The Chopping Block Cooking & Wine Blog

Baby, It’s Freezing Outside: 5 Kitchen Hacks to Warm Up Your Winter

By this point in 2019, I don’t need to preach to you about the misery of winter in Chicago. Even though this isn’t my first frigid rodeo, something about this winter feels more painful than the past ...

What's So Great About Riesling?

Riesling is a hard sell. In the time I've worked at The Chopping Block, I've seen two types of Riesling drinkers come through the store: wine novices and wine experts, but there's a whole sea of ...

New Ways to Wine and Dine

To enjoy during class or at home, we’ve added new wines to The Chopping Block’s wine list, and new ways to enjoy them!

A Match Made in Culinary Heaven: Wine with Cheese

Not long ago, the only cheese in America was sliced onto rye, melted into macaroni or spritzed from an aerosol can. Today, artisan cheeses are tended by trained cheese mongers at specialty shops; ...

5 Wines and What We’re Eating with Them this Summer

The days of showing up with a six pack of Bud Light and a half-eaten box of pizza are over. As we age, there’s a new obligation to bring something exciting. Something sophisticated. Something that ...

Do Wine Appellations Really Matter?

Last week, a co-worker came to me after one of our wine classes and asked if I thought appellations really matter. Apparently, it was a topic of discussion during class and there had been good points ...

What I Know About Wine

A sommelier's musings about wine as it relates to health and life in general.

Tried and True Wine and Food Pairings

Wouldn’t it be great to walk into your grocery and know - Bam! - instantly which wine to pair with your ingredients? You can, with a little help from your friends at The Chopping Block.

Everything You Need to Know About Chianti Classico

I was tasting out a bottle of Chianti before a pasta class when a guest asked me to explain the difference between Chianti and Chianti Classico. It was a deer in headlights moment for me, as I didn't ...

New Summer Drink Trend: Frozé

As a native Chicagoan, I can attest that we complain about two things: the never ending construction and the weather. This summer is no exception— it’s hot! We need something to cool us down and make ...

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Baby, It’s Freezing Outside: 5 Kitchen Hacks to Warm Up Your Winter

What's So Great About Riesling?

New Ways to Wine and Dine

A Match Made in Culinary Heaven: Wine with Cheese

5 Wines and What We’re Eating with Them this Summer

Do Wine Appellations Really Matter?

What I Know About Wine

Tried and True Wine and Food Pairings

Everything You Need to Know About Chianti Classico

New Summer Drink Trend: Frozé

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