Illinois wine shop toasts top 10 status in national ranking

There is no shortage of wineries in Illinois, but according to USA Today, one wine shop stands out as one of the best in the U.S.

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There are many great wineries in the tri-state area, but I’d be lying if I said I’ve visited them all. Personally, I’m not a huge wine drinker and only indulge in the occasional glass of white wine. However, I do have friends who enjoy visiting local wineries and it’s something I try to do a little more every year. Not only is it fun to take a quick road trip and enjoy a few drinks with friends, but it’s also great to support other local businesses.

Where are the best wine destinations in the USA?

USA Today recently published a list of the 10 best wine shops in the U.S., selected by a panel of experts and voted by readers. Coming in at number 1 was ta·ca·rón in Ridgeland, South Carolina. The shop is run by Cuban-born owner Juan Carlos Jiménez, who pairs the best Cuban cigars and coffee with a wide selection of boutique wines. It certainly looks like a worthwhile stop if your heart can handle the increase in blood pressure from coffee and cigars. Perhaps you can offset the effects with red wine?

Illinois Wine Shop among the top 10 wine destinations in the USA

Coming in at number 2 on USA Today’s top 10 best wine shops in the US was Red or White Wine from Mobile, Alabama. Apparently, in addition to a great selection of wine, the shop also has its own restaurant with some of Mobile’s best pizza. Coming in at number 3 on the list, however, is Anfora Wine Merchants in Oak Park, Illinois. This definitely looks like a worthwhile destination, located in a cozy corner of the historic district. Here’s what USA Today said about Anfora Wine Merchants:

Inspired by Italian enotecas, Anfora Wine Merchants is a place where wine lovers can sit, relax, and taste outstanding wines. Located in historic Oak Park, Illinois, visitors here can take monthly wine classes, purchase a membership to the store or join a curated wine club, or simply purchase bottles to take home. Anfora focuses on small and/or iconic producers who use organic winemaking practices, and there are some excellent options to pair with light bites in their cozy bistro.

If you’re planning a road trip to a wine shop, this is certainly the ideal place to mark on the map. When I looked at the picture above, I couldn’t help but imagine that Dr. Frasier Crane might spend a warm summer evening here. The full list of the 10 best wine shops in the USA according to USA Today is below:

1. ta·ca·rón – Ridgeland, South Carolina
2. Red or white wine – Mobile, Alabama
3. Anfora Wine Merchants – Oak Park, Illinois
4. First Street Wine Company – Livermore, California
5. Crush Pad Wines – Charlottesville, Virginia
6. Village Wines – Woodinville, Washington
7. Katbird’s Wine and Gourmet Shop – Abingdon, Virginia
8. The Cave DSM – Des Moines, Iowa
9. Oakville Grocery – Oakville, California
10. Hi-Time Wine Cellars – Costa Mesa, California

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