The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

Everything You Need to Know About Chianti Classico

I was tasting out a bottle of Chianti before a pasta class when a guest asked me to explain the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico. It was a deer in headlights moment for me, as I didn't ...

Wine Hacks: Turn Your Cocoa into Liquid Velvet

We just wrapped up the One of a Kind Show at the Merchandise Mart, and I spent the weekend sampling wine or hot chocolate to nearly everyone who walked through our doors. A select few got a taste of ...

Toast to the Holidays

Nothing establishes your credentials as a host/hostess with the most-est or A-List guest better than a well-spoken quote.

Vegan Wines

The first time I saw a wine labeled as “vegan” I laughed out loud. I thought it was a marketing ploy. I mean, it's just fermented grape juice, right? Those of you who follow The Chopping Blog or come ...

Climate Change and Wine

As baseball season is coming to a close, basketball, football, and hockey are getting started, but the only season I really care about is the growing season and it has been a rough one. Back in ...

What's in a Red Blend?

Wine pro’s were caught short by American’s Rose rage but regarding the recent popularity of red blends, sommeliers and merchants are saying, “What took you so long?” Not long ago, as a retailer, I ...

Viva il vino Italiano

In food, in wine and in the enjoyment thereof, no country rivals Italy. Prosecco, Italy’s fabulous fizz, is the rising star in the world’s sparkling wine scene. Pinot Grigio is America’s 2nd ...

Terroir: What is Going into your Wine?

Imagine a grape. Seriously. Do it. We all know what a grape looks like, just picture one hanging on the vine. Now, tell me about it. Is the skin dark or light? How ripe is it? Is the vine row on a ...

How to Talk to a Sommelier

Congratulations Chicagolanders! In May, our town was named “Best Restaurant City” in America by Conde-Nast Traveler. Now, hot off the presses, Chicago is ranked “Restaurant City of the Year” by Bon ...

Talking Tequila

While last week may have brought us the official “National Tequila Day”, if you’re like me, everyday - er, I mean, every other weekend in a responsible, adult manner - is national tequila day. Those ...

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Everything You Need to Know About Chianti Classico

Wine Hacks: Turn Your Cocoa into Liquid Velvet

Toast to the Holidays

Vegan Wines

Climate Change and Wine

What's in a Red Blend?

Viva il vino Italiano

Terroir: What is Going into your Wine?

How to Talk to a Sommelier

Talking Tequila

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