ADVERTISING: Advertorial — How do I learn more about wine
It is one of the most frequently asked questions over the 13 years we have had our shop, The Dinner Party. Mary received the question again just this past week. We get it. Wine stirs passions. Add in the now evident and well-documented health benefits and many of us want to learn more about it. While the most important thing to know about wine takes no skill or knowledge, that is what you like versus what you don’t, the next steps as you delve into wine are easier to master with some guidance.
Perhaps most important as you start your own wine journey is some guidance from a trusted wine professional. All of us involved in the business of wine develop our knowledge from working in the industry and from tasting wine — a lot of wine. In the shop, we taste between 50 and 60 wines each week. With visits from our great, local crew of distributors, winemakers or importers or brokers who may be in town in any given week, we sample wines from all over the world, crafted from virtually every varietal. While there are some wines that just aren’t our “cup of tea,” it is rare we encounter wines that are poorly made, which is why it is so important for us to taste with all who stop by. Just because it doesn’t appeal to our own palates, it doesn’t mean it won’t appeal to some or many in our community. As professionals that is our job; to find wines that appeal to as many of you as possible. By working with a wine professional who gets to know your palate, your likes and dislikes, we can then reach out to you and make recommendations or advise you at times not to buy a bottle.
Another step for you to learn more about wine is to taste many different wines. Granted, it may be challenging for you to taste as much as we do. There are ways for you to taste more than you currently do. When you feel up to it, avoid your normal reflexive order when you are out to dinner or lunch. Scan the “by the glass” list at restaurants and order something that is completely outside your normal preference. Same can be true if you are at friend’s or family’s events and try something different. Even if you think you might not like it or haven’t in the past, give it a shot. You might be surprised. Or not, and if you don’t like it, what is the risk really?
When you are tasting, taste with others. The beauty of wine is that we all taste something different; our palates are all unique. By tasting with others, you will learn what they identify in any wine and many times it will trigger our own senses to identify flavors or aromas that we didn’t previously find. Recently, at one of our wine tastings here at the shop, we had noted one of the wines showed a very distinctive note of boysenberry. Mary had picked it up when we sampled the wine and it is not a typical fruit note I identify. Sure enough, we had guests say, “Yeah boysenberry. I get that!”
Similarly, when you have the chance, taste with a winemaker or other industry professional. The person who made the wine will be intimately familiar with their product and while the backstory on each wine is fascinating, it will also help you learn what you like about this wine or style versus that one. Wine tastings are happening virtually every week around town, so take advantage of that resource.
The most important reason to keep trying wine is the simple fact that your palate changes over time. As you improve your aromatic memory and recognition, certain wines will taste better to you. And wines that previously were your “go to” may fall out of favor. We see it so frequently with customers that previously would not even consider that varietal or that winery, and when they try a wine later they say to us, “Wow, I never thought I would like that!”
Another great way to learn about many different wines is to join a wine club. Ours here at The Dinner Party is just three bottles per quarter, so 12 total all year. Most all of us will consume that many in a year or bring to events we attend with friends and family. Our club is designed to get you to try many different wines. We seek them out from all over the globe. We include tasting notes with every one of our selections, allowing you to learn about them as you drink them. At our wine club release parties, you have the chance to try them with fellow club members — all ways to build your knowledge.
The best way to start though is to take that first step and try something new. Come by the shop and we will help you start your journey.
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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.