Show notes
Welcome to another edition of the Chicago Wine Report! This week’s podcast features field reports on two businesses that don’t specialize in wine but do a great job of offering it to their customers!We also had an impromptu tasting of a Pinot Grigio that will change your mind about the grape, last-minute news of a local wine tasting, and a report from Chip on wine patios that are open for the summer.Congratulations are in order . . .The Beautiful Rind’s cheesemonger, Cara Condon, won The Cheesemonger’s Invitational competition in New York!Incidentally, The Beautiful Rind is a fantastic cheese shop that offers an amazing selection of wine. Do check out their offerings and take note of the fact that they deliver!This week’s field reportsL&M Fine Foods4363 N Lincoln Ave Chicago, IL 773-825-2370Foodie paradise at this independent grocer and deli. The deli counter alone is worth the trip, plus the fact that the butcher takes special orders and sharpens knives ($5 each). The wine selection is impressive for a small shop, though I’d note that most of the wines hover around the $20 mark (give or take a few bucks). Don’t miss the Lady Edison ham (ask them to cut it paper-thin), which you should try with their house-pickled vegetables. The house white bean dip is also to die for. While at the shop I (Lainie) picked up a bottle of Elena Walch Pinot Grigio, which ended up blowing the minds of both Chip and myself. This is one perfect wine for hot weather! The Book Cellar4736-38 N Lincoln Ave(773) 293-2665On one hand, this is an independent bookstore that offers a thoughtful selection of books along with in-store author events and book club meetings. It also serves as a local wine café with a selection of coffee drinks, tea, and, of course, wine. They are revamping their food menu, so only sandwiches are currently available, but the friendly staff was happy to guide me through their selection of wines. I chose a perky little rosé from Michigan, which was only $9 and great fun to drink.Recently announced tastingsIndependent Spirits5947 N Broadway(773) 989-2115This Thursday (June 16th) Independent Spirits will offer a free tasting of classic French wines between 5 pm - 7 pm. Vom Fass 4755 N. Lincoln Avenue(872) 208-3027Just got word of this today so it didn’t make it into the podcast: Vom Fass in Lincoln Square is having a free wine tasting from 5 pm - 7:30 pm on Thursday, June 16th. Get more details here. (Tip: Visit the Lincoln Square Farmers Market and check out the free tastings at Vom Fass and Augusta Food & Wine. Augusta is across the street on Leland, and Vom Fass is right up Lincoln Avenue.) Wine bar patiosChip confesses to a fondness for drinking rosé on outdoor patios, so he’s made it his business to track down wine bars/bottle shops that operate open-air seating. Here are some places to check out:Angelo’sEasy Does It
