Holidays at Home: Cork Poppers Survival Plan!

The Cork Poppers, our wine tasting group, celebrated the holidays by making plans to survive the political chaos of 2025 and beyond with the theme of "Wines to Get Us Through." Judging by the tastings, we will at least be somewhat festive, if numb.

 

Our hosts were Kate and Mike, who greeted us with our favorite Mionetto Prosecco. Then it was onto the whites, beginning with Cheryl's Pinot Grigio, appropriately named "Italian Christmas White." Cheryl admitted she bought it for the label but also said she liked it. And, given that this was the first wine of the afternoon, Barb declared it "my favorite so far." Cheryl said it was about $15.

Roger was up next with Le Pianure Pinot Grigio DOC. "This is so different, buttery," Cheryl noted, "and  not so tart as the first." She decided she liked the first best.

But Clayton said, "Tasty! One of the best you've ever brought -- ever!" Mike gave it a "Barely survivable rating for four years" (not in terms of the age of the wine, but in terms of making it through four years and if this would help us survive.) Rick said "For $12.99, it's not too bad," and Cheryl was holding firm. "There's nothing NOT to like about this wine, but to me it's not fantastic."

Kate was next with a Pavette Pinot Noir. I found it very pleasant, peppery and spicy. Kate said, "This is how I got through the election and will make it the next four years!" She also said, "I used to hate Pinot Noir because it was watery. But this is different. It's not watery." (Rick and I agreed, and Anne said, "I am liking the Pinots more and more.")

Rick was next with Curator, a South African Wine. He said it was a South African you could enjoy in spite of Elon Musk. (For those who don't know, Musk was born and raised in South Africa.) 

 

This red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinotage grapes and it had a rich and full flavor. When asked for a show of hands on "who likes this one," Clayton, Kate, Barb, Anne, Suzanne, Rick, Roger and Jeanie said "Yes!"

Suzanne was next with "Tenacity," a 2022 Shiraz from the Barocca Valley in Southern Australia. We all agreed that we will need tenacity to make it through four years. Meredith said Suzanne "won for presentation and Roger was all for "anything that takes you out of reality." Roger and I both really liked this and Roger and Dick agreed that it had a deeper, more robust flavor and stronger taste.

Then Barb stepped up with a Chianti Classico Basilica Cafaggio Vendemmia 2021, an Italian wine. "When I heard our theme was wine to get through the next four years, I thought that what we need is a robust wine that'll stain your teeth and stick to your ribs! 

She explained that it is a "black rooster" wine, a traditional "rating" of sorts. In medieval times, Florence and Siena had a rivalry about their grapes. People from Florence were represented by a black rooster (Florence won the contest.) "I want something I can drink by myself with good cheese and some bread," one of our members said. For $10 at Costco, you cannot go wrong with this one.

Bob was next with another Pinot Noir, this one from Dreaming Tree, owned by musician Dave Matthews. Bob said that there is a different wine master now than there was in earlier times, before the 2022 vintage and he much preferred the earlier years. "It's a different wine now. Try to find a 2020," Bob said. (He brought a 2020.)

I noted "This is pleasant;" Mike S. said "I like it" and Mike M. said "This pairs well with cheese dogs." Roger decided "I like Tenacity better, This is less pungent, weaker," but Kate thought it was "very nice."

Our final wine was from Anne and Clayton, Chateau Haut-Landon 2022, a Bordeaux Superieur by Michelle Brimaud. "OMG! This is awesome!" I exclaimed after the first taste. Anne noted you could taste the oak and cherry and it had nice, dry tannins. Rick said, "It's like 1997 again -- good wine for not a lot of money." (I can't remember the price on this but I have $7.50 in my notes. I can't believe that would be right, but I think Clayton said it was four bottles for $30.) Best buy of the day.

Throughout the day we were snacking from the array of foods on the table. Sloppy Joe sliders from Barb were the main protein, with a wonderful pasta salad from Meredith. Anne brought her Christmas cheese ball, which went perfectly with Rick's baguettes, and there were plenty of finger foods -- tasty meats from Bob, veggies from Cheryl and Dick, and more. For dessert, we had baklava and Nanaimo bars, straight from Canada!

We hung out for a long while after, talking, which was nice. But it was time to let Kate and Mike chill out! We took our lovely take-away gifts (the beautiful amaryllis plants on Kate's mantel here) and  headed out.

 

Rick, Suzanne and I took a quick jaunt through the park to see their light display.

My photos are grim. There was some discussion as to why the window was down (for a better view, of course, despite the cold) and we kept moving so there were a lot of blurs. But it was a much nicer display than you see here! And, a fun way to celebrate.

Now,, all we have to do is survive the holidays -- and the next four years!

Some of our Corkie Tasters this time!

 

 Kate / Mike and Clayton / Cheryl

 

 Suzanne / Barb, Roger and Meredith

 

Barb, Meredith and Anne / Mike and Rick / Bob and Barb