Maria Valetta, wine educator & certified sommelier, also known as MARIA the Wine Blonde, joins Robert Tas to navigate the wine list at Lavo. Lavo is an Italian restaurant and nightclub in Midtown Manhattan that is all about good food, good wine, and good times. Maria takes some time to find the wines on the list that complement both the menu and the occasion, including champagne from the world's oldest champagne house.

Wines reviewed include:

• Ca' del Bosco from Lombardia, Italy
• 2016 Barbera d'Alba, Prunotto 'Pian Romualdo'
• 2020 Château Minuty, 'M', from the Côtes de Provence

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Daniel Posner, owner of Grapes the Wine Company, joins Robert Tas for a special episode of CorkRules. Daniel has been a wine consultant, with clients from all over the globe. He travels extensively each year to wine regions to meet with producers, winemakers, winery owners, and to help procure the wines for his store. Daniel's expertise in wine goes far beyond the usual wine store owner's knowledge, and in this episode, he shares his expertise to help you choose wine for the holiday season.

Daniel's Holiday Recommendations:

Pinot Noir

Samuel Louis Smith

SCMV

Evesham Wood

Boedecker

Gerard Seguin

Jean Vaudoisey

Sparkling

Pierre Peters

Tarlant

Charles Heidsieck

Louis Roederer

Domaine Carneros

Domaine Chandon

Cava

Cremant de Bourgogne

Bourbon

Second Glance

Barrell Bourbon

New Riff

Pinhook

Bowman

Old Forester

Scotch

Macallan 12

Compass Box

Glenfiddich

Glenrothes

Tequila

Clase Azul

Reserva de la Familia

Dobel

Fortaleza

Mezcal

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas go downtown LA to visit the hotspot Le Grand. This restaurant is a venue for live music, a vibrant scene, and Le Grand Party complete with a resident DJ and exotic dancers. To complete the scene, they also have a jamming wine cellar stocked with old and new world wines.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2019 Ori Marani Exile on Caucasus
• 2019 Villa Mosavali Mtsvane
• 2005 Dom Perignon Brut Rose

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Cecilia Bonet, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas visit Boia De, an Italian restaurant that has recently earned a Michelin Star. In addition to identifying the tasting notes on some stellar wines, Cecilia offers pairing suggestions and a little background information on the producers of the wine she highlights in today's episode.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Poulsard & Pinot Noir, Joseph Dorbon, Les Bernardines, France
• 2010 Garnacha & Tempranillo, Lopez de Heredia, Rosado Rioja, Spain

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Sam Hohl, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas join forces to demystify the wine list at Pane e Bene, an Italian restaurant with a great atmosphere and the host of the annual Truffle Fest. This place is all about great food and good times, and the wine list is curated to add to the experience. In addition to identifying the best wines to try, Sam offers excellent pairing suggestions with items on the menu.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2017 Tignanello Antinori
• 2017 Cannonau Nuraghe Cabrioni
• 2018 Ornellaia La Grazia

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Whitney Grant, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas navigate their way through the wine list at Metropolitan Grill to find the best, bold reds to pair with a steak. Whitney shares a little background information on iconic Napa wineries, stand-out wines from Oregon, and tasting notes, and points out a few stellar vintages and white wines on the list.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2014 Bergström, Cumberland Reserve
• 2012 Domaine Serene, Grace Vineyard Pinot Noir
• 2018 Rombauer Chardonnay from the Carneros AVA

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Michaela Quinlan, certified sommelier, joins Robert Tas to explore the wine list at Rochambeau, a classic French brasserie with a contemporary twist. The vibe here is vibrant, fun and young. French wines dominate the wine list, and you can explore wines from various regions to sample the nuances of each distinct terroir

Wines reviewed include:

• 2020 Jadix Picpoul de Pinet, Languedoc
• 2018 Chateau des Jacques, Morgon, Burgundy
• 2019 Domaine Serge Laporte Sancerre Rouge, Loire Valley

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.

Grace Hood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas head south to Los Angeles where they review the wine list at Culina, a casual, and surprisingly affordable, neighborhood restaurant. Culina has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator's "Best Award of Excellence" in 2018 and 2020, and one of the 100 Best Wine Restaurants of 2011 by Wine Enthusiast magazine, and the wine list reveals why. It's approachable, represents many regions, and offers a variety of price points to suit all budgets.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2016 Isole e Olena Chardonnay
• 2009 Brunello di Montalcino from Paradisone
• 2013 Barbera d'Asti from Scarpa

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Grant Wood, wine educator and certified sommelier, and Robert Tas explore the wine list at SPQR, a restaurant named after the acronym which was the emblem of the Roman Empire. With a name like this, it is no surprise that the menu and wine list are informed by Italian traditions. In addition to great value wines and wines that will turn a few heads, Grant spots a few stellar Italian white wines on the menu that will pair well with many of the Italian-inspired dishes on the menu.

Wines reviewed include:

• "Monte Grande" Soave Classico by Pra
• Malvira 'Rive Guache' brut rose Metodo Charmat
• 2010 Conterno "Monfortino" Monforte d'Alba

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.

Certified sommelier Michaela Quinlan and Robert Tas visit Bernards in Connecticut where they review the wine list and find a stellar noble rot wine from Hungary, a hidden gem from the Bourdeaux region, and a delicious Chenin blanc from the Loire valley that pairs beautifully with pairing for salmon, tuna, and soft cheeses at an exceptionally good price.

Wines reviewed include:

• 2011 Chateau Montus Tannat, Madiran
• 2020 Andre Brunell "LesCailloux" Chateauneuf du Pape Blanc
• 2016 El Encinal Tempranillo, Ribera del Duero

For more information on today's episode, and the wines you love to love, visit www.corkrules.com.