At the beginning

For some of us it was just a thought, for others there was little choice, and for a couple of us it might have been complete happenstance, but for most all of us wine is a journey. While a journey through wine never really ends for many of us, like all journeys, it has a beginning. The question for new wine consumers is how do you begin, what is the way to start your own journey?

Whether it be the intrigue of drinking wine, being at a gathering where there is nothing else to drink, or the chance encounter of a friend or family member saying "here try this," you will take your first sip of wine. The reaction will be determined by your palate and what it prefers and by that first wine you try. They may agree, or may not, but it gives you the basis for what comes next.

Perhaps the most important thing for wine consumers of all experience levels (but more vital for those new to the experience) is to try a lot of things, and to challenge your palate as much as possible by trying different kinds of wines. Different varietals, different producers, different regions, try it all. At the beginning of your own personal wine journey, it is likely you will enjoy only a small percentage of what you try. Everyone's palate evolves with time and experiences, so don't expect to like everything right now. You may not like it, but it might end up being that you just don't like it yet.

One of the ways to try new things is by attending tastings. Right here in our own North Idaho community there are tastings available all the time. Go and try what is offered. When you find something you like, make note of it and buy a bottle. For those you don't prefer, never shy away from employing the dump bucket. Having folks pour out wine - either because they don't prefer it, or if they are just trying to manage how much they consume - is part of the wine business, and as wine professionals we don't take it personally.

When you are out to drinks or dinner with friends and family, try new things from the "by the glass" list. Restaurant servers will almost always bring you a small taste to see if you like it before you buy a full glass. If someone you are dining with orders a bottle that might not be your normal preference, give it a try. It will place the wine in the possible or not "column" for your future reference.

Also, when ordering in a restaurant or when talking to us at the shop, never be embarrassed to tell your wine professional what you like. We all start somewhere. Some prefer sweet wine, others prefer wine with a lot of oak flavor, it is just a matter of what your palate reacts to. By giving this feedback, it allows us to zero in on what would be most compatible with your taste - and if you are ready to advance, what will be a good next step.

As you start to find wines you really like, keep track of as much information as you can about them. Grape varietal, winery, region, and vintage are all important, but also try to remember what it is about each that you like. Focus on flavor, texture, the way the wine smells and how it feels in your mouth. All of these will be different for each palate and each wine.

Here is something you might not expect to hear from wine industry folks: even more important than telling us what you do like, tell us when we get a recommendation wrong. Share with us when you find a wine you don't like and why. Helping you avoid similar bottles is not only a big part of our job, but is more impactful to helping you understand more about wine and winemaking at the beginning of your wine journey.

Everyone's wine journey will be different and will progress at a different pace. You will likely go through phases where you find a lot of new things you like, and at other times, you will prefer to stick with your favorites. On occasion the progression will be slow and even, and at other times you will make huge leaps. Each will surprise you at times. Be prepared to say to yourself, "Wow, I wasn't expecting to like that," or to think, "Dang, I thought for certain that would be my favorite, I used to love that kind of wine."

For the beginning step of your wine journey, though, take it! Come by the shop or talk to your favorite wine professional about how to get started.

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 by Costco in Coeur d'Alene. George has also worked as a judge in many wine competitions, and his articles are published around the country. You can learn more about the dinner party at www.thedinnerpartyshop.com. You can get all of these articles and other great wine tips by friending us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.