Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Wine Report! This week’s podcast features field reports on two businesses that don’t specialize in wine but do a great job of offering it to their customers!
We also had an impromptu tasting of a Pinot Grigio that will change your mind about the grape, last-minute news of a local wine tasting, and a report from Chip on wine patios that are open for the summer.
Congratulations are in order . . .
The Beautiful Rind’s cheesemonger, Cara Condon, won The Cheesemonger’s Invitational competition in New York!
Incidentally, The Beautiful Rind is a fantastic cheese shop that offers an amazing selection of wine. Do check out their offerings and take note of the fact that they deliver!
This week’s field reports
4363 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL
773-825-2370
Foodie paradise at this independent grocer and deli. The deli counter alone is worth the trip, plus the fact that the butcher takes special orders and sharpens knives ($5 each). The wine selection is impressive for a small shop, though I’d note that most of the wines hover around the $20 mark (give or take a few bucks). Don’t miss the Lady Edison ham (ask them to cut it paper-thin), which you should try with their house-pickled vegetables. The house white bean dip is also to die for.
While at the shop I (Lainie) picked up a bottle of Elena Walch Pinot Grigio, which ended up blowing the minds of both Chip and myself. This is one perfect wine for hot weather!
4736-38 N Lincoln Ave
(773) 293-2665
On one hand, this is an independent bookstore that offers a thoughtful selection of books along with in-store author events and book club meetings. It also serves as a local wine café with a selection of coffee drinks, tea, and, of course, wine. They are revamping their food menu, so only sandwiches are currently available, but the friendly staff was happy to guide me through their selection of wines. I chose a perky little rosé from Michigan, which was only $9 and great fun to drink.
Recently announced tastings
5947 N Broadway
(773) 989-2115
This Thursday (June 16th) Independent Spirits will offer a free tasting of classic French wines between 5 pm - 7 pm.
4755 N. Lincoln Avenue
(872) 208-3027
Just got word of this today so it didn’t make it into the podcast: Vom Fass in Lincoln Square is having a free wine tasting from 5 pm - 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 16th. Get more details here.
(Tip: Visit the Lincoln Square Farmers Market and check out the free tastings at Vom Fass and Augusta Food & Wine. Augusta is across the street on Leland, and Vom Fass is right up Lincoln Avenue.)
Wine bar patios
Chip confesses to a fondness for drinking rosé on outdoor patios, so he’s made it his business to track down wine bars/bottle shops that operate open-air seating. Here are some places to check out:
More on these, and other spots, over the coming weeks!
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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 I 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)
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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
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