Earth Day Chicago

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Earth Day is coming up on Friday, April 22nd and there will be many ways for Chicagoans to get involved.  Here's a list of places to go and specials to take advantage of:

  • Chen's Chinese & Sushi and Koi will be offering special Green Menu Items which include Vegetable Dumplings ($4.95), Edamame ($4.50) and Green Tea Ice Cream ($3.95).
  • Cityscape Bar has whipped up an Organic Drink Menu featuring an Organic Pear Fizz, Peak Organic Amber Ale and Momokawa Organic Ginjo Sake, each $5.
  • RIVA at Navy Pier will be offering an Organic Wine Menu featuring Candoni Merlot and Pinot Grigio, each $7/glass.
  • Uncommon Ground Devon will be hosting a Great Lake Brewing Co. Dinner on April 20 at 6pm, starting with passed appetizers followed by a 4 course meal featuring grilled asparagus, truffled devil egg with ham praline and green goddess dressing, spicy duck breast with baby artichokes and spinach & duck confit tortellini.  Great Lakes beers are included with the $55 price tag.
  • Uncommon Ground Clark will be hosting a Michigan Seedling Farms/Von Beaumont Wines 4 course meal on April 21 at 6pm featuring bluepoint oysters, gnocchi with black trumpet mushrooms, asparagus with goat cheese and Dietzler Farm steak with wild ramp smashed potatoes.  $40/person.
  • At Province, chefs Cleetus Friedman of City Provisions Delicatessen and Randy Zweiban of Province collaborate on a multi-course meal of seasonal, sustainable finger foods highlighting local farms paired with cocktails from Death’s Door Spirits.  A portion of the proceeds will benefit Chefs Collaborative, and Organic Valley will match all donations.  April 22 at 5:30pm.  $55/person.
  • All Big Bowl locations will be giving away a free Earth Matters Tote Bag.  Every time you use the bag to pick up Big Bowl food in the future, you will receive 50 cents off!
  • Prairie Fire West Loop and Prairie Grass Cafe Northbrook will be offering Earth Day Wild Things Dinner Specials which include sauteed ramps with ramp butter crostini ($15), crumb crusted wild striped bass over spring morels and River Valley mushroom ragout with Three Sisters Garden pea-shoot sauce and a petite salad ($31), grilled lamb skewers with wild watercress pesto, grilled spring onions, dandelion greens, croutons and warm local bacon vinaigrette ($26) and a Prairie Organic vodka martini with wild watercress pesto-stuffed olives ($10).
  • Elate River North will be offering $5 TreeTinis to benefit planting trees in areas of need.
  • All participating Starbucks will be offering free coffee or tea to customers who bring in reusable travel cups.
  • Foodlife on the Magnificent Mile will be giving away $5 gift certificates and seedling bookmarks to those who share their best tips on how to "Go Green".
  • The Hotel Palomar will host the Walk in The Park Benefit on April 22nd from 5:30 to 7:30 pm.  It's Kimpton Hotels interactive Earth Day fair benefitting The Trust for Public Land will showcase local Community Supported Agriculture farmers, green vendors and recycled "trash art" with food & drink from 312 Chicago, Atwood Cafe, Sable Kitchen & Bar and South Water Kitchen.

All Arizona Wine List at FnB Scottsdale

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This is an all Arizona wine list I encountered at FnB Restaurant in Scottsdale.  Arizona wine is hard to find outside the state, but very very good.  Most of the wine comes from the Sonoita AVA in the southeastern part of the state, which is located at very high altitude (4500 feet) and surrounded by mountain ranges.  There's not alot of rainfall, but the soil retains water well and irrigation is also involved.  The varietals mainly consist of French Bordeaux and Rhone grapes, with some Italian mixed in.  All in all, I loved the wine I tried, the Canelo Hills Sauvignon Blanc and the Dos Cabezas Red Blend.  If you're in town for spring training baseball (White Sox in Glendale, Cubs in Mesa), make sure you check out this restaurant and some Arizona wine!

Chicago at the Forefront of Wine Trading

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With Wall Street making a comeback, wine sales have been skyrocketing.  Wine trading is at an all time high with Bordeaux and Burgundy collectibles making the biggest splash.  Auctions have been selling out and it just so happens the largest auctioneer is located right here in Chicago- Hart Davis Hart Wine Co.  Their live auctions have been selling out, with collectors coming out as big winners.  Check out the video from Crain's Chicago Business.

If you're interested in getting in on the action, the next auction will be on March 19 at Tru.  It will exclusively feature 400 lots Chateau Lafite Rothschild, and is estimated to bring in between $4.3-6.5 million.  You can bid in person, by phone or online.  Sold!

 

Valentine's Wine Give Away from Lynfred Winery & WCWG

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Happy Valentine's Day!  In honor of the holiday we're teaming with Lynfred Winery to give away two bottles of wine!  Their 30th Anniversary Red (Cabernet Sauvignon blend) and White (Chardonnay) Cuvees will be in the hands of two lucky readers- they're great wines and retail at $30 each.  Here's how to win: leave a comment about what you'll be doing for the holiday and what you'll be drinking.  We'll select two winners on Friday, February 18, 2011.  Also, don't forget to leave your email address so we can contact you if you win!  Good Luck!

Windy City Wine Guy Gets Down and Dirty with Frank Fontana

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Are you a Do-It-Yourself kind of person?  Well, Frank Fontana is the host of "The Down And Dirty" on the Craftsman World of DIY Network, and he's filling us all in on how to make your place look like a million bucks without spending it- while doing it yourself!  Be sure to catch me on tomorrow's episode at 12pm when Frank and I will talk about the best wines for your romantic Valentine's Day dinner.  Don't take a chance on messing up with the vino!  If you miss the episode live, check out the podcast later!

Valentine's Day & Wine

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For all you Romeos out there, Valentine's Day is coming up and I've got news for you- ladies love wine!  I'm sure you're saying, "Hey dude- I like wine too!", but for the upcoming holiday it's going to be very important to have the right wine.  Here's a few suggestions:

  • Nicolas Feuillate Rosé ($44.99).  You can't go wrong with bubbly, especially pink bubbly.  This will not only set the mood, it will also pair with mostly anything you'd like to put against it.  It's raspberry fullness and exotic spice depth will leave you asking for more.  Grab a bottle or two.
  • Huel Pinot Blanc "Cuvee Les Amours" ($12.49).  The name says it all and if you're in the mood for some white wine then you'll be in for a treat.  Pop it open with some oysters on the halfshell or any other fresh seafood.  Melon and pear fruitiness pop out at you in the nose and palate.
  • Crios de Susana Balbo Rosé ($11.29).  More pink for Valentine's Day?  You've got it!  And this Malbec will not disappoint.  Fresh, fruity, lively and fun.  If you're eating spicy food this will cool it off and enhance the flavors.
  • Valentin Bianchi Malbec ($17.99).  More Malbec, and this one is deep purple, bright, spicy and full bodied.  Fire up the grill for some beef or lamb you'll be in pure bliss with this choice.
  • Gaja Ca'Marcanda Promis ($39.99).  Love is all about trust and your date will be elated after you've come through on your promise to not mess up the wine choice!  This wine is full of violets, mint and italian oregano aroma to go with its juicy dark fruit.  Love this wine!
  • Terra Valentine Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon ($34.99).  For the fullest of lovers, this wine will leave you and your date in ecstasy.  The perfect dry wine to go with chocolate dessert.

Make sure to grab a bottle or two out of these selections and let me know how your Valentine's experience went!

Super Bowl Wine Pairings

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Super Bowl XLV is approaching fast and everyone should have a good idea what food will be on the menu for the big game.  Beer is probably the beverage choice for over 70% of you,  but I'm calling an audible to put a twist in your gameplan.  Here's a few typical Super Bowl foods and some pairing ideas:

  • Pizza.  An extremely popular choice which needs a beverage that can stand up to sweet, tangy tomatoes, cheese and topping choices.  You're going to need a wine with decent body and acidity to play with the tomato, some tannin for any meat, spice and juicy red fruit to enhance the experience.  I love Sangiovese, like Avignonesi Rosso di Montepulciano ($15.99), or a Zinfandel like Foxglove ($12.99).
  • Buffalo Wings.  Food like this is synonymous with sports viewing.  You'll definitely need some body on the wine along with some sweetness to pair with the spiciness of the wings and saltiness of the blue cheese.  I like Riesling, like Dr. Heidemanns-Bergweiler QbA ($12.99), Pinot Gris like Seven Hills ($13.99) or a very fruity Australian red like Mitolo "Jester" Cabernet Sauvignon ($11.99).
  • Chili.  The crockpots will be working overtime this weekend and you're going to need a wine with body, meatiness, acidity and spiciness to stand up your recipe.  Syrah/Shiraz is perfect for this dish, and I'd go with Ben Glaetzer Heartland Shiraz ($13.99) or Four Vines Paso Robles Syrah ($13.99).
  • Burgers.  Many will be firing up the grill for some burger delight.  You'll need a beefy wine with some tannins, body and ripe fruit to help you take a bite out of that charred flavor.  I love Malbec for the task, especially Cueva de las Manos Malbec Reserve ($12.99).
  • Hot Dogs.  Another popular meat choice, this depends mostly upon how you'll be topping it.  For the typical Chicago-style, I like my German Riesling choice we used for the wings.  For a chili dog, go with the Syrah/Shiraz choices from the chili.

So for beer drinkers who want a little more than Pilsners, I suggest you try something different like Goose Island Pepe Nero, Two Brothers The Bitter End Pale Ale or Bell's Best Brown Ale. 

Whatever you do, I know you'll score but if you take any of these picks, they're guaranteed to be a touchdown!

New Year's Wine Resolutions

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So we're just over three weeks into 2011 and though I'm sure everyone came into January with a New Year's Resolution or two, it's never too late to add another, especially if it involves wine!  Here are a few suggestions for you to try out:

 

 

  • Add more wine to your diet.  Wine consumption has many benefits.  It's been proven to be beneficial for your heart and overall health, reduce your chances to be afflicted by cancer and aid in weight control.  This, of course, should be done with moderation.  If you stay in the 1-2 glass range (6-12 oz.) then you will be in a beneficial zone, whereas if you exceed that amount on a regular basis, you could actually harm yourself in other ways: cirrhosis of the liver or other forms of cancer could result.  Add more red wine to your diet and you should live a healthier life.
  • Add to or start your collection.  A personal wine collection can aid you in a number of areas like entertaining, investment, wine knowledge, respect and a sort of coming to age.  Your friends will be impressed when they visit (and drink your wine!), your wine will grow in value and maturity, and you'll feel more full and accomplished.  If you haven't started your collection, splurge and pick out a collectable bottle to get started.  If you already have one, do the same!
  • Try new wines.  I meet so many people who only drink from France and California, Italy and Spain, Australian, etc.  It's great that you like those wines, but there's a whole world out there full of different varietals and styles.  Pick out a new varietal, country or growing region and check out something new.
  • Wine/Food Pairings.  Certain wines go best with certain foods.  Try to get into classic pairings like goat cheese with Sauvignon Blanc, caviar with Champagne, lamb with Bordeaux rouge, etc.  Then try new pairings like Thai with Gewurztraminer, grilled beef with Argentine Malbec or pizza with Zinfandel.  Try to see how they one enhances the other and help you enjoy the experience all the more.

These are just a few ways to incorporate wine more into your life and I'm sure there are many more.  Let all of know how you plan on doing it or if you decide to take any of the suggestions above!

Grand Chefs Gala

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One of the best charitable events for a foodie is the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Grand Chefs Gala.  Last week, we got a sneak peek into the big event at the Grand Chefs Gala Chef’s Social, which took place at one of the participating restaurants, Ria, a Michelin two star restaurant in the Elysian Hotel, which happens to be newly minted with the AAA Five Diamond award.  Participating chefs in attendance included Curtis Duffy of Avenues and Patrick Sheerin of The Signature Room, among others.  Many food groupies and philanthropic types mingled within the textured walls of the phenomenal restaurant, and nibbled on Jason McLeod’s creative, yet simple, fare.  Menu highlights included pheasant breast with savory granola and cauliflower puree, citrus jelly with almond crème, as well as broccoli with truffle mousse, broccoli puree and broccoli parsley salad.

The Gala itself will take place on Friday, January 28 at the Fairmont Chicago Hotel from 6-9pm.  It will consist of a lavish sit-down dinner prepared by Fairmont chef Brad Parsons, and includes a hosted cocktail and hors d’ouevres hour, live and silent auction, and postprandial dessert and mixology bar.  This year, they’ve even added an after party with the sounds of Libido Funk Circus from 9p-midnight to jazz things up for the younger (and legal) folks in attendance.

The Grand Chefs Gala displays the talents of some of Chicago’s most promising chefs, honors them with the peer-voted Jean Banchet awards presentation, and raises money for Cystic Fibrosis, an often debilitating disease that adversely affects the lungs and digestive systems of afflicted people.  Money goes toward research for a cure.  Purchase tickets here. 

Special thanks to guest writer J'nai Gaither for this article.  I hope you have a good time at the event and if you can't make it, you can still donate!

Holiday Wine Picks

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So the end of the year is near, meaning we have alot of celebrating to do.  Whether you're buying gifts (wine makes the perfect holiday gift), having friends and family over for Christmas dinner or you need some bubbly for New Year's, these wine picks should impress. 

Gift Wines

I tend to lean toward full bodied reds for gifts.  They tend to age longer, pair well with meat main dishes, and simply put, most Americans like red wine.  So here's a few to choose from, in various price ranges:

  • 2007 Cosentino Cigarzin ($16.99).  The name is very macho and so is the wine.  It's full of interesting flavors like rhubarb, pomegranate, cherry cream and the signature cigar box aroma.  This is one to warm up to and enjoy with a holiday meal or some chocolate.  Also, a great value I found at CostCo.
  • 2008 Langmeil "Valley Floor" Shiraz ($22.99).  This wine is deep and rich, loaded with plum, dark cherry and berry flavor along with vanilla and cocoa.  Plus the fact that it comes from Barossa and has a screwcap makes this wine hard to resist opening!
  • 2007 Tinto Pesquera ($32.99).  Great Tempranillo from the Ribera del Duero giving dark rich fruit, pencil lead, leather, minerality and nice acidic bite.  Will age gracefully.
  • 2007 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon ($39.99).  The all-American wine gift is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and this bottle gives all that it should: full body, dark cherry, plum, coffee, licorice and a long finish.  This bottle should age gracefully and be a great part of the recipient's cellar.
  • 2007 Andrew Will Ciel du Cheval ($52.99).  A great blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 40% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon from Yakima Valley in Washington.  Blackberry, cassis, flowers, spice and herbs are a part of the aroma and flavor profile.  The recipient will love you for this!
  • 2005 Giorgio Rivetti La Spinetta "Vigneto Gallina" Barbaresco ($79.99).  An awesome and present from northwest Italy.  This wine would be a great addition to any cellar and has lasting ability along with raspberry and plum, tar and truffle essence.

Food Wines

Here are two wines which match very well with most foods and are safe bets to pair with whatever dish you may run into.

The Bubbly

There is sure to be alot of celebrating and this calls for some sparkling wine.  Not only is it crisp and refreshing, but the foam, bubbles and fruity flavor will help you ring in the New Year in style.  I decided to leave out Champagne and only put in the value selections, but if you feel like it, grab a bottle of Duval-Leroy, Dom Perignon or any other Champagne.

  •  Gran Sarao Brut Cava ($9.99).  A great value with grannie smith apple, yeasty dough and lemon zest flavors.  They even added Chardonnay to the traditional blend of Macabeo, Parellada and Xarel-lo, giving it more body.
  • Huber "Hugo" Sparkling Rosé ($9.99).  An Austrian blend of Pinot Noir and Zweigelt, this wine will wow you with its strawberries, raspberries, rose petals and minerality.  And the pricetag is just right.
  • Mionetto Organic Prosecco D.O.C. ($12.99).  If you're trying to save money and stay green, this is the wine for you.  They even used recyclables to make the bottle and label!  Golden apples and elderflower along with crispness and fresh bubbles. 
  • Gustave Lorentz Cremant d'Alsace ($19.99).  A lively sparkling wine made up of mostly Pinot Blanc and loaded with brioche, apples, meyer lemon and a hint of nuttiness.
  • 2006 Argyle Brut ($19.99).  Blend of 58% Chardonnay and 42% Pinot Noir.  Full of honeysuckle, melon, vanilla spiced pear, apple, biscuit, lemon meringue, well, you get the picture- a must buy!
  • L. Mawby Brut Cremant Classic ($21.99).  Straight from Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, made of 100% Vignoles (hybrid varietal).  Excellent fruit flavor, crispness, yeast and toasted pine nuts.

Holiday Beer

Yes, beer drinkers should not be excluded from the celebration, and here's a few to keep you happy:

Happy Holidays, stay safe and let me know how you enjoyed the recommendations!

Windy City Wine Guy On WGN Radio 720

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This past weekend I was invited to be a guest on WGN Radio 720 and hung out with Alex Quigley and Amy Guth of the Alex & Amy Show.  We talked about holiday wine recommendations, value selections and even took a call-in question.

Click here to listen to the Podcast.

Special thanks to Alex, Amy and the whole WGN Radio crew.  When you're ready to do another wine segment, I'll be ready!

Barclay's Wine on Groupon

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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!

Thanksgiving Wines Edition 3

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Another Thanksgiving full of stuffing, yams, pumpkin pie, turkey and football is almost upon us.  I talked about some great wines and varietals and how they go with your holiday dinner in my 2009 Thanksgiving pairings article, and those rules still apply.  If you're still looking for the perfect wines to match, I've got a few for you:

  • Santa Margherita Prosecco ($16).  Yes, they do make a normally overpriced Pinot Grigio, but their Prosecco is amazing and a deal at this pricepoint.  Apricots, pears, peach and a hint of white pepper will tickle your tongue.
  • 2007 Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Gris ($15).  A turkey dinner always needs some richness and this wine has it.  Loaded with sweet fruit nuances of peach, pear, melon and apple pie, a touch of minerality, a hint of spice and creaminess makes this the white wine buy of the holiday season.
  • 2007 Grgich Hills Chardonnay ($36).  A steadily amazing wine year after year, this biodynamic, full-bodied but bright white will match your turkey and alot of other dishes.  Ripe apple, mango, oaky vanilla, cinnamon, pineapple and wild honey are just a few of the nuances your senses will enjoy.
  • 2006 Dog Point Pinot Noir ($34).  Recently I've become a huge fan of New Zealand Pinot Noir, and this one keeps me coming back.  Excellent acidity, this wine is vibrant and full of earthiness, mushroom, ripe cherry and plum.
  • 2006 Château de Tiregand Pécharmant ($15).  A hard wine to find but well worth the adventure.  Hailing from Bergerac, this deal is made up of 45% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon and 15% Cabernet Franc.  It's silky smooth and complex, full of dark plum, coffee, blackberry, clove and vanilla.
  • 2007 Cosentino CigarZin ($15).  This is one of my favorite red picks for the holidays- a very festive wine with dark dried fruit and lively spice flavor.  Have to love the jamminess and cigarbox scents!
  • Terradora di Paolo Aglianico ($16).  A southern Italian classic which goes perfect with your holiday dinner.  Ripe raspberry, cherry, tobacco, licorice and more oak spice takes this wine a long way.
  • Dogfish Head Punkin Ale ($9.99/4 pack)  I'm always throwing a beer or two in and since I made a batch of pumpkin ale, I decided to recommend one of my favorites on the market.  The pumpkin flavor is subtle and it does have the spices and a hint of brown sugar on its full-bodied finish.

I hope you go with some of these selections and enjoy the day with your friends and family.  Also, have fun planning those post-Thanksgiving workouts and let me know how the pairings worked!

 

 

Michelin Stars Wheel into Chicago

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Chicago is about to receive it's first ever Michelin Guide ratings and I'd be hard pressed to find anything more overdue.  This city has long been a culinary and eating mecca, not to mention having great spots for wine, beer and beverages.  The Michelin Guide has been around for about 100 years and highlights top restaurants and chefs.  Now that we've taken a bite into the coastal bias, let's get into our award winners:

3 star: Alinea, L2O

2 star: Avenues, Charlie Trotter's, Ria

1 star: Blackbird, BOKA, Bonsoirée, Crofton on Wells, Everest, Graham Elliot, Longman & Eagle, NAHA, NoMI, Schwa, Seasons, Sepia, Sixteen, Spiaggia, Takashi, Topolobampo, TRU, Vie

While the Michelin Guide has yet to be released, these results were made available through a Yelp poster leak which is currently under investigation.  In addition to the awards above, 46 other restaurants have received the Bib Gourmand Award, given to those establishments which offers good value (two courses plus a glass of wine or dessert for under $40, not including tax or gratuity).  Some of these include: Belly Shack, De Cero, Gilt Bar, Girl & The Goat, Hopleaf, La Creperie, Lula Café, Mado, Nightwood, The Purple Pig, Riccardo Trattoria and Taste of Peru, to name a few.

All of these establishments represent fine food, great beverage, excellent service and years of hard work which have become known and respected.  Congrats to our Michelin Stars and Bib Gourmand winners!

 

Beaujolais Nouveau 2010 Release

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Upcoming this week is the release of the 2010 vintage of Beaujolais Nouveau.  It's the first wine released yearly from the Northern Hemisphere grape harvest.  The wine is always released on the 3rd Thursday of November at 12:01 am Central European Time (CET) which means it's available for Thursday parties and events! 

The wine is made from the Gamay varietal in the southern portion of Burgundy.  It is meant to be drunk young while it's fresh, lively and fruity, so they employ a rapid means of fermentation called carbonic maceration, which also eases the normally acidic nature of the grape.  I recently received a sample of 2010 Georges DuBoeuf Beaujolais Nouveau and was eager to taste and share the notes with you.  The wine is full of strawberry and ripe cherry along with cinnamon hints, a touch of minerality, smooth tannins and high acidity.  It's very light and not lengthy on the finish, but a good wine to share with friends and even try with your Thanksgiving turkey.  (84 WG)

If you're planning on going out to celebrate the release, here's a few local spots to try:

  • Vertigo Sky Lounge.  Hosting a "midnight" release party on Wednesday 10pm-1:30am to unveil 2010 Georges Duboeuf.  Reservations are required.
  • Whole Foods-Lincoln Park.  Join them for free samples in the wine department.  12pm-9pm.
  • Union League Club.  $50 in advance will get you: tastes of Beaujolais Nouveau and more French wine, food & spirits, souvenir photos, chance to win a trip for 2 to Paris, and a 2010 commemorative wine glass.  6pm-9pm.
  • Chicago French Market.  Come in for free samples of Beaujolais Nouveau.  4pm-7pm.
  • Bistrot Zinc.  Join them for a three-course meal and a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau for $29.95.  Reservations recommended.
  • Bistrot 110.  A $25 tasting of Beaujolais wine and seasonal samples.  6-8:30pm.  Reservations recommended.

Whether you are go out or stay in, I hope you enjoy some Beaujolais Nouveau friends and family!

Eastern European Spotlight: Croatian & Slovenian Wine

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So since I've been hitting on wine producing countries and regions new to the global market, I look to keep the trend growing by introducing Croatia and Slovenia.  Both countries were formerly a part of Yugoslavia and are located just west of Italy.  Both countries have long been favorite European vacation spots and are experiencing prosperity.  Slovenia was admitted into the EU in 2004 and Croatia is targeted to enter next year.  Slovenia has mainly a continental climate with hot summers and cold, dry winters, though there is a bit of Mediterranean influence in the west.  Croatia has a Mediterranean coastal climate of long hot, dry summers and some wine being made inland with a continental influence.  Basically this means that along with good soil they have the capability to make some very good wine.

As far as grapes go, Slovenia uses Bordeaux and Burgundian varietals along with Riesling and some Italian varietals like Barbera, Refosco (known as Teran), Malvasia (Malvazija), Friulano, Glera and Ribolla Gialla (Rebula).  They also grow many indigenous varietals like Pinela, Šipon (Furmint), Kraljevina and Štajerska Belina.  They also have unique styles of wine: Cviček, a light, easy drinking wine made with white and red grapes, and Kraški Teran, a deep, dark red wine with low alcohol and high acid.

In Croatia, they also use Bordeaux, Rhone and Burgundian varietals along with Riesling and Italian varietals Barbera, Nebbiolo, Malvasia (Malvazija) and Trebbiano.  They also use MANY indigenous varietals like Bogdanuša, Grk Bijeli, Plavac Mali and Crljenak Kaštelanski, which is the father of Zinfandel.  They also use Vranec (known as Vranac), a Macedonian varietal known to create very dark red wines full of berry flavor and local Balkan character.

I have a list of some wines you may start seeing in restaurants or wine shops that you may like to try:

  • Saints Hill Winery- Very impressive Croatian wines.  They make their white "Nevina" in Istria with a blend of Malvazija and Chardonnay.  It's rich and full-bodied with minerality, citrus and tropical flavor along with a creamy texture.  Their red "Dingač" hails from the Pelješac peninsula on the southern coast.  It is made from Plavac Mali, an ancestor of Zinfandel, and has dark and dried fruit flavor with pepper spice and mocha.  It is full-bodied, has smooth tannins, a lengthy flavor and aging potential.
  • Matošević Winery- This winery also makes extremely high quality Croatian wine, mainly from Istria.  They have a stainless steel fermented Malvazija, Alba, which exhibits clean, easy drinking wine with citrus and mineral flavor with almond notes.  They make two Malvazija wines aged in oak, Alba Robinia in Istrian acacia barrels and Alba Barrique in French oak.  These wines are richer, with the Robinia tasting a bit smoky, while the Barrique exhibits caramel.  Their Chardonnay, Aura, is unoaked, light and refreshing.  Their Grimalda wines are blends, the white made of Chardonnay, Malvazija and Sauvignon Blanc, and the red made of Merlot and Refosco (Teran).  Both are excellent wines, and the red is smooth with integrated tannins, minerality, dark berry and oak spice.  This is a must try lineup!
  • Piquentum Winery-  Another Istrian winery which makes Malvoisie (Malvazija) full of pear, chalk and a touch of mint flavor.  Their Teranum is made of Refosco (Teran) is stainless steel fermented with natural fruit flavor, licorice and bright acidity.
  • Verus Winery- Slovenian winery using white grape varietals of Furmint, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling.  The Furmint is the most interesting and very refreshing with high acidity and peach flavor.  Their Riesling resembles the German style of off-dry, slatey and full of lime, while the Sauvignon Blanc resembles the Loire with minerality and light citrus.

I am very impressed by the Croatian wines I've tasted and am looking forward to trying more Slovenian.  This is very promising as the world of wine continues to expand with different countries, styles and varietals.  Let me know if you've tried these or others, and let me know what you think!

Austrian Wines

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It seems everyone is looking for the next new to the market wine producer, and Austria is definitely one of my favorites.  Though they seem new to the world market, they have a history that can be traced by four thousand years.  They were popular in past centuries and were the third largest producer in the world as recently as post World War I.  Unfortunatley, they produced mainly diluted bulk wine, but that changed with government regulations calling for smaller yields, technological advancement and more dry and red wine production.

Austria mainly grows Grüner Veltliner (36%), a white grape varietal with mineral, peach and pepper characteristics renowned for its food-friendly character.  They also produce Riesling and Müller-Thurgau, which is known to be light-bodied and full of green apple and mineral notes.  They are starting to be known for reds, which account for 30% of total production.  Zweigelt accounts for most of it and makes long lasting wines with jammy, cherry flavor along with pepper and soft tannins.  Blaufränkisch (also known as Lemberger) is another serious red making wines higher in tannins with dark fruit and spice notes.  Also made is Pinot Noir, known as Blauerburgunder.

I recently received a couple of samples, and here's how they scored:

2008 Forstreiter Gruner Veltliner Schiefer Kremstal DAC Reserve ($21).  This is a serious white with medium plus acidity, meyer lemon and tropical fruit flavor along with a touch of white pepper, slatey minerality and lemongrass.  Long flavor length and is surprisingly creamy on the palate.  (91 WG)

2007 Tinhof Blaufrankisch Bergenland ($20).  A light-bodied wine full of ripe dark cherry, red peppercorn, and cinnamon along with herbs and minerality.  (86 WG)

A few of my favorites also include Domäne Wachau Riesling Smaragd "Terrassen", Prager Riesling Federspiel, Paul Achs Zweigelt Langer Acker, Heinrich Blaufrankisch and Szigeti Sekt sparkling wines.  I highly recommend trying Austrian wines as I have found them to be, on the average, the highest quality wines in the world.  Ein Prosit!

Santorini Wines

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SantoriniA few weeks back I worked with a corporate client on a Greek wine tasting at Athena Restaurant.  The wines are very fun because not only are there some great indigenous grape varietals but there's also alot of wine history.  Earliest evidence shows that wine has been produced in Greece since at least 6500 BC, and also held high prestige in trading during the Roman Empire.  Today, quality is stepping up in many regions, with wines made from Assyrtiko, Moschofilero, Roditis, Muscat, Agiorghitiko, Xinomavro and Mavrodaphne grapes.

I also recently received some samples of wines from the volcanic island of Santorini.  Most farmers grow Assyrtiko, which makes white wines known to be citrusy and full of minerality, though Athiri and Aidani are grown as well.  Due to the fact it is such a small island, Santorini does not produce alot of wine, but produces even less because of low humidity, high temperatures and age of their vines- they're ancient!  But they are able to make high quality white wines and sweet wine known as Vinsanto, which is made from the local grapes being sundried and aged for long periods in oak.  Here's a bit about the wines I tried:

2008 Domaine Sigalas Assyrtiko ($22).  A well made white with mouth-watering acidity, lemon, minerality, chalk, salinity and a hint of both grapefruit and tropical flavor.  Would be great with shellfish.  (89 WG)

2008 Santo Wines Nykteri Reserve ($20).  This is a blend of the three white varietals: Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, which are aged in oak for 9 months.  There are bold citrus like meyer lemon and gold grapefruit along with toasted oak spice and cinnamon.  Lacked the great acidity of the former wine, but had a very lengthy flavor.  (88 WG)

Estate Argyros Oak Fermented Assyrtiko ($25).  100% Assyrtiko oak fermented and aged for 6 months.  Acidic bite of lemon, along with almonds and spicy persimmon.  Also has a buttery mouthfeel with vanilla flavor.  I like this with grilled chicken and smoked, mild cheeses.  (89 WG)

1999 Canava Roussos Vinsanto ($188).  This wine is made of all three white varietals which were sundried for 15 days and aged for four years.  Extremely concentrated dried figs, golden honey, toasted nuts, vanilla bean and candied oranges are all jumping out onto your tastebuds.  A very good dessert wine, but many good Vinsanto wines can be had for much less.  (91 WG)

Red wines are also being made on the island from the Mavrotragno and Mandilaria varietals, creating wines much like Zinfandel with jammy red fruit with a hint of berry sweetness and spice.  There is much to be said about these wines as well as many others from Greece as well, as they are currently stepping up quality, technology and production.  We'll look forward to seeing more from this emerging wine country.

St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc and Unoaked Chardonnay

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St. Supery Estate, RutherfordI recently received samples of a couple of white wines from St. Supery to review and was ready to pop the tops and get to sipping.  I visited St. Supery in Rutherford, Napa Valley in 2009 and really enjoyed it.  They have a gorgeous estate situated just off St. Helena Highway, and I enjoyed a relaxing afternoon lunch outdoors while taking in the scenery. 

The estate was purchased in the 1980s by Robert Skalli, whose family has made wine in France for several generations.  They now own over 1500 acres of Napa vineyards and produce some world class California wines.  Here are the two that I sampled:

2009 St. Supery Oak Free Chardonnay ($22).  This wine is made up of mostly Chardonnay, with 1% Sauvignon Blanc added.  It has very good tropical and grannie smith apple aroma and flavor, plus decent acidity.  There is a small detection of both minerality and spice, most like white pepper.  The flavor is a bit dull on the finish and does not last long.  A decent wine, though I can find better Chardonnay for the price.  (82 WG).

2009 St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc ($23).  I've always loved St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc, especially from Dollarhide Vineyard, and this one does not disappoint.  They've always resembled New Zealand with zesty grapefruit and no oak treatment, and that's definitely my style.  This one exhibits bright lime, kiwi, loads of grapefruit, excellent acidity, and a touch of caper berry to finish off the greenness of the wine.  Awesome with seafood dishes or sushi.  Highly recommended.  (91 WG).

I hope to try more St. Supery wines and let you know what I think.  They not only make some very good white wines, but the reds are just as good if not better.  If you make the trip to Napa, be sure to stop in, and tell 'em the Windy City Wine Guy told ya!

Chicago Gourmet Breakdown

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Chicago Gourmet 2010 has come and gone, leaving Chicago with the feeling of fulfillment on the culinary scene.  With big names like Rick Bayless, Jimmy Bannos, Dirk Flanigan, Stephanie Izard, Paul Kahan, Bill Kim, Art Smith, and the list goes on, we have alot to be proud of in our great city. 

I was given free passes to visit Chicago Gourmet, where chefs were giving demonstrations and food samples, and there was much wine to be tried as well.  Now while the wine was relatively very accessible, the food was not.  Every tent had extremely long lines to taste food samples and it seemed as though the chefs had a hard time keeping up with demand.  At last year's event, the tents were very accessible and I had time to get pictures and speak with chefs, all while spending minimal time in line waiting.  I think the main problem was that this year's event was oversold.  I'm very glad that I chose to attend on Saturday, as I heard that with Groupon sales, Sunday was a madhouse!

I decided to make the most of my time trying wine instead of food.  There were alot of very familiar names as far as wine labels are concerned, but there was also some great finds as well.  Some of the better ones I tried were Schweiger Cabernet Sauvignon, Cosentino Cigarzin, Argyle Nuthouse Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and Cusumano Nero d'Avola, just to name a few. 

For next year, I recommend visiting on Friday or Saturday, and early if possible.  You can get all of your sampling in and leave time to hit demonstrations as well.  Until then, enjoy culinary Chicago and have a glass of wine!