Cork Wines & Spirits

We have the finest wine selection and will ensure you have the best customer experience in the area.

Cork Wines & Spirits opened in Hoboken July 2014 and in Harrison December 2014.  Both cities were in need of a fine wine shop to meet the palates of an amazing and knowledgeable crowd of wine enthusiasts. Not only do they love a delicious wine, but are willing to explore the vast ways that people extract this liquid from grapes. We have taken it upon ourselves to find winemakers who are interested in bringing their creations to New Jersey.  The Wine Guys taste every wine that is in our stores, handpicking each item, making sure that our customers receive only the best. In addition, we encourage our customers to participate in our tasting panels adding their selections to our offering!

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A Great Cava Pairing for A Great Holiday

Rosh Hashanah Holiday

Wine and food are important traditions in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year where, Jewish families along with their friends take time for reflection, pray and changes for the New Year.

The Wine

Taanug Brut Cava (Kosher) 

From Catalunya Spain Teaanug Brut Cava is made from Macabeo, Xarel·lo and Parellada grapes that are fermented separately then blended for secondary bottle fermentation for more than 12 months. The whole winemaking process, from vineyard to bottling is overseen by a Rabbi, assuring the highest standards and creating a wine that is light dry and refreshing. Light golden in color this wine has fine small bubbles that bring a bouquet of golden apple and a touch of melon aromas to the nose. The effervescence of this wine keeps the pallet light. Fresh flavors of apple and light stone fruit with a touch of minerality leads you to a crisp clean finish, which lingers just enough before you take another sip, and ring in the New Year. 

The Pairing

This dish has three ingredients that celebrate traditional cuisine for a Rosh Hashanah, apples, honey, and pomegranates.  It is a great first course perfect to pair with some bubbly to celebrate the New Year.

Butter Lettuce with Apples, Walnuts and Pomegranate seed

What you will need for the Vinaigrette:

2 tablespoons cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon finely chopped shallot, 1 1/2 teaspoons Dijon mustard, 1/3 cup olive oil, Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.

What you will need for the salad:

2 heads of butter lettuce leaves, gently torn, 1 1/2 cups store-bought glazed walnuts, 1 Honeycrisp or Fuji apple, quartered, cored, thinly sliced, kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, 1 cup pomegranate seeds,1/4 cup tarragon leaves,1/2 cup crumbled Stilton or Maytag blue cheese (about 2 ounces)

How to make it:

Whisk first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl. Gradually whisking in oil, season vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper and set aside. Place lettuce in a large bowl. Add vinaigrette, walnuts, and apple; toss to coat, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with pomegranate seeds, tarragon, and cheese. If you feel like making this a main course add some roasted chicken and a little more vinaigrette (recipe adapted from epicurious)

Shanah Tovah,

The Wine Guys

Bring Your Own Beverage (Wine)

The dog days of summer are here, you know those days, the heat lingers, and it’s just too hot to cook! But you want something that tastes like it was cooked at home. Fortunately, Hoboken has lots of options’ and B.Y.O.B.’s keep the expense down and allow you to have a glass of wine or a beer with your dinner, without turning up the heat.

Stop by Cork, on your way to your favorite B.Y.O.B. or call the Wine Guys at Cork (201-942-9964) for help with a recommendation, and free quick delivery. 

The Restaurant

Last Friday I was walking up Washington Street and I saw a banner outside of Schnackenberg's.” Open for Dinner Fridays and Saturdays”. Having had really good breakfast and lunches at Schnackie's I was looking forward to trying what local restaurateurs Joyce and Eugene Flinn, were cooking up. After a quick glance at the menu I knew what I was going to having, something too hot and messy to make at home, Fried Chicken. Consistent with every meal, donut, or scoop of gelato I have had at The Schnack, it was really good. The chicken had a thin crisp crust that stuck to the meat and was flavorful without being salty. The meat was juicy and I could taste the natural flavor of the chicken along with the subtle seasonings.  I had a side of creamy potato salad, along with broccoli slaw accented with bacon and golden raisins, and of course a butter milk biscuit. With food this good at a great value and a great selection of wine from Cork, even fried chicken is possible, when it’s too hot to cook.

The Wine

Domain Clavery Blanc 2014

This beautiful pale yellow wine with reflections of green is made from a 60/40 blend of vermentino and viognier. The aromatic, bouquet of nectarine, pear, lemon and acacia makes you think about the warm dry climate of Languedoc-Roussillon in south of France, where this wine is made. Sipping the wine reveals a crisp palate medium/ light in body with flavors of white peach, apricot, grapefruit and lime with elegant light minerality. The aromatic lingering finish has a touch of pleasing salinity that is a testament to the terroir where this wine is from. At $15.99 this versatile summery wine is a bargain to enjoy by its self or with your next meal. I had this wine with Schnackenberg's fried chicken last Friday night: it was really good, lifting the pleasant savory flavors off the pallet making me want to take another mouthwatering bite.

Cheers!

The Wine Guys

The good stuff you don't know about

The inspiration for this week's pairing came to me from a country ice cream shop that had a board titled  "The good stuff you don't know about."  A few of the selections included lemon basil, espresso black bean, and lavender mint.  I tried banana curry and Wow was that good. So this week we are sharing with you "the good stuff you don't know about". 

THE WINE

Sighardt Donabaum Red Lips Rose’ 2013 - This wine is like opera-it combines the best of the arts to create the ultimate show.  This performance begins with a striking display of coppery pink color that leads you to a bouquet of subtle geranium blossom and red berries. The surprise of fizzy bubbles elevate the fruity, yet dry flavors cherry and red raspberry with a touch of pleasant tart ruby red grapefruit, in a finish that is tied together with clean balanced acid and minerality, leaving the audience to show their appreciation through taking another sip Bravo, Brava. Made from Zweigelt, St.Laurent, Pinot Noir, grown in Wachau, Austria only 203 case of this special wine made

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The Pairing

Here is a are great accompaniment to have with the Red Lips Rose’ on a warm summer evening as an appetizer

Nectarines, Blue Cheese & Lavender Honey Tartine

 What you will need:

 2 large slices of bread

2 small nectarines

1/8 lb Blue cheese (available at Cork)

2 tsp lavender honey

How to prepare it: .

Spread blue cheese evenly across bread slices, saving some to crumble..Place nectarines slices on the bread and crumble the remaining blue cheese over top. Drizzle the tartine with lavender honey and cut into triangles.

Cheers!

The Wine Guys

Red, White, and You

From east to west, sea to shining sea, American’s will celebrate Independence Day this weekend by gathering with friends and family to watch parades, barbeque and enjoy fireworks.  While you celebrate, take a moment to lift a glass and toast the visionary’s of this great country, and the men and women who have the courage to protect our freedom.

The White

The North Fork Project Chardonnay, from the north fork of long island is great for any celebration and it’s a steal at $15.99 for a liter bottle. The aromas of this light golden wine are notes of, apple pineapple, and a touch of melon. Medium in body, this well balanced wine has crisp acidity and flavors of clean apple and citrus with a hint of minerality that lead you to a short clean finish that makes you want to take another sip. This wine is one of Corks top recommendations for everyday drinking and entertaining.

East Coast Pairing

 Maine Lobster roll

What you will need: 2 Lobsters, cooked and picked, 1 ¼ lb, 3-4 Tbsp. Mayonnaise, ¾ tsp. Chives, fresh, finely sliced,½ tsp. fresh lemon juice, salt and ground black pepper to taste, 2 Frankfurter rolls, lightly toasted,1 Tbsp. Basil, fresh, chiffonade,¼ cup Romaine, Finely chopped (stems removed). 

How to make it, cut the lobster into medium size dice, and mix with the first four ingredients in a bowl, brush both outside surfaces of you roll with melted butter and toast in a hot skillet until just golden brown. Mix the basil and romaine, and divide onto the bottom of each toasted roll, divide the lobster mix between the two rolls, garnish with the pickle and chips. Pour yourself a glass of The north fork project chardonnay. 

The Red

Spann Mayacamas Range Cabernet Sauvignon, 2011 only 12 barrels of this wine were made, yielding 295 cases of what I think represents the best value for any California Bordeaux style blend under $50 This wine is made from mostly estate fruit comprised of, 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 11% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot and 4% Cabernet Franc grown at 1700’ in the Mayacamas Mountains, and aged for 26 months in French oak. Dark crimson in color this rich, medium bodied wine offers a bouquet of dark black cherry and cassis with subtle oak notes wound together by coffee bean. Masculine without any hard edges this wine has flavors of cherry black current and soft spice box with a hint of vanilla that lead you to a long savory finish. $39.99  

 West Coast Pairing

Pink’s, Chili Cheese Dog, I asked our customers over the last few weeks, “What do you think is more popular and “American”-hot dogs or hamburgers?” …and hot dogs came in first. Whenever I am in L.A. I take the time to go to Pinks. Pink's is the ultimate Mom and Pop hot dog stand. It's a Hollywood love story, between Paul & Betty Pink selling hot dogs from a cart at La Brea & Melrose since 1939. Here is a Recipe that is similar to the original Pinks Chili Cheese Dog.

What you will need: 2,  9-inch all-beef hotdog, hot dog bun, 3 tablespoons mustard, 2 tablespoon onions, diced, 1/2 cup chili, 3 tablespoons cheddar cheese, shredded.

How to make it: add hot dogs to a large skillet and add 1 inch of water to the bottom. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Cook over high heat, until the hot dogs are hot. (Add more water if you run out of steam before the hot dogs are fully heated.) Fill a large pot with a few cups of water and bring to a boil. Carefully set a cooling rack over the top of a pot, lay hot dog buns on top, and steam until they are warmed through. Place hot dog in the bun, and top with mustard, onions, chili, and cheddar cheese.

Happy Independence Day!

The Wine Guys