I recently attended a wine tasting here and it was great. They were so helpful and willing to work with my tastes...even though my price point was the cheapest one possible! read more

I love Binny's, but what this place has is a great selection at really good prices. So many of my coworkers and I talked about going in, it looks,... well a little sketchy. However walking in to it you will find a friendly and knowledgeable staff that is passionate about teaching you about wine. A great selection of imported and domestic wines, proseccos and champagnes. Not the selection of Binny's, but still a great selection. I hear the wine tasting on Saturdays is inexpensive but has a massive amount of wines to try.... for those who like to get their hangover on early. read more

This is an uber cool place, and while I'll admit upfront that it doesn't come close to the selection you'll find at someplace like Binny's it hardly matters because it has so much else going for it. We went there primarily because North Shore Distillery was doing a tasting that afternoon and we were hoping to taste their absinthe and maybe pick up a bottle of their aquavit (the only palatable aquavit I've ever tasted) for Christmas. No joy on the aquavit, though we did get to sample it again, but the owner of NSD broke out a bottle of their Sirene absinthe and proved once again that he knows what he's doing when it comes to liquor. However the selection of NSD's liquors pretty much points up the main problem with this place; there are only a couple of racks filled with hard liquor and beer, and the selection seems rather haphazard. I found a single bottle of good Calvados (one of my favorite tipples) and some ginger liqueur, but in spite of the presence of North Shore Distillery, the selection was limited to their gin and vodka. On the other hand, I thought the wine selection was surprisingly good. There are wines from most wine-producing countries (though I didn't see any Eastern European wine, which was a shame because there are some Bulgarian and Hungarian wines that are quite tasty.) and most of them have a score -- none I saw below 84 or so -- and many of them have a good, detailed description which, for my money, is one of the best ways to pick wines when faced with a bewildering selection. I'm a sucker for apricot in whites and dark fruit in reds, and I had no problem picking out a number of bottles of reasonably priced wine that boasted those qualities. In fact I ended up putting a few back because Jim and Dawn found cases of one of our favorite wines back in the clearance section, and we weren't about to pass up the opportunity to stock up again. This particular vintage is sold out everywhere else I've looked. For that alone, I'd give this place high marks. Prices are generally good, though it's possible to spend $100+ on a bottle if you're looking for something really extraordinary. The staff is VERY helpful and they know their stuff. In fact wine would seem to be a passion for some of them, and they love talking about it. If you're in doubt about what you want to buy, just ask for help. Tell them what you've liked in the past and what you want to pay and they'll fix you right up. We ended up spending just under $200 but for that we got a case of our special wine, a very good bottle of Calvados, and something like six other bottles of things we thought were worth trying. Seriously, that's a deal. And in spite of the really crappy weather we were having yesterday, one of the staff guys actually carried the case of wine out and waited with us while Jim pulled the car around. That's service. If you're into wine, or want to be into wine, I recommend this place highly. It's a good place to begin, and a great place to add to your cellar. read more

I have trouble finding "great deals" here, Like the selection, And the location (Kind of) But I leave wanting to like it more, Just don't, I'll continue to come here but only because I drive right by when there's parking. read more

My new favorite wine store in the city. Learned about this place from the sommelier at avenues, told us there were some great deals. Not pretentious at all, good selection, all the wine has descriptions I can actually understand with my limited wine knowledge, and so far the prices on everything seem to be lower than I've seen elsewhere. read more

Great selection, great price, helpful staff. Was able to find really nice wines that didn't break the bank.

I recently purchased the wine for my wedding here and I could not be happier. We met with Katie who was extremely knowledgeable and walked us through the wines in our price range and what would be a good selection for the meals we served. Stayed in our budget and had some great wines. They also let you return what you don't use (not sure if that is bottle or unopened cases) either way we only had a few cases left over and we plan on holding on to them! Way better than what the guy at Binny's was trying to sell me. read more

These people are dedicated to the pursuit of wine. They really battle to get the best deals and love to share their knowledge and expertise. The tastings are great in their frills free stores. read more

Silly wabbit, Sam's is for yuppies, buppies, and guppies who don't know any better. If you'd like to be able to have nice wine and afford the Riedel crystal to serve it in, and need to concern yourself with mortal matters like your pocket book, then there really is no better spot to stock the wine rack chez nous. Their mailing list yields an informative monthly mailing, their tastings are reliably fun little events, and their prices are consistently outstanding. So stop being so twenty years ago, change gears, and head to WDC for a better bargain on quality vino. read more

As if buying ads on Yelp wasn't enough, the Wine Discount Center must also be writing its own Yelp reviews. I have to weigh in and inveigh against all of these five star reviews. First, the wine specials they have for $7-$12 are invariably shit. Second, you will often pay more for $18-$30 bottles of wine here than you would pay for the same bottle at a grocery store. Third, the staff are off putting. There are better wine stores in Chicago. read more

I take issue with the folks who say that Binny's (even the Binny's that used to be Sam's) has a better selection than the former Wine Discount Center, now known as Vin. Binny's may have a bigger selection, but it also offers more wines of middling to mediocre quality. At Vin Chicago, there's nothing mediocre; they have selections for every pocketbook, and while no wine is for everyone, there's a quality selection here in every price range plus very helpful staff. Vin beats Binny's hands down on price, too. The only time I'd consider Binny's would be if Vin were closed, Kenwood was too far away, and I was desperate -- that's it. Otherwise, it's here or nowhere. PLUS they have a great monthly newsletter cluing you in to the newest good buys. Try Vin -- you won't be sorry, and you'll never go back to Binny's or the grocery liquor department again. read more

I really enjoy this place! I used to go to Binny's and Sam's...but after experiencing WDC, this is the place. The wine is cheap and the staff is great. Try the tastings on Saturday's. read more

A candy store for wine lovers. As many others have commented, the outside looks sketchy and slightly intimidating, but be brave! I've been going here for about a year now and every visit has been pleasant. The staff are very knowledgeable, friendly, and always eager to offer a suggestion. Prices are the best you'll find in Chicago. For the amount of space they have, their selection is broad and organized efficiently. They have weekly tastings on Saturdays from 12pm to 4pm which is worth checking out. read more

I drove by this place daily, wondering what it was before I decided to pull over and check it out. What a hidden gem! When you walk in, you're greeted by the people working there who always ask what you're looking for and are eager to help you out. They know their selection well and seem to take pride in having some inexpensive wines that are totally amazing. They also have a mailer that goes out detailing specials and featuring certain vineyards... it's great! My only complaint is that hours are sort of weird. I think it closes by 7pm. read more

Awesome wine store. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff. The wines here are hand picked and tasted before being put up for sale in the store. I've been a customer for more than 10 years and rarely shop anywhere else. Small but thoughtful selection of beer and spirits. read more

So I just left Vin Chicago after going in to find a bottle or two to bring to a Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow. I had been there a few months back and had had a fine experience. Much more quaint than a Binny's. And while Binny's does a fine job with selection and advice, I have to say I was blown away by the sheer amicability of the employees and their knowledge. I was asked by Max if I needed help, and not being a wine connoisseur I sort of declined the help, opting to aimlessly wander the aisles and probably end up with my go-to's. Then he said "cool, but it is the most fun part of my job." And at that I decided to inquire about some wines. He walked me through what I had asked about with an extensive knowledge and some great recommendations. And then because I was curious and he seemed in no rush and down to answer any question I had, we went through new world wines from WA and OR state into a great explanation of Bordeaux's. I have a limited knowledge of wines but a desire to know more and he answered all of my questions and provided great information, passionately textbook-ly. There was no judgement or snobbery at my dearth of knowledge and only kind, excited advice. And while it may not be the place to go if you are looking for something super specific or rare, they have a great array and the knowledge and enthusiasm to give the wines a personality beyond what stores usually have blurbed on the info card. And Max was not the only one. I overheard another employee describing some wines extensively, very up-frontly saying when he reached the end of his information regarding wines and delivered some great recommendations to the couple he was working with. I ended up picking up a bottle he was telling them about. Super personable, knowledgable without the side order of pretension which can sometimes accompany at wine shops. While Binny's may have a larger selection, for someone who walks into a wine shop and feels like their in a library in a foreign land, this is the place. I got excited about all of the wines that I bought. Went in for 2 bottles, left with 5, a bottle of beer, and a ton of info. Will definitely be back. read more

Because I'm not a wine connoisseur, I called my sister while I was in the store for some advice. One gentleman stocking the shelves had continued to stock bottles very near me and every so often would walk in my path. After some time he asked me to step outside with my phone call because I was disturbing the other customers. - There was only 1 other person in the store... Also, it's not a library, it's a store. While skimming through some of the reviews I noticed there's definitely a pattern of poor customer service at this place. Also, according to some of my friends who know their wines, they didn't agree with the point ratings on the higher rated wines. read more

great selection at any price range you can afford friendly, knowledgeable staff that can help you pick out the perfect wine conveniently located, easy to find parking this place never disappoints! read more

Fun find! Great selection of wines, friendly staff and reasonable pricing. I love that every bottle that they sell has a bit of information card written about it to help make your decision an easier one. Will be going back there again to get more items! read more

I really like this wine store. They have many of our favorites, and always introduce us to new wines that become our favorites. The staff is very helpful and friendly. They know their stuff, and I find many of their tastes compatible with what I like (earthy, mineraly, dry). Great wines in every price range. Their "value" every-day wines are all really delicious. There is something for everyone here, and you can easily learn about new wines, trying things that you would never know about. read more

This place has a lot of great finds, but it also has an insane amount of plonk. Also, on a whole lot of things they are significantly overpriced. On the plus side they are a ton more helpful than Sam's. read more

GREAT place to get some wine!!!! I just popped in there to get some suggestions and ended up buying wayyy more than I should have. Listen to the employees and the rating system that they post. You won't regret it! read more

Had a bad experience going in there with questions, looking for guidance. The staff is comprised, at least partially of, how do I say this...Um...jerks. Condescending, unprofessional jerks. Really deters me from going back. I'll just go to Binny's, they have a good selection as well. AND they have a 10% discount on cases. So there. read more

We go here as often as possible. The guys are super friendly, and I can always find some nice bottles of wine in the 92-98 point range for around $10. I've only been disappointed with one bottle I've gotten there. read more

There's just something about browsing wine that makes a person feel extra eclectic for the rest of that day. I don't know too much about wine, but after I walk around reading all of their little score cards, I feel so knowledgable that I must walk out with a few bottles. Maybe that's how they get you? The selection is huge. The prices range from super cheap to really expensive. Plus the staff is super nice and give really great recommendations when you need it. If you haven't checked this place out yet, you are missing out! And never fear, street parking is always near. read more

I like wine, so do my cheap friends. Thats why I go to Wine Discount Center. This place has wine for the RIGHT price, meaning cheaper than everywhere else. I love hitting up their section of wines recommended under ten dollars. It is well worth it. read more

these wines are CHEAP AS HELL and DELICIOUS! now don't let my enthusiasm for cheap wine mislead you into believing that WDC doesn't carry fancy wines (they do), it's just that you don't need to buy them because you can get a great bottle of wine for under $15 (and a totally drinkable bottle for even less). no, the selection isn't as large as a sam's or binny's, but what wines they do sell are chosen carefully. the staff is incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, no matter whether you are coming in to ask about buying a $100 bottle of vintage champagne or a $12 bottle of riesling. and, if you are a total wine snob and can't be bothered to talk to the employees, you can bug the manager who i understand is on his way to becoming a master sommelier (which i'm pretty sure means he is very very very fancy). alternatively, if you don't have the time or just don't want to ask for help from a human, above each wine is a detailed description, a rating (either wine spectator's, some other industry standard's or WDC's own or a combination of the three), and a pictorial guide telling you whether the bottle you're contemplating is ready to drink now (what i look for), ready to drink, but could be aged in a cellar (what i look for when i forget that i do not have enough restraint to refrain from drinking $30 bottles of wine after the bars close), or for your cellar (well, maybe one day....). i also HIGHLY RECOMMEND checking out their First Taste wine tasting events held at the beginning of each month. you get to sample all their new wines (usually about 30 of them) for $10. a total steal in my book. just don't come expecting cheese and grapes -- it's strictly a wine, water and bread thing. read more

i came here to use a groupon that i purchased recently. the prices are very competitive to other discounted options, even costco. im sure there are certain wines that may cost more here but only by a few bucks. so overally, you know you're not getting jipped or ripped off. they have a pretty wide selection from california wines, italian wines, dessert wines, sparkling. agreed with many other yelpers, not the most attractive real estate but when i was in last weekend, they were painting and trying to jazz it up a little. but hey, if this helps keep prices down, who cares??? read more

Sometimes I like to pretend that I know what I'm talking about when I drink wine... The aroma... hmmm.... grapes?? The taste... this is red right?.... hmmm... oak?? I know, it's bad. So I'm not going to pretend to know what I'm talking about when it comes to the way it was aged, the particular year it was made in, or how long it should be aerated. Here is what I do know: I like wine, I like my wine fridge to be full of options, I like tastings (and no, I don't spit it out), I like to learn about wine (so I can keep up with my charade of being a wine connoisseur) and I like to buy good value wine. Vin Chicago helps me to accomplish all of these things. The prices are great, the staff seems knowledgeable, they send the tasting notes from the wines you purchased to your email (fun to guess if you're like me), they have specified times/dates for wine tastings, and my wine fridge can be filled for under $100. We have been coming here for 5 years and we will continue to be loyal customers at Vin Chicago. As far as the location and parking goes, they have a 15 or 30 minute standing zone where you can put on your flashers and not have to pay to park. The location is a little bit weird, it's very industrial and the streets are kind of empty there, but don't let this scare you too much to go in. Trust me, you'll be glad you did. read more

While I'd give Vin more stars based on selection (I think) and price, their service and customer interaction was really poor. Today was my first visit. We went to purchase a particular wine and as soon as we walked in, we indicated we wanted 2 cases of one, and a case of another we spotted. I say "I think" the rest of the stores selection was good, but I had no idea of the layout and no offers to help...which I would have thought I'd get some assistance ordering a few cases 2 steps in the door. There were a number of employees milling around -all looking desperately unhappy with one exception. So after asking a few questions it was obvious there was no interest in helping us. The one exception was a friendly woman but she was busy running around the store and stocking. After wandering and grabbing a couple bottles, we checked out - with a rude guy who was disgusted having to answer any questions we asked. He has no business in retail sales. The one nice person then loaded and wheeled the purchases to our car. She loaded them too (my hubby is recovering or he'd have done it). Not sure why the several men milling around didn't help but again..,by then I wasn't surprised. I have probably posted 2 reviews in my life. I just felt this was something worth posting so that someone in charge can perhaps evaluate the staffing. read more

there's nothing aesthetic about this place, but for great selections, a knowledgeable, helpful staff, and rock bottom prices, esp. for quantity, you can't beat it. i always feel like i'm on a bare bones tour of wine countries, as i peruse bottles of everyday offerings and gem quality rarities, without the bells, whistles, and overhead of the fancier large wine stores. and at the holidays, when i'm in need of lots of bubbly to give as gifts, i'm almost always buying the bulk of it here. read more

Fantastic wine store! Very friendly staff when it comes to helping suggest a good wine for a meal by price. They also have great deals and a large selection. The beer selection is of course much smaller but they have a lot of the beers I usually buy - Rogue, Brooklyn, Unibroue and many others. read more

Good selection and the best prices in town. These guys rock!

I'm planning a trip to Napa in November, so I've been hitting a lot of wine shops lately in preparation. This place is definitely no frills, which is fine. Just don't expect a cozy little wine place like Que Syrah. Their selection is okay. They do have a selections in varying price ranges and from different wine regions. So, here's my thing - I'm not sure if I would consider this place a "discount" store. They have some sales and some wines at a discounted price - but so does Binny's, Whole Foods, and just about any other place that sells wine. I do recommend hitting the back of the store, where is says "overstocks." There you might find some real deals - which is what I was expecting of the entire store. I found a $40 bottle for $27 - and I know it typically retails for $40 because I checked the winery's website as well as other sites. Now that is a steal! But I also purchased a bottle of Frog's Leap cab for $35 and when I went home, I looked it up and found that most places sell it for that price or lower (by a few dollars)! That kind of annoyed me. So, it's hit or miss. You may very well find a great deal here - or you may end up paying exactly what you would anywhere else. Particularly if you are looking at wines in the mid-higher price range. read more

The staff know their wine, are able to suggest/point you in the right direction. All price points with a good selection of MANY varieties and scores/descriptions on each to help guide your selection. I need to stress very good lower priced/good wine options....in these times, save some money and still drink good wine. They also happily assist you in carrying cases or just a box out the door. Sign up for the newsletter. Excellent pricing on wines your can order on line and pick up later. read more

I was excited to go here because of the glowing reviews . However, I was extremely disappointed to say the least. I walked in and started heading towards the back. I was asked if I needed help. I showed the guy a picture of several wines we had and liked. They didn't have any if them. Which is fine, but he didn't even offer suggestions . He was stocking the shelfs, so I guess I was interrupting him. I then went to Binney's and guess what they had one of the wines. read more

I really like wine.....and this is one of my favorite shops. The selection is great, and the staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, without being pretentious. I always pick up a new fun fact, and more often than not, a bottle of wine I didn't set out for but I'm glad I found! They also have regular tasting events, which are fantastic, albeit a little crowded. Further, their prices are incredibly competitive, and they always have a number of "under 20" (or under 10?) bottles hanging around up front. read more

Can't beet Discount Wine in the city. Great selection. VERY informative descriptions and rating system... and exceptional values.

Vin is a really special place. An incredibly well-edited selection and amazingly friendly and knowledgeable staff. Sure, Binny's has more bottles. But Vin has a better selection, because they don't sell any of the bottom end stuff you have to sift through at larger stores. read more

Nicely curated selection that is manageable and well organized. Great descriptions with each item to help the decision making process. Knowledgeable and friendly staff--always eager to help. Great store for value finds. Shopping with them online is SO easy. I sort by style and price, read through their thorough descriptions, add and delete in my shopping cart at the end and pickup in the store after they've got everything boxed up for me ready to go. Love doing business here. read more