Chicago Wine Report on WCGO | 11.27.2022
Chris Bernal of Davanti Enoteca & Scott Harris | Vin 312 Winery | Robert et Fils
APOLOGIES!
Those of you who downloaded and listened to the podcast version of our 11.20.2022 show probably noticed a sound glitch at about 25 minutes in. Unfortunately, an error was made during the editing of the file that caused the disruption. The damaged file has been deleted and replaced with a clean version of the broadcast. You can find it here. Our apologies for this mishap!
THIS WEEK’S SHOW
Our guest this week is Chris Bernal from Davanti Enoteca and Scott Harris Hospitality. We’ll be talking about his experiences in the wine and hospitality industries, the challenges of working for a major restaurant group in a major city, and get his picks for great wines to be drinking right now!
Tune in to WCGO Radio at 10:00 am Central (or 10:06 to be precise) tomorrow, November 27th, 2022, for this week’s Chicago Wine Report.
Trying to find us? WCGO is 1590 AM and 95.9 FM on your radio dial. 1590 AM can be heard throughout the metro area, including some parts of Wisconsin and Indiana. The FM signal is best on the North Side/North Shore.
You can also stream our show directly from the WCGO website, the Tune-In app, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel. More details on all these options are available here.
FIELD REPORT & WINE CRUSH
Normally, our weekly field reports and wine crush are two separate segments. But this wasn’t a normal week. Two members of our team visited a local winery and participated in an actual wine crush. Then, Lainie checked out a newish wine venue and ended up falling in love with a wine that she had there. Thus, we’ve put the two segments together for this week’s show.
Vin 312 Winery: Yes, Ravenswood has its very own winery! Tom and Lainie spent a few hours there this past week, checking out the facilities and even helping to process a load of Cabernet Sauvignon grapes that had just arrived from Washington. Tune in on Sunday to hear about this fantastic wine adventure!
Robert et Fils: Lainie had a splendid visit to Robert et Fils, right after having a pretty negative encounter with another bottle shop/wine bar. Excellent service, great conversation with the staff, lovely food, and a surprisingly delicious glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Tune in to listen to what she has to say about Régis & Sylvain, Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc Une Cuvée d'Amitié (2021).
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.
November 27th: All Together Now in Ukrainian Village hosts The Great Wine Down with Alexander Great between 2 pm-5 pm. Alexander Great spins tunes while you get to enjoy their happy hour specials.
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 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)