The process of pigging out

4-H members learn how to raise pigs, prepare them for auction after the fair

COEUR d’ALENE — The Kootenai County Fairgrounds was awash with squealing pigs and muddy kids during the 4-H swine weigh-in day Saturday.

CDC reports 158 new cases of swine flu

Prairie Pig, Phay's return highlight week

The annual Battle for the Prairie Pig spirit competition between Post Falls and Lakeland, an event which seemingly takes place earlier and earlier this year, is scheduled for Friday at Lakeland High’s Hawk Court in Rathdrum.

Another summer of bargains

The "WinEconomy" like the overall economy continues to improve, consumers seem less price driven and sensitive and overall sales continue to rise. Within the "Wineconomy" though some trends are unmistakable. Imports continue to be very affordable in some cases downright cheap! Domestically produced wines increasingly occupy the premium and super-premium categories, these two trends representing an inversion in the market from past years. The aggressive pricing of imports is keeping the lid on prices overall and is exerting great pressure on domestic wineries to price their wines reasonably.

The judging

As we get closer to the grand tasting at the North Idaho Fair on Aug. 28, the other judges and I continue to work through the monumental number of entries submitted for the wine competition. We have so far judged and rated more than 175 entries with more than 50 more remaining in the varietal categories of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah. This will then be followed by judging the varietal winners for Best in Show White and Red. We have completed the judging for all of the white varietals, rose and reds including Pinot Noir, Grenache, Malbec and the largest category by far (more than 30 entries) in red blends.

'Old Timers' of the Northwest

From an historical perspective there is no getting around it the Washington state wine industry is an "infant" compared to other appellations around the world. This in no way diminishes the quality of wine produced here in the Northwest nor should it reduce the pride we feel in our great local wineries.

North Idaho Wine Rodeo 2011

As summer arrives and the plans start to fall into place for the North Idaho Fair and Rodeo, the judges, coordinators, distributors, and wineries get ready to start on the North Idaho Wine Rodeo commercial wine competition. Like last year we are receiving entries from all over the world spanning most every varietal category and retail price point. With about half of the entries still to be cataloged we have reviewed over 135 entries. Again this year the largest category looks to be red blends with over 27 entered already!

Local wine lists

The wine scene here in North Idaho can only be described as vibrant, and that vibrancy is due in large measure to many sophisticated consumers, but also a fully integrated structure of producers, distributors and retailers. All of these layers do a great and innovative job. Beyond all of these folks though there is also a line-up of restaurant owners and sommeliers that develop and oversee some great wine lists.

The field in the NI Fair and Rodeo wine competition

By the time this article is printed we will have reached the cut-off for entries to the inaugural North Idaho Fair and Rodeo Wine Competition. All we have to say is we are thrilled with the level of participation and excited for the judging. We have received entries from as far away New Zealand, Spain, Italy and France. Domestically we have received wine from California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho.

The simplest pairs

Summer is here, or at least it is trying to be here, and when the seasons change we find that our taste in food and wine and the pairings we have with them changes quite a lot. We fire up the grill, dine outside with family and friends, and seek out some of our favorite light bodied varietals that seem somehow to go better with the warm weather.

The year in wine review and preview

At the end of the year the press is full of reviews of the previous year and all that has occurred, coupled with a look forward on what to expect. As the wine industry in North Idaho has continued to evolve a similar retrospective, and prospective will provide wine consumers with information that will help guide their purchases to wines they enjoy and appreciate.

Of costs and corkage

Like many in our local wine consuming community I read a letter to the editor in this week's "Press" regarding corkage fees at restaurants with great interest. It generated quite the buzz too as I was asked about it by more than a handful of folks. I do not know the gentleman that wrote the letter nor have I spoken to him and also don't know where he experienced this unfortunate situation. It did however generate enough questions that it should be addressed.

See how you'd like this cold-weather cure

Weather or Not

I got to sit down Thursday with the managing editor of the Coeur d’Alene Press, Mike Patrick, to do our first “live” Facebook telecast. We wanted to thank the many people who watched us talk about the weather.

Sometimes you just need to give it a chance

We watched a movie last night. It was one of those films that I describe as “artsy,” great cast but no beautiful stars, no slick sets or great special effects, and no rousing score from John Williams. It is the type of movie I usually blow past on the guide, filmed in kind of a dingy backdrop, folks made to look like everyday folks with everyday struggles, and music that sounds a bit out of tune and muffled. As I watched the movie it started to grow on me albeit slowly and Mary said to me, “Sometimes you just need to give it a bit of a chance.”

Drought and other questions

After my recent trip to Napa, I received questions from readers and customers about the state of wine country, from the arsenic lawsuit to the effects of the drought on wine production. There is nothing like spending time with folks up and down the "chain of command" at wineries - from executives to winemakers to growers and cellar folks - to get first hand answers.

The state of tasting fees

Visiting wine country is one of the most enjoyable times for wine consumers of all experience levels. Whether it is the many appellations of California or those more close to home in Idaho, Oregon and Washington, it is a chance to get up close to the winemaking and grape-growing processes. It is also a chance to interact on a first-hand basis with the growers and winemakers who create the fine wines we all enjoy.

Wine flaws: How to detect them and what to do then

'Demystifying' wine and other silly wine trends

Every year there are wine trends that develop usually coming out of some large marketing group all intended to sell more wine. We get it; most all wineries at the end of the day are businesses as are all the other companies up and down the wine “food chain”. Businesses exist to make a living for employees and owners while providing service or product to their customers. Most of the time though the simpler more conventional means of doing so makes the most sense. When it comes to wine the best way to accomplish selling more wine is to make the best wine you can at a price point that represents value for your customer and is sustainable for the business. For those in the retail segment of the business it means picking great wine and providing exemplary service. No gimmicks needed!

Overcoming the 'shame shield'

Speaker encourages others to uncover their imperfections

Journalists combats mental illness through storytelling

OPINION: UYLESS BLACK — Stutterers and their intelligence

Many years ago, during my grade school years, we students discovered there were two stutterers in our population. This discovery was to our derisive delight but to the dismay of these two children. We thought they were mentally deficient. In those days, stutters were often treated with disdain.