With holidays, warm fires and friends gathering this is the time to bring out the ports and another bubbly for you to try. 1+1=3 CAVA DO BRUT - (Bodegas U Mes U Fan Tres) - $15.99 - from the Penedes region of Spain. 45% Xarel-lo, 30% Parellada and 25% Macabeo. Produced from estate-grown, hand-harvested grapes, this Cava has spicy citrus and pear aromas gain power with air and take a turn to richer apple and pear. Round and velvety, with sweet pear and quince flavors energized by peppery spice. The spicy note repeats on the fresh, nicely focused finish.

CALEM OLD FRIENDS RUBY PORT - $13.99 - . Old Friends Ruby is an attractive, young, semi sweet wine ideal for drinking with new friends too. Aged in oak cask at the cellars of Vila Nova de Gaia, its smooth fruity character proves the ideal complement to cheese and desserts.

CALEM OLD FRIENDS TAWNY - $13.99 - Cálem Old Friend's Tawny is a very popular port in Portugal. Aged in oak casks in the cool cellars for an average 3- 4 years, it has a wonderful deep coppery color, a nutty bouquet and hints of wood in its mellowed fruity flavors.

CALEM 10 YEAR TAWNY PORT - $28.99 - Medium to light tawny color. Quite rich. Lovely caramel and tobacco nose, hints of stewed fruits. On the palate, more toffee and tea flavors, orange peel and spices. Long and very silky and delicious finish. Very good! It will pair with sherry-style salted roast almonds, chicken or duck liver parfait or other meaty pates and terrines, presunto (Portuguese air dried ham) or Spanish jamon iberico, pecan, almond or walnut tart, apple, pear or banana tatin, a compote of dried fruits, creme brulée, cheesecake (without red fruits), ginger-flavored cakes and puddings

H.M BORGES 5 YEAR MADEIRA - $20.99 - Deep colored. Rich, caramelly nose leads to a slightly rustic, nutty palate with quite a bit of sugar. Tasty in a medium sweet style, despite the ‘dry’ designation. In the mouth the wine is rather sweet, but complex, with lots of acidity, a little overpowering, lots of fruit and a long bitter walnut finish

Check out our selection of Bubblies for the holidays.

Now through the end of the year take 10% off any bottle in stock. Take advantage of special pricing and be sure you have an extra on hand to toast friends and family when they stop by.

Greetings, As you know I am a member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines. We are gearing up for our major fundraiser, the Poverty Bay Wine Festival. Last year we were able to raise almost $50,000 to give back to the community. We use 100% of the net proceeds of this all volunteer event to fund our charitable giving for the following year. This has proven to be a very fun and successful event.

Since Christmas is fast approaching, I wanted to share a gift giving idea with you. In my family, we decided, long ago, that we had enough “stuff” and decided to give “experiences”, rather than “things”. We also believe in giving to those less fortunate. If you feel the same way, I have an idea for you that will help make your Christmas shopping easier and more meaningful.

Would you consider purchasing tickets to next year’s event, which will be held March 5-7? They make great office party gifts ($20 each), stocking stuffers, perhaps a gift to a friend that you can attend the festival with. This will be a great experience and you’ll be helping those less fortunate by supporting the Rotary Club of Des Moines and the charities we support.

Tickets can be purchased directly from us at CorkyCellars so give me a call or send me an email and let me know how many you’d like.

The Rotary Club of Des Moines makes a difference in this community. With your support of our major fundraiser you will not only have a good time but you will be making a difference as well.

How about a gift certificate? If you are unsure of what someone enjoys let them come in a pick what they want.

How about a gift that keeps on giving? Give a CorkyClub Membership. Someone on your list would probably appreciate saving 15% on all their purchases and have the opportunity to pick up allocated wines when they become available. One time cost of only $100.00.

We are open Mondays from 11 until 6:30 until the end of the year

Christmas Eve we will be open 11 to 4.

Closed Christmas Day

Open December 26 regular hours - 11 until 6:30

Open New Years Eve 11 until 6:30 and CLOSED New Years Day but back at it January 2, 2010