As you all know, social networking is essential to our business. More and more people are getting their daily news, local happenings and keeping in touch this way. We post to Facebook and Tweet almost everyday. And as a part of the new social order, I am amazed at how fast information can travel. For example, today I found myself trying to stop some misinformation involving our store. As I was baking valentine cookies for my kids to decorate, I kept hearing my phone beep at me. When I finally got to the phone, I noticed a number of tweets and re-tweets about how Martins Curry Rice food truck would be at my store Monday, Feb 13^th. (Oh Sugar!!!) Well imagine my surprise, since I’m closed on Mondays. I do have Martins Curry Rice food truck scheduled, but it’s for next week’s Duck Rabbit Brewery tasting on February 21^st. After speaking with Martin and re-tweeting to all of the people sending tweets with the wrong date, we managed to get the message corrected. I was very concerned I would have some unhappy customers showing up at the store and I didn’t want anyone tweeting bad news about us.

Speaking of social networking, TODAY is Valentine’s Day and Sip… has two awesome deals for you. All of our accessories are on sale for 30% off Today Only! This includes GO-vino glasses, jewelry, and wine decanters. Also, if you’re looking for a way to enjoy a glass of wine or two, all day we are hosting a Valentine Party. For $15.00 per person or $25.00 per couple you can enjoy a half glass of sparkling wine, a full glass of wine, and an assortment of cheeses and desserts. It’s the perfect way to get in a little fun today. We will be serving until 9pm.

But if you already have plans for Valentine’s Day, don’t you worry as this week we are packed full of entertainment. On Wednesday we have Om…and Sip!, our special way of getting a little exercise time in and still managing to drink. We spend 25 minutes with professional Yoga Goddess Amber White on yoga and then 25 minutes with Wine Goddess April drinking one wine and learning about it. The cost is $10.00 per person. Call us and tell us your coming. 919-467-7880.

Then there is Friday. We are celebrating my 40^th birthday! EEEEH! YEAH! OH Crap! Well, I got that out. Now we can party. Join us from 5 to 8 for a tasting of 4 of my favorite wines. And the best part is they are all on sale for 40% off. So, get your A** down here and enjoy some wine and cake with me. J

This week’s newsletter theme is “The Sensuality of Wine”. I actually feel a little scandalous writing this, after all I’m sitting next to a 5 month old baby that is inch-worming across his play mat. Doesn’t it seem a little inappropriate? On the other hand, I guess I wouldn’t have this early crawler without the previously mentioned sensual beverage. So let’s get this naughty newsletter written.

Can wine be sexy? I don’t think it can be sexy, but it can definitely make someone else look sexy! J However, wine can be sensual. The sensuality of wine can be expressed in aroma, appearance, taste, and ambiance. Some wines have aromas that remind us of sex; perfume, dark spices, musk, floral and chocolate just to name a few. I don’t mean to be so personal, but in order to thoroughly explain this, I need to share an old wine note I came across in my wine journal; “Aromas of roses, cinnamon and the sweet scent of a freshly washed man”. This note was referring to a bottle of French rose I enjoyed in France. Wine can stir up emotions and sensations in our psyche that other beverages can only imagine. WAIT!!! I have to stop writing now or I’m afraid I will give all the secrets. But, if you are curious what other sensual secrets wine holds, join us for our Friday tasting this week. From 5 to 8pm we will be showcasing Sensual Wines and Red Light Chocolates. It will be free to sample, but anything else will cost ya. 

If your “partner in wine crimes” needs a little attention on Valentines Day, join us for an evening of nibbles and sips. (Wow, I need to lay off the juice as my descriptions have become too saucy.) On Tuesday, February 14^th, we are offering a delightful deal. For $15.00 per person or $25.00 a couple, enjoy a half glass of sparkling wine, a full glass of wine (a selection of red and white will be available) and select cheeses and desserts.  How easy, elegant and affordable, right?! Reservations are limited, so call 919-467-7880 to reserve your spot.

I recently had to discuss the power of the word “Hate” with one of my children. I explained that there should be very few things in life she “hates” as this word holds a lot of power and should be reserved for the worst things in life. I told her she could “dis-like” things all she wants; after all you can always learn to re-like something or someone. Shortly after this conversation, a random driver cut me off and then slowed down and started to text in their car. I proceeded to declare my hatred for morons who drive and was quickly corrected on my use of the word “hate”. Apparently it is ok to strongly dis-like this driver, but I shouldn’t “Hate” him. As much as I dislike being corrected by my child, she was right. After all, maybe this driver had an unusual condition that made him drive poorly and he was on his way to his driving lesson. A girl can imagine.

This incident got me thinking about what I “like” and “dislike” about the month of February since it has always been a month in which I have mixed emotions. I “like” that it is the last winter month of the year. (I have never enjoyed cold weather, so I guess I “like” living in Cary, North Carolina since it’s not that severe.) Valentine’s Day I “dislike” because it is an over-marketed holiday that tends to make people feel the need to feel bad about being alone or feel compelled to buy a bunch of cheap crap to show some grand gesture of love. Blah! In my opinion, Love should be expressed in other ways; a hand written card, a home cooked meal, a handmade treat, or a well written toast over a bottle of wine. No one really needs a stuffed bear with a felt heart made in some faraway country.

I “like” Presidents Day since we usually get the day off from work and it typically falls around my birthday (as if it was planned just for me). I really “like” my birthday but this year I’m not so sure if I really “like” being 40, but I know I don’t “Hate” it. I think it will be exciting, fun and hopefully something to write about next year. If you “like” our store and all the great events we enjoy hosting, then you will really like this month, as we have great things planned. Wine classes, a beer event and our First Annual Oyster Fest to name a few. Continue reading for more info.

Thursday, February 2nd Women 2 Women Meeting 7pm-8:30pm: 

Women 2 Women is a group of eco-minded women that support each other in finding new and exciting ways to go greener. Each month they host a new speaker. This month’s speaker is Laura Collier with Sour Grapes.  Sour Grapes is a wine distributor focused on selling Eco-friendly wines.  Laura will discuss how she came to selling wine and why she sells eco-friendly wines now.  Open to the public.  $5.00 dollars per person, includes wine samples and light snacks919-467-7880

Friday, February 3rd, Wine and Chocolate Tasting, 5 to 8PM

Join Sip…and Red Light Chocolates for a wine tasting paired with local, handmade chocolates. This is the perfect time to buy that someone special something sweet and tasty. Shawn Odenhall will be providing live music.

Tuesday, February, 14th all day until 9:30pm: Valentines Cheese and Dessert Event:

Are you too busy to plan something special for Valentines Day? Let Sip…help you. We can do it all. Allow us to present you with our Valentines Day Special. We would like to offer you a night out that includes 2 half glasses or sparkling wine, 2 full glasses of wine (a selection of red and white will be available) and a buffet cheese and dessert station. Easy, elegant and affordable. The price is $15.00 per person, or $25.00 per couple. Reservations are limited, call to reserve your table. 919-467-7880

Friday February 17th 5pm to 8pm :April’s 40th Birthday Bash & Sale:

Join Sip…as we celebrate April’s 40th Birthday. Not only will we have wine open and live music, but we will have a special sale. 4 wines at 40% off. Four wines will be sampled and you can buy them at 40% off. This sale will never happen again. Live music by Shawn Odenhall.

Tuesday, February 21st: Sip...some beer. Featuring Duck-Rabbit Brewery

On the 3rd Tuesday of the month join Sip...and your fellow beer buddies to sample, discuss, learn, and enjoy our featured brewery and/or beer.  This month we will feature Duck-Rabbit Brewery. Rep with Brewery will be on site. The event is $5 per person includes a logo glass.    919-467-7880 

Sunday, February, 26th 2 pm to 5pm. Oyster & Wine Fest!.

Sip…a wine store, Dock to Door, The Clever Vine, Sour Grapes Distributing and Centerba Distributing would like to invite you to our 1st annual Oyster & Wine Fest. Dock to door is bringing the raw Oysters, Clams and Smoked Fish. Sour Grapes and Centerba will be pouring their best wines that pair with seafood and Sip…a wine store will be providing you with plenty of festive fun. We will have live music and brief presentations on Sustainable fishing and wine and seafood pairings. We will also have a Goat cheese tasting. And the best part of it all is you can buy the wine to take home and order the shellfish to be delivered.

There are two ticket prices: $40.00 will provide you with 12 raw oysters and clam, smoked fish and goat cheese samples. Wine samples included.

For $20.00 you can choose to either sample only wine or only seafood.

I don’t do leftovers. I never ate cold pizza, I don’t like doggie bags, and I hate reheating coffee. I will rarely re-heat something and eat it again. The idea gives me the shivers so I usually get Josh to eat leftovers, especially on nights I have to work late. But, what about left over wine? Well, that’s another story and nooooooo, I don’t drink it, I use it. Old wine might not be tasty in a glass but it is delicious when used in cooking. Marinating is an easy solution and sometimes I will use it in my salad dressings. But my favorite go to use is poaching. I’ll poach fish, chicken and fruit. Yes, that’s right, I said fruit. A lot of you have really enjoyed my poached figs and raisons in the store which we usually serve with cheese and crackers. Well, you are all in luck as this Friday and Saturday we will be offering samples of these poached fruit goodies. And if you love them, you can buy a small jar or two.

Thursday, January 26th from 6 to 8:30PM is our next wine class. This week’s class is on the Italian wines from Puglia and Sicily. These two Italian, wine growing regions make very interesting food and friendly wines. Puglia, known for its’ food culture, primarily grows the “Zin-like” grape Primativo, but you will also find Aglianco and Fiono grapes. Sicily has an amazing wine history and its’ grapes are equally unique; Nero d’Avola, Insolia, Frappato, and Syrah. This class will open your wine world to Italy’s less sought after wines. All of them are produced organically and for the event will be paired with regional nibbles. Our guest speaker is Andrea Fullbright with Haw River Imports. The Class costs $30 per person and we offer group discounts. Call 919-467-7880

Featured wines:

Belstar Prosecco

'10 Colli Della Murgia, Erbaceo, White, Puglia

'10 Colli Della Murgia, Tufjano, White, Puglia

'10 Valle dell'Acate, Frappato, Sicily

'07 Valle dell'Acate, Il moro, Nero d'Avola

'08 Valle dell'Acate, Cerasuolo di Vittoria classico, (nero & frappato)

This Friday’s tasting (January 27^th) is going to be super cool. Not only will we have an Austrian winemaker (Michael Martin of Martinshof Summ) and an Austrian wine importer (Carlo Huber) but we will also have a food truck to satisfy you after the tasting. Will and Pops food truck will be on sight from 5 to 8PM. Sampling is free, with glasses starting at $5 and discounts on bottles.

Featured Wines:

2010 Weingut Martinshof “Zum Martin Sepp” Grüner Veltliner

2010 Weingut Cobenzl Gemischter Satz

60% Riesling, 20% Sauvignon Blanc, 10% Grüner Veltliner, 10% Muscat

2009 Erwin Tinhof “Blau + Red”

70% Blaufränkisch, 30% Zweigelt

2008 Erwin Tinhof Blaufränkisch “Von den Hügeln”