Expert: Paul Wagner - 5/2/2011

Question
Hi,
A client cleaning out her deceased husband's alcohol supply brought me some wines.  I'm wondering if they are good to drink and/or if they are worth anything.  Any help here would be greatly appreaciated!
1.  1983 Zeller schwarzekatz H. Schmitt Sohne "Still white table wine"
2.  1975 Reiler vom heisen Stein Spatlese Riesling
3.  Wente Late harvest Riesling Arroyo Seco Monterey 1998

4.  1995 Late harvest Riesling, A Taste of Monterey
5.  Mirafiore Chianti (no date)

Thanks!
Mary

Answer
HI Mary

None of these are going to set the world on fire, unfortunately.  While they were all pleasant wines when they were bottled, they really should have been drunk years ago.  They will have lost most of their fruit and charm by now.  Perhaps the one with the best chance of life is the Rieler vom Stein...but I wouldn't bet a lot of money on that one either.

They won't hurt you--the alcohol and acidity levels in wine are ro hgih for most nasty things to grow--they just won't give you much pleasure either.

Sorry that I can't give you better news.

Paul Wagner