CorkRules - Episodes | The Belvedere

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About this Episode

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas review the wine list at The Belvedere located in the Peninsula Hotel in Los Angeles. This elegant, European brasserie displays a classic French-country aesthetic steeped in Southern California luxury. Guests can enjoy the culinary creations of a Michelin-star chef while indulging in a wine list that offers an equally elegant wine list. Grace recommends kicking of the evening with a bottle of top-notch bubbles, she suggests some light floral whites, a beautiful Burgundy and bold cab savs.

Wines reviewed include:

2009 Cristal Brut, Champagne
2016 Pouilly Fume, Jean Claude D’Aganeau, Loire valley
2004 Pillar Rock, Stags Leap, Napa

Transcript: The Belvedere

The Belvedere

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 Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Grace, it’s great to have you!

GH: Just another great day to talk about wine!

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. Grace what are we chatting about today?

GH: We are going to be looking into the wine list at the Belvedere which is located in the Peninsula Hotel in Los Angeles.

RT: This place looks great. Very elegant. I’m sure they have a wine list to match. Where would you like to start? Bubbles I presume?

GH: Most certainly Robert! If you’re in the mood for traditional champagne, you could go with the Petrous LeBrun Grand Cru or if you love Brut Rose, the Laurent Perrier would be a great choice. But if you wanted a vintage champagne, they have a 2009 Cristal Brut or their 2013 Brut Rose which would be lovely.

RT: Champagne for everyone I love it. Now how about some nice aromatic whites? I know that’s one of your favorite styles.

GH: You know me too well Robert. For lighter-style whites, I would go with this 2014 Gwetrz’ Pinot Gris Riesling blend from one of my favorite Oregon boutique producers Big Table Farms. Another delish floral white would be this 2016 Pouilly Fume from Jean Claude D’Aganeau from the Loire valley.

RT: I can smell the bouquets from here ha-ha alright since we’re talking about a California restaurant, I assume their chardonnay collection is going to be out of this world.

GH: You got that right Robert! If we’re talking domestic, I would do either the 2017 Ma Belle Gille from Peter Micheal out of Sonoma, or the 2012 from one of my favorite central coast producers, Au Bon Climat. And we can’t forget about my favorite place – Oregon – they’ve got 5 stellar vineyards represented, but it’s going to have to be 2015 Sigrid from Bergstrom

RT: Love those West Coast picks. How about some choices from Burgundy?

GH: You can’t go wrong with any of these honestly. If you want something crispy, the 2020 Chablis from Domaine Larocher would be delish. But if you want something a little richer, it’s gonna have to be the 2015 Puligny Montrachet from Domaine Laflaive

RT: Oh, those both sound amazing. I can taste the terroir now ha-ha Now I assume a place like the Belvedere brings in some serious red wine drinkers. What would you recommend for those folks?

GH: Oh man well they have a page and a half of just domestic pinot noir which you know I am loving. My picks for American pinot would be the 2014 Cristom estate from the Eoal Amity Hills in the Willamette Valley. And if you are more of a California pinot person, I would go with the 2016 Radio Coteau from the Russian River, or if you love the central coast like yours truly – they have a 2013 from Melville out of the Santa Rita Hills.

RT: Oh, yum can’t go wrong with any of those? How about something for our Burgundian fans out there?

GH: Oh la la they have so much to choose from. They have a few Joseph Drouhins which I personally love - You could do their 2013 Grand Cru Musigny or 2011 Nuits St George

RT: Great calls on the Joseph Drouhin selections. How about something more medium bodied?

GH: Oh absolutely. One that really stuck out to me was this 2003 variation one from arietta out of napa, which is an incredible merlot/syrah blend. Also can’t go wrong with this 2005 Vina Tondonia Rioja from Lopez Heredia

RT: Oh wow those both sound delicious and I know right up your alley Grace ha-ha now how about something big and bold for our cabernet fans?

GH: Got some real treats coming up for our cabernet drinkers. They have some heavy hitting classics on the menu – it was hard to choose just a few. Starting with napa, they have a 2004 Pillar Rock from Stags Leap as well as a 2009 Rudd out of Oakville

RT: I’ll get the decanter ready ha-ha. What about some Bordeauxs for our French fans?

GH: Oh man they have a ton of older vintages which I am geeking out over ha-ha. You could do this 2001 Chateaux Margaux, a 2002 St. Emillion from Chateaux Cheval Blanc, or this 2000 Saint Julien from Château Talbot.

RT: Wow those are come iconic bottles. Love to see it on the Belvedere menu. Alright Grace – what would you recommend to our friends who are looking for some great wine, but want to stay within a certain price point?

GH: Budget bottles coming up – for a white I would do this 2017 Vinho Verde from Adego de Monaco. And for a red I would do this 2009 Barbaresco

RT: Good call Grace. And what about if we’re coming to the Belvedere to celebration a special occasion?

GH: Gonna have to be the 2008 Dom Perignon Brut Rose. And for a red? I spy a 2003 Grand Cru Vosne Romanee from Domaine Romanee Contee.

RT: 2 classic choices - I love it. Grace, thank you so much for helping us navigate the wine list at The Belvedere. 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. Follow us on social media @CorkRules and @wineswithgrace

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

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