Friday, December 15, 2023

Cork Poppers -- Italian Wines Rock!

Barb and Mike were our hosts for Cork Poppers this month and the wines of Italy didn't disappoint!

 

We started out with Barb's homemade limoncello, which Bob poured.


 It was ice cold -- and so delicious! She said it takes about six weeks to complete.

The first of many toasts!

When Covid began, we stopped having sit down dinners after the tasting and doing appetizers and desserts instead. Barb made a shrimp bowl to die for!

Our table was filled with goodies -- veggies, crackers with dips, mozzarella/meat rolls, shrimp, meatballs, cranberry bread, cheese and lemon-ginger biscotti. The recipe is by Marie of The English Kitchen and it was such a hit I was told I could sell it! It's a fabulous recipe!

And I wanted to point out these fun stars that Barb made. She found instructions online, and each one uses nine lunch bags! I see a project coming on!


First of the Italian wines was a Chloe Prosecco D.O.C., provided by Roger. It made for a great starter -- crisp, fresh, sparkly. He found it at a local market.

Here is where I have to apologize to you all. I forgot my notebook where I record prices and comments, so I'm relying on memory. Rog said this one was about $13.00. And the comments from the crowd were all complimentary!

We had two whites today, both from Dick. The first was Gavi Del Camini.I loved this one. The flavor was so bright, much like a sauvignon blanc, which is my favorite white. It was served cold and was lovely. I'd buy this one in a heartbeat. (Apologies for the fuzzy photos. I need a new camera, I think; this one has been dropped too many times and if I shoot too fast, it's fuzzy.)

The second was Fazi Battaglia Verdicchio, This tasted creamier to me, more like a chardonnay. Several of our group felt it was more complex.

Dick bought both of these at a local wine store. I asked for a show of hands as to who liked which best. Kate, Mike S. and I both chose the first one; everyone else picked this one. So, it just goes to show -- there is no best, just best for you!


Clayton offered Mannaggia all Alba Sangiovese. I have the most info on this one -- It's $25 (although Clayton got this from his wine club for $13.99). It had notes of violet, plum and oak (so they say, although we thought Clayton said "notes of violence," which we later decided would be a good name for a film. it doesn't take much for us to get off task!)

Mike M. was next with Corte Alta Tornidora, a delicious Valpolicella Ripasso. I'm a sucker for a good Valpo. These come from Northern Italy's Piedmont region and I find almost all the wines from that area very good. No price info here.

Bob brought a favorite that is easily available in most grocery stores -- DaVinci Chianti. It's not terribly expensive and it would be terrific with a pasta.

By about this time in the tasting, conversation has devolved, taking a number of different routes, many of which are hilarious. I absolutely love this group!

The last two wines were both Barberas, both from the Piedmont but different regions. Kate offered Vietti Barbera D'Asti by Trevigne.

I offered Barbera d'Alba by Costa Catterina. (Mine came from an Italian market in Northville, MI called Cantoro's and was about $15.)

Both of them were very good -- and yes, different. But I couldn't tell you how they were, nor would I choose one over another. 

Of course we had to take photos -- these are our Women of the Vine! (We never got Guys of the Grape, but it would have been missing one key figure, as Rick was sick and couldn't join us. He would have loved tonight's wines, being a fan of Italian wine.

 

Barb sent us home with goodie bags, beautifully tied up with pine cones and raffia. (Of course I forgot to photograph before tearing mine open, finding cocoa mix and candies!) Needless to say, for twelve people to sample seven wines, it could work up to only about a glass and a half per person. Possibly two. (Of course, some have a second pour; others just stick with the whites or a single taste of each.)

So, to sum up -- everyone liked everything; some we liked more than others (I liked the first white, the Valpolicella and the two Barberas best) and we all had a glorious time. We left stuffed and happy.

And best of all, we left basked in the glow of friendship. And really, that's what it's all about.

A couple of notes: You can find more about Cork Poppers' previous events and the wines we tasted in the tab on the menu bar above.

And please send good wishes for our Corkie Mike M., who had a stroke last week. He's recovering, out of ICU, and that's good -- but he can use all the good vibes he can get as he goes through rehab.

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52 comments:

Tom said...

...a festive party, but I'll be the designated driver! ☃️ 🎄 ❄️ 🎅🏼

Mae Travels said...

Your winetastings always look like so much fun! I love the way your photos capture such great vibes.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,
Sounds like a wonderful evening, with good food and wine!
I will add some of these to my shopping list, I may find a few.
The craft star is pretty. Lovely ladies and photos.
Take care, have a great day and happy weekend!

gigi-hawaii said...

This event was absolutely fabulous! From the wines to the food to the decor, everything was so beautiful. Here's to friendship. More, please.

DVArtist said...

Wow Jeanie what a fabulous time. Everyone looks so happy and who wouldn't be with wine, food and good friends. Thank you for sharing all of this with FFO and have the best weekend.

Yvonne said...

This sounds like so much fun, a gathering of good friends, wine and food. Your photos show much happiness. Homemade Limoncello - I've had cake made from it and it was very lovely. It would be nice to taste it by itself. Happy holidays, and stay safe. Hope Rick is doing better.

DUTA said...

There's nothing, including wine, that italians don't make it better than other nations.
May you have many such Cork Poppers gatherings in the future!

Red Rose Alley said...

The spread looks wonderful at your cork poppers party, Jeanie. A great picture of all of you. I would buy the DaVinci bottle just for the label. She looks like ME! haha. I've always wanted to try limoncello, it sounds so good. Love that photo of you laughing. The paper stars are so cool. That would be a good project for you. So nice of your friend to host this part for you all.

~Sheri

Red Rose Alley said...

I just wrote a long comment, I sure do hope it went through haha.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm so pleased you are part of this group. Such a joy for you.
Happy Holidays,

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Such a fun gathering! A great photo of you and your friends, Jeanie. The paper bag snowflakes are stunning! And the food sure does make me hungry. Have a merry weekend!

Bill said...

What a wonderful time you all had tasting the different wines and delicious food. Plenty of laughs to share, it all makes up a life of enjoyment and great memories.

R's Rue said...

Love all the joy and festive fun.

roentare said...

My guests often prefer Italian wines too

The Happy Whisk said...

Look at that sink! Looks like a great time was had by all. I love that.

Carola Bartz said...

This is such a beautiful tradition that you have, and I can easily understand that it is fun and the most important part of it is the friendship. The food looks wonderful as well. Somehow I never particularly liked Barbera, but this summer we tasted a Barbera at our favorite winery and it was delicious. We bought several bottles and absolutely love it with Italian-style food.

Divers and Sundry said...

I've always wanted to try limoncello. My daughter made some once. What a spread! This would be the perfect way to try new wines. Fun!

Divers and Sundry said...

Oh, I clicked "publish" too fast. I hope your friend's rehab goes well and that he recovers quickly.

acorn hollow said...

Such a wonderful mix of wines. I am mainly a white drinker when I do have wine.
You all look like such a fun group. Sorry Rick was not feeling well.
Healing wishes to Mike M may he continue to heal.
Cathy

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

I love this idea - such a fun way to try new wine and tasty treats and have fun and laughter with good friends. I've written down a couple I would like to try and have seen available locally. The best part are all the happy faces. So special to have the limoncello and home-made goodies. I'm going to look up that biscotti recipe! Sorry to hear that Rick is under the weather - sending healing thoughts to him and your friend, Mike. Hope you have a good weekend - can't believe it's almost Christmas - where does the time go? x K

kathyinozarks said...

what a super fun get together with friends. I would enjoy something like this.
I make limoncello too and keep it in the freezer so it's icy

Linda P said...

I can see that you have happy times at your wine tasting gatherings. Friendship is precious. Best wishes to your group of friends especially those who have not been well.

Iris Flavia said...

What a wonderful post! And now I have that song in my ear (which is wonderful!).
We had mulled wine on the Christmas Market yesterday (post planned tomorrow, other I freeze here) - it warmed me up through and through!!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

There are those wine tasters, as you know, Jeanie, who swear that it is impossible to differentiate the taste of one wine from another without spitting. I suspect that there is at least some truth to that. I would have thought that beginning with Limoncello would have been exactly the wrong thing to do, but what do I know? Pass the next glass and I’ll be happy to take a swig! A little cheese would be nice too!

La Table De Nana said...

You all have a ball!! I like the buffet idea..I do Xmas brunch and because everyone is now a large human..I'll be buffet mode.

La Table De Nana said...

PS Ive made the stars and you will be addicted;)

My name is Erika. said...

This is such a great idea and you always seem to have such a fun time. I love Woman if the Vine and Men of the Grape. What fun titles. Those stars are great. I'm off to check those out. And do you like just appetizers and desserts? I would think it would be easier for everyone over a meal, and such a fun way to eat also. Have a super weekend Jeanie. hugs-Erika

Carolyn Marnon said...

I have to be the outlier. Everyone is commenting on the wines. The thing I noticed in the pictures is what appears to be a giant caterpillar coming out of your wineglass! LOL! And I haven't any had anything to drink. LOL!
Carolyn

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Jeanie, such a fun group, the Cork Poppers. The food, the wines and of course close friends is always a fun time.
Sorry Rick missed due to being sick. I came down with the flu yesterday. Wishing you a merry merry Christmas.🎄

Steve Reed said...

What a fun event! "Notes of violence" made me laugh. My dad and stepmother used to drink an inexpensive brand of Valpolicella when I was young. I remember the label vividly!

gluten Free A_Z Blog said...

Such a lovely group and get together! Your hosts put so much thought and planning into the wines and the food! Everything and everyone looks lovely!

Rita said...

Sorry Rick was sick. I hope he's better by now. And your friend, Mike--I hope he is much better and continues to get better.
I know nothing about wine, but it sure looks like you all had a fun time! Nice to have groups of friends whose company you enjoy so much. :)

Valerie-Jael said...

Glad you all had a great time and lots of food, drink and fun! I'm slowly getting over my Covid, and will be happy whe it's gone competely! Hugs!

Olka said...

Oh tasting alcohol party :) I used to organize something like this years ago. It was also fun :)
I like the decorations made of bags :) Very creative and simple.
This year I would like to make decorations with the toilet paper cartboard rolls :)

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, y’all have so much fun and looks like everyone was having a fabulous time. I hope Rick is feeling better!

Nikki - Notes of Life said...

What a wonderful event!

thepaintedapron.com said...

Your Cook Poppers parties sound like so much fun Jeanie, and it is such a great way to try a variety of wines. It looks like you had quite a spread of nibbles too! So sorry Rick was sick, I know he hated missing the fun. What a treat to have homemade limoncello, I bet that was so good!
Jenna

Jenn Jilks said...

What a lovely time you had! I enjoyed that.
I plan on making these snowflakes when the family comes.
I saw them do this on a TV show. They only used 7 bags. Plus a glue gun. We shall see!

roughterrain crane said...

You had a wonderful time!

ashok said...

Party time ! Looks fun

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

Thanks for the peek at your amazing evening with friends. I hope you have many more in the coming year!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's stroke! How scary! I hope that he is able to fully recover. My uncle had a stroke a couple of years ago and the recovery was tough going for awhile but now he is doing much better. My MIL has a very very mild stroke and she fully recovered from that. Strokes can be so horrible. My grandfather had a major one when I was young so I only remember post-stroke grandpa unfortunately. :(

But sad comments aside, this sounds like a wonderful gathering of friends! I love that you have this tradition! That first white sounds right up my alley!

Barwitzki said...

Italian wines... so wonderful, especially the red wines and with the 1. June the rose is.
Great photos thank you very much.
P.s. I also like to drink French wines, e.g. a nice heavy Bordeaux :-)))
I would definitely have been right with you :-))
Many warm greetings from Viola.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie: You always have too much fun. You know I will check those stars out. Merry Christmas..xxoJudy

Hena Tayeb said...

Love that photo of you laughing. Looks like a fun time.

DeniseinVA said...

A delightful post, but I was very sorry to read about your friend's stroke. Wishing them a very speedy recovery, though I understand these take time to recover from. Wishing them only the very best. I enjoyed all the photos, looks like a great evening. I am not a wine connoisseur but I do enjoy a glass here and there. I've taken note of some of these wines. I always find myself enjoying the label illustrations too. Thanks Jeanie! If I don't get back to you beforehand, Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays. However you celebrate may you all have a great one!

Marilyn Miller said...

How dear to have a special group of friends that can share good food and good wine. The lemoncello sounds delicious! Your biscotti sounds yummy. I love, love anything lemon.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

How fun to get together with friends and enjoy wine and a table full of goodies!
Stopping by to wish you a Merry Christmas!

Pamela said...

What a fun evening! You have great friends.

Anonymous said...

Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article.
Thanks for supplying these details.

Lowcarb team member said...

What a lovely gathering you enjoyed, although sorry Rick wasn't well and definitely sending good wishes for Mike M.

I'll take the opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas, and also thank you for your visits to the low carb diabetic blog.

All the best Jan

Danielle L Zecher said...

Your wine tastings always look so fun.
I hope your friend has a speedy and full recovery.

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