Erick's Cheese & Wine Shop
 

 

ERICK'S WINE UNIVERSITY

 

"The point of living, and of being an optimist, is to be foolish enough to believe the best is yet to come."
 
- Peter Ustinov

 

          Who knew that Peter Ustivov's famous quote would apply to Erick's 2011 series of wine classes!  For those of you who would like to add to your post-graduate degrees from institutions of higher learning, now Erick's is offering a curriculum of wine appreciation courses again this summer that, if successfully completed (measured by an appropriate yet-to-be-determined level of store purchases), will entitle you to a "Wineaux B.S." degree in wine from Banner Elk's highest institution of oenological enjoyment.    The "B.S." certificate will validate your wine knowledge and ability to pontificate ad nauseum in all settings on wine trivia amongst friends and acquaintances who know less about wine than you.  

 

          The curriculum may be taken in whole or in part.  The tuition for each class is $25 per person, and if you enroll in two or more courses, you will receive a tuition credit of 10% on every course you take after the first. Call it the "Erick's tuition case discount."  (Scholarships may be available - check with your relatives.)  The tuition will include lectures by highly-trained and experienced subject matter experts, generous tastings of the subject wines, cheeses and hors d'oeuvres/tapas and written copyrighted materials prepared after extensive research by our crack staff lecturers or guest professors.

 

          Here are the courses we will offer in the 2011 "B.S." degree program this summer.

 

          Sunday, July 10, 5:30-6:30: Wine 201 -- The Wines of Germany and Austria.  Some of the most exciting white wines in the world come from the northern European vineyards of Germany and Austria and unfortunately skate by largely under the radar of most Americans.  Although these countries are well-known for their shimmering white wines, red wine lovers need not fret, as good reds also are produced in these countries, as matriculating wine students will learn first-hand.  We will explore the various styles from signature reds to succulent dry white wines to ethereal late-harvest and botrytised dessert wines that will knock you to your knees.  Join us as we de-mystify Gothic labels and unpronounceable names and open for you a whole new wine world.

 

          Sunday, July 24, 5:30-6:30: Wine 202 - The Wines of Spain.  Students will learn that Spanish wine is more than Rioja and even more than red wine.  For several years now no other country produces wines on such a broad scale whose quality/price relationships approach those of Spain.  This class will offer a travelogue of Spain's regions from the Atlantic to the Pyrenees to the Mediterranean and points in between and the exciting monumental and value-oriented wines that are now being produced there.

 

          Sunday, August 7, 5:30-6:30: Wine 203 - Wines from the Small Vineyards of Italy.  Leave behind your pre-conceived notion that the "big" name Italian wine producers make the best Italian wines.  For Wine 203, we'll submit the proposition that small, family-owned and run properties whose scale of operation allows for hands-on, organic approaches to grape growing and wine making can knock the white and red sox off the wines of the "name brands".  And we'll back up our thesis with empirical evidence from 750 ml bottles to demonstrate why these have been our favorites from Italy for several years.

 

          Sunday, August 21, 5:30-6:30:  Wine 204 -- Sherry: No Longer Just the Preferred Wine of Cooks and Old Ladies.  Don't let the name of this class scare you off --  while Sherry has admittedly lost its luster at trendy night clubs and even grocery stores, it is alive and well and making a comeback not only in Spanish tapas bars but in stuffy English smoking clubs.  Can Banner Elk be far behind?  Now is the opportunity to explore the many faces  of Sherry - from shimmering Manzanilla and Fino to nutty Amontillado and rich Olorosso.   Sherry is a wine rich in culture and history (and literature) that unfortunately not many folks understand.  Come with us to learn about the many styles and taste the unique beverage from the southern tip of Spain.

 

          Sunday, September 4, 5:30-6:30:  Wine 205 -- Port and Madeira.   As with Sherry, there's no simple Port or Madeira but a multitude of styles, from dry to sweet, from bottle-aged to cask-aged, from young to old and on and on.  In Wine 205 we'll explore the various types of Port (ruby, tawney, colheita, vintage, late-bottled vintage, etc.) and the obscure (and almost obsolete but fascinating) Madeira.    Be among the first members of your generation to taste a traditional Madeira made from the four noble grapes of the island and learn why this is the perfect wine for your next trek across the Mojave Desert.

 

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          The presentations and tastings will be offered in our Tasting Room next door to our main shop.  Seating is limited, and reservations with a credit card number are required.  To reserve a seat at the table, call  (828) 898-9424, reply to this email or sign up next time you're in the shop.   All classes will be conducted in English.

 

 

 
 

ENJOY A GLASS OF WINE ON OUR PATIO

 

            Of course you can buy bottles to take with you, but we're now offering you a glass of your favorite to enjoy on the patio everyday.  We feature one white wine and one red wine daily prices vary from $6 to $8. Add a cheese and enjoy the afternoon with us!

 

 

SUMMER HOURS

Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend:

 

Monday - Wednesday:  10:00 to 6:00

Thursday - Saturday:  10:00 to 7:00

Sunday: 1:00 - 5:00

 
SPACE FOR RENT
 If you are looking for a location to hold your event.....party, meeting, family gathering, club event, holiday party... you think of the possiblities.....our Tasting Room is available. We now have an in house caterer available for food service.  Contact Randall about the possiblities and arrangements.  828-898-9424
Erick's Cheese and Wine Shop, Grandfather Center, Banner Elk, NC 28604, (828) 898-9424 www.erickscheeseandwine.com