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Ho
Ho Ho and a Bottle of Wine. Has a nice ring to it. If
you're looking for some great gift ideas this holiday season, look no
further. We've put together our Top 10 Gift Guide,
a list of little gems from Cork that should put a smile on the
recipient's face. Click on the hot link on the left to start
shopping.
Big Argentina Reds - Again!
Due to the overwhelming response last week, we've decided to hold a
second Argentina tasting this Thursday from 7 - 8pm. If you were
on the waitlist or came in hoping to attend, please join us this
week. Again, only 14 seats, reservations required, so call us
quick at 503.281.2675 to secure your seat.
Pintxos and Priorat Spanish Wine Dinner. It's your last chance of the year to dine at cork. Read below for all the details.
Friday Night we will feature a tasting of Bordeaux, with some great values from the 2005 vintage plus a couple higher-end favorites in the $40-50 range.
Next Wednesday, join us for a tasting of current releases from EIEIO Winery with winemaker Jay McDonald.
Space is limited but this should be a fun tasting of his Pinot Noir and
Chardonnay new releases, plus a possible library wine or two as a
comparison.
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BACKROOM TASTINGS
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We've
got a couple great events coming up in our Tasting Room. Seating
is limited to 14 people and reservations are required, so either email me or call the shop at 503.281.2675 to reserve a seat.
ARGENTINA'S BIG REDS TASTING · Again this Thursday, Dec. 6 · 7pm · $20/person
Join
us as we explore higher-end and sought-after wines from Argentina
discovered on Darryl's recent trip. The beauty of these great wines is
that the value of the US dollar has kept the prices incredibly low
given the quality. Come find out why Argentina is the best bargain in
wine today.
EIEIO WINERY Tasting with Jay McDonald · Wed., Dec. 12 · 7pm · $20/person
A
special opportunity to sit down with winemaker Jay McDonald and taste
his high-end Pinot Noirs from several single-vineyard sites. Jay,
who formerly ran The Tasting Room in Carlton, decided to start his own
label for fun, which turned into a full-time venture. Today he is
converting all of his vineyards to biodynamic farming and following
many of the winemaking methods that Ken Wright, Brick House and
Bergstrom have used to gain a loyal following. Please join us
from 7 - 8pm for a tasting of the wines. Limit 14 people. Reservations required.
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FRIDAY FLIGHT · BORDEAUX VALUE · $15 tasting fee · 4:30-8:30pm
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Join
us Friday from 4:30pm on, as we taste several great 2005 values of
Bordeaux. We've recently discovered two great examples for around
ten bucks and have an assortment of others up to $25 that we think
drink well for everyday sipping. Our bonus flight this week will
include the lovely Trilogie bottling from Chateau St. Georges and a
stunning organic offering from Pomerol. Come early and get some
holiday shopping done while you sip wine and snack on Salumi cured
meats and some wonderful new cheese from France. See you there.
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SPANISH HOLIDAY DINNER: Pintxos & Priorat with Scott Ketterman · Saturday, December 15
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 Just imagine the cork bar covered with hearty tapas like those shown from this bar in San Sebastian. Well, we've invited Scott Ketterman,
who has been cooking stunning meals at Simpatica, to put together a
Basque meal for our annual big Holiday Dinner. The dinner is on Saturday, December 15 at 7pm.
For the first course, we will start with an assortment of pintxos and
tapas at the bar served with sparkling Cava, Txakoli and a killer
Godello. Then we'll sit 24 people in the cellar area for three
more wonderful courses, paired with wines from Montsant and Priorat.
This is our last supper of the year and should be truly
memorable. To add to the holiday spirit, we will donate 25% of
the dinner price to Sisters of the Road Cafe so others less fortunate
can enjoy a few meals this holiday season. Cost is $100 per person
and includes food, wine and gratuity (and $25 goes to Sisters of the
Road). As space is limited, call 503.281.2675 quickly if you
would like to join us. Reservations required and secured with your credit card.
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CORK HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
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If you're having trouble deciding on what to get the wine, chocolate or food lover in your family, here's our Top 10 List of Great Gifts from Cork:
 1. BEST VALUE GIFT: 2006 ALBERTA Pinot Noir.
Pure Willamette Valley fruit from the balanced 2006 vintage, in a
terrific bottle that also supports the community. 10% of the
Profits from the sale of Alberta Pinot Noir goes to Ethos Music Center,
providing music education to underprivileged children in the Portland
community and throughout the state. $16/bottle
 2. BEST SPLURGE GIFT: 40 Year Old Aged Balsamic Vinegar from Modena.
The vinegar inside this handsome bottle from Villa Capelli will be
savored by whomever receives it this year. Stories of adding a
little water to the empty bottle to get the last drop of goodness
aren't exaggerated. Very limited production and hey, it is from
1966, a special year and a truly special Balsamic. $140/bottle
 3. BEST TO IMPRESS THE ITALIAN WINE LOVER: 2004 FELSINA Chianti Classico Riserva 'Rancia'.
This wine just received several big accolades from the wine press and
when we had a chance to taste it a few months ago when the winery's
owner was at the shop, we were equally impressed. Very small
supply, it will be gone by the weekend. But someone is going to
be very happy when they unwrap this little gem for their cellar.
$45/bottle
 4. BEST SPANISH GIFT WINE: 2005 JOAN D'ANGUERA Finca d'Argata.
From our favorite Montsant producer who makes small quantities of
several bottlings, this vino is made from old-vine Carinena and
Garnacha with a touch of Melot, Cabernet and Syrah blended in.
Deep, dark and delicious and sure to please the Spanish wine lover in
your life. $26/bottle
 5. BEST FRENCH FIND FOR BURGUNDY LOVERS: 2005 MARECHAL Bourgogne Rouge Cuvee Gravel. Sara's Pick: If
someone on your gift list LOVES Burgundy, you're in luck. The 2005
Burgundy's are just released, and already is thought to be one of the
best in years. A prime example is this pick, practically brimming with
smoky black cherries, it's approachable now, but can be enjoyed over
the next 5 years. $24/bottle
 6. BEST OREGON PINOT TO GIVE AND DRINK NOW: 2005 LEMELSON Pinot Noir Thea's Selection.
Hearty and fuller bodied than many of the 2005 vintage, the Thea's is
just drinking great right now. It's in that darker berry/bing
cherry sphere of Pinot with a touch of smoke and toast on the finish
that goes well with hearty winter dishes. It's also from a small
vineyard site, farmed organically. Supply is limited, so grab a
bottle or two now for that special someone. $35/bottle
 7. BEST GIFT FOR THE CHOCOLATE LOVER: Petits Noirs Hot Chocolate.
Last year it was all about the spicy hot chocolate, and this year it's
all about the smooth drinking beverage from our favorite new find out
near Walla Walla. Petits Noirs blends their own special mix of
dried herbs and spices with dark chocolate for an elegant nightcap at
the end of a meal. Plus it comes in this very attractive tin
canister. Our best gift for less than twenty bucks at just $18/tin.
 8. BEST GIFT THAT WILL KEEP ON GIVING: Cork Club Membership.
The recipient will save 10% off everything in the store forever,
receive 15% off on case purchases, receive an exclusive email about
special wine offers and have the first chance at signing up for our
popular dinners and events. $100/lifetime membership
 9. BEST FOODIE GIFT: A Cork Gift Basket
filled with Villa Capelli Extra-Virgin Italian Olive Oil, La Dalia
Spanish Pimenton de la Vera, French Sea Salt from Mallorca, Belgian
Chocolate from Dolfin, Marcona Almonds and a bottle of wine.
$50/basket
 10. BEST WINE ACCESSORY: Preservino Wine Preservation Gift Set.
We recently discovered this new gadget and are quite smitten.
Remember those little rubber stoppers and the hand pump? Well
this is the next big step forward, using firm stoppers and argon gas to
preserve your opened bottle of wine for up to a week. Not sold
yet? Time Magazine called it the best wine invention of
2006! $80/set
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