WEBSTER'S
WINE BAR
est. 1994
Chicago's Leader in
Minimal Intervention & Natural Wines
To Eat
Daily Oyster*
on the half shell, with lemon $3.5
Grilled
with seasonal farmer's pesto $4
Marcona Almonds
Chef Matthew's herb/spice blend $6
WEBSTER'S FRITES
herbed salt, garlic aïoli* $7
Flash Fried BRUSSELS
leek fondue, parmigiano-reggiano $11
WERP FARMS SALAD
organic vegetables, croutons, citrus-tahini vinaigrette $11
butter-poached tuna
mint, citus, esplette, calamansi vin $16
Conservas akA 'TINNED FISH'
tuna or mackerel, cured lemon, with whipped butter, mustard, saltines $14
CRAWFISH MONICA
spiral pasta, creole spiced cream sauce $20
Frankfurter
sherry caramelized onion, pickled chili, yellow mustard, buttered baguette $11
CROQUE MONSIEUR
smoked ham, Emmenthaler, Le Gruyère custard and dijon $14
add an egg for a Croque Madame $1
WEBSTER'S BURGER*
Slagel Farms grass-fed beef, sharp cheddar, bacon jam, shoestring potatoes, charred-scallion aioli $16
FAROE ISLAND SALMON*
parsnip pureé, soft herb salad, grilled lemon $25
Cheese Board
rotating selection of 3 cheeses, preserves,
fresh fruit, baguette, $24
ala carte $8
Pork Rillettes
mustard, pickles, preserves, baguette $11
PATE DE CAMPAGNE
pork, au poivre, preserves, pickles and crackers $15
Bread & Crackers
warmed baguette + crackers
for enjoying with multiple plates $3
Extra Baguette
from La Boulangerie $1.5
Macarons
assorted flavors from La Boulangerie $5
Beignet Bread PUDDING
white chocolate, almond, tropical nectar syrup $9
Executive Chef MATTHEW MASHON
August 2021
*Consuming raw or undercooked meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, or eggs may increase your risk of foodborne illness.
CHEESE & CHARCUTERIE
OYSTERS
WINE BY THE GLASS
Sparkling
domaine de la pothiers 'eclipse,' gamay, côte roannaise, loire valley, france, 2020 (rosé)
Glass 13 Bottle 52
Romain Paire's family is, without a doubt, the reference point for the Côte Roannaise, aside from the famous restaurant, Troisgros. Although technically an extension of the Loire Valley, it's unique granite soils, it is often considered the unofficial "11th Crus of Beaujolais." The Paire's have been farming their land for over 300 years, in biodiversity, as well as cattle. Eclipse is Pothiers "Methode Ancestrale" sparkling that will show aromas of candied fruit, but don't be deceived, the palate is dry and refreshing.
Imported by The Original Wine Company
Denny bini, lambrusco dell'emilia, emilia-romagna, Italy, NV (fizzy red)
Glass 12 Bottle 48
After many years of industrially produced medicrity, Emilia is now home to a small, but growing cell of artisinal producers. A zippy, perky expression blended from Marani (30%), Salamino (30%), Maestri (20%), the venerable Gasparosa (10%), and Ancellota (10%)
Imported by PortoVino
White
camille braun 'nature,' Pinot Blanc, Orschwihr, alsace, france, 2018
Some days call for a dry white wine that pairs with everything and over-delivers. Camille Braun's Alsatian Pinot Blanc fits that bill in spades. Camille has retired after over 50 vintages and handed the reigns to his son, Christophe, and his wife, Chantal. The have been farming organically, and biodynamically, since 2005. It is abundantly apparent in the pureness of fruit. Pinot Blanc typically gets a bad rap for being "Pinot Blah, or boring." Not the case here. No sulfites are added to the wine at any point, so feel free to drink three or four bottles and still be a rock star at the office the next day.
Glass 11 Bottle 44
Imported by Michael Corso Selections
Bauer ‘Hollötrio,’ Grüner Veltliner, Wagram, Austria, 2020
Glass 12 Bottle 60 (1 liter)
No need to bore you with the same old story about how this winery practices organic farming with flora growing in partnership amongst the vines, all this is true at Bauer. What’s more exciting is how freaking incredible this Grüner smells and tastes! And, how vastly different these two sensory experiences are. Floral and citrus on the nose, yet lean and mineral on the palate! 80% of the pressed juice spends five hours on the skins, while 20% spends 30 days on the skins! Perfect for both briny and melony oysters on a hot summer night.
Imported by Savio Soares Selections
villargeau, sauvignon blanc, côteaux du giennois, loire valley, france, 2019
Glass 12 Bottle 48
The tiny area of Côteaux du Giennois (Kō-toe dew Zhee-in-wah) sits in the shadow of more famous regions Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé, yet, for my money, exhibits flintier, mineral, and bouncier flavor profiles than its famous neighbors due to the clay-limestone and silex dominant soils. Marc Thibault farms all 20 hectares to organic and sustainable practices, while also promoting polycultural farming. I've long enjoyed Villargeau's Sauvignon Blanc, one of least favorite grapes, because it never exhibits pyrazines that are way over the top causing overtly grassy/cat pee aromatics.
Imported by Robert Houde Wines
Anima Mundi ‘Gres,’ Xarel-lo (Shah-rel-low or Tah-rel-o), Penedès, Spain, 2020
Glass 12 Bottle 48
Xarel-lo is an extraordinarily underrated grape varietal. Known for allowing Cava the ability to not oxidize as it is shipped from Penedès due to it’s power and fleshy structure. Anima Mundi’s reminds me of really nice Sauvignon Blanc from Sancerre. What’s unique is the skin maceration for 48 hours into large French oak barrels and 600 liter clay amphora.
Imported by Jose Pastore Selections
Orange
(Quick explanation: White wine grapes where the skins were not separated from the pressed juice and left on during the fermentation process, resulting in it’s color and texture.)
gabriel's Wine, Rkatsiteli (Cat-suh-tell-ee), Kakheti, Georgia, 2019
Glass 13 Bottle 52
Gabriel is an Orthodox Christian monk who lived in a 6th century monastery for 27 years. During this time, he learned to make wine, cheese, and became a blacksmith. Returning to his homeland, he started making natural wine completely by hand. This wine spent six months in clay Qvevri, the first 21 days on the skins. The Qvevri is then sealed with a ceramic lid and left to begin fermentation naturally. Unlike previous Georgian "orange" wines we offered, the tannins are quite smooth and balanced, with subtle aromas of peach pit, apricot, and white tea. It's become a real source of pride that our guests have expressed so much interest and found so much enjoyment with the wine from Georgia.
Guamarjos!
Imported by Terraneo Merchants
sherry
NV Bodegas Yuste, Palomino Fino, Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Andalusia, Spain
Glass 12
Yuste adopted a 19th century solera with his own to produce a complex and beguiling Manzanilla, between 8 and 10 years of age. This comes from keg and not bottle, so the Sherry “purest” can’t complain that it’s not “fresh.”
Imported by Classic Wines
Rosé
chamfort 'sablet,' grenache/syrah, côtes du rhône, france, 2019
Glass 12 Bottle 48
Hey Hey, it's our first "salmon" colored rosé selection of the season and it's a tasty treat! Domaine Chamfort was purchased in 2010, by Vasco Perdigoa. His minimal intervention techniques allow for the beautiful terroir of the southern Rhône to shine. In these hot, sticky Chicago summer days upon us, it's time to enjoy a cold glass of crisp, dry Rozay.
Imported by Michael Corso
Red
julien cecillon 'la savane,' gamay, Ardèche, northern rhône, france, 2019
Glass 12 Bottle 48
This wine is an absolute steal! Northern Rhône Gamay is much different than what comes from Beaujolais, or Loire Valley. It's shares aromatics with the Syrah that is the primary grape of the area. Black olive tapenade, dark berries, and a super long finish. When Julien Cecillon acquired this vineyard, he could barely see the vines, much like a savannah.
Imported by Paris Wine Co.
bolet. 'cantareus,' Tempranillo, Penedès, spain, 2019
Glass 13 Bottle 52
Penedès is Cava country, so it's not as common to find Tempranillo (aka Ull de Llebre) like it is in Rioja and Ribera del Duero. However, this effort from Bolet is outstanding and totally representative of the profile you would find from the more famous regions. Aged in neutral oak, with hallmark cherry red color, mellow tannins, name a berry, you'll taste and smell it, plus the aroma of worn leather. These vines are tended only by the Bolet family to ensure that their organic practices are strictly adhered to.
Imported by Vinotas Selections
Coste chaude 'florilège,' grenache/syrah, côtes du rhône, france, 2018
Glass 12 Bottle 48
Marianne Fues is one of the very few female winemakers, in southern France, after taking over the domaine in 1994. The vineyards sit on the Visan Plateau, around Vaucluse. The region has a history of extreme geological change providing Coste Chaude with a rich and varied terrior. Florilège is composed of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, fermented in stainless and cement tanks. A classic Côtes du Rhône that's not to be overlooked.
Imported by Robert Houde Wines
Domaine de la Pépie, Côt, Muscadet, Loire Valley, France, 2018
Glass 12 Bottle 48
This area is truly only known for minerally Melon de Bourgogne, and in fact, red wines aren’t even allowed to be in the Muscadet AOC. Which is crazy. Côt is the Loire name for Malbec, but not the Argentinian style. Restrained red berry fruits with hints of herb and black tea. Stoney minerality will create an instant craving for the next sip. Great with saltier dishes and meats.
Imported by Louis/Dressner
Cazottes 'Champêtre,' Braucol/Duras/syrah, occitanie, France, 2017
Glass 12 Bottle 48
Joanna Dubrawska, winemaker for Laurent Cazottes, was our guest for our last event before the pandemic. She gets to work with, what I feel, are some of the most unique grapes in the world! Braucol exhibits intense herbal and pepper notes with hints of sanguine and game. The ultimate "burger wine!"
Imported by Zev Rovine Selections
mosse family, cabernet-franc, Anjou and Saumur, Loire valley, france, 2017
Glass 14 Bottle 56
René and Agnès Mosse are legends in the Loire Valley and have recently brought their sons into the fold. They have a established a history of biologique farming and winemaking, and it is obvious when you taste the purity of fruit in every bottle. The grapes are blended from two vineyards from vines between 30-50 years of age. A unique feature is the use of old Burgundian barrels that morphs some of the classic "leafy" flavor to a broader profile of pomegranate, red plum, and blueberry.
BEER & CIDER ON DRAFT
Stiegl, Goldbräu, Austria
[5% 12 oz] 6
Affectionately known as “Salzburg liquid gold,” this full bodied, golden lager is sessionable like a lager, with the flavor of an ale.
Around the Bend ‘Villianous,’ American IPA, Wisconsin
[6.3% 12 oz] 7
One yeast strain just wasn’t enough, “Villianous” uses FOUR! Two British and two West Coast strains combine to one Super strain. More nuanced than your standard IPA, which are still present, look for subtle apple and clover honey notes.
tandem cidery 'green man,' apple cider, suttons bay, Michigan
[4.5% 12oz] 7
Handcrafting their cider with traditional rack and cloth press, standard fermentation, and a little Leelanau County love, Nikki Rothwell and Dan Young have been producing some truly delicious ciders, since 2006. Rhode Island Greening apples provide a precise and electric edge sans sweetness.
CIDER & SAKE~IN CAN
Graft ‘Farmer’s Flor,’ Unfiltered Dry Table Cider, New York
[6.9% 12oz] 6
Unfiltered cider from New York apples and barreled in Spanish cedar, French and American oak to add a toasted edge without losing the crispness.
Tozai ‘Snow Maiden,’ Junmai Nigori Sake, Kyoto, Japan
[14.9%, 180mL] 10
The first nigori (cloudy, yet still filtered) sake to come in a can! “Snow Maiden” has always been one of my favorites due to its rich texture while still maintaining a fruity nose and mild flavor perfect for richer, spicier foods.