Krewe of Cork does Mardi Gras
posted by Annie in Wine Industry
Mardi Gras has hit the streets of New Orleans - Fat Tuesday is next week to be exact. When I think of Mardi Gras, I usually don’t think of wine. What comes to mind are Hurricanes, daquiris, Abita, crawfish, beads, parades, etc. I’ve never had the pleasure of attending Mardi Gras in NOLA, but I have seen a lot of pictures and experienced it vicariously through phone calls from my boyfriend, a Tulane alum.
Though most partake in gluttonous beer and daquiri drinking, it seems there are some folks who stick to wine when Mardi Gras comes around. The wine club “Krewe of Cork” makes wine an integral part of their Mardi Gras enjoyment, as well bringing it to the streets of the French Quarter. Krewe of Cork was founded in 2000 and holds monthly gatherings at a little bistro on the upscale, yet still charming Royal Street. Since its inception, KoC has become a staple in Mardi Gras happenings as well as in the wine indsutry.
Every year, KoC hosts a parade in the French Quarter, where members walk in wine bottle costumes (I’m serious, see below) with wine glasses in hand. They elect a king and a queen and a parade grand marshall. There are even “Wine Police” who drive the “Winemobile” and serve a selection of whites and reds to parade participators and viewers. At the end of the parade is a huge party at the Omni Royal Orleans hotel on Royal St, which features what else, more wine.
Sounds like I’ve been missing out. If the parade hadn’t already taken place this year (January 25th), I might have hopped on a plane to join in. Maybe next year. Any club where you can dress up like wine and who’s mission statement is “We celebrate Wine! Food! Fun!” is totally worth my time.
If you are interested in learning more about the club or you’d like to join, check them out at
Oh man, at least they have a good sense of humor about the hurricane… “Chateauneuf-du-Pape Goes the Levee”! Excellent
While something tells me these might not be the exact people who were directly affected by those “Du-Pape’ing” levees, it’s pretty funny anyway. Let’s hear it for grown adults acting like complete monkeys. Ah, wine.