<a href="https://majorfood.getbento.com/new-york-city-and-boston/">Dirty French</a>&nbsp;is a bistro-style restaurant in Lower Manhattan and Miami &nbsp;that serves classic, traditional French dishes and brings them into contemporary New York by utilizing modern techniques and adding bold twists inspired by our current love of global cuisine.

But when it comes to the wine list, French wines dominate and they are curated from every region, including the lesser-known Savoie region. So let&rsquo;s head over to the mountainous region of the Alps and explore the wines of Savoie.

Where else in the world can you ski in your shorts and sip champagne, and breathe in the pristine alpine air while goat bells ring in the distance? This is Savoie. The eastern border of France and just a short drive through Mont Blanc and you&#39;re in Switzerland and Northern Italy, but we&rsquo;re here for the wine. So let&rsquo;s pop the cork on what the experts have to say about wines from this region.

Savoie&rsquo;s 2,000 hectares of vineyards stretch across four areas: Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isere, and Ain. This mountainous region provides plenty of sloping hillsides while the large lakes help moderate the climate. The cooler temperatures and shorter summer work well for white wine grapes such as &nbsp;In fact, 70 percent of the wine produced in Savoie is white. Of all 23 grape varieties planted here, five are white and only two are red grape.

The most popular white wines from Savoie are produced from the following varietals.

Jacquere produces an early drinking, lively dry wine with flavors that range from floral and fruity (pear, white peach, grapefruit) to mineral and flinty. This varietal is the most commonly grown and used.

Altesse or Roussette &nbsp;is a white variety that ages well, achieving a noted complexity after just a few years in the bottle. Roussanne is known in Savoie as Bergeron, an aromatic wine with firm acidity.

Chasselas produces light-bodied, easy-drinking dry wines that are best drunk young. Gringet is a native varietal in this region, but despite its heritage here, it has only 54 acres of varietals, perhaps because it produces low-alcohol, easy drinking white wines, however, this grape has also produced some elegant and refreshing sparkling wines.

&nbsp;

Moving on to red wine from Savoie; the main red grape varieties are mondeuse and persan. Mondeuse is a native grape first cultivated by the Gauls, a Roman writer noted the grape as being &ldquo;the grape variety that ripens amidst the snow&rdquo; This grape brings a deep purple color to the wine with a well-structured acidity and well-integrated tannins that allow the wine to age well.

Persan is also a native variety but it is difficult to grow and prone to downy mildew. It produces dense tannins and acidity, and while wine from this grape can be harsh when young, it ages well and can kept for over ten years. &nbsp;

Of course, although these are the grapes that provide wine with interesting notes and are designed to thrive in this environment, today&rsquo;s winemakers in this region often turn to the more well-known varietals that can also thrive here and are more resilient to changing weather patterns.

To find a few of the best bottles on the wine list at this restaurant, head on over to<a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/dirty-french/episodes/19">&nbsp;the CorkRules&rsquo; podcast on Dirty French</a>&nbsp;where certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise and offers a few professional suggestions on wines to choose and, most importantly, enjoy.

Cheers!

&nbsp;

About the CorkRules Podcast:&nbsp;Each week we pour a glass and share top restaurant wine list picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the wine list thanks to sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience aimed at making it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, provides you with personalized wine recommendations from your favorite restaurants. Through CorkRules you can find the perfect wine for every occasion based on your preferences, connect with friends and wine experts to discover new wines to try and learn about wine. CorkRules makes it easier to discover and drink what you love. &nbsp;

Dirty French is a bistro-style restaurant in Lower Manhattan and Miami  that serves classic, traditional French dishes and brings them into contemporary New York by utilizing modern techniques and adding bold twists inspired by our current love of global cuisine.

Dirty French Wines from Savoie

1803 is a Cajun restaurant that brings a little of New Orleans’ eclectic culture to the streets of New York. It’s a sexy, sultry space with a penchant for Deep South decadence and jazz. For a memorable culinary experience, this is the place to bring a date.

Pairing Wine with Cajun Food at 1803

Drops of God, the popular manga series by Tadashi Agi and Shu Okimoto, has been adapted into a television series by AppleTV and has some buzz in the wine world. The AppleTV series tells a story about a competition between Camille's (Fleur Geffrier) estranged daughter and Issei (Tomohisa Yamashita), the protégé after the death of Camille's father, a famous wine collector, to win his world-renowned wine collection valued at $100M+.

Drops of God: The AppleTV Series That Could Save the Wine Industry

Certified sommelier and CorkRules’ resident Somm, Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise on the wine list of il Buco. il Buco’s wine cellar holds a selection of over 400 wines and includes an exciting range of lesser-known, artisan wines from Europe. This restaurant has been called "one of the best and most exciting in America" by Gourmet magazine and the wine list has won Wine Spectator’s "Award of Excellence" several times.

Artisan Wines at Il Buco

Orange wine is made from white grapes, but the skin stays in contact with the juice longer during the maceration period, which increases the tannins and turns the normally white wine a more golden hue. The longer the contact,  the darker the hue, which increases the tannins and a stronger intensity. Pinot gris and malvasia are two common grape varieties used to make orange wine, but if you dig a little deeper, explore a little further, you can find some delightful orange wines along the border between northeastern Italy and Slovenia where orange wines are madefrom indigenous grapes on the region, including sauvignon vert (friulano), ribolla gialla, and pinot grigio.

Pairing Orange Wines at Pasquale Jones

The Lobster Club in the Seagram Building, New York City is a Japanese Brasserie that is renowned for its unique interpretation of Japanese cooking and Sushi, and what’s even more exciting is that it has an extensive wine list.

Fine Wines at The Lobster Club

Unless you are born into a vineyard, grow up in wine country, a career in wine is not a go-to profession for most graduates. But for some people, their love of wine and career path are intertwined. This is how it was for Jane Lopes, sommelier, co-founder of Legend Imports, and author of Vignette: Stories of Life and Wine in 100 Bottles.

Stories of Wine & Life with Jane Lopes, Sommelier, Author and Co-Founder of Legend Imports

CorkRules has been presented with the BMMA ‘Best New Mobile App” Platinum award, the highest award achievement in category.

CorkRules Wins the 2023 BMMA Platinum Award for "Best New Mobile App"

Pairing wine with Asian food is a common dilemma. Just what should you order with the Spicy Yellowtail Yu Sheng or the Mongolian Lamb Chops? How do we make palatable choices that cross cultures and bring out the best in each location’s use of herbs and spices?

Pairing Wine with Asian Food at Buddakan

With the exception of sommeliers and vintners, for most of us who love wine, no matter how many bottles you drink in your lifetime, and no matter how delicious, you rarely think of the terroir, the grape, or the growing process as you drink it.

Chris Phelps on Wine and Life

Sushi Note

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit the Sherman Oaks hot spot, Sushi Note. 

Wine List Review of Sushi Note, California

Grace Hood

Sushi Note

RT: Hello and welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

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 Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to have you!

GH: Hello hello!

RT: Before we jump in, let&rsquo;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&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:&nbsp;So, sit back and listen as we review your favorite wine list. Grace what are we reviewing today?

GH: We are going to be chatting about the Sherman Oaks hot spot, Sushi Note!

RT:&nbsp;Awesome! I know we&rsquo;ve done a few reviews for sushi restaurants before. Anything special about this one?

GH: Well, when looking over their wine list, they have a very well-curated selection. The wine director, Ian Lokey, obviously put a lot of care and consideration into this list. There&rsquo;s lots of personal touches and explanations about wines and styles and varietals. Lots to read, which I always appreciate, but then again, I&rsquo;m a total self-proclaimed wine nerd hahah

RT: Hey nothing wrong with that Grace. That&rsquo;s why we value your expertise! &nbsp;

GH: I appreciate it, Robert!

RT: If I were to guess, are we starting with champagne?

GH: Of course, we are Robert! But only because sushi pairs so well with it. Light wine for light cuisine. &nbsp;If you wanted a non-vintage champagne, go for the Duval Leroy Brut Reserve. However, if you wanted and older champagne, I would choose the 2008 Jacques Copin

RT: Mmmm those both sound delicious and refreshing. Great choices. Now how about some whites to go with all this fresh sushi?

GH: So, something I really loved on the Sushi Note menu, is that they are highlighting the Alsatian region of France! And I quote &ldquo;For hundreds of years the Alsatian people, finding themselves split between Germany and France, have created wines that go beyond Riesling and Pinot Gris. They have historically embraced field blends and lesser-known varieties like Sylvaner and Auxerrois. All of them with a noticeable hallmark: They are magnificent with food.&rdquo;

RT: I love it. Alsace doesn&rsquo;t get nearly enough love. And these lighter styles of whites are going to amazing with sushi

GH: You got that right Robert! My picks from the Alsatian section would be the Domaine Weinbach pinot gris, or the Marc Tempe Pinot Blanc. &nbsp;

RT: Awesome choices Grace. Now if we were wanting some heavier whites, what are some of your picks?

GH: Oh man they&rsquo;ve got some beautiful selections for Chardonnay. If you&rsquo;re thinking French, I would go with the 2019 Christophe et Gils Gourchame Chablis from Burgundy, or if you wanted domestic, the 2018 Willakenzie from the Willamette Valley would be a lovely choice. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

RT: Delicious. I&rsquo;m ready for both hahah Now with such a highly curated list, I can&rsquo;t wait what they have for red selections. &nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: Oh for sure Robert. Starting off with some lighter reds. They have a 2015 Barolo from Curto out of Piedmont in northern Italy. Or if you&rsquo;re thinking Pinot noir, they have a 2017 St. Innocent from the Willamette Valley, or if you wanted French pinot, they have a 2014 Savigny les Beane from Simon Bize 

RT: I&rsquo;ll take one of each!

GH: hahaha I know right! Can&rsquo;t go wrong with any of those! &nbsp;

RT: Now how about some bigger bolder richer red wines? &nbsp;&nbsp;

GH: Say less Robert! If you&rsquo;re a Syrah fan, go with the 2018 Cote Rotie from Domaine Christophe Semaska from the Rhone valley in France, or if you&rsquo;re wanting a French merlot, they have a 2009 St Emillion Grand Cru from Ch&acirc;teau Lessgue. Or if you&rsquo;re a California cab drinker they have a 2018 Rafanelli from dry creek in Sonoma 

RT: Oh yum. Those all sound delicious. Now, what about some value wines for our listeners who are on a budget?

GH: I got you! They&rsquo;ve got an awesome affordable Spanish sparkling from the Raventos vineyard. And if you wanted a wallet-friendly red you could do this 2015 Beaujolais from Domaine Alain Michaud from Burgundy

RT: Love it. And how about if we wanted to go to the opposite side of the spectrum and select some higher ticket items. Any special occasion wines on the Sushi Note list?

GH: Oh, is there ever Robert! They have a 2009 Moet and Chandon Grand Vintage Brut Rose which would be fabulous. And then for a red, look no further than this 1991 cabernet from Araujo Vineyard out of Napa. That&rsquo;ll be mwah &ldquo;chefs kiss&rdquo;

RT: Awesome Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the list at Sushi Note. To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.&nbsp; If you would like us to review one of your favorite restaurants, please send us email to: <a href="mailto:Info@corkrules.Com">Info@CorkRules.Com</a> 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. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

&nbsp;

End

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Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

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