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Welcome to “What we're drinking”
All members of the Corks Out team are a little crazy about wine! Therefore, it seemed a good idea to share with you our own personal favourites.
Each month we will all update this section with one of our much-loved wines. It might be something that we found particularly good as a food accompaniment, an easy drinking everyday value for money wine or an exciting wine that gave us that “Wow” feeling.
If you have any comments on these wines or would like to tell us about your own favourites we would love to hear from you. Maybe we could create a “What you’re drinking” section! Scroll down to read our individual comments....
Ruth Yates
Well, what can I say…. except, if I had a £1 for every time someone asked me what my favourite wine is then I would be a very wealthy woman. All I can say is that I have been incredibly lucky to have tasted thousands of wines during my 19 years in the wine trade and hopefully over the next few months I can share some of those delights with you. I will, however, say that I love fizz, I love white Burgundy and I love Sauvignon Blanc.
Ruth's wine of the month - Pitchfork Chardonnay
- Click here to buy Ruth’s choice
"A fantastic Margaret River Un-oaked Chardonnay new to the Corks Out range this summer. On first tasting this in May at the London Wine Fair I was taken by the level of quality for its price, especially from this area, which is famed for quality Chardonnay. It has bright, clean fruit flavours with lovely tropical hints of pineapple and mango, supported by citrus and melon that finishes clean and fresh, not heavy or overblown like some. I recently tasted it again at our Summer Tasting and imagined tuna salad, humus and roasted vegetable wrap or just a deckchair!!"
Click here to read Ruth's Blog
Richard Yates
Most of you will know Richard as the Concha y Toro man and after 16 years with them the passion of Corks Out finally got to him so much that he felt this was what was truly in his heart. So, you can be sure that a few of his favourites will be coming from South America as that’s where his expertise lies, however, I do know that he enjoys quality European reds too.
Richard's Wine of the month - Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile, £9.95 - Click here to buy Richard's choice
"Quite recently I had the good fortune to find a bottle of Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas dating back to 1992! It had been hiding in a box of wine of no real value or prestige in the cellar of our Stockton Heath shop and I opened it simply out of curiosity expecting a dried out, fruitless and faded drop. Only one of these was really true; the colour had certainly faded to a pale old red but there were still recognisable fruit flavours and a little tannin and acidity remained. True, it had faded all around but it had done so quite gracefully like an old leather sofa! And my point is? Well, the Cousino family has not changed their winemaking philosophy much in the last 150 years and still honour the Bordeaux style which shows through in the most recent vintage of the Antiguas Reservas Cabernet Sauvignon (2007). This is miles away from the usual up front Chilean style and will appeal to the modernist and the traditionalist. It will keep well too, if my old bottle was anything to go by, and at under a tenner it is a fantastic buy.”
Mervyn Howard | Chester
Mervyn has knowledge of wine that amazes all of us. Although he is very modest about this I don’t think there is a wine, region or country that he couldn’t talk to you about. Not only does he have his Diploma in wine but Mervyn tutored the subject for many years, leaving us all overwhelmed with his knowledge.
Mervyn's Wine of the month - Firesteed Pinot Noir, USA, £15.94 - Click here to buy Mervyn's choice
"My recommendation this month is Firesteed Pinot Noir 2006. Oregan had such a tremendous vintage in 2006 resulting in near perfect conditions all through the growing season. The grapes were fermented in stainless steel with a touch of barrel-aged wine inlcuded in the blend to round out the flavours and enhance the complexity.
The wine is richly aromatic with black cherry and raspberry flavours that continue through to the finish.
A wonderful glass of wine for lovers of Pinot Noir."
Tom Scargill | Chester
Tom has spent some time in the wine trade over the last few years and his wine knowledge and enthusiasm show in the store and at tastings. In his spare time he performs in a band, so you never know where you might see him in the future.
Tom's Wine of the month - Blackwood’s Vintage Dry Gin £20.95 - Click Here to buy Tom's choice.
"Blackwood’s Vintage Dry Gin uses hand-harvested locally grown Wild Water Mint, Meadowsweet and Sea Pink flowers along with more traditional botanicals. These evocatively named ingredients create a truly individual gin which is fresh and smooth with delicate notes of citrus and herb. So find yourself a wedge of lime, some tonic, oodles of ice and some lawn, and pour yourself a measure Bertie Wooster would be proud of!''
James Nixon | Stockton Heath
James joined Corks Out in April 2008 and says he is loving every minute of it. He was a Chef before joining us and is passionate about food and wine, therefore, whether it's a special dinner party or spag bol for two he will help you choose the right wine as well as giving you some tips in the kitchen.
James's Wine of the month - Meinklang Gruener Veltliner, Austria, £10.73 - Click here to buy James' choice
"I'm drinking the Gruener Veltliner from the organic producer Meinklang. To find out what it goes well with please read my blog The Jewel of the Caribbean." Click here to read James' blog.
Hayley Staunton - Stockton Heath
Hayley passed her WSET wine exam in 2008 and although only 21 she is enthusiastic and eager to find out more about the subject. Her time is now split between the store and the website as this fast becomes a an important part of our business.
Hayley's Wine of the month - Pol Roger Rich Demi Sec £29.99 - Click here to buy Hayley's choice
"The last few months have been a great time to buy Champagne at 'Corks Out' due to us slashing our prices. Some may think we're mad and when I tasted this Champagne I thought so too. The Pol Roger Rich is elegant and melts in your mouth, perfect for any time of year.
This demi- sec is designed to match with food or to be enjoyed on its own and the fact that it has a slight tinge of sweetness takes away the bitter taste you can some times come across with many champagnes. Hard to be beaten on quality!"
Graham Simpson | Heswall
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Graham joined the team in May 2009 as the manager for our Heswall store. If you live in Heswall you will probably all remember him as the manager of the Nicolas (Odd Bins store) in Heswall. He has spent many years in the wine trade, has fantastic knowledge and a great palate for wine tasting. I can only warn you that his knowledge and enthusiasm is very infectious, therefore, if you want to know more about wine and you live in Heswall then Gray is your man.
Gray's Wine of the Month - Robinson's Old Tom and Old Tom with Ginger, £2.45 - Click Here to Buy Gray's Choices
"Made by Robinson’s brewery in Stockport, the Old Tom Original has been voted “World’s Best Ale”. It’s 8.5% worth of warming, port-like bliss. Serve it slightly chilled to enhance the dark fruit and hoppy aromas, but not too chilled as it will taste too bitter. It’s been going since 1899, so after over 110 years of experience, they’ve got it bang-on.
The Old Tom with Ginger is quite simply, the most refreshing beer I’ve ever had. I used to love coming off the golf course in the summer and have either a pint of cider or a bitter shandy as they’re great thirst quenchers. This is the best thirst quencher around as they’ve taken some Old Tom Original and blended it with some Fentiman’s Ginger Beer (bringing the alcohol from 8.5% to 6%). It’s not too fiery-gingery, but like a shandy made with the best beer and the best lemonade in the world. We sell this by the shed-load and if you give it a go yourself, you will see why."
Katie Butler | Alderley Edge
Katie Butler joined the team to manage our Alderley Edge store, Katie was with Odd Bins for many years and managed the Knutsford shop until it closed in 2009. Another knowledgeable team member who just loves wine and has a bubbly personality to go with it, It's impossible to be with Katie for more than a few minutes without feeling totally at ease with life! If any of you are living on the Edge be sure to pop in the store for advice and great wine!!
Katie's wine of the month - Chablis 1er Cru Les Vaillons Domaine Billaud Simon, France, £24.95 - Click Here to Buy Katie's choice.
"Every now and again, a wine will stun me into silence (Difficult, its true!). Now this isn’t cheap, but I was going to New Zealand to visit my sister, and had promised to take something suitably European to re-invigorate her taste buds. This is a gorgeous wine, with a streak of pure minerality, and touches of creaminess on the back palate. We barely said a word, a look of pure pleasure was enough! Accompanied with a firm white piece of fish and delicate creamy sauce, this is a must if you’re looking for a special treat."
Jo Bradshaw | Stockton Heath
Due to our expansion, Jo has come on board to help the business out in the admin department, now with 5 shops, an extended warehouse, 20 team members and 102 wine and spirit suppliers the admin side begins to take up more and more of your time. This will allow me to get back into the stores again and spend more time concentrating on purchasing more exclusivities and exciting products. Jo lives locally to Stockton Heath and after speaking to her as a customer in the past i can assure you she appreciates a quality glass of wine.
Jo's wine of the month - Mud House Unoaked Chardonnay, New Zealand, £11.19
- Click Here to buy Jo's choice
"I bought this wine to accompany a Friday night in with a Creamy Fish Pie. It was a perfect match and at the reasonable price of £11.19 it is great for a quiet night with the other half."
Jeremy Cowen - Chester
Jeremy is Manager at our Chester store. Jeremy, or Jem as we call him has worked closely with wine for the past 11 years and was the youngest ever manager in Oddbins history, which was where his career in wine started. Since then he has travelled the wineries around the world and been Head Sommelier at some of the well known restaurants around the UK. His passion for wine and spirits and the retail sector is fairly obvious when you meet him.
Jeremy's Wine of the month - Lagar de Bouza Albarino £10.95 - Click here to buy Jeremy's choice.
"The Lagar de Bouza is a fuller, rounder style of Albarino but still retains the essential character of the grape – an elegant minerality with citrus fruit and hints of salty maritime air. A sublime accompaniment to seafood and fish dishes."
Louis Boutinot - Timperley
Despite Louis being one of the youngest members of the team, he has been working in the wine trade for the past 8 years, most recently working for a wine producer near Jerez in Spain. Indeed, some even say that as an infant, he was weaned on to Claret and Chablis out of a baby’s bottle! From picking grapes and cleaning barrels, to blending and ultimately selling wines, Louis has taken a holistic approach to his wine education and is relishing the opportunity to continue his adventure with us and share his passion with you.
Louis's Wine of the Month - Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner, Austria, £8.95- Click here to purchase Louis's wine.
"Inspired by our Timperley store’s German and Austrian tasting, I have recently been quenching my summer thirst with some of these countries’ wonderfully refreshing, food-friendly Rieslings and Gruner Veltliners.
Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner is a great entry point for those who have never tasted Austria’s flagship variety before. Fresh, clean and subtle fruit aromas, interspersed with just a hint of that classic, Gruner Veltliner white pepper. In the mouth it is dry and not as unctuous as many of the pricier examples of this grape variety. However it does still possess some richness, whilst maintaining great balance, via a mineral core and a refreshing streak of acidity. Serve with lobster or fish in spicy sauces. "
Samuel Gardener – Stockton Heath
Sam started his career in wine 
over a decade ago and joined us as manager at Stockton Heath May 2010. Originally from Kent, Sam’s knowledge increased as he experienced the wine trade all over the UK. He is a big fan of Bordeaux when it comes to reds, but for whites he is a man after my own heart and loves a classy Burgundy. As a professional imbiber he also enjoys a wee dram, Glenfarclas or Ardbeg being favourites. His hobbies include a love of music and he is a keen guitar player. Pop in and meet Sam as I know he is looking forward to meeting some more of our regular customers.
Sam's Wine of the Month - Chablis Premier Cru Fourchaume Domaine Bessin £19.95 - Click here to buy Sam's choice
"One of my favourite regions for white wine is Burgundy. Chardonnay is the grape here, and I would urge anyone who has been put off ‘the happiest of all grapes’ by cheaper new world versions to give it another try from an area where it is most at home.
There’s nothing quite like a crisp, thirst-quenching Chablis, and the Fourchaume Domaine Bessin delivers all the succulence and minerality you could wish for.
Use of older barrels and lees contact gives this wine a good weight on the palate without overlying the delicious green fruit flavours and classic steely tones.
Well balanced with a fresh, zingy acidity off-setting the fruit nicely. Great with shell fish.
I’m sure you’ll be pleasantly surprised."
Mike Stewart - Heswall
Mike is new to the wine trade, having spent the last twenty years teaching technology locally, nationally and in New Zealand where he acquired a taste for good wine and in the process his knowledge came on leaps and bounds!!! He has fond memories of drinking Bordeaux blends on Waiheke Island and Sauvignon Blanc on the Marborough Plains. We are delighted to have him on board and likewise he is delighted to pursue a new career in wine with us, having seen the amazing range of wines we do and the service we give to our customers.
Mike's Wine of the Month - Chablis Sylvain Mosnier 1er Cru Beauroy 2008 £20.95- Click here to buy Mike's choice
"Having tasted a number of New World Chardonnays recently, it was interesting to return to France at our Summer Tasting with this lovely offering from Sylvan Mosnier, who makes traditionally styled and intensely flavoured Chablis, in this case with just a touch of oak. Aromas of green apples are supported by tones of chalk and earth. This is fresh and easy on the palate, with plenty of green and citrus fruit, leading to a long, zesty finish. Pair with fish and seafood for a real treat!"
Kieran Mills - Alderley Edge
Kieran is part of our Alderley Edge team. He has a wealth of knowledge built up over a decade with Oddbins as manager at Didsbury and Liverpool branches. With a continuing vinous enthusiasm, he is relishing the opportunity to share his voyage of discovery with all of you and is excited about the new changes at the store with regard to 'Taste' our new adventure into wine!
Kieran's Wine of the Month -Billecart-Salmon N/V Champagne £34.94 - Click here to buy Kieran's choice
" When I had the opportunity of re-acquainting myself with a selection of the Billecart Salmon Champagne range at a recent tasting, frankly I salivated.
Billecart has always been a firm favourite. A small family owned House, renown for its uncompromising pursuit of quality, the style is characterised by elegance and finesse (words frequently misused but not in this instance).
The range was fantastic, as ever, but the winner on this occasion for me was the Blancs de Blancs. Made entirely from Chardonnay grapes sourced from the best Grand Cru sites in the Cotes des Blancs. Flavours of brioche, citrus, heather and honey with deft minerality and exquisitely balanced acidity; the price tag reflects the complexity of this stupendous wine. An indulgent treat or a gem to cellar."
Sandra Coward - Chester
Heather Powel - Alderley Edge
Heather recently joined the Alderley team and is bursting with energy and a desire to increase her wine knowledge after just sitting her WSET Advanced Certificate. She is bubbly and will have you laughing soon after meeting her! You may also see her around some of the other stores and If you ask her what her favourite wines are, she would probably say all of them. She loves art, photography and outdoor sports.
Adrian Mc Donald - Stockton Heath
Adrian who likes to be called Bob (don't ask me why) joined the Corks Out team at Stockton Heath in 
July 2010, having previously worked in various sectors of the on and off wine trade for 6 years. He is very enthusiastic about spirits, mainly focusing on whiskies and cocktails due to his experience in hotels. That said, he is also partial to the wines of Southern France and Italian reds, so if you’re looking for a good Barolo you know were to come, and Adrian will be happy to help.