Sip, savor, repeat! That is the only agenda one must have to attend the Windy City Wine Festival. Well, that, and enjoy the view. In its 13th year, the festival took place by the glorious Buckingham Fountain on Chicago’s spectacular lakefront. Look one way – Lake Michigan. Look the other way – skyline. I mean, is there any better way to drink wine? We didn’t think so.
While we basked in the sunlight of a crisp autumnal day, we indulged. Wouldn’t you? 300 wines on display, and not enough of us to sample it all. Some wines fared better than others, admittedly. No one could top Cass Winery in our book. Rooted deeply in Chicago, this Paso Robles based winery repeatedly brings the heat. Though sorely missed were all of the beautiful dry rosé wines presented last year by Wines of Provençe, there were definitely some stellar rośes to sample (some carefully hidden, we must admit). And bubbles! We sampled all the bubbles.
With a makeshift food court and a live music stage, Windy City Festival did not disappoint. It was an all day affair that required stamina and some clear headed judgement. But when you are handed 20 tasting tickets, sampling judiciously is a requirement. We did a hefty portion of tasting. And you know what? All wine, good or not so much, tastes amazing overlooking the lake by the Buckingham Fountain. If you are a wine drinker, this event is a must. Trust us, we met people from as far as Sweden and Siberia. Some things are worth savoring. For us, annual Windy City Wine Festival is one of them. See you next year?
Windy City Wine Festival is held every year in Grant Park, by Buckingham Fountain, on Chicago’s beautiful lakefront.
The Local Tourist access for two to the festival courtesy of KemperLesnik.
All photos by Gourmet Rambler.
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