Destination: Midwest – Chicago

The Chicago River Flows with Rioja

Your day can’t start soon enough when it begins with a boat tour on the Chicago River. As soon as our cruise was set in motion, so was an unforgettable day. We were hoping to be led by a tour guide who served as a metropolitan sommelier of sorts, and we were not disappointed. 

Seeing the many marvels of Chicago’s cityscape was more than enough, but learning about their backstories made them even more fascinating. The farther we traveled through the middle of the city, the more impressed we were by just how rich its architectural tapestry is.

The iconic Willis Tower was even more stunning in person, and learning that it’s the Western Hemisphere’s third-tallest building made it all the more impressive. But we especially loved discovering the less widely known gems on Chicago’s treasure map, with the Aqua Tower being a prime example. On top of the fact that it was the world’s tallest woman-designed building for its time, we also learned that its breathtaking use of rippling terraces mimicked Lake Michigan’s waves. 

Just as the big rainstorm was about to unleash its fury, we happened to have the perfect Chicago-style snack for taking in the spectacle. We couldn’t have imagined a better time to enjoy caramel-and-cheddar popcorn, alongside the three Rioja wines they were meant for. Whereas one bottle brought the best out of both flavors at once, the other two wines made the caramel and cheddar shine on their own.

Once the sun reappeared, we walked along the idyllic Chicago Riverwalk, joining the many locals who also couldn’t miss out on the beautiful weather. This was a perfect way to work up an appetite for the main course ahead. Since adding a certain tomato-based condiment to a sausage is a Windy City sin, we found the ideal reds for a Chicago-inspired kielbasa platter.

Each wine we picked for the pork, beef, and turkey kielbasas brought more to the platter than its sauerkraut, mustard, and jalapeños ever could—combined.

In the company of good friends and great wine, we took the time to digest dinner plus the Chicago skyline’s scenery. Waiting definitely paid off when it came to our final course, for both our appetites and the aged Rioja red that we paired with it. But just a fair warning, you might have a harder time enjoying a regular brownie from now on, if you don’t have a well-matured Rioja Reserva on hand.

But these pairings aren’t exclusive to Chicago. You can easily recreate them yourself at home. Enjoy!