CorkRules - Episodes | Itamae Itamae Miami

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About this Episode

Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the Peruvian/Japanese restaurant in the heart of the Design District, Itamea Miami. Cecilia reviews this small wine list that has been designed to pair with the delicate Nikkei cuisine. She offers suggests a few wines to try from a beautiful variety of sakes and wines from regions France, Peru, Switzerland and Austria.

Wines reviews include:

Ulibarri Artzaiak, Txacoli de Bizcaia Ulibarri, 2017
Domaine Du Clos Naudin, France, 2016
Cruse Wine co., Tradition, California, 2017

Transcript: Itamae Miami

Itamae Miami

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 Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier

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

CB: Hello Robert!

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

We created CorkRules to demystify wine lists because we know from experience, that sometimes wine lists can be intimidating, 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.

ITAMAE MIAMI

Peruvian/Japanese restaurant in the heart of the Design District.

Itamae is a 40-seat Bib Gourmand restaurant since this year

Nikkei flavors and traditions - local and seasonal ingredients.

Top Level View

Itamae has a small wine list specially designed to pair with the delicate Nikkei cuisine. That is why you will find only two references of red wine, and a beautiful variety of sakes that you should try.

Here you will see wines from regions other than the classic French ones, as well as wines from Peru, Switzerland and Austria. And although I think they have chosen their wines very well, the wine list is perhaps not so clear to read. But here we are!

Unique Stuff

Cruse Wine co., 2017 Tradition, chardonnay + pinot noir, Northcoast - California

Cruse Wine Co. is a tiny winery based out of Petaluma, close to the ocean in California and founded by Michael Cruse, who is known today as the champagne grower in America. He produces a wide range of varieties with a focus on esoteric grapes and quality-style wines.

The 2017 Tradition Sparkling Wine is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the two classic French grapes, using the traditional method (or second fermentation on the bottle as Champagne) and is intentionally crafted to be a bit oxidative and open.

The resulting wine is a bone-dry bubbly with hints of stone fruit, some chalk aromas, freshly baked brioche and crushed almonds with a lush core of peachy fruits and honey.

It’s nothing other than complex! And a refreshing option paired with the Nigiris

Value Wines

Ulibarri Artzaiak - Txacoli de Bizcaia Ulibarri 2017 Basque Country – Spain

Is a delicious wine from a tiny 2 hectare size, located in País Vasco, the Basque region of northern Spain. Hondarrabi Zuri & Hondarrabi Zuri Zerratie are the local grapes which grown organically on this clay, sand, slate and schist soils.

The Ulibarri Brothers and winemakers consider themselves to be shepherds as they use sheeps not only to produce milk and cheese, but also to graze the vineyards in order to keep weeds at bay without herbicides and fertilizes the vineyards in the process. It’s all about feedback!

But back to the wine, this is refreshing and dry, with a low alcohol content, with salinity, texture, and length. For most of the wines from the area, the acidity is the main character, with hints of lemon and green apples that complement the Nikkei cuisine at perfection. Try it with Ceviche.

Bigger budget/Special Occasion

2016 Domaine Du Clos Naudin, Foreau, Chenin Blanc, Vouvray – France

Philippe Foreau and the Domaine du Clos Naudin are well known for the purity and extreme longevity of the wines produced in Vouvray, along the banks of the Loire River in France. He farms a total of 11.5 hectares of vineyards, of which all are dedicated to Chenin Blanc.

Domaine du Clos Naudin Vouvray is dry Chenin Blanc at its best. From a fantastic vintage, even when was plagued by Spring frosts that reduced the eventual crop; the 2016 is a steely, mineral-rich white wine that will age beautifully for decades! With exotic aromas of poached quince, yellow apple, and wet stones, the wine has medium body that it lingers on the mouthwatering long finish.

A perfect choice along with the barred knifejaw tiradito.

Cecelia, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate ITAMAE MIAMI’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.