From new wines, to local events to overall tips, this is your place to get inside the mind of Chicago's Wine Guy.
I started shopping right away and found four bottles that'll either make good gifts or home cellar additions: Stoller JV Pinot Noir, L'Ecole 41 Semillon, Ch. Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon and Argiano Non Confunditur (SuperTuscan blend). The best thing was I only had to kick in an extra $4 for shipping/tax- that's 4 great bottles for $44!
Check it out and see what combo you can come up with- happy hunting!
1. Attend one of three Wine & Cheese Tasting Tours I will be conducting at the Tasting Room on Randolph. The tours are scheduled on three Thursdays next month- June 9, 16 or 23- your choice! We'll be going through four different wines paired with four different cheeses from 7-9pm. After that, you're welcome to stay at the Tasting Room and enjoy 50% off all glasspours! Quite a deal at $35/person.
2. Purchase an In-Home Wine Tasting conducted by the Windy City Wine Guy. I will be suggesting which wine to have at the event along with any food pairing recommendations for you to purchase. Then you'll get wine knowledge for yourself and up to 13 additional guests- all in the comfort of your own home! This is a 40% savings priced at $240.
Jump on this great opportunity- quantities limited!
I woke up this morning to find a great wine deal on Groupon: spend $25 and receive $75 credit to use on Barclay's Wine Shop Online. You can buy at most three (2 as gifts), must be 21 or over and a first time Barclay's Groupon user, and you can apply it toward wine packages or membership. Unfortunately, shipping is not included, but it's still a good deal.
Now I was trying to figure out the best way to use my Groupon. Here's what I came up with:
1. Purchase 1 expensive bottle. I like this option for collectors, but only recommend the '06 Yalumba Vinnovations Shiraz ($75 + $11.95 shipping). It's the only wine that isn't overpriced- most of the wines can be had for almost 50% less. For example, their '03 Bugay Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon ($62.50) can be found on Gary Vaynerchuk's Wine Library for $33.33!
2. Purchase multiple bottles. In their $15-30 range, alot of the wines can be had for $5-10 less with some online shopping, but good buys for the Groupon are Bagrationi Brut (from Georgia?!), Vinum Cabernet Sauvignon & Gagliosso Barbera d'Alba. In the $15 or less, Corbieres Cuvee Vignerons and the Washington Hills wines look to be good deals.
3. Packages. All packages are priced at $129.95 (add $16 for shipping) and are a mixed bag of the good, bad & ugly of wines, but with the Groupon, not a bad deal for a case.
I recommend the deal any way you choose to go, but do your research and take my advice, and you should end up with a great wine deal!
Check out this amazing deal on Foxling: A Private wine tasting hosted by yours truly, a certified sommelier, for 50% off! You choose the venue and I'll help you select great wines and food pairings for you and your friends/family. Everyone will learn about wine, sample food and wine and have alot of fun. This limited time offer is good for less than 12 more hours, so jump on it fast!
Even if you miss out, you can still call for Windy City Wine Guy Consulting services anytime: 708.205.9493.
Here's an opportunity to take advantage of the cold weather, recent snow and a loving holiday: I've teamed up with GrubHub to bring you some excellent delivery food for two people, wine pairing recommendations, with each choice priced around $100 or less! You can avoid the drive, parking or valet, and tipping by staying in the comfort of your own home with your significant other. Just choose one of the meals, run out to your local wine shop or order the recommendation online, light the fireplace and enjoy! Three cities: Chicago, Boston and Washington D.C. are involved. If you come from one of these three cities, click on your city and you're set. If not, use some of the wines I've recommended with the different cuisines and you'll be set as well. Happy Valentine's Day and enjoy the food and drink!
Winter is definitely upon us here in the Windy City and if you aren't ready, then it's time to strap on the snowshoes and head to the store. This is the time of year when nobody likes to venture into the cold and stock up their house so you must be prepared. Fortunately, I went on a South Loop spree last week and was ready for this snow session. Here's a bit on my preparation:
drove to Binny's South Loop to see what was on sale. The beer was an easy choice- I really like both Sam Adams and Goose Island seasonal brews, and I found Goose Island Mild Winter 12 pack on sale for $12.99. At just over $1/bottle, this is a steal for an ale that brings hearty, caramelly flavor and winter spice. Next, I was on to wine. I noticed Domaine Chandon selections were $15.99, but were on sale at Dominick's for $12.99, so I would wait on that and save $3. I also decided to wait on my red wine until I got to Whole Foods because Maipe Malbec was on sale for $8.99- quite a deal for an old vine, critically acclaimed, very fruity red. I decided to get only one bottle of white, and since I didn't see any specials, I picked up Feudi di San Gregorio Falanghina for $14.99. A personal favorite from the Campania region in Italy which I like to keep stocked, this wine brings loads of tropical fruit along with medium body and minerality. All in all, with so many great value choices, there's not many reasons for one to spend more than $15 for a good bottle of wine.
We do have some small entrepreneurial shops, but I would like to see more. South Loop Wine Cellar, Warehouse Liquors and Printers Row Wine Shop are great wine shops with boutique selections and fun wine people. Even if you have to pay an extra dollar here or there, try to support your neighborhood's small shops. It helps build community and keeps the little guy in business- the American way!
For all of you who love a good giveaway, I'm sure you're gonna love this: I will be teaming up with Kerasotes Theatres to give away movie passes to some of my lucky Twitter followers! This afternoon, at around 2pm CST, @WCWineGuy will be tweeting out a giveaway message. The first 30 people to retweet it will be given a pass for two people, good for a free movie, popcorn, and soda pop this Thursday evening at the grand opening of the Kerasotes 16 Theatre at the Roosevelt Collection. If you don't follow me, hop to it. If you already do, stay tuned for the tweet- more details to follow for the winners!
From now through Monday, October 5, 2009, St. Supéry is offering their 2003 Merlot for $150 per case. That is a $28 wine you can have for $12.50 per bottle!
I have been a fan of Anthony Terlato and his company, Terlato Wines International (TWI), for my entire wine career. I have respected him as a member of the Italian American community, a wine enthusiast, his business savvy, and am currently reading his memoir entitled "Taste". It is also great to see one of Chicago's own on the international wine scene. I recently contacted TWI, hoping for an interview with Mr. Terlato, and I was informed he is staying at his estate in Napa Valley, but will be available in the spring (stay tuned for the interview!). In the meantime, they wanted the Windy City Wine Guy to review their Tangley Oaks wines.The Tangley Oaks wines were created to give wine newcomers a "luxury" line of wines from select vineyards in Napa Valley and Santa Barbara County at an affordable price ($15-20). They are name after Mr. Terlato's Tangley Oaks Estate in Lake Bluff, IL., and meant to offer value and reflect the terroir of their respective regions. TWI offers three different varietals, and here is how they rate:
This is the time of year for celebration with all of the holidays and New Year's Eve upon us. There are festivities and parties, and nothing says splurge like Champagne. It is a beverage that was originally sought over 150 years ago by royalty in every nation, and today means celebration for all classes. While people love Champagne and it is the undisputed king of sparkling wine, the costs have risen sharply over the last decade. New wealth in countries like Russia and China have raised demand, with only a marginal increase in production. Other areas and countries have gotten into sparkling wine production, with good value and success, but Champagne remains on top.
The Windy City Wine Guy has dedicated multiple portions of this sight to find value for readers and consumers. Now I decided to go out into my neighborhood, the South Loop, and speak with shop owners, experts, and GMs about the best value white and red wines they have to offer.
Our entire world is feeling the pains of a couple decades of unregulated borrowing and spending. This is affecting everyone in every city, culture, and country. Now is the time to deal with the consequences. This will have an effect in every sector, and on every product. Many beverages, including wine, are considered luxuries and will definitely feel economic shockwaves. There are things to expect and ways to get through these crises. 
and "well-done" (gotta have some blood in that meat!). But, with a little bit of research and tasting, seeing those two words together may be a taste of the future.
While doing some weekly shopping with my wife at Whole Foods in the south loop I could not resist checking the wine section (like I always do). I noticed that it had grown to an enormous size since they first opened. Not only was the section quite large, but there was wine everywhere- in the aisles, by the vegetables, the meats, etc. Since I perceive Whole Foods not only to offer a superior product than other supermarkets, but also the finer things in life, it makes me happy to see good wines marketed with great foods.
While doing one of my weekly walkthroughs at Binny's South Loop I discovered the NHL Alumni Signature Wine Series on sale. Two Chicago Blackhawk greats, Tony Esposito and Bobby Hull, are being featured on these charity label wines created by Ironstone Vineyards. Ironstone is known for making decent well priced wines in the Sierra Foothills. The NHL wines are normally going for about $15/bottle and Binny's has a price drop to $5.99/bottle! These wines, the Esposito Cabernet and Hull Chardonnay, are great bottles for an everyday wine- any meal, simple sipping, or for company. Stock up and enjoy!Michael Bottigliero, a Chicago sommelier here to fit your wine needs including corporate events, training, in home wine tastings, bachelorette parties, beverage menu creation and wine cellar management.
