Expert: Paul Wagner - 10/18/2006

Question
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
I have a bottle of wine or liquer, not sure which, that was given to me years ago, and was told that it is rare. The bottle itself is light blue, still sealed, the front label has fallen off, but the back still has a label, and it says that the name of the liquid is NICE, and its from france, and is distributed by Nice beverage corp., of San Francisco. Can you tell me if it is a wine or liquer, and if it has any value? Oh, and it has been chilled all these years, as directed.
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Hi Diana:

Actually, Nice is the name of a city in southern France, so my guess is that the name of the wine or liqueur is something else.  What else can you tell me about it?  What else does it say on the bottle?  Most liqueurs will be more than 25% alcohol, most wines under 14%, so if you can find that information, it will help.

Another clue is the stopper.  Many liqueurs will have a "bar-toop" stopper--it is a plastic cap on top of a normal cork.  You see these in whiskeys as well.  Wines will have a full cork, with no plastic on top.  There is also a famous beer from southern France that comes in a blue bottle--but with a pry-off crown cap, not a cork.

Nice is famous for making light fresh roses, as well as lighter style reds and white---picnic wines, rather than wines for long term aging.  

If you can give me a little more info, I will try to track this down for you.  

Paul Wagner



Dear paul:
Thank you for responding so quickly.
As for this bottle, the top of the label, , it says NICE, all caps, and says its very versitile, to serve well chilled over ice, mixed with Champagne, spirits, or favorite mixer. Produced and bottled by CATRON, sole agents are NICE beverage Corp. of San Francisco, CA., imported by WAPPO INTERNATIONAL,INC , Sausalito, CA. Produce of France. 15% alcohol content, and at the very bottom of the label, it says Thomas Gilbert, 1986, 750 ml.
Also the cap is a silver screw on type, havent opened it so I dont know if theres a cork or not. Hope this info helps. Thanks again for your help and quick response.
Diana Williams


Answer
Hi Diana

It's a liqueur.  The screw cap and the alcohol content are the giveaway.  But it is old, and since the alcohol level is pretty low, it is probably tasting a bit tired.  Still, it would probably be quite safe to try.  Have you ever had Lillet? My guess is that it is a bit like that.

Paul Wagner