Cork Rules

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...

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...

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 infor...

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 fr...

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 wi...

  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 Va...

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 n...

WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier Tina Johansson and Robert Tas take a trip across the pond to London where they review the wine list at Andrew Edmunds, a restaurant that serves a modern European menu served at candlelit tables in a snug 18th-century townhouse.  Wines reviewed include: 2017 Chablis Vent d'Ange, France 2022 Vassaltis Santorini Assyrtiko, Greece 2014 Testa dei...

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas review the wine list at Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar. A restaurant that serves a fresh, unique menu in a rustic designed space. Michaela offers tantalizing descriptions of tasting notes with aromas of white flowers and citrus, along with notes of tangerine, ripe peach, and tropical fruit, or aromas of ripe cranberries, ripe red cherries, and black...

Certified sommelier and wine educator Maria Valetta and Robert Tas review the wine list at Matteo's in Las Vegas where they offer a deliciously Italian menu in a contemporary setting. Maria spots a few by-the-glass wines that are sure to please In addition to pairing suggestions. She also selects a few Indigenous Italian varietals and a wallet-friendly wine to try in place of the pricier barolos a...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Eddy V's Prime Seafood restaurant. This vibrant location offers a stand-out menu specializing in steaks and seafood and a classic wine list with a selection of old and new world wines to pair with items on the menu, including scallops and salmon, wines with spice to pair with smokey meats, and wines to  pair with richly...

Tina Johansson, WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier, and Robert Tas go overseas to the U.K. where they review the wine list at 28-50 Marleybone where the Wine Workshop & Kitchen concept takes the traditional wine bar experience to a whole new level.  They offer over 30 carefully chosen wines, available by the glass, and an extensive list that has been carefully curated to pair...

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The View in Oakdale, New York. A  Wine Spectator Award of Excellence winner, View's wine list features an excellent selection of Old World and New World favorites. Michaela points out the hidden gems on the list, including a wine that pairs well with bold spices and sushi, a delicious Spanish sparkling wine, and a few sta...

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas navigate the wine list at the Mexican restaurant Viva Garcia where they choose wine to pair well with bold Mexican flavors. The list offers a great selection of Mexican wines from Mexican wine country,  Valle de Guadalupe, in addition to a fine choice of old and new world wines. Maria introduces a flight of rosés, and value Span...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list of Il Capriccio in Whippany, New Jersey where they serve authentic Italian cuisine featuring local seafood, meats, and vegetables from their local 180-acre organic farm. Michaela shares her expertise in tasting notes and pairings to complement the menu and identifies the exceptional value wines in addition to those little-k...

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at  Craft L.A. , a Chef Tom Colicchio restaurant. Following his success in New York, he brought Craft's pioneering approach to the West Coast.  Grace dives into the boutique style list, and in true international fashion, she chooses bottles from around the globe, including  France, Australia, Spain and beyond. ...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Clarity in Vienna, Vermont. Clarity offers an à la carte or gourmet prix fixe four-course dinner tasting menu that showcases the very best seasonal offerings, largely sourced from a close network of local farmers and suppliers from across the country.  Specially selected wine and whisky pairings are available with the ta...

Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Brera Osteria. This restaurant is known as one of the best places to eat Italian food without pretension or fanfare. It's a place to relax, eat, enjoy, and drink wine. Feel free to flip the list and order the wine to kick off the relaxation. Maria explores the mostly Italian wine list from region to region...

Tina Johansson, WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Bleu Provence in Naples, Florida. This family-run French restaurant won many prizes, including Wine Spectators Grand Award for the best wine lists of the world, so you know you are going to enjoy this wine adventure. Tina kicks off the review with a spectacular white before moving on to...

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Bellisimo, a northern Italian restaurant that serves locally grown produce, seafood, and house-made pasta, and a wine list that features Italian classics, unique varietals, and value wines. Michaela identifies the stand-out bottles for both red, white, and sparkling wines.  Wines reviewed include: 2012 Buondonno Campo al...

Tina Johannson and Robert Tas review the interesting selection of wines on the wine list at Kochi. If you want to know which wines to pair with Korean cuisine, this is the podcast for you. Tina reviews a unique selection of wines, including a food-friendly crisp white that pairs well with street corn fritters served with caviar, and a white from a cult producer, and a fruity red wine from Patagoni...

Tina Johansson, WSET Diploma Graduate and Michelin restaurant sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Wally's in Santa Monica where, in addition to a carefully curated wine list with over 100 wines by-the-glass. They offer everything from lunch, brunch and dinner to exclusive caviar events, a gourmet shop selling cheese and chocolate and even a bar with rare spirits. But we're here for t...

In this special episode of CorkRules, Robert Tas interviews Bartholomew Broadbent, founder and CEO of Broadbent Wines Limited.  Bartholomew was named one of the "fifty most influential people in the wine world" by Decanter Magazine (1997) and ranked 48th in the "Top 100 Most Influential People in the U.S Wine Industry" in 2013 by IntoWine.com, and in this episode, he shares his journey and adventu...

Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head to Las Vegas where they stop in at Buddy V's an Italian restaurant in the Venetian resort with views of the strip. What a great place to relax, enjoy, and people-watch in Vegas. Maria kicks off the review with wines from the extensive wines-by- the glass list before moving on to a stellar bottle for prosecco lovers, and a fa...

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at the meze and wine bar in Boston, Krasi. If you want to explore Greek wine, this is the place to go. Krasi literally means wine, and at this cool spot you will find a fabulous selection of Greek wines. Not sure where to start? Don't worry, Sam is on hand to help you find the wines on the list that will tick...