We’re back!
Chip is back in town and we’ve resumed our Chicago Wine Report podcasts, at least for the next few weeks. Starting October 16th, the Chicago Wine Report will broadcast live on WCGO Radio (1590 AM & 95.9 FM) between 10 - 11 am (central time). A podcast will also be available for on-demand listening.
Of course, this newsletter will continue and we will also be producing additional content from time to time. We are thrilled to bring our show to the radio and look forward to sharing our new format with you!
More details will be available as we get closer to our debut date!
FIELD TRIP
My latest field trip was to Picnic Wine & Provisions in Rogers Park, a delightful establishment that is both a retail shop and wine bar. The space itself feels like a private villa/cottage and the interior, with its white walls and many nooks and crannies, is decidedly different than many wine establishments here in the city.
The selection of wines is excellent, as are the provisions on offer. Some set platters are available, but you can also purchase items and create your own meal or snack. We particularly recommend the Troon Vineyards Vermentino, which really hit the spot.
Super-friendly staff and customers as well. I very much enjoyed talking with everyone there and taking part in sharing wine and snacks with others. It’s hard to convey the spirit of this place in words. . .I’d recommend making a visit as soon as possible.
7301 N. Sheridan Road
Chicago IL 60626
Phone: 773-856-0000
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Thursday: 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Friday: 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Sunday : 1:00pm - 7:00pm
WINE OF THE WEEK
This week’s wine is one of my favorite wines that we’ve reviewed and, given his raptures about it, I suspect one of Chip’s favorites as well. A truly outstanding Pinot Grigio that defies all the negative stereotypes about this grape and the wines made from it.
Aromatic, balanced, and rich. . .this is a superb sipping wine, though it went beautifully with the hummus and chips that we had as a snack. I picked the bottle up at Rockwell Bottle Shop & Coffee (a block south of the Rockwell brown line station) for less than $20 with tax. An excellent value for a wine that is sure to please just about anyone who tries it.
Kellerei Bozen Cantina Winery Pinot Grigio 2021
Südirol-Alto Adige
Purchased from:
4634 N Rockwell St, Chicago, IL 60625
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
September 29th: Lincoln Park Uncorked (wine & beer stroll): 6-9 pm. Tickets range in price depending on when purchased. If available, tickets at door will be $60 each.
September 29th at The Wine Goddess: The Wines of the Pacific Northwest. 7 pm - 8 pm. $60 tickets, RSVP online.
October 1st at The Beautiful Rind: Producer Pairings Session: Aquitane Wine Company. 4pm - 6pm. Free tasting, optional add-ons (cheese boards and flights) are available at additional cost. RSVP if you can online.
October 7th - 9th at Jonquil Park: Lincoln Park Wine Fest. FRI: 5pm-10pm; SAT: 11am-10pm; SUN: 11am-7pm. Tickets range in price depending on when purchased and whether you opt for standard vs. VIP tastings.
October 13th at The Wine Goddess: The Wines of Spain. 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. RSVP online, tickets are $60.
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 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)
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)
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)
Table, Donkey and Stick hosts “Terrior Tuesdays” every week, 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)
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. 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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