Chicago Wine Report | June 30, 2022

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 NewsRed & White WinesLots 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 ReportsReports from being out and about in Chicago’s wonderful wine community!EnotecaRomaDo 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. Division773-772-7700All Together NowI’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 tastingsBelow 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 & White Wines 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