Wine of the WeekThis week’s show included a tasting of Bodrog Borműhely Dry Tokaj 2019, an entry-level blend of 80% Furmint and 20% Hárslevelű grapes. Bone dry (we were expecting it to be slightly sweeter) it is super-fresh with notes of lemon, lime, and pineapple. We compared it to higher-end New Zealand Sauvignon Blancs but without the high price tag or cat pee notes. I picked this one up at Augusta Food & Wine in Lincoln Square. If you haven’t been to this shop, get thee over there: It’s a great place. Don’t miss their Thursday tastings (see the tasting list below) or the gourmet halvah that’s on their shelves.Chicago Wine NewsHoliday ClosuresRed & White Wines is closed through July 7th to give staff some time off. All Together Now is closed through July 8th.Closing for RenovationsJoe’s Wine Cellar’s last day of service will be July 10th. They’ll be closed for about a month for renovations and rebranding as Le Midi. Get on their mailing list for updates on their new website.Chicago Wine EventsBottlesUp! is having an American wine tasting on Thursday, July 7th. The idea is to sample wines from across the country. The cost is $35 and you can sign up on Eventbrite.Regular wine bar/bottle shop tastingsBelow is a list of regularly scheduled tastings at local wine bars and shops. Many are free or low-cost, but it is always a good idea to contact the shop/wine bar ahead of time to be sure.This list is hardly comprehensive, though I hope it will eventually become so. Please let me know if you’d like to recommend a spot or need to correct any information:57th Street Wines holds tastings on Thursdays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 3-5 pm. Tastings are usually themed and occasionally the schedule switches up a bit, so be sure to check out their website and call ahead to avoid disappointment. (Hyde Park)Augusta Food & Wine offers free tastings on Thursdays between 6-8 pm. No sign-up is required. (Lincoln Square)Door 24 holds regular tastings every Friday from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. These are free and no sign-up is required. Get on their social media pages for updates on their Friday night lineup! (Bucktown)In Fine Spirits advertises regular free wine tastings Wednesdays from 5-7 pm and Saturdays from 3 to 6 pm with an occasional Thursday tasting (which will be announced on their social media and in their newsletter). (Andersonville)Konbini & Kanpai holds regular wine tastings (often on Wednesdays and usually free), plus additional tastings of beer, sake, and spirits throughout the month. I strongly recommend checking out their online calendar and getting on their mailing list so that you can stay informed. (Lakeview)Independent Spirits is holding wine tastings from 5-7 pm on Thursdays. Tastings are free and information about the tastings appears on social media. Tastings are free and there is no charge. (Edgewater)Red & White Wines continues to offer tastings each Saturday from 2-5 pm. The cost is $10 and their wine club members get to participate at no added cost. The Red & White Wines newsletter usually releases information about the tastings the day before. I recommend getting on the mailing list so that you’ll know what to expect. (Bucktown)Taste Food & Wine hosts $5 tastings on Tuesdays and Fridays from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. 10% off the featured tasting bottles if you take one home that evening. Snacks are available at an additional charge. (Rogers Park)Uvae Fromagerie & Tasting Room offers free hosted tastings from 6-8 pm on Tuesdays. Wine flights of four one-ounce pours are also available for $10 when the tasting room is open. As of publication, their hours are Sunday & Monday 1 pm – 8 pm and Tuesday to Saturday 12 pm – 9 pm. (Andersonville)Tune in!The Chicago Wine Report premiers every Tuesday (TIME/DATE CHANGE!) at 3 pm (CT) on World Perspectives Radio Chicago. The archive goes up a day or two later here on Substack. You can also listen to No Chalice Required, our wine review show, on Anchor.fm or most other podcast services.World Perspectives Radio Chicago is part of the 99 Perspectives studio here in Chicago.

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