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!

We had a friend join us for the opera, she had never been before. We had a wonderful afternoon at the Sunday matinee. Our friend liked the opera very much, was surprised at the theatrical nature of the performance and especially enjoyed the deep male voices, of which there were three in “The Barber.” It was another hit in our opinion for our local opera company and we can’t wait for what comes next season. Like we do with different and new wine in our shop and our wine club, we encourage folks to try the opera you will be surprised, I’m betting, at how much you will like it, you may even experience one of those epiphanal moments when you fall in love with the opera and become a fan for life.

The trick is to try it, just once…. You should with opera and you should with wine. The list of wines that we find have a bit of a bias against them is not all that long, but they are fairly ingrained. Champagne and sparkling wines are perhaps those with the most intense feelings among their detractors. We frequently hear “I don’t like Champagne,” “Champagne is too sweet” and “Champagne gives me a headache.” We find that most times when folks feel this way they have yet to really try Champagne or Sparkling Wine or perhaps more importantly have yet to try good ones.

As the holidays approach a time when many of us choose to celebrate with some bubbly it is the perfect time to try something new. Indeed there are “sparklers” that are made sweet, and some inexpensive poorly produced wines may indeed cause headaches and other allergic reactions. Stop by and see your favorite wine professional though and get some advice on really good sparkling wine or Champagne and you will find you may actually like them. Many are crafted dry, and made with such an eye to quality they won’t give you a headache. Understanding too that many of the wines are crafted with varietals we know well like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir may get you “over the hump” of giving the bubbly another try.

White wines in general are another category that seems to have a bit of a bias against them. We hear at times “I only drink red,” and “serious wine drinkers don’t drink white wine.” While serious collectors of some of the great vintage white wines from Europe can take care of the second argument on their own, we encourage you again to try something new. Pour a glass of some of the lesser known white varietals at your next dinner party, and have it paired with one of your dishes urging your attendees and perhaps yourself to avoid the reflex of going for the red wine first. Every wine professional in the area will be able to help with a pairing suggestion to facilitate the experiment. “I’m betting” yet again that the staunchest of red wine advocates will be surprised at how much they like the white and enjoy trying something new.

Whether it be opera or a wine type that you feel inclined to dislike the important part is to give it a chance. It is an opportunity to expand your experience and find new favorites, a chance to love more music and enjoy more wine. “More” always seems to be a good idea to me.

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.

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George Balling is co-owner with his wife Mary Lancaster of the dinner party a wine, beer and table top décor 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. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. Be sure and check out our weekly blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com/home/blog-2 You can get all of these articles as well as other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop