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Kork Wine Bar | Wine region in your neighborhood | Restaurant number 13 of 14 – The Kork wine bar on Angertorstraße near Sendlinger Tor is the penultimate location, or rather the last stop, of the 14 participating in the "Weinviertel in Deinem Viertel" campaign during the final days of June. I've already introduced you to 12 of the restaurants (Participants in „Weinviertel in Your Neighborhood“: Blue Buck, Halali, essence, Freisinger Hof, Restaurant Bavarian National Museum (bnm), Österia, Landersdorfer and Innerhofer, Restaurant Ebert, Inn at Bavariapark, Little Wolf, Broeding, PrincipalFor me, it was more of a wine bar than a restaurant. A wine bar with around 100 different German wines, as well as small plates, snacks, and a standard menu with changing weekly specials to try: The Kork Wine Bar.
Three different bread spreads for "Spring Break" from the Zillinger winery
Food and wines at the Kork wine bar – selection and review
The Kork wine bar celebrated its third anniversary this October and has always offered a diverse selection of wines from Germany's 13 wine-growing regions (Ahr, Baden, Franconia, Hessian Bergstrasse, Middle Rhine, Moselle, Nahe, Palatinate, Rheingau, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut, Saxony, and Württemberg). Currently, and until the end of the month, the Kork wine bar is also featuring several Austrian wines from the Weinviertel region for tasting (see below). In general, the bar regularly offers the opportunity to discover new wines that have been added to the selection. During my visit, I focused on the Austrian Weinviertel wines. "It's not good to drink on an empty stomach," as they say, so I naturally also enjoyed some light snacks.
Three different items (constantly changing) from the menu
First, the owner and operator, Marion Bruckner, recommended the 2015 "Spring Break" (from the organic winery Herbert Zillinger). A rosé with a lovely effervescence, a very fruity, subtle aroma, and a pleasant sweetness. All the wines you see or taste from this winery are cultivated biodynamically by the winemaker Herbert Zillinger in his own vineyards and vinified using minimal methods. The result is wonderful organic wines, and for me personally, the rosé was a great way to start the evening, even as an aperitif. To begin, I was given a basket with two different kinds of bread, which is delivered fresh daily from the baker to the Kork wine bar. I savored my rosé, sampled the bread, and enjoyed the tranquility of my sunny spot outdoors at one of the three large tables for four. So there I sat, enjoying myself, when my first little appetizer arrived (from the standard menu): three different homemade spreads (duck and rosemary, bell pepper and fennel, and feta, oregano, and chili) (for €4.50). For a better impression, take a look at the gallery (below). The spreads were delicious. If you like it a bit spicy, you should go for the feta, oregano, and chili spread; if you can't handle spicy food at all, steer clear. 😉 My favorite was the orange bell pepper and fennel spread, which tasted even better with the bread and the rosé thanks to its slightly spicy note. Incidentally, it's an ideal appetizer or snack choice if you're not very hungry. That wasn't the case for me—as usual—so I also ordered the delicious "trio" from the weekly specials. While it's not explicitly stated on the menu, it's always available in various combinations on the ever-changing menu. This means there are always three different small dishes served together on one plate. Mine was prawn crostini, merguez and fennel salad, and sweet potato and pak choi gratin with sesame cream (for a reasonable €13). The owner recommended a fantastic wine from the Weinviertel region to accompany it: the 2013 Chardonnay (from the Elisabeth Rücker winery). I've already told you about another wine from this young winemaker in connection with... Test in the restaurant of the Bavarian National Museum I was introduced to the Kork wine bar and, once again, was thrilled – both visually and in terms of taste. Great color, fresh and spicy flavor, and – again – a rather funky and colorful label.
The two wines from the Weinviertel region
If you'd like to try the wine, or simply visit the Kork Wine Bar, I recommend doing so in June. From the beginning of July, they'll be serving only German wines again. In addition, the wine bar hosts a winemaker's dinner approximately every two months. Winemakers bring their own wines – some new, some already in the Kork Wine Bar's collection – and the bar's chef, together with Mario Bruckner, creates a perfectly paired menu. It's a fantastic event, and if you'd like to attend, you should inquire and reserve now. Equally popular are the monthly cheese seminars at the Kork Wine Bar, featuring a variety of excellent German wines and cheeses from the legendary (truly!) Tölz cheese shop. By the way, a 0.1-liter glass of wine here costs only one-sixth of the bottle price. So, if you're in the mood for a glass of wine from Kork Wine Bar, take a look at the extensive wine list, choose a wine or ask for a recommendation, and divide the price of the bottle by six to get your glass price. By the way, the menu always includes a soup, a trio of dishes, a salad, a pasta dish, a classic tarte flambée, and a few other delicacies. So there should always be something for everyone.
The Cork wine bar from the inside
Ambiance and recommendations of the Kork wine bar
The ambiance in the wine bar is very cozy. I walked in during my visit and immediately felt at ease. Fresh flowers adorned the dark dining and high tables, wine racks were stocked everywhere, plenty of natural light streamed in through the fully glazed front, and the overall atmosphere was inviting. The Kork wine bar isn't too large, which further contributes to the feeling of comfort – small, cozy restaurants and bars, in my opinion, have a special charm. In the evening – I was there at lunchtime – I can easily imagine a warm, intimate atmosphere here with a glass of wine, a candle, some snacks on the table, and good friends. Lovely!
The Kork wine bar can accommodate approximately 25-30 people at tables of varying sizes, all with stylish leather chairs. I personally love it when the action is happening right around me. This is the case here, and generally in smaller establishments: the kitchen is right next to the dining area, the shelves stocked with all the wines available for purchase are arranged all around you, and Marion Bruckner herself will always be nearby. You can therefore observe the lively atmosphere (depending on the time of day and day of the week) and be a part of it all.
Marion Bruckner and I.
Key facts and personal conclusion
The Kork wine bar is open daily from 3:00 PM, and food is served from around 5:00 PM. Payment is by card, but parking is difficult due to its central location. Sendlinger Tor is accessible via subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 6, as well as various buses and the tram (currently undergoing construction). Fresh ingredients are sourced from Munich's wholesale market or from Hamberger; Kork does not serve frozen goods.
The Kork Wine Bar is an ideal spot in Munich, in a cozy and quiet location, to enjoy a glass or two of wine, a light meal, and relax. Thanks to the tables arranged along the building's facade, it's also a wonderful place to sit and enjoy the sunshine. The selection of wines at the Kork Wine Bar is fantastic, and the food is equally impressive. I particularly appreciate the warm and very personal service, as well as the wine selection. The owner, Marion Bruckner, who is a true wine enthusiast, is happy to answer any questions and provide detailed advice on the wines on the menu. Warm service, a cozy atmosphere, fair prices, and a great selection await you at the Kork Wine Bar. So, if you're "simply" looking for the perfect spot in Munich to chat, drink, and enjoy some snacks, then the Kork Wine Bar is the ideal place for you. My tip: Come in June and try both an Austrian and a glass of German wine at the Kork Wine Bar.
The selection of wines from the Weinviertel region at the Kork wine bar
In addition to the consistently extensive selection of German wines, the following wines from the Weinviertel region are also available by the glass at the Kork wine bar until the end of June 2016:
1) 2015, Grüner Veltliner Horizont from the organic winery Herbert Zillinger in Ebentahl
2) 2015, Rosé, „Spring Break“ from the organic winery Herbert Zillinger in ebony
3) 2013, Zweigelt Horizont from the organic winery Herbert Zillinger in ebony
4) 2013, Chardonnay from the Elisabeth Rücker winery in Retzbach
Place visited: Kork Wine Bar
Address: Angertorstraße 4, 80469 Munich
Website
Information about the Weinviertel region in your neighborhood
Pictures:
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