Sam's Wine and Spirits - Chicago, IL Review

I have shopped at Sam's Wine & Spirits in Lincoln Park for the last ten years.  I love the store for many reasons.   Before I get into them, one important disclosure.  I know Brian Rosen and Fred Rosen.  Brian is the current CEO and his father Fred was the founder of the store.  I met him many years after I was a loyal customer.

I believe wine shopping should not be intimidating or snobish.  While I enjoy wine and drink it often, I do not consider my self a wine snob or a wine aficionado.  I have been to Napa several times and tend to focus most of my buying on California wines.  I find buying French and Italian wines to be difficult because there are so many regions and vineyards and vintages to keep track of.  I subscribe to Wine Spectator but not because I follow their advice.  It is more like wine porn.   One day I will have more time to learn about and drink the great wines of the world.

All that said, I have discovered many great wines at Sam's from around the world.  However most of my buying is U.S. based. 

So here are my reasons for loving Sam's

1. I like Sam's because it is a good value.  I don't know that beyond a shadow of a doubt but in the few spot comparisons I have done, they are competitive.
   
2. I like the variety.  Sam's is a huge store set up somewhat like a Costco or Home Depot with high shelves and tons of selection.
   
3. Generally the staff is VERY knowledgeable and friendly.  Occasionally they will be a bit hard to approach, but when you do engage with them they are great.
   
4. I have had amazing experiences with the cheese counter.  They have let me sample incredible cheeses from around the world and put together combinations that had our guests at party ohhing and ahhing over how great the cheese was.   I don't know much about cheese but I really love it and the cheese counter staff has an intimate knowledge of what they recommend.  They even wrote down the history and back story of the cheeses for me.
   
5. I recently ordered an entire selection of wine and spirits for a party for more than 100 people.  I worked with their events person named Las Ruttenberg.  He was absolutely fantastic.  He knew exactly what to order, who to work with and everything to consider.  He was fast and detailed.  He recommended wine that was $8.50 a bottle that was first rate.   He was willing to work within a budget and really came through.  I would use no one else for a similar event.
   
6. I will occasionally take one of my kids to wander around the store with me to discover new wines, taste some cheese and take in everything that is going on.

Oh and did I mention that they received 2005 Retailer of the Year from Wine Enthusiast Magazine?

What's not to love?