Vin Chicago Blog

Wine Tasting Event Chicago, Highland Park, and Barrington

 

Please join us for our weekly wine tasting this Saturday, December 22nd, from 12:00 - 4:00! Every Saturday, Vin Chicago pours a diverse selection of the hottest new wines from our monthly newsletter. This "last chance" before Christmas tasting table is full of delicious gems, including an incredible, mineral-driven Sancerre value, a 95-point Greek white from Sigalas, a 91-point old vines Rioja for $11.79, a ready-to-drink Chateauneuf-du-Pape, the latest vintage of Vin Chicago favorite Obsidian Ridge Cabernet, and a 95+-point Bordeaux from the amazing 2015 vintage!

 

Check out the entire list below (CLICK on a wine to read the full tasting notes) and stop in Saturday afternoon to taste with us while you shop!

 

Domaine des Cotes Blanches Sancerre Blanc 2017Argiolas "Costamolino" Vermentino di Sardenga 2017Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko 2017Roco "Gravel Road" Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2015Hazana Vinas Viejas Rioja 2015Brotte "Les Hauts de Barrville" Chateauneuf du Pape Rouge 2016Obsidian Ridge "Obsidian Ridge Vineyard" Red Hills of Lake County Cabernet Sauvignon 2016Chateau La Clotte St. Emilion 2015Keo "St John" Commandaria NV

 

 We look forward to seeing you!

Wine Tasting Event Chicago, Highland Park, and Barrington

 

Please join us for our weekly wine tasting this Saturday, May 5th, from 12:00 - 4:00! Every Saturday, Vin Chicago pours a diverse selection of the hottest new wines from our monthly newsletter. We kick off May with another incredible tasting table, including the return of our favorite Txakoli, a 93-point Italian white, a 93-point single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Patricia Green, a 93-point Brunello from the incredible 2013 vintage, and a 94-point Rhone Red from Xavier Vignon!

 

Check out the entire list below (CLICK on a wine to read the full tasting notes) and stop in Saturday afternoon to taste with us while you shop!

 

Ameztoi Getariako Txakoli 2017Gini "Contrada Salvarenza" Vecchie Vigne Soave Classico 2013Matchbook "Tinto Rey" Dunnigan Hills Verdejo 2016Idlewild "The Bird Flora & Fauna" Red 2016Patricia Green Cellars "Balcombe Vineyard" Dundee Hills Pinot Noir 2015Chateau Haura Graves  2015Fanti Brunello di Montalcino 2013Xavier Vignon "Arcane Le Soleil" Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2015

 

 We look forward to seeing you!

Wine Tasting Event Naperville, Chicago, Highland Park, and Barrington

 

Please join us for our weekly wine tasting this Saturday, October 28th, from 12:00 - 4:00! Every Saturday, all four Vin Chicago locations pour a diverse selection of the hottest new wines from our monthly newsletter. This week fall has finally decided to make an appearance and our tasting table is perfect for the season. We feature an off-dry (leaning drier) Riesling from the best vintage in many years that is perfect for Thanksgiving, a pair of Sauvignon Blancs that are uniquely delicious values, a 91-point Zinfandel that screams autumn, and a classic Napa Valley Cabernet from the legendary Freemark Abbey!

 

Check out the entire list below for all four locations (CLICK on a wine to read the full tasting notes) and stop in Saturday afternoon to taste with us while you shop!

 

Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt "RK" Mosel Riesling 2015Invivo (Graham Norton's Own) Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Fume Blanc 2015Les Fils de Rene Quenard Mondeuse Chignin Vin de Savoie 2015Andeluna "1300" Uco Valley Malbec 2015Chateau Bel-Air "Jean & Gabriel" Lussac-St.-Emilion 2014Dashe Cellars Dry Creek Zinfandel 2014Freemark Abbey Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

 

 We look forward to seeing you!

Vin Chicago Bio!

- Jim Matthews –

 

 

Always ready to greet you with a smile and a handshake, Jim's love, passion and enthusiasm for wine is as strong as his customer service. A member of our team for 22 years, he first joined us in 1992 at our former Forest Park location. In 2007 he helped open our store in Barrington where he's been ever since. In addition to working for us, Jim has taught wine appreciation classes at College of DuPage, was a wine columnist for North Shore Magazine and hold his Level II Certified Sommelier certificate from the Court of Master Sommeliers.

 

 

What is your favorite wine region?

 

I enjoy wines from most of the world's wine regions, so picking a favorite region is like trying to pick a favorite song or movie. However, the wine region that's most familiar to me is Washington state. I was born in a small town located I what is now the Columbia Valley AVA, and I still have family there today. Over the years I've toured nearly 30 wineries during my trips visiting family. I try to stay abreast of the Washington wine scene, although with nearly 800 wineries today, it becomes more and more challenging.