Uncork Barrington wines are NOW AVAILABLE for pre-order TODAY at VinChicago.com/Uncork.
The 12th annual Uncork Barrington wine & food fest on Friday, July 8th, will be featuring more wines than ever in one of the community’s most highly anticipated summer charitable events. Vin Chicago’s sommeliers will be uncorking at least 75 different wines for guests to sample in 15 different categories. That includes two top shelf tasting tables where VIP ticketholders can sample some of Vin’s more exclusive offerings. If you’re interested in learning more about wines from around the world, Uncork Barrington in downtown’s Metra station parking lot is THE PLACE TO BE and we have a sneak peek at this year’s wine list.
Click here for a chance to win UNCORK Tickets!
When you arrive at Uncork Barrington, you’ll receive a passport listing all wines and food available for sampling. In addition to the wines, some of the Barrington area’s top restaurants and caterers will be serving small plate samples of dishes selected to pair with this year’s wines. As you visit each table, volunteers will stamp your passport so you can literally taste your way around each category, ending the night with a wealth of information about a vast selection of wines.
Vin Chicago sommelier Jen Blair has poured a lot of thought and knowledge into this year’s wine menu. For Jen, tasting wine for a living is a labor of love, but she says her favorite thing about Uncork its goal of giving. “I think the most important part is the charity aspect because ten-percent of all the wine purchases are going back to the volunteers’ selected charities. We want everyone to come out and have a good time, but there’s a very good cause behind this annual event.”
With Jen’s guidance, the Uncork Committee continues to add fun new additions, rebranding some of the tasting categories each year while bringing back the fan favorites. Here are this year’s tasting categories, at a glance, plus links to the wines and a few thoughts along the way from Vin’s own Jen Blair…
Sommelier’s Selections
“We have three certified sommeliers that work in Vin Chicago’s Barrington store alone. One of our jobs is to help people find what they like an then also introduce them to new wines that are cool, different or maybe a little esoteric,” Jen says. “With Uncork’s Sommelier Selections category, we’ll be introducing you to some different wines that you wouldn’t normally try. And they’re value priced, too, so you’re not going to break the bank with any of these wines.”
Domaine Jean Masson “Vieilles Vignes” Apremont Vin de Savoie 2014 * J. Mourat “Collection” Val de Loire Blanc 2015 * Chateau Saint-Honore Cotes de Provence Rose 2015 * Domaine Pierre Guindon Coteaux d’Ancenis Gamay 2014 * Domaine Paul Cherrier Sancerre Rouge 2013
Fantastic Food Pairings
Schramsberg North Coast Blanc de Noirs Brut 2011 * Arnaldo-Caprai “Grecante” Colli Martani Grechetto 2015 * Chateau Gassier “Esprit Gassier” Rose 2015 * Laroche “Rose de la Chevaliere” Pays d’Oc Rose 2015 * Route Stock Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
When You Wish Upon a Chard
Domaine Lafage “Novellum” Chardonnay 2015 * Foxglove Central Coast Chardonnay 2013 * Talley Vineyards “Bishop’s Peak” Central Coast Chardonnay 2014 * Jam Cellars “Butter” California Chardonnay 2015
Wine for Entertaining
90+ Cellars “Lot 2” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 * 90+ Cellars “Lot 123” Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2013 * 90+ Cellars “Lot 28” Willamette Valley Pinot Noir 2014 * 90+ Cellars “Gran Vino Lot 128” Navarra Crianza 2011 * 90+ Cellars “Lot 127” Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon/Carmenere 2014
Spanish Sizzlers
“Spain produces so many great summer wines and you can find such value in this category,” Jen says. “That’s why we’re bringing back a regional category this year’s Uncork Barrington featuring some of our favorite ‘Spanish Sizzlers.'”
Bodegas La Cana Rias Baixas Albarino 2015 * Muga Rioja Rosado 2015 * Bodegas Breca “Garnacha de Fuego” Calatayud Garnacha 2014 * Bodegas Borsao “Tres Picos” Campo de Borja Garnacha 2014 * Bodega Teso La Monja “Romanico” Toro 2013
Big, Juicy Reds
King Estate “North by Northwest” Columbia Valley Red Blend 2013 * Spellbound California Petite Sirah 2013 * Kaiken “Reserva” Mendoza Malbec 2013 * Susana Balbo “Signature” Uco Valley Malbec 2013 * Baron de Ley Rioja Reserva 2010
Old World Wonders
3 Autores Vinho Verde 2015 * Markham Napa Valley Merlot 2013 * Green & Red “Chiles Canyon Vineyards” Napa Valley Zinfandel 2013 * Neyers “Left Bank” Napa Valley Red 2014 * Gibbs Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013
Patio Pounders
“We’re introducing the Patio Pounders tasting category this year because these are wines you’ll love when you’re hanging out, sitting on your back deck or on your boat or at your lakehouse. They’re wines that you don’t have to think about. They’re easy to drink and great to have on hand for when friends are coming over.”
Menade Rueda Verdejo 2014 * Villa Maria “Private Bin” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 * Mas Carlot “Cuvee Tradition” Costieres de Nimes Rosé 2015 * Montalbera “Roseus” Grignolino Brut Rose NV * De La Costa Sangria NV
Summer Sippers
Bricco Riella Moscato d’Asti 2015 * Hirschbach & Sohne Piesporter Michelsberg Riesling Spatlese 2014 * Kentia Rias Baixas Albarino 2014 * Bodegas Ateca “Honoro Vera” Calatayud Garnacha 2014 * Tortoise Creek “The Chelonian” Lodi Zinfandel 2012
Great for Grilling
Kris Pinot Grigio delle Venzia 2014 * Fred Loimer “Lois” Kamptal Gruner Veltliner 2014 * Vina Leyda “Las Brisas Vineyard” Leyda Valley Pinot Noir 2013 * Catena Mendoza Malbec 2013 * Seghesio Sonoma County Zinfandel 2014
Smooth Blends
E. Guigal Cotes du Rhone Blanc 2014 * Domaine des Corbillieres Touraine Rose 2015 * Santa Rita “Hero’s Salute” Red Blend 2013 * Columbia Crest “Grand Estates” Columbia Valley Red Blend 2011 * Marietta Cellars “Lot 63” California Old Vine Red NV
Killer Cabernets
“Our Killer Cabernets are fantastic values that all overdeliver for what you’re paying,” Jen says. “A lot of them are from central coast. If they were from Napa, they would be twice as much money. With this category, we’re really going for a lot of bang for your buck.”
Notary Public Santa Ynez Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 * Folkway “Revelator” Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 * Farmageddon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 * The Fableist “Fable 373” Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 * Demure “Two Wolves Vineyard” Happy Canyon Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
Top Shelf Wines in the VIP Tasting Tent
Andre Clouet Millesime Brut 2008 * Terlano “Vorberg” Alto Adige Riserva Pinot Bianco 2013 * Three Sticks “One Sky Vineyard” Sonoma Mountain Chardonnay 2014 * Three Sticks Russain River Valley Pinot Noir 2014 * G. D. Vajra “Bricco Delle Viole” Barolo 2011 * Amapola Creek “Estate Bottled” Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 * Hartford Court Far Coast Sonoma Coast Chardonnay 2012 * Hartford Court “Far Coast” Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2013 * Yangarra Estate “The High Sands” McLaren Vale Old Vine Grenache 2010 * Capture “Alliance” Spring Mountain Red Blend 2012 * Anakota “Helena Dakota” Knights Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 * Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard “Brooks Road” Shiraz Mc Laren Vale 2012
Click here for a chance to win UNCORK Tickets!
General Admission and VIP tickets with exclusive top-shelf tastings may be purchased NOW online, at the gate while supplies last or at these fine local retailers: VIN (311 East Main Street) or Heinen’s Grocery (500 N. Hough Street).
The BK Blues Band will again be performing, back by popular demand, and this year’s participating food vendors include:
On Occasion Catering & Events * Incontro a Tavola Ristorante Italiano * Heinen’s Grocery * Francesca’s Restaurants * McGonigal’s Pub * Wild Asparagus * Kooker’s * Alley 59 * Big Iron Horse BBQ
Uncork Barrington will again take place in the north parking lot of the Barrington Metra train station, the traditional site of the community’s Fourth of July festivities. The BK Blues Band will again be performing, back by popular demand. At the entry you’ll receive a passport to sample 50 fine wines along with tantalizing food from local restaurants as the summer sun sets on downtown Barrington.
Launched in 2005 by the Barrington Village Association or “BVA,” Uncork Barrington is run entirely by volunteers, with event donations going to Career Place, Barrington Area Council on Aging, the Leona Bataille Scholarship Foundation, Barrington Youth Dance Ensemble, Barrington Fine Arts Boosters, Barrington Area United Way, Barrington Breakfast Rotary, District 220 Educational Foundation…and many more. For more information about the event and its history AND TO PURCHASE TICKETS TODAY, visit UnCorkBarrington.com.
