Cork Dork

A Wine-Fueled Adventure Among the Obsessive Sommeliers, Big Bottle Hunters, and Rogue Scientists Who Taught Me to Live for Taste

By: Bianca Bosker

Narrated by: Bianca Bosker

Instant New York Times best-seller and a New York Times critics' pick.

“Thrilling...[told] with gonzo élan.... When the sommelier and blogger Madeline Puckette writes that this book is the Kitchen Confidential of the wine world, she’s not wrong, though Bill Buford’s Heat is probably a shade closer.” (Jennifer Senior, The New York Times)

Professional journalist and amateur drinker Bianca Bosker didn’t know much about wine - until she discovered an alternate universe where taste reigns supreme, a world of elite sommeliers who dedicate their lives to the pursuit of flavor. Astounded by their fervor and seemingly superhuman sensory powers, she set out to uncover what drove their obsession and whether she, too, could become a “cork dork”.

With boundless curiosity, humor, and a healthy dose of skepticism, Bosker takes the listener inside underground tasting groups, exclusive New York City restaurants, California mass-market wine factories, and even a neuroscientist’s fMRI machine as she attempts to answer the most nagging question of all: What’s the big deal about wine?

What she learns will change the way you drink wine - and, perhaps, the way you live - forever.

“Think: Eat, Pray, Love meets Somm.” (TheSkimm)

“As informative as it is, well, intoxicating.” (Fortune)

©2017 Bianca Bosker (P)2017 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“Bosker’s journey into this sodden universe is thrilling, and she tells her story with gonzo .... She gives great gossip ... [and] is, in the main, great company as a narrator - witty, generous, democratic ... When the sommelier and blogger Madeline Puckette writes that this book is the Kitchen Confidential of the wine world, she’s not wrong, though Bill Buford’s Heat is probably a shade closer to this book's sensibility and heart.” (Jennifer Senior, The New York Times)

“Reads like a wine lover’s equivalent of Dante’s 'The Divine Comedy’: There is paradise, but only after glimpses of purgatory and hell…A funny, thought-provoking and at times frightening look at the sublime tastes, enormous egos and curious rules of a profession that is both insanely rigorous and occasionally ridiculous.” (Associated Press)

"A madcap 18-month journey...[that's] as informative as it is, well, intoxicating." (Fortune)

Vivid

A vivid lively highly engrossing account of the wine. A lovely story that will make you love wine if you don't already or take you further on your wine journey. Beautifully written !

Complex yet Approachable

What did you love best about Cork Dork?

I'm not sure whether I was more impressed with the vocal work or the story itself. Or perhaps like the great wines she describes, maybe it's best not to isolate the disparate parts. This was the best wine audiobook I've listened to. She was engaging and intelligent, humble yet determined. She even accomplishes pronouncing foreign (to English speakers at least) wine terms without coming off like a douche. I appreciate that she expressed her opinion about the many more seasoned wine experts, especially contrasting with Morgan Harris, whose pronouncements epitomize wine snob. I appreciated how the more in-depth scientific parts of the book, where it might be easier to drift off while listening, were still interesting and well-written. I would highly recommend this book to wine noobs and the vets whose company she now seems to be in.

Great book for somms and enthusiasts alike!

As a certified somm, I found myself nodding along with shared feelings of Bianca's process. As a fellow science geek, I loved learning all the in-depth research in the science behind how we taste. As a wine educator, I found a kinship in her love of teaching about wines. As a fellow author, I appreciated her compelling and down to earth writing style.

I am so glad I did this as an audio-book during my recent drives to and from NYC, and will certainly go to Terroir my next time in town . I will buy the paper version too, so I can re-read and dog-ear all my favorite parts. This was best investment of driving time that evoked so many different emotions, and so glad I had an opportunity to meet Bianca through this book.

Just like a fine wine

Educational, awesomely articulate, a fascinating adventure into a world I had never understood like this before. Bianca writes with captivating perspective, intriguing stories and a flair for the unexpected in this sumptuous book. Selected by a Book Club wine connoisseur, I might never have read it otherwise.
The reading of this has left me alert to paying MUCH more attention to my olfactory senses and my palate. Thanks, Bianca, for enlivening my brain and senses in a whole bunch of new ways! 👏👏 Loved this reading experience!!

Fabulous!

The author narrates wonderfully! Well written, fascinating, very personal, warm storytelling. The author/narrator pulled me in immediately. I loved this book!

Such a great book!

Light-hearted yet educational! I learned a ton while still being thoroughly entertained. Would recommend to anyone - wine lover or not - no matter what your knowledge level.

Root and essence of an obsession

This read was overall quite informative and very well written / performed. Bianca pulled aside some of the curtains to show what, seemingly, goes on in the world of a somm. As a non-member of the industry it was great to hear that side of the wine world and all that goes on. Has definitely changed the way I look at wine and given me some tools to be a more informed drinker.
Had a bit of an issue with the authors kind of self-indulgent, egocentric tone as the book progressed. There were times were it sounded like she was pumping her own tires quite actively, as if to convey how amazing she is as a neophyte coming in and turning heads so quickly and also showing off that she 'got' a seat at the table with some of NYs top somms. Story also glossed over how she was financing this monumental journey from novice to certified expert.

exceptional story, incredibly detailed

life changing. incredible story. changes the perception of wine culture and the unseen side of the industry

Fun read!

Educational description of a wine lover’s journey! Creative thoughts with amazing metaphors. Impressive achievement for a young writer.

Learning about wine - great read

I recently got into wine and this was a great book about the authors journey and how much there is to learn