Wine Is Fine...
By Chuck Sudo in Food on Sep 8, 2005 2:10PM
Got a joke for you: what's the difference between God and a wine critic? God doesn't think he's a wine critic. Yeah, we think the joke sucks, too. Anyway with the weather spiraling toward the crisp evenings of autumn and sunsets coming quicker every day a glass of wine is an ideal complement.
This weekend the greater metropolitan area will be teeming with wine critics, not to mention the wine curious or those just out to cop a good buzz at the expense of purple-stained teeth. Chicagoland oenophiles have a choice of two festivals to attend this weekend.
Daley Bicentennial Plaza is the site of the Windy City Wine Festival this weekend. Presented by Binny's Beverage Depot, the festival provides attendees with the opportunity to sample from over 200 wines from around the world, the chance to learn about popular varietals from wine experts, and cooking seminars with noted chefs like Matt Jost (Bistrot Zinc), Jared Case (Marche), Didier Durant (Cyrano's Bistrot), and Paul Wildermuth (Opera). The only less-than-stellar area is the music stage, held down by street fair circuit mainstays Lake Effect, Mike & Joe, and the U2 Tribute band Elevation. Only the rich jazz stylings of the Brienn Perry Ensemble make a trip to the stage worthwhile. The $25 admission gets you a souvenir wine glass, ten free tastings, and the chance to purchase the wines you sample.
If that's a bit steep for your wallet then head out to suburban Stone Park Saturday for the fourth annual Festival del Vino at the Italian Cultural Center from noon-6 p.m. Presented by the Italian American magazine Fra Noi, the focus here is on- surprise surprise- Italian wines. Attendees will be able to taste and purchase over 70 different varietals. There will also be winemaking demonstrations, live entertainment, and hearty Italian food served all day. Winemaking equipment and grapes will also be sold at the festival, as well as the chance to participate in some grape stomping (which gives Chicagoist an excuse to post this gratuitous photo of Lucille Ball). Admission is $10.
The Lucy capture, by the way, is credited to Transparency Now.