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Expand your palate

George Balling | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 years, 9 months AGO
by George Balling
| July 13, 2011 9:00 PM

One of the questions we get asked most frequently is, "What is your favorite wine?" or asked another way, "If there was only one bottle of wine left to drink what would it be?"

My response is always the same, "Can't tell you." Having a passion for wine that spans decades and owning a wine shop for nearly four years, one is constantly exposed to new wines from new producers, in new appellations, using previously untried varietals and combinations of varietals. Not all are good, some are well made but not to our tastes, and others really grab you and impress.

The question for wine consumers like us is how we continue to expand our palates. Tastings are always an opportunity to try new things and find the ones we like and those we don't prefer at no or minimal cost. Big broad-based tastings like the North Idaho Wine Rodeo tasting held this year on August 27 are an even better opportunity, as you can choose from hundreds of wines to taste in one location, for a modest fee given the breadth of wine available.

Even with the availability of tastings both locally and when you travel to one of the many wine countries right here in the US, it is still hard sometimes to break through our "palate comfort zone" and open ourselves to new things.

Here are some ways for every consumer to do just that with the goal of expanding the enjoyment of your wine experience.

Knowing what you like is the best place to start, from there you can branch out in small steps. If you have a specific varietal you like start by trying blends of that varietal. For instance those who really enjoy Washington State Syrahs can focus on trying Syrah based blends from the state or other appellations. With Syrah being the predominate grape, you will likely enjoy the subtlety that is introduced when it is blended with Grenache, Mourvedre, or Carignane (some of the more popular blending choices), and you will still recognize the characteristics of Syrah you are fond of.

Similarly, the most popular grapes from Zinfandel to Cabernet and in whites from Sauvignon Blanc to Viognier have grapes that work well together in blends and offer you a similar chance to experiment.

Another method to branch out is to try some of your favorite varietals from a different appellation. This is one of our most enjoyable exercises as we find great differences based on the growing conditions, soil types, and clonal selections from different areas. Pinot Noir is one of the grape types that we find the biggest difference in based on the area it comes from, so if you like Pinot from Oregon try one from California, or France and see for yourself.

Winemakers, as we have written about before, are faced with a myriad of choices during the production of their wines. So while you may like a Chardonnay from a producer in California as your favorite aperitif, next time you have the opportunity try one from a producer with a different winemaking style, one who picks the fruit for his wine in either a more or less ripe style, one who uses French as opposed to American oak, or maybe one who uses no oak at all. Since we taste every wine that we put on the shelf and keep extensive knowledge on the wine producing styles of different manufacturers we can help with those choices. What you may find are some subtle differences that are pleasing to your palate as it has evolved over your wine consuming years.

Fun too is to try a completely new varietal based on the weight, body and flavors of your favorite wine. By asking us here at The Dinner Party or any of the great local wine professionals, you can get recommendations on whole new varietals to try based on the description of what you normally like to drink. If you like lighter body and cherry flavors of Pinot Noir, a Grenache, Tempranillo, or Sangiovese may be right up your alley. If you like crisp Sauvignon Blanc, a Grner Veltliner, Albarino or dry rose may be just the variety your palate is looking for.

There are more choices than ever in wine as production has increased here in the states and more grape varieties are transplanted here from around the world, and while we will all keep our favorites the chance to try many of these new bottlings is great fun. While you likely will find some that you do not prefer, we know too you will find some to place in your favored list.

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 on line version of Coeur d'Alene magazine at www.cdamagazine.com His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.

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ARTICLES BY GEORGE BALLING

April 20, 2016 9 p.m.

Washington's wine is growing up

Every appellation has gone through it. The best go through it sooner rather than later and also go through it multiple times revisiting the issue of terroir driven winemaking. Oregon has yet to go through it as they continue to overemphasize terroir driven acid levels in their Pinot Noir. California has watched as the pendulum of overly done Chardonnay has swung towards overly lean stainless steel Chardonnay, and is now starting to settle in the middle with an array of finely honed elegantly balanced white wines.

September 21, 2016 9 p.m.

Trying something new - just once

Last week we attended Opera Coeur d’Alene’s production of The Barber of Seville. Mary and I have long been fans of opera in general, but we especially have loved opera here in our own town. The caliber of performers and the opera performances here is truly extraordinary. We have found though over time that there are many preconceived thoughts about opera and whether or not an individual will “like” it. The hurdle though is getting someone to try opera. Like so many things in the big world of wine there are notions about many wines that if you can get consumers past an idea to the point of actually trying something new, they are surprised at how much they enjoy it!

August 31, 2016 9 p.m.

Our fall 2016 lineup

By the time this column “hits” the paper, and the paper lands on your doorstep, it will be September 4th, and we will be in the Labor Day holiday weekend. While this means we are about to enter the fall season, it also means we are about to start our winemaker dinners and tastings again.