Idaho Wine Commission Blog

Idaho Wine Competition

The new gold standard

COVID-19 has spoiled so many events in 2020, but it couldn’t stop the Idaho Wine Competition from proceeding on a hot and sunny day in the middle of August. That’s not to say its presence wasn’t felt. For the 11^th edition of the event hosted by Great Northwest Wine, the judges were respectfully spaced at least six feet apart from one another, per social distancing safety guidelines, at Koenig Vineyards in Caldwell, Idaho.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Idaho Wine Events, Local Cider, Wine Education, Wine Gifts

Gig Leadbetter and the search for new frontiers

When we caught up to Gig Leadbetter, co-owner and lead cidermaker at Meriwether Cider Co, his entire clan had just returned from a week of camping, hiking, bicycling (you name it!) on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.

It was a vacation worthy of the firefighter-cum-college professor-cum-cidermaker, whose company motto “To adventures big and small” is printed on every bottle and can.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Local Cider, Winemakers & Growers Feature

For members only...wine clubs!

These days, any number of online businesses specialize in sending subscription boxes of curated items direct to your door – including food, clothes, beauty supplies and more.

But did you know wine clubs were the OG subscription service?

Topics: Support Local Wine, Wine Education

Pend d’Oreille Winery – encore un fois

You don’t have to speak French to enjoy wine from Pend d’Oreille Winery, but it does add a little je ne sais quoi (a certain something) to the whole affair.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Winemakers & Growers Feature

Idaho Wine & Idaho Preferred — a perfect pairing

Today, we're going to talk about something you wouldn't expect on a wine blog: food. In retrospect, it's not that far of a stretch. Good wine and good food... rarely do you have one without the other. Half the fun of wine is exploring and experiencing all the flavors that a particular bottle brings. Add food to the mix and you've just doubled your fun — discovering the ways the flavors of both come alive. Read More

Topics: Support Local Wine, Wine Education, Winemakers & Growers Feature

The wild and wonderful science of Potter Wines

Stepping into the tasting room of Potter Wines is a bit like going back in time. The art deco-themed space is more speakeasy than winery. Overall, the aesthetic is polished and sophisticated. It's only when you examine the wine list that you register the madness just under the surface.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Winemakers & Growers Feature

Make your escape

With most big summer travel plans on hold, weekend getaways outdoors are becoming more popular than ever. I mean, who doesn't love a good road trip, right? All you need is a car, a quality playlist and a destination.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Idaho Wine Events, Wine Travel

Wine 101: terms of the trade

The first step to understanding wine is knowing how to talk about it.

Wine is one part chemistry, one part art, and one part English class. It seems there are more ways to talk about wines than there are types of wines. But, with the right terminology, you can go far. Here are some basic lingo to help you sound like and expert.

Topics: Wine Education

Happy Idaho Wine & Cider Month!

It's one of our favorite times of the year. June marks the start of Wine & Cider Month — our homegrown celebration of Idaho libation.

As wineries all over the state reveal their new spring releases, June is the perfect time to taste and explore the unique flavors that exist because of Idaho's distinctive terroir.

Topics: Support Local Wine, Idaho Wine Events, Local Cider