Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet

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 Camila Alvarez, wine sommelier and consultant.

Bonjour Camila, it’s great to have you join our CorkRules Family from Paris!

CA: 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.

RT: Today we are talking about Meadowsweet Michelin-star New York….

It has a great energy and wine list to match.

Camila, I can’t wait to hear what do you think of their extensive wine list?

CA: In this wine list we can find the two faces of the same grape variety from different countries. And also some blends that we can find in the rosé and orange section. A short wine list, but with what is necessary for a good dinner.

RT: That’s great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

CA: I don’t know why my eyes jumped into the grape variety Chenin blanc, why? Because in this wine list, they try to put attention in showing the diversity of the grape variety depending on the country. So, the Chenin Blanc from Bosman Family Vineyards ’20 from Wellington in South Africa is completely different than a Chenin blanc from France. This one is golden and very aromatic into the tropical flavors, some freshness. This is a young wine to drink young for an entry course.

RT: Ooohh those sound great.

So, Camila, their list seems to have lots of ways we could go but was there anything that you would say is a “must-try”?

CA: Garnacha, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah – Chozas Carrascal, Las Ocho, 2016 – Valencia, Spain.

This wine is made with new production techniques, for example, the use of concrete for fermentation and several grape varieties to give balance to this wine. Deep ruby colours, with red jammy aromas like cherry, blackcurrant, and herbal notes. The blend between these four grapes varieties made it the perfect mix between Bordeaux and Spanish style. A great pairing with the American wagyu bavette.

 

So, this list has so many great choices, what other wines would you suggest for our second or third course?

 

CA: My first suggestion is a Pinot Noir from Vine and Supply from Willamette, Oregon, vintage 2015. Why a pinot noir, or why this pinot noir? Well, this producer only does small production from small plots of land. 12 months in French oak and 12 in the bottle, this means that the aromas of pinot noir here are mostly accentuated, with a strength that is difficult to find in other pinot noirs from the same area. The aromas of ripe red berries and cedar are there not only because of the oak, but also because the vintage 2015.

Second option, we are going to travel to Italy in one of the best areas the Piedmont, Dolcetto d'Alba, Reva 2019 from Piemonte, Italy.

Dolcetto is a grape variety with aromas of sweet red fruits, usually vinification is made in vats to so that the fruit aromas are preserved in the wine. Flavours of jam, dried fruits and nuts give structure to this wine.

RT: Ooh, terrific. Camila, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind.  any other great value wines you’d point us to? 

CA: In general, this wine list has a good price for their wines, one example is:

Carignan – Budwood, Ancient Vines Own Rooted 2019, Contra Costa County, CA

If you don’t know too much about Carignan, this is a nice wine to start with, because California is one of those regions where Carignan develops very well. High concentration of red fruit flavours and medium to high acidity.

RT: Now Camila, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

CA:  Grenache, Mourvèdre, Cinsault – Xavier Vignon, Châteauneuf du Pape Anonyme 2016 from Rhône, France.

If you want to surprise someone, you can try this Chateauneuf du Pape, great wine with a little mystery, because we don’t know exactly the percentage of the blend. But the philosophy of this wine producer and the vintage 2016 made of this one of the best wines in this wine list. Blueberries, hot spices, and some herbal aromas like lavender and cardamon, with a round and powerful body. You can drink it now or until 2026, if you have a special occasion this is a great wine to do it.

RT: Grenache is always something good and this blend and vintage rocks!

CA: I 100 percent agree

RT: Camila Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Meadowsweet’s list. I can’t wait to go back and 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.