Issue date: 9/26/08 Section: The Verge

Trisha Sulick of Chicago tastes a cherry wine Sept. 30, 2007, at Cameo Vineyards. (File photo/Robbie Wroblewski)

Interest in wine has increased dramatically in recent years.

As a result, wine tasting events have also increased.

But if people go to a wine tasting without the knowledge necessary to determine why they like a particular wine, it could be a frustrating experience.

Jim Painter will try to help arm amateur wine connoisseurs more than 21 years of age with that knowledge on Saturday.

As part of Family Weekend, Painter will run three sessions on wine tasting. The sessions will be held at 1 p.m., 2:15 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in the 1895 Room of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

"Sometimes people don't know what they're looking for," said Painter, the chair of the family and consumer sciences department for the last five years. "We'll try to give a vocabulary to be able to discuss wine. When they leave, they're able to describe what they like and don't like about wine."

Last year, the event's second and final session drew about 140 people to the 7th Street Underground, which Painter said made it difficult for him to control.

For this reason, the event was moved to the 1895 Room, which will limit the crowds to about 45 per session.

Aside from the wine tasting training, the event can help students understand the positive effects of wine and alcohol.

"I really do think it's a good way to show students that alcohol is fine as long as it's not abused," Painter said.

According to data compiled by WineAmerica, a group devoted to the American wine industry, Illinois had 83 wineries in 2007.

This was up from the 11 wineries in the state in 1995.

"People are into - not just the way it tastes ¬- but the back stories," said Megan Pressnall, 27, the director of external relations for the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association. "(Wine tastings) allow people to get to know the wines they are consuming."

An economic impact study done in 2005 said the wine industry pumps about $253 million annually into Illinois' economy.

This includes employees of wineries, the trend of bed and breakfast facilities opening near the wineries and tourism.

Pressnall attributes the increase in local wineries to an increase in demand.

"Tourists in our state are looking for adventures close to home and these provide a great weekend destination," she said. "People in our generation are less interested in 'Look what I bought,' and more interested in 'I went to the coolest place.' It's more about the experience than the purchase."

This will be the second year for the event.

Cathy Engelkes, the union's deputy director and one of the event's organizers, said the event has a couple of other benefits.

"It's a great way to meet people," she said. "It's something to do and stay on campus."

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