Going to be in Chi town the week of October 23rd for a conference. Any sugggestions on where to go wine shoppin?
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When we were in Chicago last month for Otis' CDP, steve8 and I stopped in to Binnys on Grand Ave. GREAT place to shop for wine. Good prices and selection. You can check out what they have on their website ahead of time. As they have a few locations, if you find something specific you want, you can arrange for it to be at the store you want to pick up. Just be prepared to excercise some restraint (steve's better at that than I 
).
Next visit to Chicago I'd like to check out Hart Davis Hart, as I've purchased some nice aged wines from them before, however I'm not sure if they have an established retail showroom.
). Next visit to Chicago I'd like to check out Hart Davis Hart, as I've purchased some nice aged wines from them before, however I'm not sure if they have an established retail showroom.
Sam's is worth a look, the main store on Marcey Street (it might be Kingsbury). I don't shop there much, but it's an impressive place nonetheless.
Binny's has a few good stores, the one on Grand is nice, the one just South of Wrigley (where Clark meets Halsted) is equally nice. They are also building the largest wine store in the Chicagoland which will be in the South loop, just South of the business downtown of Chicago. They say it will be opening in November.
HDH indeed has a great selection, but there is no store. You buy in advance either by web or phone, then you go in to pick it up. The 'retail' location is a small office in front of their massive underground cellar. There are no bottles on display, and I don't think they will sell to someone who just walks in.
There are a few other smaller places I frequent, but they're not that exciting for out-of-town visitors.
Binny's has a few good stores, the one on Grand is nice, the one just South of Wrigley (where Clark meets Halsted) is equally nice. They are also building the largest wine store in the Chicagoland which will be in the South loop, just South of the business downtown of Chicago. They say it will be opening in November.
HDH indeed has a great selection, but there is no store. You buy in advance either by web or phone, then you go in to pick it up. The 'retail' location is a small office in front of their massive underground cellar. There are no bottles on display, and I don't think they will sell to someone who just walks in.
There are a few other smaller places I frequent, but they're not that exciting for out-of-town visitors.
quote:Originally posted by grossie:
HDH indeed has a great selection, but there is no store. You buy in advance either by web or phone, then you go in to pick it up. The 'retail' location is a small office in front of their massive underground cellar. There are no bottles on display, and I don't think they will sell to someone who just walks in.
Thanks for the clarification grossie
. I was wondering just what the deal was.
Yup, Binny's on W. Grand is the place. Lots of good stuff. Even better stuff in the walk-in.
Sam's is okay, but I found the prices a tad high. Comments from the CWM lead me to believe that the best prices are to be had during their big sale that happens once or twice a year or if your name is Vino Me.
Sam's is okay, but I found the prices a tad high. Comments from the CWM lead me to believe that the best prices are to be had during their big sale that happens once or twice a year or if your name is Vino Me.
quote:Originally posted by futronic:
Binny's on W. Grand is the place. Lots of good stuff. Even better stuff in the walk-in.
Yeah, that back room is a candy store for the Canadian kids.
Definately check out Binny's. I preferred the Clark St. store. Sam's is a big store, but their prices are high.
What's the travel time from the airport to these wine shops? Looks like I'll be there for about 4 hours.
While your at Binny's, make sure to go up and down the aisles looking for a yellow "end of bin" tag. Not sure what it means but whatever wines are in that bin, sell for around 50% off. For instance, I bougth a $40 Loring there last week for $19.99.
quote:Originally posted by WEc:
What's the travel time from the airport to these wine shops? Looks like I'll be there for about 4 hours.
It would depend on the time of day. Mid-day you can figure about 30-45 minutes each way, but if you're going to be going back any time after 2:30pm it can be up to 70minutes back to the airport. If you're lucky you can have an 60-90 minutes to shop. If you're not lucky you miss your flight!
quote:Originally posted by Seaquam:quote:Originally posted by futronic:
Binny's on W. Grand is the place. Lots of good stuff. Even better stuff in the walk-in.
Yeah, that back room is a candy store for the Canadian kids.
For this Canadian Kid...The House of Glunz was the best thing I did on my 4 day anniversary visit to Chicago with my wife.
It's an old time prohibition era Merchant, and some really good vintage selections. In Ontario, getting anything 'rare' is a treat - For me a couple of Bandol Domaine Tempier's did the trick.
Really enjoyable place to visit:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie...use+of+glunz+chicago
If you have time, Sam's is a great experiance. Prices may be higher but they do have the largest selection in town.
About this matter, I have a lot to say and at least have some ideas on how to complain with courier companies!!!
I organized the 8th wine salon in chile, an international event and I had trouble with the wines from several countries to arrive on time, and then, ridicolous expensive to send wines.
Usually the courier companies are used to send wines overseas of Chile, but not usual to get wines from overseas to Chile. They overcharge so much besides, they never inform to the sender about their wines when they arrive.
Courier companies are killing the business of sending samples I think, and affects the entire market chain when you talk to an importer or distributor..etc...
Max
andes@andeswines.com
I organized the 8th wine salon in chile, an international event and I had trouble with the wines from several countries to arrive on time, and then, ridicolous expensive to send wines.
Usually the courier companies are used to send wines overseas of Chile, but not usual to get wines from overseas to Chile. They overcharge so much besides, they never inform to the sender about their wines when they arrive.
Courier companies are killing the business of sending samples I think, and affects the entire market chain when you talk to an importer or distributor..etc...
Max
andes@andeswines.com
you accidently clicked on the wrong thread Max. You want the "Mailing lists and high shipping costs", one floor down at the moment
binny's is good,wine discount center is the cheapest,and great staff.Sam's is wayyy high but a good selection.depends on what you want.Lush is good,you can taste alot of wines there and they specialize in smaller producers.
grossie's cellar! 
I check Binny's every month. Also, now that Sam's has new owners, I might check them again.
I check Binny's every month. Also, now that Sam's has new owners, I might check them again.
quote:Originally posted by latour67:
grossie's cellar!
I check Binny's every month. Also, now that Sam's has new owners, I might check them again.
Everything has its price. I would argue though that Otis's cellar is priced more reasonably (just show up every other year or so and it's all free!)
quote:Originally posted by latour67:
grossie's cellar!
I check Binny's every month. Also, now that Sam's has new owners, I might check them again.
Yeah, Sam's screwed up big time. They had their own offsite warehouse which landed them some huge fines. With Binny's 20+ stores (by the end of the year), they have way more buying power, and they can get in pretty much anything you can ask for.
Binny's has really started to carry everything. I'm shocked by their prices and inventory every time i'm there.
quote:Originally posted by grossie:quote:Originally posted by latour67:
grossie's cellar!
I check Binny's every month. Also, now that Sam's has new owners, I might check them again.
Everything has its price. I would argue though that Otis's cellar is priced more reasonably (just show up every other year or so and it's all free!)
Either cellar will do, yours or Otis'!
The best prices at Sam's are their pre-arrival or futures. This year I started buying Bordeaux futures through them. Their in store prices however are not always as competitive.
If you are anywhre near Highland Park, I spent an hour at the Binny's there with Tony, who not only listened to what kind of wines I liked, and made useful recommendations, he also gave me discounts on some wines that were not otherwise marked down.
The recent sales at Binny's have been killing me. I almost don't buy anywhere else.
any idea where to get Karl lawrence, neal, lleweling, cliff lede, ladera or littorai?