<a href="https://www.felicerestaurants.com/">Felice</a>&nbsp;is an Italian restaurant located on Manhattan&rsquo;s upper east side. Owner Jacopo Giustiniani opened this establishment in 2007 and it has been a popular spot where diners can experience authentic Tuscan cuisine while sampling Italian wine&nbsp;from the extensive Italian-focused wine list.

Italy has 20 wine regions each with unique characteristics in climate and terroir, and this list is inspired by the spirit of the Italian countryside and the wines of Jacopo&rsquo;s family&rsquo;s vineyard.

So just how do the Italian wine regions&nbsp;differ and how does the terroir inform the wine?

First of all, it is important to recognize that in addition to the differing wine regions, there are also subtle differences in the grape, and there are about 350 official Italian wine varieties.

So let&rsquo;s start with the most prominent and popular Italian wine regions and only DOC wines. D.O.C stands for &ldquo;controlled designation of origin&rdquo;; this is a quality assurance label for Italian wine. If you want to go a step higher, D.O.C.G. labels offer the highest level of control, guaranteed.

The three Italian wine regions&nbsp;most well-known for producing high-quality table wines are: Veneto, Tuscany, and Piedmont.

Veneto is in the northeast, a region that borders Slovenia. The terrain is diverse and ranges from the Alps to the Adriatic sea. Varietals grown here include an abundance of Pinot Grigio and Prosecco. However, it also is home to wines from Valpolicella and Soave. Valpolicella&rsquo;s wines range from soft and approachable to rich and concentrated but, in general, these wines are dry, fruity and juicy with a trademark sour cherry note. &nbsp;Wines produced in Soave are often a blend of Garganega, chardonnay and Trebbiano di Soave &nbsp;or, as it is also known, verdicchio.

These wines are dry, crisp, and refreshing, notes of lemon with a saline mineral tang thanks to the area&rsquo;s volcanic soils.

Heading to Piedmont in the east, this mountainous region&#39;s most well-recognized wine locations are Barolo and Barbaresco, both known for their nebbiolo-based wines. However, the weather and land alter the flavor of the grape. The soils in Barbaresco are mostly limestone-based soils of Barbaresco means less tannin while the Barolo wines have two different taste styles, sandstone or limestone. Varietals grown in sandstone tend to be bolder while limestone-based varietals are lighter.

&nbsp;

A little to the south lies beautiful Tuscany, and one of the most well-known wines from this region is Chianti, a red blend made primarily with sangiovese grapes, a savory varietal with a name that is derived from the Latin sanguis Jovis, &quot;the blood of Jupiter&rdquo;. Not sure if that&rsquo;s a good selling point for wine, but it sounds great. The middle of Tuscany has a Mediterranean-type climate with hot summers and mild winters. &nbsp;This area is where the sangiovese reds are produced: Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, Carmignano.

Of course, there are many, many more varietals grown and many more wonderful wines to taste. For more information on <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/felice/episodes/16">Italian wines at Felice</a>&nbsp;that should not be missed, listen to this 5-minute <a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/felice/episodes/16">CorkRules podcast episode </a>with certified sommelier Whitney Grant.

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 through sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience, makes it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, and 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;

Felice is an Italian restaurant located on Manhattan’s upper east side. Owner Jacopo Giustiniani opened this establishment in 2007 and it has been a popular spot where diners can experience authentic Tuscan cuisine while sampling Italian wine from the extensive Italian-focused wine list. Italy has 20 wine regions each with unique characteristics in climate and terroir, and this list is inspired by the spirit of the Italian countryside and the wines of Jacopo’s family’s vineyard.

Italian Wine Regions Explored at Felice

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

The Morris

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Morris in San Francisco

Wine List Review of The Morris, San Francisco

Grant Wood

The Morris

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 Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier.

Hello Grant,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

GW: Hi Robert!

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.

The Morris SF

The Morris is located in Patrero Flats and is a food, wine, and Chartreuse lover&rsquo;s dream. It was founded by Paul Einbund to be an unpretentious bistro where you can eat and drink at a world-class level. With help from Chef Gavin Schmidt, they&rsquo;ve truly created the perfect, laid-back playground for wine nurds like me. I got to dine here recently and their level of focus, attention to detail, and precise service and hospitality was inspiring. I can&rsquo;t wait to go back, order the skewered duck hearts, and dig deep into their wine list.

First, I love to start with cocktails and they&rsquo;re making magic with theirs so don&rsquo;t hesitate to start you evening with a fun and thoughtful libation to start off your dining experience. One popular drink that is a must get is the Chartreuse Slushy, which is bright and fun, but I personally love a good Hanky Panky which is gin, Antica Torino, and Amaro and is stellar.

Moving on to the wine, I always love ordering bubbles to go with apps, cheese, and charcuterie so I would go for the Bereche &amp; Fils Brut Reserve from Rilly-la-Montagne in Champagne. It&rsquo;s coming from old vines and represents all three classic Champagne varieties, CH, PN, and PM. It&rsquo;s got just the right balance of tension, fruit, and toastiness. Alternatively, though, I love the 2016 Under the Wire Sparkling Chardonnay Sangiacomo Vineyard from the Sonoma side of Carneros but I do have a bias for Under the Wire  It is one of my favorites though and for a California sparkler, it does an amazing job of showing a sense of place and feels like a Carneros t&ecirc;te de Cuv&eacute;e.

On to whites, I love the 2018 Gonon Chasselas from the Northern Rhone. It has a brightness and a roundness to it that is very approachable and is a very unique wine for the region. Another fun wine white to look out for is the 2021 Sigalas Assyrtiko from Greece which is a wine I like a lot and would be a great wine to match with food. If you want to get a little out there and explore something with some history behind it, then the 2001 Kalin Semillon from Livermore is a truly unique wine that barely exists. It come from Semillon vines supposably from Ch. Y&rsquo;quem, planted in the 1880&rsquo;s. 2001 was the last year Kalin produced this wine since the vines have sadly been ripped out. I had this wine last year and thought it was quite magical. There is also a ton of great Burgundy on here, unsurprisingly, but I would go for the 2010 Ganevat &lsquo;Chamois du Paradis&rsquo; which is Chardonnay from the Jura and will be sure to blow your mind.

Moving to reds, right off the bat, I would go for the 2021 Les Aricoques &lsquo;Pan! Le Rouze&rsquo; which is Gamay from Savoie and is just so bright and easy going so you can&rsquo;t go wrong. A great domestic Pinot Noir to look out for is the 2017 Dom de la Cote &lsquo;La Cote&rsquo; from the Sta. Rita Hills which is from all-star Raj Parr who is making some of the most exciting PN in the central coast. I&rsquo;ve been to this vineyard and what they&rsquo;re doing and how they&rsquo;re farming is super interesting and is worth checking out.

For something a bit bigger, I would ball out with the 2011 Allemand Syrah from Cornas in the Northern Rhone. Allemand is one of the leading producers of Cornas for a reason and the wines are truly special. A domestic alternative that is killer as well is the 2019 Pax &lsquo;Sonoma Hillsides&rsquo; which is coming from great vineyards and his Syrah always has beautiful freshness, finesse, and balance.&nbsp;

If you want something Italian, I would go for the 2018 Nervi Nebbiolo from Gattinara which is always incredible quality and a very reasonable price point. If you want to expand your horizon&rsquo;s a bit, however, then try the 2011 Paolo Bea &lsquo;Vigneto Correte&rsquo; from Montefalco which is Sagrantino from one of my favorite producers in all of Italy.

For you Robert, since I know you love wine with age, and you loved the old Ravenswood that I got you. I would order the 1997 Ravenswood &lsquo;Salina&rsquo; Cabernet from Moon Mountain in Sonoma which I&rsquo;m sure would blow your mind. Joel&rsquo;s wines from the 90&rsquo;s are some of my favorites.

To finish things off, why not try a bottle of the 1875 D&rsquo;Olivera Moscatel from Madeira for under $200?

One last thing to mention is that they have an extensive selection of Chartreuse that they&rsquo;ve collected from Paul&rsquo;s travels. This not my area of expertise so I would ask for dealers&rsquo; choice and let the amazing team at the Morris take you on a journey.

The Morris has a new special place in my heart and I can&rsquo;t wait to go back and go on an adventure of taste and intrigue.

Cheers!

RT: Grant Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Morris&rsquo; wine list. I can&rsquo;t wait to go try them myself. &nbsp;

To our audience, thank you all for joining us here on CorkRules.

If you would like Grant 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 all our episodes of your favorite restaurant wine lists and of course please download the CorkRules app to help you navigate all your favorite restaurants.

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End

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Domaine Marquis d'Angerville is a highly-regarded producer in Burgundy, known for their exceptional Pinot Noir wines. The estate has been in the same family for over 200 years and is currently run by Guillaume d'Angerville's direct descendants. The wines are acclaimed for their elegance, finesse, and balance.

Wood-accented haunt serving California wines by the glass, bottle & flight plus complementary bites.

Marc Forgione

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

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Marc Forgione

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