The Top 40

A customer and wine club member of ours from Seattle recently sent me an article from the Seattle Times highlighting the 100 best wines from Washington that their wine writer had tasted in the last year.

I have always been skeptical of such lists as they are the viewpoint of one writer with a singular palate and ignore wines from all the other appellations around the world.

In addition the selections lack context as many times how you feel about a wine depends on what you were doing at the time you had it, who enjoyed it with you, what food you were eating, or even the weather.

I also recognize too that as wine professionals we are exposed to a lot of wine and do have things to contribute to all of you as consumers.

Here is our list of the top 40 wines available here in North Idaho, both retail and on some restaurant wine lists. The list is compiled from wines submitted by each of the judges from the North Idaho Wine Rodeo: Eric Cook, Jennifer Curran, Chris Cates and George Balling. Each judge contributed 10 and was allowed to only choose one wine from any winery. Some of them are entered in the competition, many are not.

This list is in no way inclusive of all the great wine we are able to purchase here in North Idaho, but perhaps you will find some new favorites and some old "friends" to revisit in your wine experience.

From Jennifer Curran, food and beverage manager The Club at Black Rock:

2002 Perrier Jouet Rose Champagne, $300

2005 Col Solare Red, $65

2005 Vincent Girardin Corton Charle-magne, $94

2006 Domaine Serene Evenstad Reserve Pinot Noir, $51

2006 Long Shadows Saggi, $45

2007 Da Milano Lecinquevigne Barolo, $43

NV Delamotte Brut Rose Champagne, $107

2007 Tablas Creek Esprit de Beaucastel, $50

2004 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett Riesling, $46

NV Bruno Paillard Brut Rose Champagne, $86

From Chris Cates, owner/manager Eau de Vie Liberty Lake, Wash.:

2008 Owen Roe Rosa Mystica Cabernet Franc, $40

2008 Guardian Cellars Gun Metal, $37

2008 Sleight of Hand The Archimage, $46

2008 Walla Walla Vitners Malbec, $31

2007 Steppe Cellars Merlot, $18

2007 Five Star Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, $33

2007 Lynmar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley, $44

2008 Sinclair Vixen, $35

2007 Dunham Cellars Syrah, $20

2007 Trio Vitners Mourvedre, $28

From Eric Cook, Sommelier Beverly's Coeur d'Alene Resort:

1999 LaSalle Brut Rose, $91

NV Roederer Blanc de Blancs, $73

2008 Navarro Muscat Blanc, $17

2003 Gravner Ribolla Gialla, $100

2007 Chateau de la Roche aux Moines (Nicolas Joly) Savennieres, $66

2008 DuMol Pinot Noir Ryan, $86

2002 Vall Llach Priorato, $89

2008 Domaine Clape Ctes du Rhone, 38

2009 Andrew Will Cabernet Franc, $30

2006 Delille Cabernet Sauvignon "Grand Ciel," $122

From George Balling, co-owner The Dinner Party:

2008 Cava Aliguer, $17

2010 Copola Sofia dry Rose, $17

2008 Baileyana Chardonnay, $20

2008 Shafer Red Shoulder Ranch Chardonnay, $48

2008 Skylark Red Belly, $25

2007 Terra Blanca Arche Terrace Cabernet Sauvignon, $14

2008 Soter North Valley Pinot Noir, $32.50

2006 Balletto Estate Zinfandel, $20

2007 Pride Mountain Vineyards Cabernet, $75

2008 Querciabella Mongrana, $20

All prices shown are standard retail mark up and may differ at restaurants or other retail outlets.

If there is a topic you would like to read about or 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 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

His articles can also be found on the blog at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com.