Fall arrivals

For us and for most consumers (judging by buying patterns), wine consumption has a seasonal element: more rose and white with bracing acidity in the spring and summer, full-bodied whites and bubbly as the leaves start to turn. Similarly with reds: lighter-bodied reds with lower oak profiles during the warm summer months but when there is a chill in the air, tastes shift to embrace fuller-bodied reds and, of course, Pinot Noir for those holiday meals.

We always taste a lot of wine but post-Labor Day, our great distributor partners roll out their new fall items, recognizing too the seasonal aspects of wine. For this reason and our own anticipation of changing seasons, it is one of our favorite times of the "wine year." Here are some of the new wines that we are really enjoying.

Sean Minor is a new winery for us. Located in American Canyon but sourcing fruit from all over Northern California, we have found his wines to be nothing short of great. Like his appellation selection, his varietal selection is equally broad. We enjoyed most all that we tried from the winery, but brought in his Carneros Pinot Noir ($22) and California Sauvignon Blanc ($13) as soon as we could.

We love most Pinot Noir sourced from Carneros, which is the strip of growing land along the northern reaches of the San Francisco Bay that spans both Napa and Sonoma counties. True to its roots, the 2011 Sean Minot shows a lovely balance of fruit and earth, and will pair well with all gamey birds, including turkey. His "SB" is classic California with loads of pink grapefruit flavors and aromas, and is priced well to use as an aperitif for large parties.

The hearty foods of fall and winter seem to go well with Italian varietals. Barbera, one of our favorite grapes from northern Italy, has two main appellations - Asti and Alba. Alba is a bit warmer, producing more full-bodied wines, and the 2010 Barbera d'Alba from Luigi Voghera ($25) is a show-stopper. 2010 was a great year in Piedmont and this wine shows plenty of heft and muscle, balanced with finesse in the tannins, to make the wine drinkable now. Can't think of anything better than this wine with a beef short rib and mushroom Bolognese.

The 2012 Il Gladiatore from Marchesi del Salento ($13) is another entry from Italy that will be great by the fireplace. This blend of Negroamaro and Sangiovese is being poured by the glass by our friends at Fire and we can see why. It is rich and weighty in the mouth with loads of fruit: perfect with your favorite pizza or a hearty stew.

Our friends at Talbott, who will team up with Napa powerhouse Jarvis for a winemaker dinner at Fleur de Sel on October 16th, continue to turn out some of the best Chardonnay and Pinot Noir coming out of California. The 2013 Logan Chardonnay from Talbott ($24) is lovely and elegant, and has us eagerly waiting for Dungeness crab season.

One of the great surprises of the fall is the 2012 Beringer Paso Robles Red ($25). With their deep-pocketed Australian owners, the reach of Beringer continues to expand - with mixed results at times. This wine, though, like so many domestic 2012s, is fabulous. It is a blend of Syrah and Cabernet, with lovely dark stone fruit flavors and plenty of structure for those who really like full-bodied wines. OK, grilling season is over, but fire it up one more time and throw on a steak.

The 2011 D66 Grenache ($40) from Dave Phinney's European project should not be missed. It is lovely and sophisticated, with much layering of flavors and a finish that doesn't quit. It is a wine that should be lingered over, perfect for a rainy afternoon and game hens in grape sauce.

For the super-special occasion, bring home the 2011 Spottswoode Napa Cabernet ($175). 2011 was a very challenging year, but the careful tending of the grapes by the folks at Spottswoode, coupled with extraordinary winemaking, made the compelling argument to buy producer over vintage. The wine is classic Napa Valley Cab - hits all the right notes and will be excellent with prime rib.

For all wine consumers, this is a great time of year to check out all of the new things coming to the North Idaho wine market. Stop by the shop or chat with your favorite wine professional to explore these and other gems that will help you celebrate fall.

If there is a topic you would like to read about, or if you have 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 has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions; his articles are published around the country and is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com).

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