A conversation with Derrick C. Westbrook
Tale of two bottles | ISH non-alcoholic wines and spirits | News and events
THIS SUNDAY’S SHOW ON WCGO
Our guest this week is sommelier Derrick C. Westbrook, a co-owner of Juice @ 1340 who has directed wine programs at NEXT and Elizabeth. He was recognized by Wine Enthusiast magazine as a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker and was the first African-American in the wine industry to grace the publication’s cover. We had a great conversation about his journey to wine, his musical approach to wine and wine education, and how he introduces wines to his customers.
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WINE CRUSHES
Each week we get together for a production meeting. This is also an excellent opportunity to try out some wines. This week we had two very different bottles that came in at very different price points. Still, we enjoyed both immensely!
The Curator 2021 (South African white blend by A.A. Badenhorst) $13 at Augusta Food & Wine
Carl Ehrhard “Frau Ehrhard Naturlich” 2017 from Independent Spirits. $30.
ISH NONALCOHOLIC WINE & SPIRIT TASTING
Lainie also reported on a tasting of ISH non-alcoholic wines and spirits offered at Birch Road in Roscoe Village.
ISH products are available locally at:
You can also get 10% off your first order at ISH’s US website with code MINDFUL10.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
*Perman Wine Selections is now hosting informal tastings on Saturdays. Here’s how it works: Craig Perman often has bottles open in his shop. On Saturdays, you come into the store, ask him what he has open, and he gives you a taste. The number of bottles open and the variety of wines available depends entirely on chance. Perman Wine selections is open from 11 am to 7 pm, and you can find them at PermanWine.com.
*January 18th & 25th: The Talbott Cucina at Talbott Hotel in the Gold Coast is offering a Wine Down Wednesday special: $30 bottles of wine from a specific list when you dine at the restaurant, plus live jazz from 6 pm - 9 pm. Contact the hotel for details and to make a reservation: TalbottChicago.com, 312-944-4970.
January 18th: BottlesUp! hosts Portuguese-a-Palooza, a wine class featuring six+ wines paired with a three-course Portuguese meal. The event starts at 7 pm, and the Cost is $75. RSVP by emailing the owner at melissa (AT) bottlesupchicago.com or by calling (773) 362-4999.
January 22nd: Beautiful Rind hosts Rhone Around the World: A tasting of Global Red Wines inspired by the Rhone from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased online. (Logan Square)
*January 24: BottlesUp! hosts a South African Wine Class at 7 pm. RSVP by emailing the owner at melissa (AT) bottlesupchicago.com or by calling (773) 362-4999.
January 25th: Binny’s is hosting the UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel. 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.
*January 25th: WineStyles in Norwood Park offers a class on the wines of Tuscany. 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm. The Cost is $25 for non-wine club members, and tickets can be purchased online.
January 26th: Wine Goddess hosts War of the Wine Worlds: Old vs. New. Tasting of 6 or 7 wines, so be sure to eat beforehand. Cost is $60, and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.
*January 26th: Door 24 hosts a Burgundy wine class at 7 pm. The Cost is $45, and tickets can be purchased online.
February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. The Cost is $395 per person, and a certificate of completion is provided. (Evanston)
REGULAR WINE TASTINGS IN THE CHICAGO AREA
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at Chicago area wine bars and shops. Many are free or low-cost, but it is always a good idea to contact the shop/wine bar ahead of time to be sure.
This list is hardly comprehensive, though we hope it will eventually become so. Please let me know if you’d like to recommend a spot or need to correct any information:
57th Street Wines holds tastings on Thursdays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 3-5 pm. Tastings are usually themed, and occasionally the schedule switches up a bit, so check out their website and call ahead to avoid disappointment. (Hyde Park)
Augusta Food & Wine offers free tastings on Thursdays between 6-8 pm. No sign-up is required. (Lincoln Square)
BottlesUp! First Friday tastings take place the first Friday of every month and include complimentary wine tastings plus new, in-store art. (Lakeview)
Door 24 holds regular tastings every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. These are free, and no sign-up is required. Get on their social media pages for updates on their Friday night lineup! (Bucktown)
Ella Elli holds a monthly “20 for 20” tasting (20 wines for sampling, tickets are $20). Their kitchen is open during the tasting for snacks. Reservations are required, and space is limited. (Southport)
Galleria Liquors holds free wine tastings at both its locations on Fridays from 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm and Saturdays from 3 pm to 6 pm. (Southport & Old Town)
In Fine Spirits advertises regular free wine tastings Wednesdays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 3 to 6 pm with an occasional Thursday tasting (which will be announced on their social media and in their newsletter). (Andersonville)
Konbini & Kanpai holds regular wine tastings (often on Wednesdays and usually free) and additional beer, sake, and spirits tastings throughout the month. I strongly recommend checking out their online calendar and getting on their mailing list so that you can stay informed. (Lakeview)
Independent Spirits is holding wine tastings from 5-7 pm on Thursdays. Tastings are free, and information about the tastings appears on social media. Tastings are free, and there is no charge. (Edgewater)
Perman Wine Selections offers an informal Saturday tasting: Come to the shop, ask what is open, and Craig Perman pours you a taste. The store is open from 11 am to 7 pm. (Near North)
Picnic Wine & Provisions holds wine tastings from 5-8 pm on Thursdays. $5 charge; reservations are appreciated but not required. (Rogers Park)
Red & White Wines continues to offer tastings each Saturday from 2-5 pm. The Cost is $10, and their wine club members get to participate at no added cost. The Red & White Wines newsletter usually releases information about the tastings the day before. I recommend getting on the mailing list so that you’ll know what to expect. (Bucktown)
Taste Food & Wine hosts $5 tastings on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. 10% off the featured tasting bottles if you take one home that evening. Snacks are available at an additional charge. (Rogers Park)
Table, Donkey and Stick holds its “Terrior Tuesdays” every, you guessed it, Tuesday, selling a wine or wines by a featured producer by the glass at wholesale Cost. Events sometimes include wine producers as special guests. (Logan Square)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Cork Dork Thursdays and Somm Pick Saturdays offer more extensive wine knowledge. Sign up and pay for your tickets online.
Uvae Fromagerie also offers pre-set wine flights of four one-ounce pours for $10 whenever the tasting room is open. (Andersonville)
Vin Chicago: Tastings on Saturdays from 12-4 at all three stores (Chicago, Barrington, and Highland Park). Free. No RSVP is necessary. Check out Vin’s Instagram for more details.
The Wine Goddess: $5 tastings every Saturday from 3-5 pm. Tastings feature four different wines. (Evanston)
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