A Wine Grows in Illinois

Fine wine in Illinois? Absolutely! Wines are being made in each of the 50 states these days and with all the buzz surrounding the concept of EAT LOCAL and DRINK LOCAL, its time to step up and investigate what wines are being produced in your own backyard.

If you live near Chicago, you are blessed with one of Illinois' largest wineries, complete with a luxurious bed and breakfast: Lynfred Winery. Just a short drive Northwest (minus traffic) from the Loop lies Lynfred Winery, in the town of Roselle. Lynfred has been producing award-winning wines since 1979 from both California and Illinois grown fruit.

On a recent visit, I had the pleasure of sampling a wide array of wines from Lynfred's line-up of over 50 selections.

2006 Sauvignon Blanc, Monterey--ripe style, mango, peach, slight herbal notes, hint of sweetness on the finish, medium bodied.

2006 Semillon Reserve, Columbia Valley--smoky, pineapple, mango, peach, luscious and full, smooth texture, medium/full bodied.

2007 Fume Blanc, Monterey--aromatic, grassy, mango, lemon-lime, touch of oak, full and round, slight zest on the finish.

2006 Viognier, Lodi--ripe, tropical, mango, peach, luscious, hint of sweetness, round and smooth.

2007 Seyval Blanc, Illinois--like Riesling meets Sauvignon Blanc--big aromas of white grapefruit, gooseberry, herbal notes, lemon citrus, semi-sweet, refreshing.

2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi--jammy, white pepper, plum, black cherry, touch of toasted vanilla spice, medium bodied.

2005 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi--spicy wild berry, raspberry, silky texture, medium bodied.

2006 Tempranillo, Columbia Valley--ripe and jammy, plum, black cherry, white pepper, vanilla spice, silky, medium bodied.

2005 Petite Sirah Reserve, Lodi--dark and brooding, plum, cassis, raisin, leather, dark chocolate, velvety texture, full bodied.

NV Sparkling Cherry Wine--totally fun--tastes like sparkling cherry pie--tart cherry flavors with a touch of cinnamon spice. A perfect pairing on a holiday table for cherry pie.

Lynfred is located roughly 30 miles Northwest of Downtown Chicago, near Schaumburg.

15 S. Roselle Road
Roselle, IL 60172

A Little Sweet, A Little Savory

Whew! Summer has abruptly come to an end and I need to catch up on a few of the exciting spots I've visited over the summer (think Chicago, Vancouver, Okanagan Valley, San Francisco....)

First up: The July Chicago adventure featuring Sweets and Savories and Chef David Richards' modern take on classic French cuisine.

After being delayed one day due to nasty weather which forced the closure of O'Hare International Airport (imagine that...problems at O'Hare), I finally arrived in the Windy Cindy for a little adventure with my friend Andrea. We descended upon a quaint French spot called Sweets and Savories in Lincoln Park.

Once inside, the petit restaurant glowed with pink and brown tones and an upscale Parisian bistro feel (complete with vintage French tunes). Paul, the General Manager, announced "there's no menu tonight. Is there anything you cannot eat?" Oh boy, a Chef's tasting!

And what a Chef's tasting indeed--beginning with the soon to be banned seared Hudson Valley Foie Gras topped with caramelized pineapple and chocolate sauce--it literally melts in your mouth. (Unfortunately the Chicago Council has since banned the sale of Foie Gras. Damn those PETA people!)

The Foie Gras was followed by a curried potato leek soup with green apples and olive oil paired with the Alain Roy Montagny 1er Cru Burgundy (light, crisp, with notes of green apple, lemon citrus and mineral undertones).

Each subsequent course seemed better than the last: fennel and orange salad; seafood ceviche; pan roasted Alaskan Halibut with heirloom tomatoes, roasted corn butter, lobster velouté and baby cress; and finally, grilled beef tenderloin with sauce Perigord, haricot verte and lobster mashed potatoes.

After six courses, I couldn't stuff in another bite. And then...The 'sweets' arrived--Bartlett pear sorbet and their infamous blueberry cream soda, two amazing treats not to be wasted. Seven courses and three hours later, I ordered an eighth course: fresh wheelchair served with side of assistance back to my hotel.

Sweets and Savories
1534 West Fullerton Avenue
Chicago, IL 60614
773.281.6778


Photo courtesy Sweets and Savories