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About this Episode

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Kokkari, a restaurant that has all the old-world charm of a rustic Mediterranean country inn, but offers a quality wine list with traditional wines from Europe and California in addition to a few more wines from off the well-beaten track for the more adventurous oenophiles.

Wines reviewed include:

2019 Troupis, Rose of Moschofilero, Arcadia, Greece
2019 Limerick Lane, Russian River Zinfandel
2018 Diamontakos, Xinomavro, Naoussa

Transcript: Kokkari

Kokkari

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 Grant Wood, wine educator and certified

sommelier.

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

GW: 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.

Kokkari

Kokkari is a very popular lunch and dinner spot right in the middle of the financial district, not too far from the Ferry Building. They offer excellent Greek fare with a fabulous wine list to match. I’ve dined here multiple times and they always deliver.

Let’s start with their wines by the glass shall we? First, I’d go for the 2019 Troupis, rose of Moschofilero from Arcadia in Greece which is a perfect wine to go with their watermelon and feta salad. A nice white to by the glass is the 2020 Hatziyiannis, Assyrtiko from Santorini which offers bright, clean, mineral driven flavors with a briny character that is perfect for a warm Mediterranean day

but if you’re feeling something red then I’d go for the 2019 Limerick Lane, Russian River Zinfandel which focuses on old vines that go back 100 years and definitely is not the typical super ripe, jammy, and somewhat sweet character that California can be known for.

Let’s take a look at the wines by the bottle.

Starting with bubbles as we always do, I was surprised to see some English fizz which is becoming more and more of a thing and after my trip to London earlier this year, I have to say there is some impressive sparkling wine coming from the Uk. Thank you climate change? Anyway, the a 2015 Gusbourne, Brut Reserve based on Chardonnay, PN, and PM coming from Kent is a fun take on the wines of Champagne. A more traditional choice, however, would be the 2015 Pierre Paillard, Grand cru Les Mottelettes from Bouzy.

Moving on to whites and rose, I love the wines from Hatzidakis, here they have their 2017 Nykteri from Santorini is awesome otherwise the 2019 Robola of Cefalonia by Gentilini would e a great value as well. Something from California that is always a favorite is the 2019 Arbe Garbe white blend of Italian varieties from Sonoma which is fresh and textural.

I also love 2020 Mellineaux, Kloof St. Old Vine Chenin from Swartland, They’re an awesome South African producer focusing on old vines. Lastly, the 2019 white blend from Matthiason is always a food-friendly wine from Napa.

Moving on to reds, a great Greek wine to shift gears to is the 2018 Diamontakos, Xinomavro from Naoussa is awesome. Xinomavro is considered the Nebbiolo of Greece with is high acid and high tannins, the grape name translates to ‘acid black’ which gives you an idea of what to expect. I know you like the bigger reds, Robert, so I’d point you towards the 2010 Molettieri, Vigna Cinque Querce from Taurasi which is 100% Aglianico with some age on it would be a great wine for their bigger cuts of meat.

Moving to wines from the new world, the 2016 Hope & Grace Doctor’s vineyard Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands is great. I used to work in their tasting room in Yountville years ago and they do a great job with Pinot Noir.

Another great wine and a shout out to my bosses dad, Joel Peterson (the godfather of Zinfandel) is the 2018 Once & Future Oakley Road Mataro from Contra Costa County is awesome. Yet another shout out to the Bedrock crew, Cody Rasmussen their associate winemaker and his wife Emily have their own label called Desire Lines and the 2018 Griffin’s Lair Syrah is a banger and a very famous vineyard for cool climate Syrah here in California.

Overall, I think this is a well thought out list and their food is amazing so definitely put Kokkari on your radar for the next time you’re in SF.

Cheers!

Grant, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Kokkari’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 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 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.