I like baths. One of my favorite things is to bring a cup of coffee and good book into the bathroom, fill up the tub and read and sip coffee until the sun don't shine. I like the coffee part especially because it counteracts the sleepy steamy side of the bath a bit and keeps me from falling asleep in a towel on the couch.
I also on occasion like to drink a glass of wine or beer in the bath but this is a showstopper and I have to be committed to the fact that I'll accomplish nothing more that day or night. So you can imagine that when I was at Cork on Northeast Alberta a few days ago their bubbly-in-a-clawfoot display above made me really happy.
Darryl Joannides opened Cork on Northeast Alberta in 2006 and last fall he opened a second Cork in Northwest Portland. I love that Cork is owned an run by a first-rate chef -- Joannides was chef-owner of Sellwood's much missed Assaggio so beyond Joannides passion for wine (he's worked harvests in Sonoma and regularly makes his own wine at home) and great selection of wine you can also buy all sorts of other tasty sweet and savory treats at Cork.
I also appreciate that Cork will never call you a cheapskate -- even if you always go for the $8 bottle. The majority of bottles set up on crates and shelves throughout the shop are $20 or less and according to Joannides you'll always find at least 20 wines less than $10.
In addition to a large selection of wine at Cork you'll also find bulk and bottled olive oil...
Reuse your bottle and you get a buck off
Bottled beer...
Lots of local OR, WA and CA beers and lots of Belgian beer
Chocolate bars and truffles...
Chocolate is one of Joannides' favorite things
And right now a great selection of light and sippy rosés....
Rosé is not girly
Stop by the Alberta Street Cork for Friday night drop-in tastings and the Northwest Cork for First Thursday tastings. if you never got to Joannides' restaurant Assaggio he also hosts regular multi-course food and wine pairings. Check out the online calendar for events and tastings.
Cork: A Bottle Shop 2901 NE Alberta St., 503.281.2675 1715 NW Lovejoy St., 503.501.5028 www.corkwineshop.com