Sopranos & St. Supery at Binny's South Loop

Little did I know that when I signed up for a tasting of St. Supery wines at Binny's south loop, that I would run into the Sopranos.  The place was, excuse the pun, a mob scene!  When I first entered, I practically ran into Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts) and Steven Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri), who were there to sign bottles of Sopranos wines.  There was a line that travelled all the way to the back of the store!  People were just waiting for a chance to meet the Italian duo, and get an autograph on their Sopranos wine.  I decided to grab some pictures and look for some St. Supery.

I found Rick Bakas and Steve Orozco of St. Supery in the middle of the store pouring five different wines.  I started with their 2008 Sauvignon Blanc (which made my Best Buys list) ($14.99) and is refreshing, full of lime burst, grapefruit, and pineapple.  I moved to their 2008 Virtu ($23.99), which is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.  This is a bit richer, with creamier notes, stone fruit, and more body.  Then it was a Cabernet Sauvignon comparison between their vineyard blend ($29.99) and the 2005 Dollarhide estate ($69.99).  The blend had more toasted coconut along with lush fruity flavor and supple tannins, while the Dollarhide was more intense and concentrated, with grippy tannins, and smooth oak flavor.  The blend was a pleaser while the Dollarhide could age to become a more mature and strong Cabernet.  I finished with their 2008 Moscato ($18.99), which was sweet and floral, with peach fruit flavor, but devoid of any sparkle- I like mine with some fizz.  I really like the St. Supery wines since I was introduced to them at the Wine Blogger Conference 2009, and I think you will too.

As far as the Sopranos wines go, they are made in association with HBO, and are a lineup of Italian varietals.  They make a Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir from Pavia, and three different Chianti: a DOCG madeup of 90% Sangiovese and 10% Merlot, a traditional Classico, and Riserva.  I haven't tried them, so I cannot render any feedback, but I look forward to it.  I know enough people went home with the wines that there should be some reviews out there!

I guess this proves that in Chicago, you never know who you'll run into!

Chicago Metra French Market Opens- Bienvenue!

It's finally here!  The French Market has opened in the Metra Market- as of 7:30 this morning.  The market will be open every Monday through Friday from 7:30am to 7:30pm, and also on Saturdays from 8:30am to 6:00pm.  The vendor opening times vary, but all are open by 10:00am.  All 30 vendors were hand selected to bring organic produce and artisinal product directly to the consumer.  There is also special emphasis on the selected vendor's identity: entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses, and accomplished purveyors.

You can look forward to picture updates and video from the grand opening, highlighting the produce and vendor interviews.  See you soon!

Holiday Event Planning at Your Service!

The holidays can be alot of fun, but they can also be stressful.  Picking out the right venue, caterers, beverages, pairings, etc. can make or break your event.  Fortunately, there is a solution: contact the Windy City Wine Guy!  Anything is possible, from finding the right spot for your corporate holiday party, to finding the right wines to pair with each catered selection, or even purchasing the right beverage for your baked ham dinner. 

Need a professional sommelier onhand for a wine tasting or to help entertain your guests?  I have over ten years combined experience as both a mixologist and sommelier, and have paired beverages with everything from caviar to cupcakes.  Santa Claus may be over three weeks away, but the Windy City Wine Guy can help anytime!

Contact me anytime:  windycitywineguy@gmail.com

Italian Vintage Report 2009

I love keeping myself and all of you updated on the growing seasons throughout the world.  It not only gives us a clue to the quality of the upcoming wine vintage, but also a window to the world of wine.  My latest report comes from the Gaja Family Wine Estates, and their three properties in Italy: one in Piedmont and two in Tuscany.

The Gaja Family is very optimistic about this vintage, and have rated the harvest as good to excellent.  Here is more info on the weather conditions and harvest dates:

• Piedmont: A very snowy winter kept the vines dormant, followed by rain in the spring and beginning of June.  This kept the soil moist, and helped it to recover it's balance from the drought of the past few years.  Summer was hot and sunny, giving the grapes much needed warmth and light.  September experienced some rain, and the harvest was warm and sunny.  Harvest lasted from September 2, beginning with Sauvignon Blanc, and lasted until October 9, with Nebbiolo from the Sori Tildin and Sperss vineyards.


• Montalcino: Two phases of weather trends.  First, alot of rain in the spring with a cold May and June beginning.  Secondly, the temperatures rose, and additional rain in July swelled the Sangiovese grapes.  Dryness came and the heat continued.  The Sirocco wind rushed over the vineyard for about 10 days in August, keeping the grapes dry and cool.  Tramontana winds in September brought the grapes to a dry harvest, held from September 24 to October 10.


• Bolgheri: Very rainy winter and early spring led to a hot, dry summer.  Harvest began on September 3 with Merlot.  Both Merlot and Syrah were completely harvested by September 18.  Five days of rain began followed by a northern wind, which helped dry the grapes.  This occurrence restored balance to the grapes after the hot, dry summer.  Harvest resumed with Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, and concluded on October 7.

Here is a general assessment from Angelo and Gaia Gaja:

"The quality of the grapes this vintage has been optimal.  Even though it's still too early to predict the quality of the wine they will produce, some are speculating that due to the top quality of the 2009 vintage in several European countries and in California, 2009 could be a repeat of the success of the 1990 vintage."

This bolds well for the world of wine, especially Barbaresco, Barolo, Brunello di Montalcino, and Super Tuscans.  Now, while it will be over two years until we see most of these wines released, make sure to keep the 2009 vintage on your radar, as this is sure to offer some tasty wine.  I know I can't wait!

Community Crush Chicago Label Design

The fruit has been harvested and crushed.  We've tasted the grapes and pre-barrel samples.  The product is now mellowing out in oak barrels.  Next step for Community Crush: Chicago- label design!

Just click on label design above, and follow the spec sheet.  Send in your label designs by May 1st, 2010.

Also, if you have not joined the community, sign up and reserve your allocation!

Client Spotlight: Catbridge Cellars Grand Opening

When: Friday, Nov. 20, 11am to 8pm.  Saturday, Nov. 21, 11am to 8pm.  Sunday, Nov. 22, 12am to 5pm.

Where: Catbridge Cellars, Antioch.

If you live in or will be near the Antioch area, make sure to stop by Catbridge Cellars, where one of my favorite clients, Cathy Williams, has just opened shop.  It's a great combination wine bar and shop, which features wines made by environmentally conscious producers.  I recently selected and helped Cathy stock her venue with over 160 wines, almost all of them made with grapes grown organically and biodynamically, and all sustainably farmed.  There are fourteen wines available by the glass, like organic choices Pavi Pinot Grigio, St. Cosme "Little James Basket Press" Grenache, Clara Benegas Chardonnay, and Gouguenheim Malbec.  Cathy will also be opening special bottles and offering cheese for the event.

The shop is a small walk from the Metra North Central Service Antioch Station, and, if you are driving, is just off the Rosecrans Road (route 173) exit of I-94.

For more things to do nearby, there is also the PM&L Theatre, and David's Bistro, who's appetizer menu will be available in Catbridge Cellars wine bar as well.

Beaujolais Nouveau Hits Chicago

The 3rd Thursday of November is arriving, so that means it is time for Beaujolais Nouveau 2009!  We went over this phenonmenon last year, but millions of cases of this wine will be released to the world this Thursday at 12:01am, with a bunch coming right here to Chicago.  Not only will the wine be available for purchase, but the city will be partying down with this tasty, easy drinking wine.  Here is a list of specials and events:

Bistro 110: Burgundy/Beaujolais Tasting.  Head to this Magnificent Mile bistro at 6pm this Thursday for a 6 wine tasting paired with offerings from Chef Dominique Tougne which include cheese, charcuterie, garlic sausage, veal blanquette, poached salmon, and dessert.  $25.

Brasserie Jo: This Friday, enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau by the glass ($8) or bottle ($39) with a la carte pairings of escargots, saucisson, and beef bourguignon.

Cafe des Architectes: Head to the Sofitel Water Tower for a Four Course Prix Fixe.  This menu features French dishes made with local ingredients such as Swan Creek Farm pork belly and chicken, Nichols Farm cippolini onions, and Fayette Creamery camembert.  This menu will be featured Thursday-Saturday.  $45.

French-American Chamber of Commerce: 25th Annual Passport to France.  Enjoy French cuisine from local restaurants paired with 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau along with other French wines and spirits.  There will also be a silent auction and chances to win a trip to France.  At the Union League Club of Chicago.  $50 in advance, $60 at the door.

Kiki's Bistro: Pairing Beaujolais Nouveau with regular menu items.  Wines from Montes Vineyards of Chile will also be featured.

La Sardine: If you're hanging around Harpo Studios, stop in to enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau paired with a Four Course Prix Fixe retro menu.  Seafood gratin, duck consumme, monkfish, and dessert.  $35.

L'Eiffel Bistro & Creperie: If you're out near South Barrington, head to this lively little bistro for the festivities.  Live music, Beaujolais Nouveau, and a Three Course Prix Fixe.  $35.50.

Mon Ami Gabi: Live music, prizes, 2009 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau, and hors d'oeuvres at both the Lincoln Park and Oak Brook locations.  $35.

Windy City Wine Guy Meets Today's Chicago Woman Magazine

I am extremely happy to announce that I have been interviewed for Today's Chicago Woman Magazine, giving thousands of Chicago women access to my wine knowledge and advice.  Most of the Q & A is about pairings and getting value from your wine choices, which are some of the most important points to today's consumer.  I had a great time with the interview, and the photo shoot.  Make sure to pick up a copy from one of the many distibution locations, or you can sign up for the email newsletter, until the article is up on the site.  If you have any more questions, send them to windycitywineguy@live.com.

Pinot Days Chicago 2009

Another autumn day in Chicago, enjoying not only a fabulous Indian summer, but also some Pinot Noir.  Pinot Days occurred on the lakefront, in Navy Pier, an awesome venue for any event.  With such great weather in the city, people were strolling down the pier, fishing, shopping, and sitting while admiring the view of our lake and skyline.  I enjoyed the view as well, like I always do, while strolling to try Pinot Noir from over 50 different producers.

So Pinot Noir has quickly become one of the world's favorite varietals, and there is much to like about the grape.  It produces wines that can be easy drinking, with light and vibrant red berry fruit, bright acidity (which helps with many food pairings), and can also have many spice components, and earthy/mushroom qualities, though mostly (but not only!) found in European versions.  The color can go from translucent and light ruby to light deep purple, and the tannins as well can vary from light to grippy and firm.  These wines can also age, and show many more complexities with maturity.

The producers at this event were here to impress.  I started off by visiting Tim Olsen of Olsen Ogden Wines in Sonoma's Russian River Valley.  I've met Tim before, and not only is he a great guy, but he makes outstanding wine.  He introduced me to two of his Pinots, which demonstrated extremely different styles.  His 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has deeper color, more tannins and weight.  It also has dark fruit flavor and spice.  On the other hand, his 2007 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is lighter, full of red fruit and bright acid, and has more earthy complexity.  These wines illustrate two basic styles of Pinot Noir.  I was also lucky to try both a Syrah/Grenache blend, and the Unti Vineyard Syrah.  Love the body and peppery spice with those wines.

Next I was on to Inman Family Wines, a small winery in Sonoma, with some great wines, especially their estate organically grown Olivet Grange Vineyard Pinot Noir.  This wine exhibits much depth and flavor, and will age well.  The tannic structure is much more intense than many other Pinots, and I guarantee you will enjoy it.  They also feature a few other Pinot Noirs made with fruit from other vineyards, and a Pinot Gris.

I also found another one of my favorite Sonoma Pinot Noirs, the Keller Estate Precioso.  This is made from the estate's best select barrels, and aged 15 months in oak.  This wine is not only full of rich fruits like raspberry and pomegranate, but also exotic spice, and depth.

A few other California wineries I enjoyed:

• Demetria.  Family owned winery making biodynamically grown grapes, and a great Pinot in the Santa Rita Hills appellation of Santa Barbara.


• Belle Glos.  A Sonoma producer with three single vineyard Pinots: Taylor Lane, Clark and Telephone, and Las Alturas.  This family has a long history with California wines, so watch out for these wines!


• Goldeneye.  This label was created by the Duckhorn family, with a vision to create world class Pinot Noir in Anderson Valley.  They now make excellent Pinots from four different estate's fruit.


• Papapietro.  A family owned Sonoma winery not only making great Pinot Noir, but also Zinfandels.

There was also some Pinot Noir from Oregon, my favorite state for the varietal:

• Domaine Serene.  A historically acclaimed producer, making world class Pinot Noir from three estate vineyards in Dundee Hills, north Willamette Valley.


• Le Cadeau.  A Willamette Valley producer making excellent Pinot from a volcanic microclimate.


• Stoller.  Not only making world class wines, but also the nation's first LEED Certified winery, a mark of not only true sustainability, but also a commitment to being "Green".

There were also some German Pinot Noir, also known as Spatburgunder, represented.  The style is traditionally lighter in body, tannins, and color, though bigger versions are being produced in seasons offering longer summers and more intense sunlight.

All things considered, this was a great tasting event, with not only some extremely enjoyable wines, but also some nice food and olive oils.  Looking forward to Pinot Days 2010!

Get Your Thanksgiving Picks Here

It's that time of year again.  Pumpkins are being turned into pie, turkeys are about to be defrosted, families are planning on being together, and everyone needs to get some holiday hooch.  But what are you supposed to pair with all of the dishes and the turkey?  No need to fear, your Windy City Wine Guy is on the case. 

Now, pairings for this holiday can be difficult, considering the wide array of flavors and dishes involved.  Not only are there savory choices such as mashed potatoes & gravy and stuffing, but there are also sweet dishes such as cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie.  Then there's the turkey.  The crackling tasty skin, the moist and dense breast meat, and the salty, fattier dark meat.  All of this makes a perfect pairing almost impossible, but that's why you try multiple beverages!

2008 Elk Cove Pinot Gris

and white meat: I can't help it, but I love this varietal with poultry.  The nose is quite intense, with floral aromatics, and leads to a full on citrus party.  Heavy meyer lemon and grapefruit appear on the palate, along with rich honey and pineapple.  Fortunately, this wine can be found for around $15.

2007 Argiolas Perdera and dark meat: For dark meat poultry, you must have a wine with some body and a bit of spice, and this one has both.  Made mostly (90%) from the

Monica

varietal in Sardegna, this wine is packed with cherry goodness, black pepper, licorice, and bittersweet chocolate flavors.  The tannins are firm and supple.  Can be had for $14.  I also like

2007 La Posta Cocina Blend

, a mix of 60% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, and 20% Syrah.  It has weight, color, tannins, and spice, and a $14 pricetag.  Nice.

Pinot Noir can be an excellent wine to have with this holiday, as most are approachable, light and fruity, not without spicy components.  I love the 2007

EIEIO

 Bingo Cuvee ($19.99), not only for it's jammy fruit, but also for the earthy, mushroomy aroma.  Also, a great value Pinot Noir made by

King Estate

, their 2008 Acrobat, is light, fruity, spicy, and available for under $15.  A couple of alternative light reds are the 2007 Saladini Pilastri Rosso Piceno ($11.99), for red fruit, spiciness, and tobacco, and the 2008 Valle Reale "Vigne Nuove" Montelpulciano d'Abruzzo ($12.99).  This wine is made from grapes which face the hot sun on the Adriatic coast, grown from the cuttings of 40+ year old vines.  It is not only an easy drink, but also adds minerality and concentrated fruit.

Another varietal not to be missed is Chardonnay, as a weighty white wine can make it through the meal.  The Clara Benegas Chardonnay ($9.99) is another great value from

Michel Rolland

, as it combines rich pear, caramel apple, and mango, with a hint of vanilla.

For the big red lovers, I recommend a trip

down under

.  The 2005 Pretty Sally is a blend of 63% Cabernet Sauvignon and 37% Shiraz.  Full bodied and full of both dark fruit and spice: cumin, pepper, and baking spice.  Great value for $17.99.  I am also a fan of the 2006 Cimicky "Trumps" Shiraz ($18.99) for its dark flavor, smokiness, and excellent length.  Also, stay down under for your 

sweet tooth

, as I recommend

2008 Two Hands Brilliant Disguise Moscato

($14.99).  Great acidity accompanies honey sweetness and a slight sherbert flavor.  Kind of different from an Italian version, but really good.

No party would be complete without a sparkling wine, not to mention they are usually the most versatile beverage in your arsenal.  The

Graham Beck Brut

($14.99) is a blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from South Africa.  It's full, creamy, and reminds me of lemon meringue pie.

I also gotta have some beer, and pumpkin ale is on my list.  The

Hoppin' Frog Double Pumpkin Ale

out of Akron, Ohio, is festively full of flavor: cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, ginger, and pumpkin pie blast in your mouth.  A great pumpkin beer.

If all of this isn't good enough, you can go back to my

'08 pairings

, or my

podcast

with

Vintuba

.  Either way, I hope you get the most out of these pairings, and have a Happy Thanksgiving!  Let me know how those worked out for you.

Mama's Got a Fusebox

I recently accepted the Fusebox Blendoff Challenge from Crushpad, where I would compete against some great internet bloggers like Dirty South Wine, Purple Teeth Diaries, NorCal Wine, Cellar Mistress, Pulling the Cork, Another Wine Blog, A Good Time with Wine, and Savvy Taste.  We each received a Fusebox, a home wine making kit which comes with enough equipment for you to make your very own Bordeaux red blend out of Napa wines.  Not only will our blends will be graded, but our own homemade labels as well.  Here is a bit more info on the fun I had with this product:

So, I opened the box, and inside were six 375ml bottles: 2 Cabernet Sauvignon, a Merlot, Petite Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and a bottle labeled "Mystery Wine".  There was also a guidebook, a graduated cylinder, and pipettes.  All of these would help me create my very own blend.

Now, for those of us who do not know what a "Bordeaux blend" is, it is basically a red wine comprised of the grape varietals available in the Bordeaux wine region.  The five main grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, and Malbec are used, along with some Carmenere showing up in some blends.  Each grape adds its characteristics to the wine, such as color, tannin, body, structure, aromatics, spice, etc.  This all depends upon the wine maker.

Getting back to my work, I started by opening each bottle, and trying to pick up color notes, aromas, and flavor components for each wine.  I then noted differences, and used those to help me with my blending.  I tried at least five different blends before I finished with my final: a blend of 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petite Verdot, and 7% Merlot.  Most wines from the "left bank" or left side of the Gironde river, are Cabernet Sauvignon based, and I found this varietal in the fusebox to have very good power and body, good for a base wine.  I added a good amount of the Cabernet Franc because I found the aromatics to be stunningly good, and a touch of sweet ripe fruit on the palate.  The Petite Verdot had an awesome deep color, and the tannins were extremely well structured.  The Merlot was kind of supple and slutty, and I wanted a touch in the blend.

Then it was time to label my wine.  I called my wine "Prima Volta Cellars: Lil' Bambina Red".  Prima Volta means "first time" in Italian, and I love the phrase for the fresh start and innocent qualities it lends to a little baby, or lil' bambina.  This is a tribute to my unborn little girl, who is being carried by my beautiful wife, and will be delivered to us in January.

As far as the "Mystery Wine" goes, you must try to figure out the percentages of varietals used, and log into the given website for the answers.  I was actually pretty close on my estimates, but it is certainly a difficult task to get something like that right!

Also, this blog post's name is a play on The Who song Mama's Got a Squeezebox.  I had a good laugh off that one!

Halloween Wines

Halloween is a festive time, for both children and adults.  Children get Dots, Twizzlers, and Wachamacallits, so what do adults get?  It's time to delve into some tasty beverages fit for your favorite Halloween party!

Armida "Poizin": This is a full bodied blend of Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.  A bold wine with sweet ripe fruit flavor, it is a perfect fit after you just bobbed for apples.  Plus the fact that it comes in a coffin, makes it perfect for the season.  I've seen it sold in three pack online for $56.99, so I would imagine it sells for about $20 per bottle.

Ghost Block Cabernet Sauvignon: A wine this good could drum up the spirits at your party.  The wine and vineyard it comes from is named for the Pioneer Cemetery which it borders.  Locals say the vineyard is haunted by the ghost of  the valley's first planter, George C. Yount, as he looks over the fruit of his labor to this very day.  The wine itself is full of berry fruit and chocolate flavor, and is available for around $65 per bottle.

Orin Swift "The Prisoner": This could be one of the most popular wines I've ever sold, and it is perfect for the party.  A complex blend of mostly Zinfandel, with Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Petite Sirah, Charbono, and Grenache added, the wine and label artwork is sure to capture your guests.  The wine is available for around $35 per bottle.

Casillero del Diablo Wines: The "Cellar of the Devil" carries a wide variety of affordable value wines, priced around $10 per bottle.  18 different wines are produced by this label, anything from Viognier to Carmenere. 

Toad Hollow "Eye of the Toad" Pinot Noir Rosé: What party would be complete without some witch components?  This one is a bit lighter, but will wow the crowd with it's pink fruit flavor.  Available for around $12 per bottle.

Doc's Draft Hard Apple Cider: This is a mega award winning cider, with big apple flavor.  I don't see how any Halloween party could be complete without this beverage.



Make sure to enjoy these holiday pairings, and let me know about your parties.  Trick or Treat!

Chicago Community Crush at Noble Grape

Community Crush: Chicago is in full swing, as we are ready to sample our Pinot Noir before it hits the barrel!  The tasting will be at The Noble Grape, Wednesday, October 28, from 6-8pm.  Please RSVP in advance, and if you have not already, reserve your allocation of the great wine we are babysitting, the 2009 Two Pisces Vineyard Pinot Noir.  Come taste the wine, have some cheese, and meet your fellow Pinot Noir Community members!

The ChillinJoy: Portable Wine Chiller from Chicago's Very Own

While strolling through the Windy City Wine Festival last month, I met Chris & Christin Poterek, co-founders of ChillinJoy.  I do get a bit excited when I see new wine gadgets, so I decided to investigate.

ChillinJoy is a portable wine chiller, capable of keeping any 750ml bottle cold for hours.  This allows you to enjoy picnics, concerts (Ravinia!), BYO restaurants, or a trip to the beach, while keeping a favorite bottle of wine at the temperature you like it: nice and cold.  You can also use it for just sitting in front of the TV, now with no trips back and forth to the fridge.

Chris & Christin are both from Chicago, and invented the ChillinJoy.  They love wine and enjoying it outdoors, so they sought out an invention to keep their bottles cool.  They both have participated in the Triathlon, and decided to use their wet suits stuffed with ice packs to keep a bottle cold.  Success! 

I recently received a sample ChillinJoy from the Potereks to try out.  The ChillinJoy is made with neoprene, and comes with three small ice packs.  I decided to use it with one of my favorite whites, Grgich Hills Chardonnay.  The wine was stored in my Cuisinart at a constant temperature of 57 degrees Farenheit, a great temperature for a fuller bodied white wine.  I added the ice packs to the ChillinJoy's storage pouches, and inserted the bottle.  I zipped up the top, which has a cutout sized perfectly to fit the neck of the bottle, leaving it exposed for pouring.  The ChillinJoy not only kept the wine at a cool temperature for hours, but also brought the temperature down after a while.  Since I keep my reds stored around 60 degrees, and drink them that way too, I would suggest using this for white and red transportation.  One thing the ChillinJoy does not do is a great job of chilling a room temperature wine- this takes about an hour.

This is the ideal travel companion, as it not only comes with a shoulder strap, but contains two small side pockets, which easily fit a corkscrew and stopper.  I will be taking this to all of my BYO and future picnic and Ravinia excursions.  If you get a chance, order yourself one.  It costs $24.99, which includes shipping, and comes in blue or green.  When you are sipping some chilled wine at your favorite BYO restaurant, you will be happy you did.

Check back and tell me what you think of your ChillinJoy.

 

(Top photo courtesy of Chilled Portable Products)

Rioja Week in Chicago

Next week, October 18-25, Rioja will be invading Chicago for a week of glass pours and pairings in some great restaurants and wine bars.  Rioja Week will be hitting only two cities: ours and New York.  This is something special, as many restaurants do not serve Rioja wines by the glass, though they pair extremely well with food.  

Some may ask "What is Rioja?".



Rioja is wine made in La Rioja, a province in northern Spain.  The main grape varietals permitted are Tempranillo for red, while whites are mainly comprised of Viura, also known as Macabeo.  Other grape varietals used are Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, and Malvasia.  There is a great history of winemaking in this region, which dates back thousands of years.  Wines can range from young and vibrant to aged and  funky, but all are perfect with local cuisine, as well as certain internationals.

Many deals can be had next week, such as $25 or $50 prix fixe menus including wine, $12 bar samplings, or 15-20% discounts on Rioja bottles.  Some of the restaurants/bars included are:

Chicago:  Sushi Samba Rio, 1492 Tapas, Mundial Cucina Mestiza, Mercat al la Planxa, Fonda del Mar, Fiddlehead Cafe, Eivissa, Vivo, Province, Fleming's, Tocco Pizza E Arte, The Red Canary, The Melting Pot, Salpicon, Feast

Naperville:  Meson Sabika, Zaidi's

Evanston:  Oceanique

Arlington Heights:  La Tasca Tapas

So come on out and get yourself a glass or bottle and fiesta!

Oprah Says Tip Ten Percent?!

I have seen Internet buzz where, supposedly, Oprah recently said it was acceptable to tip servers 10% in this economy.  I suppose her point was to tell her audience how to save some money during the current ongoing financial crunch.  There are some sites that say she said it, like ChaCha.com, while reps from Harpo claim she did not.  I know Oprah has always been a staunch supporter of tipping well, and I don't know for certain whether she said it or not, but I know the statement is wrong.  There has been huge Internet backlash regarding the statement, and I would like to add a bit myself.



I have been in the bar/restaurant industry for about 13 years, with a good majority of that making tips as a bartender and a waiter.  Both behind the bar and on the floor, you are expected to be an expert regarding the food and drink your establishment offers.  When a guest asks a question or is looking for a suggestion, your bartender/waiter is expected to be there with the answer.  When you are looking for a dining or bar experience, you expect everything to go right, and it is mostly because of the bartender or waiter. 

Somehow, in our society, the honus of providing a living wage for restaurant service has fallen upon the consumer rather than the employer.  Lawmakers have allowed employers to pay LESS than minimum wage to their employees, even though they are the beneficiaries of that employee's work.  This can apply to any employee who receives tipped income, giving a restaurant owner the luxury of paying its bartenders, waiters, and bussers less than minimum.  In Illinois, minimum wage for tipped employees is 60% of minimum wage, which currently stands at $4.80/hour.  In many states it is less.  How this is construed as legal or correct, I have no idea.  Now while this is not fair to the consumer, it is their responsibility to provide an adequate tip if they plan on dining out.  If you can afford to play, you can afford to pay.

As far as the ten percent thing goes, that just will not cut it.  In many restaurants, a waiter tips out support staff like bussers, food runners, bartenders, sommeliers, and sometimes even hosts/maitre d's.  In alot of those restaurants, 10% of a waiter's sales go for that tip out, leaving the waiter with half of their tips IF they received 20%.  If you live by the ten percent rule, the waiter goes home broke, with less than minimum wage to show for it.  I am sure many do not know about these backdoor stories regarding tipping, but that does not make it untrue. 

There are also many who believe in not tipping on wine.  I once waited on a table that ordered $800 in wine (bottles), and $300 in food, and only tipped me 15% on the food because they don't believe in tipping on wine.  On $1100 in total sales on that table, I was expected to tip out my support staff $110, while the table only tipped me $45 total!  I lost $75 waiting on that table.  I still provided the guests with adequate recommendations regarding the wine list, provided polished stemware, opened and decanted the wine, and continued to pour it during the meal.  If you don't tip on wine, consider the work that goes into all of it, or start going to BYOB restaurants. 

A couple of simple rules to remember when regarding dining out:

1. Go out with a good attitude.  Whatever happened that day to upset you, try not to take it out on others.  Remember, you are out for some atmosphere, a good meal and/or drink- an experience.


2. Tip out the service.  If you had a bad meal, the valet treated you bad, the coatchecker misplaced your coat, the bathroom was dirty, do not take it out on the server.  If they provided you with the service you needed at the table, give them what they deserve.  Complain to the manager about the other stuff.


3. Tip accordingly on complimentary meals, gift cards, coupons, etc.  Too many times have I seen bad form regarding this.  A person gets a complimentary $200 meal, and leaves $10, when they should've left $40.  Another person uses a gift card to pay half their bill, and tips on the new total.  Tip on the entire meal folks, after all, you just saved a ton of cash on your meal anyway.


4. Don't short your friends.  Too many times have I seen a group decide to split a bill, with people giving cash to one person at the table who decides to pay using a credit card.  Then that person leaves a bad tip, despite the fact their friends gave enough for a good one, and pockets the rest.  That displays poor judgement, low class.


5. Tip what they deserve.  I usually start at 18% and, depending on the service, my tip goes up or down.  If I felt the service was slow, uninterested, snarky, or just bad, it goes down.  If it starts off bad, I request a new server.  If service is adequate, they get their 18% (I use the total, not pre-tax), and if they go above and beyond, it can go as high as 25%, though not usually more than 20%.  This is your dining experience.  You should be out for a good time, good drink, good food.

Whatever your practices are, try to remember these intricacies surrounding tipping.  It will help you have better dining experiences, especially in places you frequent multiple times.  Also, as far as saving money in a down economy, why not try a few other practices instead, like not ordering that 2nd drink or that extra appetizer, try sharing a dessert, or purchasing more value based wines.  You can also try cooking at home or ordering take out or delivery.  Don't stiff your servers to try to save a few bucks. 

For a great view through a waiter's eyes, check out Waiter Rant.  The site's author, Steve Dublanica, is a waiter in New York, and not only has alot of experience in his field, he is also a great story teller.  Even if you don't agree with him, you will at least be entertained!

Let me know about any of your experiences or opinions.

(Image courtesy of wikipedia)

At Chicago Gourmet 2009

It was a cloudy, but beatiful weekend, and a great chance to enjoy outstanding wine and local food at Chicago Gourmet 2009.  My wife and I headed down on the Green Line, and then walked over to beautiful Millenium Park, where all the festivities were being held.  There were tents set up everywhere- in case of rain, each one filled with samples from Southern Wine & Spirits brands or local food and beverage options.  It was time to dive in, eat, drink, and enjoy!

We darted for the food tents first, to see what was cooking.  We were greeted by a huge pig on a grill, being cooked and sliced by the chefs from Jose Garces' Mercat a la Planxa.  This was extremely delicious, and started us off with a popular theme now being used by many chefs- pork.  Just recently looked down upon, the "other white meat" is reaching new heights in culinary acclaim.  I have always been a fan, and use pork as a key flavor component in many of my own home dishes.  This can also be served in a group setting at Mercat with advanced reservations.  We also started off with some great pork belly served up by the Four Seasons, smoked sturgeon from Blackbird, and heirloom tomatoes and mozzarella from Keefer's.  Countless other restaurants were onhand, giving out great samples like The Gage, Sunda, Spring, Arun's, Japonais, Hugo's, Mexique, Piccolo Sogno, L20, Carnivale, and C-House.  This was an awesome display of the Chicago culinary scene- one of the best in the world.

Next we headed for the Terlato tent, which was definitely the most awesome wine display.  Many prestigious brands were being poured like Two Hands, Sokol Blosser, Il Poggione, Bollinger (James Bonds' fav Champagne), M. Chapoutier, Chimney Rock, Rust en Vrede, and Terlato Family Vineyards.  Credenzas and couches were set up for ambience and comfort, and it may have been the most relaxed, yet festive tastings I've been to.  We had the fortune of running into Anthony Terlato, who could not have been more inviting.  We were looking forward to his cooking demo with Fabio Vivani.

We made it to a few demos, which were held in the Jay Pritzker Pavillion.  The first we witnessed was with a great trio of chefs: Mindy Segal of Hot Chocolate, Bill Kim of Urban Belly, and Stephanie Izard of highly anticipated The Drunken Goat.  They would be cooking with pork and peaches, with recipes that may be included on their own menus.  Chef Kim went with a pork belly sandwich, which may be featured at his new restaurant, Belly Shack, while chef Izard went for pork belly over seared tofu, for a healthy, yet savory offering.

Next, it was time for Anthony Terlato, offering his Santa Margherita Prosecco to the audience, and Fabio Vivani, of Top Chef and Cafe Firenze, cooking up some simple seared tuna.  This was not only a very good sparkling wine, but also an excellent pairing.

There were also many other great demos, including the artistry of seafood & salt, seasonal cuisine, asian delights, and farm to table. 

 

I was amazed by all the fine food, wine, and spirits onhand.  It was filled with delight after delight for the senses!  If you have never been to this 2nd annual event, make sure to be looking for Chicago Gourmet 2010.  It will be worth it!

Check out this St. Supéry Deal!

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!

The wine is medium-full bodied, has loads of fruits, and hints of herbs and mocha.

Just go to the St. Supéry shop and use the discount code MERLOT150 when you check out.  Life is too short to drink cheap wine, and is even better when you get good wine at a discount!

Napa Valley Vintners invade Chicago!

The Napa Valley Vintners Association was in Chicago on Wednesday, September 16, ready to bring a full array of Napa Valley wine to our taste buds.  I was invited to an intimate luncheon held at Bloomingdale's, and then a walk across the street to Fleming's, where over 80 wineries were pouring some excellent Napa juice.

There was alot going on in the Bloomingdale's demo kitchen.  Fleming's chefs were onhand to make us a fabulous lunch, members of the press were ready to taste some great food and wine, and some of Napa Valley's best wineries were pouring premium selections.  I started off by talking to Hugh Davies of Schramsberg.  He and his family helped turn a rundown winery into the finest producer of sparkling wine in the US.  He was pouring his 1999 vintage Brut sparkling wine out of a magnum, which was aged eight years "sur lie" before bottling.  It had bright acidity, a myriad of fruit flavor, and a touch of creaminess.  A great way to start out a tasting.

We were then directed to our seats, where I was fortunate to sit next to Lisa Broman Augustine of Broman Cellars, and Diana Schweiger of Schweiger Vineyards.  We shared innovative insights to wine and Napa, and tasted some great wines.  Three different Sauvignon Blancs were being passed around:

1. Broman Cellars.  This was my favorite, as the round ripe fruit, especially melons, filled my palate, while the flavor endured with a slightly creamy finish.


2. Honig Vineyard and Winery.  The wine was pleasant and bright, but a bit hot, and had some oakiness to it.  I am not a big fan of oak with this varietal, though it is used alot in California Sauvignon Blanc.


3. Cakebread Cellars.  This had mineral, citrus, and a touch of vanilla, but did not last on the tongue.

We also tasted Cakebread Chardonnay, which was a rich, buttery, extremely oaky version.  Next it was time for some food and red wine.

We kicked off the red wine with David Graves introducing us to Saintsbury Pinot Noir.  We were also served a mini beef wellington, which was small and delicious.  It went well with the large collection of Cabernet Sauvignon we were tasting.  Cakebread, Oakville Ranch, Honig, and Broman Cabs were big, round, and great.  Schweiger Dedication, a blend consisting of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec, and Cabernet Franc, is an extremely complex wine with big fruit flavor. 

Our burgers came just in time, as tasting all these wines can take a toll.  They were prepared with an au poivre sauce, served with au gratin potatoes.  I was delighted to finish off the tasting with my favorite wine of the day, the 1997 Signorello "Padrone", a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, and 7% Cabernet Franc.  It was so elegant, but yet strong- this wine could easily last another 10 years.  This ended the luncheon, and it was time to go to Fleming's and taste more wine!

As soon as I walked in, I was surrounded by wine, producers, consumers, and total atmosphere.  That place was rockin'!  I sampled many wines: Gemstone, Lail, Grgich Hills (I always have to sample their wine!), Celani (thanks for the laughs Gary!), and Baldacci (an awesome, affordable, small production wine from Stag's Leap) were some of my favorites.

It is hard to deny that Napa Valley holds some of the world's greatest wines.  They are always a pleasure to taste, great with food, and not hard to find.  Go out and grab yourself a few bottles and let me know what you think!

Friday Evening at Windy City Wine Fest '09

It was a beautiful Friday evening, and I had a plan- take the Green Line train to east Randolph Street, meet my wife just after work, and enjoy the Windy City Wine Festival.  Everything worked out as scheduled, and we headed to Daley Bicentennial Plaza, which has an amazing view of the city to go along with excellent greenery and flowers.  There was a short line at will call, where we picked up our wristbands and drink tickets, and headed into the fest!

We moved past the stage, where the demonstrations were being held, and decided to circle the park and booths before sampling.  While walking with our sample glasses, my wife received many dirty looks- she is pregnant.  Her only intention was to smell, taste, and spit the wine, but I fear there are too many judgmental individuals in our society.  Feeling uncomfortable, she turned in her souvenier glass for a bottle of water.  It's funny how those same people would say nothing if they saw a pregnant woman smoking or consuming unhealthy or "fast" foods, which could be harmful to a developing baby, while moderate consumption of wine during pregnancy has proven, through reseach, to be helpful in development.  Everything in moderation is the key to life, and unfortunately, a good portion of America has yet to learn this.

So we headed into the tastings, and I decided to go with Illinois wineries.  First was Cooper's Hawk winery and restaurant, located in Orland Park, IL.  I tried their house white blend of mostly Alsatian varietals, and it was a bit off-dry, fruity, and pleasant. 

Next was Illinois Cellars, which makes estate wines in Carrollton.  I tried their white Chardonnel, Apple Wine, and red Norton.  The wines are of decent quality, and when you consider the pricetag ($6.99/bottle), are quite a value for locally grown examples- definitely worth a try! 

We then saw Greg Fischer, of BevArt and Wild Blossom Meadery, from the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago.  Greg owns local bee farms here in both Illinois and Indiana, from which he gets the honey to make mead.  I've tasted much of his product before and it's fantastic, especially when heated or added to beer.  There was quite a line, so I said hi and proceeded onto my favorite Illinois winery, Lynfred.

Lynfred Winery is located in Roselle, IL., and makes wines from local and California grown varietals.  They have a miriad of styles, from sweet fruit wines like cranberry, peach, and rhubarb, to Viognier and award winning Cabernet Sauvignon.  Make sure to visit them and say hi to Christina and the crew (pictured above)!

As for the rest of the wines, I thought the selections were mostly pedestrian.  Many of the labels are nothing different from what I have seen widely available in your local Jewel-Osco or Dominick's.  That is not to say the wine was bad, but just that it was nothing special.

As far as the food goes, many very good restaurants were represented.  Markethouse, Zocalo, and Billy Goat Tavern were among the Chicago reps, with many other goodies from the 'burbs as well.  It was a huge pleasure to meet Dan Smith and Steve McDonagh (pictured to the right) of Hearty Boys catering, and soon to open (November '09), Hearty restaurant.  They are an awesome duo, and Chicago is very fortunate to have them growing in the city.  They even put on a great and informative cooking demo for all to see and learn.

The night was made even better after we left, as we were able to experience part of the performance from the Lyric Opera House in the Pritzker Pavillion.  Even though the venue was packed, we had a great time, and both Millenium Park and Chicago are awesome in the summertime.  

If you unfortunately missed this event, you can still catch the Naperville Wine Festival this coming weekend, or Chicago Gourmet September 26 & 27.  Make sure you enjoy everything Chicagoland has to offer, and tell me about it!