Wine price misconceptions

Assumptions, opinions, we all have them about most everything, including what wine should cost. Even more importantly, we have them about how a wine should taste when it is "X" dollars. Those assumptions and opinions cut both ways, too. We have all thought or said it during a wine discussion: "there is no way I would pay that much for a bottle of wine, it can't possibly be that good." Surprisingly - or perhaps not so - we have also heard, "there is no way I buy wine that is that inexpensive it must taste terrible." Over the summer, a very good customer of ours went so far as to suggest, "you should charge more for that wine, you will probably sell more of it!"

We continue to believe that the most important arbiter of what a wine should cost is what you, the wine consumer thinks of it; what you think it is worth based on how it tastes to you. And as all wine consumers know, the only way to know that is by tasting and trying.

There are misconceptions about pricing throughout the wine world. Italians are less expensive than French. Both French and Italian are more expensive than wines produced here in the U.S., and Washington wines are priced better than those from California. As you taste wines, you will likely find wines from all these places and more that are priced at all kinds of levels, some higher some lower. Especially given the current price inversion we have written about recently, the important thing is to keep trying them.

This month you will have the opportunity to do just that, and do it at one of the area's best restaurants, with an importer that shares a close connection to the chef. Michael Molinengo from Barrique Imports will be in town on January 22nd and 23rd. On the 22nd, we will join Michael for a wine dinner at Fleur de Sel in Post Falls. Fleur de Sel is at the top of the restaurant world of the Inland Northwest, and chef co-owner Laurent Zirotti and Michael Molinengo attended the same culinary school in France, providing for a food wine connection that will be truly special.

When we were discussing the wine selections this past week with Laurent and Patricia, we were excited to find five French selections that are truly outstanding. Wines that Laurent will no doubt do his usual stellar job at pairing with creative and fabulous courses of the best French cuisine. The best part is the wines are all compellingly priced, less expensive than many will expect when talking about Bordeaux, Burgundy, Provence and the Rhone Valley. The wines we have selected are approachable and delicious, transcending many of our assumptions about French wines and correcting the price misconceptions we are prone to at times.

Michael will join us at the shop on Friday the 23rd for a tasting of more of his tasty imports, all which are just as delicious and well-priced as those we will feature at the dinner. For more information on either event or to make reservations, you can call us here at the shop (208) 765-5653.

Our assumptions about wine from price, to quality, to what they will taste like based on where they are from are grounded in our experiences. It is important, though, to try things that we might not otherwise pursue, it provides the chance for pleasant surprises and expanding the breadth and depth of our wine choices. The chance to try new things, coupled with a food and wine team that dates back decades, is an event that should not be missed.

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 tabletop 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 he is the wine editor for Coeur d'Alene Magazine (www.cdamagazine.com).

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