wine adventure

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at the French Bistro, Le CouCouc, where the French vibe is full on joie de vivre. This restaurant promises a good night out and a great culinary experience. But let's not forget why we're here. The wine. Grace finds the divine wines that will delight, 

Wines reviewed inlcude:

• Didier Dagueneau Pouilly Fume, Loire Valley, France
• Domaine de la Grange Roussane/Marsanne, Languedoc
• Domaine Auguste Clape, Northern Rhone

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier and Robert Tas review the all French and American wine list at Benoit. Grace checks out the French varietals and identifies the American counterpart on the list. She talks about the aging process and compares French Pinot to American Pinot.

 Wines reviewed Include:

• Brocard Chablis, Burgundy
• RoseRock Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Kosta Browne Russian River Pinot, Sonoma

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

 Sommelier Michaela Quinlan joins Robert to demystify the very French wine list of Dirty French in lower Manhattan and travel around the lesser-known wine regions, including wines of the Savoie, Provence. Dirty French is located on 180 Ludlow Street and is renowned for its timeless classic French cuisine with a contemporary twist.  Michaela talks about the special regions on the list, the must-try wines, and she spots a few hidden value wines that offer a big bang for the buck.

Wines reviewed include

• 2017 Bandol, Domaine Tempier
• 2018 Valentin Morel, Côtes du Jura Les Trouillots
• 2020 Muscadet Sèvre-et-Maine, La Pepiere Clos des Briords

For more information on today’s episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Wine educator and certified sommelier Maria Valletta joins Robert Tas for authentic French fare and a French wine list that is, indeed, in French at the Balthazar restaurant in Soho. Maria translates the menu, discovers the extraordinary little–known gems, and shares her knowledge of the industry to help you understand more about varietals and regions. Maria points out a few delicious sparkling wines and Champagne, a hidden gem of a rosé, and a less pricey wine that will still knock your socks off and impress your guests.

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Bandol Rouge“La Migoua” Domaine Tempier
• 2020 Domaine de Beaurenard 
• 2022 Château Haut-La-Péreyre 

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Certified sommelier and wine educator Grace Hood, and host Robert Tas review the wine list at the iconic 1803 where Grace identifies the wines that pair well with the blended histories of French and Cajun and Caribbean and Spanish cuisine.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2007 Louis Roederer Brut Rose Champagne
• 1986 Château Lynch-Bages, France
• Domaine Frédéric Brouca Côte de Glou 

For more information on today’s episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and oenophile Robert Tas visit the wine list of Root & Bone in NYC where they explore wines from Oregon, the Finger Lakes, and California. If you are looking for the perfect wines to pair with fried chicken and pulled pork, Michaela will help you find them as she shares her expert opinion on the value-packed wine list of Root & Bone. Michaela shares information on pinot gris vs. pinot grigio, how to shop for a Riesling, and the best champagne-quality sparkling wine to pair with fried chicken.

 Wines reviewed include:

•  The Boundary Breaks, Ovid Line North Riesling, Finger Lakes
• Fleur Pinot Noir, Carneros, California
• Ghostrider Ungrafted Syrah, Lodi, California

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Certified sommelier Grant Wood joins Robert Tas in this episode of Cork Rules where they review the wine list of Casa Lever on Park Avenue, New York City.  Casa Lever is an icon in NYC, and, as they say themselves, this restaurant is where Manhattan sophistication meets Italian classics. If you visit Casa Lever be prepared for an elegant dining experience and a carefully curated wine. Grant points out wines to celebrate with, wines with verve, and special wines on the list.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Pinot Bianco Goldberg, Italy
• 2000 Barolo by Roberto Veritux, Italy
• 2017 Lytton Springs Zinfandel, California 

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Robert Tas talks to writer, director Todd Norwood about his new film and the world of wine. Todd shares stories about the making of his film Gap Weekend, and, of course, wine. Todd shares why he chose to film in wine country, his favorite wine, how he paid the crew overtime, and where you can access the film.

For more information on today’s episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, sommelier Grace Hood joins Robert Tas to demystify the wine list of the Buddakan, an Asian-fusion restaurant, and explore the wines that complement Asian food. Choosing a wine to work with Asian food always presents a dilemma for the discerning diner, but Grace explains which wines work, what they work with, and why they do.

Wines reviewed include:

•  2020 Riesling Kabinett, Egon Müller Mosel, Germany
• 2016 Jonata Syrah 2016, Central Coast, California
• 2020 Spätlese Reisling from Selbach-Oster Mosel, Germany

 For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, Robert and certified sommelier Maria Valetta review the wine list of the Grand Central Oyster Bar, a historic restaurant which originally opened in 1913 in NYC's Grand Central Station.  They identify the perfect oyster wine, whites from the Loire Valley, and wines from the list that will take your dining experience to the next level.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine
• 2014  Hanzell Sebella Pinot Noir
• 2013  Louis Baisinbert La Piece Sous Le Bois -Meursault Premier Cru

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Certified sommelier Grant Wood joins Robert Tas in this episode of Cork Rules where they review the wine list of Casa Lever on Park Avenue, New York City.  Casa Lever is an icon in NYC, and, as they say themselves, this restaurant is where Manhattan sophistication meets Italian classics. If you visit Casa Lever be prepared for an elegant dining experience and a carefully curated wine.

 Wines reviewed include:

•  Krug’s brut “Grande Reserve” multi-vintage Champagne, France
• 2000 Barolo by Roberto Voerzio, Brunate, northwestern Italy
• 2017 Lytton Springs, Zinfandel, Syrah, and Carignane field blend, Ridge, Sonoma’s Dry Creek AVA

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and oenophile Robert Tas visit the wine list of Root & Bone in NYC where they explore wines from Oregon, the Finger Lakes, and California. If you are looking for the perfect wines to pair with fried chicken and pulled pork, Michaela will help you find them as she shares her expert opinion on the value-packed wine list of Root & Bone.

 Wines reviewed include:

• Rainstorm Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon. 
• Boundary Breaks, Ovid Line North Riesling, Finger Lakes, NY
• Ghostrider Ungrafted Syrah from Lodi, California

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, Kim Kuznitz wine educator and certified sommelier joins Robert Tas in an exploration of Atlantic Grill’s wine list. The Atlantic Grill is known for serving the freshest seafood from the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, but they also serve a selection of high-quality meat dishes if you want the ultimate surf and turf experience.

 Wines reviewed include:

• Chimney Rock, Stag’s Leap, Napa
• Merlot, Grgich Hills Estate
• Falanghina, Campania, Italy

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Robert Tas and certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan join forces once again to share their expertise on the wine lists of restaurants in New York City. In this episode, they explore the wine list of il Buco. With two locations in NYC, il Buco has earned a stellar reputation and is a popular destination. Their wine cellar holds a selection of over 400 wines and includes an exciting range of lesser-known, artisan wines from Europe in addition to better-known quality wines. il Buco's wine list has won Wine Spectator’s "Award of Excellence" several times.

Wines reviewed include:

• Ayala Brut Majeur, Champagne, France
• Enta Bianco, Sicily
• Greco di Tufo from Campania, Italy.

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, host Robert Tas and certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan explore the wine list of the renowned Italian restaurant, Pasquale Jones. Situated on the corner of Mulberry and Kenmare Streets in Manhattan's Little Italy, this establishment offers authentic Italian cuisine and a sophisticated wine list that is sure to please both the palate and the pocket. Michaela shares pairing suggestions and identifies tasting notes on a few select bottles, including orange wines.

Key points include:

• 2017 Molettieri Aglianico, Taurasi, Campania 

• 2020 Jean Claude Lapalu Cote de Brouilly, Beaujolais

• 2013 Cascina Baricchi Riserva Barbaresco, Italy

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode, host Robert Tas interviews Josh Ardizzoni, certified sommelier and cellar consultant, on the wine list of The Grill. They discuss the exciting side of where champagne is going, those exclusive and beautifully aged bottles and the extraordinary value wines on the list. Josh also points out a few unicorn wines on the list that are guaranteed to delight the most discerning oenophile. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2015 Volnay-Champans, Marquis d’Angerville 

• 1986 Château Rauzan-Ségla, Margaux

• 1995 Château Pontet-Canet from Pauillac, 

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

This episode of Cork Rules explores the wine list of Smith and Wollensky on the Upper East Side of New York City. Certified sommelier Maria Valetta and Robert Tas review a great wine list, explain what verticals are, point out a few value wines that offer exceptional value without compromising quality, and they identify a few outliers on the list for the adventurous wine lover. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Louis Jadot Macon Village, France

• 2019 PAX Gamay, California

• 2018 Aperture Cabernet, Sonoma  Coast

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

CorkRules takes a trip to The Lobster Club in the Seagram Building, New York City where host Robert Tas explores the wine list with sommelier Michaela Quinlan to find the perfect pairings with sweetness and spice, the unique value wines, and the extraordinary bottles list. The Lobster Club is a Japanese Brasserie with an extensive wine list and is renowned for its unique interpretation of Japanese cooking and sushi.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Kruger-Rumpf, Riesling Kabinett, Germany

• 2019 Benjamin Leroux Aligote, Burgundy

• 2015 Domaine les Pallières Les Racines, France

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

In this episode of CorkRules, certified sommelier Grace Hood shares her expertise on how sommeliers create and organize a great wine list. Grace and Robert explore the European and Californian wines on the list in addition to those unique and little-known gems. Grace shares a brief overview of how to pair wines.

Key points include:

• 2019 Chateau Montelana, Napa

• 2020, Gerrad Boulay Sancerre, France

• 2018 Bergström “Cumberland Reserve”, Willamette Valley

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan joins Robert Tas for the first episode of Cork Rules. In this episode, Michaela explores the extensive, 33-page, award-winning wine list of the seafood restaurant Oceana, including a few fantastic standouts from around the globe. 

Key points include:

• 02:30: The must-try wines on the list

• 03:38: The value wines

• 04:44: The better wines on the list

For more information on today’s episode and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.