theCorkHead.com

theCorkHead.com

The online home of Mark “The Cork Head” Stuart, Certified Wine Professional, speaker/educator, judge, and columnist.

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Discount, not cheap, Crested Butte Lift TicketsSCORE:

Discount Crested Butte Ski Lift Tickets

I created this post in an effort to save everyone some time when looking for a stand alone discount Crested Butte lift ticket deal.  Lots of so-called discount sites exist out there, but there is only one true stand alone lift  pass sale for Crested Butte, and this is it.

I was working on updating my discount Telluride lift ticket page when I stumbled upon this killer deal for discount Crested Butte lift tickets.

Insider Crested Butte Lift Ticket Savings Information

To use this special lift pass, you must buy the tickets in advance.  These tickets are valid for everything a ticket you would purchase at the Crested Butte window, they are just quite simply a discount to even the cheapest online rate at the ski mountain’s website.

No packages necessary, no add ons, no additional purchases necessary.  Just simply the best discount on Crested Butte lift tickets, period.

**This is the cost chart showing average rates using the discount link within this blog post.  NOTE:  Rates may be higher or lower depending upon the start date of your ski trip.  However, I’ve never seen the rates here to be higher than what is offered anywhere else.

Options Travelers Price Quantity
Adult $166.00
Youth (13 – 17) $149.00
Child (7 – 12) $83.00
Adult $248.00
Youth (13 – 17) $224.00
Child (7 – 12) $124.00
Adult $331.00
Youth (13 – 17) $299.00
Child (7 – 12) $166.00
Adult $392.00
Youth (13 – 17) $351.00
Child (7 – 12) $198.00
Adult $470.00
Youth (13 – 17) $421.00
Child (7 – 12) $238.00

So, you may ask, how much money does it save if I’m going to Crested Butte?

Below is the chart for the biggest discount available for mountain-direct Crested Butte multi-day lift tickets: (Copied directly from www.skicb.com)

Time Period Adult
Days Skiing

Window

Online

Half Day (starts at 12:30 PM)

$67

NA

1 Day

$92

NA

2 of 3 Days

$184

$174

3 of 5 Days

$276

$261

4 of 6 Days

$368

$348

5 of 7 Days

$435

$390

6 of 8 Days

$522

$468

7 of 10 Days

$609

$546

So, for example, if you are a traveling party of two adults and want to ski 3 of 5 days while you are at the resort, using my Crested Butte discount link, you’ll spend $496.00.  If you used the best available online rate from the ski resort or other online resellers, you’ll pay $522, or a savings of $26.  Hey, it isn’t life changing money, but it is real and yours!

**Kids and senior lift ticket discounts are also available at the discount link.

This really is the best deal on Crested Butte lift tickets available anywhere. I hope this insider tip helps you enjoy your mountain trip just a little more!

Just click this link and it will take you to the purchase window where you will be able to choose the amount of days you’d like to ski. If for some reason the purchas grid does not come up directly, follow the below simple instructions when on the travel discount site:

1) Click the “activities” button on the upper left of the screen

2) Enter “Crested Butte” in the text box

3) Enter the dates of your travel

You should be all set to choose and purchase your discount lift tickets there!

Best of luck, and happy skiing!

The Cork Head

Discount, not cheap, Telluride Lift TicketsSCORE:

Discount Telluride Ski Lift Tickets

As a Telluride regular, I am always asked about cheap or discount Telluride ski lift ticket sales.  Well, this is the best one available.  I’ve spent hours scouring the internet and local hangouts alike, and I can honestly say this is the only real Telluride lift ticket special on the market.  Coupon codes just don’t exist.  Kids and senior lift tickets are available too!

Rules for Getting the Lift Ticket Discount

You must by at least a week in advance wherever you buy, otherwise you’ll be stuck with window rates no matter what!

With this link, there are no tricks, add ons, or additional purchases necessary.  It simply offers the best deal on discount Telluride lift tickets, period.

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2009 Franciscan Estate Sauvignon BlancSCORE: Gold

So I know it has been a while since I posted a wine review.

Honestly, I’ve just been incredibly busy with my job that pays the bills, being a La Jolla real estate agent. Actually, most of my business recently has been in UTC, North Park, and Pacific Beach. Anyway…

I’ve been dying to write about the 2009 Franciscan Estate Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc since I received the sample early this year.

Clearly it is not the grass bomb of New Zealand, nor does it have the piercing minerality of a Sancerre. What it does offer are aspects of both of these sauvignon blanc stalwarts while offering the distinctly Californian touch of ripe fruit and the most pure streak of lime since you licked the saltless rim of a margarita.

This will be one of the top 5 California whites I taste all year.

Though I won’t be offering a point score for this wine, ( it clearly doesn’t need it) I know I will buy it, drink it, and give it as a gift with confidence!

Discount San Diego Attraction TicketsSCORE:

gosandiego

As a longtime San Diego resident and someone who previously managed beach vacation rentals for out of town visitors, I’ve been asked countless times about getting the best discount San Diego attraction tickets. The below represent what I think are the three best options to save money and enjoy Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Zoo Safari Park, Midway Museum, and more. Read More

Rhythm and Vine Returns to EscondidoSCORE:

RHYTHM & VINE: A Music, Wine & Food Festival

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego

Music and wine lovers indulge all their senses this spring as Rhythm & Vine returns to San Diego North for a one-of-a-kind tasting extravaganza. Held Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Westfield North County in Escondido, the 3rd Annual Rhythm Vine will feature over 35 world-class wineries, spirits and breweries; 25 restaurants and gourmet foods; and three live musical performances by San Diego’s favorite musicians.

APRIL 9, 2011

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

VIP Admission from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm

$75 General Admission ($100 at the door); $125 VIP Admission ($150 at the door).

Must be 21 and older to attend.

LOCATION: Westfield North County

272 East Via Rancho Parkway

Escondido, CA, 92025

35 award winning wineries, breweries, and spirits companies.

25 of North County’s chefs and gourmet food companies.

Spectacular, live performances by singer/songwriter Simeon Flick, classic rock cover band Clay Colton Band and local spirited Flamenco band Espiritu Flamenco.

1,000 wine, food, and music enthusiasts, along with members of the trade and media, coming together to support the Boys Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.

Silent Auction filled with charitable donations from exhibiting companies.

Exclusive VIP after-party extending past regular event hours from 9:00 – 10:00 pm.

All proceeds benefit the Boys Girls Clubs of Greater San Diego.

For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.rhythmandvine.org

Best Wine with Thanksgiving DinnerSCORE: Gold

2007 Bonterra Viognier Mendocino County

2007 Bonterra Viognier Mendocino County

When I think of Thanksgiving dishes, I think quantity, variety, and aromatics.  Choosing a wine that matches these traits while offering up a little contrast to make things interesting is often the best choice for such a complex meal.  But how does one find a wine that works with turkey, creamed corn, and green bean casserole all at the same time?

Quantity:  Lots of food, lots of guests, and a long time at the table.  The wine should be lower than average in alcohol…I mean yeah…we’ll be watching football and having fun all day, right?  But, lower alcohol shouldn’t mean it doesn’t have the body style necessary to stand up to all the cream and gravy.  For contrast, the wine should have a little zing of acidity to cut through our close friend’s delectable sausage stuffing.

Variety:   This wine should be complex.  With a dozen different dishes, and some strong ones at that, the wine should bring lots of different aromas and flavorsto the table.

Aromatics:  Thanksgiving is the most aromatic of traditional American meals so it stands to reason we’ll need something with a high degree of aromatics so the food does not diminish its partner.

The winner? 2007 Bonterra Viognier, Mendocino County.

This cool climate wine has under 14% alcohol, offers both floral and fruit aromatics, and has a medium-full and creamy mouth feel.  Without question it is consistently year in and year out one of the great values in viognier, and it is widely available around the country for around $15.  Did I mention it is also Certified Organic?

Remember, its not what is in your glass, but who you share it with.

And, if you use this coupon, you’ll get a discount of $5 of any $75 purchase too!

Most Exciting Wine Find of the SummerSCORE: Gold

Solis Wine Bottle

2009 Solis Winery Fiano Estate

So I can’t say I was angry, but I will say I was disappointed. The wine was nothing short of superb, but my fellow panelists simply didn’t get it.

To set the stage, the “other” whites category at large wine competitions are, shall we say, is The Land of the Misfit Toys. If you’ve never tasted these sorts of wines, well, generally you aren’t missing much. Often times they are comprised of the end-lots of what didn’t make the cut of better quality wines, all mixed up, given a fancy name and sold over the counter at tasting rooms. A winery marketing director will pay a small fee to enter the obscure blend into the competition hoping it will get some recognition to help sell the inventory which would otherwise be flushed. Read More

Cooking with Chef Dave at San Pasqual WinerySCORE:

Chef Dave PitmasterSan Diego’s own San Pasqual Winery is hosting it’s inaugural food and wine class called ”A Perfect Pairing: Cooking with Chef Dave at San Pasqual Winery“. The class focuses on the basics of BBQ and the sharing of championship BBQ pitmaster secrets.

Taught by San Diego’s own award winning BBQ Pitmaster Dave Vindiola from Smokealicious BBQ and CookingwithChefDave.com, the class offers a great introduction to the entire BBQ process.  The August 7th event will cover everything from types of wood and fire, how smoke and spice work together, selecting the proper cuts of meat, as well as prepping, and of course cooking. Read More

Two for One Wine ClassesSCORE:

Buy one wine class, get the 2nd one free!

I’ve proclaimed 2010 as “The Year of Happiness”.

Heck, local real estate prices have been on the rise for 8 consecutive months and the stock market has risen nearly 37% over the last year. We certainly have not seen that in a while!

Now is the time to treat yourself (or your Mom!) to something special, and I’m here to offer my own little incentive to do so.  Keep this email as a “Buy one super fun entertaining and informative wine class, get one super fun entertaining and informative wine class free” coupon.* Read More

The Magic of Sparkling WineSCORE:

Accidents can sometimes result in glorious revelations. The evolution of sparkling wine is certainly a delicious example.

Centuries ago, temperature controlled environments in which to produce wines were not available. The now famous wine destination of Champagne, located about an hour-an-a-half drive north and east of Paris, experiences very cool fall and winter temperatures. Cold enough to slow down and eventually halt the fermentation process of the wines being produced. Early winemakers would see that fermentation had stopped and therefore bottled what they had Read More