Listen to the CorkRules Podcast

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at The Federal where white table elegance and an innovative “new American” cuisine with Italian and French influences ensure an enjoyable and memorable dining experience, but let’s not forget the wine. The extensive wine list features half bottles, magnums, stand-out value wines, and excellent dessert wines, and fortunately, Michaela is here to help point out the bottles that will pique your palate and tickle your taste buds.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Castello di Neive, Montebertotto, Arneis, Italy

• 2017 Robert Foley, The Griffin, Red Blend, Napa

• 2019 Domaine Christian Moreau 1er Cru Chablis Vaillons, Burgundy

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas kick back at the restaurant, Stoneacre Garden where they not only have a welcoming and wholesome dining room where you will experience deliciously comforting cuisine, but they also offer a greenhouse bar, a courtyard bar, and rooftop bar. The vibe here is vibrant, fun, and wholly delightful. They frequently host events including live music. And to top off your experience, they offer a well-developed wine list.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Les Vieux Clos Joly Chenin Blanc, France

• 2015 Raúl Pérez Ultreia, Spain

• 2018 Gail Vineyards “Doris”, Sonoma Valley

Maria Valetta, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to Spago where they go through the 60-page menu to find a few select bottles for you to try. In addition to a stellar range of rieslings, they offer a delicious range of chardonnays, and white Bordeaux wines.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2018 Pinot Gris, Domaine Schlumberger, Alsace 

• 2019 Rose, Paul Lato, Santa Barbara, California 

• 2014 Jean Claude Boisset, Vosne Romanée "Les Jacquines"

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the French brasserie, Coquette. If you love the food of Southwest France and Spain’s Basque Country, this is the place for you.  The combination of Gallic influences and Boston’s fresh seafood are beautifully represented in the menu, and the wines served open the door to the brasserie’s playful and flirtatious energy.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Benedicte et Stephan Tissot Traminer, France

• 2019 Barbara Ohlzelt Zobinger Gruner Veltiner, Austria

• 2015 Olga Raffault Picasses Cabernet Franc, France

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to San Fan where they review the wine list at Spruce. This restaurant serves California-inspired cuisine sourced from a private five-acre organic farm. The wine list is carefully curated and offers 3, 500 selections. Whether you are wondering which cocktail to choose, glass or bottle of wine, Grant shares his experience to help you make a wise and delicious decision. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Grüner Veltliner by Hiedler, Kamptal

• 2019 Ramey Chardonnay, Hyde Vineyard, Napa

• 2016 Marienburg Falkenlay, Mosel

Samantha Hohl, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Bacchanalia, an award-winning restaurant that serves a four-course, seasonal, prix fixe menu. Sam shares a little background info on some of the wine producers, offers pairing suggestions, and stellar recommendations on both value wines and special occasion bottles.

 Wines reviewed include:

 2016 Pinot Noir from Day Wines in Oregon

• 2018 Trivento Golden Reserve Malbec

• 2014 Bollinger, Grande Année Brut

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the restaurant, Prairie Whale. Surrounded by a circle of vegetable and livestock farmers, cheesemakers, and foragers these suppliers have helped build the Whale's reputation as a legitimate farm-to-table restaurant. This dedication to quality extends to the wine list where they offer a large selection of reds and whites, organic, and orange wines, and a special selection of natural wines from a small local importer.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Domaine de Souch, “Jurancon Sec”, France

• 2021 Marcel LaPierre “Morgon”, Beaujolais, France

• 2020 Franck Peillot, “Altesse”, Savoie, France

Maria Valetta, wine educator, and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Carbone, a high-end Italian restaurant that retains the glamor of mid-20th-century Italian restaurants. The New York-inspired menu is complemented by a wine list that offers a stellar selection of wines from Italy, France, and, of course, California.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2021 Lunae, Colli di Luni, Liguria Vermentino, Italy

• 2018 Barbaresco, Musso, Rio Sordo, Piedmont 

• 2007 Fontodi, Flaccianello della Pieve, Tuscany

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to San Diego where they review the wine list at Market del Mar, an upscale restaurant that serves Californian fare with a local, seasonal focus and a great international wine list including a stellar mix of whites, reds, roses, and of course, bubbles to set your evening in the right direction. 

Wines reviewed include:

• 2014 Vueve Fourny Première Cru Blanc de Blanc

• 2018 Hubert Meyer Pinot Gris, Alsace

• 2018 Emmerich Knoll Gruner Veltliner, Austria