The San Francisco Giants have upped their wine game by offering a curated selection of wine for fans at games. In fact, serving wine at Giants&rsquo; games is so popular with fans that, in 2022 they hired their own Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein. The goal is to enhance the gameday experience and we at CorkRules wholly agree.

Master Sommelier at the SF Giants

Wine writer, educator, and Master Sommelier, Evan his written three books on wine and has been twice cited in the &ldquo;Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S. Wine Industry&rdquo;, by IntoWine.com. Evan&rsquo;s vision to improve the Giant&rsquo;s wine program included encouraging Giants fans to learn more about wine by conducting in-person and virtual wine tasting sessions and increasing the selections of wines featured by introducing fans to a variety of regions and profiles.

To expand the Giant&rsquo;s relationship with the wine industry, he collaborated with current and former Giants players who are involved in the wine industry, and this win-win relationship was further strengthened by curating wine-related programs for the Giants community, including field trips to wine country, member discounts, and other wine-related activations such as wine pairings and Giants&rsquo; specific culinary events. In fact, the Trefethern Family Vineyards website clearly welcomes and offers free shipping to SF Giant fans.

Pairing Wines at Baseball Games

Despite the perception that quality wines are best paired with haute cuisine, Evan reminds us that there is no need to be snobbish about pairing wine. It&rsquo;s all about what taste good to you. A good wine can be paired with hot dogs and traditional game food, yes we said it. Gilroy&#39;s Garlic Fries and Gerwutzrtaminer sounds absolutely binge worthy.

As the wine industry grows by popular demand in North America, and more celebrities step into the industry, Evan also sees his role&nbsp;as wine educator and consultant for players who want to invest in a business outside of the game.

The San Francisco Giants are also partial to quality bubbles. They have a long-time partnership with Mumm Napa, and when the SF Giants wone the 2012 and 2014 World Series, Mumm Napa issued a limited-release good luck elixir to celebrate.

The experience at the hot dog stand and sitting in the stalls has just taken a Giant leap forward.

To listen to Evan&rsquo;s interview on curating wine for the SF Giants, check out <a href="https://corkrules.com/san-francisco-giants/episodes/359">Episode 261 of CorkRules.</a>

Evan&rsquo;s&nbsp; books are : <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Pairings-Sommeliers-Practical-Partnering/dp/0520243773/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Perfect+Pairings%3A+A+Master+Sommelier%E2%80%99s+Practical+Advice+for+Partnering+Wine+with+Food&amp;qid=1629248122&amp;sr=8-3">Perfect Pairings: A Master Sommelier&rsquo;s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Daring-Pairings-Sommelier-Distinctive-Favorite/dp/0520254783/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Daring+Pairings%3A+A+Master+Sommelier+Matches+Distinctive+Wines+with+Recipes+from+His+Favorite+Chefs&amp;qid=1629248184&amp;sr=8-1">Daring Pairings: A Master Sommelier Matches Distinctive Wines with Recipes from His Favorite Chefs</a>; and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Wines-South-America-Essential-Guide/dp/0520273931/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&amp;keywords=Wines+of+South+America%3A+The+Essential+Guide&amp;qid=1629248259&amp;sr=8-3">Wines of South America: The Essential Guide</a>.

&nbsp;

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The San Francisco Giants have upped their wine game by offering a curated selection of wine for fans at games. In fact, serving wine at Giants’ games is so popular with fans that, in 2022 they hired their own Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein. The goal is to enhance the gameday experience and we at CorkRules wholly agree.

San Francisco Giants' Master Sommelier, Evan Goldstein is Upping the Wine Game

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

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

Crown Shy

Alexis Rogers

Crown Shy

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

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 Alexis Rogers, Wine Educator and Sommelier

&nbsp;RT: Hi Alexis and thanks for joining us on another episode!

AR: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me! I really liked browsing the list over at CrownShy and I can&#39;t wait to share some of the cool bottles I found! This is a real wine geek&rsquo;s dream list!

RT:

Well, then let&rsquo;s jump right in!&nbsp; Here at Cork Rules, we help decode and demystify wine lists at some of your favorite restaurants because we know firsthand how intimidating being handed a well-appointed wine list can be.

Today we are talking about Crown Shy - the first solo project of Chef James Kent (formerly of Eleven Madison Park) and restaurateur Jeff Katz. Marked by its beautifully dramatic 16 ft floor to ceilings windows, this Michelin starred neighborhood restaurant boasts a concise and very to the point menu and a wine list to match.

So Alexis, what&rsquo;s your overall impression of the list @ Crown Shy?

AR: It&rsquo;s everything you need and nothing you don&#39;t. It&rsquo;s well organized and easy to browse - their website even has a &ldquo;search&rdquo; option! All of our major and important regions are represented by a few well-selected bottles but there&rsquo;s also some very unique stuff here!

RT : Let&rsquo;s start with the unique then!

AR: Don&#39;t miss the section on &ldquo;Skin Fermented White Wine&rdquo; aka Orange Wine. This is a white wine made like red wine - that is, left in contact with the grape skins and/or seeds which are the sources of a lot of flavors and tannins. With white grapes, this process delivers tangy, firmly-structured wines with a sort of bruised apple/nutty/sour tangerine &ldquo;funkiness&rdquo; to them. I would be interested to try the 2016 Cantalapiera Verdejo Chivitero from Rueda, Spain. The grape here is Verdejo, a white grape that grows nearly exclusively in Rueda, and has a similar taste and aromatic profile to Sauvignon Blanc. Here we&rsquo;ll get notes of lime, honeydew, grapefruit, white peach and herbaceous fennel. Pair this with the famed Gruyere Fritters with chilli and lime to match the wine&rsquo;s citrusy tanginess.&nbsp;&nbsp;

RT: That DOES sound interesting (Insert opinion/experiences with orange wines). I definitely think &ldquo;funky&rdquo; is our operative theme here with Crown Shy.

AR : I agree! I really found some very cool off-the-beaten-path bottlings at great price points that I didn&#39;t expect from a spot in the Financial District! Like the 2019 Domaine Curtet Frisson de Cimes. Not your typical red blend, this beauty is made up of almost equal parts Gamay and Mondeuse with a smattering of Pinot Noir and comes to us from the French region of Savoie right on the border of Switzerland. Gamay - the grape made famous in Beaujolais - contributes juicy pomegranate, wild raspberry and gravelly soil notes while the Mondeuse brings black cherry, white pepper and milk chocolate to the blend. This is a lighter style of red brimming with all that juicy red fruit but balanced by a firm minerality and subtle earthiness. This bottle wouldn&#39;t suffer from a slight chill and is meant to be consumed young and fresh. This 2019 vintage is at the height of its drinking window right now,

RT: I love a big rich, aged red wine but I find lighter styles like this can be a little more food-friendly sometimes. Especially if I&rsquo;m eating something with finely-tuned expressive flavors like we see with the dishes at Crown Shy.

AR : Absolutely! And speaking of expressive flavors&hellip; did you see that Satsuma Orange Ice Cream with Honeycomb and Toasted Marshmallow? I looked specifically for a wine to complement this!

RT: I sure did! I know pairing wine with dessert can be tricky, what did you come up with?&rdquo;

AR: It can as the wine should be at least as sweet as the dessert in order for one not to drag the other down. My answer is Sauternes! Sauternes is a village in Bordeaux that produces the world&rsquo;s most famous dessert wines from a blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Semillon, and Muscadelle. They belong to a family of lusciously sweet wines known as &ldquo;Botrytis&rdquo; or &ldquo;Noble Rot&rdquo; wines. They are extremely concentrated and very sweet but that sweetness is supported by beautiful acidity to prevent them from being cloying. The tasting notes alone are enough to make your mouth water - think apricots dripping in honey, orange marmalade, ginger, saffron, hazelnut, caramel and a touch of smokiness. Try a glass of the Premier Cru Chateau Sigalas-Rabaud.

RT: Wow! What a way to wrap up a meal! I can&rsquo;t wait to check out Crown Shy! Alexis, thank you so much for being our guide&nbsp;and helping us find all these cool bottles as well as introducing us to some new grapes. 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:

Info@corkrules.Com 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, and finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

END

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

Treana is a family-owned winery located in Paso Robles, California. They are known for crafting premium wines that reflect the unique terroir of the region. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Treana has become a leader in the California wine industry.

Elegant, waterfront New American place with an airy, lodgelike vibe, cocktails & patio seating.

Viva Garcia

Brera Osteria

Buddy V's

Yardbird

CHICA Las Vegas

Chica

Bar Zazu

Hell's Kitchen, Las Vegas

Brera

Jasmine

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

Stone Water at 3 Peaks Marina

MAN

Chardonnay (Padstal) NV

Chardonnay

Coastal Region, South Africa

M. Chapoutier

Belleruche Cotes du Rhone Rose NV

Grenache

Cotes du Rhone, Rhone, France

Kim Crawford

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

Bodegas Salentein Chardonnay El Portillo, Argentina, Mendoza NV

Chardonnay

Mendoza, Argentina

Columbia Crest

Grand Estates Merlot NV

Merlot

Washington, USA

Leese-Fitch

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

California, USA

The Infamous Goose

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

La Crema

Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir NV

Pinot Noir

Sonoma Coast, USA

Julia James

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

California, USA

The Seeker Rose, Provence NV

Provence, France

Seghesio

Sonoma Zinfandel NV

Zinfandel

California, USA

Wines from Hahn Estate

Chardonnay NV

Chardonnay

Monterey County, USA

Ballentine Vineyards Field Blend Petite Sirah, St. Helena NV

St. Helena, USA

Banfi

San Angelo Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Grigio

Toscana, Italy

Santa Margherita

Pinot Grigio Alto Adige NV

Pinot Grigio

Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy