Working in the service industry requires a plethora of epicurean knowledge, especially when pairing food with wine. Cindy Kirk, co-owner of Stella Oxford, has been teaching wine education and tasting classes for her restaurant employees for several years. Now she is offering those same basics to the public.
The classes will cover the basics of wine varieties, winemaking and tasting, Kirk said. Classes begin June 6 and will cover a different wine each meeting including:
June 6: Chardonnay
June 13: Sauvignon Blanc
June 20: Pinot Grigio
June 27: Other Whites
July 11: Champagnes/Sparklings
July 18: Pinot Noir
July 21: Merlot
Aug. 1: Cabernet Sauvignon
Aug. 8: Other reds
“I like to say that you have to drink it to know it, and I’ve been drinking wine a long time,” Kirk said. “While I do not claim to be an expert, I have always been in charge of the beverage program of our restaurants.”
The nine-week long class will meet at 6 p.m. every Wednesday from June 6-August 8, with the exception of July 4, at Stella Oxford. The restaurant is located on the historic Square at 208 S. Lamar.
Stella received the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence every year at its old location in Memphis, according to Kirk. The Memphis location has since closed.
For more information regarding the wine education and tasting, visit Understanding Wine 101.
By Talbert Toole, lifestyles editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at talbert.toole@hottytoddy.com.
