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 us from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, August 4^th, for our Global Tour—an exploration of more than 35 different wines from eight countries, twelve growing regions, and seven different varietals, stamping your palate’s passport every sip of the way.

The best part is it’s far cheaper than an actual trip around the world—tickets are just $25 (click here to purchase) giving you the freedom to explore these bottles, and many more:

2007 Raventos I Blanc, Cava, L’Hereu, Reserva Brut, Spain [$15.99]
Produced from 100% estate fruit, and aged on the yeasts for two years, this is a wonderful Cava that has a fuller body and deeper flavors than your typical Cava. The initial aroma is bread dough, and then it turns to fresh fruits and minerals. Intense, fresh, and fruity in the mouth, this has a delicious balance and very good finesse. Great Cava like this is irresistible to drink!

2008 Errazuriz “Don Maximiano Estate Vineyard” Cabernet Sauvignon, Aconcauga, Chile [$15.99]
Phenomenal value from a remarkable producer. Errazuriz produces deeply extracted rich, spicy Cabernet Sauvignon. This single vineyard example shows notes of boysenberry and raspberry, with some Gnome’s Foot characteristics and a long finish. If this wine came out of California, you’d pay at least double the price, but since it isn’t you can enjoy it for under $20! – Josh’s Staff Pick

2009 Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc, Te Muna Road Vineyard, Martinborough, New Zealand [$15.19]
Pale, bright yellow. Pungent aromas of lime, green apple, quinine and tarragon. Almost silky on entry, then quite taut, even austere, in the middle, showing a mineral pungency to its grapefruit pith, lemon zest and fresh herb flavors. Dry and bracing but not quite hard. Finishes with good aromatic lift and persistence.

2008 Beckmen Vineyards Cuvee Le Bec Rouge, Santa Ynez Valley, California [$15.99]
One of the finest values in the Central Coast is their Cuvee Le Bec, a blend of 51% Grenache, 27% Syrah, 16% Mouvedre, 6% Counoise. This is the type of wine that California can do so well, but rarely does. Part of the reason may be due to the difficulty of trying to convince consumers that a proprietary blend, available at a much lower price, can ultimately be better than some single varietal wines. The super 2008 Cuvee Le Bec is a sexy, delicious concoction of red and black cherries, black currants, pepper, spice box, and fruitcake. Medium to full-bodied and pure with supple tannins and a fleshy, lush personality, it will provide immense pleasure over the next 3-4 years.

If your experience with Riesling has mainly to do with a certain nun dressed in blau on the bottle’s label, then now is the perfect time to explore the variety and complexity of one of the world’s most underappreciated grapes—through August 1^st, it’s “Riesling Week” co-sponsored by the European Union and Wines of Germany.

However, here at Just Grapes, every week is Riesling week, and not just German Riesling. We offer top bottles from five different countries, making Riesling one of the truly “global” grapes worth celebrating all year long, and one of the most versatile wines to pair with food too. Its high acid and clean flavors—floral, spice, fruit, and more—are a perfect match for meats like pork, as well as the incredibly complex ingredient combinations of Asian cuisine.

You can start Riesling Week right by making it a “habit” to go beyond the blau, and expand your palate with some of these favorites:

2008 Maryhill Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington [$8.79]
Aromas of brewer’s yeast, overripe pear, honeycomb, and faint petroleum jelly follow through on a silky entry to a fruity medium body with spicy peach sorbet notes and drying, mineral accent on the finish. Complex and food friendly; try with grilled shrimp.

2007 Rocky Gully Riesling, Frankland River, Western Australia [$12.39]
90 pts – Stephen Tanzer
Pale yellow. Vibrant, sharply focused lemon, lime and quinine aromas like a platonic gin and tonic. Clean, sharply focused and pure, offering energetic citrus and green apple flavors and a late note of anise. Very refreshing Riesling, with excellent finishing lift and length.

2008 Kuentz-Bas, Riesling, Alsace, France [$13.99]
This Alsace Riesling is dry, rich and strong, with nuances of mineral and flowers. It combines delicacy with elegance. A wine with a lot of character. Well-balanced and long in the mouth, it is a gastronomic wine par excellence that displays all its charm and originality when served with fish, seafood and all local dishes that demand a dry and fruity wine.

2001 Riesling Olberg Spatlese, Library Selection, Rheinhessen, Germany [$19.99]
Aromas of candied limes, smoky slate, and white pepper are found in the explosive nose of the 2001 Riesling Spatlese.

2007 Riesling Smaragd “Steinriegl”, Schmelz, Wachau, Austria [$37.59]
94 Pts – Steven Tanzer
Light green-yellow; fresh fruit nuances reminiscent of tropical fruit like maracuja and pineapple, hints of apricot and bloom honey; fine-rayed on the palate, yet very complex and racy, appealing by its lemony touch; highly accessible, and in the end it wins you over with delicate flavors of tangy peaches.

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 mountains in the Piedmont region, where the cooler temps are not only ideal for heat relief, but they’re perfect for growing cool-climate grapes like Pinot Grigio and Prosecco.

On Saturday, July 23 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Just Grapes, we’re escaping into the mountains of Piedmont. Not an actual trip, (unfortunately) but we’re showcasing the crisp and varied wines of the Piedmont region from the handpicked portfolio of Paolo Cerruti, a native of that area. We’re lucky enough to have Paolo host the tasting, so you can tap his vast knowledge of all things Piedmont, while trying some of these wines, and more:

Vigna Del Sole Prosecco, Conegliano, Italy [$12.39]
Made from selected grapes grown on vineyards located in the hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, this Prosecco has a pronounced yeastiness in the aroma along with pear and melon notes. Medium-full with a supple mouthfeel and lovely acidity in the off-dry finish. While this would make a lovely aperitif, it has enough character to accompany most pastas (cream sauces would be ideal with this) as well as shellfish.

2009 Il Colle, Pinot Grigio, Veneto, Italy [$13.19]
Founded in 1972 by Fabio Ceschin, Il Colle lies amid the rolling hillsides of San Pietro di Feletto, north of Treviso. Italian wine aficionados will recognize this as Prosecco country, but the estate also produces an impressive range of still wines like this classic Pinot Grigio. Delicate aromas of peaches and spice lead to a softly-textured palate with a crisp finish.

2005 Ghiomo Nebbiolo Langhe, Piedmont, Italy [$20.79]
Intense, brilliant ruby red color with a floral and fruity bouquet, fresh and delicate. In the mouth it reveals an elegant, tasty, rich, tannic and persistent taste.

Here in Chicago, we’re entering the second weekend of filming for Transformers 3 in and around the Loop. It’s an aptly named movie, because it’s transforming the way people go about their day—shutting down some of the busiest streets and intersections of the city, testing the patience of locals, and mesmerizing summer tourists.

Transformers are, as the theme song says, “more than meets the eye,” and that’s also a philosophy we apply to our most prized bottles at Just Grapes. While many wines are meant to be enjoyed immediately, others are built to last, and if they’re cellared with patience, they’ll “transform” into masterpieces after a few years. Here are a few highly recommended “transformers” available at Just Grapes:

2004 Hundred Acre “Ancient Way”, Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia [$137.50]
94 Pts – Wine Enthusiast
Incredibly dark in color but light on its feet, this wine somehow manages to hide its 15.5% alcohol under fruit that’s neither overblown or jammy. Spice and herb-driven complexity is the order of the day, with scents of violets lending an exotic note to the aromas. It is mouth-filling and palate-coating but wonderfully balanced, picking up hints of black olive and espresso on the lingering finish. Good now, but appears to have the stuff to evolve over at least 10 – 15 years.

2005 Paul Hobbs Stagecoach Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California [$167.19]
93 pts – Robert Parker
From its dense, saturated ruby hue to its earthy, cigar box nose, this Cabernet Sauvignon commands attention and suggests a cellar-worthy wine. More than evident on the palate right now is the great intensity, depth and structure it possesses. Pure, focused flavors of black cherry, currant and tobacco coat the mouth, while notes of forest floor and pencil shavings add further dimension and nuance. A lingering finish offers balanced acidity and firm, chewy tannins. Alcohol 15.1%

2003 La Mendota, Merlot Blend, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France [$159.99]
95 Pts – Robert Parker
This vineyard, which sits on the classic clay/limestone hillsides, has enjoyed great success in 2003. A blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc, it exhibits an inky/purple color along with a gorgeously deep, ethereal bouquet of espresso roast, blackberries, crème de cassis, minerals, and flowers. Rich and full-bodied, with low acidity, obvious power, and tremendous elegance as well as definition. It is a beautifully layered, textured St.-Emilion that builds incrementally, revealing tremendous purity and sense of place. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2018.

2003 Chateau Magrez Fombrauge, Merlot, St Emilion, Bordeaux, France [$71.99]
94 Pts – Robert Parker
A brilliant example of Fombrauge’s luxury cuvee, this blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Franc emerges from a 7.5-acre vineyard situated on clay/limestone soils. This is a full-throttle, big, deep 2003, and it is one of the finest wines of the vintage. It reveals a deep ruby/purple color along with a nose of roasted coffee, black currants, berries, licorice, new saddle leather, and spice box. The complex aromas are followed by a dense, medium-to-full-bodied offering with great fruit as well as wonderful vigor and freshness. Given the low acidity and ripe tannin, it should hit its peak in 3-4 years, and evolve nicely for 12-15.

It took approximately one month, but the Spanish fútbol… er… football… er… soccer team is now the envy of the sporting world. And unlike, say, the Super Bowl, the Spanish can gloat about their victory for four years instead of one.

When it comes to wine though, the Spanish have always had a reason to gloat: Some of the most impressive bottles come from Spain, unique for their incredible variety, bold flavors, and legendary growing regions—Rioja, Ribera del Duero, and Rias Baixas, to name just a few.

We knew this well before the World Cup win, and that’s why we feature nearly 20 distinctive wines from Spain here at Just Grapes. Below are just a handful—or in this case, handball—of our favorites. (To see the entire list, click on the word Spain):

2008 Bodegas La Cartuja, Priorat, Spain [$13.59]
A beautiful blend of red grapes that shows red grapes that shows red berries and herbs, with a long, luscious finish. Pairs beautifully with traditional Spanish cuisine such as Tapas, or anything with a little bit of spice. (Melissa’s Staff Pick)

2008 Paco Y Lola Albarino, Rias Baixas, Spain [$12.79]
Straw yellow color with hints of green in the rim. Clean and brilliant. The nose is complex with outstanding aromatic intensity. Fine notes of fruit (citrus, green apples), herbaceous notes (basil) and floral base notes. It has very fresh flavors balanced by lively acidity giving a crisp, attractive taste, good body and a pleasant aroma on the palate. A varietal character that is elegant and persistent. Gorgeous! Paco Y Lola is the perfect pairing for sushi, fish, seafood, tempura, pasta, risotto and white meats.

Bodegas Atalaya, Almansa, Spain [$15.19]
91 Pts – Robert Parker
This is the first release of Atalaya; a blend of Monastrell and Garnacha Tintorera, it is aged for eight months in French and American oak. Inky purple in color with an expressive bouquet of violet, black cherry, blueberry, cardamom & cumin with hints of game and leather thrown into the mix. Superb depth, with candied blackberry and rose flavors that are stabilized by soft tannin and notes of black pepper. An easy-going, immediately accessible wine.

There are few wines more satisfying after a record-breaking string of 90-degree days than rosé. Its high acidity makes it crisp like a white, but it boasts a unique flavor profile—light hints of strawberry, citrus, flowers, spice, and more—along with an instantly identifiable pink(ish) hue, which comes from the limited contact the grape skins have with the wine during production.

Coincidentally, we’ve had record-breaking heat here in Chicago for much of the past week, so it’s the perfect time to put that “rosé = satisfying” theory to the test by picking up a few bottles of these chillingly delicious rosés at Just Grapes:

2009 Borsao Rose of Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain [$7.19]
A red luminescent color with warm sparkles, it has a pungent aroma of wild and sweet fruits. It is very fresh and young, in the mouth it is balanced and in harmony with its acidity. Very pleasant and rich with hints of floral and spicy tones. Ideal to combine with pasta, light meats and salads.

2009 Maquis Calcu Rose, Valle de Colchagua, Chile [$10.39]
The Rivadeniera family always enjoyed drinking quality rosés at home. Now, winemakers Alejandro Jofre and Ricardo Rivadeniera have created their own magical rosé made from 50% Malbec, 40% Syrah, and 10% Carmenère. This vintage’s bouquet is floral with subtle notes of grapefruit and spice. The palate is clean, crisp and well balanced with hints of cherry and wild strawberry. It is a versatile wine that pairs equally well with goat cheese, seafood, grilled chicken and delicately seasoned Asian dishes.

2007 Hippolyte Reverdy, Rose, Sancerre, Loire Valley, France [$14.79]
A 100% Pinot Noir Rose exhibits a beautiful salmon color. On the nose an aromatic bouquet of wild red strawberries and watermelon is followed by seashell minerality and sea breeze salinity. The fresh fruit dances on the palate and is in wonderful step with this rosé’s acidity. This has a gorgeous blush, and is best served slightly chilled—it finishes refreshing, long, and crisp. Gets my vote as best rosé ever at Just Grapes! – Maggie’s Staff Pick

Who says wine and BBQ don’t go together? Actually, nobody does… and we’re going to prove that consensus correct with our First Wednesday Tasting/6th Annual Grill Out at Just Grapes! 

Join us from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 7^th, and discover that the 4^th of July cookouts you just finished were merely an appetizer for our main course—hamburgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, and chicken, paired perfectly with these delicious wines, and more:

2005 Solabal, Tempranillo Crianza, Rioja, Spain 05 [$16.39]
90 pts – Steven Tanzer
“100% Tempranillo…Saturated red. Expressive, highly complex bouquet of red berries, white pepper, dried flowers and baking spices. Supple redcurrant and raspberry flavors are concentrated but not heavy, with nervy minerality adding energy to the back end. Nicely balanced Rioja with a nice interplay of sweet fruit and musky herbs on the finish. This is complex enough to drink now.”

2008 Kanonkop Kadette Red Blend, Stellenbosch, South Africa [$10.79]
90 Pts – Wine Enthusiast
Full-bodied with juicy flavors of berry and plum underscored by smoke, spicebox, and leather, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc has an elegant character whose slight rigidity will soften over time. Pair with grilled meats, robust cheeses.

2009 Corvidae Crowe White Blend, Columbia Valley Washington State [$11.19]
A young, playful blend that has the acidity and fresh bite of Sauvignon Blanc with some whimsical notes from the Riesling and Chenin Blanc. A perfect crisp sip for those summer deck sitting days. It has grapefruit, peaches, and flowers. (Joe’s Staff Pick)

The 4^th 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 pre-4^th sale happening right now, with prices up to 50% off. Stop by and check out the selection, or click here for our Printable Sale List, then stop by and stock up!

Also, we’ve got a July 3^rd Complimentary Independence Day Tasting featuring great American wines that pair with BBQ, red, white, and blue. Stop by on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to sample these bottles and more:

2006 Taz Fiddlestix Vineyards Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, California [$17.99]
Fiddlestix Pinot Noir is powerful and lush with notable complexity and structure…this wine has layered aromatics that reveal themselves slowly in the glass, opening to aromas of dark plum and black cherry with a hint of earthiness and cedar.

2008 Maryhill Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington [$8.79]
Aromas of brewer’s yeast, overripe pear, honeycomb, and faint petroleum jelly follow through on a silky entry to a fruity medium body with spicy peach sorbet notes and drying, mineral accent on the finish. Complex and food friendly; try with grilled shrimp.

2006 Argyle Brut, Willamette Valley, Oregon [$19.19]
91 Pts – Robert Parker
An Indian Summer followed by late harvest lent exciting structure to the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used to make this 2006 Argyle Brut. The color is that of pale yellow diamond, pre-harvest wheat field or plumeria alba. The aromas are honeysuckle, Mutsu apple skins, casaba and soft vanilla, followed by hints of allspice and red currant thanks to the Pinot Noir component. This 2006 Brut is highly effervescent in the mouth and brings a classic, stony minerality complimented by lemon zest, currant, and a late, savory yeast that coats the palate for a long, pleasing finish.

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 Food & Wine Cruise along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River aboard the 90-foot private yacht, Anita Dee I, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Click Here For Tickets.)

Oh… don’t call it a booze cruise. There will be several amazing summer wines poured, paired, and pored over, but that’s combined with unique views of the Windy City skyline, delicious food, and a bit of wine education too. Here are some of the bottles we’ll be enjoying:

187ML Heidsieck Blue Top, Champagne, France [$9.59]
A non-vintage bubbly from one of the most prestigious Champagne houses, Heidsieck & Co. Monopole. Blue Top was the official champagne aboard the ill-fated Titanic. When you pop open a bottle of this super premium sparkler, you’ll know why the world has been singing champagne’s praises for centuries.. Elegant and expressive, this delivers floral, pear and toffee flavors matched to a creamy texture. Beautifully integrated, this lingers nicely on the mineral finish.

2008 Big Woop Chardonnay, Viognier & Pinot Gris White Blend, South Eastern Australia [$11.99]
The color of this wine is like a faint ray of sunshine. Pineapple and lemon on the nose. Nice acidity on the palate, with a hint of pear, strong lemons finish of lingering, palate cleansing acidity.

2004 Dassault, Merlot, St. Emilion, Bordeaux, France [$15.99]
89 Pts – Robert Parker
Since being purchased by Bordeaux’s well-known aircraft manufacturer, Dassault has gone from strength to strength. The fruit-forward, supple-textured 2004 offers abundant amounts of plum, black currant, and cherry fruit, medium body, silky tannin, low acidity, and an undeniably charming, sensual style. Drink it over the next decade.

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 particular for his incredible Shiraz, so it’s not surprising that R Wines is a partnership with Dan Phillips of the Grateful Palate in Fairfield, California, where the bacon-centric edibles for sale pair perfectly with Ringland’s robust reds.

The tasting is from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., but come in to Just Grapes before Thursday and pick up a bottle or two of Chris’s handiwork, taste it for yourself, then come back and surprise the winemaker with questions that only someone who’s “been there” can ask!

2007 Chris Ringland “CR” Shiraz, Barossa Valley, South Australia [$17.59]

93 pts – Robert Parker

Chris Ringland is one of the most talented winemakers in the world. I think Chris is just trying to show off with this wine. Incredibly rich, ripe dark berries and a long, smooth finish. When I drink this wine I can’t wait to break out the grill and let the smokiness of the wine marry with the smokiness of the pork steak I just made. Mmmm, pork and Shiraz. (Pete’s Staff Pick)

2008 R Wines “Southern Belle” Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia [$15.99]

90 pts – Wine Advocate

The 2008 Southern Belle Shiraz was aged in seasoned oak including some ex-bourbon barrels. A glass-coating opaque purple, it displays a nearly room-filling nose of smoke, game, incense, and blueberry that leaps from the glass. Opulent and full-bodied on the palate, it lacks only complexity. Drink it over the next 6-8 years. It is an outstanding value.