9 Wine Events To Make Your November Awesome

By John Lenart in Food on Nov 1, 2016 2:00PM

November is here, and with it brings some of the year's most exciting wine events. Check them out!

Tuesday, November 1

Parisian Wine Class
Animale
1904 N. Western Ave.
6:30 p.m.
Cost $15

Chicago’s Piemonte expert Aldo Zaninotto departs his typical northern Italy haunt and pours the wines of France. Guests will sample 10 wines from France’s Rhone Valley and southwest regions. Guests must reserve by emailing audrey@animalechicago.com.

Wednesday, November 2

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

Join III Forks sommelier Jessica Marshall-Bruckner as she takes guests through six of the winners of previous Sommelier for a Day events to crown the year’s Champion wine.

Wines include

Poema Cava, NV Spain
A to Z Chardonnay 2014, Oregon
Domaine Fouassier 'Clos Paradis' 2013, Loire Valley France
Occhipinti "IL Frappato', Frappato 2013, Sicily Italy
Neyers 'Neryers Ranch' Cabernet Sauvignon 2012, Conn Valley Napa
Trapiche 'Broquel' Malbec, 2014 Argentina

To reserve, call 312.938.4303.

Thursday, November 4

House of Chards
Lynfred Winery
971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling
11:00 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Cost: $10 for a flight of 3 wines

Chardonnay can be one of the world’s most versatile grape varieties. Join the team at Lynfred Winery and sample just a few of this grape’s amazing expressions.

Sunday, November 6

Geja’s 43rd Annual Pro/Am Wine Tasting Contest
Geja’s Café
340 W. Armitage Ave.
1:00 p.m.
Cost: $30

One of Chicago’s premier wine events is back for its 43rd year, making it the longest running wine competition in the country. Test your blind tasting skills by trying to identify four white and four red wines, just like the Somms you’ve seen in the movies. Both professional and amateur tasters are welcome to participate in separate categories. Don’t be intimidated, it’s a super-fun, collegial environment and the winners from each category take home the coveted crystal decanter.

Monday, November 7

Alberto Graci Wine Dinner
Il Porcellino
59 W. Hubbard St.
6:00 p.m.
$55 Dinner plus $20 wine pairings (Tax and gratuity not included)

Alberto Graci, winemaker from Italy’s Mount Etna region in Sicily joins LEYE Wine Director Ryan Arnold to pair the exciting wines of Mt. Etna with a special three course dinner. Reserve at ilporcellinochicago.com or by calling 312-595-0800.

Conterno Faction Tasting
Osteria Langhe
2824 W. Armitage Ave.
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Cost: $15

Meet winemaker Fabio Conterno and sample his wines from Italy’s Monforte d’Alba region. This informal tasting is an excellent opportunity to make a connection to the winemaker and his wines.

Thursday, November 10

CHILL an International Wine and Culinary Event
LuxeHome
Merchandise Mart
6:00 to 8:30 p.m.
$125

The tenth anniversary of this posh walk-around event features over 150 wines plus bites from 50 of Chicago’s top chefs held in the Merchandise Mart. This year’s event benefits The Lynn Sage Foundation, The Respiratory Health Association and Saturday Place. For tickets click here.

Saturday, November 19

Affordable Thanksgiving Wines
Webster’s Wine Bar
2601 N. Milwaukee Ave.
3:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: $50

Pairing a wine with the myriad of flavors on your Thanksgiving table can be a challenge, let alone picking wine that appeals to the varied tastes of your guests. Well don’t sweat it, Webster’s Wine Bar Sommelier Carl Moberg along with a surprise guest Somm will present a selection of perfect Thanksgiving wines that won’t hurt your wallet. Some small plates will also be served. For tickets click here.

Grgich Hills Wine Dinner
Morton’s East Wacker
56 E. Wacker Dr.
6:30 p.m. Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner
$175 per person (Inclusive)

One of Chicago’s iconic steak houses features the wines from one of Napa Valley’s most iconic wineries. Guests can join Morton’s as it pairs the wines of Grgich Hills in a five course menu with its classic steakhouse cuisine. The menu and pairings are:

FIRST COURSE Smoked Salmon Crostini, Fresh Dill, Horseradish Wild Mushroom Canape, Truffle Butter Artisan Cheeseboard Paired with Grgich Hills, Fume Blanc, 2013

SECOND COURSE
Warm Butter Poached Lobster Salad
Paired with Grgich Hills, “Paris Tasting Commemorative” Chardonnay, 2013

THIRD COURSE
Butternut Squash Soup, Fried Sage
Paired with Grgich Hills, Zinfandel, 2011

FOURTH COURSE
Filet Oscar,
Jumbo Lump Crab & Béarnaise, served with Twice Baked New Potatoes & Sautéed Brussel Sprouts with Balsamic Glaze
Paired with Grgich Hills, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2007 & Grgich Hills, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2012

FIFTH COURSE
Strawberry Panna Cotta, Strawberry Compote
Paired with Grgich Hills, “Violetta” Late Harvest

For tickets click here.