Sip... a wine store services

Wine Classes

Sip…a wine store Wine Classes

Do you love wine? Do you love learning new things? What would you think about learning more about wine? Sip…a wine store loves offering new opportunities for our customers to learn about wine. Our classes are structured to allow each person an opportunity to learn, taste, and enjoy. We will feature one producer, wine region, or grape variety a month. At each event, every guest will be greeted with an aperitif, four to five glasses of wine to taste, additional educational materials, and some light snacks. The class will be taught by an expert and/or wine educator. At the end of each class, you will be able to order or purchase the featured wines at a discount. Registration is required for each class. Pre-pay for 4 full price classes and receive one class free.

Wine Classes last 2.5 hours and the cost of a wine class includes wine samples, nibbles and education presented by a guest speaker or by a trained staff member. Payment is required at the time of registration to secure placement in the class. Registration is limited. Refunds are not offered. In case of cancelation a credit toward another class will be extended.

Limited to 30 people.

Classes are $30.00 per person. Special Discount – If you are a Wine of the Month Club Member, the class is only $20.00 per person

To pay for a class ahead of time via Paypal, select the correct amount from the drop-down below and click the "Pay Now" button. For example, if you are a member of one of the local wine and beer meet up clubs (snob free/triangle wine/ triangle beer), you can select the special $20 price. For all others, please select the $30 price. (Be honest, because we check!)

* If you have a Living Social, Plum district or Amazon Local Voucher, please email or call us with your class choice. You may select any posted class as long as you book by your vouchers expiration date. If you have 8 guests or more we will repeat any class for your group.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 919-467-7880

Schedule:

Wednesday, February 22nd Cider 101 Class: 6pm to 8pm

This class will focus on how Cider is made and the difference Organic Farming makes on the final product. We will be sampling ciders from Scrumpys and Thistly Cross, each paired with an appetizer. We will have two speakers this class, Bruce Wright with Scrumpys and a Julia Rennie from Thistly Cross.

Tuesday, February 28^th Piedmont Wines, 6pm to 8:30pm: Featuring Barbara wines and a visiting Winemaker. JUST ADDED!

We will have a visiting winemaker from Vinchio-Vaglio Serra winery. This winery makes amazing Barbara on their Sustainably Farmed estate. If you have ever enjoyed this festinating wine are, you must taste these wines. These wines are historical, fragrant and filled with complements from the earth. Light appetizers will be served.

Saturday, March 10th: Wine 101 All about Chardonnay 6pm to 8:30pm SOLD OUT!

Probably the most well known wine grape in the world, Chardonnay is grown all over the world. California might be well known for oaking them, but the rest of the world has their own way of showcasing the grape too. We will taste 5 very different Chardonnays from around the world. This class will delight the white wine fan and prove that Chardonnay is one of the most diverse grapes around. Light appetizers will be served. The speaker is TBA!

Thursday, March 15^th: The wines of the Rioja region of Spain 7pm to 9:30pm SOLD OUT!

Spain is often thought of as a country full of wine values. One of the oldest and most misunderstood regions, Rioja has been producing wine since the 15^th century. Reds, white and roses are produced here, most capable of aging long periods of time. This region has seen a lot of changes in their wine making over the last 20 years. We will be sampling some true old world style wines that are all made naturally. Guest speaker TBA.

Thursday, March 22nd: The wines of the Languedoc and Southern Rhone 7pm to 9:30pm

Languedoc and Southern Rhone are exciting wine regions, not just because of the vast number of grapes they grow. It’s because the wines are so diverse and have such expressive personalities. Grapes like; Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Grenache Blanc, Marsanne and Picpoul. There is truly something for everyone. Join us as we sample 6 wines, 3 white and 3 red wines. Light regionally inspired appetizers will be served. Speaker will be Kelly from Centurba Wines!

Saturday, March 24^th: Umami Wines; The fifth sense: 6pm to 8:30pm

Umami is the fifth basic taste along with sweet, salty, bitter and sour. Umami is savoury, the sensation caused by amino acid glutamate. Think tomato sauce, fish sauce, parmesan cheese, mushrooms, seaweed and anchovies. Umami is also found in wine, and this is your opportunity to be able to learn how to detect it. We will also be tasting and smelling foods with this same flavour profile. You will be amazed at how enlighten your senses will be after this tasting.

Thursday April 5th, Crazy Beers….The class: 7pm to 8:30pm

This class is dictated to beers brewed with spices, fruit, herbs, and anything else that adds flavors to beer. Think citrus, coriander, lemon grass, hemp seed, currant, coffee, persimmons, and even oysters. We will even dry hop a beer of our own. And if you are wondering what this means, you should join us for a brew and a great demonstration. Light appetizers will be served. Speaker TBA.

Thursday April 12th, The Wine Grapes of Oregon: 7pm to 9:00pm

Oregon wines are expressive, highly regarded and often eco-friendly. There history is fairly young, but well respected. Join us to sample some great Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Riesling. Appetizers will be served. Speaker TBA.

Saturday, April 14th, The Wine Grapes of Oregon: 6pm to 8:00pm JUST ADDED!

Thursday April 19th, Napa Cabernets: 7pm to 9pm JUST ADDED!

There are 15 Sub-applications in Napa Valley that grow Cabernet Sauvignon. Some of them have very distinct flavor profiles that they impart to their wines. We will discuss these and taste some of Napa’s best Cabernets. Little appetizers will be served. Speaker is Liz Youngs from Dionysus Wine Distributors.

Saturday April 21st, Napa Cabernets: 7pm to 9pm JUST ADDED!

Thursday, April 26th, Pinot Noir from around the World:7pm to 9pm JUST ADDED!

Pinot Noir can produce frustrate and excite wine growers and consumers. The grape produces wine that can be both feminine and masculine, ranging in price from $9.00 to $300.00 dollars. Yet this temperamental variety still impresses and calls to us. This class is for the Pinot fan that can’t get enough. We will taste Pinot Noir from California, Oregon and France. Light appetizers will be served too. Speaker, Brad Beavers from Classic Wines.

Thursday May 10th, New Zealand wines: 7pm to 9pm

The first vintage labeled wine in New Zealand was produced in 1970. This country might be new to the wine business, but they have grown quickly. We will taste some of the most popular varieties; Pinot Noir, Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, Merlot and Sauvignon Blanc. Light Appetizers will be served. Speaker, Brad Beavers from Classic Wines.

Saturday, May 12th Wine Tasting 101: 6pm to 8pm JUST ADDED!

Are you just learning about wines? Do you want to learn how to judge wines correctly? Do you need help understanding wine descriptions? If you think you’re a wine newbie and would like to learn more about wine, join us for a great night of knowledge and fun.

Saturday May 19th, Australian Wines: 6pm to 8pm

Australia might be the 4^th largest exporter of wine, but they only produce 4% of the worlds wine. Join us to learn about this continents wine industry, while sampling some of their wine. Shiraz, Marsanne, Grenache, Riesling and Cabernet are just a few of the varieties we will sample and discuss. Light appetizers will be served. Speaker TBA.

Thursday, May 24th: Wine 101: Malbec and Carmenere the forgotten grapes of Bordeaux. JUST ADDED!

Both grapes use to be grown in Bordeaux before the Phylloxera Plague of the 19^th century wiped out one of the varieties and almost destroyed another. Now both have of found new homes in South America. Join us as we learn about what makes these wines unique and why they are important to wine history. Light appetizers will be served. Speaker TBA.

Saturday, June 2nd Wine Tasting 101 6pm to 8:30: JUST ADDED!

Wednesday, June 13th Wine 101 featuring the Riesling grape 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

This is not a tasting of sweet wines. This is an exploration of the ability of one grape to create so many different flavor profiles. No one will taste the same, but the grape will be. You will be surprised by its diversity. Light nibbles will be served. Guest Speaker TBA.

Thursday, June 14th Wine 101 featuring the Riesling grape 7pm to 9:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Thursday, June 21st, Natural Wines of California 7pm to 9:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Aren’t all wines Natural? It depends on what the definition of Natural means to you. If you start with a natural product that is then processed or enhanced in an artificial way, is it still Natural? This class will lay out all of the unnatural techniques in winemaking today and what that Natural Wine Movement in the US is trying to achieve. We will be tasting wines from 3 producers who do not manipulate their wines. Light appetizers will be offered.

Wednesday, June 27th Spanish Wines 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Spanish wine not only diverse they tend to offer more bang for the buck. Spain tends to practice organic farming techniques for economical reasons and this is your chance to learn about the wine grapes of this country. Light appetizers will be served. Guest Speaker TBA.

Thursday, July 12th Rose Wines around the world. 7pm -9:30pm:JUST ADDED!

Pink wines are not just sweet. In fact most of them are not. They are dry, crisp, fragrant and a refreshing reminder of spring and summer. This is class will have you storing your red wines for summer. Pink is the new Red. Light appetizers will be served.

Saturday, July 14th White Wine Grapes you have never heard of 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Chardonnays are passé. Have you ever had a Fiono grape, Torrantes, Grenache Blanc or Marsanne? These are grapes you should know on a personal level. These wines will always impress and will never disappoint. Light appetizers will be served.

Thursday, July 26th Pinot Gris from around the world. 7pm to 9:30pm: JUST ADDED!

You say Pinot Gris and some say Pinot Grigio, both are right. This grape is grown in France, Italy, California, Oregon, New Zealand and in Germany. It expresses it self differently in each growing region. This class is for the Pinot Gris fan that can’t get enough. Light appetizers will be served too. Speaker TBA.

Saturday, July 28th Natural Wines of California, 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Saturday, August 4th Spanish Wines 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Wednesday, August 8th Wine Tasting 101 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Thursday, August 9th Grape varieties of South America 7pm to 9:30pm: JUST ADDED!

With its diverse topography, South America produces a vast number of different wines. Malbec, Bonarda, Carmenare, Tannat and Torrantes are some of the less known varieties they produce. This tasting will showcase the underdogs from our neighbors to the south. Light appitizers will be served.

Saturday, August 18th Spanish Wines 6pm to 8:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Thursday, August 30th Red Wine Grapes you have never heard of 7pm to 9:30pm: JUST ADDED!

Merlot is boring. Have you ever had Charbono, Blaufrankisch or Mondouse? These are grapes you should know on a personal level. These wines will always impress and will never disappoint. Light appetizers will be served.

Thursday, September 13th Red Wine Grapes you have never heard of 7pm to 9:30pm:

Thursday, September 20th Piedmont Wines 7pm to 8:30: Barbara, Dolcetto, Barolo, Barberesco and Moscato wines all hale from the Piedmonte. These wines are historical, fragrant and filled with complements from the earth. This class will focus on this region of Northern Italy. Light appetizers will be served.

Thursday, September 22nd Piedmont Wines 6pm to 8:30: Barbara, Dolcetto, Barolo, Barberesco and Moscato wines all hale from the Piedmonte. These wines are historical, fragrant and filled with complements from the earth. This class will focus on this region of Northern Italy. Light appetizers will be served.

Up coming classes, Dates TBA soon!

Tuscan Wines:

Some of the most highly sought after wines are from Italy. Tuscany produces some of the most well known in Italy, Chianti and Brunello to name a few. This evening will be filled with Tuscan wines and Tuscan styled appetizers. Speaker TBA.

Beer and Cheese class:

A lot of us are aware of some great food and wine pairings, and cheese has always paired well with wine. Did you know beer also pairs well with food and there are even some classic beer and cheese pairing. Well, join us for a fun class all about beer and cheese. Yes we will have food and we will not be drinking wine. Just Beer! Speaker TBA!

Wine Spirits and how to make your own.

What is a Wine Spirit? What do you do with Vermouth, Bitters and Pineau d’ Charentes? Take this class and all of these questions will be answered. We will also make our own wine spirit to take home. The perfect class for the beverage enthusiast. Speaker TBA.