U
Unknown
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any decent wine shops downtown? wondering if there is one close enough to my office, allowing enough time to buy something during lunch break
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
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Dave Nelson
Dave Nelson
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www.drvino.com
Here's a great interactive map. "Downtown" is a pretty relative term in Chicago. My in-laws live in the Loop, so I've managed to hit quite a few shops. For the mega-retailers, both the South Loop locations of Binny's and Sam's are fun.
For more thoughtful selections, I really like Perman Wine Selections, and Randolph Wine Cellars. Perman seems the kind of guy one could really form a mutually-beneficial customer/retailer relationship with, but alas I'm just not in town enough.
Cheers,
Dave
originally posted by SFJoe:
Hart Davis Hart sometimes has interesting stuff. Particularly if Paul Day is in the neighborhood.
I second the HDH suggestion. It's worth a visit just to see a wine retailer with no storefront presence. It makes PC look like Walmart.
Mark Lipton
Salil Benegal
Salil Benegal
Howard's Wine Cellar. 1244 W. Belmont Ave. - not close to the office if you're downtown, but really worth a trip. Howard's one of the most knowledgeable retailers I know, has an incredible selection of German Riesling and Burgundy in particular and some really fun esoteric stuff. I lost count of the amount I bought there when living in Chicago.
HDH is also excellent, although in terms of buying you'd need to just place your order via phone/web and go to the warehouse (which is pretty much in the middle of downtown) for a pickup.
HDH is also excellent, although in terms of buying you'd need to just place your order via phone/web and go to the warehouse (which is pretty much in the middle of downtown) for a pickup.
originally posted by Salil Benegal:
HDH is also excellent, although in terms of buying you'd need to just place your order via phone/web and go to the warehouse (which is pretty much in the middle of downtown) for a pickup.
The warehouse that I've used is in the basement of the building that houses their offices. Is there a different site, too?
Mark Lipton
(Still meaning to get to Howard's)
Salil Benegal
Salil Benegal
Nope, that's the same warehouse. Very close to the Chicago or Grand red line train stops, which for me is heart of downtown.
As for Howard's - be warned, it's addictive. And NEVER go in on a Saturday afternoon, when he's pouring wines. I've gone in there at times meaning to walk out quickly with a single bottle, ended up spending an hour-plus there just browsing, tasting and picking his brains on most things wine-related - and eventually heading out with a few weeks' worth of Riesling. (Not complaining of course - if it weren't for him I might probably have never explored the area beyond drinking Dr. L's and a few other cheap QBAs.)
Cheers,
Salil
As for Howard's - be warned, it's addictive. And NEVER go in on a Saturday afternoon, when he's pouring wines. I've gone in there at times meaning to walk out quickly with a single bottle, ended up spending an hour-plus there just browsing, tasting and picking his brains on most things wine-related - and eventually heading out with a few weeks' worth of Riesling. (Not complaining of course - if it weren't for him I might probably have never explored the area beyond drinking Dr. L's and a few other cheap QBAs.)
Cheers,
Salil
Everyone mentioned the places I know.
HDH is a good place to go pick up an odd-or-end, especially if you need a nicely aged bottle to pick up and bring to dinner somewhere. Randolph Wine Cellar has a nice selection. I have a weakness for Binny's downtown after walking in and finding the '98 G. Conterno Cascina Francia being closed out for $36 a bottle - the selection there is better than you might guess.
HDH is a good place to go pick up an odd-or-end, especially if you need a nicely aged bottle to pick up and bring to dinner somewhere. Randolph Wine Cellar has a nice selection. I have a weakness for Binny's downtown after walking in and finding the '98 G. Conterno Cascina Francia being closed out for $36 a bottle - the selection there is better than you might guess.
Dave Nelson
Dave Nelson
originally posted by Bwood:
I have a weakness for Binny's downtown after walking in and finding the '98 G. Conterno Cascina Francia being closed out for $36 a bottle - the selection there is better than you might guess.
Bottom-feeding at Sam's and Binny's can be very productive. I remember finding some ridiculously-priced Breton at the downtown (as opposed to S. Loop) Binny's. I had not even thought about HDH being downtown. Guess I know where I'm headed next time.
Anyone been to Artisan Wines? Looked to be just North of the River, and sounds interesting in the Dr. Vino description, but with a change for scattered (and perhaps widespread) pretentiousness. I'll have to check that out next time I'm in town regardless.
Cheers,
Dave
U
Unknown
Guest
many thanks to all - Binny's worked out just great today (nice prices!), tomorrow will probably try HDH
lars makie
lars makie
You might really want to call ahead, as I'm 99% sure they don't have a walk-in retail service. I made that mistake the first time I went there right after I moved here. Since then, that is where I keep my wine and I have a friend that works there. Usually, if you're picking up they like 24hrs to get the wine ready, but I think sometimes will do it same day if they're not too busy. I agree that Binnys is addictive. I walk by it on my home everyday and stop in a few times a week. But, if you get the chance, I highly recommend Perman Wines if you can get there (it's not far in the West Loop). It's where I've been going every weekend for about 8 months now. Small but nicely diverse selection (don't go expecting to be overwhelmed). Oh, and as far as Artisan goes, they are in the Merchandise Mart. I go over there once in a blue moon to remind myself that they generally don't have anything. And it seems the storage conditions are less than ideal: wines in direct sunlight, everything standing upright, no real temperature control. Hope this helps. Maybe next time your in town, we can set up something to have some wine.
Salil Benegal
Salil Benegal
Agree, I don't believe HDH has a real retail section. Even if they do, it's easier to pick and choose from the inventory on their site and arrange to just pick it up in the basement of their office.
Craig Camp
Craig Camp
originally posted by Salil Benegal:
Howard's Wine Cellar. 1244 W. Belmont Ave. - not close to the office if you're downtown, but really worth a trip. Howard's one of the most knowledgeable retailers I know, has an incredible selection of German Riesling and Burgundy in particular and some really fun esoteric stuff. I lost count of the amount I bought there when living in Chicago.
HDH is also excellent, although in terms of buying you'd need to just place your order via phone/web and go to the warehouse (which is pretty much in the middle of downtown) for a pickup.
I second the vote for Howard's. A very tight selection.