10 Hot Wine Events For August

By John Lenart in Food on Aug 2, 2016 3:00PM

August is in full-swing with a range of fantastic local wine events. Here's our top ten tastings, seminars and festivals happening this August.

August 3

Bordeaux Matchmaking
Tanta
118 W. Grand Ave.
7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Complimentary

No, it's not a dating event! This event gives participants the chance to taste six delicious and affordable Bordeaux wines. Affordable Bordeaux you say? Yeah, right? Appetizers will be served along with the tasting. Wine experts will guide guests through the tasting process and drop knowledge about Bordeaux wines. Mini-seminars will also be presented. Guests will also have a chance to win Bordeaux swag!

To register click here.

"Sommelier for a Day"
III Forks
180 N. Field Blvd.
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
$20 per person.

Join wine specialist Jessica Marshall-Bruckner to sample six different South American wines, paired with small bites. After sampling each wine, guests then vote on their favorite to be featured as a special for the rest of month.

Los Vascos Rose 2015

Casa Lapostolle Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Terrazas Torrontes 2015

Trapiche 'Broquel' Malbec 2014

Tamari Cabernet 2013

Primus Carménère 2011   

To RSVP call 312.938.4303.

August 4

Blind Tasting Game
Plum Market
1233 N Wells St.
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 pm
Cost: $20

You've seen the somms do it on TV. Now it's your turn to learn to blind taste. Blind tasting hones your skill in assessing wine like the pros do, and it’s fun! You’ll get plenty of direction on how to taste. And when it's done you can do a blind tasting with and impress your friends with your mad wine skills. Prizes will be awarded to the best blind tasters.

For tickets click here.

40th Anniversary of The Judgement in Paris Dinner
Morton’s
1050 N. State St.
6:30 p.m.
$200 per person

The Judgment of Paris was a world famous wine tasting organized in Paris in 1976. American wines dominated the French and history was made.

Wines from the American participants of this tasting will be served at this special dinner featuring wines from Chateau Montelena, Heitz, Ridge, Freemark Abbey, Clos du Val, and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Representatives from each winery will guide the tasting and answer questions.

The reception includes: 

Smoked Salmon Blini 

Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms 
Oysters Mignonette
Steak Tartare 
All served with Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

Dinner includes: 
First Course
Warm Butter Poached Lobster Salad, Tarragon Vanilla Dressing
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

Second Course
Filet of Beef Bourgonione, Foie Gras, Roasted Hen of the Woods Mushrooms Pommes Lyonnaise
Heitz, “Martha’s Vineyard”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Clos du Val, “SLD”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

Third Course
Artisanal Midwest Cheese Plate (Illinois Triple Brie à la Crème, Coucher de Baie, Dolce Latte Gorgonzola, Cave Cheddar Vieilli Mont Bleu. Ridge,
“Montebello”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains Freemark Abbey, “Bosche” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

Fourth Course
Dark Chocolate Velvet Kirsch Cake
Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, “SLV”, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Mayacamas, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa

For tickets email Torres@ldry.com.

Aug. 9

The Crete and Santorini Wine Dinner
avec
615 W. Randolph St.
5:30pm to 10:30 p.m. 
Price: $55 for prix fixe menu, $35 for optional wine pairing

avec has been long known for wines from the Mediterranean. At this dinner guests are offered special wine's to pair with food inspired by Crete and Santorini.

The five-course family style menu includes:

Charred Sardines with Fried Lemon and Cured Olives Paired with 2014 Domaine Douloufakis, Vidiano (Crete)

Roasted Broccoli Romanesco with Heirloom Tomato, Caper Leaves and Feta Purée 
Paired with 2014 Domaine Sigalas “MM”, Mavrotragano/Mandilaria (Santorini)

Braised Goat in Olive Oil and Lemon
Paired with 2015 Domain Sigalas, Assyrtiko (Santorini)

Slow Roasted Rabbit with Tomato, Figs and Cured Pork
Paired with 2012 Alexakis, Kotsifali/Syrah (Crete)

Bougatsa with Roasted Cherries 
Paired with 2006 Domaine Sigalas, Vin Santo (Santorini) 

August 11

Lynfred Winery Food & Wine Menu Inspired by Summer Farmers Markets
Lynfred Winery
15 S. Roselle Rd.
Roselle, IL 60172
6:00 p.m.  - 8:30p.m.
Cost: $135.31 per person

Lynfred Winery unleashes its chef into the local farmers market to buy seasonal ingredients, at the peak of their flavor, to create a five-course dinner. Lynfred’s Chilean wine making team, Andres Basso and Rodrigo Gonzalez will be on hand to talk about the wine paired with each delicious course and to answer any questions diners may have.

To reserve call Lynfred Winery at 630-529-9463

August 12 and 13

Naperville Wine Festival
CityGate Centre
2020 Calamos Court
Naperville, IL 60563
5:00p.m to 10:30 p.m.
Cost: $32 in advance $40 at the door. (Designated driver tickets $15)

It's that time of year again for the Naperville Wine Festival. Held for the fourteenth year at CityGate Centre, this event features more than 300 wines from virtually every part of the wine growing world. Guests receive 12 wine tastings tickets, admission to food and wine seminars, and musical entertainment. Find a new favorite? You'll be able to place orders for later pick up and get a nice discount. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Naperville Humane Society and Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

For tickets click here.

August 18

Ruinart Champagne Salon, with Lacey Burke Ruinart Ambassador
Plum Market
1233 N. Wells St.
6:30pm to 8:00pm
Cost $20

Here's a great deal for Champagne lovers. Taste bubbles from one of Champagnes' most historic great houses: Ruinart. Brand Ambassador, Lacey Burke will give guests an insders look at these iconic wines Come taste Ruinart Blanc de Blancs and Rosé along with the Tête de Cuvées; 2004 Dom Ruinart Blanc and 2002 Dom Ruinart Rosé.

For tickets click here.

August 20

Riesling: A Noble Chameleon
Webster's Wine Bar
2601 N. Milwaukee Ave.
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: 50

Riesling is often looked at as sweet, cloying and uninteresting. Nothing could be further from the truth. Riesling can show an incredibly wide range of flavor profiles: from lean, minerally and bone dry, to rich and sweet. At this event, guests will taste reisling from around the world with a focus on Germany and Austria. Insiders secret: a few older vintages will be on hand to show the exciting aging potential reisling has. Approximately 20 wines will be poured.

For tickets click here.

August 24

Stony Hill Vineyard Vertical Tasting
Appellation Wine Bar & Restaurant
5212 N. Clark St.
6:30 p.m,. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: $45

Join Sarah McCrea of Stony Hill Vineyards for a vertical tasting of their legendary chardonnay. The McCrea family has been farming chardonnay in Napa Valley since 1943. Featured will be the 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2012 vintages along with cheese pairings. This is a "don't miss" opportunity.

For tickets click here.