Our Story
Le Midi is the term the French commonly use to refer to the southern region of France bounded by Spain and the Pyrénées to the south, and by Italy and the Alps to the northeast.
Over the past two decades, we have had the good fortune of traveling extensively throughout Europe, visiting wineries, exploring restaurants, and seeking out the best local wine shops.
With Le Midi as our inspiration, we set out to create a convivial gathering spot for sampling the flavors of places such as France, Italy, Spain, and other European countries.
At our core, we are a wine shop, a place to explore some of the top wines of Europe and beyond. We’ve worked tirelessly to source the wines we feature, tasting thousands to narrow them down to a rotating selection of 250 labels. We also feature a small, exciting mix of craft spirits, beer, and sake.
Le Midi will bring to Chicago the Mediterranean tradition of l’heure de l’apéro: the time before or after dinner to sit back and relax with a glass of wine alongside a few choice bites meant to enhance your experience.
Located in the vibrant Wicker Park neighborhood, we are an ideal stopping point for those who are looking to experience an evolving wine glass list of over 20 selections, enjoy a few remarkable bites, and explore a range of bottles to take home.
We look forward to having you indulge yourself at Le Midi, with our charming staff, cozy European feel, and a world of wine you won’t soon forget.
Meet the Owners
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Craig Perman
FOUNDER
Craig brings over 25 years of experience in the wine retail and restaurant business. Craig began his journey into wine after attending the University of Oregon. His professional career in Portland began at The Heathman Restaurant, before moving on to work in his first retail job at The Cellar Door. Returning to his native Chicago, he was introduced to the Chicago retail wine scene at Sam's Wine & Spirits. He re-entered the restaurant business working at the critically acclaimed Alinea in their first year of service. Further stints at Blackbird and Avec, solidified his relationships with the Chicago restaurant scene. Craig opened Perman Wine Selections in 2007, a retail store dedicated to highlighting “the best of the best” of the small, independent wine producers of the world. Perman Wine has been extensively featured in the press including Food and Wine, The Wall Street Journal, Wine Spectator and in 2021 was named “Chicago’s Best Wine Shop” by Time Out Magazine.
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Seth Wilson
FOUNDER
Seth started his career with hospitality and wine education at 19 years old when he got his first restaurant job during his undergraduate years at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Following graduation Seth remained in the restaurant industry in multiple capacities while also traveling the world, picking up pieces of cultural and culinary knowledge, and learning multiple foreign languages from having lived and worked in various cities: Tokyo, Berlin, Reykjavik, DC, Austin, and also working the 2019 wine harvest in New Zealand for three months. Seth furthered his passion for wine after working under Alpana Singh at the wine-driven restaurant The Boarding House before going to work for Lettuce Entertain You restaurants. It was during his tenure with Lettuce’s RPM Steak that he pursued wine education more seriously and obtained his sommelier certification through the Guild of Master Sommeliers leading him to take on more wine-driven roles within the company. It was the culmination of these experiences that taught Seth to prioritize the art of hospitality and to learn his guests' needs intimately before guiding them to the perfect bottle of wine.
Le Midi in the Press
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7 wine tastings and experiences around Chicago
"As soon as you walk through their doors at Le Midi, you’ll feel like you’re sipping on a glass of breezy rosé in the heart of Provence. This charming wine bar in Chicago’s Wicker Park has a warm and inviting atmosphere and features wines from lesser known producers and unexpected varieties."
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36 Hours: Chicago
“...stop in Wicker Park, a neighborhood that has, in a generation, transformed from grungy art-and-rock enclave to a more grown-up (and moneyed) hub for restaurants and nightlife. Le Midi, a wine bar heavy on Mediterranean influences, opened in 2022 and became an immediate local favorite.”
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Best New Bars
“With two pillars of Chicago’s wine industry behind this spot, it’s no surprise Le Midi is the best new place to sip vino. Craig Perman brings expertise from his years running Perman Wine Selections (he was also a sommelier at Alinea), while Seth Wilson draws on his time as a somm at Aba and other restaurants.”
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Drinking French
“Their wine program focuses on European offerings, like those of Le Midi, the region in southern France that’s bounded by Italy and Spain (the bar’s name also nods to the French word for “midday” — its doors open at noon every day but Monday, when it’s closed).”
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Hot List: The 10 Hottest Restaurants in Chicago Right Now
“Swing by for a glass and a small plate or two, or grab a bottle of wine for dinner that night.”
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Joe’s Wine Cellar Rebranding As Le Midi, Bringing Special Focus On Mediterranean Wines, Small Plates To Wicker Park
“Perman and Wilson have extensive experience in the Chicago wine scene...”