Beaujolais Nouveau Wine Tasting: French Tradition Benefits Illinois Children

The third Thursday of every November is known around the world as the release day of the year's Beaujolais Nouveau, a French red wine produced in just one to two months and meant to be consumed soon after. Individuals and restaurants attempt to secure a tough-to-get shipment of the rare, current-year vintage.

For the last eight years, La Grange has had an in on the festivities, and the Beaujolais, thanks to the  fundraiser for foster care nonprofit Child Link. This year, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Nov. 18, six restaurants on LaGrange Road will take part, providing samples of Beaujolais and other wines along with their own hors d'oeuvres: ,  , ,  and .

"Participants are free to roam wherever they want ... It's kind of like a bar hop." said Amanda Kluszczynski, who heads fundraising and donor development for Child Link, which operates throughout the metro area from its Chicago offices located at 1100 W. Cermak Rd. and is funded by the Department of Children and Family Services.

Tickets are $30 each or $50 for two, and the festivities also include a silent auction, where attendees can bid on items such as a day at the spa, a Chicago Bulls pennant signed by the entire team, and a gift certificate for Lettuce Entertain You restaurants.

The night of wining and dining supports an organization where CEO Malia Arnett says "protecting children is paramount." 

Connecting parents who want to adopt with orphaned or abandoned children and helping teenagers and young adults transition from foster care to self-sufficiency are two Child Link objectives, according to Arnett. But finding safe foster homes for kids in need is her biggest. 

"That's where La Grange and other western suburbs come into play," said Arnett. "We have adoptions throughout that western corridor, as well."

Arnett lives in La Grange. So does event sponsor Mark Seter. 

"There are a couple of neighbors on our block who have had children from Child Link placed with them," Seter said. "It's great to get exposure for the cause."

Seter's duties range from win donation, to prize donation, to selling tickets, to working during the event. The openness of La Grange's citizens and the likelihood that a lot of guests won't be familiar with the area make for a great fundraiser, according to Seter.  

"For me, it's always about exploring neighborhoods and learning about local cultures," he said, "Rather than being locked into some hotel ballroom somewhere."

 The wine tasting had humble beginnings according to Freyja Conrad, a Child Link sponsor and unofficial wine-chooser for the Nov. 18 event.

"The first year, it was five wines and one restaurant," said Conrad, also a La Grange resident.

Conrad estimated they'll go through 10 to 12 total cases of wine at the six locations this year. With 12 bottles per case, that's 120 to 144 bottles consumed—three-ounce glass by three-ounce glass.

"It's a good three ounces, though," Conrad said.

Child Link has been pre-selling tickets to the event. When Kluszczynski was interviewed Nov. 5, she said she had about 60 tickets sold and would like to get 150 booked in advance. Armed with flyers and tape, Kluszczynski raised awareness of the event that Friday throughout downtown La Grange.

"The event was not very well advertised in the past," she said.

Conrad said she'd like to see 400 people attend. Seter said the event is pre-selling better than in years past.

Bella Bacino's co-owner and event regular, Dan Bacin, looks forward to the wine tasting each year.

"I see it as a good cause," Bacin said. "There are 100 things you can participate in—somebody wants somebody to do something—but I consider it a good affiliation and, hopefully, people discover [Bella Bacino's] who have not already."

No matter exactly how many wine-tasters show up Thursday, it'll likely be enough to make Bacin redesign his restaurant.

"We literally take away some of the furniture to make room for all the people," he said.

Check out this YouTube video for more information on the event from some of its organizers.