Nestled along the South Carolina coastline, Charleston boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and a burgeoning food scene that has quickly captured the attention of food enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. With an array of innovative restaurants and a focus on locally sourced ingredients, the city is a must-visit destination for gastronomes and oenophiles seeking a truly unforgettable culinary experience.&nbsp;

Charleston&#39;s food scene has been shaped by its historical roots, blending traditional Southern cooking with influences from African, French, and Caribbean cuisines. From the early plantation days to the present moment, the city&#39;s chefs have expertly crafted meals that pay homage to both its storied past and exciting future.&nbsp;

Over the past decade, Charleston&#39;s food scene has experienced remarkable expansion and innovation. With a new generation of talented chefs pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity, the city has become a hotbed for unique dining experiences that blend tradition with innovation. This burgeoning scene has attracted culinary enthusiasts from around the world, ensuring that Charleston remains at the forefront of the global culinary landscape.&nbsp;

Here are some of our favorites: &nbsp;

<a href="https://eatatfig.com/">FIG</a> - Offering Transcendent Flavors and Impeccable Service:&nbsp;

FIG, an acronym for &quot;Food Is Good,&quot; is a restaurant that has become synonymous with excellence in the Charleston food scene. Known for its transcendent food and inspired and informed waitstaff, FIG has garnered a loyal following of food enthusiasts. The restaurant takes pride in its seasonal food menu, which showcases the freshest ingredients sourced from local farmers and fishermen. Additionally, FIG&#39;s impeccable wine program complements its dishes perfectly, with knowledgeable staff recommending the ideal wine pairings to enhance the dining experience.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/the-fig/episodes/782">CorkRules Podcast Episode #362</a> &nbsp;

<a href="https://www.cheznouschs.com/">Chez Nous</a> - Elevating Culinary Distinction from France and Europe:&nbsp;

For those seeking an elevated dining experience, Chez Nous is an exceptional choice. This hidden gem stands out for its culinary excellence and attention to detail. The menu at Chez Nous changes daily, reflecting the chef&#39;s creative vision and utilizing the finest local and seasonal ingredients. The restaurant&#39;s intimate atmosphere adds to its allure, making every visit a memorable and personal experience. To complement the culinary journey, Chez Nous offers a thoughtfully curated wine list, showcasing a selection of both Old and New World wines that beautifully complement the dishes.&nbsp;

<a href="https://eattheordinary.com/">The Ordinary</a> - A Seafood Haven with Unparalleled Freshness: Charleston&#39;s coastal location lends itself to an abundance of fresh seafood, and no restaurant captures the essence of the city&#39;s seafood scene quite like The Ordinary. With its outstanding reputation, this seafood-focused establishment consistently delivers top-notch dishes that highlight the best flavors of the sea. From oyster sliders to indulgent bisque soup, The Ordinary offers a menu that satisfies seafood lovers&#39; cravings. To enhance the dining experience, the restaurant boasts an impressive wine program that pairs beautifully with the flavors of the sea. From crisp whites to full-bodied reds, the carefully selected wine list elevates the seafood offerings, creating a harmonious tasting journey.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.corkrules.com/the-ordinary/episodes/811">CorkRules Podcast Episode #367&nbsp;</a>

<a href="https://leonsoystershop.com/">Leon&#39;s Oyster Shop</a> - Where Oyster&rsquo;s &amp; Fried Chicken and Champagne Collide:&nbsp;

For a unique twist on traditional Southern cuisine, Leon&#39;s Oyster Shop beckons with its delectable combination of seafood and fried chicken. But it&#39;s not just the food that sets this establishment apart. Leon&#39;sis renowned for its exceptional grower champagne list, recognizing that bubbles go hand-in-hand with a variety of flavors. The addition of champagne to the menu adds an element of luxury and celebration to the dining experience, making Leon&#39;s a popular destination for both foodies and oenophiles.&nbsp;

A Must-Visit Destination for Foodies and Oenophiles:&nbsp;

Charleston&#39;s food scene has become a must-visit destination for food enthusiasts and oenophiles seeking a truly remarkable culinary and wine experience. The city&#39;s historical influences, expansion, and innovation have created a thriving environment for culinary creatives to showcase their talents. From FIG&#39;s transcendent flavors and impeccable service to Chez Nous&#39; culinary excellence and attention to detail, Charleston offers a diverse range of dining options that cater to all tastes.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Nestled along the South Carolina coastline, Charleston boasts a rich history, vibrant culture, and a burgeoning food scene that has quickly captured the attention of food enthusiasts and wine lovers alike. With an array of innovative restaurants and a focus on locally sourced ingredients, the city is a must-visit destination for gastronomes and oenophiles seeking a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Charleston Food Scene:

Wines from grapes grown in higher altitude areas with cooler climate has become quite the trend recently. This specific growing environment gives intense flavor but elegance and freshness to the final wines. To highlight and champion these conditions more and more winemakers are starting to use alto as a marketing and labelling term to show their grapes were grown in high altitude vineyards.

Decoding the wine label: Alto

Brut is a word often seen on labels for different kinds of sparkling wine. As you may have discovered when drinking these wines, it indicates that the wine is dry, meaning there is no perceived sweetness in the wine. But how about Extra Brut or Dry, what do they mean and are they the same as Brut?

Decoding the wine label: Brut

Semi-sweet Riesling, a type of wine falling out of style. It’s a shame, since these wines are perfect to pair with flavorful cuisines like Asian or Mexican, or simply drink as they come under the summer sun. The higher level of sugar left in the wine also means that the alcoholic fermentation was stopped before finishing, providing a wine with lower alcohol level and therefor easier grabbing a second glass of.

Decoding the wine label: Spätlese

Have you ever heard the word Xinomavro? Most have not. It is however a word on many sommeliers’ lips today, as it happens to be considered the grape variety with the highest quality in Greece, and one that is trending at the moment. The fact that Greece have been making wine for a long time comes as no surprise, but they have never exported an amount to make sure wine lovers around the globe tried it. With the growing wine tourism many have discovered these wines and are serving them in wine bars and restaurants in many countries today.

Decoding the wine label: Xinomavro

Chianti Classico, Valpolicella Classico, Soave Classico… Why do all these Italian wine regions have the Classico addendum and what does it mean? What is the difference for wines labeled as Classico?

Classico is a wine term in Italy seen on a few wine labels and it indicates that the wine’s from the historic center of the region, the heart. Using Chianti and Chianti Classico and their Sangiovese-based red wines as an example, Chianti is a rather large wine district within the Tuscany region. Chianti Classico is located withing Chianti as the central part and the one that originally existed. Back then this smaller region was actually called Chianti, but as the region grew the quality of the wine plummeted and the well-known characteristics of these red wines were watered down. The reputation took a hit and sales diminished. Eventually this led to the creation of Chianti Classico, which would be drawn from the original Chianti borders to recover the typicity of these wines. Today the quality of both Chianti and Chianti Classico have risen a lot due to modern techniques and knowledge about pruning, planting and temperature control in the winery.

Decoding the wine label: Classico

In the rarefied world of fine wine, where bottles can command prices equivalent to luxury cars, authenticity is everything. Laurent Ponsot's gripping memoir "FBI: Fake Bottle Investigation" reads more like a high-stakes thriller than a traditional wine book, chronicling his relentless pursuit of one of the wine world's most infamous counterfeiters, Rudy Kurniawan.

From Burgundy's Vineyards to the FBI's Most Wanted: A Winemaker's Quest for Justice

Chablis – one of the more popular styles of wine today and a region known by many. Most are familiar with the word Chablis and the light, fresh white wine with a touch of minerality it brings. Even though it’s a renowned wine, few knows what it really is.

Decoding the wine label: Chablis

Many grape varieties around the world of wine have names local to the region or country they’re grown in, even though they’re exactly the same. The most famous example would be Syrah in France where the same grape is named Shiraz in Australia. Another variety with two names is Pinot Grigio, or Pinot Gris.

Decoding the wine label: Pinot Grigio

Have you ever seen the term sur lie on a wine label? It’s not a grape and not a wine region, but a winemaking method used to give certain styles of white wine a rounder texture and a more complex flavor profile.

Decoding the wine label: Sur lie

Babbo

Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at Babbo Ristorante Enoteca, a restaurant aclaimed as an exuberant celebration of the best of italian food, wine, and lifestyle.

Wine Review of Babbo Ristorante Enoteca, NYC

Maria Valetta

Babbo Ristorante Enoteca

BABBO Ristorante Enoteca NYC

&nbsp;

Robert Tas (RT):

Babbo Ristorante Entoca

Hello and welcome back to CorkRules! The wine podcast that&rsquo;s here to help YOU navigate all your favorite restaurant wine lists so you can learn to order wine with confidence.

I&rsquo;m Robert Tas, along with Maria Valetta, certified sommelier, also known as Maria The Wine Blonde. Welcome back Maria

MV: Hola Robert!

So what are we talking

Today we are talking about Babbo Ristorante Enoteca in Greenwich Village NY.

A mainstay of the NY restaurant scene since 1998, this classy, white table-clothed Italian gem known for its rock -and roll soundtrack and lively bar scene has been a favorite among celebrities and New York City A-Listers ever since its first glowing review in the NY times. Babbo&rsquo;s philosophy is simple, &ldquo;emulate the best of the great Italian tradition of hospitality and quality at the table and in the glass&rdquo; This translates to the freshest local ingredients intertwined with Italy&rsquo;s most famous and coveted principal elements plus an extensive wine list highlighting mature vintages expertly curated by Joe Bastianich, all served with a side of familial hospitality.

RT: So, Maria, I know you love this restaurant, what do you think of their wine list?

MV: I have to applaud Babbo&rsquo;s sommelier they must be great at making decisions because If I worked at Babbo I would have a heck of a time making the selection if my customer left it completely up to me to choose the wine, only because there are so many incredible wines. I imagine it is difficult to select a favorite. it&#39;s like asking a mom to pick her favorite kid! - I seriously want to open every single bottle on this list! But they have done an amazing job at creating a list that showcases the very great producers of Italy and the many great grapes of Italy; Italy is home to more indigenous grapes than any other country in the world, with over 500 varieties officially identified.

RT: That sure is incredible. So where should we start?

MV: Well I like that the by-the-glass list is actually by the Quartino meaning by the &frac14; litre which is basically an 8 oz pour so you are getting more than a glass and a half here. Now the prices do correlate but remember you are getting more wine.

RT: Right makes sense, so can you select us 2 to start with?

MV: Hard decision here again- but I think I would choose the Trebbiano d&rsquo;Abruzzo Tiberio 2020 carefully harvested and created from over 60-year-old vines, this Trebbiano is going to be fresh, zippy, with a touch of orange blossom and I think it would be lovely with the fish Crudo which is a raw preparation similar to sashimi.

Now If I was ordering the seared wagyu beef carpaccio, I would opt for the Cesanese del Piglio Riserva Lepanto Alberto Giacobbe 2018 from Lazio (Lazio is where Rome is located) mostly for the fact that I would want to try the Cesanese grape variety. It&rsquo;s apparently very hard to grow, so you don&rsquo;t see it often. &nbsp;It should have a brambly fruit character, velvety tannins and they say a hint of pimento &ndash; I&rsquo;d have to try it.

RT: What about on to the bottles?

MV: You could go 1000 different directions with this list. If you are entertaining a group at Babbo I feel you would HAVE to have this list ahead of time to look over&ndash; otherwise, by the time you got through all the pages, the meal would be over LOL

RT: what are you thinking would be most helpful for our listeners Maria?

MV: I&rsquo;m thinking what would probably be most helpful with this list is If I pointed out a couple of really fantastic wines but not the priciest&hellip; not the most well-known, but &hellip; some standouts, and some real value wines, some from interesting areas and grapes. And also, really hone in on food pairings.

RT: I think that&rsquo;s a fantastic idea Maria because pointing out wines from all the famous high-end producers that are priced in the $1000s can be unattainable for most of us- I think people drinking those wines know exactly what they want to order and are willing to pay whatever it costs to have access them so I like you or plan So where will you start us, Maria.

MV: I&rsquo;m going to start with an interesting white grape from the Friuli region in NW Italy (bordering Slovenia) Ribolla Gialla. Everyone I have had taste this wine, has loved it and I THINK OUR listeners will too. the &nbsp;Le Due Terre Sacrisassi 2015 a blend of&nbsp; 2 grapes, FRIULANO, and RIBOLLA GIALLA $125

Medium-bodied, with creamy notes of Baked Pear and orange citrus.

Now If you feel that is a little bit expensive for a white, cross over to Slovenia and &nbsp;the<s> </s>organic<s> </s>Stekar Filip 2015 100% RIBOLLA GIALLA &nbsp;$85 (well under $100)

I think you will really appreciate this grape if you pair it with food.

Both are excellent options paired with the grilled octopus or little neck clams.

RT: Can you point us towards a red that you think is fun and different we just cannot miss out on?

MV: For a must-try red I would select the<s> </s>Bastianich Calabrone 2015 $155 Incredible balance, juicy blackberries, simmered ripe cherries,&nbsp; stuffed inside cigar box wood with shavings of expresso beans is how I can best describe this wine.&nbsp; The dense tannins interweave with the plushness of the fruit in the fine finish. Refosco and Schioppettino 2 of my favorite NE Italian native grapes. Yes, please go try this wine and thank me later. You get a lot of wine for the money here.

RT: How about a super value under $100?

MV: Insane bargain from Irpinia (*ear PI&Ntilde; ia)&nbsp; from the Campania region The Salvatore Molettieri Cinque Querce 2007 AGLIANICO $75 Aglianico can be a little chewy and tannic in its youth but with some age on it blossoms nicely and I would pair this with Tagliatelle with oxtail ragu.

&nbsp;

RT: yum! Now All those grapes sound fun to me but not everyone is up for experimenting, have you come across that sometimes...?

MV: I have but, I do think when you actually find a list like this that has all of these incredible wines made from indigenous grapes, it only makes sense to get out of your comfort zone and try something new!&nbsp;

RT: I do agree with that, but perhaps you can also recommend some great classic wines, grapes, or regions that are worth a little extra money here, but not crazy expensive?

MV: Sure, Classic is always a good bet, and

I have a great tip for my Barolo and Barbaresco lovers, if you love the Nebbiolo grape but don&rsquo;t love the price points of Barolo or Barbaresco, then you should look on the list for the Lange DOC where you can find some lovely Nebbiolo wines for a fraction of the price at fraction of the price. Sure, the vines here are younger and the wine minimum aging requirement is far less and the wine might not be as complex but what you do get is a fantastic wine that&rsquo;s more drinkable in its youth and more accessible cost-wise. A great trade-off. Try the Giuseppe Mascarello 2017 NEBBIOLO $125 an excellent producer and &frac14; of the price compared to his Barolos! Bingo! a perfect pairing with the Tajarin With grana Padano and black truffle

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

RT: And if we want to step up to a Barolo but not blow a hole in our wallet?

&nbsp;

Sure, Let me point you towards the 99437 Oddero 2007 $295 Brunate Barolo (Maria Christina Oddero who manages the family estate is most well-regarded when it comes to the women of Barolo.) She has a master&rsquo;s degree in viticulture and oenology! Amazing! I like supporting women in the industry.

RT: And let&rsquo;s talk about another classic, Brunello, we know you love Brunello Maria, what do you like on this list?

MV: I like them all &hellip; But a standout for the price point is the Uccelliera 2014 Brunello $245 Andrea, the winemaker is all about the vineyard, and it shows in his beautiful wines. I have a signed bottle by him that I&rsquo;m saving for a very special occasion. The 2014 is approachable right now, it&rsquo;s showing more delicate but elegant roses, tart cherry, and leather, I would have it alongside the 100-layer lasagna!

RT: Good Call! Can I ask you to pair a special wine with my favorite dish, The Short Ribs &ldquo;Brasato&rdquo; With creamy truffle polenta and horseradish gremolata

MV: With the truffles, I am going back to Barolo, Splurge on the Villero Vietti Riserva 04 super collectible. Vietti is known as one of the first producers to get into the single vineyard game in Barolo and the Villero is only made in exceptional vintages. Worth it!

RT: Thank you, Maria, This was fun! You can find Maria on Instagram @Mariethewineblonde

Thank you, everyone, we hope you enjoyed finding some excellent wines on Babbo&rsquo;s list with us here on CorkRules.... Remember the only rule in wine is &ldquo;drink what you LOVE&rdquo;.

MV: Have a favorite wine List? Let us review it here. Send us your requests at <a href="mailto:info@corkrules.com">info@CorkRules.com</a> You can find previous episodes on your favorite podcast platform and on

CorkRules.com be sure to subscribe and like. And check out @CorkRules on Instagram for episode updates and upcoming giveaways. Must be 21 and older, please drink responsibly.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

BRAT

Bocca di Lupe

Gap Weekend: A Film Shoot in Wine Country

Alba Restaurant

Alba

10 Greek Street

L'Auberge Chez Francois

Andrew Edmunds

Salt Seafood and Oyster Bar

Matteos Ristorante Italiano

Matteo's

Domaine Franck Millet is a family-owned winery located in the heart of Sancerre, known for producing some of the best Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir wines in the region. With a history dating back to 1850, the winery has been passed down through generations of the Millet family, who have continued to uphold the winery's commitment to quality and tradition.

Seasonal New American fare from Wolfgang Puck served in sleek digs with a patio for people-watching.

Frenchette

Le Bernardin

Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

La Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels

Charlie Bird

Becco

Buddha-Bar Restaurant New York

Buddha Bar

Franks Wine Bar

Frank's

Maison

Maison Premiere

Pastis

Aldo Sohm Wine Bar

Aldo Sohm

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

Spago Las Vegas by Wolfgang Puck

Domane Wachau - Freie Weingartner Terrassen Gruner Veltliner Federspiel 2018

Wachau, Austria

Castello di Monsanto

Chianti Classico Riserva 2017

Sangiovese

Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

Davis Bynum

Dutton Ranches Pinot Noir 2020

Pinot Noir

California, USA

Swanson

Merlot 2018

Merlot

Oakville, USA

Gianni Gagliardo Da Batie Langhe Nebbiolo, Piedmont 2019

Piedmont, Italy

William Fèvre

Chablis 'Champs Royaux' 2019

Chardonnay

Chablis, Burgundy, France

Cuvelier Los Andes

Malbec 2018

Malbec

Mendoza, Argentina

Livio Felluga

Pinot Grigio 2019

Pinot Gris

Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Shafer

Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay 2018

Chardonnay

California, USA

Marc Brédif

Vouvray Classic 2019

Chenin Blanc

Loire, France

Pieropan

Soave Classico 2021

Garganega

Soave, Veneto, Italy

Armona Pinot Gris, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills 2015

Pinot Gris

Oregon, USA

Venica & Venica

Ronco del Cero Sauvignon 2021

Sauvignon Blanc

Colli Berici, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy

Cakebread

Chardonnay 2020

Chardonnay

Napa Valley, USA

Cellars

Cakebread, Chardonnay Reserve, USA, California, Napa 2020

Chardonnay

California, USA