Check, Please! host Alpana Singh shares insider wine tips

As the youngest person to ever achieve the rank of Master Sommelier, Chicagoan Alpana Singh knows a thing or two about fine wine. Her unparalleled expertise has led to an impressive career with gigs including being Everest’s sommelier and the director of wine and spirits for the Lettuce Entertain You brand. Author of Alpana Pours: About Being a Woman, Loving Wine, and Having Great Relationships, she’s perhaps most known as the host of the popular WTTW program, Check Please!, which reviews various Chicago dining establishments via viewers' experiences. With the launch of her new wine blog, Singh offered Paste:Local her suggestions on where to be in the company of good spirits in Chicago.

Best place for wine specials or deals
“The Wine Discount Center has a great selection of wines that are a bit off the beaten path but are very well priced. I love going there and browsing to see what I can find. Another great place, if you are looking to get more for your money, or if you are a Francophile, is Howard’s Wine Cellar. Howard used to be one of the main buyers for Sam’s Wine And Spirits and he is lovable in his own special way. The value that he brings is his enormous wine knowledge and customized attention based on your individual needs.”
 
Best place for a wine novice/ best place for a wine connoisseur
“The best place for a wine novice is Cru Wine Bar in the Gold Coast. It’s has more of a lounge-like atmosphere with a relaxed setting. The staff is very knowledgeable and they provide an extensive selection of wines-by-the-glass for you to try. The other great place for a novice is Just Grapes Wine Store. They offer classes and their Vino-Matic wine tasting machine allows you try up to 25 selections for a small fee per selection. For the experienced wine connoisseur, I would recommend Hart Davis Hart. They deal with the finest wines in the world and offer services ranging from auction to retail to private wine consulting for personal cellars.”

Best Chicago wine event of the year
“Chicago Gourmet. Although new to the scene this year, [it] has already surpassed anything of its kind that we have seen in this city.”
 
Best locally-produced wine
“I really like what Lynfred is doing and I’ve even offered a couple of their wines at Everest. The Vidal is particularly tasty and intriguing.”
 
Best new wine bar
“Juicy Wine Company. While not necessarily new, I think they do a fantastic job of making wine fun and approachable.”

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