Around the World Tasting @ South Loop Wine Cellar

The Windy City Wine Guy has always been an advocate of local neighborhood wine shops.  Mine is in the south loop at the South Loop Wine Cellar.  Amy Garman is the owner, and she carries a small selection of quality wines which she knows all about.  There are weekly tastings held at the shop, and I attended the Around the World Tasting held Saturday, October 18.  There were many distributors on hand to pour and answer questions- and they were all needed too as people poured in from all over the south loop!

There were some very good wines at this tasting and here are my favorites:

• Axios "Truth", Lindsey's Cuvee 2006: This blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Petit Verdot delivers deep dark fruit, vanilla and oak spice, smokey bacon aroma, and earth.  $22.50


• Seven Hills Merlot 2006: A silky Merlot with great integrated tannins and acidity.  Smooth fruits, nice body, and long finish.  $25.99


• Finca Villacreces, Ribera del Duero, 2005: This big Spanish red has it all- dusty earth, oak, cherry, rich soil, and spice.  A bit young, let it age.  $47.50


• Brooks Riesling 2006: I love this producer (ENO has the Amycas blend).  A rich dry white with slate, lime, apple, chestnut, and minerality.  So refreshing.  $19.99


• Chateau St. Cosme: There was a Côtes du Rhône ($18), Gigondas ($34), and Chateauneuf du Pape ($49), each better than the other.  Cannot go wrong with any of these as each is worth more than the price.


• Gunn Estate Unoaked Chardonnay 2007: A great expression of what Chardonnay is without all the alteration- honeyed apples, pear, and chalk.  Great ripe fruit.  $18.99


• Buglioni Valpolicella Classico 2006: Light and fresh with great acidity and bitter dark fruit.  $16

This was a great neighborhood event, as I met with lots of fellow south loop residents.  We were able to talk about the goings-on, as well as our liking of Amy and the wine shop.  Where is your neighborhood?  Tell WCWG and promote your local wine shop!