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 Josh Ardizzoni, certified sommelier and wine consultant
JA: Hey Robert! Happy to be here :)
RT Before we jump in, let’s talk about CorkRules.
We created CorkRules to demystify wine list’s because we know from experience, that those lists can sometimes be intimidating and even a little daunting.
Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list with confidence, 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.
RT: Today we are discussing Dante – Greenwich Village’s legendary Italian-bent café, once crowned “World’s Best Bar.” Although the cocktail program gets so much well-deserved attention, Dante is also a fabulous destination for European-centric food and wine. Josh, I’m excited for you to share some favorites from this charming list.
JA: Hello Robert, super excited to delve into Dante. If I close my eyes, I can almost smell the wood fire.
RT: So, this isn’t a huge wine list but being so focused on Italy, Spain, and France, there are definitely a lot of unfamiliar offerings for the average diner. Will you walk us through a few recommendations?
JA: Of course! First, what’s important to know here is that although the range of wines available on Dante’s list is fairly limited, it’s been nicely curated down to just those really lovable essentials. When I think of restaurants that feel like this one, I don’t need to spend a fortune to have a memorable bottle of wine – it’s more like picking out the right cozy sweater out of the closet on a cold day. Dante really nails that vibe.
RT: I’m always looking for that great bottle with a great story that doesn’t need to break the bank. What wines would you recommend that fit right into this experience?
JA: I can’t think of a better match for all the gorgeous antipasti on the menu than “Monte Grande” Soave Classico from the Pra winery – a really concentrated expression of the Garganega grape from the Veneto region of Northern Italy. Floral, citrusy, textured… a little bit off the beaten path but this is one of Italy’s top white varieties, very well balanced and able to lift up food beautifully.
RT: Soave sounds so interesting. Other special white wines to find here?
JA: Sometimes the best discoveries are about the producer and this list features bottles from really excellent winemakers. I’m going for Chardonnay from Saint-Véran in southern Burgundy made by husband and wife team Frantz Chagnoleau and Caroline Gon. This is one of the best little estates in the humble Maconnais region and is a great find on a list like this – playful, quaffable, and above all delicious!
RT: How about for reds? If I’m ordering some heartier dishes like the wood-grilled fishes or beef, where do we go?
JA: A terrific value and something interesting is the Mencía from Algueira. This is a fresh, vibrant wine from the Northwest of Spain, in Galicia. For me, good Mencia is like Pinot Noir infused with peppery and woodsy herbs, flavors which are a beautiful match for the dishes here. The wine director has also been generous enough to offer a delightful young Barolo expression from one of my favorite producers, G.D. Vajra. Their most open and early-drinking bottling is called “Albe” and can be found in great little spots like Dante for under $100. That’s what I call an opportunity.
RT: It really seems like there are lots of values to be found, and lots of exploring through these European regions to do.
JA: Lists like this where there isn’t really any fluff allow you to confidently go out and experiment with the magic of food and wine. Pairings like marinated olives with spicy, floral Fiano or wild boar ragú with a big rustic red from Priorat are happening here every day. You’ve gotta go there, open a few bottles, and eat to your heart’s content. That’s what it's all about.
RT: Josh Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate the Dante wine list.
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.
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