OUR LATEST SHOW
Our November 27th, 2022 show on WCGO Radio (1590 AM & 95.9 FM) featured Chris Bernal of Davanti Enoteca and Scott Harris Hospitality. We had a fantastic discussion about his path to wine and the joys, and challenges, of being a wine specialist at a popular restaurant! Chris really, really knows his wine, so it was wonderful to pick his brain for the kind of specialist knowledge that only an experienced industry professional can provide.
Tom and Lainie also shared stories of their recent visit to Vin 312 Winery in Ravenswood as well as Robert et Fils in North Center. Stream the podcast from the link above and enjoy!
Also, a quick reminder that our shows stream live on Facebook and YouTube while we are in the studio. While Instagram isn’t set up for livestreaming our radio show, we often do stream in-studio before the show via our IG account. Please follow us there!
WINE CRUSHES
Wines mentioned on the show included:
Régis & Sylvain, Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc Une Cuvée d'Amitié (2021) (Available at Robert et Fils on the by-the-glass menu.)
Et Fille Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (2018). (Provided by Picnic Wine and Provisions)
Babylonstoren Paarl, South Africa Cabernet Sauvignon (2020). (On the bottle menu at Davanti Enoteca.)
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
(A * denotes a newly-added item.)
The Jewel-Osco at Southport and Addison (3630 N Southport Ave) has relocated its liquor department to the second floor. The wine selection, in particular, seems to be expanded and does include many celebrated Napa labels, including Freemark Abby and Far Niente. Prices are good and discounts abound. There is also a fair selection of half bottles of wine and bubbly available.
The Wine Goddess in Evanston is hosting vendor-led tastings on Friday nights, 5 to 7 pm, through the holiday season.
Perman Wine Selections in Near North is bringing back its in-person Champagne Extravaganza tastings! These are tastings of grower Champagnes, many of them quite rare. Nine Champagnes will be sampled at each tasting. There will be four tastings in all, December 1st, 3rd, 9th, and 10th. Tickets are required and cost $115 per person. Email orders@permanwine.com to reserve your ticket for these events.
December 1st: Door 24 in Bucktown offers a class on Washington State wines at 7 pm. The cost is $30 and requires an RSVP.
December 3rd: Volo Restaurant and Wine Bar in Roscoe Village holds its annual Champagne & Sparkling Food and Wine Pairing event from 2:30 to 4:30 pm. Pair eight bubblies with chef-created bites while enjoying Volo’s wonderful space, including its heated and enclosed hidden patio. Tickets are $50 and reservations are a must.
December 4th: Easy Does It hosts the Chicago Launch party for Stranger Wine Co., a Michigan-based winery from 2-6 pm. No reservations or tickets are required. Just show up!
December 6th: Uvae Wine Bar & Kitchen in Andersonville is hosting a South African wine dinner, featuring Babylonstoren wines and its cellar master, Charl Coetzee. The six-course meal includes wine pairings and is $125. Tickets must be purchased in advance.
December 7th: Sapori Trattoria in River North is hosting “The Blood of Jove,” a five-course Sangiovese wine dinner at 6:30 pm. Tickets are $125 and must be purchased in advance.
*December 7th: Galleria Liquors (Southport) is hosting “A Carefully Curated Champagne Event” from 6pm-9pm. Call them at (773) 857-6200 or stop in the store to get your ticket for $25.
December 10th: Cellar Door in Downers Grove is hosting its Grand Winter Wine Tasting from 1 to 4 pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance on Eventbrite.
December 10th: WineStyles Norwood Park is hosting its Holiday Wine Tasting from 4 to 7 pm. At least 15 wines will available. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
December 28th: Beautiful Rind hosts the 2022 Wine Down, a tasting of the staff’s favorite wines this year. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased online.
January 14th: I|O Godfrey Hotel hosts the Godfrey Wine Fest - Wine Tasting at I|O Godfrey Rooftop from 1:00 to 5:00 pm. Ticket price runs from $25 to $35 per person depending on your reservation date. Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite.
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.
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 be sure to 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 free 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.
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), plus additional tastings of beer, sake, and spirits 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)
Picnic Wine & Provisions holds wine tastings from 5-8 pm on Thursdays. $5, 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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