Consistency and Wine Production

Ultimately the wineries that become our favorites as retailers and consumers are the ones that year after year produce wine that we really like, and feel is worth the money we spend on it. The challenge then is to determine which producers those are, and how to discover that they do produce with consistency.

Neighborhood of the week: Downtown Coeur d'Alene

When you're alone and life is making you lonely / You can always go downtown / You can forget all your troubles, forget all your cares / So go downtown / Things will be great when you're downtown / Don't wait a minute more / Downtown, everything is waiting for you. ("Downtown," written by Tony Hatch, performed by Petula Clark)

The most challenging varietal

Perhaps the most fascinating part of our own and many consumers’ wine journey is exploring the wines and growing regions of the “Old World.” Whether you are traveling the appellations of Europe or just tasting through the wines that come from different European areas that you buy here at home, it becomes clear that different varietals grow in different areas for the simplest of reasons. It is because each varietal is more suited to the growing area it comes from.

The winery distributor shuffle

Every year between December and January a "dance" goes on between wineries and distributors resulting from successes and failures of distributors in selling wine. At times distributors will drop winery brands from their "books" that have not sold well but more frequently wineries change their distributors to increase sales of their wines in an area. This annual exercise takes on more ferocity when we have a tough wine market with a lot of extra juice to be sold. Sometimes it works sometimes not so much, but it can have real effects on the wine consumer.

There's more to Cd'A schools story

At the Monday School Board meeting, Trustee Dave Eubanks, speaking to the Board and the community, called for the disposal of district assets. His goal, apparently, is to replenish the district's contingency fund after some of those funds were used to ensure sufficient funding for completion of Winton Elementary School.

Sheriff’s Blotter

Notable calls for the day!

Post Falls Police offer safe places to meet

POST FALLS - The Post Falls Police Department encourages citizens to utilize its parking lot for meetings with strangers, especially for purchases of goods advertised online.

Killer of officers had long criminal history

Brinsley had at least 19 arrests, spent time in prison

Inslee issues 'stay home' order for state

Stay home unless absolutely necessary or your job is essential, Gov. Jay Inslee told Washington residents Monday night.

Idaho Community Foundation awards 58 grants in area

Black Friday barrage

Millions of Americans turned out as the holiday buying season started earlier this year on Thanksgiving Day. But there's still a lot of shopping left.

Life lessons from 'Grandma Ruth'

During this season of Thanksgiving, I’m going to take a detour from business advice and focus instead on gratitude. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to get to know a remarkable woman whose life lessons are an example for all.

Exchange created lifelong bonds of friendship

LaDonna Beaumont is a Renaissance woman, last year earning her private pilot’s license among other things. Her sense of adventure took root in the stories she heard from her father, who served in the Army and was based in the German town of Kitzingen. LaDonna’s family hosted a Jewish exchange student from Brazil in 1980 and the seed was planted. In 1987 LaDonna spent her senior year at Gonzaga Prep as a foreign exchange student in Germany. She had received a scholarship through the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag, and was one of two recipients from Idaho.

JUDD JONES: Medicinal teas

We are sneaking up on colder weather and the cold and flu season. One of your best options, if you’re feeling off or run down, is medicinal teas. There are so many teas to choose from that cover various wellness aspects it makes tea one of the very best alternative health drinks.

Residents of all types near Mullan in Post Falls

Seltice Way gets all the attention in Post Falls. Seltice, Seltice, Seltice! I submit to you an equally important roadway in the River City — Mullan Avenue, a commercial and residential hub of central Post Falls. Applause sign!.

Gates reassuring allies in Vietnam

Defense Secretary: US won't cede its military power

HANOI, Vietnam - The United States will back up small Asian nations who feel bullied by China and will insist on diplomatic solutions to territorial disputes among China and Pacific neighbors, U.S. officials said.

Ask your audiologist...

As I have gotten older I find that I have to have ear wax removed about once a year now. What can I do myself that would help to keep the wax from building up on me?

Raffle tickets on sale

The North Idaho College Foundation's Really BIG Raffle will kick off ticket sales this week as regional outlets begin selling tickets for the drawing to win a brand new $250,000 home in Coeur d'Alene.

Farewell FAO Schwarz: Last day of business at NYC toy store

Possibility remains for reopening in midtown Manhattan

NEW YORK - Tom Hanks danced on a large floor piano there in the movie "Big." Multitudes of children wandered through the aisles over the years, hopped up on sugar from the candy store and wide-eyed with delight at the giant stuffed animals and other toys. And a fair number of parents winced at some of the price tags.

Insurers Sank Connecticut's 'Public Option.' Would A National Version Survive?

Health care costs were rising. People couldn’t afford coverage. So, in Connecticut, state lawmakers took action.