Wine tastings are a dime a dozen at restaurants these days, but Chicago's Bistro 110 (r.) has added a customer-focused twist worth noting to its popular “Sommelier for a Day” tasting event.

In the past, the quarterly program allowed guests to sample approximately 20 preselected wines in a particular category and vote for their favorite, with the winner earning a spot on the restaurant's wine list for the season. A new spin lets participants bring in their own bottles for consideration as well. If one of these selections garners the most votes, the owner will win a free dinner for two in addition to the featured menu listing.

The only rule for customer-chosen bottles is that they must fit the predetermined category (most recently, Mediterranean reds; coming up: rosés, sparkling wines and Beaujolais Nouveau) and be commonly available for $30 retail. To participate in the event, guests pay $45, which also covers hors d'oeuvres and bottled water for palate cleansing.