WEEKLY UPDATE

Hello Le Midi subscribers!

Good news for those who remember Chef Suman’s Crème Brûlée a few months back. It’s an incredible blend of rich custard atop a rich dark chocolate lavender-infused ganache then finished with a lemon & honey marscapone quenelle. Suman is so happy to bring it back and it’s honestly better than ever. Be sure to pair it with the César Florido “Moscatel Dorado” to bring out the citrus and floral elements.

We have also brought in a wonderful cheese that we expect will be a huge hit. We were able to procure a small amount of “Pastura con Trufa” Alba truffle sheep’s cheese from Finca Pascualete in Extramadura, Spain! This is a very special artisanal producer that works solely with sheep’s milk from their free-grazing merino and lacaune sheep, and this is one of their rarest seasonal cheeses. The mild truffle flavor is perfectly integrated with the fresh shaved black truffles peppering the interior and the made into a bloomy rind camambert-style cheese.

If you haven’t recently been in, you will be pleasantly surprised with our new patio upgrade. If you love the feeling of sitting in a European café, we have made our outdoor space feel even more like you’ve been transported out of Chicago and onto the sun-kissed streets of the Riviera.

We look forward to having you in, and have a great weekend!

Seth and Craig

Glass Pour of the Week

Ioppa “Rusin” Rosato
Colline Novaresi, Italy
2022
$16/glass

First of all, who in their right mind would not want to try a wine made by the guy in the picture above?

As we all eagerly anticipate the arrival of Rosé season, we're thrilled to introduce one of our cherished Italian Rosatos from Agricole Ioppa to our by-the-glass menu. Ioppa’s “Rusin” is a wonderful example of the winery’s overall mastery of the Nebbiolo varietal. The fruit is sourced from this historic estate nestled in the Ghemme DOCG which is situated at the northernmost edge of the greater Piedmont region. What’s great about Ioppa wines is that they beautifully encapsulate Ghemme's unique terroir and cooler micro-climate while also paying homage to the winery’s centuries-old winemaking legacy dating back to their founding by Michelangelo Ioppa in 1852. Over seven generations, the estate has remained a symbol of tradition in the region, playing a pivotal role in securing both Ghemme's DOC and eventual DOCG status in 1996!

The Ghemme DOCG is unique from the rest of Piedmont with its chilly microclimate caused by its proximity to the Alps and to the local Monte Rosa mountain range, as well as to diverse soils enriched with granite, sands, and clay. All of this combined imparts a distinct character to these wines. Whereas further south in Barolo and Barbaresco Nebbiolo is known for its muscle, meatinees, and aging potential, Ghemme’s Nebbiolos (known locally as Spanna) are all about expressing freshness of fruit, energy, and a litheness that makes the wines much more approachable in their youth.

Under the guidance of Giorgio Ioppa, the seventh-generation patriarch, alongside his sons Andrea and Luca and his nephew Marco, the winery continues to uphold its esteemed legacy with unwavering dedication to quality and the preservation of Ghemme’s history. Teaming up with Piedmont's renowned enologist Cristiano Garella, the estate champions organic farming and traditional winemaking techniques, foregoing modern trends in favor of soft extractions and stainless steel aging. They want the vibrant essence of Ghemme Nebbiolo to shine through its truest form of the fruit. This rosato, affectionately named 'Rusin' in tribute to Giorgio’s grandfather, epitomizes the family's steadfast commitment to preserving the authentic nature of Nebbiolo. “Rusin” boasts bright acidity, dried floral aromatics, and freshly cut red fruits and citrus skin that harmonize flawlessly with charcuterie and cheese.

Our Retail Promise to You!

Not only is Le Midi a great place to have a glass of wine and a small bite, we also aim to be your go-to wine store. We’ve worked hard to select what we feel are the “best of the best” producers from Europe and beyond. We pride ourselves on our customer service and believe the following promises will solidify Le Midi as your personal wine store.

• Weekly new arrivals highlighted by our newsletter

• Customized selections based on your palate

• Always evolving e-commerce website

• Curbside pick up

Featured Retail Offerings

Wine Tasting Events

All tastings are sold out this month, but look out for the next tastings coming out soon! Feel free to reach out and join the waitlists as well.