Wine Rodeo 2012
Each year at this time the four judges for the North Idaho Wine Rodeo commercial wine competition gather to start judging the hundreds of wines entered from around the world. This year the judging panel has a new addition - Jill Kausen of Possibilities on Sherman Avenue. Jill's experience in retail wine sales makes her the perfect addition to Eric Cook, Chris Cates and me, and in the first judging sessions she has proven herself to be a great replacement for past judge Jenniffer Curran who left the area earlier this year.
Just as in past years the judging we have done so far has produced some surprises to go along with some familiar names doing well in the competition. When judging the varietal categories one of the parts that is most fun for all of us including the coordinators is when the bottles are pulled out of the bags at the end of each category and we get to see which the favorites were. Fun and illuminating, because in a blind format you are frequently surprised by wines that are your favorites that may not do so well even on your own scoring sheet, and by others that historically have not been your favorites and they get top marks!
There are nearly 20 different varietal categories entered. As in previous years the Red Blend has the overwhelmingly largest number of entries and is split between wines that retail more than $20 and those that retail $20 and under. Cabernet Sauvignon is also well represented with 30 wines entered. This year too the judges have voted to evaluate any varietal with at least three entries in its own category to better manage the "Other White" and "Other Red" categories, which can get to be very large and even tougher on the judge's palates. While this increases the number of wines to be judged during the Best in Show competition we felt that it was a more fair approach for the wines entered.
The Best in Show judging is done for whites and reds. In order to be considered in this segment of the competition a wine must win or tie for first in its varietal category where the wines are rated in five categories; color, bouquet, palate, length of finish and the all important varietal truth. Each wine is scored by all of the four judges in each category on a scale from 1 to 10 with 10 being the highest. The score from each of the judges and each category are evenly weighted and the winners then determined.
Just like last year the wining winemakers of Best in Show White and Best in Show Red win a rodeo belt buckle designed and produced by Montana Silversmiths. These buckles are sought after by the competing winemakers as it results in monumental bragging rights at industry wide wine tastings. An additional award is given for Best Label White and Red.
The real payoff for consumers though is the chance to taste all of this great wine. Like previous years there will be two public tasting events held, one later in the year, the Winter Wine Rodeo, and the other during fair week in August. This year's summer tasting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 22 from 5-8 p.m. We moved the tasting to an evening event this year to both manage some of the logistical issues that came up in previous years when so many events are scheduled for Saturday of fair week and also to avoid the heat of an afternoon tasting. The tasting this year will be held outdoors under the trees in Foundation Park, which we hope will be a cooler venue and time.
If you buy your tickets in advance they will be $25, and will include entry to the fair for the day, your souvenir logo wine glass and your first 5-2 ounce tastes of wine. Additional wine tastes can be purchased for $2 per taste. If you wait to buy your tickets until the day of the tasting, your cost will be $30 to get both into the fair and the tasting. In addition to the tasting being moved outdoors there will be live music at the venue this year as well.
The real bonus though is the chance to taste so many wines, as the only requirement for wines to be poured at the events is to have been entered in the competition. While the winning wines do, and rightfully should get more exposure, having so many choices of what to taste is a great payoff for wine enthusiasts! Finally, just like in previous years the wines you decide are your favorites will all be available for purchase at the event or you can order them and pick them up later so you don't need to carry them with you as you enjoy the rest of the fair.
We look forward to completing the judging and presenting the awards and like always look forward to a really great tasting event. We hope to see you there!
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.