CorkRules - Episodes | Restoration Hardware Restoration Hardware

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About this Episode

Certified sommelier and wine educator Grace Hood joins host Robert Tas to review the wine list of Restoration Hardware, an elegant, rooftop restaurant that features an ingredient-driven menu and a carefully curated selection of artisanal wines that offers 60 wines from esteemed vintners around the world, including 40 wines by the glass. Grace explains the notes behind the wines, offers stellar pairing suggestions, and provides expert insight into the varietals and producers on the list.

Wines reviewed include:

Saget la Perriere
La Spinetta and Antinori Tignanello
Champagne Collet Brut Rose

Transcript: Restoration Hardware

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace, it’s great to have you!

GH: Hey, hey, Robert happy to be here as always

RT Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… 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: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list.

So, Grace - today we’re talking about Restoration Hardware.

GH: Isn’t that a bougie furniture company? Do I need to put my interior design hat on?

RT: ha ha ha you are a woman of many talents.

GH: I kid of course. I love that RH was able to move into the hospitality space! Many high-end retailers have cafes in them, so it was interesting to see Restoration Hardware move into this business model.

RT: Totally! You can shop and sip at the same time! Nothing like couches and cabernet

MV: ha-ha yes exactly! Speaking of sipping, checking out the RH wine list - they’ve got a lot of the popular girls on there. A lot of name brands that people would recognize. They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here ya know? Their list is super approachable. They have a pretty extensive wines by-the-glass list which I always appreciate b/c you get to try different wines you may have not had before but felt hesitant to order a whole bottle of.

RT: What sticks out to you on the wines by the glass list?

MV: So, a lot of people usually think that the wines by-the-glass list is just going to be lower-tier wines that are just easy to sell. Approachable price points around that $10-$15 sweet spot. However, if you’re a sommelier or wine director or beverage manager nerd, and you know your clientele, you can reallly make a killing with the by the glass list, offering wines in many prices points. For instance, on the RH menu, we have everything from a Scarpetta Pinot Grigio, which is master sommelier Bobby Stuckey’s delicious Italian wine brand, at $15 a glass - all the way up to $40 glass of the famous Silver Oak cabernet. Never sleep on the wines by the glass list!

RT: You can go sleep on the restoration hardware beds instead!

MV: HÁ HÁ HA yes but don’t spill the wine on the sheets!

RT: That would be a tragedy - now Grace what are we thinking for wines by the bottle?

GH: It’s a great mix of classic old-world, new world. If it was me and I was going furniture shopping or meeting the ladies who lunch, def gotta start off with some bubbly. If we’re looking for value - go with the Juve y Camps cava, or if you’re to splurge, the Champagne Collet Brut Rose. Or if you’re in a rose all-day kind of vibe - the Miraval or Ott from Provence, France are both legendary rose houses.

RT: What's better than rosé at lunch?

MV: Sancerre at lunch ha ha ha they have the Saget la Perriere, or if you want another crispy aromatic French white, go with the Petit Chablis from Domaine Jolly

RT: Oui oui madame love where your heads at. What about some red wine while we pick out curtains?

MV: Well what pairs better with curtains than pinot noir ha ha ha that would be great wine pairing activity - furniture and wine. But I digress - they do have some fabulous pinots on here from two of my favorite California vineyards - Lioco and Kosta Browne. Or if you’re wanting some fan favorite Italian producers - they’ve got the la spinetta and antinori tiganello.

RT: I love it! Grace thanks so much for helping us navigate the unique wine list at Restoration Hardware.

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. Follow us on social media @corkrules and @wineswithgrace.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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