Discover the Best Wine and Spirits in Chicago, IL

We understand that every person has varying preferences when it comes to their beverages. Whether you are an enthusiast or a beginner, UnCork It Chicago would love to help you discover the best wine and spirits in Chicago, IL. To choose a quality bottle of wine and spirit, we compiled some tips you can easily follow.

Wines vs. Spirits

Wines and spirits have alcohol content, but their percentages and origins differ. Wines are made from fruits and are often served with a meal. They are usually made from fermented grapes in steel tanks or large wooden barrels. Wines come in different types, each with its unique flavor and characteristics. They have a much lower alcohol content, typically less than 15%.

Meanwhile, spirits are made from grains or vegetables and are often enjoyed on their own or in cocktails. These distilled liquors include vodka, gin, rum, and whiskey, all with unique flavors and histories. They have a higher alcohol content, typically over 30%

How to Choose a Good Wine

• Sweetness - Wines often have labels like “sweet,” “semi-sweet,” and “dry,” with dry being the least sweet.
• Acidity - High-acidity wines are tarter, while those with low acidity taste rounder and richer.
• Tannin - Tannin refers to phenolic compounds in the skins of grapes used in the winemaking process or aging. The more tannins your wine has, the more it has a distinctively dry and bitter finish.
• Body - This refers to how heavy or light the wine feels in your mouth. Wines get characterized as having a light body, full body, or somewhere in between.
• Alcohol - The higher the alcohol percentage in your wine, the more it will warm your throat and the back of your mouth.

How to Tell a Good Spirit

• Appearance - Sometimes, you can tell when a bottle has gone bad by looking at it. Liquors exposed to air and light eventually oxidize. Most spirits sitting in a shop for a long time will have a duller color.
• Aroma - Bad liquor has a methanol component that causes poisoning, which you can avoid by sniffing a bottle. When you detect a whiff of anti-freeze, the methanol probably has not been completely removed during the distillation process. Stay away from bottles that have a disinfectant odor.
• Smoothness - Alcohol creates a burning sensation at the back of the throat. The higher the alcohol percentage, the stronger the burn. You’ll know the liquor is smooth when you sip it and feel warmth in your throat rather than a sting.

Trust the Experts

Picking out a bottle of wine or spirit can be tricky, but buying from the right seller can make the decision easier. Purchase yours with confidence at UnCork It Chicago, a trusted wine store in Chicago, IL. UnCork It Chicago offers a selection of fine wines and liquors from all over the world.