For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligot&eacute;, Burgundy&#39;s &quot;other&quot; white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligot&eacute; is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

A Value Proposition: Compared to Chardonnay, Aligot&eacute; offers a compelling value proposition. The grape thrives in cooler climates, yielding wines known for their vibrant acidity and lighter body. This makes them perfect for enjoying young, without the need for extensive aging, which translates to lower production costs ultimately reflected in the price tag. Wine enthusiasts can experience the distinct terroir of Burgundy at a fraction of the price of a Premier Cru Chardonnay.

Critical Acclaim: The growing popularity of Aligot&eacute; is not going unnoticed by critics. Wine Enthusiast recently declared it &quot;Burgundy&#39;s Rising White Star,&quot; highlighting its increasing quality and potential to rival Chardonnay. Renowned wine critic Burghound remarked on the &quot;impressive depth and complexity&quot; found in certain Aligot&eacute; expressions, showcasing the grape&#39;s ability to produce wines beyond their entry-level reputation.

Food Pairings: Aligot&eacute;&#39;s bright acidity and subtle minerality make it a versatile food pairing companion. It shines alongside lighter fare like fish dishes, shellfish, salads, and creamy cheeses. The wine&#39;s refreshing character cuts through richness, making it a perfect partner for creamy sauces and even lighter cuts of meat.

Domaine Stars: While Aligot&eacute; is often produced by various cooperatives, two stand-out producers are leading the charge in crafting exceptional single-vineyard expressions:

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Dominique-Lafon-Bourgogne-Aligote-2021-w41675088y">Dominique Lafon</a>&nbsp;- $37.99: This renowned producer, known for their exquisite Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet wines, also crafts a stunning Aligot&eacute; with depth and complexity, showcasing the potential of the grape when treated with respect and meticulous attention to detail.</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.grapesthewineco.com/wines/Domaine-Sylvain-Cathiard-Bourgogne-Aligote-2022-w7631962na">Domaine Sylvain Cathiard</a>&nbsp;- $66.99: This family-owned estate in the village of Bouzeron, the only appellation dedicated solely to Aligot&eacute;, produces wines known for their purity, minerality, and aging potential. Their &quot;M&acirc;con-Villages&quot; Aligot&eacute; is a testament to the grape&#39;s ability to deliver exceptional quality and complexity.</li>
</ul>

Aligot&eacute; offers an exciting opportunity for wine enthusiasts to explore the hidden gem of Burgundy. Its affordability, refreshing style, and versatility make it a perfect addition to any wine lover&#39;s repertoire. So, next time you&#39;re looking for a delightful, value-driven white wine, consider giving Aligot&eacute; a try. You might just discover your new favorite Burgundy.

&nbsp;

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

For Chardonnay lovers seeking a refreshing, value-driven alternative, Aligoté, Burgundy's "other" white grape, beckons with its crisp acidity, subtle minerality, and undeniable charm. Often overshadowed by its more illustrious neighbor, Aligoté is finally gaining recognition for its unique qualities and exceptional quality-to-price ratio.

Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

The world of sparkling wine is a vast one. While champagne has long been the reigning king, there's another contender that’s not only equally delicious but also offers great value for money - Cremant.

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Omakase is experiencing a surge in popularity, let’s dig into what it is and of course what wines to drink.



 Omakase, a term that translates to "I'll leave it up to you" in Japanese, is rapidly gaining popularity in the culinary world. This dining experience places your meal entirely in the hands of the chef, who meticulously crafts each course based on seasonal ingredients and their personal creative flair. It's not just about seafood; while sushi often features prominently due to its status as a cornerstone of Japanese cuisine, an omakase menu can include anything from Wagyu beef to seasonal vegetables.

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California Chardonnay: it's a name synonymous with sunshine, buttery richness, and maybe even a splash of white wine envy (looking at you, Bridget Jones). But how did this grape, originally hailing from France, become a Californian icon? Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard, from its unexpected origins to the reasons it continues to reign supreme on wine lists.

Buckle up, because we're diving into the world of CA Chard!

Forget everything you think you know about sweet, syrupy wines. Lambrusco is a sparkling red wine from Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region that’s as light and bubbly as a summer day.

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As the days grow longer and warmer, it's time to trade in your full-bodied reds and crisp whites for a glass of refreshing rosé. This versatile wine is not only perfect for spring but also pairs beautifully with a wide variety of foods all year round.



Rosé originates from France, specifically Provence - the world’s leading rosé region. It has been produced there since 600 BC when Greeks brought vines to southern France. Unlike its red and white counterparts, rosés are made using an array of grape varietals including Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault among others.

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We are interested in understanding your dining and wine consumption habits to gain valuable insights into the wine and restaurant industry.

State of Wine and Restaurant Survey 2024

A Hungarian Legacy: Imagine yourself in Tokaj, Hungary, a region steeped in winemaking tradition. For centuries, Furmint has thrived in its volcanic soil, basking in the warm sunshine. These grapes, loved for their thick skin and high acidity, became the cornerstone of Hungary's most famous wine: Tokaji. These sweet, honeyed treasures were once enjoyed by royalty and popes!

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Have & Meyer

Whitney Grant

Have &amp; Meyer

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!

A podcast where, in each episode,&nbsp;we will review a wine list from your favorite restaurants. I&rsquo;m your host Robert Tas along with Whitney Grant, wine educator and certified sommelier.

Hello Whitney, it&rsquo;s great to have you back on with CorkRules.

WG: Hi Robert! Thanks for having me! I&rsquo;m excited to share these wine selections with you and the CorkRules listeners.

RT:

Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s because we know from experience, that sometimes when we get that list handed to us, well&hellip; it can be intimidating, and even a little daunting.

Our aim is to help prepare you to navigate that list, find those hidden gems, or 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 talking about Have and Meyer, an Italian restaurant featuring authentic recipes using sustainable and seasonal ingredients from small producers. &ldquo;Slow Food&rdquo; inspired eats with an incredible natural wine selection. Whitney, can you tell us a little about what natural wine is?

WG: Unlike organic or biodynamic there is currently no certifications or uniform definition for natural wine. That being said, natural wine is typically made in traditional simple methods, using grapes farmed without the use of pesticides or herbicides, fermented with natural yeast otherwise known as wild fermentation, there are no additives, and typically little to no sulphites. There is a ton of diversity with natural wine producers and Have &amp; Meyer is an excellent place to explore this style with over 100 wines by the glass there is something for everyone!

RT: Wow, that is quite the selection where would you start with this list?

WG: Let&#39;s start with a tour of Italy starting with Northern Italy and Piemonte in the northwest corner of Italy growing Nebbiolo. Nebbiolo is a red wine grape known for its high levels of acidity, tannin and ability to age. Typically aromas of cherries, herbs and dried florals.

I would recommend two of these Nebbiolo wines to see the difference of these two sub-regions. First the Brezza Barolo. Brezza has been certified organic since 2015 starting the process in 2010 really focusing on vineyard health and in turn producing incredible wines.

I would also suggest the Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco a female-run winery. In comparison to Barolo these wines are slightly fruiter with the same high acidity and tannin to make these age beautifully. You can expect aromas and flavors of dried cherries, rose petal with depth and structure.

RT: Where to next on our tour of Italian wines?

WG: Let&rsquo;s explore the selection of Central Italy and Chianti Classico. I would recommend the Ottomani Chianti Classico which is 100% Sangiovese. These grapes slowly ripen in the higher altitude vineyards giving the wines great acidity and herbal aromas. The Ottomani vineyards are certified biodynamic and organic and are growing great quality fruit. With this wine you can expect smoky red fruit and tomato leaf, this would pair nicely with a hearty Ragu.

Finishing out the tour of Italy with Southern Italy and a Fiano from Campania for the white wine drinkers. Typically these wines have medium acidity and medium to full body, with atoms of stone fruit, melon, and mango. Here at Have &amp; Meyer, I would recommend the Cantina Giardino Gaia Fiano. These producers farm old vines and age the Fiano in chestnut casks.

&nbsp;RT: I see on the menu a selection of orange wines, can you tell us more about orange wines?

WG: Orange wine is a growing category, especially in the natural wine space. This type of wine is produced by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the juice, similar to how red wines are made. The end result gives the wine an orange hue and some mild tannins.

If you&rsquo;d like to try an orange wine here I&rsquo;d recommend the Stefano Ronco Severo pinot grigio. This wine has aromas of acacia flowers, white fruits, walnuts, and toasted almonds with a hint of spice on the finish.

RT: What would you recommend for a guest who is not as familiar with the Italian wine varietals?

WG: They do have more of the common varietals available here. The D &rsquo;Orsaria Chardonnay made with cool fermentation in stainless steel. Nice crisp acidic unoaked chardonnay. A lovely ros&eacute; of Syrah with note strawberry rounded out with a nice earthy finish. The Il Rospo Cabernet Sauvignon from Tuscany where they can produce amazing &ldquo;Super Tuscans&rdquo;. This wine has deep fruit flavors of black currant and cherry, crushed stones, and rich tannin.

RT: So Whitney, I see Have &amp; Meyer have a full list of natural Champagne! Which Champagne would you recommend?

WG: Robert I love all things sparkling and Champagne is the best of the best. I would recommend Jacquesson Cuvee No. 744. This wine has received stellar ratings from wine critics scoring a 94 with Robert Parker saying this wine is &ldquo;complex with aromas of orange oil, and stonefruit calling it vivid &amp; nuanced. James Suckling had a stellar rating of 92 points. He called reviewed this wine as &ldquo;attractive and very drinkable with aromas of apple and brioche&rdquo;

RT: Whitney, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate the Have &amp; Meyer wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself.

WG: Thanks for having me Robert, this was an exciting list to review and I hope the CorkRules listeners get the chance to enjoy some of these wines!

RT: 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.

End

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Aligoté: Burgundy's Unsung Hero Steps Out of the Shadows

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