CorkRules - Episodes | AFICI Afici

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About this Episode

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Afici, a contemporary, fine dining restaurant with a welcoming and comfortable atmosphere. The multiple-course menu showcases Italian and French flavors and techniques. And most importantly, they have a great cocktail program and a wonderful wine list to match.

Wines reviewed include:

● 2013 Guy Charlemagne”Les Coulmets” Grand Cru

● 2016 Alain Chavy “Les Champs Gains” 1er Cru, Puligny-Montrachet

● 2014 Dom Levet “Les Journaries”, Cote Rotie

Transcript: Afici

Afici

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules

A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grant, it’s great to have you!

SH: Hi Robert! Great to be back.

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules. We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience that, sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well… 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.

RT: So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Today Grant and I are reviewing

Afici SF

Here we have a new hot spot on Folsom Street where prefix is that game showcasing classic Italian and French flavors and techniques by Chef Eric Upper. With a four-course $125 tasting menu with luxury supplements like caviar and wagyu, you’re sure in for a treat at Afici.

They have a great cocktail program and a wonderful wine list to match so let's dive in and see what excites us.

For cocktails, I’d go for the ‘Blessed’ featuring Diplomatico Planas Rum, chaparral, chinola passion fruit, citrus and egg whites which is sure to get things shaken. I also love the ‘California Dreamin’ with Argonaut Brandy, huckleberry, avocado orgeat, coconut milk, sherry and nutmeg which is divine.

Moving on to bubbles let’s start off strong with the 2013 Guy Charlemagne ‘les coulmets’ BdB Grand Cru which is classic and great for celebrating but a great value wine that you can always rely on is the 2014 Schramsberg BdB which at $75 on their menu is not bad at all.

Moving on to whites, right away, I love the 2017 Rivers-Marie ‘Bearwallow vineyard’ from Anderson value. I think TRB does a great job with this style of chardonnay that rides that knife edge between freshness and minerality but still carries weight and intention. A great Burgundian alternative would be the 2016 Alain Chavy ‘Les Champs Gains’ 1er Cru from Puligny-Montrachet is another classic and works well with food.

If you’re looking for an Italian white then I really enjoy the 2020 Specogna ‘Identita’ from Colli Orientali del Friuli which would be another great wine to match with a variety of their menu items.

Let’s move on to reds, shall we? For new world picks, I would go for the 2019 A.Rafanelli Zin from dry creek which is such a classic and is a very food-friendly Zin for their menu. If you want Napa Cabernet then I think the 2014 Corison St Helena Cab is a no-brainer and well-priced on this list.

Now for old world classics there is some great Burgundy on here but I’m immediately drawn to the 2014 Dom Levet ‘Les Journaries’ from Cote Rotie which is a wine I love and I think would work well with their menu. Another eyebrow raising wine on this list is the 2017 Vega Sicilia ‘Pintia’ Toro from Castilla Y Leon which is a powerful wine from arguably one of the best producers in Spain.

I know you like Barolo, Robert, so here I would order the 2016 Aldo Conterno ‘Bussia’ which is an amazing Barolo from one of the best years of that last decade or so.

Lastly, a sweet ending to a great menu would be the 2009 Ch Guiraud from Sauternes by the glass which is again another classic but never disappoints.

RT: Grant, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at Afici.

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules. If you would like Grant to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: Info@CorkRules .Com or visit our web website where we have a request form.

We are looking forward to being with you on another CorkRules episode soon. In the meantime, please check out our website for other episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists. Follow us on social media @CorkRules

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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