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&rsquo;s even more exciting is that it has an extensive wine list.

Certified sommelier, Michaela Quinlan, reviewed the wine list to find the perfect pairings with sweetness and spice, the unique value wines, and the extraordinary bottles on their list. In addition to spotting the best bottles, Michaela also shared her knowledge of the Kabinett classification in German wines.

The term Kabinett originally implied a wine of superior quality, set aside for later sale. It is essentially the German version of the wine term Reserve. Kabinett wines are generally non-chapatilized which means they have not had sugar added to the unfermented grape must, which means that Kabinett wines are usually lower in alcohol content. The term originated from the Cistercian monks at Eberbach Abbey in Rheingau, where they deemed the wine too good to sell and set it aside for their own cabinet.

A wise choice. So let&rsquo;s see what&rsquo;s in the cabinet at The Lobster Club.

The <a href="https://hub.binwise.com/restaurant/375-park-ave/list/wine-list.html">wine list is extensive</a>, and it&rsquo;s also online so you can review the list before you hit the restaurant.

At the top of the list, you will find half bottles of sparkling, white, and red from a wide range of regions in France, Italy, and the United States. This offers an excellent opportunity to try a wine without committing to a full bottle. For half bottle white, consider the 2017, Selbach-Oster, Riesling Kabinett from the Mosel region is reasonably priced and offers the opportunity to try a Kabinett wine.

They also offer a full range of champagnes that range from a very reasonable Mouss&eacute; L&#39;Or d&#39;Eugene, Perpetuelle at $85 to a 1996, Taittinger Comtes de Champagne priced at $1250. They also offer a large variety of French Burgundy wines, and red Burgundy wines. While this extensive list offers wines from Europe and the States, it definitely favors French wines followed closely by Californian wines.

They also offer a large selection of magnums and large format, three-litre bottles, so if a celebration with friends, family, and/or coworkers is the goal, they have the selection, the size, and the substance to let you and your party celebrate in style.

For more info on the <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/the-lobster-club/episodes/5">Lobster Club wine list</a>, visit CorkRules.com and check out episode 4 of the podcast where Robert and Michaela identify a few stellar wines to try.

Cheers.

###

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

Syrah and Shiraz. Two different names for the same grape variety, but also the name of two different styles of wine. Originally from France but spread around the world today, it has found its own identity in regions far away from the original origin.

The black grape Syrah comes from the French Rhône valley and it’s still very much planted there. Here, it’s the only variety used in Hermitage and Cornas, and also used in blends with other local grapes in areas like Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Côtes du Rhône to mention a few. The grape name won’t appear on the label though since in France, and in Europe in general, the origin is of more importance than the grape variety.

Decoding the wine label: Syrah or Shiraz?

Champagne, the obvious choice for celebrations or holidays in any form for many wine drinkers. Since it’s a fantastic, artisan beverage, why change the tradition? With the holidays coming up, choose to pour something extra special this year – the millésime style champagne.

Decoding the wine label: Millésime

Bordeaux is a name synonymous with some of the world's most prestigious red wines, but its white wines, particularly Bordeaux Blanc, often fly under the radar. While the reds of this region have garnered international fame, Bordeaux Blanc wines, crafted primarily from Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon, and Muscadelle grapes, are some of the wine world's best-kept secrets. These wines offer an elegant balance of freshness, complexity, and aging potential that can rival the finest whites from anywhere in the world.

Bordeaux Blanc: An Underappreciated Gem of the Wine World

As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, our palates yearn for refreshing beverages that embody the essence of summer. For those new to the world of wine, choosing between cider, orange wine, and rosé can be a delightful journey. Each offers unique flavors and experiences perfect for warm weather sipping. In this article, we’ll explore three standout choices: Wolffer Dry Cider No. 139, Cune Viña Rosado 2023, and Spiritus Terrae Malvasia Orange 2021.

Savoring Summer: The Best Rosé Drink Choices from Cider-Orange-Rosé for Beginners

Navigating the wine list at a restaurant can be a daunting task, as many wine lovers have experienced. In our previous article on the tension of ordering wine at restaurants, we discussed this issue and shared some tips to help ease the process. However, one CorkRules user has recently encountered a situation that highlights just how challenging it can be.

The Switch? – #restaurantfail #winelistfail

Memorial Day weekend signals the official kick-off to summer, and what better way to celebrate than a backyard barbecue with friends and family? But for the wine lovers out there, the usual pairing of burgers and beer can feel a little, well, uninspired.

Fear not, fellow geeks! Let's ditch the predictable and dive into three exciting wine options that will have you sipping and savoring alongside the sizzling BBQ.

Memorial Day BBQ Bash: 3 Wines to Geek Out Over (While Grilling)

What is the right price for a bottle of wine at a restaurant? Wine pricing at restaurants is a hot topic of late but has many complexities. Let's dig into it and better understand the issues and some potential solutions.

The tension around wine pricing at restaurants?

Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a name that resonates with prestige and quality in the world of wine. This illustrious appellation is steeped in history dating back centuries and has been producing some of France's most celebrated wines for generations.



Nestled within the southern region of Rhône Valley, France lies Châteauneuf-du-Pape - translated as "the Pope's new castle". The area earned its moniker during the 14th century when it served as a summer residence for Popes who sought refuge from political turmoil in Rome.

The Rich History of Châteauneuf-du-Pape highlighting some great value wines

In the world of wine and food, we often find ourselves ensnared by ratings, stars, points – an endless parade of numbers that dictate our choices. We chase after high-rated wines or Michelin-starred restaurants with fervor only to be met with experiences that seldom live up to their lofty reputations. But amidst this whirlwind pursuit for perfection lies a simple truth - what truly makes wine and food special are not scores or accolades but pure experiences crafted from love.

The Serendipity of Experiences in Wine and Food

Le Coucou

Grace Hood

Le Coucou

RT: Hello and Welcome to CorkRules!&nbsp;

A podcast where&nbsp;(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: Hey Robert! Happy to be here :)

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.

So&rsquo; Grace today we are talking about the divine NYC French bistros Le Coucou. I bet you were excited for this one b/c I know France is one of your favorite wine regions.

GH: OH, Robert don&rsquo;t tempt me with a good time Robert! You know my weakness for French wines!

RT: Ah Oui Oui Madame! So, what are your initial thoughts on the Le Coucou?

GH: So, when I was doing a deeper dive into Le Coucou, I came across this quote on their website which I just loved. It says, &ldquo;Proof that the true essence of fine French dining can thrive in any time zone.&rdquo; And that just really spoke to me. France is notorious for decadence, indulgence and joie de vivre. I have a personal connection to it due to the fact that I have French heritage! My grandmother&#39;s family is French and they absolutely embodied that &ldquo;I am French and fabulous and do not care what you think! I will smoke my cigarette and drink my wine in a fur coat at noon and no one can tell me otherwise!&rdquo; That attitude of the French is so apparent in their food and wine - so rich and delicious, with the vibe of &ldquo;we&rsquo;re amazing and we know it&rdquo; lolllll

RT: Spot on Grace - when you think of a life well-lived, you definitely think of France. So where do you start when it comes to this quite heavy wine menu?

GH: Well, since the menu is completely French, including the language, I would say we can stick with the classics like the menu has done. I know we&rsquo;ve touched a bit on certain regions in France, and I would love to highlight some other regions and producers. If we wanted to start with someone white and light, I would go with a Didier Dagueneau Pouilly Fume which is Sauvignon from the Loire valley of France. Many people are familiar with the most famous sauv blanc from that region, Sancerre. However, Pouilly fume is a great alternative - crispy aromatic delish.

RT: Love it! Sauv blanc on a warm sunny day is one of my favorites. Where else should we go from there?

GH: So, if we wanted a slightly more full-bodied white, I would try the&nbsp; Domaine de la Grange Roussane/Marsanne from the Languedoc which is in the Rhone valley of southeast France. The Rhone Valley is home to what I called the cousins of Chardonnay - Marsanne, Roussane and Viognier. I call them the cousins of chardonnay b/c just like chardonnay, these are going to be your weightiest richest white wine grapes. They are much lesser-known varietals than chardonnay, and I love introducing chardonnay drinkers to them, to give them an alternative that they will still really enjoy.

RT: Awesome! I love learning about new varietals. Now, what would you recommend for reds?

GH: Well, we&rsquo;ve talked a lot about burgundies and Bordeauxs so I&rsquo;m going to steer us in a different direction with reds! Let&rsquo;s stay in the rhone since we&rsquo;re already here and talk about the famous reds from this region - Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. These three grapes a vastly different from one another - Grenache being light and austere, Syrah being medium-bodied and lush, and Mourvedre being very dark and tannic. The Rhone valley uses&nbsp; 1 2 or all three of these in their wines, depending on where you are. One of my favorite regions is Cornas which is in the northern Rhone and almost exclusively produces Syrah. On the Le Coucou menu I would choose any of the Domaine Auguste Clape, a classic producer making delicious rich elegant Syrahs.

RT: Sounds delicious! Where should be looking in the Rhone if we want Grenache or Mouvedre?

GH: So for that we head to the Southern Rhone, to probably one of the most famous French regions, Chateauneuf du Pape! If you like zingy, acidic, bright reds, these will be right up your alley. I would recommend the Lucien et Andr&eacute; Brunel if you&rsquo;re looking for a purely Grenache Mourvedre experience.

RT: Awesome! Now we know that French wines can get quite pricy. Where would we look if we wanted to find the value wines on the list?

GH: For whites, I would go with the Philippe Colin Bourgogne. Finding a white burgundy under $100 is quite a feat but this one fits the bill! And then with reds, I would try a lesser-known region and style - Jura! It is in the eastern part of France near Switzerland, and is known for producing pretty high alcohol high acid reds that are usually at a very reasonable price point. From the Le Cou Cou list, I would try the Valentin Morel trousseau, which is one of the grapes that is used in making Port!

RT: Oh wow I had no idea! Interesting information for sure. Now Grace - what is we&rsquo;re looking for a special occasion bottle?

GH: Oh man - there are so many amazing wines on the Le Coucou list, it is hard to choose. But if you&rsquo;re going to twist my arm, I would go with the 2010 Fran&ccedil;ois Raveneau &lsquo;Valmur&#39; Chablis Grand cru or the 2005 Domaine Dujac CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU, both very prestigious burgundy producers and excellent years to enjoy these wines.

RT: Grace Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Le Coucou. 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

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

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Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Serial is a boutique winery located in Paso Robles, known for producing high-quality, small-batch wines. The winery is owned and operated by the Smith family, who are dedicated to sustainable and organic farming practices.

Upscale Swan Hotel eatery features farm-fresh cuisine, plus a bar & patio in an old-fashioned space.

Krasi

Sazon

La Boca

Coppa

Helm Oyster Bar & Bistro

Helm Oyster Bar and Bistro

Ledger Restaurant & Bar

Ledger

Row 34

The Ordinary

The Fig

Harvest

homepage

CorkRules application allows you to discover wines at your favorite restaurants, learn with friends and be confident with price transparency. Order wine with confidence at restaurants and retailers. Get personalized recommendations. #DrinkWhatYouLove

Anton’s At the Swan

Available Wines
Total Wines - 7

Kim Crawford

Sauvignon Blanc NV

Sauvignon Blanc

Marlborough, New Zealand

Sonoma-Cutrer

The Cutrer Chardonnay NV

Russian River Valley, USA

Tiamo

Pinot Grigio NV

Pinot Gris

Venezia, Italy

Santa Margherita

Pinot Grigio Valdadige NV

Pinot Grigio

Valdadige, Italy

SIMI

Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Alexander Valley, USA

Raymond, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley NV

California, USA

Anthem

Cabernet Sauvignon NV

Cabernet Sauvignon

Mount Veeder, USA