Seven Notes on Chicago, Wine and Winter Coats

A few notes from my current sojourn in Chicago...

Note #1: Illinois Wine Consumers Rock
Illinoisans tend, in general, to appreciate, be connected to and understand politics better than other city dwellers. This was most certainly brought home to me as I've met a number of wine-loving Illinoisans who are not only irked by their recently reduced access to wine in the state, but seem to understand the nuances of why they were stripped of their access to wine recently. And the word is that they have no interest in sitting around and taking it for much longer.

Note #2: Obama Owns This Town
When I studied Diplomatic History in College I recall looking at many old photos of Moscow during the reign of Stalin. No matter where you went, you'd see the ruler's image on posters, sides of buildings...everywhere. Chicago is not much different today where President-Elect Obama is concerned, except for that small matter of Obama having actually been elected democratically. The Coming President's image is everywhere: posters, tee-shirts, banners, billboards. I don't recall ever seeing an American city so fully embracing a politician as their own

Note #3: Chicago's Arresting Development
It seems no matter what corner you turn in Chicago you are faced with a unique cityscape that is arresting. It's a matter of pride, competition and willingness where architecture is concerned. While architectural themes run through this city's many great structures, there is no common theme making most views of the city as far from monotonous as could be. It makes for slow walking, an arrested gate, many stops along the way and great city viewing.

Note #4...But Wouldn't Want To Live Here
I would a different person were I forced to live through a Chicago winter. Just the taste I got the past couple days of the cold, wind and snow reminds me of the "weather pussy" I've become having lived in Northern California all my life.

Note #5: A Great Wine City
Probably the best indication of just how great a wine city Chicago is can be understood by the amazing array of restaurants this city houses. It is fantasy land for the Foodie which means it is a relative fantasy land for the wine lover. Of course, Chicago's selection of wines seems to be much more partial to diversity than in my neck of the woods, where preference is given to locally made wines. Chicago impresses with its willingness to accept inventory from both east and west of it.

Note #6: Winter Coats Galore
Anyone looking to enhance their collection of winter coats ought to come to Chicago just for this reason. Upon telling a lovely friend of mine I needed a new overcoat, she insisted I wait to buy one until I arrived here. She was sage. The selection of fine winter outerwear on display in this city is remarkable. I picked up two.

Note #7: The Suffering Must End
As many of you know, Illinois recently barred its residents from purchasing wine from out-of-state wine retailers. It was a bad decision that cost wine lovers hear access to many wines, cost the state significant amounts of tax revenue, and further damaged the reputation of the state and, if possible, many of its lawmakers. The suffering of wine lovers that came with the new anti-consumer, anti-free trade, protectionist law must end. And by all indications that I've gathered since arriving, there is a good chance it will.

Comments

[Rob]

This seems to be an ongoing trend of states trying to stop people drinking wine from somewhere else. I don't get it, what's the rational? Do states think that the revenue driven to in-state retailers will increase? Or that wines that aren't distributed in their state will somehow magically find distributors? Very strange...

[Chicago Pinot]

Hi Tom! Enjoy your stay here in Chicago. Email or call me if you want to taste some wine (I should be free after 9PM the next couple of nights)

Douglas aka Chicago Pinot

[Dylan]

It's not just living in California. I went to college in Boston, which in winter can be windier than Chicago (the 'windy city' actually refers to the political nature of the city). Wind is the ultimate kill-joy of winter, it takes what can be an enjoyable cold day and turns it into a nightmare.

Good investment on the two winter coats, I assume that's so you could double-up.

[Martin]

Oh, ChiTown. Yes, people have already nested for the winter. (In the summer people are constantly outdoors.) My favorite thing about my town is the wine and food people. The folks that spark the engine of the industry have the midwestern kindness and a combination of east-coast intelligence and west-coast sense of adventure.

I hope you have time to get out into the neighborhoods, that's the real Chicago.

[Nancy]

Funny you should mention Chicago and wine.

I just had the brilliant idea that I'd like to teach a couple of wine classes at our local suburban park district, and maybe even include tastings along with that. Then I surfed over to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission's webpage.

My, they have a lot of rules. To jump start my little idea, I would have to get (read: buy) a Tasting Representative's license, but I can't do that unless I am an "agent" of a retailer that already has an off-premise liquor license, etc., etc., (read: $$$). I can just see myself walking into Joe's (or whoever's) Liquors and asking if I can be their agent, so I can do my little class at the park district.

Do you think people would come out on frigid Chicago winter nights for a "Wine 101" seminar that only included information, but not wine? Talk about dry.

[tish]

Did you happen to visit the store Just Grapes? People automatically point to Sam's and Binny's as great stores, but Just Grapes (downtown)seems to have a great system of keeping only about 300 wines in stock. WHen one goes out, if it is no onger available, it gets replaced with a wine of simpliar style. Net result, the entire universe of wine is accessible to customers at all times. They run good tastings too.

[Paolo B]

This time I agree with you Tom. ChicTown is a classy city with warm people (downtown or suburbs) and a lot to do. Definitely there is a culture about wines and about food. The only thing I disagree with you is point #4... but hey I live in Boston and here you can chill your b____ (brain) too... and in the end some cold air clears up your mind as well.

[Christina]

I laughed pretty hard when I read why you wouldn't want to live here. Didn't we have that conversation recently?

Next time you're in Chicago you know you have a place to stay!

To Nancy: Twice a year I teach 'dry' Wine 101 classes for a local library and a park district and we book up solid everytime. Chicagoans are thirsty to learn!

[Lauren]

Hi Tom,

I am really enjoying your blog.

I used to live in Chicago, relocated to LA, and am now in England where it's cold but not AS cold as Chi! However, I will be spending a significant part of December in Chicago and will be doing some wine blogging. I'm glad you agree there is a serious wine and food culture in Chicago - it's one of my favorite things about the city.

Cheers,
Lauren
www.thewinodiaries.blogspot.com