On-the-Go — Windy City Wine Guy | Michael Bottigliero

Go Big or go home. Two magnums (1.5L each) of 2014 @FrankFamilyVineyards Cabernet Sauvignon. Coming out of a dream vintage, with low yields being the only problem, this wine is a base of mostly Rutherford AVA fruit, 85% CabSauv, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc, aged in French oak (33% new) for 20 months. Light in color for a Cab, but full on body, acidity, aroma, and flavor- floral, cocoa, currants, leather. ($114). .
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#sommlife #magnums #largeformat #gobigorgohome #cabernetsauvignon #napawine #wine #redwine #sommelier #bottles #bigbottles #napacab #drinkmorewine #californiawine #chicagosomm
#whattodrink #2014vintage #winereview #magnumbottle #dailyfoodfeed #feastagram #chicagosommelier #bottlesnation #frankfamilyvineyards #rutherfordwine

Homemade meatballs for Italian Family Sunday dinner paired up with @Costco #Kirkland Chianti Classico Riserva($8.99). Chianti is made mostly from the Sangiovese grape (no less than 75%) with the Classico area being a more select growing region within the town/region, requiring no more than 7.5 t/ha at harvest. And Riserva means it is aged no less than 24 months and 12.5% ABV. This version is made by Villa Carfagio, a prominent value grower. I found it to be light, but with smooth grippy tannins, a touch of earth with tart cherry, licorice, spice. Went well with our meal and well worth the price of admission. The meatballs were extremely moist- I used chopped @DavesKillerBread soaked in grated onion & a touch of cream, chopped garlic & parsley, 1 lb each ground turkey and pork, 1 egg, S&P. Didn’t even need water to roll them- put them on my @LodgeCastIron flat top and after the outsides were sealed, into the sauce. Take this to the bank 🏦. .
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#sommlife #winepairing #meatballs #recipe #chianti #kirklandwine #costcowine #chianticlassico #redwine #italianwine #italiansunday #italian #foodiechats #chicagofoodie #chicagoeats
#eater #pasta #pastaandmeatballs #meatballrecipe #foodandwine #foodpairing #chianticlassicoriserva #tuscanwine #wine #wineandfood #bottles #homemade #homecooking #italiankitchen

Happy #PinotNoirDay! Busting out some #OregonLove with 2015 @DomaineSerene Evenstad Reserve. Even though it originated in French Burgundy, Willamette Valley is my fav spot for this varietal- the wines normally come out with a great balance of forest floor, ripe red fruit, bright acidity. Pinot Gris, a mutation of the Noir, grows very well there, along with the other Burgundy varietal- Chardonnay. Pair it up with mushroom and porky dishes. Get your Pinot on today!
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#sommlife #pinotnoir #pinotday #willamettevalley #oregonwine #willamettevalleywine #oregonpinot #whattodrink #willamette #sommelier #chicagosomm #whattodrink #redwine #wine
#domaineserene #evenstadreserve #2015vintage #drinkpinot #drinkmorepinot #chicagosommelier #bottles #bottlesnation #winerecommendations #drinkthis @wvwines

Just received these samples in the mail from @NandosUSA. Have you tried them? Can’t wait to get grilling with these guys- stay tuned! 🌶🍗 .
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#hotsauce #periperi #sauce #spicy #bottles #getcooking #marinade #saucey #spicysauce #mouthwatering #nandos #foodiechats #chicagofoodie #chicagoeats
#eater #nandosperiperi #grilling

It’s @GelatoFestivalAmerica time! Centered in the heart of Chicago’s Little Italy Festa on Taylor St. Twelve different Master Gelatieri put their best flavors forward to see who’s the best. I tried many like @GelatoECo Kroc Choc (3), @TheKnottedCone Lemon Freckled Carrot Bread (4), Gelato d’Oro’s Strawberry Mint Sorbet (5), @CafeCortina Salted Caramel Pecan Chocolate (6), @IorioGelato French Toast (7), God Save The Cream’s Peanut Butter Puppy Chow (9). .
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#gelato #littleitaly #littleitalychicago #gelatofestival #italianfesta #taylorstreet #gelatofestivalamerica #chicagofood #italianfestival
#gelatiere #gelatoshop #gelatieri #eatgelato #chicagofoodie #chicagoeats #foodiechats #italianfood #italianstyle #chicagofoodies
#eater #buzzfeast #dailyfoodfeed #feastagram #instafood #buzzfeedfood #forkyeah #eattheworld

Another nice tasting I encountered was at @GlenArborWines- they have an amazing tasting room downtown Glen Arbor where they serve wines that are made on the Leelanau Peninsula. I tried their ‘Lake Dog’ Sparkling Gruner Veltliner- true to the varietal with explosive acidity, green/herbal notes, white pepper. Then the ‘Where Lake Street Ends’ Chardonnay is barrel fermented, but not overtly oaked with juicy apple flavor. The ‘Glen Lake Vineyard’ Kerner is weighty with pear explosion. ‘Glen Lake Moment’ Liquid Gold Red Blend- French & American hybrids combine to make a light and tasty red with some foxy earthy hints. And the ‘View From Alligator Hill’ Merlot is perfect cold-climate red. Juicy red & subtle black berry fruits, acidic balance, smooth tannins- only $20. A good quintet to try if you enjoy dry wines- they also have ice wine, cider, live music, games, bring your kids, bring your dog!
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#sommlife #bottles #michiganwine #glenarbor #puremichigan #tastingroom #winelife #wine #coldclimatewines #sleepingbeardunes #leelanauwine #glenarborwines #michiganwineries #winery #wheretogo
#whattodrink #grunerveltliner #sparklingwine #chardonnay #barrelfermented #kerner #redblend #merlot #wineflight #sommelier #chicagosomm #wineguy #drinkmichigan

Finally had a chance to hit up #BigJohnSteak- a central Michigan sub institution. Got the Steak, Onion, Mushroom, Cheese with Banana Peppers. Topped it off with their chili sub Red Sauce- gives a good kick, had to buy a bottle. I love how they chop the ribeye and onions on the flat grill right in front of you. John Klobucar opened his first in 1972 in Flint, where he worked in restaurants for years. He wanted to open a sub shop where his customers could watch the fresh steak 🥩 sizzling in front of them. .
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#foodlife #sub #sandwich #steaksandwich #steak #mushroom #puremichigan #michiganeats #michiganfoodie #lansing #bananapeppers #michigansandwich #foodiechats #whattoeat #collegeeats
#bigjohnsteakandonion #subsandwich #redsauce #lansingmichigan #michiganstateuniversity #flintmichigan #sandwichguy #ribeye #choppedsteak #ribeyesteaksandwich #steakandcheese

Pit stop in Holland, and had to stop into @NewHollandBrewPub for some lunch and adult libations. Took a pint of Tangerine Space Machine NE Style IPA (6.8% ABV) made with tangerine and galaxy hops. It’s hazy, beautiful yellow/orange color, light taste of sweet and bitter citrus, doughy wheaty malt, hint of grass. I’m into it- it’s a year round brew. Went well with my Banh-Mi-chigan sandwich: maple-soy glaze sliced pork belly & country pate, carrot/cucumber chili slaw, sambal mayo, went well with the pints. Good merch at this location too- they have many more spirits available since my last visit: rum, @LakeLifeVodka, apple jack brandy, gin (including a grapefruit version yum). .
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#sommlife #beerlife #brewpub #michiganbeer #craftbeer #puremichigan #michigancraftbeer #beer #michiganbrewery #hollandmi #craftbrewery #NEIPA #tangerineipa #banhmi #sandwich
#porkbelly #foodporn #michiganeats #drinkmichigan #tangerinespacemachine #beerpairing #hazyipa #drinklocalbeer #drinkcraftbeer #eatlocal #michigandistillery #distillery

Tried out a tasting at @M22Life in Glen Arbor MI. Their wines are made by @BlackStarFarms and I find them very likeable. Did a tasting flight (you get a free M22 glass with it) where I tried the Bubbly Brut- a sparkling blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Cayuga. A Pinot Grigio which was typical- light, crisp, easy going. Rosé of Pinot Noir is very fruity, just good summer drinking. Pinot Noir- high acidity, brambly dark & red fruit. Lastly their Vintner’s Red- a blend of Merlot, Cab Franc, and local hybrids that I found very tasty, balanced, with oak spice, juicy fruit. The wines are $20-34/bottle, flight only $7. And you can check out all the great merch plus live bands. .
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#sommlife #glenarbor #puremichigan #michiganwine #michiganwineries #tastingroom #bottles #sommelier #michiganroadtrip #sparklingwine #cayoga #roseallday #pinotgrigio #wine #winery
#redblend #pinotnoir #midwestwine #wineguy #chicagowineguy #sleepingbeardunes #michiganwinery #coldclimatewine #coldclimatewines #leelanauwine #traversecitywine

People are loving their Rosé but it’s bottles like the 2018 @DomaineTempier Bandol which makes it more than All Day. You’re talking All Year with this wine- low yielding, old vines of 55% Mourvedre (must be no less than 50% coming from Bandol), 28% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 2% Carignan, giving off floral intensity, watermelon, peach, pomegranate, and a stone minerality. The estate is located in basically the Grand Cru of Provence- Bandol, and family owned since the early 19th century. It’s a step up in the wine category but worth it at least once to try this $41 rosé. Pair it with- olive tapenade, hummus, salumi, prosciutto & melon, grilled seafood and meats, bbq.
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#sommlife #rosewine #bandol #domainetempier #bottles #roseallday #bottlesnation #whattodrink #summerwine #chicagowine #chicagosomm #winetasting #chicagosommelier #frenchwine #sommelier
#wine #provencewine #thegoodstuff #winereview #drinkitup #itsabouttogodown #popitopen

What are you pairing with that @Franciacorta? I always recommend a triple cream cow milk cheese like this Saint-André. It’s 75% milk fat, due to the addition of heavy cream, giving it a rich, salty, buttery flavor and texture, while the bloomy rind adds tang and hints of citrus. The acidity of crisp sparkling wines cuts into the richness. This 2014 @RicciCurbastro Vintage Sàten Brut is made of 100% Chardonnay aged for 40 months, which adds to the depth, creaminess, and brioche-like notes. Just so smooth and perfect.
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#sommlife #franciacorta #sparklingwine #wineandcheese #winepairing #perfectpairing #wine #bottles #cheese #brie #triplecream #saintandrecheese #foodiechats #chicagofoodie #cheeseandwine
#saten #whattodrink #chicagosommelier #cheesepairing #bubblywine #bubbles #brut #italianwine #sommelier #chicagosomm #bottlesnation

Nice summer day ☀️ , I’m cooking, and I need some Vinho Verde. This Pavão is made mostly of Loureiro grapes (40%) with some Trajadura & Arinto, has that light fizz with light, crisp citrus and green apple. A no brainer at around $8. .
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#sommlife #vinhoverde #portugalwine #whitewine #wine #summerwine #wineunder10 #chicagowine #loureiro #drinkportugal #whattodrink #sommelier #chicagosummer #bottles #cookingwithwine
#fizz #bubbles #fizzy #fizzywine #homecook #homechef

Bust open the bubbly! @Franciacorta comes from Italy’s only World Class Sparkling Wine producing Region with the highest quality standards on the globe. Ranging in styles from Brut Zero to Rosé to their very own Satèn, you’ll find some for any occasion- even daily opening- starting at about $26/bottle. Not sure where to get it? Drop me a line! .
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#sommlife #franciacorta #italianwine #sparklingwine #bubbly #bubbles #bottles #wine #chicagowine #winetasting #sommelier #rosewine #popitopen #crackitopen #bubblywine
#whattodrink #cheers #cincin #zivili #prost #worldclasswine #brandambassador #wineregion @riccicurbastro @bellavistawine @monterossafranciacorta @lemarchesine @barone_pizzini_1870 @castelfaglia_monogram

This hotel restaurant in the small town of Clare, MI serves up some decent grub, including the Prime Rib- got it Medium Rare, which is a must, along with some fried skrimps. Paired it up with 2013 Montoya Merlot from Arroyo Seco AVA near Monterey Bay, which was showing a bit of age with faded color and a brickish meniscus, but had light smooth tannins, bright red fruit, and some oak spice. Would’ve liked something with a bigger body (usually go Washington Merlot), but for only $24, it was great. Oh- and make sure to ask for horseradish cream & cocktail sauce. .
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#sommlife #winepairing #primerib #friedshrimp #skrimps #merlot #michiganhotels #wineandfood #foodandwine #whattodrink #steak #meat #foodiechats #beef #claremichigan
#dohertyhotel #michiganeats #puremichigan #bottles #arroyosecoava #montereywines @dohertyhotel

Had my clients try this 2016 @MaisonJosephDrouhin #Meursault ($55)- shows nice tropical fruit, nuttiness, a streak of chalk, and a touch of toasted brioche. This is 100% Chardonnay aged 12 months in oak, 25% of which was new French barrels. I love exposing guests to White Burgundy where you get much more of the fruit along with bright acidity- you can typically expect it to be made from Chardonnay as the only other white grape planted is Aligote, and only 15% of total plantings. Paired it up with a veggie board, Brie & Gruyere cheeses, fresh crusty bread.
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#sommlife #whiteburgundy #drouhin #chardonnay #cotesdebeaune #frenchwine #burgundy #frenchchardonnay #winetasting #bottles #wine #winereview #chicagowine #wineguy #whattodrink #whitewine #winepairing

Windy City Wine Guy | Michael Bottigliero

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.