Taste, taste, taste

Mary and I affectionately refer to tasting wine many times as "homework." For us while it really isn't work at all it is a big part of the job, as we never feel comfortable or confident recommending a wine to a customer if we have not tried it first regardless of the price we pay and therefore charge our customers, it has to meet our standards. Allegorically, customers can and for their own protection should approach wine the same way.

We say "can" for a number of reasons first; there are plentiful opportunities in our area to taste wine, many times at no cost, like our tastings here at the shop. You can choose too to attend winemaker dinners and similar events that are not free but provide the chance to try wine with a meal so you can see how the wine does with food.

We also say "can" because of the way Idaho liquor law is written. The law requires that every bottle be purchased at the wholesale level at the same price. So whether we buy one or 100 bottles every bottle costs the same, for us and every other wholesale purchaser. There is one small exception that distributors are allowed to charge a $.20 per bottle premium on orders of less than a case but only two distributors charge this legislated difference and most retailers including us do not pass it on at the retail level. If you want to try a wine that we or any other wine professional recommends or if you simply want to try something you have heard or read about call and order one bottle, before you buy in size. We do this for customers all of the time and for consumers it is the only way to be fully comfortable with purchases of multiple bottles.

We say consumers "should" take advantage of these opportunities to try before they buy, as it not only makes consumers more educated, but allows you to truly find the wines you like best. After all isn't that what it is all about? The educated consumer to us is vital though as an educated consumer can better direct us on the wines to recommend. We accomplish this simply by checking with folks after they buy a new wine and try it and by asking simple questions about the reasons for likes and dislikes. It results in a great partnership.

We have heard recently of a trend in the wine business that is counter to all we believe and we have just talked about. When they first emerged they were called "flash sites," they go by many different names now and the concept has changed slightly but basically remains intact. They work by flashing out specials on their website or pushing them out to their email list. Most of the offers involve little known producers, older vintages or items the website owner finds a deal on. Additionally, the consumer is asked to only buy in full cases and in some instances to pay for the wine some number of months in advance of receiving their shipment, and to sacrifice any recourse they might have to return the wine if it misses the mark.

For the website it allows them to shift the risk of the transaction over to the consumer allowing them to pay their supplier before taking delivery themselves. It also allows them to specifically quantify their purchases. While all of this may be great for the seller it is in conflict with the best interests of their consumers. We never would and frankly think no one should be asked to deal with these restrictions and gimmicks when it comes to an item as prized and passion driven as the wine we all like to drink. It seems to us that this approach limits consumer choice and sooner or later will result in a customer being stuck with a case of wine that does not meet their expectations.

We believe an educated and well informed consumer is our best customer so will always strive to help all understand the economics behind wine pricing, and work with folks to get them single bottles to try and tastings they need to select wines that are best for them. Most every wine professional we know would do the same, and we encourage all to use these tools to make their best selection.

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