WCGO SUNDAY SHOW RECAP
Our guest (November 20, 2022) was Nika Nemirovsky from Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square and we had a blast! We talked about her path to wine, and what it is like working in an independent wine and food shop. We also snarked on some silly wine gifts. If you weren’t able to tune in to the live show, we hope you enjoy the podcast!
This week’s field reports were from Ándale Market in Andersonville, Birch Road in Roscoe Village, and Sauce & Bread Kitchen in Rogers Park. Our wine crushes were Alberici NV 'La Fogarina' Lambrusco dell'Emilia Rosso IGP (at Sauce & Bread Kitchen) and 2020 Couly-Dutheil Chinon Rene Couly Rose (from Augusta Food & Wine).
Chip, Tom, & Lainie wish all of you a happy and safe Thansgiving weekend!
‘TIS THE SEASON
‘Tis the season for business operating hours to change: Some venues close on a specific holiday (though others may be open for last-minute shopping or celebratory get-togethers), and others schedule their annual, extended vacations during this time. On the other hand, some businesses expand their hours to accommodate busy schedules. Contact your local wine shops and bars to verify hours through January.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS
Le Midi (Wicker Park) has launched its wine club: Four wines selected by their expert staff with a price point of $35 and under per bottle. Learn more and sign up online at their website.
Robert et Fils, a new restaurant, café, and wine bar in North Center is now offering an “unlimited raclette” special on Sunday nights. Beverages are not included, though this establishment has an exciting wine list with a focus on French low-intervention wines.
Bronzeville Winery now features a bespoke music program led by musical director Ron Trent. This program includes live music every Sunday evening.
CHICAGO WINE EVENTS
(A * denotes a newly-added event.)
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. No reservations or tickets 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 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)
TUNE IN TO THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
Tune in to WCGO Radio at 10:00 am Central (or 10:06 to be precise) every Sunday!
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.
Chicago Wine Report Podcast | 11.23.2022