Happy Wednesday!

If you missed our third show on WCGO Radio, never fear, you can stream our podcast by clicking the link above. You can also check out our in-studio video stream via our Facebook feed and YouTube channel. Barring technical difficulties, these videos are available during and after each live show.

Kevin Kenny of Door 24 in Bucktown was our featured guest this week. We talked about Kevin’s path to wine, his decision to open a business, and, because ‘tis the season, holiday wines and good pairings with your favorite traditional foods.

We also welcomed special guest Jerry Vasilatos, an independent film director and producer who created Solstice, the very first Lifetime Channel Christmas special. Set in 90s Chicago, the film has proved a sentimental favorite that continues to attract attention decades later, spawning an award-winning documentary about its production and even garnering a recent mention in Film Threat.

As always, we deeply appreciate your support of our show and newsletter. (We especially appreciate your sharing our content with your wine-loving friends and family.) Our podcast and basic newsletter are, and will always be, free. If you aren’t already subscribed, you can sign up below!

CHICAGO WINE NEWS

For even more up-to-the-minute news of local happenings, follow us on Instagram and check out our story feed. We frequently share stories from venues across the Chicago metro area.

(A * in front of the date indicates that this is the first time the event has been listed in the newsletter.)

*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.

‘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.

Right now we know that Augusta Food & Wine (Lincoln Square) is open 11-7 on Mondays through the season. Beautiful Rind (Logan Square) has posted its holiday hours on Instagram.

CHICAGO WINE EVENTS

Below is a list of upcoming wine events in Chicago. As with wine news, following us on Instagram and checking out our story feed is a good way of staying in the know, as we don’t always get word of events ahead of time.

(Business owners, feel free to add us to your PR list or to contact us directly with your latest news at chicagowinereport (at) substack (dot) com.)

(A * in front of the date indicates that this is the first time the event has been listed in the newsletter.)

November 17th: Easy Does It in Logan Square hosts a Loire Valley Tasting With Selection Massale from 6:00 - 9:00 pm. The cost is $10 and six wines will be on offer. Reservations accepted, walk-ins welcome.

*November 17th: Verve Wine in Lincoln Park offers a Beaujolais Day 2022 - Tour the 10 Crus from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online.

November 17th: WineStyles in Norwood Park hosts a Thanksgiving wine tasting from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased online at Eventbrite.

November 18th*:Off Premise** in Lincoln Park hosts a free Thanksgiving wine tasting from 5:30 to 8:00 pm.

November 19th: Beautiful Rind in Logan Square hosts a producer pairing tasting with Vom Boden. Cheese and wine pairings will be available for sampling from 3:00-5:00 pm. The tasting is free and does not require a reservation. You can, however, reserve a larger sampling of cheese and paired wine at additional cost via the Beautiful Rind’s website.

November 20th*: Easy Does It**holds two events in its bar. Beginning at 3 pm Motorshucker Seafood will be running a pop-up featuring shrimp cocktail, ceviche tostada, michelada, and oysters with tomatillo and salsa macha. Serving until 7 pm or they sell out. From 6 pm - 12 am is “Photo Night,” including an exhibit, party, and DJ.

November 22nd: Easy Does It hosts Wines for Your Table, an opportunity to taste and buy wines for holiday events. $27 per ticket includes 30+ bottles and food sampling. Retail discounts for ticket holders.

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 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 I hope it will eventually become so. Please let us know if you’d like to recommend a spot or need to correct any information.

(A * in front of the date indicates that this is the first time the event has been listed in the newsletter.)

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 & 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)

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

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