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In Europe, having wine with dinner is standard practice. Here, we’re much more likely to consume a couple of glasses with a bowlful of bar kibble during happy hour, stop somewhere for take-out, and then head home for a wine-less dinner.

That’s a shame, because once you’ve realized the virtues of a good food/wine pairing (which I’ve mentioned before and will continue to harp on) you’ll find your dining experience to be much more enjoyable.

Over the past few weeks I moderated several local wine dinners that featured some terrific food and wine. Even if you don’t have the time to do a fancy, shmancy dinner, you can still take a cue from these pairings and come up a combination to fit your time frame and budget. Here are some suggestions:

The St. Florin 2007 Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon (about $10) is classic white Bordeaux at an incredibly affordable price. The wine displays savory, herbaceous undertones with a subtle finish of crisp lime and citrus. It paired nicely with a salad of baby greens and grapefruit mango dressing and potato gnocchi. You’ll find it at both Community Food Co-op locations.

With its blend of cabernet sauvignon, zinfandel, malbec, syrah, merlot, and cabernet, Washington’s Six Prong 2005 Red Wine (about $11) is almost certain to contain a red varietal you like. The wine’s cherry/cocoa aromas lead to juicy berry flavors and a slightly spicy finish. It’s an excellent choice with beef bourguignon, especially if you purchase a second bottle and use a few extra cups to slow-cook with the beef.

Garlic potatoes and smoked, roasted beef make a nice entrée to serve with the Sterling Vineyards 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon (about $25). Aging in small oak barrels gives the wine a bold, intense framework that’s filled with dense, chewy flavors of dark berry and touches of coffee and toast. This Napa Valley cab is a great value that you may find comparable to others from this wine region that carry a $50 to $60 a bottle price tag.

The Community Food Co-Op in Cordata not only provides Bellingham residents with a great place to shop, it also offers them another store that’s stocked with a well-rounded selection of affordably priced wines.

Tim Johnson, who’s been with the Co-Op since 1990, has served as the Cordata location Wine Manager since its opening in January of 2009.

Johnson emphasizes that although his wine section mirrors that of the Co-Op’s downtown store, it also includes his own personal choices that are unique to the Cordata location. While the meticulously stocked shelves reflect these choices, he’s quick to point out that it’s his customer’s needs and requests that ultimately come first, with wines that he perceives to be a good value for the money another top priority.

His on-site hours, currently 10 am to 6 pm Tuesday through Friday, are a definite plus for anyone in the area requiring extra service or special orders, which he can usually fill within a week.

Another helpful touch is the dozens of wines that include descriptor cards with food pairing ideas, many of which include cheeses and natural meats that can be purchased at the store.

A couple of his current recommendations include the Domaine Le Clos des Lumières Côtes-du-Rhône 2007 Red Wine ($9.95), a delicious, classic southern Rhone wine at an unbeatable price.

For a higher-end splurge, Johnson suggests the Soos Creek Cellars 2007 Palisade (label pictured at left, $24.95). Although it’s approachable now, he feels this Washington merlot is structured for the long haul and comparable to a French Bordeaux costing two to three times more.

One wine that I purchased during a recent visit and really enjoyed is the Lafage 2008 ĉoté EST ($9.95) from Southwestern France. This refreshing combination of 50 percent grenache blanc, 30 percent chardonnay and 20 percent marsanne tastes a bit like a lighter bodied viognier. It’s full of stone fruit and honeydew flavors, a splash of acidity, and a clean, dry finish.

A few weeks ago a friend of mine pointed out that as of late I haven’t mentioned Bellingham’s Community Food Co-Op as an excellent place to purchase good wines at reasonable prices.

He’s right…so today and next week I’d like to make up for that oversight by featuring the Co-Op’s downtown and Cordata locations, along with a few recommendations.

Vic Hubbard, Wine Buyer and Department Manager of the downtown store has been with the Co-Op since 1990. Hubbard estimates that he samples over 100 wines a week, and because there are only so many he can keep on display, his focus is to “look for the best values for the money on everyday wines along with a smattering for special occasions.”

Browse through the shelves at the downtown store and you’ll find a large number of wines – particularly from the Pacific Northwest – priced at $10 a bottle or less, with most everything else no more than a very affordable $20.

Hubbard feels that there are several things that make the wine selection at the Co-Op unique including:
 Small lots of artisan-style wines
 A separate section with organic wines and wines for those who are sulfite sensitive
 Selected price tags that include his staff’s firsthand tasting notes
 A 15% discount to Co-Op members on pre-ordered cases

A few of his current recommendations include the Laquirou 2005 Les Quatre Pins ($9.95), a dry, food-friendly red wine with lavender and spicy notes characteristic of the French terroir, and a pair of Washington wines from Independent Producers (label at left), the 2008 Chardonnay and 2008 Merlot ($9.95 each).

A couple of purchases I made that I’d also recommend include the Domaine de Pajot 2008 Les Quatre Cépages ($7.99). This light, crisp, white wine blend with flavors of honeydew, lemon and lime paired perfectly with scallops and pasta in cream sauce. And the Castello di Monastero 2006 Sangiovese ($8.99) is an incredible value with smoky nuances and dried cherry flavors that made it an excellent choice with a Rudy’s pepperoni pizza.