From new wines, to local events to overall tips, this is your place to get inside the mind of Chicago's Wine Guy.
The Arboretum of South Barrington is Chicagoland's newest outdoor playground. You can dine, shop and play in the company of trees and gardens out in the 'burbs. On Thursday, March 4th, you can also catch a special event: Uncorked from the Heart. For $40 in advance ($50 at the door) you can experience wines from around the world and cuisine prepared from six Arboretum locations : Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, Gold Class Cinemas, Pinstripes, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, and Acquisitions for the Home. The evening starts at Pinstripes, an awesome space which features 18 bowling lanes, 10 indoor/outdoor bocce courts, outdoor patio and fireplace, Italian/American food and wine, and blues and jazz bands. The fun moves from there to the other venues with shuttle service all night long. Come out and enjoy an awesome suburban wine and food evening!
I recently received an email from a reader asking about the "Dirty Dozen" of top 12 foods you should buy organic and how this affects wine. Imported grapes are on the list at #10. Vineyards can be sprayed by multiple pesticides and no matter how much you wash them, the contaminants have already penetrated their thin skins. Another point to remember about this is that it does not only apply to imported grapes. Domestic grapes are still on the EWG's Shopper's Guide to Pesticides (at #21). Also, this applies mainly to grapes grown for food and juice. As for wine, vineyards are normally maintained by the farmers following sustainable guidelines. In Europe, the European Crop Protection Association keeps a close eye on both grape and wine production. For those who use pesticides, testing is conducted to ensure they do not surpass the maximum residue level for contamination level. In almost all cases, contamination is at zero after the wine is ready for bottling. Australia has strict government guidelines as well. 
The Semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards 2010 have been announced and the list is littered with Chicago establishments and professionals. It's always exciting to see how well Chicago does with these awards and to bask in the fame that is given to our culinary scene. 
signature dishes at the Fairmont Hotel's Grand Chefs Gala. The chefs are also honored with the Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence- the only Chicago-based awards for culinary arts and expertise. For a charitable donation you can enjoy not only the awards, but also cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, a silent auction, a three course meal, dessert buffet and dancing. The 2010 event was held on Friday, January 29, and though I was unable to attend, Windy City Wine Guy was able to send it's first guest writer!
J'nai Gaither is a food and wine afficionado who experiences new and fabulous restaurants and wine tastings on a frequent basis. Her goal within 2 years is to own land in Argentina and make wine on her own personal vineyard. She aspires to be able to play golf and drink wine all day! This past year she has served of the Gala Committee of the Grand Chefs Gala for Cystic Fibrosis and continues to involve herself in the exhilarating realm of Chicago's culinary landscape. 
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!
I woke up early this morning, grabbed my vitamins and water, and turned on the Today Show to find Gary Vaynerchuk giving out his Super Bowl wine picks. This comes a day after I gave out my Chicagoland available wines and favorite carryout/delivery spots for pizza, wings and chili. Needless to say, I'm always interested in what @garyvee has to say about pairings, plus he's pretty entertaining to watch. So here's what dishes were picked and what to pair with them:
The big game is around the corner, and whether you're entertaining or bringing your favorite snacks and beverages to your friend's house, you'll want to put your best foot forward and pair up your eats with your drinks. You can impress your friends and make them envious of your picks. Besides Peyton and Drew, you'll be the talk of the party! So let's get on to some colossal pairings:
I love making my own food (especially my World's Best Nachos), especially for big events. I will have to include my wings and pizza recipes later, but in the meantime, I will give out some of my favorite vendors:
has the best pizza by the slice in Chicagoland.
This week started off with a bang. Yesterday I was enjoying wine with football victories by the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints- Who Dat? Then Monday I was off to two wine tastings: Landmark Australia at Trump Tower and Bordeaux at The Drake. Now, despite all the controversy, I have to admit that not only is Trump Tower in an awesome location, but is a gorgeous structure and has beautiful views of the city. The perfect spot for a wine tasting, where I was joyed to find 25 glasses of wine in front of me- six Chardonnays, six Cabernet Sauvignons and ten blind wines (those sneaky Aussies!). 
packed with Bordelaise wines and winemakers, along with just about everyone involved in the wine trade: distributors, importers, restauranteurs, chefs, sommeliers, etc. They also had wines from just about every part of the region: Cabernet Sauvignon based blends from the Left Bank, Merlot and Cabernet Franc based reds from the Right Bank, Sauvignon Blanc based whites from Graves and Pessac-Léognan, and sweet Barsac and Sauternes. The 2007 vintage was being featured, which I consider a good vintage, in most cases, to drink early. The tannins are not too tight and the fruit is coming through. I liked Chateau Figeac, Chateau Pape Clement Blanc and Rouge, Chateau Grand-Puy Ducasse and Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande. These wines exhibited great balance and structure, along with some aging potential from acidity, tannins and fruit flavor still waiting to break from the heavy earth notes.
OK, so we're finally done with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's Eve, etc. (though the Super Bowl is coming up!) and it's time to undo some of the damage that's been done and lose some poundage. Hit the gym, pound the pavement, eating right, yoga classes, whatever gets you to sweat it out. But all of this does NOT mean you have to give up some of your favorite beverages; namely wine and beer. 
I was just recently honored to be the first guest in a new series from the Chicagoist on getting to know your local wine guy. The Chicagoist is a local website that keeps you "in the know" here in Chicago about almost anything- shopping, arts, events, food, pop culture, sports, etc. I was interviewed by Carrie Becker, who came up with some great questions like what I'm drinking right now, my favorite BYOB and some of my most memorable food and beverages experiences. Those subjects are perfect to get my taste buds rolling! 
So it's that time of year again, when everyone you know sends best wishes for you chalking up another year of life, and you start getting ready for a new one. It's your Birthday! This is a time to reflect upon the life you've lived and to imagine the life you still have yet to live. In that same frame of mind, it's also a time to reflect upon all that you have tried and still have yet to. This applies to travel, food, wine, experiences, etc. But now it's time to celebrate, so pick out your favorite meal and your favorite bottle(s) and share them with the people you love the most! I put together a list of some of my personal favorite affordable wines, as well as one of my favorite meals and a special wine we shared out of my stash.
my favorite activity, cooking, to make us a great dinner. I took Italian sausage and roasted it over sliced bell peppers, onions and garlic which were tossed with balsalmic vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and cracked pepper. I then sauteed mushrooms, garlic and spinach with olive oil and red wine, and combined it with tomato sauce. All this combined with al dente fettucine and grated parmesan made up one of my favorite dinners. Add 
a bottle of 1997 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia and I had all I needed. This SuperTuscan is made up of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot, and is considered one of the finest wines in Italy and the world. So much power, balance and length makes it hard to argue. It is the total package with loads of fruit, espresso, cocoa, licorice and cedar box. If it weren't priced at over $150 every release, I would be all over this wine on a daily basis! Needless to say I had an awesome birthday and will be looking for more wines and experiences to fill my time ahead- cent'anni!
The NV St. Cosme Little James Basket Press was a wine I bought at Binny's Beverage Depot last year for $8.99. I went for it based upon it's unique nature. It's a south Rhone red wine made by Louis Barruol (no relation to Billy Baroo) from 100% organically grown Grenache out of a solera system, known best from sherry and marsala production. Different vintages are combined so that you get a steady product every release, making this a non vintage wine. Each release is a compilation of older vintages and 50% current vintage. It comes with a medium-full body with loads of fresh fruits like cherry and blueberry, along with licorice, black pepper, and exotic spices like clove and cinnamon. The finish is medium plus in length (a good ten seconds) and it's topped off with a stelvin enclosure (screw cap) making it easily accessible! Try pairing this with anything from the grill, especially lamb- the char, smoke and game will meld well with the wine flavor.
Have you ever read the back label of a bottle of wine and been more confused than before you picked that bottle up? Ever read a wine magazine tasting note or review and said,"What are you smoking, and can I have some?"! As a sommelier, I've talked to many people who get so confused or turned off by these, that they just end up asking for a "house" wine, or forego the grape altogether and grab a beer. So what's the deal with all the big, exotic words used to describe these wines and how do you know you'll like them? Here's a guy's eye view to what to expect:
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 those interested in good casual food and wine, The Purple Pig will be opening tonight at 500 N. Michigan Ave, just across the street from my old gig, Eno Wine Room. It looks to be in the perfect location to attract a large afterwork crowd, including those from the Chicago Tribune, NBC 5, National Association of Realtors, as well as conventioners, retailers and shoppers. It has been in the works for quite some time now, and the collaboration between chef Scott Harris of Mia Francesca and both Jimmy Bannos Junior & Senior of Heaven on Seven has been long awaited.
After a long day of moving couches with my brother, we were up for a big meal. I've been meaning to try Honky Tonk BBQ in Pilsen, and since I live closeby, we were on our way. Being on 18th Street, there was ample parking, and their entrance is definitely an eye catcher- a single door ensconced in red and yellow paint, flames, and bright light. I had a feeling we were in for a meaty experience!
We immediately walked in on their carryout area, and I started to salivate with the smell of spicy barbeque. They have seating in three rooms: a dining room with local paintings, a bar area with booths and live music, and there are a couple of booths near the entrance. 
brisket, a hot link, 2 corn muffins, cole slaw and baked beans. We also wanted to start with something, so the 
waitress talked us into their chili mac- this was actually our favorite! The chili was thick, flavorful and beefy, with beans, tomatoes, and even some deliciously smokey beef brisket mixed in. It was topped off with mac & cheese- curly pastas coated with sharp and tangy cheese sauce. We loved it. Not soon after, our combo came out. We were in for a big meaty treat as we could sample all that they had to offer. We could pair them with three housemade sauces: a garlic sauce, a tangy sauce, and sweet sauce. I like to mix the garlic and tangy together. The chicken was moist, but the dark meat was undercooked. This can be tricky, as white and dark meat are better at different temperatures. The hot link was excellent- a smokey, spicy
sausage with crisp skin and porky presence. Both the pulled pork and beef brisket were slightly smokey, tender, and full of flavor. The ribs were a bit disappointing, as they were really dry and clinging to the bones, but the dry rub was really nice- the perfect blend of spice and flavor, though I like to make my home rub with a touch of sweetness. I really liked the taste of the baked beans, as they had pork rich flavor, and the touch of sweetness I was looking for. Overall, I think their barbeque is quite good, and I would like to give their ribs another chance.
I really want to go out and check out their space on the weekend when it's rockin' out to some
honky tonk. It looks awful cozy and I'll bet it's a great time! Also, I think I came to the right place, as one of my old friends left his mark- Guy Fieri. I will be sure to look for Honky Tonk featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives- it's great to see so many Chicago joints on Guy's radar. Make sure to grab your kids, bibs, and boots for a smokey BBQ time!
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!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.
