Part of the experience of wine appreciation is in the hunt. Somebody may have told you about an exciting young Pinot Noir that they tried while on vacation in New Zealand, and you’ve been obsessed with finding it ever since but without much luck. When you do finally find it, though—it may be all the more wonderful on your palate because of the effort you put into tracking it down.
Wine auctions can be a place where you discover that wine you’ve always wanted…or possibly the wine you didn’t realize you’d always wanted. The Chicago Wine Company, located in Wood Dale, Illinois, has been operating since 1974 and in the business of auctioning fine wines since 1977, making it the second-oldest wine auction house in the United States. They conduct around 20 auctions per year and also hold special dinner events, including an annual celebration of the newest Bordeaux vintage. Due to the longevity of their operation, The Chicago Wine Company has an extensive network of European contacts, and as such are often able to obtain wines for auction that many other auction houses would be unable to find.
If attending a wine auction sounds like an opportunity for you to discover something new and exciting—or even something familiar but beloved—see if you can attend one of the upcoming auctions. The August 25 auction catalog has just been posted and features a number of remarkable lots, including several bottles of Chateau LaFite Rothschild 1998 and 2000. You can download the entire catalog here.
Chicago Wine Company Auction
August 25, 2010 – 11 am
835 N. Central Ave.
Wood Dale, IL 60191
The Chicago Wine Company is also a great place to go if you’re looking to sell lots from your own wine collection. They offer a number of perks to collectors who choose to sell their wines through them, including that they don’t charge lotting or insurance fees. If you have a few fine wine bottles that you could stand to profit from, it’s definitely worth considering putting a few of them up for auction. (The next deadline for submitting your lots is September 9th, or check their site for future auctions.)
Although the Chicago area could never be mistaken for “wine country,” it is nonetheless home to many knowledgeable and committed wine enthusiasts. The Chicago Wine Company would be an invaluable resource for any wine buyer, but we’re lucky that it’s local!
