SALUTI

Raised in a retail family, Gaetano Comerci observed his father, Vincenzo, treat his customers like family in his small North Shore market. For decades, Vincenzo—in his thick Italian accent—greeted his customers with a hearty hello, a firm handshake, and a huge, toothy grin. After a 25-year career in wine and spirits importation and distribution, Comerci finally realized his lifelong dream of opening his own shop. Evanston’s VINISSIMO WINE SHOP is the culmination of Comerci’s knowledge and insight garnered from long-term friendships with winemakers and chefs, visits to wineries around the world, and the enjoyment of many exceptional bottles of wine. Within his warm and beautiful space, he has curated more than 350 selections of wine and spirits in a range of price points—truly something for everyone. A lifelong North Shore resident, he grew up in Kenilworth and is now residing with his family in Wilmette. Opening Vinissimo for the North Shore community adds a new and exciting life chapter and also brings everything full circle. Comerci encourages you to visit him—he is excited to show customers the kind of warmth and value that his father’s customers came to expect. Vinissimo Wine Shop is located at 2120 Central Street in Evanston, 847-905-0173, vinissimowine.com.

IN GOOD SPIRITS

Sovereign Brands, creators of Luc Belaire sparkling wine, Bumbu rums, and McQueen and the Violet Fog gin have launched an exquisite reimagining of Cognac; Villon. VILLON is hand-crafted in Merpins, France, created by small-batch traditions and made from fine VSOP and XO Cognac and a delectable blend of spirits distilled from French wheat and natural flavors. This spirit is named for medieval French poet François Villon, whose enigmatic story and writings of love, sex, money trouble, dirty cops, lewd monks, and “the thieving rich” is the inspiration for Villon’s name and image. The bottle’s tarnished metal serpent-and-dagger motif is just one such reference. With a broad array of aromas from toasted oak, vanilla, spice, orange blossom, and delicate peach, this luxuriously complex yet balanced spirit can be served neat, over ice, or as the foundation of the perfect cocktail. For more information, visit villonfrance.com and @VillonFrance on Instagram.

TIMELY SOPHISTICATION

Not new, but forever-in-fashion, THE PATEK PHILIPPE 5168G AQUANAUT is a favorite Father’s Day find. Available in the 42-millimeter “jumbo” format, this timepiece makes a statement. Featuring an embossed dial subtly graduated from black to night blue, it is decidedly masculine for this incarnation of casually elegant chic framed by a delicately satin-finished bezel. The white-gold case is water resistant up to 120 meters and protects the self-winding caliber 324 S C movement. The Aquanaut is one of the hottest lines for Patek Philippe and regularly sells on the secondary market over retail due to limited availability and large demand. Isn’t it time you had one? The Patek Philippe 5168G Aquanaut is available at Burdeen’s Jewelry, 847-459-8980, burdeens.com.