#262
Porto
Latest Episode
- 2/28/23 | 5:59
About this Episode
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the modern Mediterranean restaurant Porto. This restaurant has a lively bar scene and outdoor patio in Boston's Back Bay, the perfect location for a fun night out. In addition to a James Beard award-winning menu, Porto’s wine list consists of unique and classic varietals and Michaela is here to help find those special bottles and hidden gems.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Santo Winery, Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece
-
2019 Castellare, Poggio alla Guardia, Tuscany
-
2020 Pacher Hoff, Muller Thurgau, from Varna, Italy
Porto
Music Intro:
RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!
A podcast where, in each episode, we will review a wine List from your favorite restaurants. I’m your host Robert Tas along with Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.
Hello Michaela, it’s great to be back together for another episode.
MQ: Hi 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 when we get that list handed to us, well… 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 Porto. Head to Boston’s Back Bay for a trip to the Mediterranean. Come enjoy coastal Italian fare prepared by a James Beard Award winning chef.
Michaela, I can’t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?
MQ: Porto’s wine list consists of unique and classic varietals that make perfect companions to their incredible dining menu. We hope you enjoy today’s selections.
RT: That’s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?
MQ: A favorite varietal that caught my eye was the 2020 Santo Winery, Assyrtiko from Santorini, Greece. The light to medium body of this white wine, along with the bright acidity, white floral nose, notes of tangerine, ripe pear, and lime zest with a mineral finish make this wine a wonderful aperitif, or to pair with shellfish and light fish.
RT: That is for sure unique. Did you find any others that caught your eye right away?
MQ: I have been noticing a number of wine lists that feature a special section for Super Tuscan wines. Super Tuscan is often a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese from Tuscany. One to consider is the 2019 Castellare, Poggio alla Guardia from Tuscany. This highly rated red wine also has a bit of Merlot in the blend which only adds to the rich, ripe plumb, ripe blackberries, cassis, smoke, and leather with notes of cocoa on the mineral finish. Consider this red when pairing with charcuterie or herbed proteins.
RT: So Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a “must-try”?
MQ: A must try is the 2020 Pacher Hoff, Muller Thurgau, from Varna, Italy. Northern Italy does an excellent job producing this more notably German or Austrian grape variety. The Muller Thurgau features aromas and flavors of citrus, white flowers, elderberry, green apple, and tangerine. This bottle is dry, however, Mueller Thurgau can also be produced with medium sweetness. Pair with lighter fare and spicy dishes.
RT: These are some great calls.
So, you know I’m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?
MQ: A wine to consider to pair with richly sauced and savory dishes would be the always highly rated Michele Chiarlo Reyna Barbaresco from the Piedmont in Italy. This dry, full bodied red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape features aromas and flavors of ripe, red cherries, rose petals, ripe raspberries, with notes of tobacco and violets on the smooth finish.
RT: Ooh, Terrific.
Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind. Any other great value wines you’d point us to?
MQ: A wonderful sparkler that I was happy to see on the list is the 2016 Argyle Brut from the Willamette Valley of Oregon. This blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and splash of Pinot Meunier, results in a fresh, dry sparkler featuring ripe green apple, lemon zest, and brioche. A perfect way to begin your dining experience, or to pair with cheese, shellfish, or any fried dishes, all for an excellent price.
RT: That sounds great. What is your other value selection?
MQ: As a fan of Rhone blends, I am always excited when I spot that stand-out quality/value wine. Consider the 2019 Chateau Saint Cosme, Cotes du Rhone from the Rhone Valley of France. This organic blend of Syrah, Grenache, and Mourvedre makes a perfect companion to the Mediterranean spices on the menu. Notes of black pepper, thyme, sage, ripe blackberries, with soft tannins and a mineral finish make this wine a can’t miss.
RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?
MQ: If you are looking for a bold, complex, stand-out vintage, consider the 2012 Chateau La Garde, from Pessac-Leognan in Bordeaux, France. This exceptional blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon and 35% Merlot will certainly add to the pleasure of your dining experience. The classic aromas and flavors of ripe blackberries, cassis, earth, leather, graphite, and rich, round tannins truly make this wine a perfect companion to richly herbed and sauced proteins, and special occasions.
RT: Michaela Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Porto’s wine list. I can’t wait to go try them myself.
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
Want to request a Restaurant?
Interested in having a restaurant’s wine list featured in a future podcast episode? Let us know here.
Related Episodes
The Red Dory
- 1848 Main Rd, Tiverton, RI 02878, USA
- 5:43 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Red Dory where the views of the Sakonnet River offer a clue to the Mediterranean-inspired menu featuring fresh ingredients from local farms and docks. And to help you pair wine with seafood, shellfish, or meaty, saucy dishes Michaela identifies tasting notes and offers pairing suggestions to ensure the spices and herbs pair well with the wine. From white Riojas with notes of cantaloupe, green apple, lime zest to bold reds with flavors of blackberries and cassis, along smoke, black pepper, and oak, Michaela helps you understand which wines to pair with meals on the menu.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2021 Ostatu Viura, Rioja, Spain
-
2017 Cantina del Taburno Aglianico, Campania, Italy
-
2021 Movia Sauvignon Blanc, Slovenia
Oberlin
- 186 Union St, Providence, RI 02903, USA
- 6:11 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a look through the wine list at Oberlin in Providence, Rhode Island to find the value wines, special bottles, and little-known gems that you might miss. A James Beard Award finalist, Oberlin features an extensive menu of seafood and pasta, and the wine list offers an eclectic selection of Old World and New World wines, organic, skin contact, and local wines from New England. Michaela spots wines made from rare varietals, natural whites from Chile, and unique orange wines from Georgia. If an adventure in wine is what you’re looking for, you’ve arrived.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2021 Echeverria Viognier, Curico Valley, Chile
-
2020 Hofstatter Meczan Pinot Nero, Alto Adige, Italy
-
2019 Nine Oakes Khikhvi
Blu Ristorante
- 90 Avenue Rd, Toronto, ON M5R 2H2, Canada
- 6:12 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Blu Ristorante where they offer a stand-out selection of Old-world and New-world wines to accompany their delicious menu. One addition to her suggestions is a pinot noir from the Dundee Hills in Oregon, and a Grecheto from Umbria with notes of white flowers, and lilacs, lemon zest, and grapefruit, with a mineral and herbal finish. Wow! Liquid lusciousness.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2021 La Carria Grechetto
-
2016 Bedegas Fuenmayor “Nocedal Reserva” Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain
-
2020 Zolla Primitivo, Puglia, Italy
Hy's Steakhouse
- 8 Avenue at, 3 St SW, Calgary, AB T2P 4K8, Canada
- 6:3 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Hy’s Steakhouse in Toronto. Their wine list has won the Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence, and the list includes classic producers, limited releases, and local selections from small producers in Canada. Michaela spots some stand-out wines on the list including a syrah with notes of ripe, red cherries, ripe raspberries, white pepper, and thyme, perfect for pairing with pasta or rich, saucy dishes.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Wild Goose Riesling from the Okanagan Valley
-
2019 Domaine Chante-Perdrix Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
-
2018 Tenuta Sette Ponti “Oreno” from Tuscany
Chiado
- 5:46 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Chiado a Portuguese restaurant that offers an exciting selection of wines specifically from Portugal, and, in addition to wine, port which originates from Portugal. Michaela suggests wines from several different regions of Portugal, she describes the tasting notes and offers pairing suggestions, and even helps you find a stellar wine if you are on a budget and don’t want to compromise on quality.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2017 Quinta de Pellada, Quints de Saes Reserva
-
2018 Alves de Sousa, Branco da Gaivosa.
-
2016 Cortes de Cima Blend
Harriet's Rooftop
- 550 Wellington St W Suite C, Toronto, ON M5V 2V4, Canada
- 6:32 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Harriet’s Rooftop, an elegantly comfortable space where patrons can take in the most expansive views of vibrant Toronto. Do aromas of white flowers, honeysuckle, ripe pear, lemon zest and spice tickle your palate? If so, dive into the podcast where Michaela offers pairing suggestions for a few local and organic wines, and she suggests several noteworthy wines that will enhance your meal and your evening.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 13th St Winery Chardonnay, Creek Shores, Canada
-
2020 Malivoire Small Lot Gamay, Beamsville Bench, Ontario
-
2019 Juggernaut Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California
Barberians
- 7 Elm St, Toronto, ON M5G 1H1, Canada
- 7:12 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Barberian's Steakhouse. With over 100 pages, this list is a who’s who of top producers, and in nearly every vintage. This could be Canada's most stunning wine cellar, with more than 15,000 bottles from the world's greatest vineyards, and all to complement top-grade, dry-aged steaks that are butchered in-house.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2016 Sacred Hill, Riflemans Chardonnay, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
-
2010 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia, Reserva, Rioja, Spain
-
2018 Chappellet Signature from Napa Valley, California
Canoe
- 66 Wellington St W 54th floor, Toronto, ON M5K 1H6, Canada
- 7:46 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at Canoe, a Canadian restaurant that is inspired by the provinces of Canada, and the wine list offers a carefully curated selection of old and new world wines to explore. Michaela explores the list, shares information about sweetness in bubbles, and kicks of the review with a spectacular sauvignon blanc that would pair well with shellfish from the east coast provinces, and follows it up with a red that would pair well with fish and heavily sauced dishes.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Leaning Post Sauvignon Blanc, Niagra
-
2020 Closson Chase Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ontario
-
2016 Bodegas San Isidro “Gemina Cuvee Seleccion”, Spain
Harbour 60
- 60 Harbour St, Toronto, ON M5J 1B7, Canada
- 6:8 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head north to explore the wine list at Harbour 60 where they serve the best steak in town and have curated an exceptional wine list. This exceptional restaurant offers a wonderful selection of old-world and new-world wines, and it also features a few standout Canadian wines that are new to the market but well worth trying. Michaela finds a few delicious whites to pair with shellfish on the menu, a shiraz to pair with lamb, and a beautiful Rioja from the oldest vineyard in the region that dates back to 1852.
Wines reviewed include:
- 2021 Lungarotti, Torre di Giano, from Umbria, Italy
- 2018 Wakefield “Crooked Horse” Shiraz, Australia
- 2017 Marques de Murrieta Reserva from Rioja, Spain
The Shore Club
- 6:50 min
Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit The Shore Club, a fabulous restaurant with locations in both Ottawa and Toronto. This is an elegant seafood and steakhouse with a comfy dining area and lively cocktail bar, plus a long wine list. Michaela explains why you should try a Brut Cremant if you are looking for quality bubbles at a good price, and, of course, she identifies the tasting notes in wines from both the old and new world wines and offers pairing suggestions guaranteed to elevate your dining experience.
Wines reviewed include:
-
2020 Jules Rose from Provence, France
-
2020 Ben Marco ‘Plata’ Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina
-
2020 Domaine Lucien Jacob Aligote, Burgundy
Use the QR Code or
click on Download to install!