Happy New Year!

Welcome to Cork’s New Years newsletter. I hope everybody had a great Christmas holiday. As always it was crazy here at Cork’s, and we appreciate all of you coming in for your holiday needs. So, as we approach the end of this year…and decade…I’m still losing sleep as to what we’re calling this decade. The ones that seem to be gaining steam as are “the 2000’s”…and the “Oh’s”…I was kinda hoping for the “Aughts” or “Naughts” and even better the “Naughties”…whatever we decide on it sure doesn’t flow like the 70’s…80’s…and the 90’s. And it sure flew by pretty quick…seems like just a few years ago we were worried about the Millennium and all the computers crashing.

OK…enough rambling and reminiscing. Let’s talk about what’s going on here at Cork’s. Hmmmm…not a whole heck of a lot going on. We don’t have any beer or wine tastings this week because of the New Years holiday, though I’m sure we’ll crack a bottle or 2 of Champagne and Sparking wine for you to sample at some point. We do have all your favorite Champagnes, Cavas, Prosecco, and Sparkling Wines on a big table in the front of the store as you come in. We also have a couple of new and interesting sparklers for you to check out this year. The “Winter Classic” Sparkling Wine is in honor of the Bruins vs. Flyers game on New Year’s Day at Fenway Park. The commemorative bottle has a “Green Monster” label and is in very limited supply, so hurry in if you want this one. Bitch Bubbly is 100% Australian Grenache and like the Bitch wine (which is finally back in stock as well), has that bright pink “Bitch” on the label. It has a beer bottle cap and I was pleasantly surprised at how good it was.

We are looking to start up our “Customer” wine tastings in January and February, so anybody who was waiting to get behind the bar and pour their favorite wines, give me a shout and we will set up the tasting. Our next beer tasting will be Thursday January 14, 2010 with our friends from Wachusett Brewing. And don’t forget to save the date on our biggest beer tasting of the year, Superbrew V which is Saturday, January 30th from 2:30 to 5 PM. I will be making the lineup in the next few weeks and let’s hope the Pats make a run at the Super Bowl so it will be that much more fun.

We will be open from 9 am to 8 pmon New Years Eve for all your last minute Bubbly and party needs. We will also be open Friday, New Years Day from 12 to 6 PM for those of you who need to chase the hair of the dog or load up for the “Winter Classic”. We will be going to our winter hours starting next week. Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 9 PM…and Sunday Noon to 5 PM. I hope everyone drinks responsibly, and from all of us here at Cork’s… Happy New Year!!

Robert

Happy Holidays Newsletter with lots of tastings this week!

Welcome to Cork’s Christmas newsletter. I won’t have a chance to do a newsletter next week as it will just be too crazy here at Cork’s. We have a ton of tastings lined up for this busy weekend so be sure to stop by in between your X-Mas shopping and warm up with a lil wine or beer tasting. We will be open up at 9 AM through Christmas for your shopping convenience. Christmas Eve we will be open from 9 to 6 PM, and of course closed Christmas Day.

OK let’s talk a bit about the tastings. Because we have so many and I don’t want the newsletter to be never-ending I will just list the items being tasted and perhaps highlight a few along the way. We start tonight (Thursday) from 4:30 to 7:30 with our favorite Greek friend Yanni from Opa-Opa Brewing Co. out of Southampton, MA. He will have the Opa-Opa Extra Pale Ale, Pale Ale, Red Rock Amber, Light Lager, IPA, and Double IPA for you to taste. These brews are a combination of 6-packs, 12-packs, and 64 oz. growlers and will all be 10 % off the night of the tasting. Yanni also says if you buy a case of Opa-Opa he will bust out his keyboard and belt out a Christmas carol for you!

Friday night from 4 to 7 PM we have Jim from Monsieur Touton here for his 1st Friday night wine tasting. He will start with Willm Cremant D’Alsace Blanc de Noirs, a delicious inexpensive French sparkling wine. We stay in Alsace for the perfect food wine, Willm Gewurztraminer. Off to Italy for Monticello Barbera D’Alba and Rocca Bella Negroamaro. These are great value wines at 2 for $16, and 2 for $14 respectively. Back to France for Val de la Pierre Chateauneuf-du-Pape, and we finish in Argentina for Los Ailos Syrah Malbec blend.

We have a bonus Belgian Beer Tasting with another Jim lined up for Friday from 5 to 7 PM. He does this this tasting every Holiday season and really knows his stuff. He will start with the Saison Dupont Belgian Farmhouse Ale. Scaldis Belgian Ale and Scaldis Noel Belgian Special Ale will be next. We’re still trying to track down the last beer called Avec Les Bons Voeux for the tasting. But if we can’t, I’m sure Jim will find another Belgian treat for you to sample.

We have a special Saturday Christmas tasting with Tommy Bolini from 2 to 5 PM. He will be dressed up as Santa and will be presenting some great Holiday wines. He will kick things off with Chandon Brut Classic Sparkling Wine. Next up is Dan Akroyd Discovery Series Chardonnay. I’m sure after a couple glasses of wine, Tommy will be looking for Jane Curtain to have a spirited “Point-Counter Point” debate with. Next up is a delicious, value priced Tempranillo-Shiraz blend from the Penascal Estate in Spain, followed by Wild Horse Merlot, one of my favorite wineries in Paso Robles. He will finish the Holiday tasting with the yummy Faretti Biscotti Famosi Liqueur. This comes in a gift set with 2 glasses and is a must for your Holidays!

We still have a bunch of last minute gift sets, wine baskets, and nip baskets that make great last minute gift ideas. You can always check the website (corksfinewine.com)…check for updates on Facebook and Twitter…or e-mail us at corks-wineguy@verizon.com with any questions or special orders for the Holidays. From all of us at Cork’s have a safe and Merry Christmas!!...and Happy Hanukah to our Jewish friends…and Happy Kwanza...Boxing day and all those other crazy Holidays…Go Celts..on a roll!!...good luck B’s in the Winter Classic!!...Pats...hmmm…I don’t know about this year…and the Sox…not thrilled with another tumultuous off season…starting to feel like we’re rooting for laundry not players…OK...sports takes out of the way… Happy Holidays!!

Robert

Get your gift baskets early!

Welcome to Cork’s weekly newsletter. Well it looks like winter has finally arrived as I look out the window at the plows pushing all that yucky slush around. Let’s see what else is going on besides the Patriots floundering…Tigers newest bimbo…and the Sox lackluster hot stove season…at least the Bruins are doing decent and the Celtics once again look like a championship team. Sorry for the sports references so early but I haven’t had a chance to ramble about them in a few weeks, and actually had customer requests for them.

Enough of that, let’s talk about wine. There is a new reality series (on PBS of all places) that is all about winemaking. It pits 12 contestants in (6) 1 hour episodes, with the winner actually producing their very own wine. The show was obviously taped awhile back because we have 1 case of the winning wine here at Cork’s! There was very limited production and I believe the whole state of Mass. got only 20 cases to sell. The 1st episode starts this Thursday at 8 PM on WGBH in Boston, and other times throughout the week as well. It sounds pretty cool and I’m going to set my DVR to record it. One interesting side note…the winner of the contest is on the bottle…but the bottle says “remove label only after the finale”. We will put some info on the show up on our website. Oh and if the show bites we’ll peel off the label…see who the heck won...and crack open a bottle and try it out!

We have 1 of the Bud Boys here to sample you on (appropriately enough) winter beers this Thursday from 4:30 to 7:30. He will have the new winter brew from the crazy people of Magic Hat called Howl. Next up is the always popular Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale, followed by Redhook Winter Ale. Last but not least, one of my favorite winter beers, Winter Bourbon Cask Ale. So even though we’re like 11 days early, put your mittens and snowshoes on and come try some delicious winter beers.

Friday night from 4 to 7, we welcome a newcomer from Commonwealth Wines. Although Sean is far from a rookie, this will be his 1st time pouring here at Cork’s. Unlike his predecessor (Kevin, the Giants fan) he won’t shout you down across the store and say “hey you…in the blue coat...do you want a drink?” But he is an experienced fine wine salesman and has great wines to share with you. He will start you with a brand new Prosecco called La Marca. Las Rocas Garnacha will be next and I will quote the famous wine critic Robert Parker on this one. He says, “This may be the greatest discovery of my 25 year career!”…very high praise indeed...and a steal at only $12.99. Dancing Bull Zinfandel will be next followed by Frei Bros. Chardonnay and Cabernet, the last 3 all being excellent wines to pair with your holiday meals and parties.

Just a few quick reminders for those holiday gifts that you still need to get. We have a ton of nip mugs and baskets for only 10 bucks. These make great office presents, or for that $10 grab/secret Santa gift. We also have a bunch of wine gift baskets starting at $25. Lastly… they are going quick…but we still have quite a few “Liquor Gift Sets”. They all come in decorative boxes for wrapping and have cool “free stuff” inside. I hope you all have a great weekend and we will see you all soon.

Robert

Welcome to Cork’s weekly newsletter. I hope everybody had a great Thanksgiving holiday. As always it was crazy here at Cork’s the days before, but I hope everyone was able to find their favorite wine, beer, or spirit to enjoy with your family. Getting a late start on the newsletter this week so let’s make it brief and get right to the tastings going on this week.

Our friend Jean-Marc or Jean-Claude or some Canadian sounding name from Newport storm is here tonight (Thursday) from 4:30 to 7:30 to sample you on some great local brews out of RI. He will have their flagship Hurricane Amber Ale, RI Blueberry, Winter Ale. Cyclone Series “Luke”, and their yearly 750 ml “09 in the crazy cobalt blue bottle. So if you’re ooot and abooot please stop by, try some great beers (at 10 % off) and help support the local guys!

It’s been awhile since we’ve done a Mionetto tasting here at Cork’s. It seemed like they were here every other month, but alas the visas of the Italian boys expired (sorry Kat) and they got booted back to Italy. The new rep is an American girl named Pam (go figure), and she will be here this Friday from 4 to 7 PM to try some brand new wines from Mionetto and a few old favorites as well. She will start with the classic Mionetto Brut Prosecco. Next up is a brand new Organic Prosecco that is absolutely delicious and would be great for the holidays. Staying with the organic theme we have Collavini Organic Pinot Grigio. Not only is it the 1st PG I’ve seen that’s organic, it has a picture of a dachshund on it…sorry Ted, but you’re not coming in for another tasting. Next up are 2 delicious reds from Pertinace called Dolcetto D’Allba and Barbera D’Alba. Mionetto Moscato Dolce will put a sweet end to our tasting, and as always all the wines you sample will be 10 % the night of the tasting.

Robert