News from Cork's Fine Wines

I hope everybody had a great 4th of July weekend. The weather was a little dicey but decent enough to get the BBQ’s and fireworks in. The Sox appear to be back on a roll with that blowout yesterday as we head into the All-Star break. We’re going to continue that momentum with 2 tastings this week.

The beer tasting will be on Saturday this week so let’s start with the wine tasting. Our friend Carmen from Café Europa will be making a guest appearance Friday night (4 to 7 PM) to sample you on some of his delicious new wines. Dancing Coyote Albarino and Verdelho will get things started. These Spanish varietals are grown in Clarksburg, CA and make a great summer white alternative. Next up is Vina Echeverria Unwooded Chardonnay from Chile which I’ve yet to try and am looking forward to. From there we go to Oregon to 1 of the wineries I visited this past winter. Anne Amie Cuvee A Pinot Noir is there entry level Pinot but is anything but ordinary. Finally an absolute bomb to end the tasting with called Bravante Vineyards Merlot. This is a big, bold Merlot and is the best Merlot I’ve tried in some time.

This week’s beer tasting is on Saturday from 2 to 5 PM and features the outstanding beers of Sierra Nevada Brewing Co out of Chico, Ca. My cousin Vinny or 1 of his harem of Bud Girls will sample you on Pale Ale, Unfiltered Wheat Beer and Summerfest Lager. As an added treat I was able to get just a few more bottles of the 1st Release Southern Hemisphere Harvest Fresh Hop Ale. I have 6 in the barn and we’re going to use 2 for the tasting. So the other 4 will go to the 1st 4 people who come to the tasting and wish to purchase them.

Speaking of new crazy limited beers I just got 2 more in as I write the newsletter. Avery Maharaja Imperial India Pale Ale and Stone 12th Anniversary Bitter Chocolate Oatmeal Stout. These are in limited amounts also and you may want to hurry in while they last. We also have added a new ready-to- drink cooler for your convenience. It’s in the back right corner near the chilled wine doors. We have it stocked with all the Margaritas, Kahlua Combos, Smirnoff Cosmos, Mojitos, and Martinis as well as Jager, Sambuca and a few other chilled liqueurs. So be sure to stop in and check it out.

Robert