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| Schott Zwiesel Tritan Glasses available at Cork, made with titanium and nearly unbreakable |
In Beacon Hill and Cross Iron Mills
(They also manage and purchase for The Wine Shop in Mount Royal)
Walking into Cork was an exceptional experience. Their Beacon Hill Location is just up the hill from my house and after a month of thinking it was a U-Brew, I discovered quite by accident that was I completely mistaken. What greeted me when I opened the door and stepped in was the most outstanding wine shop I have ever entered. Inside, the selection of unique wine is unparalleled. I have truly never seen anything like Cork, despite my frequent forays into wine shops all over Western Canada. Their website says they were looking to create something unique and special. They have certainly achieved this.
Upon arrival, the staff immediately greeted me. They were friendly, knowledgeable, and made me feel very comfortable. I tend to feel lost in wine stores, as I never know what to buy. I don’t drink very often~I have a surprisingly low tolerance for alcohol and an evening imbibing with friends leaves me dancing on table tops, so to speak. It’s pretty embarrassing to be hammered after one glass, so I try to avoid the situation entirely. I also have very discriminating taste buds, and this makes selecting my next bottle a challenge. Thankfully, I know exactly what I like~which is where Cork’s expert staff comes in. I tell them what I am after and they pair me with a wine I that I take home and love. At Cork, you won't find any $8/hour staff that doesn't know a Chardonnay from a Shiraz. Having a sound knowledge and love for wine is a prerequisite for staff.
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| A view of Cork through the wine cellar window |
Cork is blessed with an outstanding wine cellar in the back of the store. With temperature and humidity perfectly controlled, it allows them to keep rare little gems on hand for special occasions and collectors seeking that perfect bottle. Personally, I think this cellar is one of the (many) things that sets Cork apart as an outstanding wine shop. Browsing through the bottles hidden within these walls will not disappoint even the most discerning wine connoisseur. In addition to all this knowledge, great staff and service, Cork carries an unusual variety of wine. You won't find many of the major producers out there~you are more likely to buy wine bottled by the guy next door to the major producer. It creates and eclectic and fun feel as you peruse the names on the bottles. They also carry interesting things like Cognacs sweetened with juice, wines with chocolate, and fruit wines made with delicious ingredients like raspberries and blackberries. Yum!
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| Cork's wine tasting room with cellar in the background |
When I got over my sense of awe over the wine cellar, my interest was immediately piqued by the long table in the next room. Artfully laden with dishes and several glasses per place setting, it was beautiful and intriguing. I had to inquire of its purpose. Matt, one of the proprietors, told me it was for the wine tastings they hold several times a week. They schedule two public tastings a month, for which you can buy tickets. You can also book private parties for up to 14 guests, and they hold three of these per week. They are very popular, as Cork's private parties are booked for a month.
They also offer specialty events: in June sometime (date TBA) they are hosting a special tasting. For $200 per ticket, you can come in and sample any wine in the shop~including bottles that are over $1000. There are only 50 tickets available and they are well on their way to selling out, with the date yet to be announced. This is an event I would love to attend...$200 to try any wines in the store? Sounds good to me! I sure hope that table is strong...
What I think really sets Cork apart from other wine stores is the passion behind the owners. In writing this blog, I met with both of the proprietors~Matt Kemp and Chris Sikorsky. They told me about their passion for wine that brought Cork to life. As a wine collector, Chris had trouble finding the wines he wanted for his personal stock. Eventually, this quest grew into a business of his own, where he helps other collectors find exceptional wines they may have never thought to try. Matt was in the restaurant business for years and working as a wine distributor. It was a perfect match. These guys really love their wine, but it's also all about the customer experience.
Fine bottles of wine at Cork start around $15 and climb into the thousands. They have a special beer room where they carry many imports from around the world, so there's something for everyone even if wine isn't your beverage of choice. Next time you're looking for a great bottle, I highly recommend Cork. It's an unparalleled experience.
