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About this Episode

Host Robert Tas and Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, visit Razza, a renowned pizzeria based in Jersey. Chef and owner Dan Richer was a James Beard Foundation Rising Star Chef semi-finalist in 2011, and Razza won the Best Pizza in North America by 50 Best. Great pizza is only improved by great Italian wine, and Grace shares her expertise on the wine list and points out some fabulous orange wines, pairing suggestions, and shares a few insights on the subtle differences between northern wines and southern wines.

Wines reviewed include:

Greco from the Enotria vineyard in Calabria
Barbera from Oltretorrente
Sangiovese from Collosorbo

Transcript: Razza

Razza

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: Bonjorno Roberto!

RT: Before we jump in, let’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… 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. So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. So, Grace today we are checking out the wine list for Razza - I was excited to send you this list as I am a big fan of this restaurant.

GH: Ayyyyy pizza in jersey what about it!

RT: Hhahaha you’re too much. So, what are your thoughts on the Razza wine list?

GH: Ya know, we’re talking pizza. It’s not complicated. It’s straightforward. And that's what their wine list is as well! One page - keep it simple. Some wines already sticking out to me would be the Greco from the Enotria vineyard in Calabria. Enotria is actually what the Greeks used to call the Greco grape, which has been growing in Calabria since ancient Imes. Another fun Italian white would be the Pecorino from the Raone vineyard in Abruzzo. Now you might be thinking Grace…pecorino is a cheese. Well yes, friends it is, but it’s also the name of a wine grape indigenous to eastern Italy! A lot of Italian dishes and wines and ingredients as named after the place they originated. Yes, I know it’s confusing, but Italy is so fabulous that they don’t really care - just eat it and drink it!

RT: Oh, I totally get that. The Italians do what they do best. Now I see they have some orange wines on the list. Would you recommend orange wines for pizza?

GH: Oh, you can def have orange wine with pizza! Italy is probably the most historic and well-known region for orange wines. They have such rich flavoring in their dishes with all their spices and sauces, that the weight of an orange wine will be able to cut through that fat and acids in their food. I would recommend going with this orange wine blend of traditional Italian varietals - Trebbiano and Malvasia from the Ampeleia vineyard in Tuscany. That’ll be a great culinary experience!

RT: Yum sounds like a great combo. Now we’re having pizza - we’re going to need some red wine.

GH: Oh, for sure! If you want a lighter red, we’re looking in northern Italy - either at the barbera from Oltretorrente or the Barolo from Luigi bandana. Barbera is going to be more delicate and floral, while the Barolo is going to be more lush and earthy. If we’re looking for heavy reds, we’re going to Tuscany where the grapes bake, you guessed, under the Tuscan sun! I would recommend the Cilieglio from San Fernando or the Sangiovese from Colosorbo.

RT: Amazing! Thank you so much Grace for helping us navigate the Upland wine list. 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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