wine list reviews

Robert Tas and with Tina Johansson, WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier, review the wine list at Bocca di Lupo in London. This authentic Italian restaurant has received many accolades for its simple but genuine food. All 20 regions of Italy are represented on the menu, and it is ever-changing to follow the seasons. So, no matter what time of year you come here, the experience will be fresh, adventurous, and new. 

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2015 Perlé Nero Riserva Brut, Trentino, Italy

• 2016 Casanova di Neri Brunello, “Cerretalto”,  Tuscany

• 2018 Freisa Kyè , Vajra, Italy

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

Robert Tas and Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, review the wine list at Lafayette. This grand café and bakery feature modern interpretations of classic French bistro favorites and an amazing wine list. Michaela spots a delicious crémant and shares a little background information on why crémant is a delicious choice, a crisp dry white that pairs wonderfully with seafood, and a robust red that pairs well with duck and smoke dishes.

Wines reviewed include:

• Toques et Clochers Crémant de Limoux NV
• Domaine Gauthier “Jour de Soif” Cabernet Franc
• Daniel Crochet Sancerre

In today’s episode of CorkRules, Alexis Rogers, certified sommelier, offers her expert advice on the extensive wine list of Ai Fiori, a Michelin Star, Italian restaurant, NYC. Ai Fiori has earned a stellar reputation for its wine list and is the 2020 winner of the Grand Award from Wine Spectator. Alexis talks about a few exceptional Chardonnays from lesser-known regions, wines not to be missed on the over 1000-bottle list, and she identifies one of the best producers on the list.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Arbois Chardonnay Vieilles Vignes, Vin Sans Nom
• 2011 Karthauserhof GG Riesling
• 2015 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle-Musigny

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

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Momofuku Ko, a traditional Japanese restuarant offering two spaces, the barako offering an a la carte menu and the main dining room offering a full tasting menu, and to help you choose wine to pair with the menu, Michaela peruses the 84-page list to point out a few spectacular fine wines, including skin contact wine, wines to pair with tempura, and more.

Wines reviewed include:

• Vadin-Plateau "Renaissance," Blanc de Noirs, Champagne, France 
• 2018 Amorotti Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, Italy
• 2015 Cortese from Stefano Bellotti Cascina Degli Ulivi, "IVAG"

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 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.

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator and Robert Tas review the wine list at Via Carota, a quaint Italian restaurant inspired by Chef Saudis 17th century family country house in the hills of Florence. The passion for all things italian is clear here. Relax in the rustic ambience and enjoy authentic pasta dishes and savor an adventurous selection of wines from all regions on the all-Italian wine list. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Brunello di Montelcino Fanti
• 2019 Chianti Classico Riserva Felcina
• 2022 Vermintino di Gallura Serenata Silvio Carta

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 today’s episode, Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, demystifies the wine list from ABC Kitchen, a John George restaurant on 35 East 18th Street in New York City. Maria draws our attention to the simple breakdown of descriptive sections, making the list easier to navigate, but more importantly, she explores the unique white wine varietals from Italy before moving on to reds from South America, specifically, Chile and Argentina.

Key points:

• 02:47: Italian whites 
• 03:53: Best bang for your buck in reds
• 04:26: Wines for the special guest

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

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas visit the renowned steakhouse Alba in Quincy, Massachusetts. Michaela reviews Alba’s wine list with Old and New World favorites in standard, half, and large bottle formats. She offers pairing suggestions and identifies the tasting notes of several bottles on the list, and she points out wines from a winery that has been producing award-winning wines since 1626,  a bold Chilean wine made from the Carmenere varietal, in addition to the value wines and wines that should not be missed. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Trimbach Riesling, Alsace, France

• 2019 Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio from Friuli in Italy

• 2016 Tenuta dell Ornellaia,Tuscany, Italy

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

 WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier Tina Johansson and Robert Tas review the wine list 10 Greek Street located in Soho, London. From British Fizz to delicious whites and robust reds, Tina identifies the wines on the menu that pair well with the food served. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Johannesh of Reinisch Rotgipfler, Austria

• 2021 Ministry of Clouds Grenache from McLaren Vale,  Australia

• 2012 1086, Prestige Cuvee, Nyetimber, England

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

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas review the wine list at L’Auberge Chez Francois, an elegant restaurant serving classic French dishes in a farmhouse setting with a delightful garden patio. Family-owned since 1954, the ethos here is to set the standard for authentic French food that satisfies your appetite and your soul. Michaela reviews the extensive wine list of old-world and new-world wines and shares her knowledge of pairing wines with the menu and tasting notes to help you make an informed decision. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Domaine Schoenheitz Gewurztraminer,  Alsace

• 2015 Domaine Brana, Bizi Berri, France

• 2019 Anthill Farms, Mixed Blacks, Russian River Valley, California

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