CorkPopper

The CorkPopper Project

From September 2009 through August 2010, CorkPopper will be taking a virtual wine trip around the world, tasting some of the world’s greatest affordable wines and creating unique and delicious dishes to pair with the best of them.

Each month will be dedicated to a different country, with each week focusing on a particular region in or typical varietal from that country.  Ideally, I will taste and review three wines each week, pick my favorite, and then develop a tantalizing recipe to pair with the winner for that week’s CorkPopper dinner.

To be part of the CorkPopper Project, wines must satisfy three criteria.  They must be (1) available on the Internet (so that anyone can find them); (2) under $25/bottle (and preferably even lower); and (3) either rated highly by the usual critics or recommended highly by a friend/relative/reader.

Recommendations, of course, are always welcome.  Just be sure to send them as far in advance as possible so that I have time to order your recommended wines over the Internets (you know, the series of tubes…)

• Week 1(Aug 31, 2009 - Sep 6, 2009)
  
  

  New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc
  
  (View the List) (View the Results and Recipe)
• Week 2(Sep 7, 2009 - Sep 13, 2009)
  
  

  New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc
  
  (View the List) (View the Reviews and Results)
• Week 3(Sep 14, 2009 - Sep 20, 2009)
  
  

  New Zealand, Pinot Noir
  
  (View the List) (View the Results and Recipe)
• Week 4(Sep 21, 2009 - Sep 27, 2009)
  
  

  New Zealand, Pinot Noir
  
  (View the List) (View the Sherwood Estates, Nautilus, and Momo Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 5(Sep 28, 2009 - Oct 4, 2009)
  
  

  Chile, Sauvignon Blanc
  
  (View the List) (See the Baco, Veramonte and Santa Ema Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 6(Oct 5, 2009 - Oct 11, 2009)
  
  

  Chile, Chardonnay
  
  (View the List) (View the Casa Lapostolle, Amaral and Baco Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 7(Oct 12, 2009 - Oct 18, 2009)
  
  

  Chile, Merlot
  
  (View the List) (View the Marques de Casa Concha, Casa Lapostolle and Santa Ema Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 8(Oct 19, 2009 - Oct 25, 2009)
  
  

  Chile, Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  (View the List) (View the Cousino-Macul, Candelaria, and Montes Alpha Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 9(Oct 26, 2009 - Nov 1, 2009)
  
  

  Italy, Sparkling Wine
  
  (View the List) (View the Nino Franco Rustico Prosecco, Mionetto Sergio Prosecco, and Mionetto Il Moscato Reviews)  (View the Recipe)
• Week 10(Nov 2, 2009 - Nov 8, 2009)
  
  

  Italy, Pinot Grigio
  
  (View the List)  (View the Marco Felluga, Alois Lageder, and Attems Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 11(Nov 9, 2009 - Nov 15, 2009)
  
  

  Italy, Tuscan Reds
  
  (View the List) (View the Viticcio Chianti Classico, Badia di Morrono Taneto, and Tenuta di Biserno Insoglio del Cinghiale Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 12(Nov 16, 2009 - Nov 22, 2009)
  
  

  Italy, Northern Reds (Barbera d'Alba)
  
  (View the List) (View the Guido Porro Vigna Santa Caterina, Vietti Tre Vigne, and Conterno Fantino Vignota Reviews)
• Week 13(Nov 23, 2009 - Nov 29, 2009)
  
  

  Italy, Southern Reds
  
  (View the List) (View the Morgante Nero d'Avola, Spadafora Don Pietro Rosso and Castello Monaci Liante Salice Salentino Reviews)
• Week 14(Nov 30, 2009 - Dec 6, 2009)
  
  

  France, White Burgundy
  
  (View the List) (View the Emilian Gillet Vire Clesse Quintaine Jean Thevenet, Roger Lassarate Macon-Vergisson La Roche and Seguinot Bordet Chablis Fourchaumes Premier Cru Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 15(Dec 7, 2009 - Dec 13, 2009)
  
  

  France, Red Burgundy
  
  (View the List) (View the Domaine Desertaux-Ferrand Bourgogne Rouge, Maison Faiveley Bourgogne Rouge "Cuvée Joseph Faiveley," and Louis Jadot Côte-de-Nuits-Villages "Le Vaucrain" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 16(Dec 14, 2009 - Dec 20, 2009)
  
  

  France, Red Rhone
  
  (View the List) (View the Perrin & Fils Vinsobres Les Cornuds, Chateau Pesquie Cuvee des Terrasses Cotes du Ventoux Rouge, and Domaine Beaurenard Chateauneuf-du-Pape reviews)  (View the Recipe)
• Week 17(Dec 21, 2009 - Dec 27, 2009)
  
  

  France, Red Bordeaux
  
  (View the List) (View the Chateau Charmail Haut-Medoc, Chateau de Rochemorin Rouge Pessac Leognan, and Chateau Laubarit "Vieilles Vignes" Rouge Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 18(Dec 28, 2009 - Jan 3, 2010)
  
  

  France, Sparkling Wine
  
  (View the List)  (View the Reviews and Recipe)
• Week 19(Jan 4, 2010 - Jan 10, 2010)
  
  

  Argentina, White Wine
  
  (View the List) (View the Bodega Weinert Carrascal Blanco Lujan de Cuyo, Dona Paula Sauvignon Blanc Tupungato and Pulenta Alto Agrelo Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 20(Jan 11, 2010 - Jan 17, 2010)
  
  

  Argentina, Torrontes
  
  (View the List) (View the Dominio del Plata "Crios de Susana," Tomero, and Elsa Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 21(Jan 18, 2010 - Jan 24, 2010)
  
  

  Argentina, Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  (View the List) (View the Andeluna "Winemaker's Selection", Finca Domingo, and Dominio del Plata "Crios de Susana Balbo" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 22(Jan 25, 2010 - Jan 31, 2010)
  
  

  Argentina, Malbec
  
  (View the List) (View the Monteviejo Festivo, Belasco de Baquedano "Llama" and Punto Final reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 23(Feb 1, 2010 - Feb 7, 2010)
  
  

  Spain, White Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Bodegas Martin Codax Albarino, Rafael Palacios Louro do Bolo Godello, and Morgadio Legado del Conde Albarino Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 24(Feb 8, 2010 - Feb 14, 2010)
  
  

  Spain, Cava
  
  (View the List) (View the Segura Viudas Brut, Gran Sarao Brut, and Castillo de Perelada Brut Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 25(Feb 15, 2010 - Feb 21, 2010)
  
  

  Spain, Red Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Bodegas Almansenas La Huella de Adaras, Celler de Capcanes Mas Donis Barrica and Domini de la Cartioxa "Galena" Priorat Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 26(Feb 22, 2010 - Feb 28, 2010)
  
  

  Spain, Rioja
  
  (View the List) (View the Bodegas Bilbainas Vino Zaco, Campo Viejo Gran Reserva and Conde de Valdemar Reserva Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 27(Mar 1, 2010 - Mar 7, 2010)
  
  

  Canada, Pinot Gris
  
  (CANCELLED)
• Week 28(Mar 8, 2010 - Mar 14, 2010)
  
  

  Canada, White Blends
  
  (CANCELLED)
• Week 29(Mar 15, 2010 - Mar 21, 2010)
  
  

  Canada, Pinot Noir
  
  (CANCELLED)
• Week 30(Mar 22, 2010 - Mar 28, 2010)
  
  

  Canada, Red Blends
  
  (CANCELLED)
• Week 31(Mar 29, 2010 - Apr 4, 2010)
  
  

  Portugal, Vinho Verde
  
  (View the List) (View the Encostas do Lima, Broadbent and Adega Cooperativo Regional de Moncao “Trajarinho” Reviews)
• Week 32(Apr 5, 2010 - Apr 11, 2010)
  
  

  Portugal, Other Whites
  
  (View the List) (View the Quinta das Maias Branco, Quinta do Feital Auratas and Quinta de Romeira Arinto Bucelas Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 33(Apr 12, 2010 - Apr 18, 2010)
  
  

  Portugal, Duoro Reds
  
  (View the List) (View the Vale do Bomfim, Niepoort "Twisted", Quinta do Crasto, and Casa Ferreireinha "Estevo" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 34(Apr 19, 2010 - Apr 25, 2010)
  
  

  Portugal, Other Reds
  
  (View the List) (View the Quinta de Bons Ventos Estremadura, Quinta de Cabriz Dao, and Duque de Viseu Dao Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 35(Apr 26, 2010 - May 2, 2010)
  
  

  Australia, Semillon-Sauvignon Blanc Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Plantagenet Hazard Hill, Cape Mentelle, and Leeuwin Estate Siblings Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 36(May 3, 2010 - May 9, 2010)
  
  

  Australia, Chardonnay
  
  (View the List) (View the Innocent Bystander, Plantagenet Omrah, and Yalumba Eden Valley Wild Ferment Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 37(May 10, 2010 - May 16, 2010)
  
  

  Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  (View the List) (View the Kangarilla Road, Peter Lehmann, and Colonial Estate "Etranger" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 38(May 17, 2010 - May 23, 2010)
  
  

  Australia, Red Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Mak Coonawarra, Shoofly "Aussie Salute," and Henry's Drive "Pillar Box Red" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 39(May 24, 2010 - May 30, 2010)
  
  

  Australia, Shiraz
  
  (View the List) (View the Shoofly Shiraz, Gemtree "Uncut" and Charles Cimicky "Trumps" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 40(May 31, 2010 - Jun 6, 2010)
  
  

  Germany, Riesling
  
  (View the List) (View the Josef Leitz Rudesheimer "Eins Zwei Dry," Spreitzer, and Donnhoff Reviews)
• Week 41(Jun 7, 2010 - Jun 13, 2010)
  
  

  Germany, Silvaner
  
  (View the List)  (View the Dr. Heyden, Ludwig Knoll "K," and Gysler Reviews)
• Week 42(Jun 14, 2010 - Jun 20, 2010)
  
  

  Germany, Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir)
  
  (View the List) (View the P.J. Vecklenberg Undone, Friedrich Becker Estate, and Dr. Zenzen Elite Reviews)
  
• Week 43(Jun 21, 2010 - Jun 27, 2010)
  
  

  South Africa, Sauvignon Blanc
  
  (View the List) (View the Reviews and the Recipe)
  
  
  
• Week 44(Jun 28, 2010 - Jul 4, 2010)
  
  

  South Africa, Red Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Warwick Three Cape Ladies, Spice Route Chakalaka, and Kanonkop Kadette Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 45(Jul 5, 2010 - Jul 11, 2010)
  
  

  South Africa, Pinotage
  
  (View the List) (View the Diemersfontein, Spice Route and Southern Right Reviews)
• Week 46(Jul 12, 2010 - Jul 18, 2010)
  
  

  United States, Oregon Pinot Gris
  
  (View the List) (View the Adelsheim, Benton Lane and King Estate Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 47(Jul 19, 2010 - Jul 25, 2010)
  
  

  United States, California Chardonnay
  
  (View the List) (View the Foxglove, Close Pegase, and Sebastiani Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 48(Jul 26, 2010 - Aug 1, 2010)
  
  

  United States, Oregon Pinot Noir
  
  (View the List) (View the A to Z, Erath, and Roco Reviews)
  
• Week 49(Aug 2, 2010 - Aug 8, 2010)
  
  

  United States, California Pinot Noir
  
  (View the List) (View the Sean Minor "Four Bears," Chad and Babcock "Rita's Earth" Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 50(Aug 9, 2010 - Aug 15, 2010)
  
  

  United States, Washington Red Blends
  
  (View the List) (View the Syncline Subduction, Robert Karl Claret, and Bergevin Lane Calico Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 51(Aug 16, 2010 - Aug 22, 2010)
  
  

  United States, California Zinfandel
  
  (View the List) (View the Bradford Mountain, Artezin, and Newsome-Harlow Reviews) (View the Recipe)
• Week 52(Aug 23, 2010 - Aug 29, 2010)
  
  

  United States, California Cabernet Sauvignon
  
  (View the List) (View the Chateau Souverain, Benziger, and Louis Martini Reviews) (View the Recipe)