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About this Episode

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Bin 26 Enoteca, a restaurant that proudly states they serve great food with their wine. In fact, the definition is a wine shop, wine bar, and wine library, so you know their wine list is going to offer some great bottles, and Michaela shares her expertise to help you navigate this international wine list with over sixty wines by the glass and over two hundred wines by bottles.

Wines reviewed include:

2019 Nerello Mascalese, Benanti, Etna Rosso, Sicily
2020 Sauvignon Blanc, Alice Berthier, Coteaux du Gienois, Loire Valley
2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Bin 26 Rosso, Veneto, Italy

Transcript: Bin 26 Enoteca

Bin 26 Enoteca

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where we review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela, great to have you back for another great wine list.

MQ: Hello Robert!

RT: Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, 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.

Bin 26 Enoteca is in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston and is versatile in the experiences they provide. They encourage you to come enjoy small dishes while savoring wine, or join them for a full food and wine pairing experience.

Bin 26 has an extensive by-the-glass list, along with over 200 bottles to choose from. Wine is definitely at the heart of the design here, so this list has some favorites along with some surprises too.

Standouts

Bin 26 has a pretty extensive riesling section, which at first might seem confusing with their Italian-inspired dishes. But if you haven’t had riesling with Italian food, today is the day. Riesling actually compliments so many different cuisines and can go alongside foods with spice, acidity, and herbs. So don’t be put off, it’s actually super fun to play with! Now the options here really range, most notably in the sweet factor. Although, sometimes the designation of the type of riesling, like the Spatlese for instance, includes wines that can also be made in dry or sweet styles. Out of these many choices, the 2020 Neuenberg Riesling Grand Cru from Peter Lauer caught my eye. Weingut Peter Lauer is a well known German wine producer in Mosel who specialize in dry and off-dry rieslings. They take the tradition and history of the winemaking to heart, and really pride themselves on caring for their land. They farm organically and don’t intervene on the winemaking process with unnecessary additives or manipulation of the wine. The grapes grew with sunny, cool mornings and warmer afternoons, and often with fog. This is a hugely mineral-driven wine with deep fruit flavors because of all that sunshine they get, but still a dry wine. Try this with the Pappardelle with Ground Sausage, Walnuts, and Truffle Cream.

Value

Now let’s say you’re looking for a wine to have with a few dishes that is going to be a little more affordable, and not very common. I’d love to start with the 2020 Weingut Beurer Schwabischer LandweinTrocken. This is a German Rose that’s made by a former BMX champion now promoting natural wine and a hardcore advocate for his land and beyond. Beurer’s wines come from Swabia, a region in southern Germany that isn’t part of the old-school winemaking crew. Beurer is committed to making natural and biodynamic wines, honoring the land and the final product. He prides himself on these natural wines and encourages you to taste the “anti-authoritarian viticulture.” This Rose is bursting with jammy notes of raspberry, tart cranberry and subtle orange zest. It’s going to be delicious to sip on, maybe have it with the Saffron and fontina Arancini to start the night off right.

Another great option if you’re looking for something red would be the 2020 Bernard Baudry Les Granges. This is a Cabernet Franc from Chinon in the Loire region of France. This is going to be a lighter bodied, super easy drinking wine that still plays nice with food. It’s going to be zippy with red fruit flavors and juicy berry tones. The tannins are going to be nice and soft so it’s not going to clobber your palate. Those of you who maybe don’t usually love a Cab Franc’s distinctive earthy or peppery tones might be intrigued by this particular bottle. Try it with the Chicken Saltimbocca made with Goat Cheese and Prosciutto.

Celebratory

Now, if you need a bottle that’s going to join you in your celebration, try the 2003 Chateau Montrose, St. Estephe. Chateau Montrose is a highly regarded wine estate in Bordeaux’s northern Medoc region. Chateau Montrose is classified as Second Growth on the 1855 Classification of Bordeaux wines, which is a classification of the 60 highest rated Bordeaux wines. They are known to be one of the best estates at the Second Growth level. This Bordeaux is going to be luscious and ripe. It’s got a medium body with lots of blackberry and blueberry. It also has these big tannins that have been rounded out by the aging. It’s also got these earthy, woody, tobacco notes to it as well. There’s a lot to unpack and experience as this wine unfolds. It would be wonderful with the herb marinated hanger steak or enjoy it alongside a meat and cheese plate to start or end the evening.

Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Bin 26’s wine list. I can’t wait to go try your great suggestions.

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: Info@CorkRules.Com or visit our web website where we have a request form available and we will do our best to get it in the queue as quickly as possible.

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.

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

Thank you.