Grand Finale Concert was Sunday at 7:30 p.m. showcasing Russian Masterpieces with the Spokane Symphony including Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and the traditional fireworks finale, Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture. The fireworks corresponded with the firing of the cannons, and the event was punctuated by the appearances of a pair of guest artists. Pianist Archie Chen, a former Spokane prodigy who now tours worldwide, played Rachmaninoff's famous "Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini." Sandpoint soprano Hailey Fuqua and former scholarship winner of one of the Angels Over Sandpoint grants will sang Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise." Gary Sheldon conducted.

The annual "Taste of the Stars" wine tasting featured 36 Northwest wineries. "This is the largest tasting in the state of Idaho," Dyno Wahl, the director of the Festival is proud to say. "Some people consider this night a wine tasting with a concert - others consider it a concert with a wine tasting." Some of the featured wineries were Amavi/Pepper Ridge Winery, Barrister Winery, Bunchgrass Winery, Camas Prairie Winery, Caterina Winery, Cinder, Clearwater Canyon Cellars, Coeur d'Alene Cellars, Columbia Crest, Gifford Hirlinger, Holesinsky Vinyard, Kestrel Winery, Latah Creek Wine Cellars, Maryhill Winery, Mercer Estates, Patrick Paul Winery, Pend d'Oreille Winery, Plaza Winery, Robert Karl Cellars, Sawtooth Winery, TimberRock Winery, Townshend Cellars, Vale Wine Co., and Woodward Canyon Winery.

The next blog will showcase the concert.

Every year I have been involved with feeding the wine presenters at their own ‘Winemaker's Dinner.' Sorry to report that all who have been involved in previous years have decided not participate this year. Times are tough. I contributed the Sushi appetizer platters in the pics below.

I didn't have time to sample many wines, but the Amavi Cabernet Sauvignon, with a 90 rating in the Wine Spectator it is one of my favs. I also sampled the Maryhill Winery's Zinfandel. It was full and rich and Richard Batchelor, winemaker, suggested I try it. Maybe a bit too fruit-forward for me. I also sipped their Cabernet Franc. As with many wines produced from this varietal, I found it to be a tad too vegetal.

I stopped by Columbia Crest where they were pouring the Reserve Red. It was very good. Here is a tidbit for you. Columbia Crest's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon was the Wine of the Year in the Spectator. Besides having the top wine out of the Top 100, another of their wines made that elite list. The H3 Merlot (Horse Heaven Hills) is unlike most merlots, drinking more like a smooth cab. What's more, you can buy it at Yoke's for $11.79!

I penned the book Passion for Wine published in 1997 by Hastings House, and love the potion. This was a fun event, and the concert that followed was grand.

Here are the pics of the wine tasting:

Good crowd on a beautiful, hot summer day at the Wine Tasting at Festival at Sandpoint

Over 30 wineries at the Wine Tasting at Festival at Sandpoint

Live music at the Wine Tasting at the Festival at Sandpoint

Sushi I prepared for the Winemaker's Dinner at the Festival at Sandpoint

Gary Lirette, featured in Where To Retire magazine and host of the Tuesday noon local radio shows: North Idaho Business as well as North Idaho Arts.

E-mail Gary or call 208-610-1384
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