Chile, like its neighbor over the Andes, Argentina, has long been a discount darling of the wine world, especially in the U.S. market. Funny thing though: The winemaking has generally improved to world-class quality over the past few decades, but the prices have stayed low. That means you can enjoy a top bottle from one [...]

Fall is, in many minds, the time when harvest beings and the year’s bounty in crops is collected. It’s essentially the end of the growing season here in the Northern Hemisphere, but when it comes to wine, harvest can technically happen at any time during the year, depending on where the grapes are being grown—the [...]

That’s a pretty bold statement in the world of wine, and especially within legendary Montalcino—a hilltown in Tuscany blessed with some of the finest vineyards in the world. It’s an area famous for producing Brunello, which is a clone of the Sangiovese grape, and thrives in Montalcino’s climate. To say one winemaker is the best [...]

There is no doubt that the 2004 film Sideways has been a boon to Pinot Noir, educating masses of casual wine drinkers about the delicate grape through its equally delicate protagonist, Miles. What that audience might not know though, is that Pinot Noir is truly global—grown all over the world in microclimates perfect for the [...]

Phileas Fogg may have traveled around the world in 80 days, and Prince may have written a song about going around the world in a single day, but we’ve got them both beat by taking your palate around the planet in just two hours, during our next First Wednesday Tasting here at Just Grapes. Join [...]

As far as summer heat goes, July 2010 in Chicago is nothing like 1995—a string of miserable 100+ degree days. However, our current 90-degree days are still scorching, and we often beat the heat by finding whatever air-conditioned bliss is available. In Northern Italy however, when the temperatures soar, many people head to the towering [...]

The 4th of July fireworks have already started at Just Grapes! Well… the kind of fireworks that happen when you save money and taste incredible American wines at the same time. The best part is, you don’t need a lawn chair to stake out a prime spot for your palate here. First, we’ve got a [...]

Ginger, Mary Ann, the Professor, Gilligan—they could only dream of cruising Lake Michigan and the Chicago River with Don Sritong and the Just Grapes crew, supplied with a storehouse of handpicked summer wines to sip and explore. It’s a dream you can easily experience though! Join us tomorrow, Saturday, June 26, for the Just Grapes [...]

Join us at Just Grapes this Thursday (June 24) for our Grateful Palate Tasting with Chris Ringland of R Wines. For only $25, you’ll get to meet and taste with Chris, who will explain the exciting winemaking ideas that have made him one of the most respected names in the industry. Chris is known in [...]

How’s your palate when it comes to GSMs? Don’t know what a GSM is? Here at Just Grapes, we can help! On June 17, we’re hosting a Wines of Australia class, where you’ll taste the distinctive Australian blend of Grenache, Shriaz, and Mourvèdre (GSM), plus amazing Australian Chardonnays, Sauvignon Blancs, Cabernets, and much more (including [...]