City Sips

Now, that's maybe not the truest of assumptions (and probably more my own irrational fears than anything), but the stigma that sometimes goes along with wine tastings is real for a lot of people. That's why some Chattanooga businesses are taking a different, less formal approach when it comes to wine tastings. And so far, so good.

"We've been doing wine tastings ever since we opened, but only did a few a year. About six months ago we decided to take a more casual approach because wine tastings in the past have been so formal," says Amanda Neil, owner of Easy Bistro & Bar. "No one wants to listen to a lecture about wine, so we decided to change things. Now they've gotten so popular we're doing one a month and we actually had to start a list to keep up with everyone who is coming to them."

She says that it's important to be able to speak to a room with newbies and wine connoisseurs alike, making sure that the atmosphere is comfortable no matter what a guest's knowledge of wine might be. "Casey Gamblin, our certified sommelier, talks about each wine-we typically pick at least five for each tasting-and is very knowledgeable. We know a lot about what we do, but at the same time we never want to come across as being pretentious," says Neil. "The tastings are very approachable, you're not being lectured to and you're not going to taste bad wine. It's a combination of all those things that have made it so popular."

Panoram Imports, a local importer that handpicks Argentine wines, is also embracing a nontraditional approach by taking tastings to the water aboard the Blue Moon Cruises this summer. "The idea is to get out and have something different that hasn't been done yet in town," says Mariano Cebrian, managing partner of Panoram Imports. "There will always be five or six different wines and appetizers and hors d'oeuvres. We're local and we love doing events like this. We want to emphasize that we're here to stay, of course, and that we're here to continue helping people understand Argentinian wines.

Cebrian and his business partners, Camby and Lee Akers, got the idea of offering wine cruises from a local Chattanooga Wine Club member, and the first one in late May cast off without a hitch. "We bring boutique, easy-to-drink wines to people and I think we've had success because people get that explanation of why our wines are different and how they are made," he says. "A lot of times you go to things and people are just pouring. We keep it very informal and relaxed, but still explain each wine and explain how they taste it. That's really where we get the most following."

Although I still feel a bit like I need a pocket dictionary at any wine-centered event, Chattanooga's new brand of tastings is far more my metaphorical cup of tea, or rather, glass of vino.

For more information on Easy Bistro's wine tasting events,visit www.facebook.com/easybistro. For more information on Panoram Imports' wine cruises, visit them on Facebook.

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