
Wine of the Week-Mumm Napa Brut Prestige-$24.99
A California clone that dutifully reflects its origins
They can't call in Champagne, but we won't tell

WINE OF THE WEEK-MUMM NAPA VALLEY BRUT PRESTIGE-$24.99
White lilacs, bracing lemon and layers of cantaloupe, ripe apricots and Georgia peaches coupled with ginger snaps and warm Parker House rolls make this a medium-bodied sparkling wine from California that really stands out against the ever-increasing pack.

New Documentary takes a dark look at Civil Rights icon's legacy as MLK Day approaches
Excellent Sam Pollard Doc details FBI snooping into Dr. King's personal life-Screens Mon. Jan 11. 7pm CT at metrograph.com/screenings,On IFCfilms.com Jan. 15 On Demand
MLK/FBI unveils the secret life of beloved social icon

Steve McQueen's Small Axe Series on Amazon Prime Video Garner's Oscar-worthy praise from critics
LA critics are first to name Small Axe among Best Films of 2020
Steve McQueen's Small Axe series named among 2020's best by critics

Wine of the Week-Claire Patelin 2019 Sauvignon Blanc
A stunning Sav Blanc from the equally stunning Gascony coast of France
"Who says good wine has to be expensive?"-attribution unknown

WINE OF THE WEEK: HESS SELECT MONTEREY CHARDONNAY 2018-$14
Monterey climate gives added zest and ripe flavors to a classic California Chard
It would be difficult to find a California Chardonnay that delivers such an abundance of ripe fruit flavors and lemon- lime zest for such a modest price as this delightful Monterey Chardonnay 2018 from Hess Collection. Priced at a mere $14, it can dance a pas de deux with wines costing twice as much.

Wine of the Week: Hess Collection Monterey Chardonnay 2018-$14
Monterey climate lends added zest, vitality to a classic California Chard
"This wine makes people happy," winemaker Dave Guffy

58th New York Film Festival and 56th Chicago International Film Festival in the rear view mirror: Nomadland
Prescient look at a world flattened by cruel circumstance of Great Recession is eerily relevant today. Now on prime video
Frances McDormand lends star-power to a film that straddles dramatic, narrative and documentary genres

Wine of the Week-Piper Heidsieck Brut NV Champagne-$39.99
A regal Champagne from the Grand Cru vineyards of Reims France
A classic blend of Pinot Noirs and Pinot Meuniers

Wine of the Week-2017 The Mariner-Dry Creek Valley-$50
Powerful yet elegant Bordeaux blend hails from legendary Sonoma vineyards
Savor a masterful Bordeaux blend 'straight outta Sonoma!'

Steve McQueen's Education the quiet, yet powerful final act to his Small Axe series
Education premieres Friday, Dec. 18 on Amazon Prime Video
Education pulls the cover off thinly disguised educational racism

Wine of the Week-Villa Patrizia Montecucco Rosso Leremo-$37
Proof positive that Organic wines can be elegant
Monteccuco sits in the southern part of Italy’s famed Tuscany region. It may not be as famous as its wine-producing neighbors Montalcino and Scansano, but its wines are no less illustrious.

Villa Patrizia Montecucco Rosso Leremo-$37
Proof positive that Organic wines can be elegant
A shining example of Montecucco Rosso wines

Alex Wheatle, the fourth installment of Steve McQueen's Small Axe on Prime Video Dec. 11
Alex Wheatle is a tribute to South London's 'Black Poet Laureate'
Small Axe's Alex Wheatle honors a Black patriot/hero of the 1981 Brixton Riots of South London

58th New York Film Festival in the rear view mirror: Meeting The Man: James Baldwin in Paris
A raging voice against racial prejudice rings across decades
Searing mini-doc is short on time, long on message

Dry Creek 2019 Sauvignon Blanc-$20, a cut above
Layers of tropical fruit make for a complex flavor ride
Dry Creek is not your ordinary Sauvignon Blanc

Steve McQueen's Red, White and Blue third in his Small Axe series on primevideo.com
True story of black police recruit battling London's violent racism airs Friday Dec. 4
Third film in Small Axe series debuts Friday, Dec. 4 at primevideo.com

Dry Creek 2019 Dry Chenin Blanc-$16, a Holiday gift from Vouvray France to you
Terrific fruit from Clarksburg is the secret
Dry Creek 2019 Dry Chenin Blanc makes seafood sing

Lovers Rock 2nd installment of Steve McQueen's Small Axe series on primevideo Friday Nov. 27
Stylish portrait of 1980s Black London celebrates West Indian people and culture
Lovers Rock is Black London culture in motion

Wine of the Week: Celebrating Simply Great Italian Wines; Serbian Style
Lively guitar music and the singing of ethnic songs, mounds of thinly slice ‘Jamon’ (sliced prosciutto), Feta Cheese Burek, Rada’s Perfect Ushtipci, Cevapchichi and Crispy Calamari were the order of the day in a multi-ethnic celebration of Simply Great Italian Wines in Chicago’s Lincoln Square.

12 Years A Slave Oscar Winner Steve McQueen's Mangrove on Amazon Prime Video Friday Nov 20
Film graphically depicts Britain's version of Selma March to open Small Axe anthology
Steve McQueen's Mangrove depicts Britain's Selma

Wine of the Week: Celebrate Simply Italian Great Wines Serbian Style!
Federdoc USA and Mexico showcase quality Italian wines in ethnic setting in Chicago
Simply Italian Great Wines U.S. Tour lands in Chicago

Wine of the Week: CHILL AT HOME 2020 Nov. 12, 6p-8p
The Mart’s LUXEHOME International Wine and Culinary event goes virtual
Merchandise Mart event to benefit Respiratory Health Association, visit chill.luxehome.com for info. The years premiere Wine and Culinary Event and the unofficial kick-off of the Holiday gustatory season; LUXEHOME CHILL in cooperation with Wine Spectator goes virtual for 2020. In keeping with the new reality of today's COVID-19 world, this year's CHILL Event reflects the tenor of the times.

Amazon Prime Video premieres Small Axe, five original films by Steve McQueen Friday, Nov. 20
Oscar-winning director portrays vibrant Black West Indian life and London's racism
Small Axe anthology a different film every Friday thru Dec.18

Jazz at Lincoln Center: Ella Forever Virtual Concert Sat. Nov. 14, Sun. Nov. 15 at 6pm CST, jazz.org
Virtual All-Star concert features Chicago Lyric Opera’s Renee Fleming, Broadway’s Audra McDonald, multi-Grammy winner Cecile McLorin Salvant
Ella concert highlight of virtual cabaret and classes at jazz.org

Wine of the Week: CHILL AT HOME 2020 Thurs. Nov. 12, 6P-8P
Merchandise Mart event to benefit Respiratory Health Association, visit chill.luxehome.com for info
THE MART’S LUXEHOME International Wine and Culinary Event goes virtual

Wine of the Week: Tenuta L'Impostino Viadante Montecucco Sangiovese DOCG Riserva 2013-$26
A fine wine from Tuscany without the sticker shock
Montecucco Sangiovese offers value compared to wines from its more famous neighbors

Barefoot:The Mark Baumer Story now on all video platforms
A solitary quest for climate change one step at a time
One man's fight against climate change in the era of Trump

56th Chicago International Film Festival-Belushi premieres on SHOWTIME Sun. Nov 22 8pm CST
Chicago's own Second City star from Wheaton profiled in rarely heard interviews
Belushi bio doc reveals troubling profile of Chicago-bred comic genius

56th Chicago International Film Festival-City and State Documentary Competition -The Road Up
Documentary Drama from Chicago team of Jacobs and Siskel a road map out of life's turbulent maze
Tough love boot camp redeems Chicago souls lost to life's adversity

56th Chicago International Film Festival Closing Night Drive-In Nomadland
Drama-Literary Adaptation explores life on the fringes amid economic collapse
Sold Out Drive-In event caps innovative festival with timely message

Wine of the Week: White Cliff Sauvignon Blanc 2020-$16
Fall marks U.S. debut of Marlborough New Zealand's top family-owned winery
Winery is named for dramatic white cliffs that lend to wine's distinctive character

56th Chicago International Film Festival-40 Years a Prisoner-Livestream with Q and A with director Tommy Oliver
Documenary-Q and A Weds. Oct. 21 9pm. HBO debut Thurs. Dec. 3
MOVE leaders finally released after lifelong effort by their son

56th Chicago International Film Festival Artistic Achievement Award-director Gianfranco Rosi, Notturno
HBO Documentary streams thru Oct.25, Director Conversation with filmmaker Robert Greene (Bisbee '17) Sat. Oct. 24, 2pm. Visit chicagofilmfestival.com
Notturno-HBO Documentary streams CIFF thru Oct. 25, airs on HBO in December

56th Chicago International Film Festival-Mamma Gloria, a loving tribute to a Chicago transgender icon
Gloria Allen paved the way for a movement to eradicate transgender abuse and ridicule
Transgender bio-doc is a testament to 'the power of one'

56th Chicago International Film Festival-And Tomorrow The Entire World
The world of Germany's Antifa unmasked in harsh drama-CIFF International Competition-Women In Cinema
Livestream with filmmaker Q and A with director Julia von Heinz Sunday, Oct 18th 2pm visit chicagofilmfestival.com

Wine of the Week: Gary Farrell 2018 Sonoma Valley Selection Chardonnay-$35
Gary Farrell is Year's Best California Chardonnay
Gary Farrell 2018 Chardonnay brings taste of the harvest to you

Wine of the Week: Dry Creek 2019 Fume Blanc-$18.99
Sustainably farmed with minimal intervention
Dry Creek Vineyard has been making Fume Blanc for 48 years. The winery is synonymous with Fume Blanc. Founder David Stare was the first to plant Sauvignon Blanc grapes in the Dry Creek Valley appellation of Sonoma County. When the first vintage of his French Sancerre-style wines from the 1972 vintage were unveiled, they were instantly hailed. David Stare’s Dry Creek Vineyard was spotlighted as one of California’s premiere small wineries.

Spike Lee Concert Doc at 56th Chicago International Film Festival now thru Sunday Oct. 25 with virtual and drive-in screenings
Spike Lee directs David Byrne’s American Utopia on Thursday, Oct. 15. Visit chicagofilmfesival.com.
The much-anticipated 56th Chicago International Film Festival is now underway through Sunday, October 25th. The festival is being presented in both drive-in and virtual screenings, including seven World Premieres, 58 features and nine shorts programs.

Dry Creek 2019 Fume Blanc $18.99
Dry Creek wines are sustainably farmed and made with minimal intervention
Dry Creek marks 48th edition of this landmark wine

56th Chicago International Film Festival now thru Sun. Oct 25 in both virtual and Drive-In
Spike Lee takes joyous romp thru Talking Heads Hits

French Open stunner: Rafael Nadal defeats World No. 1 Novak Djokovic for 20th Grand Slam title
Win ties Men's Grand Slam record with his rival Roger Federer
Nadal now has more French wins than any man or woman in pro tennis

56th Chicago International Film Festival Weds. Oct 14-Sun. Oct 25 both virtual and Drive-In
World Premiere Belushi doc on Saturday Night Live and Second City star in Drive-in Opening Night Weds. Oct 14 Spike Lee Concert Doc John Byrne's American Utopia Thurs. Oct 15

Sloane Stephens bounced from French Open
Loss to newcomer routes last Black woman standing
Serena nemesis in unceremonious exit from French Open

Wine of the Week: White Cliff Pinot Noir 2019-$20
A flavorful Red Wine perfect for Fall and the Holidays
White Cliff Pinot Noir 2019 a perfect Red Wine for Fall dishes

French Open Day Four a day of upsets for black female stars
Serene limps out, Coco stumbles in defeat
Serena out for 2020, 16 year old Coco sees Paris dream vanish

Wine of the Week: Clos Du Val 2016 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon-$52
A stunning Cabernet from the Stag's Leap District
Close Du Val echoes history of famed Silverado Trail estates

58th New York Film Festival Opening Night and World Premiere: Steve McQueen's "Lover's Rock"
Small Axe mini-series debuts on Amazon Prime Video Nov. 20
Steve McQueen delivers a love letter to his British West Indian roots in 1980s London

Serena Shocker: She's out of the French Open
Achilles injury halts matches for 2020
Serena Williams withdraws from 2020 French Open citing Achilles injury. Sloane Stephens, Coco Gauff advance

Wine(s) of the Week: The "terroir" speaks volumes for the wine
- Gary Farrell 2017 Russian River Selection Pinot Noir-$45 - Gary Farrell 2016 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir Russian River Valley-$55
The French are famous for creating words that do more than simply describe an object, an emotion or a place. They use words that embody a concept. Such a word is one commonly used in the wine industry, terroir. It means more than simply the ground that the wine grapes are grown in or the weather conditions under which they are developed. Rather, terroir refers to the time, the place and, yes, the season, the culture and, perhaps, even the mood of the person making the wine. It is a word that is all encompassing, as is the experience of drinking wine.
Prev Next