Steve Woodward in Chicago

It is not easy to stand out in a crowd of 102 wineries/brands when all are being represented inside the space of a hotel ballroom. Such was the scene this week at Gala 2007, hosted by Chicago-area distributor Heritage Wine Cellars Ltd. This is one of the year’s major portfolio tasting events for retailers and sommeliers in the Midwest.

Among those who did rise above the din of swirling, sipping and selling was Jay Soloff, a co-proprietor of the ultra-premium Washington state winery DeLille Cellars.

Steve Woodward in Chicago

Friday was an historic day in the premium wine auction industry because the Steven Verlin Collection — or some fraction of it that as of Saturday night  generated more than $7 million in two bidding sessions — was on the block. At mid-afternoon my head (photographed below earlier in the morning) was buried in a Hart Davis Hart catalog, surveying enticing possibilities. When I looked up from my reading materials, to my surprise, weenies had filled the room.

 You might rush to judgment here: what does one expect at a mega-premium wine auction? Weenies tend to show up at these events, thrusting their paddles skyward to one-up fellow wine collectors.

The Chicago wine calendar is loaded with prime-time events this time of year. Wholesalers are showcasing their star clients. Pure Wine Co. hosted its major portfoilio tasting last week in the Pritzker Pavilion, followed by Maverick’s this week at the University Club of Chicago. Heritage Wine Cellars holds its gala tasting next Monday. The nation’s premier winemakers and winery proprietors have been passing through O’Hare International Airport in large numbers.

I passed through the casually chic Naha restaurant Wednesday night to meet an old colleague for dinner. Not surprisingly, we encountered winemakers in the lounge. They were taking a break before going back to work. Naha hosted Pinot After Hours, an “exceptional lineup of Oregon’s leading Pinot producers.” A tasting scheduled from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.? Why not? The Oregonians, at least, had the edge of being biologically on Pacific time.