Monthly Archives:

March 2021

CORK Cru is an exclusive month-to-month wine club. Each month, you’ll pick-up a themed box of 4 thoughtfully selected wines, complete with tasting notes and pairing suggestions. Enjoy the wines one at a time or create your own at-home tasting meal.

April’s CORK Cru is a Spring Fling! With longer days and warmer weather, we crave lighter wines to welcome the season. Wine selections include:

A zippy white:
Mary Taylor Perlé 2019
Gaillac, France

A lively and food friendly rosé:
Lamoreaux Landing Dry Rosé 2020
Finger Lakes, NY

An approachable orange
Somos Naranjito 2020
McLaren Vale, South Australia

A red we love slightly chilled, served with barbecued foods:
Brunn Blauer Zweigelt 2017
Niederösterreich, Austria

Registration will close on Saturday, April 10th, so sign up soon! Wines may be picked up from Thursday, April 15 to Sunday, April 18, 11AM to 8PM.

To register for April’s edition of CORK Cru, call 215.735.2665 or reserve online. If submitting online, please note that we will contact you to secure a non-refundable $25 deposit to secure your registration. Payment for the Cru wines will be processed in-person at CORK after we scan your government- issued ID upon collecting your wine. Cru is limited to those 21+ years of age.

This Saturday, March 27, 2021, marks the first evening of Passover. Wine plays an integral role in the Seder meal, as participants drink the Four Cups of Passover. Each cup represents an expression of deliverance promised by God – the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption and the Cup of Praise. Beyond the Seder itself, observers typically consume ‘Kosher for Passover’ wines throughout the holiday.

KOSHER VS. KOSHER FOR PASSOVER
Kosher wines are produced in a manner that is approved to be in accordance with Jewish Dietary Laws. Wines are handled only by religious Jewish people during winemaking, and no animal based additives are used although egg is considered acceptable. Kosher for Passover indicates wine that has not come into contact with bread, grain, or products made with leavened dough (you guessed it, pretty much all wines fit this description!). Most Kosher wines are also ‘Kosher for Passover.’

If you’re in the market for Kosher for Passover wines, CORK has you covered! Check out our selections below and shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM. If you prefer, reserve online for easy pick up.

GILGAL CHARDONNAY
Gilgal wines are premium, quality aged varietal wines from Golan Heights Winery in Israel which are fruit forward and expressive. Gilgal Chardonnay is made from grapes sourced exclusively from vineyard sites in the northern Goan Heights, the winery’s coolest sites. Medium-bodied, fresh and flavorful with notes of bright pear, lemon, apple and tropical fruit, all with a background of subtle spice and French oak.

GALIL MOUNTAIN WINERY SAUVIGNON BLANC AND ROSÉ
Sitting in a breathtaking spot atop the Upper Galilee mountain range, this boundary-pushing winery is committed to revitalizing the region’s rich history of winemaking. Over 2,000 years ago, the mountain range was a choice location for the cultivation of quality grapevines.

Bright yellowish in color, Galil Mountain Winery Sauvignon Blanc displays prominent notes of passion fruit, lychee, fig and feijoa, with a background of citrus and cut grass. With gentle and balanced acidity, this summery and flavorful wine exhibits a long and mischievous finish.

As opposed to in previous vintages, the 2020 release of Galil Mountain Winery Rosé features the grapes of Provence – Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Dry and lively with attractive aromas of fresh strawberry, rose petals, citrus fruit and spices.

YARDEN MERLOT
Yarden is the premier label and flagship brand of Golan Heights Winery. Each year the finest grapes from the best vineyards are reserved for Yarden wines. Yarden Merlot is produced from fruit harvested from vineyards in the central and northern Golan Heights and one vineyard in the Upper Galilee, areas known for producing outstanding Merlot over the past two decades. Aged in French oak barrels (40% of which are new) for 18 months, Yarden Merlot offers aromas of fresh herbs, tangerine, cedar and earth. This is a full-bodied and flavorful Merlot with ripe red and black fruit on the palate.

“ELIJAH’S FIFTH CUP” CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Winemaker and entrepreneur Bruce Schneider teamed up with Chateau Chizay in the Transcarpathia region of Western Ukraine, on the border of Hungary. The region’s wine industry dates back to the 13th century, but in the 1980’s the industry was decimated by Gorbachev’s anti-alcohol initiatives. “Elijah’s Fifth Cup” is an homage not only to the area, which is undergoing a winemaking renaissance of sorts, but also to Schneider’s Ukrainian grandparents. Lush and velvety on the palate, this unoaked Cabernet has juicy fruit with flavors and aromas of red berries with hints of vanilla.

If your knowledge of vermouth is limited to the splash in your martini, this post is for you! The world of vermouth is a diverse one, and vermouth’s uses extend beyond the classic martini. CORK carries a variety of vermouths – check them out below and stop by to pick one (or all!) up. CORK is open daily from 11AM to 8PM for in-store shopping, but if you prefer, reserve online for pick up!

First, what is vermouth? Vermouth is an aromatized wine made via the addition of botanicals – we’re talking herbs, spices and roots – as well as sugar or juice and/or spirits. There are three dominant classifications for vermouths although there are certainly varieties that fall outside these groups: sweet red vermouth, dry white vermouth, not to be confused with the third classification, blanc, a sweet white vermouth. Regardless of classification, always refrigerate your vermouth after opening and try to consume it within three weeks.

ANTICA TORINO VERMOUTH DI TORINO ROSSO
By sampling vermouths and digestivi from around the world, Antica Torino has set out to create refined recipes inspired by Piedmontese tradition. Rather than importing exotic botanicals, Antica Torino takes a practical and historical approach by opting for what is readily available in the backyard. Their Rosso variety is a vermouth “of the garden,” packed with fresh rosemary, bay laurel, thyme, oregano, wormwood, gentian, rhubarb and more. It’s made with a variety of white wines, including a small percentage of indigenous moscato for its floral elements. This sweet vermouth is delicious on its own or in cocktails – Negronis in particular!

ANTICA TORINO VERMOUTH DI TORINO DRY
Botanicals for Antica Torino’s dry vermouth include wormwood, yarrow muscat, centaurea, hyssop, thistle, cinnamon, coriander and sage – a harmonious balance between mountain and garden herbs. The base is Cortese wine from Piedmont that renders a particularly elegant and floral vermouth. Enjoy Antica Torino Dry on the rocks with a twist of lemon or in bold classics such as a Martini or a Rob Roy.

MONTANARO VERMOUTH DI TORINO ROSSO
From another Piedmont based producer, Montanaro’s Rosso is deep amber brown in color, due to the addition of fine Marsala. It has a classic citrus taste of bittersweet orange, as well as notes of myhrr, licorice, gentian and rhubarb. Enjoy on its own or in a Manhattan!

MONTANARO VERMOUTH DI TORINO BIANCO
A combination of white wine infused with more than 20 natural herbs and roots, Montanaro Bianco is characterized by a clear straw yellow color, bright aromas of tropical and orchard fruit, and a sweet-tart, citrusy palate. Montanaro uses just the right number of herbs to extract the properties and aromas of each one of them, revealing harmonious scent that are also soft on the palate and not invasive. While you may certainly use it in a cocktail, this Bianco is ideal as an aperitif, to be served chilled or with ice.

LO-FI APERITIFS DRY VERMOUTH
Napa-based Lo-Fi Aperitifs motto says it all – “crafted with California wines and natural ingredients.” Lo-Fi’s Dry Vermoutb is white wine and grape spirits infused with fennel, coriander, cardamom, elderflower, cherry, anise and chamomile flavors. Complex spicy flavors on the palate are balanced with the fresh fruit flavors from the Muscat Canelli. Enjoy chilled on its own or mix it with cider, gin and rye whiskey.

BODEGAS BARBADILLO ATAMAN VERMUT
In a 200-year old company with sixteen bodegas, sometimes surprising things get found. In this case, Barbadillo discovered old tonic wines of indeterminate age and recipe. Barbadillo called on winemaker Montserrat Molina to develop a new vermouth recipe to approximate the flavor profiles of what they found. The result, Atamán Vermut, is a potently delicious sipping vermouth built on Manzanilla sherry with quassia, bitter orange, wormwood, elderberry and rosemary dominating the botanical roster. When drinking, it starts sweet, but then the bitterness sets in, making it a complex and stylish vermouth. Great on its own, chilled with an orange, Atamán Vermut may also be mixed with gin, mezcal, rum and whiskey.

ALMA DE TRABANCO QUINQUINA EN RAMA
Trabanco is this most iconic natural cider house in Asturias, Spain. Alma was born from memories of founder Emilio Trabanco, who would add a little cider to his vermouth, thus balancing the sweetness of vermouth with the refreshing acidity of his cider. The primary botanicals in Alma de Trabanco include cinchona, wormwood, savory, gentian, artemisia, cinnamon, star anise, coriander, thyme, and vanilla. Fruits include cherry, orange peel, and lemon. The flavor profile is bright, refreshing, and satisfying, making Alma de Trabanco the perfect aperitif before a meal or base for your favorite session cocktail.

Best meal of the week? Brunch! If you’re already looking for sweet and savory inspiration for your weekend brunch, we have you covered. From sweet spreads to festive bubbles, your weekend is sure to hit the spot.  Shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM. If you prefer, reserve online for easy pickup!

DRINKS GALORE

You don’t have to choose – have it all. Here’s everything you need for your weekend day drinking, plus some non-alcoholic options:

Ca del Sarto Prosecco
Teaspressa Luxe Sugar Cubes, available in Peach for Bellinis and Arcadia Orange for Mimosas
Cipriani White Peach Bellini Bottles
Lilbert-Fils Brut Champagne in 375mL Bottles – Perfect for Mimosas for Two
Toma Bloody Mary Mix
CORK Bloody Marys – Pre-Mixed and Ready to Pour
Half Eclipse Collins Glasses – Perfect Size for Bloody Marys
TÖST Non-Alcoholic Sparkling White Tea-Cranberry-Ginger
CACAO Hot Cocoa Mix

BRUNCHY MUNCHIES

Put a delicious spin on your brunch staples with artisanal spreads and condiments:

Runamok Sugarmaker’s Cut Maple Syrup & Cinnamon-Vanilla Infused Maple Syrup
Nicolas Vahé Spreads – Choose from Hazelnut-Milk-Nougat, Hazelnut-Cocoa-Pistachio, Damson Plum-Walnut-Apple, Mango-Passion Fruit, Fig
Nicolas Vahé Honey – Choose from Toasted Hazelnut and Orange Peel
Nicolas Vahé Syrups – Choose from Blueberry and Coffee-Caramel
Nicolas Vahé San Marzano Ketchup
Bonus: Heaven In Earth Egg Cups

This Saint Patrick’s Day, ditch the green beer and enjoy a glass of the OTHER color in the Irish flag – orange! CORK offers a variety of orange wines, which are all the rage right now. Check them out below and shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM. If you prefer, reserve your wine online for easy pickup!

First, a brief crash course on orange wine. Orange wine contains no orange, and is not exclusively made of a single grape variety. Take white grapes, mash them, and place the grapes – juice, skin and seeds – in a container, typically made of stone or clay, to ferment. Additives are usually not part of the equation, so the result is often tart and nutty – think wild ale in wine’s clothing.

Now, for CORK’s orange wine selections!

Somos Naranjito (McLaren Vale, South Australia)
Our first entry is the perfect intro to orange wine. Made from 100% Verdelho, there’s heaps of ginger spice, tangerine, orange peel and baked pairs, along with hints of toffee apple on the nose. The palate is soft and creamy with bright orange pith, mandarin crunch, as well as notes of brioche and caramel.

Alpha Box and Dice Golden Mullet Fury 2018 (McLaren Vale, Australia)
Next is another selection from ‘Down Under.’ The influence for Golden Mullet Fury is drawn from winemaking traditions of Eastern Europe, where skin contact wines have been made for thousands of years. Made from Semillon grapes, there are aromas of dried hay, almond butter, nectarines, curry leaf. On the palate, there’s saline, spicy, buttered chestnuts, bright acidity and a smooth, round mouthfeel. This is a bold, rich, creamy white wine that has savory aromas and flavors. Pair GMF with pork belly, spicy dishes and rich fish.

Vino di Anna Palmento (Sicily)
Palmento Bianco is a field blend of organically grown, indigenous grapes, mainly grown high on the northern slopes of Mt Etna, Sicily. Pale straw in color, this wine has delicate white floral notes coupled with grapefruit and lemons.  It is crisp and dry on the palate, with citrus fruit flavors and an underlying minerality.

Fiegl Ribolla 2019 (Fruili, Italy)
Made from the Ribolla Gialla grape variety, Fiegl Ribolla is the perfect orange wine for the Chardonnay lover, as it is rich with cinnamon and nutmeg. It’s fresh, supported by a nice saltiness and is ideal with hearty seafood dishes like swordfish and salmon, but it would also complement pork and apple dishes.

Tre Monti Vitalba Albana in Anfora (Emilia-Romagna, Italy)
Vitalba is produced via an exchange project between Georgian and Italian winemakers. The intent is to produce a wine using an Italian variety, Albana, using a traditional Georgian method – aging the wine in an amphora made of beeswax, allowing minor oxidization. The result is an alluring wine that offers an array of intriguing aromas including saline, dried yellow stone fruit, baking spice and honey. The vibrant, savory palate continues to open up in the glass, doling out dried apricot, candied orange zest, tobacco and candied ginger alongside racy acidity and flinty minerality.

Dato’s Wine Chkhaveri Amber (Chkhaveri, Georgia)
Another Georgian amphora-aged wine, Dato’s Amber is produced with Chkhaveri grapes, a light red variety that results in a yellow, amber wine. Fun fact: a portion of this wine is derived from a single, 100 year old vine tree. Dato’s is a crisp wine with notes of apple and wild pear and is best enjoyed with white fish.

Scribe Skin Fermented Chardonnay (Sonoma, California)
Like so many of Scribe’s wines, this one began as an experiment. When some clone grape clusters weren’t cooperating with others, Scribe isolated them and fermented them with the skins left intact for 101 days. The process added the necessary color, texture and structure to create a delicate balance against the clone’s pronounced floral, tropical fruity notes. It has the soul of a classic Chardonnay with bright fruit, green apple and Anjou pear with nutmeg and subdued spice. Enjoy it with Moroccan-inspired cuisine.

With spring just around the corner, we’re well stocked with all things floral – luxurious scented candles and soaps, chocolates, and of course, wine! Shop in-store or reserve online for easy pick up.

WINES

Domaine Lafage Côté d’Est Blanc – A natural wine from the Roussillon region of France, this is a lively blend of Grenache Blanc, Chardonnay and Roussane. Floral and aromatic, it’s the type of refreshing wine you’ll want to wash down a seafood dinner on a warm, sunny day.

Gota Wines Prunus Branco – From the Dão region in Portugal, this is another natural wine selection, blending Encruzado, Cerceal Branco, Malvasia Fina and Bical grapes. Well-rounded with concentrated fruit flavors of peach, yellow plum, apricot, along with floral notes and mineral on the palate. Serve it chilled with seafood, fresh fish and creamy pasta dishes.

SCENTED SOAPS & CANDLES:

ALIBI NYC Rose Water + Hibiscus Candles and Organic Bar Soaps
ALIBI NYC Lavender Travel Tin Candles
Makana Candles in Rosewater, Neroli Blossom and Pikake Jasmine Scents
Hudson Boudoir Candle with Notes of Moroccan Jasmine, Gardenia, Indian Tuberose, Caramel Amber Praline
Compagnie de Provence Rose Hand Soap and Hand Cream

PANTRY ITEMS

Poi Dog Maui Lavender Ponzu – Add a few dashes to olive oil for a tropical vinaigrette, add to noodles or use as a dip for fried dumplings or sushi!

Alicja Confections Chocolate Bars, including Lavender-Lilac Milk Chocolate and Matcha White Chocolate

If you have your finger on the pulse of food trends, then it’s certainly not news to you that tinned fish is having a moment. Philadelphia Inquirer’s Craig Laban has covered it here and here. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a longtime tin afficionado, CORK has a variety of options for you to try. Shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM or reserve online for easy pick up.

Matiz España

Matiz España is a “division” of Culinary Collective, a small company dedicated to supporting the preservation of traditional foods and local food systems worldwide.

Matiz Gallego Sardines are harvested off the coast of Galicia, known for its exceptional seafood. Traditional methods are used that respect the biological cycles of the species, as well as avoiding harm to other sea creatures.

Also from the coast of Galicia, Matiz Mussels are cultivated using organic certified methods and feed. Once harvested, the mussels are prepared by hand using old master cannery know-how and then packed with the highest quality organic olives oil, vinegar, and spices. Enjoy them right out of the can, in salads or on sandwiches. They also pair well sautéed with onions and roasted red peppers and a garnish of parsley and lemon.

From the Bay of Biscay in northern Spain, Arroyabe Bonito Tuna in Olive Oil is fished by traditional line and hook methods. The solid texture and hearty flavor of Bonito tuna is very different from regular albacore tuna. It is packed in high quality Spanish olive oil, giving it that something extra that will easily convert you.

Don Gastronom

Founded in 1966, Don Gastronom specializes in the production of gourmet tinned fish and seafood from the Galician coast, which is renowned for being one of the best places in the world for seafood. The company continues to incorporate new technologies available in the food industry, while also honoring traditional methods, which is the essence of the company. CORK offers three selections from Don Gastronom: Octopus with Garlic Sauce, Squid Pieces in Ink Sauce and Mackerel Filets in Olive Oil.

This month’s Guest Chef Wine Selections are brought to you by the one and only Frances Vavloukis. Health and Wellness Coach Frances Vavloukis is first generation Greek and has shared her recipes for delicious Greek food at more COOK classes than we can count. We’re delighted to share some of Frances’ favorite wines available at CORK. Shop in-store daily from 11AM to 8PM or reserve online for easy pick up.

If you’re looking for something to pair with this these wines, we have just the thing! When asked, what is your favorite food, Frances always says, “My pita pies.” You can now enjoy Frances’ signature dish by ordering from, yes, My Pita Pies. The secret ingredient for Frances’ spanakopita is her father’s old broomstick and the flick of the wrist. Still to this day, Frances uses her father’s original broomstick when making her phyllo dough. Although her personal favorite pita is still the traditional spinach pie, she’s also known for making the best cheese pita pies, meat pita pies and most recently vegetarian pita pies!

And now, in her own words, Frances’ Wine Selections:

Au Bon Climat Pinot Blanc-Pinot Gris (Santa Barbara, California)
“I loved the combination! The Pinot Blanc provides minerality and density with apple and melon notes while the Pinot Gris gives texture and lavender and marzipan aromatics. It’s a great light wine!“

Argatia “Haroula” Red Blend (Macedonia, Greece)
“What I remember of this wine is that it had bold flavors and a hint of black cherry. And it’s Greek!“

Tikves Vranec Special Selection (Macedonia, Greece)
This wine was medium to full body and it had a variety of raspberry, earthy and peppery fruit character.“

Gen Del Alma Jijiji Malbec-Pinot Noir (Uco Valley, Argentina)
“Another great combination – 50/50 of Malbec and Pinot Noir!  A huge vibrant nose of red fruit, and violets. Good acid lifts the mid-palate with notes of rhubarb, red cherry, orange peel, ash, crushed stone, mushroom, gunpowder, and flint.“