-RANDOLPH STREET WINE CELLAR

- WINE PREMIERE

THE RANDOLPH STREET TASTING ROOM
By Lisa Youngblood

A wine bar should offer a comprehensive list combining interesting and unusual selections that might appeal to all levels of wine experience. The staff should be educated yet unpretentious. Wine-friendly snacks should be available to complement the wines and to soak up the alcohol.

The Randolph Street Tasting Room offers all of the above and more. Owners Perry and Brenda Fotopoulos, who have visited wine regions across the globe, have created a “total environment for the enjoyment of wine.” The comfortable second floor couches offer an unparalleled view of the city skyline, while downstairs tasters can choose to belly up to the limestone bar or cozy up at tables for two or in a loveseat. A tasty cheese and charcuterie list presents international selections offered singly, or in flights (cow, sheep, or goat) accompanied appropriately and attractively with fruits, nuts, and breads. Recently the Tasting Room added a lovely menu of light fare including a Provencal pizza and a Tunisian pumpkin soup.

The best way to experience the array of wine offerings (on a given night, up to 120 wines are poured by the glass) is to sample one of the cleverly named flights. “Monsters of the Midway” (a huge zin, cab, and syrah) and “The Birth of Cool” (cutting edge wines from hot wineries) were two recent appealing selections.

Every selection on the wine list (and more, they carry over 1,500 labels) can be purchased, anytime, from Randolph Wine Cellars next door. Perry Fotopoulos seeks out the “cream of the crop,” working with importers and distributors to obtain bottles they can’t normally get, including some fine estate bottled champagnes, and gorgeous international selections. The store was designed with the perfect lighting and temperature conditions for wine storage in mind¾including a cellar where wines are held at the ideal 58 degrees, 65 per cent humidity. Hence the Tasting Room offers perfectly cellared wines, at remarkably low prices.

The Tasting Room is not a bar, it’s not a club, it’s an unintimidating place to go to learn about and enjoy unique and unusual wines in a completely comfortable atmosphere.

THE RANDOLPH STREET TASTING ROOM
1415 W Randolph St., Chicago, IL
312-942-1212

------------------------------------------------------------------------

WINE PREMIERE

Wine Premiere makes Green Bay, Wisconsin a Wine Lover’s Destination! Wine Premiere is a unique wine shoppe, featuring Weekly Wine-Tasting Events and a Wine of the Month Club. Owned by Andrew and Therese Woelfel, Wine Premiere features over 700 specialty wine labels from all over the world, most of which are not found elsewhere in Brown County. Price ranges are from $6 to over $200 per bottle, with the majority of the wine priced between $8 and $15 per bottle.

“Wine Premiere offers a unique wine experience,” explains Therese Woelfel. “We’ve become a wine lovers hang out – where our customers drink wine while they shop!” “Our Thursday evening Wine-Tasting Events give people the opportunity to mingle with other wine lovers, while they enhance their understanding and appreciation for wine.”

In addition, Wine Premiere, offers a Wine of the Month Club, where wines are personally selected to match the customer’s palate, as well as their price range. The focus is always on fun and education. “Our business philosophy is…if it’s not fun, we don’t do it” shares Woelfel. “We refuse to be snobby about wine!”

The staff at Wine Premiere is very knowledgeable. They assist each customer in selecting the wine that is perfect for them. “We’ve tasted every one of our wines at least once. It’s important that we truly understand the flavor components of each wine, so we can assist our customers in selecting the wine they wish to experience. Many of our customers bring us their gourmet dinner menus, so we can help them pair wine with each course. It’s pretty exciting!” Wine Premiere also specializes in wine accessories, gourmet food products and very unique gift baskets.

Wine Premiere also hosts private parties at the store. Customers can “rent” the store for entertainment. Some of the more popular events include: An Evening in Italy; Down Under in Australia; Big Red Night and Around the World. Again, the focus is on fun and the wine experience.

The Green Bay community has been very supportive of Wine Premiere. Green Bay is made up of a diverse group of wine drinkers – ranging from beginners to wine connoisseurs who have traveled the world to experience wine. “Whatever your background, you’ll find something of interest at Wine Premiere!” states Woelfel.

“Please stop in or give us a call to register for our weekly wine tasting events. You are sure to have a great time!”

WINE PREMIERE is located at 1232 Main Street, Green Bay, WI. Contact Wine Premiere at (920) 430-9463 or visit their web site at www.winepremiere.com.