Wine Wisdom from Chicago’s BottlesUp! Bottle Shop
It might be hard to remember what the day of the week is, but regardless of the calendar, every Chicagoan can still feel the coming of warmer weather. Spring showers are certainly here, and May flowers are on the horizon. Warm weather is on its way! Do you have a wine selection to match? With the change in season, there is no better time than now to update your wine selection to match seasonal ingredients and the latest recipes you want to try out at home. To help us all on this quest, Melissa Zeman, Owner of BottlesUp! Bottle Shop {3164 North Broadway Street, 773.362.4999} is sharing her best wine knowledge…
DiningOut: Some people are intimidated by ordering wine in a restaurant or picking a bottle out at a wine store. Why do you think that is?
Zeman: I think it’s simply because of the overwhelming number of options. Heck – I have a hard time deciding on what to put on our shelves sometimes!! If folks relax and learn to enjoy perusing/the hunt, it will make their experience that much better. It’s just wine, after all!
How can we order like a pro or find a cool new bottle to try?
Um, ASK THE PRO! I feel like sometimes people are too bashful to ask questions or ask for recommendations, which is too bad. Our job is not to taste wine and make inventory selections so we can sit back and not talk to anyone. Industry professionals WANT to talk to you and WANT to help people discover new wines! Starting the conversation is just the first step. If you want to take a stab at it yourself, I’d recommend just buying the bottle you know nothing about! Embrace a “drink outside the box” mentality.
Summer is coming (hopefully!) For those that want to hang on to red wines, how can we transition red wines into warmer weather?
Pop ’em in the ice bucket/fridge! Many reds can be served with a bit of a chill on them, especially those toward the lighter end of the body spectrum. Having a chilled bottle of Gamay on a picnic is pretty much heaven. Or Dolcetto!
However, warmer weather is usually considered “white wine season.” What are some white wine choices for the new season?
I find myself gravitating toward Albariño or Txakoli. They make me feel like I’m at a tapas bar in Spain during Summer, and the spritzy quality of Txakoli is super refreshing. Bonus fun points if you drink it out of a porron.
Tell us some good food pairings with those wines?
Well….tapas! But also sushi, fresh Summer salads, and spicy curry.
Why is BottlesUp so special in the Chicago food world?
We pair perfectly with the food world! We are takeout’s/a BYOB restaurant’s best friend. Our inventory changes every week, and we’re trained to help folks find interesting bottles to match whatever it is they’re eating (even if it’s nothing ). Our shop is also organized by the wine’s body/weight instead of by region, so it makes things a bit easier for folks to navigate. Our goal is to be as welcoming and approachable as possible and to help people find happiness in a bottle.
What do you love most about the world of wine?
There is ALWAYS something new to learn and taste.
Other than BottlesUp, where do you go for a great bottle of wine in Chicago?
Gosh, so many places! The Noble Grape (West Town), Your Happy Place (Logan Square) and BitterPops (West Lakeview) have authentic, welcoming vibes. Red & White (Bucktown/Wicker Park) is legendary. I’ve always respected Independent Spirits (Edgewater) and Perman Wine Selections (Old Town). Want to explore more down south? Printer’s Row Wine Shop (South Loop) and 1340 Beer Wine Spirits (West Loop). Like I said, SO many! I’m missing a lot too (apologies, comrades!). Chicago’s wine game is very strong.
Any parting words of wine wisdom?
Wine should be fun, so remove the pressure of ordering/buying and try something new as often as you can. If you don’t like the selection, it’s not the end of the world…but if you do, it’s a whole new one. Let us help you explore!
Interview by Kaleigh Glaza | Market Editor