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About this Episode

Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas take a trip to South Charleston to review the wine list at The Fig where southern dishes with a unique twist are prepared with seasonal ingredients and creativity. Sam checks through the list and she identifies a small producer with 40-year-old vines who focuses on minimal intervention, she spots a producer who farms their vines organically and biodynamically, and she recommends a special bottle of which only 1200 cases are produced.

Wines reviewed include:

2021 Pinot Noir, Mac Forbes, Yarra Valley, Australia
2018 Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet “Granite”, France
2017 Domaine du Collier "La Ripaille" Saumur Rouge

Transcript: The Fig

The Fig

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 Samantha Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier. Hello Sam, it’s great to have you!

SH: Hey Robert great to be back.

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. Today Sam and I are heading south to Charleston to review an icon. The Fig.

The Fig

Overview

The Fig is located in Charleston, South Carolina and offers creative takes on Southern dishes all prepared with seasonal ingredients. They also have a wine and beverage program to complement their ever-changing food menu.

Can’t wait to hear your thoughts.

Where to start

The Fig’s wine list is straightforward to navigate, categorized by type of wine and region. It’s crafted with Old and New World options, and intentionally features small family wineries. So there’s lots of good choices on here! To start, the 2017 Laissez-Faire riesling caught my eye. This Riesling is from Burgenland, Austria, where winemaker Christian Tschida tends to 10 hectares of 40-year-old vines that have been in his family for four generations. Christian uses minimal intervention in his wines and still implements traditional methods such as foot stomping the grapes. This riesling ages in stainless steel tanks before being transferred to barrels to age for two years. The juice is exposed to some oxidation during aging which adds subtle notes of honey. It’s got some great salty tones, with lime, lemon, and apricot. It’s also really bright with acid and mineral driven so it’s definitely a friend to food. The Red Porgy Crudo on the menu has some citrus and vinegar in it which would play nicely with this bright citrusy bottle.

Another bottle that stood out to me was the 2021 Pinot Noir from Mac Forbes. Winemaker Mac Forbes is from Yarra Valley, Australia and since starting his winemaking journey in 2004 he has gained a reputation for producing exceptional wines. He puts the Yarra Valley terroir at the forefront of his winemaking, and strives to transport a piece of the Yarra Valley to the consumer through each of his bottles of wine. This Pinot Noir is going to have a lighter to medium body, nice tannins with crunchy red fruit notes along with blackberry and cranberry. If you’re starting with this wine it would be lovely with the burnt eggplant with cottage cheese and brown bread.

Value

A great value bottle on here would be the 2018 Domaine de l’Ecu Muscadet ‘Granite’. Made from 100% Melon de Bourgogne grapes from Muscadet-Sevre et Maine in France. Domaine de l’Ecu farms their vines organically and biodynamically, paying special attention to the vines and soil to produce quality wine. This bottle is ready to be paired with food- it’s super mineral and crips, lots of acid it would be fun with something like the Triggerfish with pickled cauliflower. It’s going to bring lots of citrusy and salty notes, with subtle apple and peach tones. So, refreshing and a great dinner companion.

Celebratory

For a celebratory bottle that will add that extra special element to your night, there’s another from the Loire Valley here, which is the 2017 Domaine du Collier "La Ripaille" Saumur Rouge. Domaine du Collier was founded in 1999 and has grown to be one of the most respected producers in Saumur, known for their powerful Cabernet Francs and Chenin blanc. This bottle is 100% Cab Franc and is aged for 3 years in neutral barrels, and is mineral forward with fine tannins and flavors of black currant and raspberry along with some herbaceousness. It’s complex with a long finish to savor. Take it over the top with the chicken liver paté or the Cappelletti al Formaggio. Only around 1200 cases are produced so it’s a special bottle if you get the opportunity to have it!

RT: Sam Thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate The Fig’s wine list. I can’t wait to go try them myself.

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.

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

Thank you.

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