Chicagoist's Weekend Wine Picks
By Caitlin Klein in Food on Feb 24, 2011 8:20PM
For all of our grape juice-loving readers, there are tons of wine events in and around Chicago this weekend. Check out our picks for each day and make some plans to get out there; it's time to swirl and sip with your fellow Chicago wine enthusiasts.
Thursday, February 24
Lincoln Park: Vosges Haut Chocolat is hosting Um Caso de Amor: A Port + Chocolate Tasting Affair. Nibble Vosges chocolate and sip port as Jacqueline Pitrack from Heritage Wine Cellars discusses the origins of port and why it pairs well with certain types of chocolate. Attendees get a 10% discount on chocolate purchased the evening of the tasting. The event runs from 6-8pm. Cost for the event is $30 and RSVPs are mandatory. Call 773.296.9866 or email raquel@vosgeschocolate.com to sign up.
Vosges Haut Chocolat is located at 951 W. Armitage.
Friday, February 25
Evanston: Get up to WineStyles in Evanston to taste some “hot” wine. No, we don’t mean that it will be warm.
From the WineStyles website, “On this day in history in 1998, Switzerland opened their first legal brothel in Zurich. I'm sure it was a Hot Spot, especially in the middle of winter. Of course, when discussing wine, the word 'hot' means something else entirely. Saying that a wine is HOT means that there is a strong alcohol component on the palate. There are other high alcohol wines with a good amount of sweetness, too. But tonight we are serving up the HOT goods: some BIG red wines that might make you blush...”
Stop in and meet owners Dean & Maggie Noonan and share your love of red wines. This event runs from 6pm-8pm, is free, and RSVP is not required. The shop is at 1741 Sherman Avenue, right off the Davis Street Metra stop.
Saturday, February 26
Logan Square: Independently-owned wine and food shop Provenance is celebrating its 5 year anniversary, so its 3-6pm wine tasting on Saturday should be a great time. Provenance promises promos and chances to win prizes. Participating vendors will be Platinum Wines, Rose Imports, and Brand BBQ. Expect the tasting to be in a casual, open house format. This event is free and no RSVP is required. The shop is at 2528 N. California Ave.
Sunday, February 27
West Town, University Village, and Roscoe Village: All three locations of Lush Wine and Spirits are hosting Riesling tastings from 2pm-5pm on Sunday. Each tasting will be guided by friendly Lush wine geeks who will explain why Riesling can range from syrupy sweet to very dry. The tasting will also explore Rieslings from locations other than Germany: expect to see selections from Australia and New Zealand, as well as Washington and Oregon. The event is free and no RSVP is required.
Lush Roscoe Village is located at 2232 W. Roscoe.
Lush West Town is located at 1412 W. Chicago.
Lush University Village is located at 1257 S. Halsted.
Chicagoist reminds you to enjoy your weekend with wine, but keep the streets of Chicago safe: don't drink and drive.
Photo by gt3photography