<img height="1" width="1" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=403686353314829&amp;ev=PageView%20&amp;noscript=1">
  • The Chopping Blog

Bubbles for Breakfast

Unless you drink for a living as do I, morning alcohol consumption may not be a recommended lifestyle choice. But in Chicagoland winters, when mornings-after don’t look much different than ...

Read More

Questions Wine Lovers Want Answered

Most people go into hospitality because they love a good party! At The Chopping Block, we’re no exception and a good time was had by all during our recent party, a.k.a. the sold-out Lincoln ...

Read More

It’s Gotta Be Fun: Mary's Motto for Wine Classes

“It’s gotta be fun!” is the best advice I received from my mentor Kevin Zraly, who, as founder of The Windows on the World Complete Wine Course, knows something about wine education. So, I feel as ...

Read More

New Wines for Fall Classes at The Chopping Block

Way last century, the hip sommelier closed their out-going voicemail with “Leave your message at the tone. And in case of emergency, serve dry Rosè.” Back then, Rosè meant White Zinfandel, sugary ...

Read More

That’s a Good Question

As every teacher knows, if one student has a question, then undoubtedly other students have the same question but are too embarrassed to ask. Here are questions from my recent How to Bluff Your Way ...

Read More

How to Make the Most of Summer Without Dying of Heat Stroke

Now that we’ve arrived at high summer and the temperatures in much of the country are soaring past records, the time has come to rethink summer activities. Don’t get me wrong - swimming, grilling, ...

Read More

New Wines and Wine Classes are Here

We’re ready for Summer at The Chopping Block with new wines and new wine classes. Here are a few favorites coming right up!

Read More

The Seasonal Switch of Wines

The birds are chirping, the masks are off and the wine sales reps are rolling their insulated bags loaded with samples across the U.S. In the wine biz, “back to normal” means Spring wine list revamp!

Read More

We Fell in Love with Pinot Noir, but Will the Sideways Affair Last?

It’s almost impossible to pinpoint the start of a major cultural shift. What work of art begins the Italian Renaissance, for instance, or on what day did the Jazz Age start? But there’s no doubt that ...

Read More

Roasted Veggies with Wine

Like geese are drawn southwards for the winter, when the temperature plummets my instinct pulls me into the kitchen to roast a passel of vegetables. And since I’ve given up trying to enjoy any dish ...

Read More

Subscribe to Email Updates

Most Recent Posts

cooking_classes
gift_cards
boot_camp
Sign Up To Get