This year with the way the holidays fell, we even managed a three-day weekend, which was wonderful. We had the time to host a dinner party of our own, catch up on things that needed attention at home after an intense few weeks, and in general relax and regroup. Also, we had a bit more time to spend on preparing and enjoying our evening meals, and a chance to linger over a glass or two of wine and really appreciate what we were having.

As we were turning the page on our own calendar from 2015 to 2016, I decided to make Coq au Vin; a recipe I have always enjoyed, but for whatever reason, had lost track of. Coq au Vin to me is one of those “slow food” dishes that you take your time preparing, and over that time fills our home with wonderful aromas, adding warmth to the coldest of winter nights.

As the first dinner of 2016, we enjoyed the Coq au Vin with a lovely Cotes du Rhone that retails around $10. What a treat it was, lovely with vibrant fruit mild earthiness, pairing well with the chicken and a perfect way to start out the New Year.

Many of our meals and more of our memories revolve around a selection of well-priced bottles that we can truly enjoy without fretting about the investment made to bring them home. In short, we really appreciate having so many great choices of good wine at compelling prices. It seems even more important after the exuberant and carefree gathering of the holidays, when we go back to work and focus a bit more on staying within our normal budgets.

The good news is that we can do just that. Choices abound here in the North Idaho wine market with great wines in every varietal and geographic category that retail at amazing prices. Every wine consumer’s budget is different; one buyer’s value price is simply not the same as others. This is why it is of even more value to chat with your favorite wine professional and let them know what you consider to be everyday value-priced wine. In shops like ours, there are always wine professionals willing to help you navigate the many choices out there, from single digits and up, and to help you hone in on the varietals styles and flavor profiles you like the most.

The goal we all strive for as wine consumers is to find those memorable bottles, meals and moments that truly make us appreciate all the great choices we have here. One of the best ways to get started on that overwhelming feeling of gratitude for the choices we all have here is to break out of the regular routine. Venture out a bit and seek out wines that hit your value budget, but perhaps don’t come from the same sources that are part of our weekly — or even daily — routines.

The varied and plentiful choices in wine will indeed begin to show themselves once you seek out different places to buy your bottles. Every retail wine outlet is different and all will offer different selections, and each wine professional you encounter will focus on choices you may not have seen before.

We really appreciated our wine experience over our long weekend with the $10 Cotes du Rhone, your same experience is out there. A chance to feel gratitude and warmth about simple meals, quiet times and great wines; finding that perfect bottle is always rewarding and leads to thanks.

If there is a topic you would like to read about, or if you have 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 tabletop décor shop by Costco in Coeur d’Alene. George has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions, and his articles are published around the country.

You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.

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