Sipping Some Wine, Tasting Some Cheese…at The Village Cellar in Hinsdale, Illinois

In Hinsdale, a well heeled community just west of Chicago, there is a lovely wine shop, The Village Cellar, which has a knowledgeable staff who are doing a wonderful job offering interesting wines and educating their consumers about all things wine (and even cheese!) in a stylish and comfortable environment .  One evening, I had the pleasure to meet owners Chrys and Mark Maritote who sponsored a fundraiser for the school district in which I teach.  The variety and quality of the wines I tasted that night enticed me to want to learn more about what they are doing.  I was thrilled to be asked to attend their upcoming Wine School event the following Thursday from 7-9pm.

Although it looked tiny from the outside, there was ample room at The Village Cellar for the wine education event at which about forty people attended.  As I arrived, I was given a glass of bubbles to begin the evening and enhance the mingling process!  With an up front and center seat at the bar, my tasting sheet in front of me, the cheese platter nearby, and two new friends, I was ready to enjoy some wine!  Eion O’Donnell, was the talented sommelier who guided all of the guests through the tasting.  I must say that he did a fantastic job explaining the wines and the regions in an understandable, clear cut manner which was…fun! And isn’t that what wine tasting should be?

A brief description of the wines with their pairings were…

**Tramontana Prosecco DOC (Italy) – These bubbles were smooth, crisp, and fruity and with a very nice finish it was paired with creamy Cottonwood Buche de Chevre from Montchevre, Wisconsin.

**Cu4tro Cava (Santa Fe de Penedes, Spain) – Another lovely tasting of bubbles with a more full body than the Prosecco paired wonderfully with Alpha’s Morning Sun from Burnett Dairy Cheese, Wisconsin.

**2005 Satirs (Emporda, Spain) – The Carignan in this fruity (think black cherries) red truly “lifted up” the Grenache and Syrah.  I loved the pairing with a snappy Wild Rice Gouda from Eichten’s Hidden Acres, Minnesota!

**2011 Monsegur Cabernet Franc (Bordeaux, France) – The Cabernet Franc had plenty of tannins and with the bold fruit and finish, it paired nicely with Cowda Aged Gouda from Great American Cheese Collection, Wisconsin.

**2007 Le Vigne di Domenico Cuore della Vigne (Paso Robles, California) – 2007 was quite a year and this Super Tuscan could be aged for another fifteen years (but you won’t want to do that!).  Balanced with aromas and tastes of chocolate and cinnamon, this blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc paired deliciously with Mindoro Blue from Mindoro Cheese, Wisconsin.

**2007 Thomas Fogarty Cabernet Sauvignon (Santa Cruz Mountains, California) – Chocolate and dark fruit aromas and tastes were integrated with tannins, alcohol, and acidity to create a perfect wine which paired with deep rich Cocoa Dusted Chocolate Truffles from Delish Cake in Bloomingdale, Illinois. What a way to end the night!!

Beginning April 18, another eight week Wine School series begins with a tasting of wines from Tuscany and other areas of Italy.  Other topics include “Great Wines from France”, “Napa, Sonoma, and Oregon Gems”, and “Big Reds and Super Sparklers” and if the classes are as well done as the one I attended, you need to check it out!  Cost is $75.00 but you can attend each class for $37.00 through Living Social.

Finding a lovely wine shop and learning about the fruit of the vine in a fun atmosphere is truly a “grape experience”!

Cheers! ~ Cindy

The Village Cellar

24 W. Chicago Avenue

Hinsdale, IL  60521

630.325.8466