As the judging continues and we get closer to fair week we are being asked more questions about the competition and the grand tasting. So here is all you need to know if you are attending the event.

The judges currently have four remaining varietal categories to rate; Syrah, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandel. The results as they always do have surprised us with some new names vaulting to the top of the group and other groups being dominated by old favorites. We will announce the winners of all of the varietal categories right around fair time. After we are through those last four categories, which is no small task as they are some of the biggest, we will then judge Best in Show Red and Best in Show White. These winners too will be announced just before the fair (around 3 p.m.).

The judges were very excited to see the winning "trophy" for the Best in Show awards this week as the rodeo belt buckles which will be presented to the winning winemakers arriving at the fairgrounds.

The grand tasting itself will be held Saturday, Aug. 27 from 3-6 p.m. This year a pre-purchased ticket of $25 will get you into the fair for the day as well as the tasting. If you buy at the fairgrounds the day of the event you will pay $9 to get into the fair and $20 for the tasting, so get your tickets now at the dinner party or the fairgrounds. The admission ticket will get you the same souvenir logo wine glass and your first five 2-ounce tastes of award winning wines. Additional tastes can be purchased at the event. A portion of the proceeds of the event go to the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo as this great local event receives no taxpayer support.

We are also very excited to announce the addition of local restaurants this year to the list of attractions. Bistro on Spruce, Scratch and other local restaurants will be in the tasting venue selling special appetizers designed to enhance your wine tasting that day.

The venue this year is new too. We are being moved to the club house near the rodeo grandstand, no more helicopter which will be nice. The venue will include both indoor space in the event it is hot (wines really do not show very well in the heat) and outdoor space will be accessible to enjoy the perfect late August North Idaho weather. The space where the event will be held will again be done by Rick Souza's talented team at Design Events, so expect an environment like the one from last December at the Winter Wine Rodeo.

While we had more than 250 wines entered this year and that is the only requirement for pouring at the tasting, there will be considerably fewer wines than that as our great local distributers Vehrs, Click, Idaho Wine Merchants, Odom, Hayden Beverage and Bottles of Grapes will likely focus on the wines that did best in the competition and certainly the big winners will be available for all to try and to purchase.

We expect quite a few winemakers there and will be excited to see those winners presented with their buckles.

The other great news is the North Idaho Wine Rodeo is just the start of a great evening, as the real rodeo starts right after the tasting and that followed by "Dancin' in the Dirt" with music by the Copper Mountain Band!

Get your tickets now and don't miss this chance to enjoy a prime slice of North Idaho Life and a great opportunity to taste some spectacular wine.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or questions on wine you can email George@thedinnerpartyshop.com or make suggestions by contacting the Healthy Community section at the Coeur d'Alene Press.

George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party - a wine and table top decor shop in Coeur d'Alene by Costco. George is also the managing judge of the North Idaho Wine Rodeo, and writes frequently for the online version of Coeur d'Alene Magazine at www.cdamagazine.com. His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.