The Cork Club October 2024 Selections
Don't forget that classics are classics for a reason
I’ve partnered The Cellar d’Or, a great wine and cider shop in Ithaca, NY, to create a one-of-a-kind wine club that delivers some of the most delicious and unique wines from the Eastern United States right to your door. These aren’t bin ends or mass-produced, factory wine garbage. These are real wines made by real people. They are the wines I’m drinking myself — from producers you’re probably not going to find in any other wine club.
I’ve always been the guy who orders the “weird” thing on any menu. Whether a unique protein or some sort of rare preparation — if it’s something most of my family or friends won’t order, I will.
I have very distinct memories of being a kid — starting as young as 5 or 6 — and going to a frozen custard stand near my grandparents’ house in western Pennsylvania. The flavor choices back then were typically limited. Vanilla and chocolate were the staples, but there was always one “other” flavor. I always ordered that “other” flavor. It didn’t matter if it was banana or black cherry or peach or whatever. I liked the different things.
This wine club often brings those “others” direct to the door of its members. I love finding off-beat stuff that you’ve never had or maybe would never have otherwise.
Sometimes, though, expertly made vanilla or chocolate ice cream is just as delicious and satisfying. That’s where my head was when I picked the October 2024 Cork Club wines — well-made classics.
These classics also happen to be extremely food-friendly and ready for your Thanksgiving table next month.
We have two pinot noirs — a classic Thanksgiving pairing — from two of the small handful of producers who do it well year in and year out: Forge Cellars and Heart & Hands Wine Company. Pinot noir is difficult anywhere. In the east, it can be even more so. Even in so-called down years, if Forge or H&H releases a pinot, it’s going to be good.
And then we have two sparkling wines from historically important wineries best known for their rieslings — Dr. Konstantin Frank Winery and Hermann Wiemer Vineyards. Despite their consistent excellence in the region, Champagne-style sparkling wines remain severely underrated in the Finger Lakes. There are two stellar examples of why.
I usually say that I hope you’re going to enjoy these wines. This time out, I’d be shocked if you don’t.
Enjoy them with friends and family — on Thanksgiving or whenever — and I’ll find four more great wines for you in December!
We have a few extra sets of these wines, so if you’re interested, SIGN UP TODAY!
