» News Release

Worldly Wine:’Bottled Poetry’ in Time for Valentine’s Day

Ivy Kupec — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:42:04 +0000

“What I need to live has been given to me by the earth. Why I need to live has been given to me by you.”

~Author Unknown

World Class Wine from World Cup Territory

Ivy Kupec — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:30:11 +0000

Whether you haven’t given a thought to World Cup 2010 or have monogrammed underwear for the US team or some other personal favorite, it’s the perfect time to pay tribute to South Africa, host of this year’s games and home to some of the world’s finest wineries.

South Africa, which has been producing wine since the 1600s mostly for domestic use, has gradually gained worldwide attention, and the heart of its wine industry lies in Stellenbosch. With its Mediterranean climate of hot, arid summers and crisp, wet winters, Stellenbosch winemakers were initially known for luscious Cabernets and region-unique Pinotage blends, but now their whites are also drawing fans. With the Cape Fold mountain range nearby and a wide range of soils, Stellenbosch has developed quite a following among wine lovers. Soccer fan or not, this month’s Club wines are definitely something to cheer about.

Vinum Africa 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Stellenbosch

For wine with a hands-on appeal, one need look no further than Vinum Africa, which picks and sorts all of its grapes by hand. Aged partially in French and American oak barrels, the Cabernet develops a deep, vibrant cherry red that’s fruit-forward and very drinkable. Think Old World Cabernet structure mixed with New World flavors. Rich, spicy and inviting aromas introduce a palate that is layered and generous. The oak influence compliments, rather than takes over, producing natural fruit components and flavors of cigar box, blueberry, spice, cherry, currant and mocha. The finish has a fresh note of minerality, making it overall a wine that is lovely by itself or equally satisfying with a succulent steak or other hearty meal.

Vinum Africa 2008 Chenin Blanc, Stellenbosch

Here is a Chenin Blanc that consistently gets great mentions because of its unusual elegance. Chenin Blanc makes up approximately one-fifth of the grapes grown in South Africa, and Vinum Africa has made it a mission to showcase this grape at its best. The nose reveals white petals and citrus crispness mixed with light vanilla and

cinnamon. The palate offers more layering with bright lime and gentle spices that brings to mind a lingering intensity of fruit and finishes with a mineral resonance. If you are less familiar with Chenin Blanc, this is a wonderful example of its complexity as well as its versatility. Because of its citrus tones, this wine goes perfectly with seafood, but is also a good match with other white-wine foods. Chenin Blanc is good now, but also ages well, too.

Wine Tasting in London: Darjeeling is nice, but I’d rather a bit of Rioja

Sean — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:22:22 +0000

While England may not be known for its wine making, a trip to a cosmopolitan city like London produces countless options for visiting interesting wine bars with their own special atmosphere and offerings. A recent journey of mine included three wine bars, leading me to believe no wine bar is the same, and yes, I am happily inclined to relish each one’s unique attributes.

Gordon’s
Touted as London’s oldest wine bar, I had read that Gordon’s specializes in fortified wines, straight from casks. And while many may try to capture the ambience of this relic of a wine bar, I strongly believe that pictures and words will undoubtedly fall short. Located close to Charing Cross tube station, this port and sherry repository is fairly tucked away. Steps lead down into the heart of this dark, oaky-smelling place where side rooms look more like caves with no more lighting than romantic candles. Yes, this place could be romantic if not for the table tents, t-shirts and signs everywhere that caution customers of it being a high-crime area. “Please watch your valuables…. pickpockets abound.” Apparently, they provide “security hooks” under your table for when you go to the counter to get your wine – no servers here, at least during the day shift. However, fumbling underneath our well-used wooden table left us merely wiping our hands and leaving one person to “stand guard” rather than abandoning our “stuff.” The good news: we had no incidence of crime. The best news: we tasted some wonderful beakers of white and tawny port, and schooners of sherry. Tickets to a show prevented us from staying longer and experiencing other wines, which I am sure, reading from reviews, are nothing short of remarkable.

1707 Wine Bar
For any foodie worth her salt, a trip to London should also include a visit to the gourmet department store, Fortnum & Mason, where one can bask in the glow of countless tea tins, cheeses, chocolates and other, more decadent items that tease the taste buds. Lucky for wine lovers, they have a wine bar with wonderful “flights” and single glasses of wine to try in addition to a food menu. Here a flight to Spain, Provence, Italy or New Zealand takes you there by way of three representative glasses of wine. With our French whites, we also opted to try a little local fare, ordering some cheddar and Stilton cheese with typical British crackers and oatcakes. The live jazz music in an elegant and intimate environment suited the tasting well. The Maitre D’ proved as humorous as he did helpful in guiding our selections and seeing to it that we received them quickly.

Kensington Wine Rooms
When I think of wine rooms, I think of quiet, reserved, elegant places where a suited sommelier with perfect posture and a white towel over his bent lower arm act as wine maestros for my tasting experience. And at Kensington Wine Rooms, that is exactly what you won’t find. Instead, it is a lively, loud and fun place with tapas fare as well as beautiful plates of fully adorned duck breasts and other substantial meals. The “sommeliers” are several, but dressed in jeans and button-down shirts. Their casual attire, however, doesn’t transfer to their attitude about wine. With that, they are most definitely serious. We sat at the bar, watching so many of them taste (and spit) the wines before serving newly opened bottles to customers. Kensington boasts its special “enomatic” wine system that allows open bottles to stay fresh between customer orders. Best of all, the sommeliers are knowledgeable and eager to share their personal favorites. From our sommelier’s favorite Rioja to a California Zinfandel and then an Argentine Malbec, I found each wine equally impressive. Accompanied by some simple, but appropriate antipasto and the happy fervor of the crowd there (standing room only by the time we left), Kensington proved to be a perfect spot for exploring new wines.

Now, you may wonder how, when there are at least 30 wine bars in London, I decided on these three to visit, and I must credit professional resources. By that, I mean Sean Chaudhry and his enormous network of wine lovers, which includes a cousin, Anjum Iqbal, who lives in London and gave me the low-down on wine bars before my trip. But that is the beauty of a network of wine lovers and the sign of a good wine seller: guiding the exploration of great wines around the world.

Be Inspired!

Sean — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:24:08 +0000

We’ve all been there. It’s your 10th anniversary, Father’s Day, or a dinner with friends that reminds you the perfect wine would make the occasion so much better. You arrive at the wine store, overwhelmed by the vast selection, some unfamiliar varietals, and creative wine labels that all seem to speak to you. The result: you leave with the same wine you always buy. Or, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, you buy the wine store clerk’s favorite after a sip or two from a plastic cup.

Now is the time to find some inspiration — thus Hinsdale Cellars’ Inspired Wine Club. Each month after tasting bottles upon bottles, our team selects a pair of fine wines that are “off the beaten path,” delicious and undoubtedly special. And these aren’t just wines tasted in the comfort of our store here. From trips to Argentina and other places abroad, we return with great wines and information that we freely share. Our goal is to make your own wine exploration easier as we introduce exciting, new wines that expand your repertoire and are ready when the occasion calls.

Afterall, isn’t that what the love of wine is all about? Discovery – experiencing new terroirs, new grapes, new regions, and new countries. It’s learning how, for example, a pinot noir from California can differ from one in France or Germany. It’s taking that first sniff of a rich Malbec/Cabernet blend and instantly transporting to Mendoza Valley. It’s the cold, crisp Provencal Rosé that provides the relaxation to an August picnic when the humidity is trying to chase you back indoors.

Apparently, this area has many impassioned wine explorers like us. Our wine club is the largest in the Chicago area, boasting more than 400 members. That translates into even more buying power for us to find better wines and get better values. Consistently, we can provide wines at a significant savings because we buy 100 cases at a time. For $34.95/month (no long-term contract required), members receive:

* Two fine wines each month, valued on average at $50 and selected through a rigorous tasting process

* Informative literature on Wine Club wines, including tasting notes and reviews

* Special discounts on the month’s wine, if you decide to buy more, and

* Special alerts on wine specials and store events.

* 6- and 12-month memberships are available, as well, at $209.70 and $419.40, respectively.

Wine is everywhere these days – even your local gas station – but it’s the local wine store, like Hinsdale Cellars with its Inspired Wine Club, which offers expertise and is most likely to introduce you to your next favorite wine.

For more information, come visit the store at 12 E. Hinsdale Ave., our Web site at http://www.hinsdalecellars.com or call us at 630.654.9862.

The Inspired Wine Club, August 2009: Hot Italian Nights

Ivy Kupec — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:58:07 +0000

“Peccato gravissimo ē quello di stare senza vino e senza amante.”

Translation: “It is a grave mistake to live without wine and a lover.”

~ Giuseppe Lonardi, winemaker

It’s that sultry part of summer. August is here and what better way to celebrate than with a couple of reds from steamy, passionate Italy. Yes, it’s time to pull out the Dean Martin or Louis Prima music to accompany your red-checkered tablecloth on your own private terrazzo. The summer breezes will win out over the humidity as the sun sets and you can enjoy some of Italy’s fine wines with penne Puttanesca, veal Parmigiana or the old standby spaghetti Bolognese (with meat sauce). However, these are versatile reds that are suitable for your quasi- Tuscan grill, too. These are your spicy Italian reds, ready to embolden and enliven you or just soothe your soul as you watch fireflies from your favorite deck chair.

Giuseppe Lonardi Valpolicella Ripasso,

Veneto, Italy

After 12 months of aging in small oak barrels that provide more surface area to the wine inside, this mix of 75 percent Corvina Veronese, 20 percent Rondinella and 5 percent Molinara, has another six months of bottle aging. A very “Corvina” wine, it has dark, lush cranberry and smoky chocolate flavors. It’s a deep ruby wine that is bold and can stand its own with red meats, grilled meats, game, and your spiciest pasta dishes. It’s a traditional “ripasso,” which means it has to conform to that process – fermenting with the unpressed, but drained Amarone skins and lees. Amarone is a very dry red wine that when used in this way produces beautiful Corvinas that are generally best suited to enjoy with food.

Perazzeta Sara Rosso Toscano,

Tuscany, Italy

Bring the Tuscan sunset to your own backyard with this Sangiovese wine. Named after his daughter Sara, Alessandro Bocci has produced a wonderfully bold Chianti-esque wine that clearly gets its intensity from the Tuscan sun and the large river rocks that are found on his Estate there that hold in that heat at night. Fermented first in steel tanks, followed by the smoothing malolactic fermentation in small wooden barrels, Bocci has produced a wine with bright cherry flavors and spicy notes and earth tones. Again, this is a crisply acidic wine that goes well with your meats and Mama’s favorite red sauce.

Bike Give-A-Way Winner: Nancy Kane!

Sean — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:50:19 +0000

Nancy Kane of Hinsdale, IL is the winner of our Hinsdale Wine Shop bike give-a-way!

Congratulations Nancy!

A Weekend Away From Hinsdale: San Francisco

Sean Chaudhry — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 19:33:54 +0000

Just one look at any of those street, and you couldn’t be anywhere else – it’s so beautiful, and there’s that location, and the sense of the free spirit. Who couldn’t become ravenous in such a place?

- Julia Child, Chef

The Inspired Wine Club June 2009: Trailblazing with Northwestern Wine!

Ivy Kupec — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:11:03 +0000

While some may think of apples, baristas and rain when they consider the Pacific Northwest, people who know and love great wine look to this region for some interesting, well-made ones. Yes, California gets most of the west coast wine attention, but Washington and Oregon have seen a significant change in their wine culture in the past 10 years. Washington alone has gone from 75 wineries approximately 12 years ago to literally hundreds, and wine grapes are considered its 4^th largest fruit crop.

The Truth about Sulfites

Ivy Kupec — Tue, 19 May 2009 18:56:55 +0000

A friend of mine is allergic to peanuts. It is a problem because peanut-y things are everywhere. And, despite her allergy and another 3.3 million peanut and other tree nut allergy sufferers in the United States, peanuts are allowed in organic food. Of course, they are, you say, what does that have to do with organic food?

Organic and Biodynamic Wines: Let’s Get Metaphysical

Ivy Kupec — Tue, 12 May 2009 15:46:31 +0000

In this age of global climate change, many businesses and consumers are looking at what’s “green.” In the wine world, that search leads to sustainable, organic and biodynamic winemaking. But, it’s not as easy as it seems. Chemical-free farming may produce organic grapes, but it’s the sulfites that muddy the issue in the United States – so much so that many winemakers who employ organic practices still don’t advertise that fact. And it’s mostly because “organic” wines have such a horrible reputation.