By this time in the summer, you’ve had just about all the sauvignon blanc and pinot grigio you can stand. It’s time to please your palate with a summer wine that will not just cool you down, but earn you cool points with your wine-snob buds. From funky whites to picnic-friendly boxed wine, we’ve got just the stuff to do it.
Multi-culty
Yellowtail is fine for some. However, those who want something off-the-beaten path will head to West Town Tavern (1329 W. Chicago Ave. 312-666-6175) for Monday’s Cult Red Wines with Summer Fare dinner. What’s cult wine, you ask? “They’re wines that a majority of people don’t know about,” said West Town’s Drew Goss. “They’re generally small production, but rated highly by an expert.” The prix fixe dinner ($65) offers a chance to sample three bold and buzzworthy California reds: 2004 Orin Swift’s The Prisoner, 2000 Bargetto La Vita and 2002 Michael Austin Grape Tamer Syrah. Less than five barrels of these wines were made, so you’ll be hard-pressed to sample it elsewhere in town. The wines get a chance to show off with light summer fare such as aged gouda flatbread, corn-and-goat cheese risotto, pan-seared Alaskan salmon and pepper-crusted steak salad.
Fire, flight
The only thing rising faster than global temps is Germany’s rep for tasty white wines. Wicker Park’s Bin Wine Cafe (1559 N. Milwaukee Ave. 773-486-2233) helps you get schooled on the trend with a German whites flight, featuring a pinot grigio, two Rieslings and a Gewurztraminer ($13.50). “They all really show off in the summertime,” said Bin 36 wine director Brian Duncan. If it’s not hot enough for you outside, pair the flight with Bin’s wood-fired calamari served on an arugula and roasted pepper salad with crispy garlic chips ($9). The custom-built oven here reaches temps of more than 900 degrees–now, that’s hot!
Carton of sips
You’ll be the hippest kid at the block party when you come in slinging a four-pack of Three Thieves Bandit single-serve–a nice-sized 250 milliliters–pinot grigio. ($8.99 at Sam’s Wine and Spirits, 1720 N. Marcey St., 312-664-4394.) These palm-sized boxed beauties are easy to lug and easier to chug. Want a slightly more upscale–or maybe just upsized–sipper? The one-liter French Rabbit chardonnay box ($10.99 at Treasure Island, 3460 N. Broadway St. 773-327-4265) is the most adorable French export since Oliver Martinez. Even those who sniff at chards will like its fruit-forward, crisp, non-oaky flavor.
Way to go, rose
The wide sidewalk seating area at Ravenswood’s Spacca Napoli (1769 W. Sunnyside Ave. 773-878-2420) is perfect for sipping something pink under their big, shady table umbrellas. Find a friend to play hooky from work and order a bottle of Cusumano Rosato Sicilia ($6/glass, $27/bottle), a lovely crisp rose wine. Then order up an appetizer of grilled vegetables ($6) or grilled squid ($7), or share a pizza dripping with fresh mozzarella.
Red alert
Who knew that in between its other concerns the European Union is running a promotion of Beaujolais wines? It’s working for you Saturday when Provenance Food & Wine (2528 N. California Ave. 773-384-0699) holds a free tasting of European olive oils and Beaujolais from 3 to 6 p.m. Come by this upscale Logan Square grocery store to taste the fruity, light reds. They may not be sophisticated, but they are probably the only reds you’ll want to drink in 90-degree weather. Pick your favorite bottle, some Red Hen breads, a couple of artisanal cheeses then go hit your favorite picnic spot.
Ga-ga for Gruner
Yes, we know it should just be for tourists and business lunches, but who can resist the lure of Park Grill (11 N. Michigan Ave. 312-521-7275) on a sunny day, sipping wine and sharing appetizers in the shadow of Cloud Gate (OK, the Bean)? Split a quartino (that’s a quarter-liter) of the Kurt Angerer Kies Gruner Veltliner ($13), an Austrian white wine catching a buzz among wine folks eager to sample the next trendy varietal. Not sure how to say it? No problem. Cool kids just ask for “GV,” “gru-vee,” or even just “grooner.” If that fails, just point at the menu and grunt.
ALSO IN COOL WEEK
Hot enough for you?
We hear you! So all week long, we’re helping you stay cool by thinking cool:
Tuesday: Get cold feet with this icy pedi
Wednesday: Lick the city’s top ice cream, soda fountains and slushies
Thursday: Score cool points at these hip date spots
Friday: Do cool stuff with Weekend Best Bets
