ADVERTISING: Advertorial — GEORGE BALLING: The social aspect of wine
The last couple of weeks have seen some amazing developments around the country. As the coronavirus has spread around the globe and from coast to coast, here at home we have witnessed extraordinary events as entire countries, and here at home three states, have basically shut down. Here in North Idaho the number of cases has been relatively small. We hope this trend continues. Throughout these events we have seen much of our social fabric torn, as friends and neighbors hoard, others are frightened for their own and their family’s health, and others have chosen to close their businesses.
Gatherings of any kind are discouraged and normal courtesies like shaking hands or hugging family members are frowned upon. I’m unsure if I agree with all of them, but understand them and I recognize that each of us has to pursue their life in whatever manner they are comfortable. As we move through ensuing weeks though, all of us are going to crave more social interaction. Most of us are social beings and the simple joy of dining with friends and family at home or restaurants will be missed more and more.
When many of us gather to share a meal, wine is a part of that. It is, after all, a social drink. Different than having a beer or a cocktail, the simplest idea of having a bottle of wine with our dining mates is, well, social. We share the bottle, drinking from the same vessel and politely making certain each of us gets the appropriate amount fairly dividing the wine as the bottle is consumed. It is social and sharing at every level.
Wine, any wine, inspires discussion and discourse. It is tough to drink a bottle of wine with others and not comment on the likes and dislikes of the bottle in front of us and of bottles long since passed. Each sip presents an opportunity to comment on how the wine is changing, what flavors and aromas are developing as the wine opens up, and how it evolves as it interacts with our food.
Dining together and sharing a bottle of wine for many of us is as normal as shaking hands and hugging relatives. Unlike those actions through, sharing food and wine with those we are closest to is hopefully not only a bit safer, but also less discouraged. In times like these a bit of normalcy, the familiar rhythms of life, are tremendously important, if not vital. They keep us grounded, and in so many ways, helps us to know that our world as we know it is not coming to an end.
We are indeed fortunate to live here in North Idaho, surrounded by great natural beauty, a supportive community and a full array of wonderful local businesses. We, like all our friends and neighbors, look forward to the time when our fully normal lives return. In the meantime though, as we deal with this altered reality, it is important to hold on to the little pieces of normalcy that we can. So, get together with those closest to you, share a meal in your home, and of course, enjoy a bottle of wine together. While the sports on TV may be replays, chances are you will find some new conversations to have about wine and make some new memories from these simple and normal social activities. Years from now, you may even say, “remember that great bottle of wine we had with dear friends during the coronavirus thing?” It will be a good memory from a time of great uncertainty.
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George Balling is co-owner with his wife, Mary Lancaster, of the dinner party, a wine and gift shop in Coeur d’Alene by Costco. The dinner party has won the award for best wine shop in North Idaho twice, including for 2018. George is also published in several other publications around the country.
After working in wineries in California and judging many wine competitions, he moved to Coeur d’Alene with Mary more than 10 years ago to open the shop. You can also follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/#!/dinnerpartyshop.