Expert: Eric Hastings - 4/17/2005

Question
Mr. Hastings,

To start, I know nothing about wines!  My girlfriend visited Ohio and had a chilean red wine.  It had a berry and chocolate flavored taste to it.  She also mentioned Robert Mondavi, which means nothing to me.  I noticed in a post that you were speaking about chilean wines and a store that is near you, so I thought you could help.  Is there anything that you could tell me that could narrow down my search?  Maybe that store name? or a number to an expert?  I am trying to track some down without her knowing.  Anyway, thanks in advance!!  

P.S.  I have never used this site before, so I am assuming that any response will go directly to my email address!

Answer
Todd-

Robert Mondavi and the Rothschild family from Bordeaux have a joint-venture winery in Chile, but their wines are expensive.  However, you should be able to find many good chilean wines at your local wine shop.  It sounds like the wine you described was a Cabernet Sauvignon.  Look for Escudo Rojo.  It's a tall bottle with a big red label.  It's a very good wine that should only cost $15.

Eric