THE SPEAKER FOR FRIDAY'S MEETING WILL BE DAVE BALOUN SPEAKING ON THE SUBJECT OF "WINES"

Story by Kathy Belden

 

   Dave Baloun is a name that frequently comes up when Canton wine lovers get together.  "I turned my passion for wine into a business," said Dave, who retired from a career with Leonard Insurance in January.

 

The gregarious executive immediately jumped into forming his company, Elevage Wine Advisors, and is pursuing his passion for wine and sharing his immense knowledge with Canton and beyond.  Because Dave enjoys the routine of working from an office, he set up a small space on 4433 38th Street N.W. in Jackson Township.

 

What could be more French than Elevage? It means "to grow, or to bring up," stated Dave in explaining the name he gave his company.  It reflects his personality: sophisticated, but with an air of panache.

 

Elevage has a three-fold mission:  consult, educate and travel.  Dave has taught wine classes at Kent State University-Stark Campus, and has taken on diverse clients to update and fine-tune their wine lists.  Locally, he's worked with The Canal Tavern at Zoar to add more German wines to complement the German dishes on its menu and with Fisher Foods to help train the staff.  Dave is collaborating with Barbara Abbott of Canton Food Tours for Walking and Wine Wednesdays and also is available to talk to wine groups and to help plan a wine tasting in your home.

 

Dreaming of a trip to Napa Valley or Italy? Dave's connections with distributors can help you focus your trip on "small, boutique wineries," he said.

 

While Dave is available to conduct trips to exciting, far-flung wine destinations, he also suggests travel right here in our home state.  "There are about 165 wineries in Ohio.  I'm encouraged.  Our climate pushes us toward white wine.  Because of our growing season, we can get Riesling, Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay,"  he explained.  Of local wineries, Dave is impressed with Perennial Vineyards.  Dave says that the Conneaut area, near Lake Erie, has several winery-vineyards worth visiting, "each with its own distinct personality."  While you could go on your own, he'd be happy to arrange a tasting trip for you.

 

Let's say you are in the grocery store trying to make a decision on what to drink with tonight's dinner.  Dave suggests some wine apps for your phone.  Try The Wine Spectator's app:  apps.winespectator.com for over 275,000 wine reviews.  Another good one to try is hellovino.com/wine-mobile.  It will be almost like having Dave right there with you.