Sam's Wines & Spirits to Uncork 35 Wines at Sept. 15 'Wine Crush,' European-Style Wine Tasting Festival in Old Town

Sam's Wines & Spirits, the country's largest independent wine retailer, will have its own wine-tasting pavilion at the fifth annual Wine Crush in Chicago's Old Town on Saturday, September 15. Sam's will be serving up 35 wines from some of the world's finest wineries as part of a European-style festival that will also include a grape-stomping competition, cuisine from neighborhood eateries, cheese tastings and live music.

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 10, 2007 -- Sam's Wines & Spirits, the country's largest independent wine retailer, will have its own wine-tasting pavilion at the fifth annual Wine Crush in Chicago's Old Town on Saturday, September 15. Sam's will be serving up 35 wines from some of the world's finest wineries as part of a European-style festival that will also include a grape-stomping competition, cuisine from neighborhood eateries, cheese tastings and live music.

Wines to be poured in the Sam's tent will include Concilio Pinot Grigio "Contessa Manci" Trentino-Alto Adige 2005, L & H Cellars Merlot Santa Barbara County 2005, Brice Champagne "Brut Tradition" NV, and 2002 Cosentino Cabernet Franc. The list also includes several exclusive Sam's Cuvee selections created by Sam's wine specialists who travel to wineries in California to taste select barrels and then work with the winemakers to produce unique blends.

Attendees will receive a souvenir glass when they arrive and pay $20 for 10 tastings at the Sam's pavilion as well as four other wine tents. More than 100 international vintages will be sampled, including wines from domestic vineyards as well as France, Italy, Australia, Spain, Chile and others. Over 20,000 wine enthusiasts are expected.

The event will take place on North Wells Street between North Avenue and Schiller Street between noon and 10 pm, with wine tastings between 1 and 6 pm. Proceeds will benefit the Y-ME Breast Cancer Organization-Illinois Affiliate and the event sponsor, the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.

Founded in 1946, Sam's now has three stores in the Chicago area that stock more than 8,000 wines, 2,500 spirits and 1,200 beers as well as a popular online store at www.samswine.com. A fourth store is scheduled to open in the South Loop in November. The company has been honored as Retailer of the Year by both Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator magazines, has earned several Best of the Web awards from Forbes, and was recently named the best wine store in Lincoln Park by Chicago magazine.

###