The French opportunity

We have written much lately of the benefits offered by European wines given the tough recent vintages here in North America. These benefits are about to come to the fore in a big way here in North Idaho in conjunction with a visit from one of the premier French wine importers in the business! While the French Government and the politics of this old world wine-producing country are mysterious to us at times, their winemaking ability and history as one of the oldest and most capable producers are well earned.

We are all fortunate here in Coeur d'Alene and nearby communities in that we have the chance to attend wine events virtually every week. Whether they are hosted by restaurants, our great local wineries or other shops like the dinner party our options abound.

This coming weekend though is truly a unique and special chance to taste a broad range of wines from the French portion of the Kermit Lynch portfolio when Lyle Railsback comes to town. Kermit Lynch has been importing great French wine for more than 40 years from his post in Berkley, Calif. A contemporary of great culinary icons like Julia Child, James Beard and Jacques Pepin, Kermit was "doing" wine long before it enjoyed its current popularity and broad appeal. While those were no doubt leaner times in the domestic wine business it was also the perfect time to secure some of the best names in Europe, specifically France, as permanent additions to his list of wineries.

Kermit's representative in this area, the aforementioned Lyle Railsback, possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of European appellations and the wines from those areas, and even more in depth insight into those in his own "book." So not only is this a rare opportunity to taste some really great juice from the mother ship of all wine appellations, perhaps the greater opportunity is to garner true wine knowledge. There are many in our business who provide information including this wine writer; Lyle imparts real knowledge and insight into the history, winemaking and viticulture that makes France a different part of our industry.

As I have said so many times it is not that European wines are "better," that is up to you as a wine consumer and to what your palate prefers. It is that the wines are different than those produced domestically, giving all of us the chance to expand our palate knowledge and recognition.

The first event will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 22 at Scratch restaurant in Coeur d'Alene. You will have the chance to try four different wines imported by Kermit from Burgundy, the Languedoc, Bandol in Provence and Sauterne all paired with original creations prepared by Chef/Owner Jason Rex. Jason, Lyle and the dinner party have worked in collaboration to create a truly special line up for the evening and it should be quite a show!

The second event will be a tasting here at our shop, the dinner party, at 4 p.m. Saturday, June 23 when we will taste wines from the above appellations plus wines from the Chateauneuf du Pape appellation and from the Rhone valley. If you would like to join us for either or both events give us a call at (208) 765-5653 for details and to reserve your spot.

The assumption many times too is that all French wines are expensive, but that is not always the case. This weekend we will be trying wines priced from $15 paired with wonderful food, great stories and insightful knowledge. At the end of it all it will be up to each of us to judge whether we as individuals like the wines, but as wine enthusiasts and consumers the journey should be a blast.

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.