Netscape Forum Poll: I'm okay with cork ...

Hoke, speaking of sticky religious antiquity, how is it that the Christian myth has persevered so long, in spite of scientific evidence which would refute most of the story?

Heck, Covert, that's an easy one. You know the answer...Basic Joseph Campbell stuff.

Yes, of course I know. But I think I can make the case that the cork is a good symbol for a basic archetype, too; although, I won't go through it again. I ran it down a few years ago on this forum.

Re Campbell, my Grandfather lived in an adjoining condo to Joe and his wife on Diamond Head, Oahu for many years, and I didn't know it until I attended my Grandfather's funeral. At that time Joe had recently died, but his wife, Jean, was still there. The Lanis of the two condos sat within 20 feet from the ocean at one of the prettiest spots on the whole globe. Campbell and Jean, and my Grandfather and his wife, were close friends, and my father, unbeknownst to me, had all of Campbell's books, signed of course.

I asked my Dad why he never told me, and he said he didn't know that I would have had any interest. I could have talked with Campbell at length if I had known. Just never got to Hawaii while my Grandfather was alive because it was too far a hike.

I understand your chagrin. To be that close on the Six Degrees of Joseph Campbell scale and not have the opportunity to discuss---oh, just about anything and everything---with him....that's almost tragic, innit.

On a recent trip to Napa I noticed quite a few of the big wineries on Hwy 29 had switched most of their whites over to screw caps. It was only at Grgich that still seemed to us to be defending the cork at all costs. There are more and more reds in screw caps on the shelves here in Lexington too. I've read stories of well-respected wineries experimenting with alternative closures on some of their flagship labels. From where I stand it looks like cork's days are ultimately numbered, and that is fine with me.

Too bad that the once $4 Chenin/Viognier is now $10+. Definitely outpacing inflation. At $10 lots more competition.

You should consider yourself lucky if you can find it at $10. Around here, if you can find it at all, expect to pay more like $15. At that price, there's definitely lots of competition.

Mark Lipton

Too bad that the once $4 Chenin/Viognier is now $10+. Definitely outpacing inflation. At $10 lots more competition.

You should consider yourself lucky if you can find it at $10. Around here, if you can find it at all, expect to pay more like $15. At that price, there's definitely lots of competition.

Mark Lipton

Oh, that's just the Napa Valley surcharge, so you guys in the hinterlands get to enjoy the wine. Sorta like when you come to San Francisco you have to pay the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge toll to get back into the city.

Oh, that's just the Napa Valley surcharge, so you guys in the hinterlands get to enjoy the wine. Sorta like when you come to San Francisco you have to pay the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge toll to get back into the city.

So, Clarksburg's in Napa now, Hoke?

Mark Lipton

I must say I am surprised to see at this point – especially on a wine enthusiast forum – acceptance of cork running approximately three to one. I actually thought I would be among a very tiny percentage to declare that I always prefer cork, even if the bottle is corked. Now I’ll bet I stand alone on that one.

Well, the poll didn't ask what was preferred, only whether or not we're "okay" with cork. I mean, if someone were to offer me a bottle of Lafite, I'm not going to say, "No, thank you, it's sealed with a cork."

Oh, that's just the Napa Valley surcharge, so you guys in the hinterlands get to enjoy the wine. Sorta like when you come to San Francisco you have to pay the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge toll to get back into the city.

So, Clarksburg's in Napa now, Hoke?

Mark Lipton

Now, now, Mark. You know it's not the source of the wine, it's the fact that Pine Ridge is a Napa winery! (See "Fred Franzia").

As soon as that Clarksburg juice crosses over the county line, it gets that surcharge, baby. Ka ching, ka ching.

Now, now, Mark. You know it's not the source of the wine, it's the fact that Pine Ridge is a Napa winery! (See "Fred Franzia").

As soon as that Clarksburg juice crosses over the county line, it gets that surcharge, baby. Ka ching, ka ching.

Hmmm... I now half expect to find a toll both awaiting me the next time I hit American Canyon heading Northward. If I do, Hoke, I'll come looking for ya with malice aforethought. Come to think of it, maybe that's the real reason Patz and Hall is heading across the Mayacamas range.

Mark Lipton

"American Canyon" is Napaspeak for "industrial zone and trailer park", Mark.

It's situated where it is so you can experience a profound sense of relief when you finally enter the Valley.

[You should know, though, that the best people come in through Sonoma and Carneros.]

I'm with you, Isaac. Most of my cellar is corked (and 8 to 10% corked in both sense of the word), primarily because I purchased most of the wine from a friend who collected high end Bordeaux, and because cork was dominate when I put the cellar together on my own five to ten years ago.

But, 90% of my purchases over the past two years were screw capped -- I get such a sense of joy not worrying about whether the wine will be corked when I put my money down.

So, I'm certainly "ok with cork" where I have little or no choice, but not at all "ok with cork" where I have a choice.

Regards, Bob