Hello and welcome to the Chicago Wine Report! We recorded our last episode in my home studio yesterday before making our transition to broadcast radio. A reminder that we debut at 10 am (central) on WCGO Radio (1590 AM, 95.9 FM) this Sunday, October 16th, 2022. If you are outside the Chicago area, never fear: You can stream the show from WCGO’s website or through the Tune-In app.
(A podcast version will also be available next week and will come, as usual, with this newsletter.)
We are super excited about this transition, even more so since our first guest will be Shad Martin of Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square. Shad is a fantastic human being who runs an incredible business right in one of the best culinary shop areas of the city. He has a wealth of knowledge that he shares so willingly!
Speaking of which, we welcome your wine questions for possible inclusion in our show. Just call 224-210-1620 to ask a question!
We’ve added a new section to our Substack site: Chicago Wine Resources. Right now there are two guides available: Chicago Wine Shops and Regular Wine Bar/Bottle Shop Tastings. I’ll be composing more guides soon that will be available to those who opt for a paid subscription. Learn more about subscription options by clicking the button below!
FIELD TRIPS
Taste Food & Wine
I decided to head over to the Friday night tasting at Taste Food & Wine in Rogers Park, a regular, and popular, event in that neighborhood. These tastings run from 5:30 to 7:30 pm and cost a mere $5, which is donated to a local charity. I tasted with Brandon, who was friendly, knowledgeable, and a great deal of fun to talk with!
This week’s wine lineup came primarily from the Loire Valley, with the exception of a delightful sparkler from Spain. We’ve tried this Dupeuble Beaujolais Rosé before (check out the podcast here) but the rest was new to me. The Cava was outstanding, but my favorite was the Cady Chenin Blanc. Get it while you can!
I really do recommend Taste. Nice people, snacks, and reasonable by-the-glass options. Nom.
Taste Food & Wine1506 W Jarvis AveChicago, Illinois 60626(773) 761-3663rptaste@gmail.com
Monday 3:00 pm - 7:00 pmTuesday 2:00 pm - 9:00 pmWednesday 2:00 pm - 9:00 pmThursday 2:00 pm - 9:00 pmFriday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pmSaturday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pmSunday 12:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen
In our last newsletter, I mentioned the visit that Tom and I made to Independent Spirits. What I didn’t discuss was the visit we made to Alice & Friends Vegan Kitchen, which is only a few blocks south of the shop. I’ve enjoyed Alice’s food many times over the years (and no, I am not vegan), while this was Tom’s first visit.
We were not disappointed by the incredible cuisine, particularly their fried tofu appetizer. Alice & Friends is BYOB, so we picked up a bottle of Anne Amie Müller-Thurgau Yamhill-Carlton 2019 at Independent Spirits, which proved a perfect match to the earthy cuisine.
Alice & Friends' Vegan Kitchen5812 N Broadway Chicago, IL 60660
Mon - Fri: 4:00PM - 9:30PM | Tuesday: Closed |Sat & Sun: 12:00 PM - 9:30 PM |*Last seating is 30 minutes before closing time
(773) 275-8797
WINES OF THE WEEK
We went whole-hog on Spanish wines this week. Chip picked up two reds from Door 24 Wine (Bucktown) and Lainie bought a bottle of white at Augusta Food & Wine (Lincoln Square).
From Door 24:
Rioja Vina Cubillo Crianza 2013 by R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia.
Rioja Crianza 2018 by Marqués de Tomares.
From Augusta Food & Wine:
Care Blanco Sobre Lías 2021
Curiously, all three of these wines (including the white) benefitted from a lengthy airing and, in the case of the reds, decanting. Tune in to the podcast to learn what we thought!
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
October 13th at The Wine Goddess: The Wines of Spain. 7:00 – 8:30 pm. RSVP online, tickets are $60.
October 22nd: Bucktown Fall Wine Walk, sponsored by Door 24 Wines.
October 24th at Uvae Restaurant and Wine Bar: Wine Dinner fundraiser for The Evolved Network. 6-8 pm. Tickets are $120 and include five courses with wine pairings.
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 & WhiteWines 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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