A view of some of the Georgian wines Parsons Fine Imports will serve at a wine tasting Sept. 14 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church fellowship hall.
In a sometimes fractured world, Kirk and Lauren Parsons believe in pouring on the fellowship.
With fine wine.
The owners of Parsons Fine Imports, specializing in wines from the nation of Georgia, bordering Russia and considered wine’s birthplace, have seen wine bring together people from more than a dozen different countries.
That’s part of the idea of St. Paul Episcopal Church’s free wine tasting scheduled at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at St. Paul Episcopal Church, 2651 California St. in Columbus. At press time earlier this week, organizers were limiting the event to about 50 people because of the church’s limited fellowship hall space.
Priest-in-charge the Rev. Aelred Dean approached the Parsons, among his church members, with the idea for what he is calling “an intimate affair” — and perhaps others in the future if interest warrants.
“One of my visions for this church always has been that we are not only a place of worship, but a place of real community,” Dean said.
“And I just thought a tasting could be a good opportunity to educate people in the community about Georgian wines (that will be served) and the idea of pairing them with Georgian foods. Even though I haven’t been to Georgia, I have been around (the world) to many places, and I really enjoy learning about cultural differences and similarities, and also experiencing the diversity of food and beverages.”
The Parsons lead wine classes, dinners, and related gatherings. They’ve done some events with Swine & Dine. That establishment’s co-owner Catie Rix is providing the wine for this tasting because of Swine & Dine’s liquor license amid a three-way partnership for the tasting. Rix is also providing Georgian-style hors d’oeuvres to be paired with the wines.
“We tailor everything to each event audience, depending upon what they want to get out of it,” Kirk Parsons said.
Besides serving five different Georgian wines — white, red and amber — the couple will offer an overview of the nation of Georgia, and its position as the birthplace of wine, the country’s geography and the link to the different wines, and mention their visits there, among other topics, including why many here have never tasted Georgian wines.
Each attendee will get about two ounces of each of the five wines to try. The Parsons and Rix both strongly encourage those who never have attended a tasting to try it — especially because the atmosphere is informal and no previous knowledge or experience is required for enjoyment and comfort.
“We are not at all pretentious,” Lauren Parsons said, pointing out that some of her favorite wines she has purchased sometimes are among cheaper area offerings.
“The country of Georgia has such a fascinating history of wine,” she said. “And there is a fascinating background as to why we’re really just now beginning to be tasting its wine in the U.S. markets.
“When people (at events) hear some of this, they sometimes get so excited that they want to do a deep dive (into the history).”
Rix mentioned that she has seen both wine beginners and aficionados have a great time at tastings and related events.
“We try,” Rix said, “to make wine and everything with it as approachable as possible.”
Make reservations
By calling the church at (812) 372-7869.
