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Binny’s (Numerous Chicagoland locations) Among this wine and liquor super store's many locations, their Lakeview location is known for its castle-like facade. Inside are libations at every price range, from $3 bottles of Yellow Tail to $6,000 bottles of Scotch, as well as high-end, special vintage whiskeys and cognacs. The selection of popular, moderately-priced bottles includes kosher wines, sulfite-free wines, large jugs of table wine, and the surprisingly popular mead. A special “wine cellar” room carries more exclusive wines. Sale-priced wines are accessibly stacked on boxes. That, plus the knowledgeable and helpful staff, makes it easy to choose a well-priced wine, especially for the customer who has only the vaguest idea of what to buy. The store also has an extensive selection of liquors. One good find is the Modern Spirits brand vodka, whose flavors of orange-chocolate, pear lavender, and grapefruit honey help create unique cocktails. In addition to wines and spirits, Binny’s offers a well-stocked humidor, cheese bin, and several food counters, including one devoted to chocolate. Everything a spirited party needs is here, except for the guests. Gift cards are available, as well as flasks and other good gift options. (CM, 1/07) www.binnys.com
Cellar Rat (Bucktown/Wicker Park) 1811 W. North Ave. Suite 101 It may be located down a short flight of stairs, but Cellar Rat takes its name more from the rock and roll sensibility of its owner than its subterranean location.
And it doesn’t hurt that most of Cellar Rat’s selection is priced between $10 and $20, with a table well stocked with wines under $10. Of course Schlabowske carries higher end wines because, and here he breaks into a smile, “They’re just really great.” But even here, he looks for value. Cellar Rat hosts events each month and bottles are always open for in-store tastings. Fans of locally made Tatine candles will find a selection of hand poured scented candles at the counter. Candle maker Margo Breznik, (Schlabowske’s Mrs. Rat), recently closed her Division Street shop but continues to make her beautifully scented and handcrafted candles available through her studio and at Cellar Rat. (LH, 8/07)
Fine Wine Brokers (Lincoln Square) 4621 N. Lincoln Ave. The pink draperies in their store windows might suggest that this Lincoln Square shop is a pretty boutique. But step inside to discover a staggering collection of wines – thousands of bottles organized by country, many of them imported in small quantities from some of the world's finest wine producers. Some bottles lie in narrow wooden shelves, labeled with hand-written descriptions. Some stand in cases that reach to the ceiling. Others rest in their original crates. But with the guidance of a helpful staff, you don't have to be an oeniphile or a serious wine collector to find the perfect bottle of wine for any occasion. Classical music adds to the unhurried ambience of this European-style wine shop. Outstanding organic wines are a specialty of Fine Wine Brokers, and the focus of its acclaimed wine club. Microbrews are also available here, and a great build-your-own six-pack buy at $8.40. The store is also renowned for creating custom wines for corporate and incentive gifts, as well as for individual customers. (CM, 1/07) www.fwbchicago.com
Fox & Obel (Streeterville) 401 E. Illinois St. It is not surprising that this gourmet grocery store has an excellent wine section in addition to its organic produce, fabulous deli, and great butcher shop. Wines here are organized by type. But there are very few printed descriptions to help the novice wine shopper. Which means that if a helpful staff member isn't around, you have to have a pretty good idea of what you're looking for. To help educate its customers, Fox & Obel offers frequent wine-tasting events – plus its own wine school, whose tuition includes a 10 percent, one-year wine discount. The median price of the wines seems to be about $35, but there are a few good selections under $20, such as the Murphy’s Law rosé. Finer wines and higher prices prevail in a select side room. A good sake section is available too. Free 2-hour valet parking. Wine Department: 312.379.0114 (CM, 1/07) www.fox-obel.com
Gourmet Grape (Lakeview) 3530 N. Halsted St. Gourmet Grape is the perfect little shop for any wine lover, or for anyone who likes to entertain. Much of the store is given over to a wide range of wine accessories, such as easy to use de-corkers, and carafes for keeping wine fresh after opening. A few of the store's ingenious offerings are hard to find elsewhere, like wine plates with a round opening at the edge in which a wine glass can securely sit. Gourmet Grape also sells a contraption that makes it possible to safely wash stemware in a dishwasher. Gift baskets include a tasty assortment of cheese, nuts, chocolates, cheese straws, and/or wine. Baskets without wine start at $39.99, and go as high as $224.99. Membership in the store's wine club starts at $20-30 a month. (CM, 1/07) www.gourmetgrape.com
In Fine Spirits (Andersonville) 5418 N. Clark St. In Fine Spirits is a lovely shop in the middle of Andersonville with the low-key charm of a small, old-world wine shop. The collection of wine corks next to the register suggests the proprietors have a good knowledge of wines themselves. Come to this shop for a little low-pressure browsing with knowledgeable staff. While prices might not be the lowest, the shop's wines are reliably good, and the wine suggestions you can get here are first-rate. Consider the Verdad 2005 Rose at $16.49. In Fine Spirits also sells champagne, vodka, whiskey and some gourmet foods, such as boutique olive oils and vinegars. You can gather up your favorites for a build-your-own gift basket. But the shop has some original gift basket ideas of its own – like a hangover-cure basket with Blood Mary mix, and an after-dinner basket with dessert liquors. (CM, 1/07)
Just Grapes (West Loop) 560 W. Washington St. Looking for something a little more spirited than your Starbucks card? A rechargeable Just Grapes tasting card lets you sample up to 24 wines at this West Loop wine super store. A state-of-the-art self-serve machine protects opened wines from oxygen, keeping their just-uncorked taste for weeks. From an ounce to a glass, wine sampling is tasty, educational, and more than a little bit social. Meet friends in the shop's relaxed lounge, enjoy special events in the private wine cellar, join a wine club or a wine appreciation class. The store's huge inventory of wines lets you buy a bottle of your taste of the day, every day. Some of the bottled wines are pricey, but there are some delicious options for less than $15, like a 2003 Courant shiraz and a Cambria chardonnay. (CM, 1/07) www.justgrapes.net
Kafka Wine (Lakeview) 3325 N. Halsted St. The motto of Kafka Wine in the Boystown area of Lakeview is cheap, easy, and fun. And with over 250 wines priced at less than $15, they certainly have the first one covered. This store has all the racy flair associated with the neighborhood. Photos of customers, their wines, and their comments reflect the mood. Saucy wine-of-the-month names, for instance, include Sex and Ménage à Trois. Wines are organized by flavor rather than by country, so if you want something fruity, spicy, or bubbly, you don’t have to look very far. The center of the store has a splurge table, and another for specialty items, like sake. Kafka feels a bit like a retail wine shop that doubles as a club, and the monthly wine tastings (priced at the trademark $15) must be a blast. They also sell t-shirts, guide books and liquors. (CM, 1/07) www.kafkawine.com
Kensington's Rare & Fine Wines (Streeterville) 465 E. Illinois St. This is an upscale wine shop that could intimidate casual customers, except for its claim to have wines for sale from $5 to $500. With its handsome wooden floors, wine barrels, and exposed brick walls, the place resembles a wine cellar that might be seen on Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Indeed, everything at Kensington looks rare, fine, and expensive. Come for the free wine tastings every Saturday, 12 to 4 pm. Kensington is also an auction house. The shop is available for special private events. (CM, 1/07) www.kensingtonsfinewine.com
Lush Wine & Spirits (South Loop / University Village) 1306 S. Halsted St. Lush is a cool, airy wine shop that believes imbibing is a good thing. That must be why the store's name is so brightly "lit" on the window. Inside, they do all they can to make drinking easy with many bottles of wine for under $15, although selections can cost as much as $180. Plus, there are free samples, so you can determine if the "buttery overtones" or "hint of raspberries" are apparent enough to be worth a purchase. Also available are whiskeys and microbrew beer, including many premium Belgian options. Free instructional tastings on Sunday afternoons. (CM, 1/07)
Printers Row Wines (South Loop) 719 S. Dearborn St. Printers Row Wines is a specialty shop that stocks everything from Veuve Clicquot to Budweiser and a decisive selection of wine. Blackboards hanging from the ceiling describe the types of wine stocked, and give fun facts and little hints for serving. But the best part of this store might be the obscure beers in the cooler with fun names, like Rogue Ale. Inside the British-style red telephone booth, there’s a stock of winter-themed beers with names like Bad Elf and Santa’s Butt. Although there is a Glamour Puss wine, most names in the wine section are more staid, suggesting that the wines are from high-quality, long-established brands, rather than trendy ones. A sense of tradition is helped by the fact that the shop also smells slightly but suitably musty. Aside from beer and wine, there are mixers, snacks, liquor, and cigars in jars. Bargain items and sales are in center aisles. Come to Printers Row to get all your supplies for any South Loop shindig. (CM, 1/07) www.printersrowwine.com
Provenance Food & Wine (Logan Square) 2528 N. California Ave. This is an every-day boutique wine shop, the kind of place where you can shop often. Although the shop is charming, the most appealing part may be the fact that so many of the wines are cheap. Many of them are between $10 and $25. Although the shop opened in 2006, it is easy to imagine this place becoming a neighborhood institution for Logan Square. In addition to wines, a selection of produce in baskets and packaged foods is in the middle of the store. Microbrew beers are also sold. A best buy in gift baskets may be the $90 “Chicago!” option which includes items from Windy City-based companies. Regular wine classes cost a nominal fee, but include a 10 percent off all purchases the day of the event. Private events are also available. (CM, 1/07) www.provenancefoodandwine.com
Que Syrah Fine Wines (Lakeview) 3726 N. Southport Ave. Que Syrah is a charming boutique in Lakeview that is a wonderful balance between quaint and sass. They carry a good selection of wines for less than $25, with quite a few for even less than $12. But there are also many high-end wines, such as the Iron Horse Brut sparkling wine from California. This is the perfect place to stop off for a bottle of wine before heading to one of the BYO restaurants in the area. In addition to wine, there are gourmet gifts, such as olives, and cocktail gift glasses. Martini glasses with recipes for specialty martinis, like a Cosmopolitan, printed on the stem, could make a sassy gift for a city girl. Gift baskets are available. The customer loyalty program is a real bargain. After shopping here 10 times, you earn a 10 percent discount for life. The store offers regular tasting events, some of which are complimentary. (CM, 1/07) www.quesyrahwine.com
Randolph Wine Cellar and The Tasting Room (West Loop) 1415 W. Randolph St. The Randolph Wine Cellar, paired with The Tasting Room, is a contemporary take on the classic wine shop. Brick walls and low lighting are conducive to the maintenance of the wine and the ambience of the room. This is a lofty, airy space with orange leather seats, glass tables and comfortable couches. Some corners look good enough to be on the pages of the Crate and Barrel catalog. Large windows offer nice views, but the most impressive sight is the rows and rows of wine, 1,400 labels in all. The knowledgeable staff make this the perfect place to pick up a good bottle of wine to enjoy or impress. Wines start at $7. Wine club and newsletter available. The Tasting Room also offers food. Free tastings on Saturdays, plus other complimentary themed tastings. On the third Tuesday of the month, there’s a two-hour tasting for $30. The Tasting Room has half-priced Mondays. (CM, 1/07) www.tlcwine.com
Sam's Wines & Spirits (Chicago, Downer's Grove & Highland Park) One look around can't do justice for what you’ll find in store at their Lincoln Park location. It's hard to even imagine the tens of thousands of wine labels in this discount warehouse center for wine, liquor and beer. Rows of wine are stacked high enough to need a ladder to get at the top. The selections are so enormous that wines are organized first by country, then by type. While many wine shops have one checkout counter, Sam’s has a row of cash registers. An active conveyor belt brings boxes into the store. It’s possible that Sam’s is just too overwhelming for people looking to buy a quick bottle of wine for dinner at a BYO, but it is the perfect place to stock up for a year’s worth of wines and wine-related gifts. Good find? A wine taster’s experience box, which comes with a few small bottles and an instructional DVD on wine tasting for $54.99. Sam’s also has a food market with cheese and other items perfect for parties. Gift boxes and gift cards are available. Wedding and party planning available, too. (CM, 1/07) www.samswine.com
Un Cork It! (Streeterville) 393 E. Illinois St. This is a large wine, liquor and party supply store the size of a small Dominicks, and so far removed from pretension that they sell Franzia. They also sell other brands of boxed wine, sangria, Kosher wine, and wine from Eastern Europe and Greece. The wines are organized by country on supermarket shelves with price tags. There’s a section for champagne and dessert wines, a cooler of white wines, and box sets of liquor. More expensive wines are in a small room. A good find is a Virgin Shiraz for $6.99. Un Cork It! also sells a large variety of liquor, mixers, cheese and frozen appetizers. You could come here to do all your food shopping, if you can make a balanced meal of brie, pizza and frozen éclairs. Un Cork It! is a reasonably-priced, one-stop party center conveniently located in the Streeterville neighborhood of downtown Chicago. Cigars, party platters and gift baskets also available. Wine club starts at $34.99 a month. Special tasting events available. (CM, 1/07) www.uncorkitchicago.com
SeeMore Shopping Contributing Writers - C. Magnotta and L. Heller. We recommend checking with stores for product availability. Suggested prices may change without notice. SeeMore Shopping strives for accuracy, but is not responsible for errors or omissions. |
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