I haven't had a Cork Poppers post in months so I had been looking forward to our September gathering for weeks. Yes, September. Life happened but now I'm happy to update you with our autumn Corkie escapade!
When Kate chose "wines of Spain" as our theme, I was excited -- I love Spanish wine and plans for a potluck menu of Spanish-related foods and cheeses sounded delicious.
Then I got on meds where I couldn't have red wine, cheese, sausage (like chorizo) or all the other good stuff! But I could still have loads of fun!
Loads of fun is a Cork Poppers requirement.
Our hosts, Kate and Mike, started the afternoon gathering with a delicious Cava (Blanchard Perez, Brut). Since I couldn't have red wine for another week, this sparkling treat was the only one I could enjoy (no one brought a white!) and I loved it.
We toasted our missing members, Meredith (who had recently undergone surgery), Dick and Cheryl (participating in a charity event) and Pat (who has moved to Savannah). Then on with the tasting.
Rick was first with Rapariga da Quinta 2019. Nothing like starting a Spanish wine tasting off with one from Portugal, but this one was so delicious, who cared?
This was a red blend of three grapes. Barb said, "This is a good one!" and Rick noted it had a nice dimension. It was a great way to start the afternoon and no one was disappointed (except me. I really wanted to try this one!) It was $18.50 at our local wine store.
Mike M. was up next with Gomez Crizado 2017, a Haro-Rioja from Crianza, south of Madrid. Our gang of tasters loved this one, too. (And at the end of the day, this one and Rick's received the most "best" comments.
Comments included "A fuller mouth than I felt with the first," (Barb) and "This one has lots of tannins. I could have another sip of this!" It cost $22 at one of our local wine shops.
Roger was up next with Marques de Caceres Reserva, 2017, another Rioja. Made with temparillo grapes and aged 39 months, Anne was first to note, "It's tasty!" Clayton observed that "it tastes dryer than the others" while Barb simply acknowledged "This is good wine." Wine fans everywhere should be able to find this one -- Rog found his at Costco for $13.99.
In addition to offering up his wine, he also entertained us!
The
shirt he is wearing is a screened shirt designed by local artist Laura
DeLind and printed by having the linocut inked and then run over by a
huge asphalt roller as part of the Mason INK, a community block party.
A number of linocut artists (including our host, Kate) created designs
which were printed using this asphalt roller. Included was printing of
T-shirts. All the proceeds went to provide student scholarships.
Kate took the floor next with Amona Tempranillo from the Rioja regon.
People seemed to enjoy this one too -- and we all liked the simple but nicely designed label. Anne noted that it was "fruit forward" and tasted more like a Pinot Noir. Barb determined "I think this is very good" (of course!). But then all agreed that all so far were good.
Kate purchased it at our local wine shop during it's monthly "6 for $66" packet of wines, but said it was $13 retail,.
If you are getting the idea that all the Spanish reds were well received, you are spot on. Every one.
Bob was the last to share his wine -- and it was the same as Claytonr's -- but a different year, a 2017. By this time, our happy gang couldn't tell the difference! But no one was turning down another pour! He noted there were three different grapes in this one ("all unpronounceable") and that it aged three years.
Bob and Roger also spent some time perusing the Wine Folly book to learn a little more about Spanish wines.
Although we'd been snacking throughout, there was more to be enjoyed! Barb made two kinds of delicious empanadas....
.... Kate had a wonderful platter of Spanish meats and olives, while I contributed deviled eggs.
Oh, how I wanted it all!
We'd also been feasting on a Spanish bread that Rick made, as well as crackers and cheese from Bob. Anne provided dessert in the form of some tasty cookies and bars.
It was another good afternoon with lots of tasty wine recommendations! Best of all, it meant good companionship with dear friends -- and you can't beat that!
(For previous Cork Popper posts by wine category, see the link on the menu tab above!)
Sharing with: Love Your Creativity / Share Your Style
54 comments:
You really had to suffer from frustration at that party, didn’t you? I hope you are all over those health issues now.
best, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
...I would have passed on the wine, but the rest looked great.
The wine tasting can be done in this manner. So jovial and happy.
Those empanadas look delicious! I'm hungry now, and I just ate. lol
Good cork popper. The only Spanish wine I've had has a light golden color and flows like a liquid joy. I forget what it is called. I do recall it is expensive and the was over 30 years ago. I'll ask the person that bought it.
Those empanadas look wonderful! I don't drink much wine, but do enjoy a nice Rioja once in awhile, especially with a seafood paella.
I have two questions: 1. If you knew you could only drink white wine why did you not take a bottle, and 2. Were the devilled eggs Spanish devilled eggs with appropriate spices or just plain devilled eggs? I have had devilled eggs in Spain and they make your mouth pop!
Glad you had fun in spite of the limitations placed on you. Those gatherings always look so enjoyable. Hope you're feeling better.
Your group sounds like so much fun, and I like the name you’ve chosen for it. I have never heard of a Cork Popper before and it has a delightful ring to it! I don’t know too much about wines and I have enjoyed this learning experience. I have a bottle of Meiomi Pinot Noir, and that’s about the extent of my knowledge, just that I like the taste of it. The photos are great and I loved that screened shirt. The food also looked delicious! You definitely can’t beat getting together with good friends and thank you so much for sharing such a delightful evening.
Good food and good company - hope you are feeling good now.
Am not a fan of wine, but will drink a white pinot sometimes. Looks like everyone enjoyed themselves and that is all that matters. Janice
That had to be so hard to not be able to try all those wines and not be able to eat whatever you wanted. Kudos to you for being able to enjoy the evening, regardless!! :)
It looks like another wonderful event. You and your group of friends know how to enjoy life.
Sounds fun..great to see
This is a very good selection of spanish wines. Naturally the prices of the bottles, in your country, increased a lot and be more expensive than in Spain, because for you is wine of exportation.
The spanish wines have high quality, good taste, good colour, good smell, and brings good moments in a Friends, or familiar food.
Greetings from Mallorca, Spain. Have a great New Year 2024 full of love, and good things.
Hello Jeanie,
I enjoy your Cork Poppers post. I get great suggestions for wine, I do love the red wines. I am sorry you could not enjoy the wine and yummy food at this time. Looks like fun times for all. Have a great weekend.
Beautiful post
I love your wine cork poppers tastings. However, I'd likely be a bit tipsy in trying to distinguish them after about the 2nd or 3rd taste!
This reminds me so much of my tea gatherings. The descriptions of the wines are fun and so similar to describing tea. But the best part is just the gathering of friends, the laughter, and the food. Hoping the next time you gather you can try all the wines and the food.
How fun! I too hope you are fully fit for red next time..Those empanadas look divine!Actually all of it:)
You always look like you have such fun at these events. I can't say I've had a lot of Spanish wines, but the word for red in Spanish-really sounds more like red than the word red, doesn't it? Have a super weekend. hugs-Erika
Another wonderful wine tasting that I sadly missed��. The wines sound great, I think I would have loved them. The food
Outstanding as usual ! But I so missed the dear friends and much fun and laughter. Sorry you couldn’t partake in all but I’m sure you had a great time. Hope you feel better now Stay healthy this winter❤️. Love and hugs��
Such a great idea to get together with friends to taste different wines. I usually drink white wines due to the tannins in red wines. The food looks delicious.
I'm sure you enjoyed being with your friends, and Spanish wines can be very good, and then lovely food, too - yummy! I'm sorry that I mustn't drink and wine these days, I used to enjoy a glass of wine in the evenings. But I still have my coffee! Hugs, Valerie
Your social gatherings always look like a lot of fun with your friends taking turns and wines from different countries being tasted. The food each time looks good too. :)
Wine tasting done around a single country are always a fine event and combined with tasty treats like at your gathering makes it all the better.
Portugal should count as _almost_ Spain, right? This theme sounds tasty. I'm not familiar with any of these wines. I think I need to broaden my horizons :)
My friends and I enjoy wine as well. I think we would enjoy a cork popper party too.
I do have some knowledge in grapes' varieties, but wines are "greek to me". I usually drink wine with little or no alcohol.
I'm not surprised,though, about Spanish wines; the Spanish are also known as having high quality olives and olive oil.
The food and treats on the table, are very tempting!
Bopping over from AC's blog, and found this such a delightful read! Your Christmas post was great too. Love the idea of a cork poppers party!
What a perfect afternoon and I got a kick out of the steam roller made printing process. Whatever works.
Looks and sounds such a fun gathering with a great bunch of friends.
All the best Jan
You had great fun!
Jeanie, I am sorry you basically had to sit this one out, except for the most important part..great friends, fun, and fellowship. I so hope your health is returning dear one!
What a cool name, "cork poppers"! I love it.
I love your Cork Poppers parties! I know it was difficult not being able to taste the wines, but at least you got to hang out with your friends and enjoy their comments and reactions. It was funny seeing everyone in shorts right now while we're all in a deep freeze!
Jenna
I get great wine tips from your wine nights! I feel so bad that you could not partake. But the food looked delicious!
How are you feeling these days?
Happy New Year Jeanie!
Sorry you weren't able to enjoy the Spanish wines and lovely food, Jeanie! Nice to see all the great photos of enjoyment. Also seeing the shorts and sandals reminds me of the warmer weather just a few short months ago.
Looks like fun!!! I wouldn't do too well...more than a glass does me in...
I love Sangria, the national drink of Spain. Why didn't someone bring it? I used to make Sangria for my parties, but fell out of the habit of drinking alcohol. Maybe, I'll make some for my sisters someday.
The empanadas look absolutely delicious! 😋
Love the idea of getting together with friends to taste different wines. How fun! 🍷
Hugs and blessings, Jeanie
Wine and Cheese work well in any language. I recall the Cheese and Wine fundraisers of the 1970's and 80's well. I do miss a glass of wine, the non alcoholic ones just don't cut the mustard, but it's not worth the risk. One glass was my limit, I was such a lightweight!
Your Cork Poppers group always has the most fun times, Jeanie, and while it was unfortunate 😢 you couldn't fully participate in this one, it still looked like such fun. I enjoy wine, but am not well versed in the subtleties of the various varieties. I would most likely have focused more on those delicious looking empanadas, yum😋 Hopefully, by the next event you will be 100% a participant.
One of the things I love to bake the most is empanadas! Those look fantastic.
I'd love to try Spanish wines. It sounds like it was a delightful night.
Oh what a fun time! I haven't had a Spanish wine in a long time, the food looks so good!
So fun
Looks like a brilliant time was had.
What fun!
What an amazing and lovely party you all had. As this all happened in September I trust that your all well again and had an enjoyable Christmas and New Year.
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What a great afternoon! I would love to have a wine and food get together like that. Sadly, many of my friends are not wine drinkers so I would be drinking alone. More wine for me though!
Looks like a wonderful wine tasting, and the food! Wow, wish I had been there. I love Spanish wines, and would not say no to a Portuguese either. Great to gather with wine loving friends for a taste of good wines.
While I was living in Brussels we used to have a lot of wine tastings. Now the gang is separated in different countries so not so much of this kind of entertainment anymore.
What a fun gathering! Bummer that you weren't able to partake in most of the wines and some of the food but it sounds like you still had a fabulous time! But it's usually all about the company anyways!
This post makes me wish I liked/could drink red wine. Even one glass seems to give me a headache!
What a pity you weren't able to join in the fun Jeanie. I was going to say that next you will have to try Portuguese wines, but I see the group has already started with "Rapariga da Quinta" :)
That must have been quite frustrating not being able to participate in all of the red windes and some of the food as well. But why didn't you bring a bottle of a Spanish white yourself when you knew you couldn't drink red ones? Good thing though that you had a nice sparkling one - I had quite some good sparkling wines from Spain. I also love the label of the Amona, it's beautiful.
What an amazing spread! And an amazing evening as well! Of course, I've come to expect nothing less when the Cork Poppers get together.
Sure hope this course of medication does its job and that you can then return to enjoying red wine, cured meats, and all those wonderful antihistamine triggers. Did you have to give up chocolate as well?
So lovely to have an occasion like this during a time when all is so cold and gray. Warm food, warm friends, and lots of color are the perfect antidote!
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