Shoppers can peruse the wares of more than 200 dealers at the Randolph Street Market Festival

The final Randolph Street Market Festival of the 2009 season will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 1350 W. Randolph St. (between Ada and Ogden).  Don’t miss your last chance this year to revamp your wardrobe, spice up your home, get a jump on holiday gifts and enjoy a beautiful autumn weekend in Chicago!

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Only one more day until the wonderful Windy City Wine Festival!

Don’t miss the two day celebration of wine and food in the beautiful Daley Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park (just east of Millennium Park), Sept. 11 & 12. There will be more than 250 wine varieties, 40 vendors, gourmet food, live music and cooking/wine demonstrations by the pros – The Hearty Boys, Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado, Scott Walden of Markethouse Restaurant and more!

Ticket info

In fact, Jessica Bell, founder of the Midwest Wine School will be at the wine festival to give us all a little wine education (who doesn’t love a little education with their wine?).

Jessica Bell, founder of the Midwest Wine School

For those of you who want a sneak peak at what she has in store we have a special Get Out Chicago interview with Jessica for your reading pleasure…aren’t you lucky!

GetOutChicago: When choosing a wine, what should we be looking for?  What are some key vocabulary that would help us in a wine store or restaurant?

JessicaBell: The two keys will be finding a wine that fits your budget and pleases the palate.  It just takes a little practice in identifying what kinds of wines you prefer.  The good news is the practice requires drinking more.  Once you identify your preferences, you can ask your server to help you find a wine low or high in acid, sweet or dry, low or high in tannin, and fruity, earthy or spicy, for example.

GOC: Do you have any important tips for paring wine with food?

JB: a. your wine should be at least as sweet as your food (i.e. pair sweet wines with dessert) b.  your wine should be at least as acidic as your food (i.e. pair high acid wines like Sauvignon Blanc with high acidity foods like salads) and c.  avoid tannins with overly oily and salty foods.

GOC: What are some of the growing trends in the industry, e.g. any changes in consumers’ tastes, popularity of certain wines, etc.?

JB: Wine trends come and go.  Big whites were big in the 80s, then big reds with high alcohol, a full body and high tannin. Now we are seeing the pendulum swing toward more delicate wines, both white and red.  Think Riesling and Pinot Noir.

GOC: Any other thoughts you would like to share with our readers?

JB: Drink what you like.  Our palates are complex puzzles made up of unique experiences over many years.

5th annual Windy City Wine Festival returns Sept. 11 & 12

Don’t miss the advance ticket offer – ONLY $25!

    Windy City Wine Festival  &  Naperville Wine Festival

We love this time of year because two amazing wine festivals come to Chicagoland!

Wine and dine in Chicago’s beautiful Bicentennial Plaza in Grant Park (just east of Millennium Park) at the 5th annual Windy City Wine Festival, Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009!

You’ll get to sample from more than 250 international and domestic wine varieties, enjoy live music, get access to all the food and cooking demonstrations taught by the pros (i.e. The Hearty Boys, Chef Scott Waldon of Markethouse, and more!), plus a souvenir wine glass. The festival is a blast, and offers the rare opportunity to interact face-to-face with wine makers and brand experts.

Presale tickets ONLY $25 each!   This ticket offer is available until Sept. 10 online at www.windycitywinefestival.com or by calling 847-382-1480.

For the non-drinkers, you can still enjoy all the food, fun and music at the festival with the $10 “Designated Driver” ticket.

The following weekend the fun continues in the ‘burbs with the 7th annual Naperville Wine Festival, Sept. 18 & 19. Advance discount tickets are also $25. Check out www.napervillewinefestival.com for details.

Drink up Chicago!

The Randolph Street Market Festival Returns August 29 - 30

Question of the Day, Friday, Aug. 28:

Name one of the two larger markets that call the Randolph Street Market Festival its home.

Tweet your response back to us @getoutchicago for a chance to win free admission and $25 in “Market Bucks” to use Aug. 29 – 30 at the Randolph Street Market Festival.  All correct responses will be put into a drawing today at 2 p.m. CST and winners will be notified via twitter.  One winner daily.

Hint: Visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

The Randolph Street Market Festival Returns Aug. 29 - 30

Question of the Day, Thursday, Aug. 27:

Who is the founder and executive producer of the Randolph Street Market Festival?

Tweet your response back to us @getoutchicago for a chance to win free admission and $25 in “Market Bucks” to use Aug. 29 – 30 at the Randolph Street Market Festival.  All correct responses will be put into a drawing today at 4 p.m. CST and winners will be notified via twitter.  One winner daily.

Hint: Visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

The Randolph Street Market Festival Returns Aug. 29 - 30

Question of the Day, Wednesday, Aug. 26:

Where is the Randolph Street Market Festival located (street address)?

Tweet your response back to us @getoutchicago for a chance to win free admission and $25 in “Market Bucks” to use Aug. 29 – 30 at the Randolph Street Market Festival.  All correct responses will be put into a drawing today at 4 p.m. CST and winners will be notified via twitter.  One winner daily.

Hint: Visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

Randolph Street Market Festival returns August 29 - 30.

Question of the Day, Tuesday, Aug. 25:

What time does the Randolph Street Market Festival open on Saturday, Aug. 29?

Tweet your response back to us @getoutchicago for a chance to win free admission and $25 in “Market Bucks” to use Aug. 29 – 30 at the Randolph Street Market Festival.  All correct responses will be put into a drawing today at 4 p.m. CST and winners will be notified via twitter.  One winner daily.

Hint: Visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.

Compete this week only for free admission and $25 “Market Bucks” to use at the Randolph Street Market Festival Aug. 29 -30!

 A Randolph Street Market Festival trivia question will be posted to GetOutChicago.com and @getoutchicago each day this week Tuesday – Friday at 12 p.m. (noon).  Tweet your response back to us @getoutchicago for a chance to win free admission and $25 in “Market Bucks” to use Aug. 29 – 30 at the Randolph Street Market Festival.  All correct responses will be put into a daily drawing at 4 p.m. CST and winners will be notified via twitter.  One winner daily.

 Note: Each winner only eligible to win one time. 

 The Randolph Street Market Festival features more than 200 dealers with something for everyone!  This month, the market welcomes the return of a special adults only exposition “Salon des Arts Erotiques” which showcases a turn of the century Parisian artists salon featuring vintage erotica from the 19th and 20th century.  This exclusive exposition will be found on the balcony (elevator access only) inside Plumbers Hall and will also include books, sculpture, magazines, and an on-site artist sketch class with live nude models.

 For more information visit www.randolphstreetmarket.com.