wine Archives - InspiringKitchen.com

Apr 22
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coopers hawk wines for blind tasting

Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant Celebrates 20 Years with Special Wine Tasting

Posted by | Chicago, Restaurants, Wine | No Comments

In celebration of Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant’s 20th anniversary, they have launched Behind the Label. This blind-tasting challenge is designed to transform the traditional wine experience into a gamified event. Join the fun by visiting any of the 68 locations across the country throughout the month of April.

behind the lanel

Cooper’s Hawk was founded in Orland Park, Illinois, in 2005 by Tim McEnery. What sets this restaurant apart is their modern causal style with winery experience. Napa-style tasting rooms along with experiential dining plus a specialty market make for an engaging, delicious and entertaining restaurant ambience.  

When you hear about Cooper’s Hawk, what might first stand out is the community they have created within their brand.… Read more

Apr 25
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Mother's Day gift guide

Mother’s Day Gift Guide 2024: Gifts for Every Mom

Posted by | Beauty, Foods, Gift Guide, Holiday, Home Decor, Housewares | 2 Comments

With Mother’s Day approaching on Sunday, May 12, it is time to think about how you want to celebrate the moms in your life. Inspiring Kitchen has curated our 2024 Mother’s Day Gift Guide with a selection of thoughtful gifts for every mom whether she’s your mom, grandma, daughter, wife or a friend wearing the title of new mom for the first time.

Surprise your mom with a sweet treat, luxurious fragrances and lotions, relaxation solutions, gorgeous glassware, a kitchen gadget that makes smoothies on the go, health, wellness and beauty ideas, memorable jewelry, comfy lounge-ware and a safety solution for your most precious love (that made you a Mom!),… Read more

Oct 01
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Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Celebrate Wine Days at the Sofitel Chicago Hotel

Posted by | Chicago, Cocktails, Foods, Tourism, Travel, Wine | No Comments

Looking for a Fall getaway that includes delicious food and wine and a location that can’t be beat? Book a stay at the Sofitel Chicago located just off Chicago’s famed Magnificent Mile for Sofitel Wine Days.

Sofitel Chicago Hotel Room with Wine

Sofitel Wine Days

If you are a wine lover, French wine in particular, then Sofitel’s Wine Days are for you. I attended the opening of their Faire la Fête wine tasting celebration which was hosted on La Terrace. From whites to rose to deep reds, these wines were delicious and oh so fragrant. Sofitel Wine Days from Terrace

violin girl at sofitel

sofitel la terrace

Sofitel Chicago Wine Days will continue through October 31 with seasonal fall wine dinners, which are part of the larger wine dinner series, and weekly complimentary wine tastings.… Read more

Jun 30
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Beach view Puglia Italy

Explore Puglia, Italy: Culinary and Landscape

Posted by | Food, Foods, Tourism, Travel | 6 Comments

My virtual suitcase is packed. Travel agenda is made. Excitement is high as I get ready to explore Puglia, Italy. 

The Puglia Landscape

Exploring the Puglia region, pronounced pool-ya, is one of Italy’s hidden gems. You may also hear it called Apulia, its Italian name.

map of Puglia Italy

Puglia is easily identified on the map, as it runs down the east coast of the country from the Gargano Peninsula all the way into the “heel of the boot”. Puglia borders the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Six provinces make up the Puglia region on the southeast coast of Italy.

    • Gargano and Daunia – the northernmost coast of Apulia where you will find an almost deserted beach.
… Read more
Aug 13
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7 Summertime Spirits, Cocktails and Mocktails

Posted by | Alcohol, Beverage, Cocktails, Recipes, Trends | 10 Comments

Staying home in 2020 doesn’t have to mean missing out on socializing with your family and friends. It just requires us to be more creative in our methods of communication. Happy Hour may now need a computer (thanks, Zoom and Facetime!) and virtual guests but our choice of cocktails and mocktails has increased. 

From fruit infused beer to green tea mocktails to fragrant rosé and more, here are seven brands to cheer on friendship and family from the safety of your home. 

7 mocktails cocktils spirits collage

 

Spirits, Cocktails and Mocktails

Organic Rosé All Day Spritz

rose all day spirits cocktails mocktails

Rosé All Day is introducing the perfect warm weather libation: Organic Rosé All Day Spritz!… Read more

Jan 24
1

Wine Tasting Around The World

Posted by | Travel, Wines | No Comments

Wine tasting and exploring three wineries from around the world including VIK from Chile, Ruffino from Italy and Kim Crawford from New Zealand.

How much fun would it be to travel the world touring wineries, tasting wine, learning about their history and operations and even talking food and wine parings? If you are a wine drinker, sampling wines from a variety of vineyards is part of the enjoyment you get from each glass. Having the opportunity to explore wines from around the globe just enhances not only the taste but the education on how each bottle is produced.

I recently had the opportunity to meet with 3 winemakers from Italy, New Zealand and Chile.… Read more

Feb 26
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Friends of Cooper’s Hawk Wine Club Welcome Chef Anne Burrell

Posted by | Chefs, Chicago, Restaurants, Wine | 10 Comments

Friends of Cooper’s Hawk Wine Club Welcome Chef Anne Burrell – An evening of good food and wine and lots of laughter as Food Network Chef, Anne Burrell, entertains the Wine Club.

If you want to know what it means for a restaurant to have a very loyal customer base, ask Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurants. This restaurant, based in suburban Chicago, has 35 locations across the country. Cooper’s Hawk understands who it’s customers are, what they expect and then exceeds those expectations. 

Friends of Cooper's Hawk Wine Club Welcome Chef Anne Burrell

Started in 2005 by Tim McEnery with a mission to pair good food and wine in a comfortable and inviting environment, he has successfully built a business that welcomes all no matter your wine knowledge.… Read more

Dec 18
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Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Salad with Parmesan Crisps

Posted by | Recipes | 19 Comments

Roasted Shrimp and Vegetable Salad with Parmesan Crisps – Homemade Parmigiano Reggiano crisps elevate this roasted vegetable salad for your holiday feasts.

Do you ever have an occasion that you just want to “wow” your guests (or family) with a dish but don’t feel confident in the kitchen to get too crazy? You know what I mean: recipes like lobster thermidor or an elaborate French recipe with a million complicated ingredients.

Then this easy, adaptable and flavorful dish is going to do the trick. You already know that I am a BIG fan of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. I have talked about how to determine what actually qualifies as Parmigiano Reggiano versus Parmesan. … Read more

Nov 13
1

LuxeHome Chill 2017: Food, Wine and Kitchen Design

Posted by | Culinary Event, Fundraiser, Restaurants, Wines | 20 Comments

LuxeHome Chill 2017: Food, Wine and Kitchen Design – a delicious recap of my experience at the International wine and food festival led by 50 Chicago Chefs.

What could be more fun than attending an event with the top 50 chefs in Chicago, access to more than 150 premium international wines and located in the most beautiful interior design showrooms around with the goal of raising money for three important Chicago charities? Not much, if you ask me!

LuxeHome Chill 2017: Food, Wine and Kitchen Design logo

The 10-year celebration of LuxeHome Chill, in partnership with LuxeHome and Wine Spectator Magazine took place this past week with an estimated 2,500 guests.… Read more

Oct 13
0

Chicago Gourmet Turns Ten

Posted by | Festival, Restaurants | 10 Comments

Chicago Gourmet Turns Ten – Celebrating ten years, attendees enjoyed bites from prestigious Chicago restaurants, chefs, wine and spirit brands at festival.

The HOTTEST event of the year, both literally and figuratively, took place in Chicago’s Millennium Park September 23-24. Chicago Gourmet, celebrating its 10 year anniversary, opened to a weekend of soaring temperatures, blue skies and big crowds. The 94 degree temperatures made an already warm and welcoming group of people even more so. Chicago Gourmet Turns 10

Opening ceremonies for this momentous occasion included Illinois Restaurant Association president and CEO, Sam Toia, Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a wealth of Chefs from near and far.… Read more