Erick's Cheese & Wine Shop

 

 

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SMALL VINEYARDS OF ITALY

SUNDAY, JULY 29, 5:45 P.M.

 

            We would like to invite you to our next special program this Sunday afternoon, July 29, at 5:45, showcasing the marvelous wines of Italy's Small Vineyards: Nero d'Avola from Sicily, Barolo from Piemonte, ros� Prosecco from the Veneto, Orvieto from Umbria, a super-tuscan from Tuscany and many more stunning wines.   The cost of this class is $25 per person (with 10% discount for those who attended either of the previous programs on wines from Chile and Argentina and Italy's Piemonte). Limited reserved seating with cheeses and hors d'oeuvres and an octet of fabulous wines -- sign up at the store, email us at [email protected] or phone us at 828.898.9424. We have 6 spaces remaining for this program, so if you are interested, please contact us as soon as possible.

 

            Our following scheduled wine programs are August 19 (Sicily, Sardinia and Santorini) and September 2 (Umbria). Wines presented will be available for purchase at discount at each program.      

 

 

 

IN HONOR OF PHYLLIS CRANE

 

            We were deeply saddened to learn that Phyllis Crain, Executive Director and inspirational spirit and lifeblood of The Crossnore School, lost her long battle with cancer last Wednesday. For those of you who didn't know her, in 1999 she took the reins of this home and school for abandoned and abused children and through her indefatigable efforts, profound dedication and inexorable will, renovated and expanded the facilities, built an endowment to sustain its future and saved and empowered hundreds of young lives.

 

            It was a gift to have known her as a loyal customer, as enthusiastic chair of the annual golf tournament and as a pillar of our small community. Our condolences go out to her family and untold friends. We are richly blessed and have made it a habit of "giving back" within our community.   Every year we participate in the School's Taste of the Finest and we will do so again this year (August 6). This year, if attendees come to the shop and buy any of the wines that are poured there, we will donate to the School 15% of all such sales. To honor Phyllis Crane, in the weeks ahead we will be looking for other ways in the weeks ahead that we can support The Crossnore School and encourage our customers to join us in those efforts. One of our customers has stepped up with a generous offer - see below. 

 

 

 

 

SATURDAY'S FEEL-GOOD WINE TASTING

 

            Don't forget our weekly Saturday wine tasting Saturday afternoon. It will be a good opportunity for you to enjoy some fine wine and at the same time make a little bit of a difference for two good causes. First, we will be pouring the Wine To Water Zinfandel ($14.99). Wine To Water is a Boone-based organization that works to provide clean water and sanitation facilities to the BILLIONS of impoverished people in countries from Haiti, Sudan and many others who lack these amenities. Sales of their private-label wine support their activities. Then, as usual, we will have a fabulous wine, the 2009 90+ Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa, $39.99), for a taste of which we are asking a $5 contribution. This week, proceeds from the $5 tasting fee will be donated to The Crossnore School.   Come taste, and buy and support these two important organizations. We'll also be pouring Acadia Chardonnay at an eye-poppingly low price, thanks to special pricing from our distributor (Carneros, $11.99), Poppy Pinot Noir ($20.99) and Las Lilas Vino Verde Ros� (Portugal, $11.99).

 

 

 

 

PROGRAM ON EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL

SUNDAY AFTERNOON, AUGUST 5, 5:15 - 7:15

 

            Please join us Sunday afternoon, August 5, from 5:15 - 7:15 (note this special time) for a very informative program on extra virgin olive oil: what it is and what it isn't. You will learn that over 50% of oils marketed as "extra virgin" are a fraud and many oils passing themselves off as Italian really aren't. You will taste genuine evoos from Italy, Spain, Greece, and a fabulous evoo from the state of Georgia (!)   These oils will be available for purchase at discount at the program. There will also be some fraudsters and out-of-date oils for tasting to demonstrate the inferior products and how to tell the difference. You probably already know all the health benefits of a diet rich in evoo, but we'll refresh your memory.

 

            The class "tuition" is $15 per person and will include written materials, aperitif wines, cheeses and snacks to tide you over to dinner.   Reservations are required, and you may enroll at the shop, by calling 828.898.9424 or emailing us at [email protected].

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

WHISPERKOOL WINE CELLAR COOLING UNIT FOR SALE

PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE CROSSNORE SCHOOL

 

            Bill Forness, one of our customers, has replaced his wall-mounted wine cellar cooling unit with an under-house model and has offered to sell his old unit, a WhisperKool XLT 3000, designed to chill a wine cellar of up to 650 cubic feet, with all proceeds to be donated to The Crossnore School. He reports that this unit had an original cost of approximately $1,700 when it was purchased in October 2007 and that it is in good operating condition.   We have it at the store if anyone would like to inspect it. He will sell it to the highest bidder over $250, and we are accepting bids on his behalf until August 15. If you would like this unit (and would like to enable a generous donation to The Crossnore School), please submit your bid by replying to this email or in person at the store. (No phone bids can be accepted.)


 

Erick's Cheese and Wine Shop, Grandfather Center, Banner Elk, NC 28604, (828) 898-9424 www.erickscheeseandwine.com