Chicago Wine Report: Recent Episodes
Chicago Wine Report
Chip Dudley & Lainie Petersen report on Chicago's wine scene: Shops, events, tastings, restaurants, and favorite bottles.
chicagowinereport.substack.com
A long-delayed episode finally makes its debut!
Tom and Lainie sit down with Richard Hanauer of Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. We talk about the wine industry, our favorite wines, and so much more. Enjoy!
Tom, Chip, and Lainie get together to talk about recent wine adventures including a tasting of Troon Vineyard wine at Bodin Street as well as visits to Uvae Fromagarie, Andersonville Wine & Spirits, and Kopi Cafe.
Lainie & Chip also describe a recent wine tasting/class led by Todd Hess of Hart Davis Hart at Birch Road.
Our guest was Michael Kush of Chasing Harvest, a Chicago-based wine company producing wines in Portugal and New Zealand.
This episode features Collin Moody of Vom Boden, a Chicago distributor focusing on German and Austrian wineries! Collin has a great backstory about his history in the food/beverage/wine business and was kind enough to lead us in tasting some fantastic wines from Vom Boden's portfolio.
This week’s show features a round-robin conversation between all three hosts and a short interview with Jennifer Van Buren of Wine Dogs Imports. We caught up with Jennifer at a New Zealand and Australian wine tasting hosted by Bodin Street Wines & Spirits.
The first is Daniel Pyne of Pyne Properties who talked about his experiences working a French wine harvest and making the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
Then, Tom interviewed Morten Sorensen of ISH Spirits. They had a fascinating discussion about how Morten champions mindful drinking with his line of non-alcoholic sparkling wines, spirits, and canned cocktails.
(Use code MINDFUL10 to save 10% on your ISH order!)
This week we welcomed Mia Sakai of Àndale Market, an Andersonville specialty grocer with a beautiful selection of foods from around the world. Looking for wine snacks? Visit Àndale Market for conservas, Spanish potato chips, charcuterie, cheese, and other delightful treats.
We at the Chicago Wine Report are grateful to our sponsors and supporters! Without them, we would not be able to bring you our show, newsletter, and social media content each week.
Thank you to:
Velocity Courier offers professional delivery services in the Chicago area. Yes, they deliver wine and have a lot of experience in doing so! Contact them at: (312) 944-0754.
Pyne Properties: "Broker, Investor, Advisor." Your one-stop shop for residential and commercial real estate brokerage. Need help finding a place to live? Dan's your man! Give him a call at (877) 944-3744.
Birch Road: We tape a lot of our shows at this amazing BYOB club with locations in Chicago, Denver, and Seattle.
Please tell our sponsors, guests, and supporters that you heard about them on the Chicago Wine Report!
Our guest this week is Diana Hamann, owner of The Wine Goddess, a wine bar and shop in Evanston, Illinois. Diana is an experienced wine educator who offers her patrons numerous opportunities to learn more about wine. She also has a fascinating story about how she went from being an English major to entering the wine industry as an educator, consultant, and business owner.
A special thank you to our sponsor, Velocity Courier in Chicago!
This week’s show featured Susan VanKoughnett and Laura Busso of Bodin Street Wines & Spirits.
Bodin Street, by the way, specializes in Mexican wines and spirits, and we got to taste two outstanding Mexican wines on the show: Vina Cava Big Blend and Casa Jipi Sauvignon Blanc!
Our guest this week was Rendi Graham of Anderson Ganne wines, an importer of French wines and the originator of the Vin de Terrasse boxed wines. We also talked the 2022 Chicago Reader "Best Of" nominees, included some tips for taking care of stemware, and shared some upcoming wine events in Chicago.
Our guest this week is sommelier Derrick C. Westbrook, a co-owner of Juice @ 1340 who has directed wine programs at NEXT and Elizabeth. He was recognized by Wine Enthusiast magazine as a 40 Under 40 Tastemaker and was the first African-American in the wine industry to grace the publication’s cover. We had a fabulous conversation about his journey to wine, his musical approach to wine and wine education, and how he introduces wines to his customers.
Each week we get together for a production meeting. This is also a great opportunity to try out some wines. This week we had two very different wines that came in at very different price points. Still, we enjoyed both immensely!
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The Curator 2021 (South African white blend by A.A. Badenhorst) $13 at Augusta Food & Wine
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Carl Ehrhard “Frau Ehrhard Naturlich” 2017 (low-intervention, slight skin-contact, German Riesling) from Independent Spirits. $30.
Lainie also reported on a tasting of ISH non-alcoholic wines and spirits offered at Birch Road in Roscoe Village.
ISH products are available locally at:
* Bendición Dry Bar
* Foxtrot
You can also get 10% off your first order at ISH’s US website with code MINDFUL10.
THIS WEEK’S SHOWOur January 8th, 2023 podcast featured Tess Moon of That Board Cheese & Cracker, an excellent catering company specializing in charcuterie and party boards. We met Tess at Birch Road where she is a member and were so pleased to have her in the studio. We talked about how she came to start her business, ideas for catering and party planning, and, of course, wine! Tom was good enough to prepare an excellent report on how de-alcoholized wine gets that way and led us on a tasting of an alcohol-removed wine. I (Lainie) spent the week hunting for a good charcuterie wine. I found one at Augusta Food & Wine’s regular Thursday tasting: Cesari Jùsto 2019, a Merlot & Corvina blend. It turns out, however, that everyone else at the tasting decided that it was too delicious to resist, and Augusta’s stock was sold out in 24 hours. The shop’s staff came to the rescue, however, and recommended a little gem: Gaspard Pinot Noir by Jenny & François. A super-affordable and quite delicious Pinot Noir from the Loire Valley.We also answered a question about a good cork for unfinished bottles of wine and, of course, streamed news of upcoming Chicago-area wine events. Looking for a video of our show? You can find them on YouTube & Facebook. (Hint: The sound starts at around 5:29.)SUPPORT THE SHOWWe (Chip, Tom, & Lainie) are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the Chicago Wine Report by listening, subscribing to the newsletter, sharing our content, or being a guest on the show. Our team hopes to expand our coverage by visiting and reporting from wine venues across the city, purchasing and testing out new wines and wine-related products, and improving the quality of our show and podcast. We appreciate your support as we create a show that educates, entertains, and informs the Chicago wine community.If you’d like to help here’s what you can do:Individual ListenersFirst, please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven’t done so already. If you opt for a paid subscription, that’s fantastic! Paid subscriptions start at as little as $5 per month. We’ll be announcing perks for paid subscribers very soon. Please share this newsletter and podcast on your social media accounts and with people who you think might be interested in what we do.Also, if you have a Substack account, please recommend us! Doing so helps us get new subscribers.Finally, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and, if you like what we post, share our content!Business OwnersWe offer sponsorship packages, including introductory rates (as low as $30 per month). Get in touch with us at chicagowinereport@gmail.com for details. Sponsorships include mentions on our radio show, in our podcasts, and right here in our newsletter.CHICAGO WINE NEWSPerman Wine Selections in the Near North neighborhood has new store hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 am to 7 pm. CHICAGO WINE EVENTSJanuary 11th: BottlesUp! hosts Island Wine Night featuring the wines of Greece, Italy, and Spain with a bonus rum tasting. The event starts at 7 pm and the cost is $25. RSVP by emailing the owner at melissa (AT) bottlesupchicago.com or by calling (773) 362-4999.January 11th: Le Midi hosts a tasting of Northern Rhône Syrah. 7 - 9 pm, the cost is $75. Sign up online.January 12th: Wine Goddess hosts The Great Wines of Piedmont, Italy at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $65 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 18th: BottlesUp! hosts Portuguese-a-Palooza, a wine class featuring six+ wines paired with a three-course Portuguese meal. The event starts at 7pm and the cost is $75. RSVP by emailing the owner at melissa (AT) bottlesupchicago.com or by calling (773) 362-4999.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. (Logan Square)January 25th: Binny’s is hosting the UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel. 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.January 26th: Wine Goddess hosts War of the Wine Worlds: Old vs. New. Tasting of 6 or 7 wines so be sure to eat beforehand. Cost is $60 and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite. February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. The cost is $395 per person and a certificate of completion is provided. (Evanston)Chicago Wine Report is a listener-supported show. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Happy New Year from all of us at the Chicago Wine Report!
Our newsletter and show will be back on a regular schedule starting later this week but wanted to get today’s show to you as soon as possible. We also want to send our heartfelt thanks for the support we’ve received from all of you. . .we could not have come this far without your support.
Chicago Wine Report is a reader and listener-supported show and publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
POST-HOLIDAY BUSINESS SCHEDULES
Many wine shops, wine bars, and restaurants of all kinds are either closed this week or operating on an abbreviated schedule as everyone rests up from the busy holiday period. Check first before venturing out to your favorite business to avoid disappointment!
BOOK REVIEW
Tom presented a review of Wine Simple by Aldo Sohm during this week’s show. The verdict? He strongly recommends giving this book a read!
Disclosure: The above image/link is to Amazon’s affiliate program. We receive a small commission if you make a purchase.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
Are you in the wine business and hosting an event? Have some news for the Chicago wine community? Please send it to us at ChicagoWineReport (@) gmail.com for possible inclusion in our newsletter and radio show/podcast. Our deadline for consideration for the Sunday morning show on WCGO is 11 am CT on Fridays.
January 5th: Door 24 hosts a Tuscan Wine Class at 7 pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online. (Bucktown)
January 12th*: Wine Goddess** hosts The Great Wines of Piedmont, Italy at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $65 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. (Logan Square)
January 25th: Binny’s is hosting the UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday, January 25th, 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each, and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.
February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. The cost is $395 per person and a certificate of completion is provided. (Evanston)
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 & 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)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
As luck would have it, Christmas and New Year’s Day both fall on Sundays this year, so the three of us (Tom, Lainie & Chip) pre-recorded both episodes so we could spend time with loved ones on the holidays.
This episode featured reflections on 2022, some of our favorite wines, an essay on the wines of Loire Valley, and some wine education from Chip.
COMING UP ON THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
New Year’s Day features an on-air tasting of non-alcoholic beverages (in honor of Dry January), some New Year’s wine-related resolutions, and some serious wine education. Tune in at 10:06 am on WCGO (1590 AM & 95.9 FM) or on WCGORadio.com.
On January 8th, we return to the studio with our guest Tess of That Board Cheese & Cracker. Tess has great ideas for entertaining and creating standout charcuterie and cheese platters, so be sure to join us!
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
Are you in the wine business and hosting an event? Have some news for the Chicago wine community? Send it to us at ChicagoWineReport (@) gmail.com for possible inclusion in our newsletter and radio show/podcast. Our deadline for consideration for the Sunday morning show on WCGO is 11 am CT on Fridays.
Several restaurants in the Scott Harris Hospitality group (Francesca’s, Mio Modo, Davanti Enoteca, and Disotto) are open on Christmas and New Year’s Day with special menus. (Check out our interview with Davanti Enoteca’s Chris Bernal. . .he was a fantastic guest and we all learned so much!)
January 5th: Door 24 hosts a Tuscan Wine Class at 7 pm. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online. (Bucktown)
January 12th*: Wine Goddess** hosts The Great Wines of Piedmont, Italy at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $65 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. (Logan Square)
January 25th: Binny’s is hosting the UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday, January 25th, 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each, and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.
February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. The cost is $395 per person and a certificate of completion is provided. (Evanston)
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 & 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. They are also hosting vendor-led tastings on Friday nights, 5 to 7 pm, through the holiday season. (Evanston)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
THIS WEEK’S SHOW
Warner DeJulio of Vin 312 Winery was in the studio with us. We had a lively and informative discussion about winemaking and wine itself! Be sure to follow Vin 312 on Instagram for some great content!
Chicago Wine Report is a reader and listener-supported show and publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
COMING UP ON THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
Our next two shows are on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, respectively, so we are going to mix it up a bit:
Christmas Day, as the last show of the year, will include a review of this past year (including some of our favorite wines), an original essay by Tom on Loire Valley Wines, Champagne education by Chip, and, of course, the latest news from the Chicago wine community.
New Year’s Day will feature an on-air tasting of non-alcoholic beverages (in honor of Dry January), some consumer-friendly wine-buying tips from Lainie, a book review by Tom, and New Year’s wine-related resolutions.
GIVING BACK
This week’s show includes a promo spot from Chicago Corner: They are sponsoring a toy and canned food drive at the Patio Theater in Portage Park. Admission to a double feature, Solstice (the very first Lifetime Channel Christmas special) and Home Alone, is FREE if you bring a new, unwrapped toy or canned food (please check those expiration dates) to the theater.
P.S. If Solstice sounds familiar, it’s because its producer and director, Jerry Vasilatos, has been a guest on our show!
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
Are you in the wine business and hosting an event? Have some news for the Chicago wine community? Send it to us at ChicagoWineReport (@) gmail.com for possible inclusion in our newsletter and radio show/podcast. Our deadline for consideration for the Sunday morning show on WCGO is 11 am CT on Fridays.
Le Midi in Wicker Park has opened its online store, allowing you to purchase bottles online for pickup inside their combined wine bar and bottle shop. They’ve also taken a shipment of Weingut Keller 2021 Rieslings, which are not to be missed. (Pssst. . .if the bottles are too much for your budget right now, they are pouring the RR Trocken by the glass!)
Several restaurants in the Scott Harris Hospitality group (Francesca’s, Mio Modo, Davanti Enoteca, and Disotto) are open on Christmas and New Year’s Day with special menus. (Check out our interview with Davanti Enoteca’s Chris Bernal. . .he was a fantastic guest and we all learned so much!)
December 22nd: Robert et Fils hosts a Champagne and Caviar Tasting with snacks served throughout the event. Tickets are $50 and are available online.
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.
January 25th: Binny’s is hosting the UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday, January 25th, 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each, and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.
February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. The cost is $395 per person and a certificate of completion is provided.
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 & 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. They are also hosting vendor-led tastings on Friday nights, 5 to 7 pm, through the holiday season. (Evanston)
Where to Find Us
As always, the Chicago Wine Report is broadcast on WCGO radio at 10:06 am CT on Sunday mornings. (Top-of-the-hour news and weather begins at 10:00 am.)
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. If you have an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device, ask Alexa to: “Play WCGO on Tunein!”
More details on these options are available here.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
12.11.12 SHOW
Our guest this week was Kim Bosse, co-founder of Birch Road, a BYOB social club with clubhouses in Chicago (Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park), Seattle, and Denver. We talked about the origins of Birch Road, how this wine-focused club operates, and some of Kim’s current beverage passions, including amaro!
(Interested in joining Birch Road? Get in touch and tell them that you were referred by the Chicago Wine Report and they’ll waive your enrollment fee!)
A particularly fun part of our conversation was discussing the club’s annual Champagne tasting the night before. Tom, the Champagne lover, was gung-ho about attending. I (Lainie) was not, but felt an obligation to show up anyway. So I did, and I did not regret it. An amazing selection of Champagne, much of it grower Champagne, was on offer, along with a lot of laughter and good humor.
Special shoutout to Melissa of BottlesUp! (taking orders and delivering bottles directly to club members’ lockers (another perk of membership) and That Board for the beautiful spread!
Off Premise
Tom and I also briefly reported on our visit to Off Premise, a fantastic bottle shop just down the street from Birch Road’s Lincoln Park location. A well-curated selection of wine lines the wall and many of the bottles were both intriguing and unfamiliar. I particularly enjoyed this Primitivo rosé from Italy (think strawberries and cream):
Off Premise: Real wine, Whiskey, Craft Beer
1128 W Armitage
Chicago, Illinois 60614
(773) 770-3540
COMING UP ON THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
On December 18th, Warner DeJulio of Vin 312 Winery will be in the studio with us! Vin 312 is a craft winery based in the Ravenswood neighborhood. We are thrilled to have an actual winemaker on the show!
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR’S DAY SHOWS
As luck would have it, Christmas and New Year’s Day are both on Sundays this year. We’ll be pre-recording our shows: You can help! Call in and record your wine questions: 224-210-1620. If you feel more comfortable emailing us your question, do so at ChicagoWineReport (a) gmail.com.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
Are you in the wine business and hosting an event? Have some news for the Chicago wine community? Send it to us at ChicagoWineReport (@) gmail.com for possible inclusion in our newsletter and radio show/podcast. Our deadline for consideration for the Sunday morning show on WCGO is 11 am CT on Fridays.
Several restaurants in the Scott Harris Hospitality group (Francesca’s, Mio Modo, Davanti Enoteca, and Disotto) are open on Christmas and New Year’s Day with special menus. (Check out our interview with Davanti Enoteca’s Chris Bernal. . .he was a fantastic guest and we all learned so much!)
A reminder to get your tickets to Binny’s UGC 2020 vintage Bordeaux tasting at the Drake Hotel on Wednesday, January 25th, 6-8 pm. Over 90 estates are represented. Tickets are $100 each, and can be purchased online at Binnys.com.
December 15th: Robert et Fils hosts a Left vs Right Bank Bordeaux Tasting, accompanied by a cassoulet dinner. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online.
December 15th: Easy Does It hosts a Phelan Farms Wines of the Pacific tasting from 6-9 pm. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased in advance, but walk-ins are quite welcome.
December 17th:Juice@1340 hosts The Squeeze: A curated wine & spirits tasting at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased in advance.
December 22nd: Robert et Fils hosts a Champagne and Caviar Tasting with snacks served throughout the event. Tickets are $50 and are available online.
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.
February 27th: Wine Goddess Academy focuses on The Wine Regions. Five-class series. Sign up online on Eventbrite. Cost is $395 per person and a certificate of completion is provided.
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 & 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. They are also hosting vendor-led tastings on Friday nights, 5 to 7 pm, through the holiday season. (Evanston)
TUNE IN!
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. We are live every Sunday morning at 10 am (CT).
You can also stream our show directly from the WCGO website, the Tune-In app, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel. If you have an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device, ask Alexa to: “Play WCGO on Tunein!”
More details on these options are available here.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
OUR LATEST SHOW
Our December 4th, 2022 show on WCGO Radio (1590 AM & 95.9 FM) was one of our best! Our in-studio guest was Nisha Aher of Hart Davis Hart Wine Company. Nisha has so much knowledge about wine and shared so much with our team and audience. We are very grateful that she took the time to be on our show!
We also had a fantastic pre-recorded interview with Craig Garofalo and Michael Seward of Pops for Champagne. Pops for Champagne was (and is) a trailblazer in the Chicago wine scene and it was great to learn about its story as well as the culture that its team seeks to foster. If you like bubbly, you’ll definitely want to give this interview a listen.
Also, a quick reminder that our shows stream live on Facebook and YouTube while we are in the studio. While Instagram isn’t set up for livestreaming our radio show, we often do stream in-studio before the show via our IG account. Please follow us there!
Chicago Wine Report is supported by its readers and listeners. Consider becoming a free or paid subscriber!
COMING UP ON THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
Tune in to the Chicago Wine Report every Sunday morning at 10:00 am (10:06 am to be exact) at 1680 AM and 95.9 FM in the Chicago area, or via the station’s website at WCGORadio.com.
On December 11th, our guest is Kim Bosse, co-founder of Birch Road, a BYOB social club with clubhouses in Chicago (Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park), Seattle, and Denver. We’ll be talking about the Birch Road concept and the many wine-related events hosted by the clubs.
Then, on December 18th, Warner DeJulio of Vin 312 Winery will be in the studio with us! Vin 312 is a craft winery based in the Ravenswood neighborhood. We are thrilled to have an actual winemaker on the show!
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
Are you in the wine business and hosting an event? Have some news for the Chicago wine community? Send it to us at ChicagoWineReport (@) gmail.com for possible inclusion in our newsletter and radio show/podcast. Our deadline for consideration for the Sunday morning show on WCGO is 11 am CT on Fridays.
December 8th: BottlesUp! in Lakeview hosts Charl Coetzee of Babylonstoren who will be teaching a South African wine class at 7:00 pm. Cost is $30. Contact BottlesUp! to reserve your seat.
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 15th: Robert et Fils hosts a Left vs Right Bank Bordeaux Tasting, accompanied by a cassoulet dinner. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online.
December 17th:Juice@1340 hosts The Squeeze: A curated wine & spirits tasting at 3:00 pm. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased in advance.
December 22nd: Robert et Fils hosts a Champagne and Caviar Tasting with snacks served throughout the event. Tickets are $50 and are available online.
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 & 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. They are also hosting vendor-led tastings on Friday nights, 5 to 7 pm, through the holiday season. (Evanston)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
OUR LATEST SHOW
Our November 27th, 2022 show on WCGO Radio (1590 AM & 95.9 FM) featured Chris Bernal of Davanti Enoteca and Scott Harris Hospitality. We had a fantastic discussion about his path to wine and the joys, and challenges, of being a wine specialist at a popular restaurant! Chris really, really knows his wine, so it was wonderful to pick his brain for the kind of specialist knowledge that only an experienced industry professional can provide.
Tom and Lainie also shared stories of their recent visit to Vin 312 Winery in Ravenswood as well as Robert et Fils in North Center. Stream the podcast from the link above and enjoy!
Also, a quick reminder that our shows stream live on Facebook and YouTube while we are in the studio. While Instagram isn’t set up for livestreaming our radio show, we often do stream in-studio before the show via our IG account. Please follow us there!
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication & show. To support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
WINE CRUSHES
Wines mentioned on the show included:
Régis & Sylvain, Val de Loire Sauvignon Blanc Une Cuvée d'Amitié (2021) (Available at Robert et Fils on the by-the-glass menu.)
Et Fille Wines Willamette Valley Pinot Noir (2018). (Provided by Picnic Wine and Provisions)
Babylonstoren Paarl, South Africa Cabernet Sauvignon (2020). (On the bottle menu at Davanti Enoteca.)
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.
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 7th*: Galleria Liquors** (Southport) is hosting “A Carefully Curated Champagne Event” from 6pm-9pm. Call them at (773) 857-6200 or stop in the store to get your ticket for $25.
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 & 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)
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication & show. To support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
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 & 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
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.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
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
Want to listen to our radio show live? We broadcast at 10:00 am central time on WCGO 1590 AM and 95.9 FM in the Chicago area. If you aren’t in the Chicago area, you can stream it from the WCGO website, Tune-In app, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel. More details on all these options are available here.
Thank you for reading Chicago Wine Report. This post is public so feel free to share it!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
We had a great second show on WCGO Radio! Chip, Tom, and Lainie were in the studio along with Liz Ahearn of Picnic Wine & Provisions (Rogers Park). You can get all the show’s details, along with links to businesses and events mentioned, here.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS
Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square is now open on Mondays throughout the holiday season! Visit the shop from 11 am – 7 pm. (There is some speculation that these hours might continue even after the holidays.) Augusta’s Shad Martin was also a recent guest on WGN’s Daytime Chicago, talking about the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Fall Wine Stroll.
Chicago Winery is open for business. This is a real, working winery in Downtown Chicago that is also home to LIVA, a full-service restaurant.
Alpana Singh’s wine-driven restaurant, Alpana, was recently featured on CBS News Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley.
CHICAGO WINE EVENTS
A list of upcoming wine events in the Chicago area. A * in front of the date indicates that this is the first time the event has been listed in the newsletter.
November 9th: Joe’s Imports in Fulton Market is holding a special happy hour from 4 pm-6 pm to launch its Wine x Web3 NFT wine club. Attendees will have a chance to win a Bronze Level membership.
November 10th*: Easy Does It** is hosting a Pizza Party & Wine Tasting between 6 pm - 9 pm: Professor Pizza pops up with NYC slices and Easy Does It will pour four wines for tasting. $15 per person, purchase tickets online (walk-ins are welcome).
November 11th*: Easy Does It** is partnering with distributor Vom Boden to offer a “Hot Dog Happy Hour” from 6-9 pm. Tasty dogs, inspired wine pairings. . .sounds great to us! $15 and you can purchase tickets online (walk-ins are welcome).
November 12th: The Wine Goddessin Evanston is holding its Thanksgiving Mega-Tasting from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online.
November 16th: WineStyles in Norwood Park hosts a Back in the USA wine class from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
November 16th: Le Midi in Wicker Park hosts Wines to Pair for Thanksgiving from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. RSVP and prepayment of $65 are required. Email seth@lemidiwine.com to reserve. Tickets are limited and there is a strict 48-hour cancellation policy.
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 27th: All Together Now 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** offers a class on Washington State wines at 7 pm. The cost is $30 and requires an RSVP.
December 6th: Uvae Wine Bar & Kitchen 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.
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)
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)
FINDING THE CHICAGO WINE REPORT
We are more than a newsletter, podcast, or radio show: We put out content that focuses on the Chicago wine scene (almost) daily!
First, check out our Instagram account. In addition to photos and videos documenting our wine adventures, our story feed includes posts from many Chicago wine venues that feature news of special events, happy hours, tastings, and deals. We don’t always have the ability to include all this information in a newsletter or show, but our IG feed is usually hopping with local news.
Prefer Facebook? We aren’t as active there, though a lot of our IG content is duplicated on our page. You can, however, watch an in-studio video stream of our Sunday radio show on our Facebook page and, of course, view it on demand.
Want to listen to our radio show live? We broadcast at 10:00 am Central time on WCGO1590 AM and 95.9 FM in the Chicago area. If you aren’t in the Chicago area, you can stream it from the WCGO website, Tune-In app, our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel. More details on all these options are available here.
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
We made our broadcast radio debut on Sunday. Our station is WCGO in Evanston, and our first show, while a bit bare bones (I didn’t want too many moving parts for our first episode), went great!
Many thanks to our guest, Shad Martin of Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square. Our conversation was a bit of this and that, and we learned a lot from him!
Our guest this Sunday is Liz Ahern from Picnic Wine & Provisions in Rogers Park. Tom and I visited Picnic back in September and had a truly wonderful time. You can read/hear about our experience here.
Reminder: We welcome your wine-related questions! Call our voicemail line to leave your question for possible inclusion in our show: 224-210-1620.
Planning to Tune In? Here’s How!
Yes, our podcast is actually a radio show! Real, old-time radio. Of course, you can always stream our podcast, but we are so excited to also be on the radio dial. Need help tuning in? We can help!
Are you in the Chicago area?
Technically, the show starts at 10:06 am Central time, but if you are tuning in via our Facebook Page or YouTube channel (the YT channel may be a bit tricky as it is new, so you might be better off on Facebook for now), we start streaming at 10:00 am. This will likely just be a video stream of us prepping for the show, but do say “Hello!” in the comments!
If you plan to tune in to WCGO Radio the old-fashioned way, you can do so at 1590 AM, which covers much of the Chicago metropolitan area, including parts of Indiana and Wisconsin. 95.9 FM offers reception in the North Shore and far Northside neighborhoods of Chicago.
Outside the Chicago area?
You can also stream the show from anywhere via the WCGO Radio website or the Tune-In app.
Video Streaming
Prefer video to audio? Never fear! We have a live video feed in the studio that streams to Facebook & YouTube.
Getting the podcast
The show will continue to be available as a podcast: Subscribe here on Substack or via Apple Podcasts. The podcast version will be available within a few days of its original airing.
Every Saturday (or possibly Sunday morning) you’ll get a newsletter with information about Sunday’s show, including links to the businesses and products that we mention. The podcast newsletter will also go out later in the week. Both newsletters are free (though we appreciate your paid subscriptions!).
Disclosure: Some links in this newsletter may be affiliate links. We may receive a small percentage of any sales made through these links.
The Chicago Wine Report is a reader-and-listener-supported publication, radio show, and podcast. To receive new posts and support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
FIELD TRIP
We’ll be talking more about our visit to Joe’s Imports on Sunday’s show and will soon have members of their team on as guests. Meanwhile, however, I wanted to share some photos of the fantastic food and wine that we got to enjoy while visiting:
Joe’s Imports
813 W Fulton Market
Chicago, IL
(312) 736-1750
HOURS
Tuesday - Thursday: 5pm-10pm
Friday: 3pm-11pm
Happy Hour; Tuesday-Friday: 3pm-5pm
Saturday Brunch: 10am-3pm
Saturday Dinner: 4pm-11pm
Sunday Brunch: 10am-3pm
Sunday Dinner: 4pm-9pm
CHICAGO WINE EVENTS
November 10th: Lincoln Square-Ravenswood Wine Stroll. Purchase tickets online for $40-$45.
November 12th: The Wine Goddessin Evanston is holding its Thanksgiving Mega-Tasting from 3:00 pm - 4:30 pm. Tickets are $30 each and can be purchased online.
November 16th: WineStyles in Norwood Park hosts a Back in the USA wine class from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased online.
November 16th: Le Midi in Wicker Park hosts Wines to Pair for Thanksgiving from 7:30 to 9:00 pm. RSVP and prepayment of $65 are required. Email seth@lemidiwine.com to reserve. Tickets are limited and there is a strict 48-hour cancellation policy.
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.
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)
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)
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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)
CONNECTING WITH US
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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Hello! Welcome to another episode of the Chicago Wine Report. Please excuse our dust as we transition from a podcast to a radio show: We debut at 10 am (central) on WCGO Radio (1590 AM, 95.9 FM), which serves the Chicago metropolitan area.
For our loyal listeners and subscribers, here are the details:
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The show will continue to be a podcast and available here on Substack. Nothing will change with how you continue to access the show.
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WCGO is a broadcast station and the AM signal has a massive reach throughout the Chicago area, including Naperville and other western suburbs, as well as parts of Indiana and Wisconsin. The FM signal is confined to the North Shore and north side neighborhoods.
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If you are outside the WCGO listening area or don’t have easy access to a radio, you can stream our show via the WCGO website or by using the TuneIn app.
We are incredibly excited to bring a Chicago-wine-focused show to the airwaves. As always, we thank you for your support!
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
FIELD TRIPS
Le Midi
Le Midi is open for business! Formerly Joe’s Wine Cellar, Le Midi has undergone a massive renovation by Seth Wilson and Craig Perman. While the excellent selection of bottles for retail purchase remains shelved against the east wall, the rest of the space has been transformed by cool blue hues and a decidedly subdued vibe.
Plenty of seating is available, including within the front patio area and a huge communal table at the center. The menu features a rotating cast of wines by the glass along with a simple (but wonderful) menu of small bites, including a rather remarkable entry entitled “Crostini w/ Tuna Belly,” pictured below:
The cheese and charcuterie are also not to be trifled with:
Service is knowledgeable and relaxed: I never felt rushed or hurried, even though the place was buzzing. Feel free to ask your server for recommendations and their preferences. . .they know what they are talking about.
The wine lists here (both glass and bottle) are excellent and innovative. If you are looking to try something out of the ordinary, you’ve come to the right place. The glass list, in particular, offers pours from some pretty high-end bottles: You’ll pay for the privilege (some of the glass pours are in the $30ish range) but it’s cheaper than springing for a bottle.
Le Midi
2108 West Division Street
Mon — Closed
Tues-Thurs — 12-10 pm
Fri–Sat — 12-11 pm
Sun — 12-6 pm
(773) 303-4884
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room
I made a second visit to this lovely shop, this time for their free Tuesday wine tasting and was in no way disappointed:
The wines were delicious, even the Sauvignon Blanc, which surprised me by smelling and tasting of gooseberries without a hint of cat pee (“Eau de chat” has become a standard feature in many Sauv Blancs lately, much to my disgust). I enjoyed talking with the wine rep and the bartender. . .so much so that I found my way over to the bar for another glass (or two) and some cheese.
Speaking of cheese: The tasting room at Uvae has a fine selection of cheeses and they are happy to put together a flight for you.
For $10, a selection of three kinds of cheese, plus spreads and crackers, is a serious bargain. Let your server select your cheeses for you if you want maximum enjoyment. They know what they are doing here.
Two special treats also lurked on the menu: The first was an Italian Viognier. I’m typically not fond of the grape, but the 2018 Tenimenti d'Alessandro Toscana Bianco made me reconsider my position. Crisp, beautiful acid, and a great accompaniment to food, this is one bottle I’d advise picking up at Uvae.
The second was a plate of deviled eggs:
The eggs and filling are pristine, but check out those toppings! Little cheese crisps plus candied chips of bacon/onion jam. Nom.
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room
5553 N. Clark St.
Sunday & Monday 1 – 8 pm
Tuesday to Saturday 12 – 9 pm
773-654-1432
Independent Spirits
I’ve been remiss in visiting Independent Spirits’ weekly wine tastings since they restarted them this year. It’s a real shame, too, because this is one of my favorite shops and its free tastings always feature top-notch bottles.
This week’s selections hail from South Africa and were presented by a rep from Kestral Wine & Spirits. I’ve been super-impressed by the South African bottles I’ve tried lately, and this lineup was no exception:
I can remember a time when I really disliked South African wines. Lately, they’ve become some of my favorites. The Thorne & Daughters “Tin Soldier” Semillon was a particular standout and perhaps the sexiest white wine I’ve ever tried and JH Meyer "Palmiet" Chardonnay will upset all of your Chardonnay stereotypes.
Independent Spirits
5947 N Broadway
Tuesday - Saturday 12 to 7 pm
Sunday 12 to 6 pm
(773) 989-2115
WINE OF THE WEEK
On this week’s show we sampled Pietracupa Greco di Tufo 2018. Recommended to me by Le Midi owner Seth Wilson, this Italian white proved a rare treat.
Le Midi co-owner, Craig Perman, often likes his white wines to have a bit of age on them, and I can’t help but wonder if he was cellaring this bottle until he felt it was just right: The wine itself is a beautiful, rich gold color that likely reflects the 4+ years that it’s been around.
We were blown away by the richness of this wine: Chip and I have, lately, been complaining about the lack of balance often found in many European wines, particularly those grown in warmer climates. Pietracupa Greco di Tufo is grown in Campania (southern Italy) and there are distinctive tropical notes, but nothing is out of whack: Tom noted that while there was a strong flavor of lime, it is more like a lime pickle. I felt that the wine had some spiciness to it, and Tom’s remark brought home a memory of Indian lime pickle as I sipped away.
This is a surprisingly rich wine: We noted a bit of oiliness as well as beeswax. Alcohol is reasonable at 12.5%. (I only wish I had had some whitefish on hand for pairing purposes.)
Of course, wines of this quality don’t come cheap, and I paid about $42 (with tax) for this bottle. Not an everyday wine to be sure, but definitely worth savoring with friends.
CHICAGO WINE NEWS & EVENTS
October 7th - 9th at Jonquil Park: Lincoln Park Wine Fest. FRI: 5-10pm; SAT: 11-10pm; SUN: 11-7pm. 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 – 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)
Chicago Wine Report is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
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.
Picnic Wine & Provisions
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:
Rockwell Bottle Shop & Coffee
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 & 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)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
NEWS & A CORRECTION
Greetings!
First, the podcast contains a small error. During this week’s show, I mentioned that I purchased a “rambunctious” bottle of Denis Lattard Roussane (2018) at Easy Does It, the bottle was actually purchased at Diversey Wine. The wine, by the way, is delicious and was a perfect match to a meal of hummus, dolmas, and turshi from Salam Restaurant.
Second, Chip is heading out for a vacation and will return in late September. The podcast is likely going on hiatus during this time (unless I feel inspired in some way) but never fear: The newsletter will continue until he returns.
Third, as we mention in the podcast, we are going to have a major announcement regarding the Chicago Wine Report at the beginning of October. Stay tuned.
Lainie
FIELD TRIPS
This week’s field trips were to two Logan Square wine businesses:
Easy Does It (wine bar + retail)
Diversey Wine (bottle shop)
WINE REPORTS
This week we focused on two California rosés:
Arnot-Roberts Rosé 2021 (Easy Does It)
Inconnu Lalalu Rosé 2019 (L & M Fine Foods)
Wine Events
September 1st, 2022: Augusta Food & Wine (Lincoln Square) is hosting a free fine French wine tasting on Thursday. The tasting starts at 5 PM (an hour earlier than their normal Thursday tastings) and will continue until they run out of wine.
September 15th, 2022: Door 24 Wines offers a German wine class. Start time is 7 PM, RSVP required, cost is $35.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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.
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. Free with purchase.
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Greetings! Apologies for the lateness of this newsletter/podcast: We had technical difficulties last week and this week has been jam-packed. We should be back on our regular schedule next week.
Sadly, the above-mentioned technical difficulties meant that our episode on California Chenin Blanc was unusable. However, we really did love the wines we tried, both from Independent Spirits:
LIE DIT CHENIN BLANC SANTA YNES VALLEY 2019
LEO STEEN SAINI FARMS CHENIN BLANC DRY CREEK VALLEY 2019
FIELD TRIPS
This week’s field trips were to:
Red & White Wines
Door 24
L & M Fine Foods
WINE REPORTS
This week we focused on two white wine blends from France!
Château Laubarit Entre-Deux-Mers 2020 from Red & White $24
Eric Texier Adéle 2020 from Door 24 $22.99
Wine Events
August 20, 2022: All Together Now has a pop-up booth at the Mt. Joy Concert at the Salt Shed.
August 24th, 2022:" BottlesUp! hosts Burgundy Basics class at 7 pm, $45 per person.
August 25th, 2022: Door 24 hosts an orange (skin contact) wine tasting class at 7 pm. The cost is $30 and you can sign up online.
August 28, 2022: All Together Now hosts The Great Wine Down with Alexander Great from 3-6 pm.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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.
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. Free with purchase.
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Guests this week included Joe Fedorko of DB Comedy and Scott Clapper, an international flight attendant!
Wines of the Week
Domaine Dupuy de Lome
2020 Bandol Rose
Purchased from Beautiful Rind.
Edmunds St. John Bone-Jolly
2019 Gamay Rose
Purchased (via special order) from Augusta Food & Wine.
Observations
Lainie is noticing an uptick in the availability and selection of excellent conservas (tinned fish) in Chicago venues. Check out:
L & M Fine Foods
Red & White Wines
Beautiful Rind (try the garlic cod)
All Together Now
Augusta Food & Wine
Independent Spirits
Wine Events
August 11, 2022: BottlesUp! hosts BeyoU Ladies' Night: The Summer Bash, offering snacks, wine tastings, and pop-up shops. Tickets are $10.
August 25th, 2022: Door 24 hosts an orange (skin contact) wine tasting class at 7pm. Cost is $30 and you can sign up online.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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. Free with purchase.
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 6 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to this week’s episode of the Chicago Wine Report! Our friend Joe Fedorko of DB Comedy joined us for a tasting of some fantastic Rieslings and, as a special bonus, a sparkling rosé made from Blaufränkisch.
Wines of the Week
All of this week’s wines were purchased from Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square.
Matic Rose Mea Blaufrankisch Pet Nat (July wine club wine)
Joseph Cattin Riesling 2020
Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Semi-Dry 2020
Wine News
Red & White Wines to offer a full dinner menu on Thursday evenings along with no corkage on bottles purchased from the wine shop. Open until 8 pm on Thursdays.
(773)-486-4769
Wine Events
July 28th, 2022: Independent Spirits hosts a free tasting of Domaine Zafeirakis wines this Thursday from 5-7 pm. Free, no RSVP required. independentspiritsinc.com
(773) 989-2115
July 28th, 2022: Hinsdale Wine Shop is hosting “An American Summer - A Fine Wine Tasting Event.” 40 wines will be poured and the ticket price is $12. Sign up at Eventbrite.
August 11, 2022: BottlesUp! hosts BeyoU Ladies' Night: The Summer Bash, offering snacks, wine tastings, and pop-up shops. Tickets are $10.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 6 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
This week’s podcast brought a bit of news from the wine world, some worry about climate change, and a tasting of two really delicious rosé wines: Christina Rosé 2021 (imported by Jenny & François) and Dupeuble Beaujolais Rosé 2020 (imported by Kermit Lynch). Both were purchased at Printer’s Row Wine Shop.
Wine News
Independent Spirits (Edgewater) turned 9 on Tuesday!
5947 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660
IndependentSpiritsInc.com
(773) 989-2115
Closed Mondays, free wine tasting from 5-7 on Thursdays
Field Reports
I visited 016, the Lincoln Square Serbian restaurant that was recently named one of the top 100 restaurants in the country by Yelp. Delicious food and some very tasty wine. Strongly recommended!
O16
5077 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
(773) 271-7006
Wines tried: Zvonko Bogdan's “8 Guitar Players” (Field Blend: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Blanc) and Sauvignon Blanc.
I made my second visit to Printers Row Wine Shop and was able to stay for some wine and a bite. The grilled cheese sandwich (with prosciutto and fig jam for dipping) was incredible, as was their lovely on-tap rosé (served in a carafé). Don’t miss the cayenne and rosemary cashews!
Printers Row Wine Shop
719 S Dearborn
CHICAGO, Illinois 60605
(312) 663-9314
Wine Events
July 21st, 2022: Door 24 Wine is hosting a Sicilian Wine Tasting/Class at 7 pm. Cost is $30 and you can sign up online.
July 28th, 2022: Hinsdale Wine Shop is hosting “An American Summer - A Fine Wine Tasting Event.” 40 wines will be poured and the ticket price is $12. Sign up at Eventbrite.
August 11, 2022: BottlesUp! hosts BeyoU Ladies' Night: The Summer Bash, offering snacks, wine tastings, and pop-up shops. Tickets are $10.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 6 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Wine of the Week
Matteo Braidot Ribolla Gialla 2019 from Italy. Stone fruit, beeswax, wildflower, lemon curd. Acid is balanced, not crazy. A delicious wine at a great price.
Purchased from Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square. If you haven’t been to this shop, get thee over there: It’s a great place. Don’t miss their Thursday tastings (see the tasting list below) or the gourmet halvah that’s on their shelves.
Chicago Wine News
Speaking of Augusta Food & Wine, I attended last Thursday’s tasting and got to try a wine that I’ve had my eye on for awhile: Red Tail Ridge Cab Franc Dry Rosé 2021 by winemaker Nancy Irelan. Really delicious, has a good price point, and is a welcome addition to my pink wine rotation. I’ve also seen it at Taste in Rogers Park, so I advise calling around to see if your favorite wine shop has this bottle.
Closed for Renovations
Joe’s Wine Cellar’s closed for rebranding July 10th. The shut-down will last about a month before reopening as Le Midi Get on their mailing list for updates on their new website.
Chicago Wine Events
July 21st, 2022: Door 24 Wine is hosting a Sicilian Wine Tasting/Class at 7 pm. Cost is $30 and you can sign up online.
July 28th, 2022: Hinsdale Wine Shop is hosting “An American Summer - A Fine Wine Tasting Event.” 40 wines will be poured and the ticket price is $12. Sign up at Eventbrite.
August 11, 2022: BottlesUp! hosts BeyoU Ladies' Night: The Summer Bash, offering snacks, wine tastings, and pop-up shops. Tickets are $10.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Tuesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Wine of the Week
This week’s show included a tasting of Bodrog Borműhely Dry Tokaj 2019, an entry-level blend of 80% Furmint and 20% Hárslevelű grapes. Bone dry (we were expecting it to be slightly sweeter) it is super-fresh with notes of lemon, lime, and pineapple. We compared it to higher-end New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs but without the high price tag or cat pee notes.
I picked this one up at Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square. If you haven’t been to this shop, get thee over there: It’s a great place. Don’t miss their Thursday tastings (see the tasting list below) or the gourmet halvah that’s on their shelves.
Chicago Wine News
Holiday Closures
Red & White Wines is closed through July 7th to give staff some time off.
All Together Now is closed through July 8th.
Closing for Renovations
Joe’s Wine Cellar’s last day of service will be July 10th. They’ll be closed for about a month for renovations and rebranding as Le Midi. Get on their mailing list for updates on their new website.
Chicago Wine Events
BottlesUp! is having an American wine tasting on Thursday, July 7th. The idea is to sample wines from across the country. The cost is $35 and you can sign up on Eventbrite.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Tuesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to the latest edition of the Chicago Wine Report! Chip and I were joined by our friends Joe Fedorko (Joe is with DB Comedy which produces “The Electables”) and Tom Hall. We tried these gorgeous wines, both made in California from traditional Italian grapes.
Æris is a white wine from Rhys Vineyards, a project dedicated to growing Italian grapes in California and making spectacular wines from them. This Æris Bianco Centennial Mountain Vineyard 2017 is made from Carricante. We were all astonished at the complexity and depth of this wine.
Ryme Aglianico Rose 2020 was also a huge hit. We were shocked at its substance, salinity, and mouthfeel. If you are looking for a distinctive rosé that can hold its own against all kinds of strongly flavored foods, this one could work.
You can find these wines at Joe’s Wine Cellar in Wicker Park, but act fast: Joe’s is closing down for a remodel and a rebranding on July 10th.
Chicago Wine News
Red & White Wines
Lots of news from Red & White Wines in Bucktown:
1. Red & White has announced a no-corkage Thursday deal. Ordinarily, you can buy a bottle from the shop to drink in its bar area or on the patio for a $10 corkage fee. On Thursdays, you don’t even have to pay that modest charge. A really fantastic deal!
2. Their Saturday tasting runs from 2-5pm and this week’s (July 2nd) features wines from Denis Lattard in the Rhone and Matin Calme in Roussillon. The tasting is $10 per person.
3. Their old chef, Jamie Davis will be in on Sunday (July 3rd) to make chicken sandwiches from 4 to 8 pm. Their $1 oyster special will start at 12 noon until the oysters run out.
4. The shop & bar will be closed from July 4th through the 7th for staff vacation. They reopen Friday the 8th.
Stein Rosé Trocken
Last week’s podcast featured a Stein Rosé Trocken 2021: We bought a magnum from Red & White and they still have ‘em, but they are sold out of the regular bottles. Fortunately, Perman Wine Selections does have the 750 ml in stock, so hop to it if you want to grab yourself some of this utterly perfect pink wine.
Field Reports
Reports from being out and about in Chicago’s wonderful wine community!
EnotecaRoma
Do check out EnotecaRoma in Wicker Park/East Ukrainian Village: A homey, cozy place with both a front and back patio, Enoteca Roma is under the same ownership as Letizia’s Natural Bakery. They have a nice selection of (mostly) Italian wines and multiple wine flight options are available.
The bruschetta is also a delight: 10 different varieties are available and you can get a flight of five for $12.
Beet and goat cheese arancini is likewise a delight. They have a daily arancini, so be sure to ask when you visit. This plate of three is $12 and is most satisfying.
2146 W. Division
773-772-7700
All Together Now
I’ve mentioned All Together Now in the past but wanted to remind everyone of its excellent “Happiest Hour” specials on Sundays (2 to 5 pm) and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays 3 pm - 6 pm. I’m particularly fond of their cheese and (optional) meat board. Thursday’s spread included a watermelon pickle that was most refreshing. Can’t beat the $5 glasses of wine, either.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Tuesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Wine Report! This week featured two guests, Joseph Fedorko and Eoin Boyle: Both gentlemen are foodies, excellent cooks, and gadflies in various local communities. They offered some excellent commentary
We shuffled the format a bit to combine both local wine news as well as a Wine of the Week tasting. Enjoy!
Come to the 99 Perspectives open house!
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of 99 Perspectives, a production studio for media creators. We offer audio and video recording in our beautiful West Loop workplace. Our next open house is June 25th, 2022. RSVP for your free ticket today: Food and beverages (including wine) will be provided!
This week’s field reports
Both field reports come from shops in Lincoln Square:
Augusta Wine & Spirits Thursday Wine Tasting
Augusta has resumed its Thursday night wine tastings and I (Lainie) was able to make it this past week. A fine selection of five wines was poured to an appreciative group. I was particularly fond of the Edmunds St. John Bone Jolly Gamay Noir. Also, a special shout out to the Wakefield Plantation peanuts that are a staple on Augusta’s shelves!
Vom Fass Wine Tasting
Vom Fass hosted Johanna from More than Grapes. She poured some excellent wines, including Le Pianure Prosecco Millesimato 2020 Extra Dry & 2019 Appassimento Rosso Veneto IGT.
Recently announced wine tastings
Independent Spirits
5947 N Broadway
(773) 989-2115
This Thursday (June 23rd) Independent Spirits will offer a free tasting of Italian wines between 5 pm - 7 pm.
Upcoming Wine Events
Door 24 in Bucktown is part of Sunday’s Bucktown Wine Walk: June 26th, 2-5 pm, tickets are $25.
All Together Now in Ukrainian Village is hosting “The Great Wine Down with Alexander Great,” a laid-back event on Sunday, June 26th, from 3-5 pm. Alexander Great is DJing and wine and snacks are available for purchase. No cover, no RSVP required.
Of Note
Craig Perman of Perman Wine Selections and Joe’s Wine Cellar (soon to become Le Midi) is in Greece right now, checking out vineyards and producers. His Instagram tells the tale.
Wine of the Week
Our wine of the week, Stein 2021 Rosé Trocken, was purchased at Red & White Wines in Bucktown: A cult rosé out of Mosel, this is a treat that is not to be missed. (10.5% alcohol also makes it an excellent hot weather or weekday wine!)
Imported by Vom Boden, this wine is available in the standard 750ml bottle as well as magnums. Personally, I recommend the magnum: A gorgeous bottle that is sure to be a hit at parties.
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Tuesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 2 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Wine Report! This week’s podcast features field reports on two businesses that don’t specialize in wine but do a great job of offering it to their customers!
We also had an impromptu tasting of a Pinot Grigio that will change your mind about the grape, last-minute news of a local wine tasting, and a report from Chip on wine patios that are open for the summer.
Congratulations are in order . . .
The Beautiful Rind’s cheesemonger, Cara Condon, won The Cheesemonger’s Invitational competition in New York!
Incidentally, The Beautiful Rind is a fantastic cheese shop that offers an amazing selection of wine. Do check out their offerings and take note of the fact that they deliver!
This week’s field reports
L&M Fine Foods
4363 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL
773-825-2370
Foodie paradise at this independent grocer and deli. The deli counter alone is worth the trip, plus the fact that the butcher takes special orders and sharpens knives ($5 each). The wine selection is impressive for a small shop, though I’d note that most of the wines hover around the $20 mark (give or take a few bucks). Don’t miss the Lady Edison ham (ask them to cut it paper-thin), which you should try with their house-pickled vegetables. The house white bean dip is also to die for.
While at the shop I (Lainie) picked up a bottle of Elena Walch Pinot Grigio, which ended up blowing the minds of both Chip and myself. This is one perfect wine for hot weather!
The Book Cellar
4736-38 N Lincoln Ave
(773) 293-2665
On one hand, this is an independent bookstore that offers a thoughtful selection of books along with in-store author events and book club meetings. It also serves as a local wine café with a selection of coffee drinks, tea, and, of course, wine. They are revamping their food menu, so only sandwiches are currently available, but the friendly staff was happy to guide me through their selection of wines. I chose a perky little rosé from Michigan, which was only $9 and great fun to drink.
Recently announced tastings
Independent Spirits
5947 N Broadway
(773) 989-2115
This Thursday (June 16th) Independent Spirits will offer a free tasting of classic French wines between 5 pm - 7 pm.
Vom Fass
4755 N. Lincoln Avenue
(872) 208-3027
Just got word of this today so it didn’t make it into the podcast: Vom Fass in Lincoln Square is having a free wine tasting from 5 pm - 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 16th. Get more details here.
(Tip: Visit the Lincoln Square Farmers Market and check out the free tastings at Vom Fass and Augusta Food & Wine. Augusta is across the street on Leland, and Vom Fass is right up Lincoln Avenue.)
Wine bar patios
Chip confesses to a fondness for drinking rosé on outdoor patios, so he’s made it his business to track down wine bars/bottle shops that operate open-air seating. Here are some places to check out:
Angelo’s
Easy Does It
Outside Voices
Red and White (Noisette)
More on these, and other spots, over the coming weeks!
Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune in!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Come to the 99 Perspectives open house!
99 Perspectives operates a production studio for media creators. We offer audio and video recording in our beautiful West Loop workplace. Our next open house is June 25th, 2022. RSVP for your free ticket today: Food and beverages (including wine) will be provided!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Wine Report! This week’s podcast includes reports on several Chicago wine venues and events, plus a quick tip about a favorite budget-friendly rosé.
Note about subscription options: The Chicago Wine Report will remain a free podcast here on Substack. Soon, however, we will begin a subscription model for longer newsletters and bonus content (such as wine reviews and video commentary.) We are moving to a subscription model so that we can provide better and more frequent news and information for our listeners and readers.
You can start a subscription now (and we are grateful for your support!) though all content will remain free through the end of June. Never fear, however, the podcast as well as links and information for all venues reported, will always be free and you’ll get these updates online, through social media, and email, as you do now.
Wine Musings
Chip and I recently tasted a wine that neither of us liked very much. Something was decidedly off and Chip’s face screwed up a bit as he struggled to figure out what he was tasting.
“There’s something, but I can’t quite figure it out, it’s like I’m tasting steel.”
I didn’t initially disagree, but I still wasn’t quite sure. I sipped, sniffed, and sipped again.
“Rubbing alcohol!” I blurted. “It tastes of rubbing alcohol!”
“Yes!” cried Chip, “That’s it, rubbing alcohol!”
Chip wondered why he confused steel with rubbing alcohol. I noted that the two are often associated when we make trips to the doctor: The furnishings are stainless steel and the scent of rubbing alcohol is ubiquitous.
Our senses can be tricky: When we drink wine, initial impressions are filtered through our memories and, of course, the flavors and scents that we are familiar with.
One of the reasons why I love to drink wine with others is the sharing of impressions, connections, and then the winnowing down to what we might actually be smelling and tasting. Each of us has different memories that we associate with tastes and smells, so the way we describe the same wine can be very different.
Have you had a similar experience?
Podcast Field Trip Reports
Lainie and Chip like to meander around town in search of wine shops, wine bars, and restaurants that serve and sell great wine. Here are our field trip reports for this past week:
Joe's Wine Cellar (soon to be Le Midi)
2108 West Division Street
Chicago, Il, 60622
(773) 303-4884
I (Lainie) had heard much of Joe’s Wine Cellar in Wicker Park but never quite made it over to visit. It turns out that Joe’s is now under the ownership of Craig Perman (Perman Wine Selections) and Seth Wilson. They are in the process of rebranding the operation, which means that they’ll be shutting down for a few weeks for renovations.
Fortunately, I was able to check out the place before it shut down for a facelift: It’s a lovely storefront with a patio and an incredible selection of wine by the bottle and the glass. The WineStation© (see the photo above) is a wine dispensing and preservation machine that allows bars and shops to dispense precise pours while keeping the wine pristine.
Seth and I had a friendly conversation about the direction of Joe’s. When it reopens as Le Midi, it will continue to use The WineStation© for glass pours (and yes, half glasses will be available!). The wine selection will be more pointed, however, with an emphasis on France, Spain, and Italy, along with wines from Portugal (Craig Perman’s specialty). There will also be a much more extensive food menu.
A transitional tasting is scheduled for this Wednesday, June 15th. The cost is $60 and must be paid in advance. More information is available on Joe’s Wine Cellar’s website.
Door 24 Wine
2124 N Damen Ave 1st floor
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 697-3345
I stopped by Door 24 Wine to pick up two bottles for the most recent episode of No Chalice Required and my visit happily coincided with the shop’s free weekly wine tasting. A lovely wine rep was on hand to offer samples of some excellent wines and to explain their virtues to us all. This is a fun shop with good owners and a great selection. Check them out!
Chip recently made a trip to Trader Joe’s and made note of La Ferme Julien Rosé, a rosé that looks suspiciously like La Vieille Ferme Rosé, aka “The Chicken Wine.” The wines are indeed made by Famille Perrin and appear to be the same blend of grapes. Chip happily noted that the wine was delicious and that it sells for $5.99, which is a steal.
I’m thrilled to report that Andersonville has three excellent wine shops within a few blocks of each other: Andersonville Wine & Spirits, Uvea Fromagerie & Tasting Room, and In Fine Spirits. If you can’t find what you need at one shop, a short jaunt should get you to the bottle you want.
Chip has been to In Fine Spirits many times, but I recently made my first visit to this shop. The selection was excellent, and I had the opportunity to pick up a truly unique bottle of white Malbec from Argentina. (Yes, a white Malbec!) Many bottles are available cold and the shop also has pre-set cheese boards, cheese spreads, and cured meats available. I look forward to my next visit!
News & Upcoming Events
Augusta Food & Wine has resumed Thursday evening wine tastings! The tastings are free, no RSVP required, and take place between six and eight.
Please note that Augusta is located right across from the Western Brown Line Station (on Leland). The station is also home to the Lincoln Square Farmer’s Market, which conveniently runs on Thursdays between 3-7 pm (there is a Tuesday morning market as well). Purchase some lovely foodstuffs at the market and then visit Augusta to try and purchase some wine.
Célébrez en Rosé, a Black-owned wine and music festival, comes to Chicago on June 25th. Many different ticket packages are available. The festival takes place at Burnham Park (41st and Lake Shore Drive).
Gene’s Sausage Shop in Lincoln Square has opened its rooftop bar & grill! Sausages, salads, potato pancakes, giant pretzels, wine, sangria, beer, cider, soft drinks and daily specials are available weather permitting. Cash only on the rooftop, but they do have an ATM available.
Hours are:
Friday-Saturday: 11 am-8 pm
Sunday: 11 am-4 pm
Tip: If in doubt about the weather, call ahead at 773.728.7243.
Konbini & Kanpai is now offering delivery of beverages and snacks within a two-mile radius from their store. This service begins Monday (June 13th) at 12 noon. Visit their website to make sure you are within the shop’s delivery range and to place your order.
Ongoing Tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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 on 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)
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)
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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune In!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Come to the 99 Perspectives Open House!
99 Perspectives operates a production studio for media creators. We offer audio and video recording in our beautiful West Loop workplace. Our next open house is June 25th, 2022. RSVP for your free ticket today: Food and beverages (including wine) will be provided!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Podcast Field Trip Reports
I (Lainie) checked out several wine shops this past week and shared my experiences with Chip in our most recent podcast. Visits included:
Konbini & Kampai
1433 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
(312) 884-9780
Chip has reported on this delightful Lakeview shop in the past. I finally got to visit and thought it fantastic. If you are a Japanese beer or sake lover, this is your place (much of their stock is in one of their many fridges). Thoughtful wine selection. Great assortment of Japanese snacks and treats. I look forward to returning!
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room
5553 N. Clark St. Chicago, IL 60640
773-654-1432 •
I got to this place by accident: Was heading out to another tasting but CTA delays interfered. Decided to switch gears and try out Uvae’s wine and cheese shop, which is quite special. Huge list of wines by the glass (and in your choice of 3, 6, or 9 ounce pours), pre-set wine flights (four wines for $10), and fantastic cheese flights (see the photo above).
Taste Food & Wine
1506 W Jarvis Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
(773) 761-3663
Decided to take a long stroll on Memorial Day and visit this Rogers Park shop. Impressed by the selection of bottles under $20, as well as the quality of the house-made Mediterranian dip! I also love that this shop shares an outdoor patio (actually a street take-over!) with a few other area establishments.
News & Upcoming Events
Door 24’s Loire Valley wine class takes place on Thursday, June 9th at 7 pm. The cost is $30 and you must sign up online. I’ve attended one other class at Door 24 and enjoyed it very much. Great way to try different wines and meet other wine people.
Perman Wine Selection has updated their Six for Everyday—$20 and Under monthly wine assortment and it looks pretty good! I appreciate that Perman takes the approach of selecting 12 “everyday” wines each month in two price categories: Under $30 and under $20. You can buy the wines separately, of course, but the staff at Perman recommends purchasing the whole set for maximum enjoyment and building your wine collection!
Ongoing Tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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:
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 to 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)
Red & White (mentioned above) continues to offer tastings each Saturday from 1-4 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)
Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)
Tune In!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Podcast Field Reports
I (Lainie) recently visited All Together Now in Ukrainian Village for the first time and fell in love. Wonderful staff along with a great selection of bottles, cheeses, small fish in small cans, and charcuterie.
It’s a lovely little wine bar, as well: I was lucky enough to arrive during “Happiest Hours,” which are from 3 pm -6 pm Tuesday through Thursday and 2 pm -5 pm on Sunday. Enjoyed a lovely cheese and meat board along with an incredible $5 glass of Muscadet. The knowledgeable staff also recommended two wines by Ingrid Groiss, which ended up being reviewed on our weekly wine podcast, No Chalice Required.
2119 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
(773) 661-1599
(Right off the Chicago Avenue 66 bus & within walking distance of both Damen 50 and Western 49 bus lines.)
A few days later I visited Bucktown’s Red & White Wines, a long-time favorite of mine. They were offering their regular Saturday tasting, this one featured wines made by Raphael Monnier of Ratapoil and Avis de Tempete. The wines were delightful and I can particularly recommend the Avis de Tempete, Viognier '19. The shop’s stock of these Jura wines is limited, so I recommend paying a visit soon.
After the tasting, I enjoyed a glass of Brand, Pur WilderSatz '20, a low-alcohol field blend by the incomparable Brand Bros. (I am sorry to report that it has already sold out).
Red & White Wines
1861 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 486-4769
(Easily accessible from the Western Blue Line station, the Western Avenue 49 bus and the Milwaukee Avenue 56 bus.)
News & Wine Availability
Perman Wine Selections reports via its newsletter that it has an allocation of Chablis from Thomas Pico of Domaine Pattes Loup. Supplies are very limited, so it is advisable to call, stop in, or email ASAP to reserve your selections. Perman is a shop where they will store your credit card information for easy ordering.
1167 N Howe Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312.255.8990
Upcoming Events
Door 24’s Loire Valley wine class takes place on Thursday, June 9th at 7 pm. The cost is $30 and you must sign up online.
Ongoing Tastings
Below is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local 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:
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!
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.
Red & White (mentioned above) continues to offer tastings each Saturday from 1-4 pm. The cost is $10 and their wine club members get to taste for free (see upcoming events below). These days, information about the tastings is usually released the day before in the Red & White Wines newsletter. I recommend getting on the mailing list so that you’ll know what to expect.
Uvae offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesday nights. Wine flights are also available at any time at a cost of $10 for four one-ounce pours.
Tune In!
The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Wednesday at 3 pm on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Short show and report this week. Lainie spotted two upcoming Chicago wine events of note:
Minum Wines: Producer Pairings Session
Minum Wines distributes natural wines in the Chicago area. They’ll be at a special, free pairing and tasting event at The Beautiful Rind in Logan Square. You’ll also have an option of reserving a flight, cheese board, or both at an additional cost.
May 27, 2022 5-7 PM
Free, reservations encouraged.
Beautiful Rind
2211 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
312-300-4535
Door 24 Loire Wine Tasting
This is another sit-down wine tasting with the folks at Door 24. Tickets are $30.
France's Loire Valley Wine Class 6/9 7pm
2124 N Damen Avenue
1st floor
Chicago, IL 60647
Door24wine@gmail.com
773.697.3345
Chip noted, too late, that the Lyric Opera of Chicago had just hosted a wine auction. Lainie and Chip both noted that a wine auction can be a great opportunity to purchase wines that are not readily available in stores while also supporting worthy causes.
Finally, we noted that the next episode of No Chalice Required is coming up, focusing on Chardonnay from the West Coast! Available now, download or subscribe today!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
This week’s Chicago Wine Report focused on tastings: Lainie attended two in the past week and noted that we are at the point where it might be possible to attend a tasting every night of the week!
Door 24’s Oregon tasting was a delight, featuring a selection of wines from boutique producers. The standout was American Recordings Pinot Noir, which left Lainie thinking of nights on her back porch, drinking this wine (chilled, if you please) while listening to The Drive’s HD2 “Deep Cuts” channel.
Seriously, though, it was a great evening. It was a guided, sit-down tasting that provided information about each wine and its producer. If you are wanting to bone up on your wine knowledge, check out these in-depth tastings at Door 24.
Perman Wine Selections hosted a tasting with Christos Zafeirakis, the winemaker at Domaine Zafeirakis. The wines were an absolute delight: Delicious and incredible values!
Upcoming wine tastings in Chicago:
Joe’s Wine Cellar in Wicker park has wine tastings every Thursday from “6 to 8:30ish” PM. Reservations are required and there is a charge to attend. Below is the schedule through the rest of May:
May 12th is Australia and New Zealand
May 19th is Rosé
May 26th collaborative dinner with Dimo’s Pizza
(773) 303-4884
2108 W Division Street
Chicago, IL 60622
Andersonville’s In Fine Spirits offers free wine tastings Wednesdays from 5-7 pm and on Saturdays from 3-6 pm. Occasionally they do Thursday tastings as well. Follow them on social media or subscribe to their newsletter to learn about special events. In Fine Spirits is open seven days a week, a relative rarity among small wine shops in Chicago.
(773) 506-9463
5418 N Clark St
Chicago, IL 60640
Konbini and Kanpai is holding a free Wine Wednesday tasting on May 11th, from 6-8 pm. They are also promoting an opportunity to taste 20 different wines for $20 on May 25th, from 6 pm onward. Incredible wine discounts as well. Reservations are required.
312-884-9780
1433 W Belmont
Chicago, IL
That’s all for this week. Tune in to No Chalice Required for in-depth wine reviews or listen to World Perspectives Radio Chicago as we develop our programming!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome to the Chicago Wine Report!
We thank everyone for their support of our show, which has aired at World Perspectives Radio Chicago every Thursday at 3 pm Central time. We will continue to bring the Chicago Wine Report at that time, but will also start a new wine-infused news show on the same station on Wednesday afternoons! Stay tuned for exact dates and times!
Here’s what we discussed on Thursday, April 28th, 2022:
GREEK WINE TASTING AT PERMAN WINE SELECTIONS
Perman Wine Selections is hosting a tasting of Christos Zafeirakis’s wines on Monday, May 9th, between 5 pm-7 pm (arrive anytime between 5 and 6:30 pm). $10 to taste, refundable if you purchase a bottle of Zafeirakis wine.
RSVP by emailing the shop at orders@permanwine.com.
Perman is located at:
1167 N Howe Street
Chicago, IL 60610
312.255.8990
ANDERSONVILLE WINE WALK
The Andersonville Wine Walk offers participants the opportunity to visit community businesses and sample wine at each stop. This year the walk is on May 15th, 3 pm to 6 pm. The cost is $40 and you have your choice of two routes.
KONBINI & KANPAI 20 for $20 WINE TASTING
Konbini & Kanpai is hosting a 20 for $20 wine tasting on May 25th, 2022. The store notes that most of the wines retail for $30+ and they have negotiated serious discounts for those who want to take home three or more bottles. The details, plus the opportunity to purchase tickets, can be found here.
Konbini & Kanpai is located at:
1433 W Belmont, Chicago, IL 60657
312-884-9780
DOOR 24 OREGON WINE TASTING
Lainie has been reliably informed that there are only a few seats left for Door 24’s Oregon wine tasting on May 5th. Sign up today to try 8 different wines!
Door 24 is located at:
2124 N Damen Avenue
1st floor
Chicago, IL 60647
773.697.3345
NO CHALICE REQUIRED UPDATE
Our latest episode of No Chalice Required (Chip & Lainie’s wine podcast) can be found at Anchor.Fm. This week’s show was about Muscadet/Melon de Bourgogne, with wines from Jo Landron and Bow & Arrow.
We also talked the Loire Valley, Rośe wine, and climate change!
Get full access to Chicago Wine Report at chicagowinereport.substack.com/subscribe