The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

Love Craft Beer? Tour Chicago's Lagunitas Brewery

In the past couple years, hundreds of craft breweries have been opening up around the country. According to The Hop Preview, there are 66 breweries in the Chicago land area alone. One of the largest ...

Bar Basics

Have you ever tried to make a cocktail only to discover that it is way too strong, too watery, or too sweet and have no idea how to fix it? Knowing a few ratios and bar basics will help. Making a ...

Zinfandel + Meat = A Pairing You Can't Pass Up

Let me tell you a little story about a bottle from Sonoma County. It was a fine bottle, made of the best type of glass… the kind you put alcohol in. It shone with promise and purpose, excited about ...

Rooting for Ginger Root

Okay, I admit it. I am a ginger addict. From its warm and earthy aroma to its sharp and spicy flavor, its lure is undeniable. Not to mention its health benefits!Ginger contains gingerol, which is ...

Got Sad Looking Herbs? Make a Simple Syrup!

Does this sound familiar? You need two or three tablespoons of an herb for a recipe. However, your grocery store only sells herbs in large bunches, so you have no choice but to buy the whole bundle. ...

Mastering Wine and Food Pairing with our New Guide

Pairing wine and food is not as simple as the old rule of white wine with fish and red wine with meat. It's much more complicated than that, but despite what some wine experts would have you believe, ...

In Defense of Sweetness in Wine

Sweetness in wine is a funny thing. Take Riesling. Every time I mention it, I see facial expressions that tell me it’s not a favorite. When I ask why, the answer is “I don’t like sweet wines.” But ...

Expanding the Palate: Teaching Yourself to Drink (Well)

Back in college, when my friends and I had just hit our 21st birthdays and had more free time and spare change than sense, we decided to figure out the drinking world through random selection. We'd ...

Outdoor Dining and Drinks in Chicago

Almost nothing says “Chicago Summer” more than enjoying an outdoor beverage (and considering my last two blogs have been about hot dogs and my CSA box – it’s pretty apparent that anything summer ...

Pina Coladas and Mai Tais Make for a Great Cocktail Party

This past Independence Day weekend was finally a taste of summer weather – sunny days and cool nights. What better way to take advantage of time off and great weather than a cocktail party on the ...

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Love Craft Beer? Tour Chicago's Lagunitas Brewery

Bar Basics

Zinfandel + Meat = A Pairing You Can't Pass Up

Rooting for Ginger Root

Got Sad Looking Herbs? Make a Simple Syrup!

Mastering Wine and Food Pairing with our New Guide

In Defense of Sweetness in Wine

Expanding the Palate: Teaching Yourself to Drink (Well)

Outdoor Dining and Drinks in Chicago

Pina Coladas and Mai Tais Make for a Great Cocktail Party

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