Cork Poppers Add Music to the Menu

At an earlier Cork Poppers group, one of our members asked Rick if he'd provide a little concert on his classical guitar sometime. So, when he decided to host a pared down version of our group music was on the menu too! (Four of our members were away for the season; two were unable to come -- one of those being the guy who had suggested the music!)

Rick had said "bring finger food and a wine that goes with an Argentinian tango or Italian sonata." We were off and running! (He did say, "Tomatoes should be sliced and on the platter, not whole and ready to be thrown." Protecting the musicians and their instruments is always a good thing!)

We started with Monetto Prosecco ($12.99 at our local grocery store). We didn't "taste" and evaluate as we often do for that. Instead, we just sipped and enjoyed as everyone gathered!

That said, it's a decent Prosecco and at the price good for crowd. And you've gotta love the sparkle!

As we enjoyed our Prosecco, Rick and Josh played several pieces. Here's one of the shorter ones and also one of my favorites, Piazzaolla's "History of the Tango," first movement. 

Or, if you prefer, this lively piece. 

Next we had Rick's wine, Grifone Sangiovese from Puglia, Italy.

Kate noticed it was the same grape as a Chianti but not so raw. After Rick revealed it came from Trader Joe's for about $7.99, one of our gang called it "a cheap fix." I noted it would also be good for cooking, as you want to cook with something you're happy to drink -- but not the $20 bottle! At the end of the afternoon, Kate said this was her favorite of the ones we tasted.

Our third wine was Llama 2019 Malbec Old Vine from Mendoza, Argentina, brought by Kate. We noted the cherry notes. The vines from which the grapes were pulled were 100 years old, or, as someone note, almost as old as Rick.

Kate bought this at Lansing's Old Town general store for $16.99. It was my favorite of the day.

Bob was last with Cantine Florio 1833 Vecchioflorio Marsala Superiore DOC 2018. This was a sweet dessert wine and for one who doesn't much like sweet wines, I was impressed. It had an elegant dry fruit finish which one of our gang called  "Sweet and warming." 

Bob paid $13 for this on sale from our local Meijer store. It's generally around $21.

For the most part, Barb was drinking white this time and she brought along my favorite white, Clean Slate, a very dry Riesling. Even though I left it to her at the party, I told her I was in for ordering a case and sharing if she found it. (It's a tough one to find.)

Barb determined "They're all my favorites!" to which her husband, Mike, said, "No surprise there!"

Then it was time for the food!

Everyone outdid themselves. Barb brought little pigs in blankets and a fabulous cranberry chutney over cream cheese; Kate added summer sausage and her famous homemade quacamole; Bob brought a terrific cracker and cheese platter with proscuitto wrapped provolone and I had the lemon tarts and ham slides I shared the recipes for in my last post.

No one went home hungry. And everyone went home happy.

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