By Laurie Whittier
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Are you an oenophile? Do you know someone who is?

If so, you would have been in good company at Wind Crest’s Center for Continuous Learning seminar held on March 6. About 30 oenophiles, a.k.a., wine lovers, were there to learn more about this ages-old concoction.

Something for everyone
For many, this seminar was a great excuse for socializing with fellow wine enthusiasts. For others, it was a chance to learn some practical tips and  techniques.

And not everyone was there to whet their whistles. “I just like to learn about things,” said future Wind Crest resident Bobbi Rosack, who doesn’t drink but didn’t want to miss the chance to meet new people.

The seminar was led by Cordelia Kirby, consultant for a boutique wine  distributor called The Traveling Vineyard. With chocolate, cheese and crackers, and even cake slices at each table, class participants spent time sampling reds and whites from Italy, Australia, Spain, France, and Argentina.

Among the tips shared by Kirby was the importance of keeping wines away from loud music. “Wine should be stored in a cool, dark place—away from things like stereos,” she said, because the vibration caused by sound causes wines to age faster.

Kirby also revealed some inside information, including the fact that the word “reserve” on wine labels holds no significant meaning. “It’s a marketing term,” she said.

Participants also learned valuable information behind some of the tasting methods we’ve all seen but may not fully understand—like the practice of swirling wine.

Kirby said the purpose of this practice is to study the “legs,” or streaks of wine, that dribble down the inside of the glass. The amount of “legs” produced during  swirling indicates both the sugar content and the alcohol content of any given wine.