We start again!

The first of many communications went out this past week to winemakers, winery owners, distributors and judges announcing the start of the third annual and 2012 version of the North Idaho Wine Rodeo.

This official starting point is when wineries begin the decision process of what to submit, and get their wine sent in. As we start to receive the entries the judging schedule begins to be laid out, and varietal categories are set up.

These initial steps are what lead to the presentation of wines for tasting to the general public. We expect more than 300 wines to be entered from around the world again this year. The wines will span virtually every major varietal category, and when we receive more than 20 entries for any one category we then split the judging for that grape type into wines that retail for $20 and under and those that retail over $20.

This segment of the judging will take up to two months of twice weekly judging sessions! During these sessions the judges will work from two to four hours at a crack rating each wine on a 10-point scale in the five categories of color, bouquet, palate, finish and the all important varietal truth. We emphasize varietal truth in the judging as we find nothing more off-putting than wines being put through any degree of manipulation to make it taste like something other than what it was meant to be. Every wine is judged blind, placed in a numbered or lettered paper bag with our coordinators keeping track of each wine. The scores are tallied and in each varietal category a first, second and third place ribbon is awarded. After all of those categories are completed then the "big" competition really starts.

White wines and dry roses that won their varietal category are assembled to be judged in the Best in Show White competition, and similarly all of the reds that won their initial competition are judged against each other for Best in Show Red. These best in show shoot outs are judged in the same five areas on the same 10-point scale. The two winning winemakers that make it through that gauntlet each receive a North Idaho Wine Rodeo belt buckle, and all of the bragging rights that go along with it.

While it is both important and educational to see the behind-the-scenes process of picking the winners, the real payoff for wine consumers are the two public tasting events. While a wine need only be entered into the competition to be eligible to be poured at these wine tastings the wines that do the best always receive more attention and it is very unusual for distributors not to include winning wines in the tastings. The Winter Wine Rodeo will be held again this year at the end of November or in early December and will be similar in format to previous years.

The North Idaho Wine Rodeo tasting held during fair week will be enhanced from previous years. After the "heat blast" last year on the last Saturday of the fair we will be moving the tasting up to one of the first evenings the fair is open, which should help us avoid not only the heat but some of the logistical issues that come up on Saturday of fair week. We will also be moving the venue to the park-like tree covered area close to the fairgrounds office. The weather that time of year is almost always near perfect and an outdoor venue will provide a relaxed and enjoyable evening setting to enjoy these great wines, many of which made it through stiff competition to come out winners.

As always it also provides consumers the chance to try the wines, pick your favorites and buy them that evening. Also as in years past your North Idaho Fair and Rodeo tasting glass will be included with your price of admission.

We will continue to provide updates here in The Press as the judging commences and as the public tasting schedule firms up. We look forward to another great year of Wine Rodeo events and encourage all wine consumers to join us for the tastings. They are simply put a great opportunity to try delicious award-winning wines from all over the world!

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.