<a href="https://majorfood.getbento.com/new-york-city-and-boston/">Dirty French</a>&nbsp;is a bistro-style restaurant in Lower Manhattan and Miami &nbsp;that serves classic, traditional French dishes and brings them into contemporary New York by utilizing modern techniques and adding bold twists inspired by our current love of global cuisine.

But when it comes to the wine list, French wines dominate and they are curated from every region, including the lesser-known Savoie region. So let&rsquo;s head over to the mountainous region of the Alps and explore the wines of Savoie.

Where else in the world can you ski in your shorts and sip champagne, and breathe in the pristine alpine air while goat bells ring in the distance? This is Savoie. The eastern border of France and just a short drive through Mont Blanc and you&#39;re in Switzerland and Northern Italy, but we&rsquo;re here for the wine. So let&rsquo;s pop the cork on what the experts have to say about wines from this region.

Savoie&rsquo;s 2,000 hectares of vineyards stretch across four areas: Savoie, Haute-Savoie, Isere, and Ain. This mountainous region provides plenty of sloping hillsides while the large lakes help moderate the climate. The cooler temperatures and shorter summer work well for white wine grapes such as &nbsp;In fact, 70 percent of the wine produced in Savoie is white. Of all 23 grape varieties planted here, five are white and only two are red grape.

The most popular white wines from Savoie are produced from the following varietals.

Jacquere produces an early drinking, lively dry wine with flavors that range from floral and fruity (pear, white peach, grapefruit) to mineral and flinty. This varietal is the most commonly grown and used.

Altesse or Roussette &nbsp;is a white variety that ages well, achieving a noted complexity after just a few years in the bottle. Roussanne is known in Savoie as Bergeron, an aromatic wine with firm acidity.

Chasselas produces light-bodied, easy-drinking dry wines that are best drunk young. Gringet is a native varietal in this region, but despite its heritage here, it has only 54 acres of varietals, perhaps because it produces low-alcohol, easy drinking white wines, however, this grape has also produced some elegant and refreshing sparkling wines.

&nbsp;

Moving on to red wine from Savoie; the main red grape varieties are mondeuse and persan. Mondeuse is a native grape first cultivated by the Gauls, a Roman writer noted the grape as being &ldquo;the grape variety that ripens amidst the snow&rdquo; This grape brings a deep purple color to the wine with a well-structured acidity and well-integrated tannins that allow the wine to age well.

Persan is also a native variety but it is difficult to grow and prone to downy mildew. It produces dense tannins and acidity, and while wine from this grape can be harsh when young, it ages well and can kept for over ten years. &nbsp;

Of course, although these are the grapes that provide wine with interesting notes and are designed to thrive in this environment, today&rsquo;s winemakers in this region often turn to the more well-known varietals that can also thrive here and are more resilient to changing weather patterns.

To find a few of the best bottles on the wine list at this restaurant, head on over to<a href="https://uat.corkrules.com/dirty-french/episodes/19">&nbsp;the CorkRules&rsquo; podcast on Dirty French</a>&nbsp;where certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan shares her expertise and offers a few professional suggestions on wines to choose and, most importantly, enjoy.

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 thanks to sommelier recommendations, suggested food pairings and expert insights

About CorkRules:&nbsp;CorkRules, the first digital wine app experience aimed at making it easier for you to navigate the restaurant wine list, 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;

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Dirty French Wines from Savoie

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At Smith & Wollensky, prime, dry-aged steaks are the cornerstone of their menu, but if fish, lobster or oysters are on your mind, you won’t be disappointed with the Cold Water Lobster Tails or the Scottish Salmon Waldorf. Pair the salmon with the Benton Lane Pinot Noir from the

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Via Carota is a trattoria located at 51 Grove Street in the West Village. Via Carota is all about honoring its Italian roots and this is clearly represented in the ambience, the food, the decor, and, of course, the wine. If you are dining at Via Carota, listen to the CorkRules’ podcast on the wine list to pick up a few suggestions from a certified sommelier.

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Catch Steak

Michaela Quinlan

Catch Steak

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 Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier.

Hello Michaela,&nbsp;it&rsquo;s great to be back together for another episode.

MQ: Hi Robert!

RT:

Before we jump in, let&rsquo;s talk about CorkRules.

We created CorkRules to demystify wine list&rsquo;s 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.

RT: Today we are talking about Catch Steak. Globally inspired seafood and steakhouse with locations in NY, Aspen, LA, and Vegas. This is the place to see and be seen, all while enjoying an exquisite menu with a wine list to match.

Michaela, I can&rsquo;t wait to hear what do you think of their wine list?

MQ: Catch continues to update their incredible wine list. What doesn&rsquo;t change, however, is the availability of large format and half bottles. They are always something to consider depending upon the size of your party, and varying palates. We have some unique and exciting old-world and new-world wines to feature today.

RT: That&rsquo;s really great, as you looked at the list did you see anything jump out at you?

MQ: &nbsp;We will begin with a visit to both the old world and new world. Let&rsquo;s first consider the Maison Belles Cotes &quot;Les Caillottes&quot; Sancerre, Loire Valley, France, 2019. Sancerre is the region in the Loire and this sauvignon blanc is exquisite. It combines all of the attributes of a dry, crisp white wine with bright acidity, citrus, grapefruit, gooseberry, with a hint of grass and herbs. A wonderful companion to light fish dishes, shellfish, and salads.

RT: That is making me thirsty! How about something from the new world?

MQ: Sure! I had the pleasure of visiting Elk Cove Vineyards a few years ago, and their pinot noir remains one of my favorites. This is the 2019 vintage, pinot noir grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon. This pinot noir has excellent body and structure. You will certainly notice the classic raspberry and cranberry aromas and flavors, but you will also enjoy the added spice, and long, smooth finish. This would complement roasted chicken, salmon, and tuna.

RT: That is for sure unique.

So, Michaela, their list seems to have lots of range but was there anything that you would say is a &ldquo;must-try&rdquo;?

MQ: Let&rsquo;s begin with the Terlato Pinot Grigio, Friuli, 2019. This round, medium-bodied white wine showcases aromas of white flowers, stone fruit, such as fresh peaches and apricots with a light, mineral finish. Seafood, grilled vegetables, cheese selections, would all be perfect pairings with this wine.

RT: These are some great calls.

So you know I&rsquo;m getting thirsty and will need to order a bottle with my dinner, where would you guide us?

MQ: You bet! I would consider the Renato Ratti &quot;Ochetti&quot; Nebbiolo, Langhe, Italy, 2019. A food-friendly, and crowd-pleasing red, this nebbiolo is another stand out with aromas and flavors of fresh strawberries, ripe red cherries, plum, tobacco, with a hint of violets on the smooth finish. Any poultry, beef, or richly sauced dishes will make perfect pairings.

RT: Ooh, Terrific.

&nbsp;

Michaela, speaking of price, sometimes people have a budget in mind,&nbsp; any other great value wines you&rsquo;d point us to?&nbsp;

MQ: Here we have another personal favorite, a familiar producer to many of you, but a wonderful quality and value wine. The E. Guigal Gigondas, 2015 from the Northern Rhone of France. We have mentioned the importance of location many times, and this is another example. Gigondas is the neighbor to Chateauneuf du Pape. While you get to experience all of the same climate, soil composition for your grenache and syrah blend, you do not need to pay the Chateauneuf du Pape price. This blend is medium to full-bodied with aromas and flavors of cranberries, ripe red cherries, clove, with a note of licorice on the finish. Perfect for herbed dishes, meats, and rich sauces, all for an excellent price.

RT: For me personally&hellip;

&nbsp;

MQ: Absolutely!

RT: Now Michaela, what if I have a big client dinner or special occasion where I want to take it up a notch?

MQ: I couldn&rsquo;t decide between two classics. The first, Orin Swift Mercury Head St Helena 2018 from Napa Valley. This flagship wine consisting of cabernet sauvignon from premier vineyards, along with a touch of cabernet franc and merlot, exudes plumb, ripe red cherries, blackberries, cassis and cinnamon, with some toffee and coffee on the finish. The elegant bottle is viewed by the winery as art and conversation piece, which I&rsquo;m sure you agree when it arrives at the table. A special selection from the best of vineyard locations. A wonderful addition to any celebration.

RT: That does sound like a wonderful addition. I&rsquo;m curious to see what else caught your eye.

MQ: I have to mention the Joseph Phelps Insignia 2016 also from Napa. The finest grapes from each vintage of cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot, malbec, and cabernet franc are sourced from premier sites in Stags Leap and Oak Knoll districts. Bold tannins, blackberries, dark cherries, cassis, minerality, and coffee all add to the beauty and elegance of this wine. From the first sip, I&rsquo;m sure you will agree with the 99-point rating from the&nbsp; Wine Advocate. Another exceptional addition to any celebration.

RT: Michaela, thank you so much for all your great suggestions and helping us navigate Catch Steak&rsquo;s 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 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.&nbsp;

And finally, drink what you love and please make sure you drink responsibly.

Thank you.

End

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Join us each week as we pour a glass and share top restaurant ‘wine list’ picks, providing you with the knowledge to confidently navigate the ‘wine list’ through somm recommendations, suggested food pairings and masterclass insights.

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Expert Insights

Dirty French Wines from Savoie

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Meet CorkRules

Personalized Wine Recommendations From Your Favorite Restaurants

Up Your Wine Knowledge

Latest Episode

The Federal

Expert Insights

Dirty French Wines from Savoie

Interested in partnering with us in the future?

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