RiverAerie SAUVIGNON BLANC- $10.99 +++++++ Winemaker’s Notes: Light, straw color; herb and melon aromas, crisp and refreshing on the palate with Crenshaw melon and a hint of guava.

CHARDONNAY - $10.99 +++++++ Winemaker’s notes: Full and bright entry, with pear, honeydew and apricot flavors; hints of more tropical fruits like pineapple and banana; faint toast in the background complements the fruit notes rather than masking them.

CABERNET - $21.99 +++++++ Winemaker’s notes: Spicy entry, with soft tannins and plenty of fresh red fruit such as strawberry and blueberry; hints of carob and cola in the mid-palate; cardamom and coffee linger on the finish.

RiverAerie MALBEC - $22.99 +++++ Winemaker’s Notes: Deep garnet in color; spicy aromas of black pepper and cardamom; bright red plums and black cherries on the palate; firm but friendly tannins on entry, with a focus of black stone fruit on the mid-palate and a lingering finish of spice and fresh cherries.

RiverAerie Fête (French for ‘celebration’) - $21.99 +++++++ a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Petite Verdot. All three components for the blend come from the Wahluke Slope Appellation. This warm climate appellation is ideal for ripening the Bordeaux varieties. Cool nights help conserve the natural acidity and extend the hang time. Winemaker’s Notes: Aromas of blackberry and black cherry with a hint of mint in the background, toasted marshmallows or s’mores; smooth, velvety entry on the palate with soft tannins, mouthfilling with a lingering finish.

Hope you can join us this week to get introduced to two new grape varietals:

FREISA - a light red Piedmont varietal. It is made in a range of styles, but the predominanat, highly controversial one is slightly frothy, sweet and bitter with aromas of raspberries and violets. Very Piedmont! Some producers are experimenting with a more age worthy, completely dry, and still type of Freisa.

The second varietal is Torret. This will be fun because I couldn't find any good info so we can explore together.

After a years absence the CorkyCrush is back for 2009! Mark your calendar for Saturday July 18 at 4 PM.

This year's theme will be CRUSH OUT HUNGER. We are working with the Des Moines area Food Bank to help raise funds and collect non perishables in a fun and entertaining way.

As in the past two person teams will work together to crush as much juice as they can in four minutes. The twist this year is to get pledges from friends, co-workers, relatives or people on the street for how many pounds of juice the team gets. (We will be using table grapes again and the most in the past was just over seven pounds) There will be a limit of 16 two person teams.

So, come up with a team name, costume if you choose, and join the fun. Registration and pledge forms will be available soon.

If you are interested in helping with this event we need folks to weigh and record the juice, clean and prep barrels for each round and take pictures.

Enjoy the sounds of THE MAIN ATTRACTION Tuesday April 21 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are available at Des Moines Parks & Recreation, Des Moines Florist (cash or check) and here at CorkyCellars (cash or check). $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for students.

The unique a' cappella style of The Main Attraction can be heard on stage, radio and television. Appealing to all ages and all types of music fans. The Main Attraction has opened for such diverse acts as Smokey Robinson, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight, Eddie Murphy, the Nylons, Natalie Cole, The Charlie Daniels Band, Jack Jones, Helen Reddy, and B.B. King. -------- The Main Attraction has been performing together for 23 years!

EARTH DAY CLEAN UP - DES MOINES MARINA DISTRICT - Saturday April 25, 9 am until 11 am.

Meet at Big Catch Plaza ^^^^^ Clean up will take place between Marine View Drive to the Marina (Dock Street) S. 216th Street – S. 227th Street and everything in between! Volunteers are encouraged to bring gloves, garden tools, shovel, bucket, and rakes ^^^^^^^^^ To Volunteer: Please call or email: Leslie Newman 206-769-8882 or leslienewman@remax.net