Wine-Focused Events You Don't Wanna Miss!

This is like the summer of the best dining deals ever.

Of course, absolutely no one can beat that unbelievable 70th anniversary special at Gene & Georgetti.

But Capital Grille comes pretty damn close with its first-ever Generous Pour Wine Event, running today through Sept. 4.

Here's the deal: The national chain's Master Sommelier George Miliotes tasted 100 global wines a week to narrow down the selection to nine perfect picks. And beginning today, guests can drink as much of these generous pours as they like for $25. The vinos come from Australia, California, France, Italy and Spain, with tasty varietals of sparkling wine, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir and port.

Particularly popular pours during an exclusive preview tasting Monday at the Streeterville Capital Grille location included the Chalk Hill Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from Sonoma, Marquis de la Tour sparkling French brut and Australia's RL Buller's The Portly Gentleman (an Aussie version of the classic Port dessert wine).

The Generous Pour Wine Event is available during dinner in the dining room and at the bar.


The Prime Burger and $6 glasses of premium wine are part of the new 5-6-7 bar menu at Fleming's. (Photo: Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar)

Over at Fleming's is the new 5-6-7 Bar Menu. Guests can choose from five cocktails, glasses of premium wine and appetizers for $6 each.

There's a Riesling from Dr. L (Germany), chardonnay from Canyon Road (California), Pinot Noir from Mark West (Cali), Shiraz from Morse Code (Australia) and Cabernet from 14 Hands (Washington state). Pair them up with small plates like tenderloin carpaccio, sweet chile calamari, roasted mushroom ravioli, seared Ahi tuna, wicked Cajun barbecue shrimp or Fleming's signature prime burger. There's no end date on this deal.

And the West Loop's Sepia is taking part in the nationwide Summer of Riesling campaign.

The purpose of the promo is to shatter the presumption that Riesling is always sweet, and each month Sepia will offer a flight comprised of three small-production wines for $20. On the current menu, Wine Director Arthur Hon has picked a global selection through July 20:

**2008 Riesling Sekt Brut Reichsrat von Buhl, Pfalz, Germany ($15/glass). Suggested Pairing: Sea Scallops, Fresh Chickpea Hummus, Tabbouleh, Black Olive.

**2010 Trust Cellars Riesling, Columbia Valley, Washington ($11/glass). Suggested Pairing: Grilled Calamari, Thai Pork Sausage, Green Papaya, Tamarind.

**2007 Cave Spring Cellars Riesling Indian Summer SLH, Niagara Peninsula, Canada ($16/glass). Suggested Pairing: Apricot Napoleon, Orange Honey Ice Cream, Pecans.

Additional flight pairings will be from Germany (beginning July 21) and Austria and Alsace (August 21).