Cork Rules

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Chanticleer in Nantucket. This seafood restaurant was originally opened as a small tea house at the turn of the century, and the New England culture informs the ambience. The Rose garden is a delightful place to spend a leisurely lunch. They offer an extensive wine list features some of the finest wines in the world. Including fine French...

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Fellow, now known as Wolfsglen, is a modern American restaurant with an innovative, thoughtfully-sourced fine dining menu and wine list. Wines reviewed include: 2017 Arterberry Maresh 2015 Chartogne-taillet Champagne 2017 Hitching Post, Santa Rita Hills For more information on today's episode, and the wines...

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas point out the best bottles on the 67-page list at Quince . Quince has earned a a green star from Michelin for its efforts in sustainability and biodiversity, and the wine list offers a stellar selection of organic and biodynamic wines to try.  Wines reviewed include: 2018 Ansitz Dornach Pinot Bianco, Vigneti delle Dolomiti 2000 Jame...

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas talk Italian wines at L'Artusi, an Italian restaurant with a 2500-bottle walk-in wine cellar. Maria offers pro tips on what to pair with cheese, suggests a few intriguing wines produced from unique southern Italian grapes and introduces a few hard-to-find wines from a legendary producer in a biodynamic winery. Wines reviewed incl...

Sam Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the multi award-winning, family-owned and operated seafood restaurant, Rowayton Seafood . Seafood doesn't get fresher than this, and the wine list offers old-world and new-world options with a range of price options to suit all budgets. Michaela shares her expert opinion on a few whites, a naturally sparkling rose, and a pinot n...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Nautilus . This is a New England restaurant with a coastal/seafood base, but it also adds an international flavor to the menu with sharable seafood plates inspired by Latin, Asian, and Mediterranean cuisine. Nautilus offers wines from around the world, and Michaela shares her top choices from the wine list. Wines rev...

Episode 184: Fia Steak, LA Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to Santa Monica where they review the wine list at Fia Steak . This wine list complements a menu of steakhouse classics, featuring the finest U.S. cuts of beef sourced from local farms, as well as handmade pastas, and fresh fish, and did we mention they offer some of the world's best bubbles? Gr...

Robert Tas and Whitney Grant, wine educator and certified sommelier, visit the well-known and loved Cafe Champagne in Pike Place market, a charming Parisien-style cafe complete with a traditional menu and a wine list that offers thirty wines by the glass. The wines chosen for the Café are bistro-like: forward, simple, delicious wines from smaller appellations off the beaten path.  Wines reviews in...

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas dive into a fabulous wine list at Empire Steak House where they identify the best reds to pair with red meat dishes. The Empire Steak House is known for serving the finest cuts of meat, a delicious menu of seafood, and of course, the reason we're here, a premium wine list. Sam points out a few robust reds, and explains what they...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to the east coast where they review the wine list at Chillingsworth, a fine dining bistro in Brewster.  Michaela points out a few scrumptious whites to pair with seafood dishes, reds that put Oregon on the map for pinot noir, and a vintage bottle that would make any special occasion exceptionally memorable. Wines reviews include: 20...

Maria Valetta, wine educator  & certified sommelier, also known as MARIA the Wine Blonde, joins Robert Tas to navigate the wine list at Lavo. Lavo is an Italian restaurant and nightclub in Midtown Manhattan that is all about good food, good wine, and good times. Maria takes some time to find the wines on the list that complement both the menu and the occasion, including champagne from the world's...

Daniel Posner, owner of Grapes the Wine Company , joins Robert Tas for a special episode of CorkRules. Daniel has been a wine consultant, with clients from all over the globe. He travels extensively each year to wine regions to meet with producers, winemakers, winery owners, and to help procure the wines for his store. Daniel's expertise in wine goes far beyond the usual wine store owner's knowled...

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas go downtown LA to visit the hotspot Le Grand . This restaurant is a venue for live music, a vibrant scene, and Le Grand Party complete with a resident DJ and exotic dancers. To complete the scene, they also have a jamming wine cellar stocked with old and new world wines. Wines reviewed include: 2019 Ori Marani Exile on Caucasus 2019...

Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Boia De, an Italian restaurant that has recently earned a Michelin Star. In addition to identifying the tasting notes on some stellar wines, Cecilia offers pairing suggestions and a little background information on the producers of the wine she highlights in today's episode. Wines reviewed include: 2017 Poulsard & Pinot Noi...

Sam Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas join forces to demystify the wine list at Pane e Bene, an Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere and the host of the annual Truffle Fest. This place is all about great food and good times, and the wine list is curated to add to the experience. In addition to identifying the best wines to try, Sam offers excellent pairing suggestio...

Whitney Grant, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas navigate their way through the wine list at Metropolitan Grill to find the best, bold reds to pair with a steak. Whitney shares a little background information on iconic Napa wineries, stand-out wines from Oregon, and tasting notes, and points out a few stellar vintages and white wines on the list.  Wines reviewed include: 2014 B...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, joins Robert Tas to explore the wine list at Rochambeau , a classic French brasserie with a contemporary twist. The vibe here is vibrant, fun and young. French wines dominate the wine list, and you can explore wines from various regions to sample the nuances of each distinct terroir  Wines reviewed include: 2020 Jadix Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc 2018 Chateau...

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to Los Angeles where they review the wine list at Culina, a casual, and surprisingly affordable, neighborhood restaurant. Culina has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator's "Best Award of Excellence" in 2018 and 2020, and one of the 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2011 by Wine Enthusiast magazine, and the wine list reveal...

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at SPQR, a restaurant named after the acronym which was the emblem of the Roman Empire. With a name like this, it is no surprise that the menu and wine list are informed by Italian traditions. In addition to great value wines and wines that will turn a few heads, Grant spots a few stellar Italian white wines on...

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas visit Bernards in Connecticut where they review the wine list and find a stellar noble rot wine from Hungary, a hidden gem from the Bourdeaux region, and a delicious Chenin blanc from the Loire valley that pairs beautifully with pairing for salmon, tuna, and soft cheeses at an exceptionally good price.  Wines reviewed include: 2011 Chateau Montus...

Grace Hood, certified sommelier and wine educator, and Robert Tas review the 33-page list at Oceana , an acclaimed American Seafood restaurant with an award-winning wine list. Grace spots a few value wines, a couple of stand-out bottles for a special occasion, and a couple of wines for the more adventurous. Grace also offers a few key tips on how to choose wine for you and your guests. Wines revie...

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas go downtown San Francisco where they review the wine list of Sons and Daughters , a warm and welcoming establishment that offers a menu that is influenced by the seasons and unique elements of local farms in the surrounding Bay Area and Northern California. Wines reviewed include: 2018 Filippo Grasso "Mari di Ripiddu" 2018 Arnot-Rob...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at the dairy-to-table restaurant Arethusa . This restaurant is connected to the farm and dairy where they make butter, cheese, yogurt, and ice cream from their own herd of happy and healthy cows. Fresh is the keyword here, and this award-winning restaurant delivers on the promise.  Wines reviewed include: 2018 Alta Vista E...

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Michael's , a restaurant that offers a seasonally prepared menu with meals that focus on simplicity and elegance.  Grace kicks off the review with some bubbles from smaller boutique houses, introduces a few wacky, but worthy whites, and once-in-a-lifetime bottles for that special occasion. Wines reviewed inc...

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas navigate the wine list at Sorrel , a restaurant that delivers a fabulous experience in both taste and aesthetics. The menu is focused on local Californian-inspired cuisine with Italian influences, and fresh, seasonal produce. The wine list is curated to represent a variety of regions and an eclectic array of varietals. Wines reviewe...