Hello, movie buffs and wine enthusiasts! Get ready to swirl your glasses as we introduce you to a new cinematic delight that will take you on an intoxicating journey through the picturesque vineyards of California wine country. It&#39;s time for another grape-infused adventure with &#39;Gap Weekend,&#39; a film that promises to be this generation&#39;s answer to &#39;Sideways.&#39;

<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/gap-weekend-a-film-shoot-in-wine-country/episodes/915" target="_blank">Check out CorkRules Podcast Episode #417</a>

&#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is written and directed by Todd Norwood, who has brilliantly managed to weave together humor, drama, friendship, and fine wines into one compelling narrative. A heartbroken guy befriends an offbeat girl after posting his dating manifesto online. As the two spend a weekend together in a pretend relationship, a connection grows that may both heal and complicate aspects of their natural lives. The two of them spend the weekend pretending they are a couple so long as they follow the rules. &quot;Nothing physical. No kissing. No one gets hurt.&quot; As the weekend progresses, they find that following those rules proves to be very difficult.

The charm of this film lies not just in its plot but also in its stunning backdrop - the enchanting vineyards of California wine county. If you loved how Sideways celebrated California&#39;s viniculture while telling a touching tale about middle-aged men grappling with life&#39;s disappointments, then Gap Weekend is going down your alley, too!

Let&#39;s talk about our captain steering this ship &ndash; writer/director Todd Norwood. Known for his knack of telling heartwarming stories that resonate with audiences, Norwood has done it again with &#39;Gap Weekend.&#39; With an impressive filmography, including the critically acclaimed short films Just in Time and Running on Empty, he&#39;s repeatedly proven he knows how to create engaging narratives.

Norwood&#39;s directorial style is characterized by a keen eye for detail, rich character development, and an ability to bring out authentic performances from his actors. He possesses a unique talent for capturing the essence of everyday life in extraordinary circumstances - something we see shining through in &#39;Gap Weekend.&#39;

One thing you can always expect from a Todd Norwood project is relatable characters navigating through their journeys amidst beautiful landscapes &ndash; running across barren fields or sipping wine overlooking lush vineyards. His movies are not just about storytelling; they&#39;re about creating experiences.

So, where can you catch this delightful cinematic experience? Well, I have good news: it&#39;s out today! &#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is available on most of your major streaming platforms, e.g., Amazon Prime Video! Plus, the novel version will be coming out in Dec as well.&nbsp;&nbsp;

&#39;Gap Weekend&#39; is more than just a movie; it&#39;s an invitation to take a breather, enjoy life&#39;s simple pleasures and celebrate friendships. It&#39;s about exploring new horizons (and exquisite wines!) while rediscovering oneself amidst laughter, love, and shared memories.

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Hello, movie buffs and wine enthusiasts! Get ready to swirl your glasses as we introduce you to a new cinematic delight that will take you on an intoxicating journey through the picturesque vineyards of California wine country. It's time for another grape-infused adventure with 'Gap Weekend,' a film that promises to be this generation's answer to 'Sideways.'

Uncorking the Delights of 'Gap Weekend': Via California Wine Country

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

Cremant vs Champagne: The real deal for bubbles.

Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

Omakase and Wine Pairing: A Booming Gastronomic Journey

Stoneacre Garden

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas kick back at the restaurant, Stoneacre Garden in Rhode Island

Wine List Review of Stoneacre Garden, Rhode Island

Sam Hohl

Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a Wine List from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Sam,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

SH: Hey Robert great to be back.

RT : Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or value wines or that special bottle that will take your dining experience over the top.

You can now download our CorkRules app available on the apple app store. Were you can access all the wine list of your favourite restauarant wine lists, get personalized recommendations and connect, share and learn with your friends.

RT:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today Sam and I &hellip;

Cork Rules

Stoneacre Garden

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Located in Newport, Rhode Island, Stoneacre Gardens has a greenhouse bar and dining room, a courtyard bar, and rooftop bar where you can enjoy incredible sunsets. They create internationally inspired dishes that you can enjoy while overlooking the views of the water.&nbsp;

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Overview

This wine list is straightforward and categorized into four sections. It consists of mostly Old World selections but includes wines from the United States as well. It&rsquo;s a well-crafted list that includes some classics as well as lesser-known bottles and producers.

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Interesting finds

A unique red I saw on the list comes from La Garagista Farm and Winery in Barnard, Vermont. They are known for their wines and ciders and &lsquo;The House Music Homefarm Field Blend&rsquo; is their take on a Lambrusco. It&rsquo;s made from 6 varietals that grow in their mountain vineyards including Marquette and Frontenac Noir. They focus on mostly hybrid grapes that can withstand the cool climate. They hand pick their grapes and also utilize good old foot stomping to crush them. I love this pick to start with because it&rsquo;s just so playful. It&rsquo;s going to have bright red cherry and raspberry notes along with some dark fruit flavors too. The zippy acidity and the effervescence make it perfect to start the night with and it will also accompany rich dishes

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A great option for a white would be the 2019 Gerard Boulay Sancerre Monts Damnes. Of course, Sancerre is a much beloved appellation in the Loire valley, and this bottle comes from the village Chavignol, which is known for producing really sought after and gorgeous expressions of a Sancerre. The Boulay family has a history of grape growing in Chavignol since the 1300s so there&rsquo;s some amazing history here. This bottle is going to be full of those gooseberry and citrus notes, along with herbaceous qualities and hints of grass. Try it with some classic pairings like salmon, or with fried or creamy dishes, like the crab rangoons or shrimp chips and crab dip.

Value

This list has a nice range for bottles on the more affordable side so you could go in a lot of directions. A red that stood out to me was the 2018 Gail Vineyards &lsquo;Doris.&rsquo; This is a fun choice for a few reasons, one of which is that the winemaker, Dan O&rsquo;Brian, is originally from Rhode Island and now creates a variety of wines showcasing the varietals of Sonoma Valley, California. This 100% Cabernet Sauvignon is also fermented in stainless steel instead of oak, so instead of having those notes of vanilla, spice, or smoke it&rsquo;s going to be more juicy and acidic than oaked Cabernet. This wine will have blackberry and ripe blueberry notes, along with aromas of eucalyptus. It&rsquo;s a little lighter and racier, so definitely a fun way to experience Cabernet in another way. Something handheld would be playful with this bottle, like the Beef Burger or the Chickpea Vegetable Burger!

Celebratory 

There&rsquo;s some fantastic finds on here if you&rsquo;re looking to make the night a little extra special. The first one that stood out to me was the 2015 Ra&uacute;l P&eacute;rez Ultreia. This bottle is made from 100% Mencia grapes and is produced by Ra&uacute;l P&eacute;rez who&rsquo;s a well known Spanish winemaker in the Bierzo region. Mencia has been compared to Beaujolais and Cabernet Franc so this could be a fun bottle to try if those are wines you enjoy. It&rsquo;s going to have both red and black fruit flavors and earthy tones as well.

A delicious white wine to elevate the evening could be the 2017 Les Vieux Clos Joly Chenin Blanc. Nicolas Joly took over the Joly family winery in 1977 and has been influential for biodynamic winemaking in France. He currently runs the estate with his daughter and their Loire Valley Chenin Blancs are highly praised. This wine will be crisp and acidic, really aromatic. It&rsquo;s going to have notes of pear, apple and lots of mineral qualities. It&rsquo;s got a fuller body and great complexity. It can also handle rich and citrusy food so it will pair with a variety of dishes on the menu.

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Stone Acre&rsquo;s wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> or visit our web website where we have a request form available.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please download our CorkRules app and check out our website for all other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

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Thank you.

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End

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Perrier-Jouët is a renowned champagne producer that has been crafting some of the finest champagnes in the world since 1811. The house is known for its elegant and refined style, which is characterized by delicate floral and fruity aromas, balanced acidity, and a long, complex finish. Perrier-Jouët is also famous for its iconic Belle Epoque Champagne, which is housed in a beautiful Art Nouveau bottle that features hand-painted anemones.

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homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

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Expert Insights

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

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Up Your Wine Knowledge

Latest Episode

BRAT

Expert Insights

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World