wine lists

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Blu Ristorante where they offer a stand-out selection of Old-world and New-world wines to accompany their delicious menu. One addition to her suggestions is a pinot noir from the Dundee Hills in Oregon, and a Grecheto from Umbria with notes of white flowers, and lilacs, lemon zest, and grapefruit, with a mineral and herbal finish. Wow! Liquid lusciousness.

Wines reviewed include:

•  2021 La Carria Grechetto

• 2016 Bedegas Fuenmayor “Nocedal Reserva” Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain

• 2020 Zolla Primitivo, Puglia, Italy

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 Hy’s Steakhouse in Toronto. Their wine list has won the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and includes classic producers, limited releases, and local selections from small producers in Canada. Michaela spots some stand-out wines on the list including a syrah with notes of ripe, red cherries, ripe raspberries, white pepper, and thyme, perfect for pairing with pasta or rich, saucy dishes.

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Wild Goose Riesling from the Okanagan Valley

• 2019 Domaine Chante-Perdrix Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc

• 2018 Tenuta Sette Ponti “Oreno” from Tuscany

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 tune in to Frasca in Boulder, Colorado where they explore wine for all occasions including hanging in the mountains or after skiing down the slopes. Grace checks out the champagne list, she finds a stellar white from this list that offers wines from many regions of Italy, including Umbria and Fiulli, and varietals that offer their own unique and subtle notes. 

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Bereche et File Beaux Regards

• 2020 Foradori from Alto Adige

• 2004 Brunello di Montelcino from Cerbaiona

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

Sam Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Alcove. Located on the waterfront at Boston’s Lovejoy Wharf, Alcove is a welcoming, neighborhood restaurant that serves fresh seafood fare and an award-winning wine list.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Domaine Guiberteau “Les Chapaudaises”, Loire Valley

• 2021 Ameztoi “Rubentis” Txakolina, Spain

• 2020 La Soufrandiere “Le Clos de Grand -Pere”, Burgundy

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

Robert Tas and special guest, Bradley Knebel, General Manager of Tatiana, talk about Bradley’s career in wine, inclusivity and diversity in wine production, and, of course, the wines on the list at Tatiana. From velvety pinots to sublime orange wines, Bradley shares the inspiration behind the list, the extraordinary bottles that should not be missed, and a little background knowledge on the producers. 

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 bring a little country to the city with a wine list review from the Urban Farmer, a modern steakhouse that, as they say, is unexpected, unpretentious, and unforgettable. They offer a spectacular wine list that includes an international selection and many great bottles from the Pacific Northwest. Grace finds some sensational sparklers, robust roses, and whites that will make your night just right. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 King Estate Brut Cuvee

• 2019 Wichmann Vineyard from Triseatuem

• 2021 Teutonic Rose

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

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Mariel where Cuban dishes, craft cocktails, and a curated wine list offer a taste of Havana in its heyday. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Rafael Palacios Godello from Valdeorras, Spain

• 2018 Marcel Deiss Saint Hippolyte Pinot Noir

• 2018 Suertes Del Marques “Trenzado”

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 Chiado a Portuguese restaurant that offers an exciting selection of wines specifically from Portugal, and, in addition to wine, port which originates from Portugal. Michaela suggests wines from several different regions of Portugal, she describes the tasting notes and offers pairing suggestions, and even helps you find a stellar wine if you are on a budget and don’t want to compromise on quality. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Quinta de Pellada, Quints de Saes Reserva

• 2018 Alves de Sousa, Branco da Gaivosa.

• 2016 Cortes de Cima Blend

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 join forces to navigate the wine list at Jory at the Allison where their focus on wine pairings delivers an exquisite dining experience. Grace reviews a wonderful selection of Italian wines, including chardonnays, pinot noirs, tempranillos, and, of course, bubbles to ensure that she covers your favorite grape and offers a few that might surprise you. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Soter Mineral Springs Rose

• 2019 Grand Oak Vineyard, Raindance Winery

• 2019 Walter Scott Seven Springs Vineyard

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 Harriet’s Rooftop, an elegantly comfortable space where patrons can take in the most expansive views of vibrant Toronto. Do aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, ripe pear, lemon zest and spice tickle your palate? If so, dive into the podcast where Michaela offers pairing suggestions for a few local and organic wines, and she suggests several noteworthy wines that will enhance your meal and your evening. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 13th St Winery Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Canada

• 2020 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay, Beamsville Bench, Ontario

• 2019 Juggernaut Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California

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 explore the wine list at The Painted Lady. This restaurant is in the heart of Oregon Wine Country and is surrounded by more than 200 wineries. If a fine dining wine experience is on your list, this place is worth the trip. The goal of the owner-operators is to create and “unforgettable food journey crafted from the fine ingredients and wines sourced from the Willamette Valley and beyond.” Grace reviews wines on the list to help you choose the wines that elevate your experience. 

  Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Patricia Green Sauvignon Blanc

• 2017 Sigrid from Bergstrom

• 2004 Domaine Danielle Laurent, Solena

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 Barberian's Steakhouse. With over 100 pages, this list is a who’s who of top producers, and in nearly every vintage. This could be Canada's most stunning wine cellar, with more than 15,000 bottles from the world's greatest vineyards, and all to complement top-grade, dry-aged steaks that are butchered in-house.

 Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Sacred Hill, Riflemans Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

• 2010 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Reserva, Rioja, Spain

• 2018 Chappellet Signature from Napa Valley, California

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

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Coast Guard House Restaurant, a delightful location with spectacular sea views, and locally harvested seafood. Whether you want a special wine to celebrate with or one that meets your budget, or if you want to try one of the newer natural wines on the list, Sam offers suggestions on old-world and new-world wines that will meet your needs. She also reviews natural wines 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Muller-Catoir “Mandelring” Muller-Catoir Winery, Germany

• 2020 Ermes Pavese Blanc de Morgex et de la Salle, Italy

• 2016 Frank Cornelissen “Magma” Cornelissen, Scicily

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 navigate the wine list at  Larkspur, set in a glorious location, this mountain venue is set on the edge of a forest and provides panoramic views. Grace reviews a wide selection of wines and kicks off the review with bubbles. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Pierre Gimonet Premier Cru

• 2019 Brundlmayer Gruner Veltliner

• 2005 Clerc Milon from Bordeaux

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

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Little Donkey, a global tapas restaurant by James Beard Award-Winning Chefs Ken Oringer and Jamie Bissonnette. Here, guests can enjoy a menu influenced by global cuisine and local market fare, providing the opportunity to sample food and wine from all over the world. Sam offers excellent advice on what to pair with select bottles of wine, and she offers a little background information on the wines, vines, and producers.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 COS “Cerasuolo di Vittoria", Sicily

• 2021 Meinklang Burgenland White, Austria

• 2020 “Petal” by Sonshine Vins, France

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 enjoy a little joie de vivre at the French bistro Et Voila, voted the best French restaurant in San Diego in 2022. The menu is fresh, wholly French, and absolutely delightful, and of course, the wine list is spectacular. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2013 Echezeaux Grand Cru Marchand, Cote de Nuit

• 2015 Chateau Mouton, Graves, France

• 2018 Chimney Rock Stags Leap, Napa

 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 visit the French bistro Bar-a-Vin. The wine list here is composed of more than 250 different varieties of French wine, not only from Bordeaux, but from across France,  including well-known classics on the list. This restaurant is a tribute to French wine and casual cuisine, and Michaela is here to help find the hidden gems in the list. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Domaine St. Amant, Viognier, France

• 2018 Chateau du Seuil, Graves,  Bordeaux

• 2020 Chateau Sainte Marguerite Grand Cru Clesse, France

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

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Sprezzatura, a laid-back but wholly elegant  Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown San Francisco.   Grant kicks off with a review of their creative cocktail menu before moving on to bubbles that will delight your guest, and on to the wines to elevate your dining experience. 

Wines reviewed include:

• Ca’del Bosco Franciacorta, Lombardy

• Frappatto by Valle Dell’acate, Sicilia

• Rosato de Narello Mascalese by Graci,  Mt. Etna

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 visit the modern Mediterranean restaurant Porto. This restaurant has a  lively bar scene and outdoor patio in Boston's Back Bay, the perfect location for a fun night out. In addition to a James Beard award-winning menu, Porto’s wine list consists of unique and classic varietals and Michaela is here to help find those special bottles and hidden gems. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Santo Winery, Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece

• 2019 Castellare, Poggio alla Guardia, Tuscany

• 2020 Pacher Hoff, Muller Thurgau, from Varna, Italy

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

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Craftsteak by top chef personality and James Beard Award-winning chef Tom Colicchio. Maria offers excellent pairing suggestions to tantalize your palate and, of course, points out the best bottles on the list. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 William Févre, Champs Royaux, Chablis
• 2021 Four Graces Willamette Valley, Oregon
• 2017 Chateau de Pez , St. Estephe, Bordeaux

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