Sip & Learn About Wine During UC’s Tasting and Education Series

Get an introduction to the world of vintage wines in the Oakley Kroger Marketplace tasting room.

Written by Cassie Lipp
Communiversity instructor
and freelance writer

 

Wine is the only food or beverage that can last for decades under the right circumstances. Great wines are collectible and sell for prices usually reserved for fine art. Most people know little about what makes a great wine, but many want to know more about the drink that has been popular throughout history.

This is why Partick Heekin began wine classes in the wine store he ran for 12 years. After traveling to the wine regions of California, France, and South Africa, Heekin now leads Sip and Learn, the Communiversity wine education series at the Oakley Kroger Marketplace.

Heekin says it is called a great vintage when comes together perfectly. “Only once in a few years do I get to taste wines from outstanding vintages, and they are just so over the top wonderful that I have trouble describing them because they taste so much better than ordinary wine,” he says. “But great vintages are very rare and that’s what makes it fun.”

The Sip & Learn: Wine Education Series helps the beginner or novice wine enthusiast build a foundation of wine appreciation for a lifetime of enjoyment. Students learn about wine making, grape varieties, and the geography of the wines tasted in a fun, casual group environment. Of course, they will also taste the various styles of wine made from each grape. Students have the option to learn about red wine, white wine, or both.

You have four opportunities to Sip & Learn about wine: white wines will be featured on April 18 or May 9 and red wines on April 19 or May 10.  All four classes run from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The course fee is $15. Students must be 21 or older to participate.

“All my experiences go into my wine classes,” Heekin said. “I mix in practical and basic information , but I leave room for people to ask questions. Some groups like to hear how wine is made, others want stories of wine collecting and food pairings. Each group is a bit different. I have a range of wines to taste. It is only a modest beginning, but it points people in the right direction.”

After working as the wine steward of Hyde Park Kroger for five years, Heekin is excited to hold the Sip & Learn series in the new Oakley Marketplace, one of the largest Kroger stores in the country. Heekin grew up in Cincinnati in Mt Lookout and graduated from UC. He became an expert on wine while running a wine store on Edwards Road for 12 years, picking the best wines to stock the store and going to professional wine tastings.

Communiversity offers fun and innovative continuing education courses to enrich the lives of those around Cincinnati and beyond. With locations both on UC Victory Parkway Campus and around Cincinnati, Communiversity makes it easy for working professionals, retirees, and other lifelong learners to develop new skills and hobbies.

To register for Sip & Learn or any of our new Spring courses, visit our website or call (513) 556-6932 and press 2.