Wednesday, December 30, 2009

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

Thursday, December 17, 2009

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