In 1998. there were 13 wineries and about 800 acres of wine grapes grown in Idaho. By 2012, we had 50 wineries and twice the acreage planted to wine grapes. Still small by most any standard, but it shows how well-regarded the appellations of the Snake River Valley and our home state winemakers are.

This coming weekend, wine consumers in North Idaho have a chance to see for themselves how far the Idaho wine industry has come and how delicious the wines are when Greg Koenig, owner/winemaker at Koenig Winery from Caldwell, comes to town.

Greg will join us at Scratch restaurant on Sherman Ave. for a winemaker dinner on Friday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m., and then hold a tasting at the dinner party at 3520 N. Government Way (at Neider Ave.) on Saturday at 4 p.m. The tasting is complimentary, and the dinner is $75/person inclusive; spots can be reserved for both events by calling (208) 765-5653.

Many of the 50 wineries in the state are doing great things and making wonderful wines, but Koenig has secured their rising star status with some extraordinary accomplishments. Many of the wineries in Idaho are still getting their "fruit" from the wonderful growers in neighboring Washington, as vineyard acreage in Idaho continues to grow to meet the demand for grape tonnage. Koenig works with all Idaho fruit grown in and around the Snake River Valley appellation.

"The Snake" has similar climate conditions to other wine grape regions in the Northwest, but different soil conditions. Here in Idaho, most of the soils in wine-producing areas are volcanic ash, as opposed to the sedimentary soils of much of Washington State. This, along with relatively high altitudes of 3,000 feet above sea level, cool desert-like summer nights, and we have grape nirvana, resulting in concentrated fruit flavors in the grapes and high acid levels that give wine produced from the grapes not only tastiness, but longevity as well.

Also setting Koenig apart is the critical acclaim they have garnered since filling their first bottle. Koenig is the only Idaho winery to receive 90+ scores from the Wine Spectator on three different bottlings. We agree with the Spectator and other critics: we find the wines to be delicious, with vibrant fruit, firm but not overbearing structure, and a consistently silky viscosity in the mouth. All of these factors contributed to our desire to get Greg up to North Idaho so wine consumers can see for themselves just how great the wines are.

We have consistently felt the best part of the wine industry is its growth and constant change, allowing us to discover new favorites all the time. While it is always great to get the really big names of the wine industry to come to town for tastings and the like, the chance to discover the lesser-known affords the opportunity to find these new favorites at pretty compelling prices.

In California and even in Washington, we see new wineries enter the market with some pretty aggressive pricing, and in most cases the wines are as impressive as the price tags. Finding really great wines priced more gently, though, is a lot more fun and allows more of the wine-consuming public to access these bottles. It gives us the chance to fill in the gaps in our regular drinking collection, as well with the try-before-you-buy guarantee.

We hope to see many of the North Idaho wine consumers at these two upcoming events so they have the chance to hear Greg explain firsthand the philosophy behind his winery, and to taste the wines and see why they have gained critical praise and their status as one of the real rising stars of the Idaho and national wine industry.

If there is a topic you would like to read about, or if you have questions on wine, you can email [email protected], 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 has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions; his articles are published around the country and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com). You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles, as well as other great wine tips, by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.