

And a lovely red worthy of a special celebration I would say definitely go Italian, given the menu&hellip; I&rsquo;m eyeing that Veal Osso Bucco with the Saffron Risotto that, and the Valdicava 2017&nbsp;Brunello di Montalcino is going to be amazing!!!

And just a side tip since we are talking about Valdicava, when we were last there we had a bottle of their Rosso di Montalcino which is also a really nice option without being too spendy! SO there you go!

RT: Yes! The rosso&rsquo;s are always a good buy and I would say those from the top producers are quite impressive. But that Valdicava Brunello and Veal Osso Bucco &hellip; that&rsquo;s where you had me!

MV: HAHA! I knew you would love that pairing Robert!

RT: well Thank you Maria for taking us through the Wine list at Lago Restaurant Las Vegas In the Bellagio Hotel.&nbsp; You gave our listeners a lot of great wines to try.

Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. You can find more wine tips from Maria on Instagram @Mariathewineblonde. 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. Prices and selections subject to change, please drink responsibly.

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&nbsp; The dynamic modern space of bright uplifting colors and an outdoor patio with views of the iconic Bellagio fountains make it the perfect spot for a date night, a leisurely leisurely lunch or weekend brunch.

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BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Acrobat is a label under King Estate Winery, located in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. They focus on producing high-quality, affordable wines using sustainable farming practices and minimal intervention winemaking. Their wines are known for their bright acidity and fresh fruit flavors.

Unassuming watering hole in an old tenement home with wine, craft cocktails & upscale snacks.

Craft

Craft L.A.

Barbrix

Wally's

The Belvedere

Spago Las Vegas by Wolfgang Puck

Spago

Jeune Et Jolie

Cucina Urbana

Rossoblu

Petit Trois

Cowboy Star

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.

The Immigrant

Malamatina

NV, Retsina 1950

Greece

Domaine de La Noblaie

Chinon NV

Cabernet Franc

Loire, France

Rio Mendoza

Malbec NV

Malbec

Mendoza, Argentina

Domaine Harlaftis

Nemea NV

Agiorgitiko

Nemea, Greece

Louis Latour

Pinot Noir Les Pierres Dorees NV

Pinot Noir

Burgundy, France

Palmer Vineyards

Cabernet Franc NV

Cabernet Franc

New York, USA

Cave de Lugny

Chardonnay Macon-Villages La Cote Blanche NV

Chardonnay

Mâconnais, France

Cabert

Merlot NV

Merlot

Friuli Grave, Italy

Kontozisis Vineyards

'Sun' Malagousia PGI Karditsa NV

Thessalia, Greece

Raimbault-Pineau

Sancerre Rose NV

Pinot Noir

Sancerre, France

M. Chapoutier

Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Bernardine NV

Grenache

France

La Caravelle

Brut Rose Champagne NV

Blend

Champagne, France