Wine not? Learn how to sip like a pro at local wine tastings, seminars

Wine has long been seen as the beverage of choice for those who like to flaunt their knowledge while drinking expensive bottles during fancy dinners. But over the past 20 years, Christina Anderson-Heller, marketing director of Roselle's Lynfred Winery, said she's seen a shift in attitude.

“People have become less afraid of wine,” she said. “I love when people come in and say they know nothing about wine. We hear it all the time. We're always excited to teach someone how to taste wine, to tell them about wine and talk about it. We're happy to help.”

Even oenophiles can learn something at Lynfred, which offers nearly 100 varieties of wine, plus virtual and in-person classes, tastings, cooking classes, events and more. In March, the winery is spotlighting Vermentino, a light-skinned grape from near Sardinia that pairs well with seafood.

Anderson-Heller said that she always starts her classes by talking about a grape's history and origins. Terroir - the environment a grape grows in, which includes its soil type and the region's climate - plays a major role in its flavor.

Anderson-Heller then leads students through a tasting that also heavily involves sight and smell. Lynfred's staff has pushed beyond traditional wine and cheese pairings to include Girl Scout Cookies, Cheetos and even Halloween candy.

“People just want to enjoy the wine,” Anderson-Heller said. “I think maybe with the pandemic, things have become a little more casual and more celebratory. People are just excited to be together.”

During lockdown, Lynfred ran virtual seminars that you can still watch on YouTube. Anderson-Heller also has been running educational virtual events for businesses, which many utilized as an alternative to a holiday party.

“They were eating it up,” she said. “People were so thirsty - pun intended - for something fun to do because they were stuck at home. Our classes were really a lot of fun.”

Demand has increased as restrictions have eased. A Fat Tuesday tasting pairing Lynfred wines with pierogi and paczki sold out in three hours, and an April 28 event demonstrating how Riedel glassware shows off the taste of specific wines has also sold out. The winery is looking to hire more people and add new events along with resuming the tours that were halted at the start of the pandemic.

“We were just blown away,” Anderson-Heller said. “We're seeing a major influx of people wanting to get out.”

Lynfred Winery is located at 15 S. Roselle Road, Roselle, (630) 529-9463, and 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 229-9463, lynfredwinery.com/. Lynfred Winery wines can also be tasted at Tasting deVine Cellars at 21 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 420-9463, and 127 W. Front St., Wheaton, (630) 752-9463.

Looking for a fun way to learn more about wine? Here are some other spots offering tastings, seminars and other educational events. Check the websites for details and more upcoming events.

Ko-Ze

484 N. Main St., Glen Ellyn, (630) 474-0211, kozewine.com/

Join a blind tasting of powerhouse reds (Syrah, Shiraz, petite sirah) from 5-6 p.m. Saturday, March 5, for $45. Tickets are limited; order them at eventbrite.com/.

Try four varieties of white wine from around the world at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 12, for $45. You'll learn how to taste wines in general and find out about the grape-growing techniques and terroir that impact the varietals. Make reservations at eventbrite.com/.

Tom Caruso, owner of Oregon's Pray Tell Wines, will lead a $55 tasting at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 19, where he'll explain what goes into making four of his wines. Reserve a spot at eventbrite.com/.

The Chopping Block

222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 107, Chicago, (312) 644-6360, thechoppingblock.com/

Advanced sommelier and Daily Herald wine columnist Mary Ross leads a French wine class at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 26, when participants will be able to try five prominent styles and learn how the country's wine-growing culture set the standards for winemakers around the world. Tickets cost $95. Another option is the upcoming class Virtual War and Wine: Grand Cru of Wine Classes from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, March 5. The $25 per person virtual class taught by sommelier Christophe Bakunas will focus on the history of World War II through the eyes of French winemakers.

The Wine Goddess

702 Main St., Evanston, (847) 475-9463, winegoddess.com/

Enroll in a five-week course starting March 28 that meets from 7-9 p.m. Mondays and you'll learn how to identify a wine's aromas and flavors and how wine is made, digging into climate, vineyard management, harvesting and fermentation. You'll taste classic examples of popular red and white wines, including riesling, chardonnay, merlot and Syrah and learn the basics of food and wine pairing. The class costs $395 and ends with a 50-question exam.

Bishops Hill

310 Bridge St., Joliet, (773) 269-7365, bishopshill.com/

Sommelier Linda Kloss teaches a wine 101 class the first Thursday of every month where you'll learn how to swirl, sniff and taste wine. The $45 lesson includes samples of nine wines paired with charcuterie. You can also reserve a spot Thursday through Sunday for a $20 tasting of nine of the winery's vintages.

WineStyles

6182 Northwest Hwy., Chicago, (847) 518-9463, winestyles.com/norwoodpark/

Discover the wines of Washington's Walla Walla Valley during a $25 wine education class at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, which is part of a monthly series focusing on family-owned domestic wineries. Take a $15 Wine 101 class at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, to learn the basics on wine tasting, grape varietals and how wine is made. Reservations are required.