You are here:

Wine/Questions Answered by Expert Antonio Rocha Graça

SubjectDate Asked
wine bottle12/31/2011
  Q: I have a bottle of wine that is unusual to me. I sold like to Know something about it if possible. ...
  A: Is there any back label or seal? I don't understand your comment... I asked you about the existence ...
Constantino Porto12/7/2011
  Q: I have an old bottle of Constantino Especial Porto Brandy. I have been carrying it around with me ...
  A: It should be well drinkable, this kind of Brandy does keep for a long time in the bottle. If you ...
Port12/5/2011
  Q: I have almost a case of Delaforce and Sons 1970 port and one of the bottles is numbered 575324. Can ...
  A: This is proper Vintage Port from 1970, an exceptionally good harvest. Bottles seem to be in good ...
Which port to drink?11/6/2011
  Q: My dad has got 2 bottles of port down the cellar and wants to drink one of them this Christmas. We ...
  A: Sandemans 1970 is definitely the best wine. However, it will keep for a few more years, whereas ...
soc. dos vinhos de mesa de portugal10/27/2011
  Q: i have a bottle of mateus sogrape, rose still wine.. its never been opened.. its a green bottle.. ...
  A: Mateus is one of the best well-known wines in the world. It is produced in Portugal (incidently by ...
Grapes and wine10/21/2011
  Q: I'm interested to know what are the grapes which make beaujolais? I'd also like to know a little ...
  A: Beaujolais is made from a grapevine variety named Gamay. Find more information on Beaujolais in ...
Using hydrogen peroxide to reduce SO2 in wine8/18/2011
  Q: I react to sulphur preservative...problem is I have a huge love of and appreciation for wine. I ...
  A: that is an annoying problem indeed. Please, be advised that, because you don't know the exact amount ...
Port Wine8/14/2011
  Q: My wife and I were given a bottle of Port wine that we can not find anywhere to see if it has any ...
  A: Morgan Brothers was a company bought by Croft, now part of Quinta and Vineyard Bottlers group, ...
Port8/9/2011
  Q: I seemed to not be able to continue the thread of Q & A from before so I'm starting another one ...
  A: Well, it seems a legit 1896 Forrester Vintage Port. It should still be good, provided it was kept in ...
Dalva Vintage Port 19687/19/2011
  Q: Whilst emptying a relatives flat following his death we found pushed to the back of a cupboard a ...
  A: No goldmine there. 1968 was not a prime Vintage Port year. However, the wine, if properly kept, ...
J Denis Henry Mounie & Co7/16/2011
  Q: I have a bottle of Gold Leaf cognac from the above company. There is no date but it is a VP 4/5 qt ...
  A: I am not an expert in Cognac, but I do know that DM Gold Leaf was not a Cognac with age indication. ...
value of 1940 Dalva's Port6/27/2011
  Q: 1n 1970, a friend gave me a bottle of this wine. It has been in my wine cabinet for forty years. ...
  A: Yes, decanting will improve its flavour, while getting rid of any lees it may have formed (not very ...
port6/5/2011
  Q: I have come across a bottle of Colheita 1978, from Portugal, it is from the Jose Maria da Fonseca ...
  A: That's odd: José Maria da Fonseca is one company; Adega Cooperativa de Borba is another. Can't see ...
1975 Chevaler de Bayard5/17/2011
  Q: Mr. Antionio Rocha Graca, I have recently acquired a bottle of 1975 Chevalier de Bayard; Marque ...
  A: Chevalier de Bayard is a brand of Pieroth wine company. Its origin is the department of L'Hérault in ...
should i drink this wine.3/14/2011
  Q: A friend just gave me a bottle of ANGELO PAPAGNI Madera Charbono Vintage 1977. Do you think it's ...
  A: I really don't think so. Charbono or Charbonneau is a poor quality red grape, aka Douce-Noire, ...
How would a wine connoisseur say this?3/12/2011
  Q: I can't tolerate any wines I've tried. I don't like the taste, but the particular taste I can't ...
  A: It seems you have been hit by the most critical problem of the wine industry worldwide: how to put ...
Old Vintage Ports3/9/2011
  Q: I have 3 old bottles of vintage port and I am wondering whether I should open them, dump them, save ...
  A: My advice is: get the Warre into a place with cool temperature and let it wait until it's 20 years ...
Question on Wine Branding and Sourcing3/9/2011
  Q: I am currently researching the possibilities on starting a new wine brand. I have not established a ...
  A: There are several wineries in Europe doing that kind of business, though maybe not on that price ...
pruning2/20/2011
  Q: My friend has grapes growing on a trellis in her back yard. The vines are about 15 years old. Some ...
  A: Well, OK. If the variation is in the number of bunches, then your pruning is maybe erratic. You ...
pruning2/20/2011
  Q: My friend has grapes growing on a trellis in her back yard. The vines are about 15 years old. Some ...
  A: There can be a wide number of causes for what you describe, your pruning expertise included. First, ...
forrester's tawny port1/24/2011
  Q: I found this bottle of wine in my basement. I believe it is from my grandfather. It was bottled and ...
  A: Offley Forrester information can be found at http://eng.sograpevinhos.eu/marcas/9/historia The ...
south african wine1/1/2011
  Q: I have a bottle of 1963 vintage....Old banquet... It was late bottled after 25 years in oak wood. ...
  A: My experience is that SA port type wines do not last as long as the original Ports. In fact, this ...
Opening Bottle of Vintage Port12/31/2010
  Q: What is the best way to break the ceramic/plastic seal on a bottle of vintage port. I have a 1963 ...
  A: The lacker seal is best broken by hitting it with a blunt object. I use many things (whatever is ...
Gonzales byass Lepanto Brandy.12/30/2010
  Q: I have a very old bottle of Gonzales Byass Lepanto sherry brandy. It appears that the goldleaf ...
  A: If «ochenta centimos» is written in the seal with the serial number, then it is the value of state ...
What I was given12/26/2010
  Q: I was given a bottle with the following written on it: Quinta and Vineyards Bottlers - Vinhos S.A. ...
  A: Quintas and Vineyards Bottlers is the official name of the group also known as The Fladgate ...
Parents wine bottles12/25/2010
  Q: my parents have some old wine that we are trying to find information about. They are a Porto vieux ...
  A: It was produced by a company whose name is Diez Hermanos, later bought by Offley, Forrester, who in ...
More information12/20/2010
  Q: I found an old bottle of madeira. It is Rutherford & Miles "Malvoisie". What you can say about this ...
  A: Rutherford & Miles is now part of the Madeira Wine Company, owned by Symington Family Estates. ...
1970 Da Silva Port11/28/2010
  Q: I'm interested in purchasing a vintage 1970 Da Silva port but am not sure if this is a good quality ...
  A: AJ da Silva Port was renamed Quinta do Noval in the 70's and has been always renowned by the ...
Monsieur Henri Selection 196511/12/2010
  Q: My father has given me a bottle of wine that he had kept stored. It is a Chat au Longueville, ...
  A: This is wine of the great wines of Bordeaux. Chateau Pichon-Longueville was one of the few already ...
Bottle of Constantino Porto 'Nice 1897'11/4/2010
  Q: I am following up on a thread from one year ago on a bottle of Constantino Porto. My bottle is ...
  A: Nom it's not from Nice 1897, that was an award given to the company in a spirits fair in that year, ...
Bottle of Constantino Porto 'Nice 1897'11/2/2010
  Q: I am following up on a thread from one year ago on a bottle of Constantino Porto. My bottle is ...
  A: S.A.R.L. has about the same meaning than Inc. in the US. It translates as Sociedade Anónima de ...
old constantino10/3/2010
  Q: I have a old constantino vintage port 1935. when is it the best time to drink it ?and how long will ...
  A: Usually, Vintage Ports attain their best somewhere between 10 to 30 years after harvest. After this ...
Vintage Port10/1/2010
  Q: There was a question about the same bottle of 1982 Vintage Port on Sep 25/10 "I received a bottle ...
  A: Vintages of that year are peaking their quality now, some already past it. If you want to get it at ...
Diez Ultra 19519/25/2010
  Q: Just another pic
  A: Right! Good thing we keep our old-timers handy. This wine is a Colheita 1951. It means it was kept ...
Porto Diez Ultra 19519/25/2010
  Q: This is just a follow up on the question regarding a bottle of Porto Diez Ultra 1951 that I just ...
  A: As I said, I never heard of this brand, even though the company and its brands now belong to the ...
Vintage Port wine9/25/2010
  Q: I received a bottle of Vinho Do Porto Vintage Port 1982. It says the producer is Soc. Agric. Com. ...
  A: There is not much anything similar to a 30-year old Vintage Port. It's a class of its own. And 1982 ...
mateus wine9/5/2010
  Q: I have two bottles of Mateus one white one Rose from around 1976 Do they have any value and if not ...
  A: Both these wines are meant to drink as soon as they are bottled. Those bottles are over 30 years ...
Vinho do Porto8/9/2010
  Q: I have found a bottle of Vinho do Porto Velho in my parents basement. Colheita de 1944, Real ...
  A: That's a Colheita Port, i.e. a wine that has been in wooden barrels since 1944 and is bottled ...
Bottle of Old Ruby Port8/6/2010
  Q: Sir, Thanks for the information so far. I couldn't find a way of attaching the images to your ...
  A: This is a most interesting bottle and you are indeed correct to place it around 1900. In any case, ...
An old bottle of Ruby Port8/5/2010
  Q: My colleague in the office has a bottle of 'ABDULLA' Ruby Port - bottled and shipped by Shortbridge ...
  A: This company was a notorious Madeira wine producer. However, I never knew that they produced any ...
What have I been given.7/26/2010
  Q: I've just ben given a bottle of Special Extra Pale from Rutherford and miles LDA, Madeira. Shipped ...
  A: Rutherford, Osborne and Perkins was acquired by Martini, Rossi in 1960. Today, its premises are ...
DALVA PORTO6/22/2010
  Q: i have a untouched bottle of dalva porto 40 years matured in wood C.DA SILVA(vinhos)S.A.R.L OPORTO ...
  A: These wines are to meant to be drunk right after bottling and do not improve in the bottle. If ...
1980 Almaden San Benito Johannisberg Riesling6/20/2010
  Q: I was given a bottle of this wine for my birthday in January 1980,and have never opened it. The ...
  A: Usually Riesling does develop beautifully in the bottle, even for a long time. You may not find the ...
Wine legs5/21/2010
  Q: What is the significance of wine having good legs? I have been razzed for mentioning a glass of ...
  A: Legs are function of the alcohol content of wine. The more alcoholic, the more legs it's got. It has ...
port vintage drinkability5/18/2010
  Q: I have a bottle of Niepoort's Porto Colheita 1977 It was bottled in 1986. Is this bottle beyond its ...
  A: That is not Vintage Port but a Colheita Port. Since it was bottled in 1986, that means that the wine ...
Old Kopke port5/14/2010
  Q: I have an old bottle of Kopke douro ruby port which I was told it is from the 1930's or before. ...
  A: Without any information in the bottle it will be very difficult to date it, other than being from ...
Moet & Chandon Champagne5/14/2010
  Q: I have two bottles of 1964 Dry Imperial - do I open them or keep them for the grandchildren? ...
  A: My apologies, I failed to see the title on the initial posting, where you already mentioned it being ...
1970 vintage port5/10/2010
  Q: I hope you will be able to help me identify the name of 1970 port wine I have. After putting down a ...
  A: Yes, better now. It is from Companhia Vinicola do Norte de Portugal, aka Real Vinicola, now part of ...
few bottles red wine5/1/2010
  Q: Antonio!I just bought some bottles of wine and I am wondering if the wine is drinkable.First-Torre ...
  A: Of those, I would expect pleasant surprises mostly from the 1973 and the 1995. However, even though ...
Wine of the Azores4/29/2010
  Q: My wife and I are traveling to the Azores for the first time in about three weeks from the Boston, ...
  A: There is a famous wine in the Azores. It is fortified and produced in the volcano island of Pico, in ...
San Martin Vineyards Co, San Martin, CA4/25/2010
  Q: Does this winery/vineyard still exist? I have a bottle of their wine and I'm sure what to do with ...
  A: Here is some information that may be useful for you: ...
What is the history of this wine and value,if any4/12/2010
  Q: My husband found a bottle of wine and would like to find out about its history and value,if any. The ...
  A: There is a very long history behind that wine indeed. Please, find all information you need in: ...
should I keep my old port?4/8/2010
  Q: In 1983 I was given a bottle of Dalva Porto, 20 years old, bottled in 1980. It is in a distinctive ...
  A: C. da Silva still exists. You can find them at http://www.cdasilva.pt/cgi-bin/disclaimer.php C. Da ...
sour tasting Zinfandel4/1/2010
  Q: 12 gals of my home grown Arizona Zinfandel has a sour acid taste (still in carboys), the first 2 ...
  A: Guessing from what you refer about the first ones you bottled, I guess you left it with residual ...
very old port3/28/2010
  Q: I have an unopened bottle of C. Da Silva Port in EXCELLENT condition. It's a 1 pt 9 oz bottle and ...
  A: It's quite safe to drink and should be in beautiful shape. Just make sure you let the bottle ...
Viticulture education3/26/2010
  Q: My name is Sam and I am interested in learning about viticulture and enology. I live in Colorado and ...
  A: I would strongly reccomend UC Davis in California (http://wineserver.ucdavis.edu/). Other ...
Empress Port3/22/2010
  Q: I have another question for you. I have a bottle of Brooks Empress Port Vintage 1896 from Portugal. ...
  A: This is a proprietary blend of Richard Brooks & Co. from London. I have no further information ...
Port(s)3/11/2010
  Q: I have a bottle of, unopened seal in tact, OFFLEY 1970 Vintage Port also a bottle, again unopened ...
  A: The Offley 1970 should be at its prime by now, but you should take proper care before opening in ...
1910 Constantino's Colheita porto2/15/2010
  Q: I have a friend that received a bottle of 1910 Constantino's Colheita porto as a gift. He knows that ...
  A: I just tasted that wine once about 12 years ago. From my memory I recall it to be quite yellow in ...
Royal Oporto Wine Co.2/10/2010
  Q: I have before me a bottle of Vinho Do Porto 1958 Vintage which was wrapped in tissue paper and in a ...
  A: Above all, don't pour them down the drain...!!! These are good wines that keep for centuries. I ...
Sherry2/7/2010
  Q: Good Morning,Senor Graca, I had a special guest for dinner last night and he asked for his aperitif ...
  A: The wine is perfectly fit to drink. If something, the cork may only have added a foul aroma if it ...
CastellBlanch 19592/5/2010
  Q: My aunt and uncle died. When we went through their things I found this bottle of sparkling Spanish ...
  A: I have never tried this specific year in Cava. However, i would expect the wine to be well over its ...
1961 Bottle1/22/2010
  Q: I have inherited a bottle of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild 1961. How difficult would it be to sell this ...
  A: This is a great bottle from a great year in Bordeaux. If I had it I would drink it, instead of ...
Vintage Ports - do I drink them, or not ?1/21/2010
  Q: I have a couple of bottles of Vintage port that are begging me to drink them. The first is Grahams ...
  A: The 1988 is not Vintage, it's an LBV or Late Bottled Vintage, meaning it is a lesser quality than ...
port1/18/2010
  Q: .I recently purchased a bottle of HUTCHESON 1978 PORT COLHEITA. Once i open it, should i decant at ...
  A: Just pour and enjoy. Colheita Port is cask aged so, any sediment it had to throw it already did in ...
Rutin in Wine1/12/2010
  Q: I am currently researching about Rutin and its value chain which I believe is used in making wine ...
  A: As far as I am aware, usage of purified rutin as an additive for commercial wine-making is not ...
real companhia vinicola 1970 port1/11/2010
  Q: I was given a bottle real companhia vinicola 1970 port when i was born i was wondering if it is safe ...
  A: 1970 should be past its top but still very drinkable and enjoyable. Be sure to put it upright for a ...
value/drinkable1/10/2010
  Q: We have a Robert Mondavi gift box of 4 wines 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon 1975 Johannisberg Riesling ...
  A: My guess is that both Gamays are goners by now. The 1973 and 1975 should be worth a look before ...
dessert wine shelf life1/10/2010
  Q: Once opened how long can you keep dessert wine? I am not sure if its like a normal wine or more in ...
  A: If by dessert wine you mean Port, it depends of the type. However, a telltale sign is the type of ...
information1/9/2010
  Q: i have a bottle of wine. i'ts a 1974 chateau bonnieres. ets saint ferdinand. i was just wondering if ...
  A: I am afraid I could not find much about this wine. The only thing in the net is this site which is ...
wine potability1/8/2010
  Q: I have a bottle of 1970 Petrus Pomerol wine. I've noticed that the contents are down about an inch ...
  A: The fact that the level of wine is down one inch does not necessarily mean that the bottle leaked, ...
Frescobaldi1/6/2010
  Q: I have a two bottles of Castello DI(0r 1) Nipozzano. Can you tell me if that was a good year, and ...
  A: 1971 was a great year in Chianti with some good wines lasting wonderfully to this day. I cannot ...
1934 Granejo Portuguese white wine12/30/2009
  Q: I was just given a bottle of "Royal Vinicola's Grandjo 1934 Portuguese White Wine". The bottle has ...
  A: Grandjo is a sweet white wine produced in the Douro (same region as Port). It is produced by Real ...
offley port and krohn colheita12/26/2009
  Q: i have a offeley porto from 1975 botteles 1999 how long time will i last ? shal i drink now ? whats ...
  A: I take they both are of Colheita type. This being the case, both wines are ready to drink when they ...
Spottswoode Cabernet Sauvignon 200012/16/2009
  Q: I have in my cellar 3 bottles of spottswoode and I can not find much information about this year for ...
  A: This is one of the best wines out of a not quite so widely successful year. Quite balanced and ...
red wine12/14/2009
  Q: I have a bottle of Chateau Mercier 1985, is that a good year and how much would it be worth as I am ...
  A: I can only offer an assessment of the year in Bordeaux by BBR: «An extremely successful year in ...
vinho do porto12/2/2009
  Q: gostaria de obter informação sobre um agarrafa de vinho do porto ferreira vintage de 1952 ANSWER: ...
  A: É um vinho raro, sem dúvida e com valor comercial apreciável se a garrafa estiver bem conservada. ...
bottle of 1852 champagne11/21/2009
  Q: Recently found a bottle of 1852 Almaden maison fondee en 1852 extra dry champagne and would like to ...
  A: I am not the right person to assess the value of that bottle. You may want to try an auction house ...
alchohol11/11/2009
  Q: what alchohol is there that has no yeast, wheat, or suger.
  A: No wine has, to my knowledge, wheat (or gluten, which I think is what your question is about). Most ...
1945 sandemans partners port10/24/2009
  Q: My father gave me a bottle of 1945 partners port for my 21st birthday I am about to turn 65 and ...
  A: One thing to bear in mind. Unless you dilute the wine with water, Port never gets sour. There is ...
vintage port10/22/2009
  Q: We have had 2 bottles of vintage port for 30 years, we plan to drink one bottle to celebrate a ...
  A: The first one is a Colheita 1934 and the second an LBV 1968. My guess is the LBV is way past its ...
VP & one LBV query10/18/2009
  Q: Over the years as gifts I have built up the following and off the labels as follows, but I just do ...
  A: Here are my suggestions, based mostly on the quality of the year as some of those I never tasted: ...
1983 Vintage Grand Annee Bollinger10/3/2009
  Q: We were given two bottles of the above champagne in a presentation box. One is Rose and one not. Is ...
  A: It is not too old and whoever gave them to you loved you immensely...! A pity you are considering ...
Rossi Port9/30/2009
  Q: I have a mention in 1812 of a Rossi Family at Oporto and it looks like they were port manufacturers. ...
  A: Indeed, I could not find any hint of a Rossi family in the Port trade. Actually, I never heard of ...
Mateus white9/25/2009
  Q: I have a green colored bottle of Mateus White, product of Portugal (white still wine. Label is ...
  A: yes, I can tell you something. This wine was and still is made by the company I work for. Judging ...
Kopke Port9/19/2009
  Q: I have had a bottle of Kopke selected Old Tawny Port for may years (the label also has Old World)on ...
  A: OK, the fact that it has a seal, means the wine was bottled after the 1930's when it was created. ...
inherited bottle of Mateus9/16/2009
  Q: 12fl.oz drkgrn.bottle, sealed Rose still wine. Unsure time of purchase, but sure that this bottle ...
  A: That's a bottle of the bestseller Rosé wine in the world! Jimy Hendrix also drank it! I don't think ...
Old Portuguese Brandy Bottle9/12/2009
  Q: I am hoping you will know something about this old bottle my husband, Joseph, found at a sale here ...
  A: I am afraid there is not much information around. José Domingos Barreiro was a prominent citizen of ...
Bottle of Port9/6/2009
  Q: Antonio, I received a bottle of Madrigal tawny port, the label also says A.G. da Silva, Barrosa, ...
  A: Hallo Jennifer, A. G. da Silva Barrosa is now owned by Adriano Ramos-Pinto ...
Stolichnaya Vodka9/5/2009
  Q: In 1996 my mother gave me a 750 ML size bottle of Stolichnaya Vodka bottled at USSR time thinking ...
  A: I am not really qualified to give you an educated answer about that question. I guess there some ...
Constantino Fine Old Brandy8/31/2009
  Q: I have a sealed bottle of brandy. It's labels read: Constantino Fine Old Brandy, Five Stars, ...
  A: No, not anymore. I have seen a couple old ones on display in traditional restaurants in Portugal. I ...
Constantino Fine Old Brandy8/30/2009
  Q: I have a sealed bottle of brandy. It's labels read: Constantino Fine Old Brandy, Five Stars, ...
  A: 9€ per 1 liter bottle, translates into roughly 13 US$. That is the regular price of the same brandy ...
S. African Port8/13/2009
  Q: I have 2 bottles of 1970 KWV (S. Africa) "Vintage Port Library Reserve." I cannot find any info ...
  A: My guess is that they would be way past their prime now. I am not the right person to evaluate them, ...
S. African Port8/11/2009
  Q: I have 2 bottles of 1970 KWV (S. Africa) "Vintage Port Library Reserve." I cannot find any info ...
  A: This is a difficult one. SA Port was mostly drank in SA and its been phasing out since about 5 years ...
question about a wine7/25/2009
  Q: We have inherited a bottle with the name Italia Marchio naziionnale, It stands about 4 feet tall and ...
  A: In Italy, usually, the bigger and fancier the bottle, the worse is its content. This should be quite ...
vintage port7/23/2009
  Q: I have a bottle of fonseca guimaraens 1967 vintage port . My husband refuses to open it claiming ...
  A: Your husband is right, because it is a Vintage Port, and yes it can only get better with age. ...
finding out if a bottle is valuable7/11/2009
  Q: I was given a bottle of wine along with other stuff from my very old Aunt. Is there a resource to ...
  A: I am not really the right person to answer you this question, but you may try auctioners' pages like ...
Lisbon Ruby Red Grape Wine/ Alado/Vintage 19596/14/2009
  Q: I've been given a bottle of ALADO Red Grape Wine, Vintage 1959, product of Portugal, totally encased ...
  A: I have never hear of such a wine...but then again, I wasn't born until 7 years later!!! However, ...
Port vintage 19876/13/2009
  Q: My Uncle has left a bottle of Late bottled vintage 1987 Port; produced and bottled by Cockburn ...
  A: Cockburn's 1987 is a filtered LBV meaning it has been cold stabilized so as to not throw a deposit. ...
Pocas Junior 1977 Vintage Port wine6/7/2009
  Q: I have a bottle of Pocas Junior 1977 Vintage Port, Produced, Bottled and shipped by Manuel D Pocas ...
  A: I am not really the right person to answer this question. Poças Junior is a reputed Port house, ...
Could you tell me more about this wine?5/31/2009
  Q: I have a bottle of wine, which I think is German, and wondered if you could tell me more about it, ...
  A: I would say the bottle should have some value, at least for collectors. The company has been ...
Long lasting Port5/28/2009
  Q: I would like to buy a bottle of port to give as a gift to a friend of mine who just had a baby. I ...
  A: You definitely need a Vintage Port. The 2007s were all bottled in 2009, so this seems a good choice. ...
Mexican Wine5/12/2009
  Q: I interested in the marketing of Mexican wine. In your opinion, what is the perception of wine from ...
  A: In my opinion, there is really no perception about wine from mexico. Most people will be very ...
world cup shaped bottle of wine4/30/2009
  Q: Hope you can help! I have a World cup (jules rimet) shaped bottle of white wine which is celebrating ...
  A: All research I have been able to make revealed nothing. I found the producer Casa Vinicola ...
Fados Rose Wine4/21/2009
  Q: How can I tell the age of a bottle of wine given to me, on the bottom it has the numbers 211 ...
  A: Naomi Numbers on the bottom of the bottle usually are a reference from the bottle maker, not the ...
info on old wine ?4/13/2009
  Q: From a family members estate, there is an old un-opened bottles of wine. Should we just open and ...
  A: I wouldn't expect a Portuguese rose wine from 1974 to have any value derived from the wine itself. ...
wine to sherry4/5/2009
  Q: Yesterday I bought a small box of wine at an auction for $5. It included 2 btl of 1978 Kirchberger ...
  A: You seem to have been quite lucky in that auction. Eiswein, being very sweet does age beautifully in ...
GracaWhiteWine(hospitality)3/22/2009
  Q: which glass can i serve the graca white wine the graca white wine alcoholic strength what is the ...
  A: My research tells me taht this is a crisp dry white wine from South Africa that tries to mimick ...
Doctor's Special Port3/20/2009
  Q: I will enjoy discussing them with my son. Your information also makes it likely my grandfather was ...
  A: Sorry, I took some time to try to find some information, but were unable to. Real Companhia Vinicola ...
Names of grapes and taste3/19/2009
  Q: What's some types of wines?(merlot, pino griego, palomino[those are the grape names right?]) And ...
  A: You can range wines according to many criteria: grape varieties used to make them, geographical ...
1807 Sherry3/17/2009
  Q: I have in my possession a bottle of sherry labeled: Jerez Solariego (1807) Diez Hermanos Jerez de ...
  A: Diez Hermanos was founded only on 1876. So, the wine must belong to s solera started by someone ...
Mateus wine made in the 70s3/7/2009
  Q: In the mid 70s I was very fond of a light, and as I recall, slightly carbonated rose made by Mateus. ...
  A: yes Mateus is still made by my company but not in that type of bottle. I don't even know the bottle ...
Chianti3/2/2009
  Q: While cleaning my uncle's hoise I happened upon an old bottle of chianti. It's in adecorated bottle ...
  A: Sometimes an old Chianti bottle gives you a surprise. Why don't you try it? Be sure to open it at ...
tawny or California port2/22/2009
  Q: My recipe for a beef marinade calls for tawny port. I have Deaver California port. Are they similar ...
  A: No, they are not. California Port is not really Port, only the one produced in Portugal and bearing ...
Noval Porto 10 Year Old Tawny2/22/2009
  Q: I've just been given a bottle of Noval Porto 10 Year Old Tawny, which was bottled in 1990. There is ...
  A: Not really. In fact, it may not be in good shape anymore, since it has been bottled 18 years ago ...
Port2/16/2009
  Q: I have sometimes bought a vintage port for friends birthdays for the year they were born, however ...
  A: Although there is a market in some renowned regions for wine futures, the closest you would get ...
Constantino Especial2/15/2009
  Q: I came across a brandy in my uncles old liquor supply. I am having a hard time researching the ...
  A: Well, you did luck in...! I work in the company that actually owns that brand. Check ...
Rose Wine "Feist"2/7/2009
  Q: I have a ceremic bottle of rose wine 72 centilitre 9% alcohol volume. Has a gold type seal. E.G.9, ...
  A: Feist was a small company that belonged to the Barros Almeida group, now a part of the larger ...
forrester's ruby tawny port2/2/2009
  Q: we have a 1pint 9 oz. bottle of the above port. by the maryland state tax stamp it dates 1959 or ...
  A: That wine is meant to be drunk right after being bottled (not cellared). If you prize your ...
Wines/Grapes1/27/2009
  Q: 1-Are the Mateus in Portugal the same as the Mateus in Spain. I noticed a couple of weeks ago some ...
  A: 1-Mateus is a brand owned by Sogrape Vinhos, SA, the largest wine company in Portugal. Since a few ...
Offley Baron De Forrester1/27/2009
  Q: I have a bottle of Ofley very old tawny Port "20 years" bottled in 1978. I grabbed it off my dads ...
  A: I doubt if it still is in its prime. Old Tawny Ports are meant to be drunk right from the moment ...
Grapes/Wine1/26/2009
  Q: I would like to know what the following grape names from St.George Island Azores Portugal are in ...
  A: I believe you are portuguese, but as I don't know just how well you read portuguese, I am answering ...
is my bottle worth any thing1/23/2009
  Q: hi there i have a full bottle of vinho velho do porto 1967 late bottled vintage bottled in 1973 it ...
  A: That wine was produced by a company now owned by Real Companhia Velha, a State Monopoly company ...
Found some old wine...1/22/2009
  Q: I was helping out at my Great Grandfather's house and stumbled on some very old wine. I begin to ...
  A: Well, only references I found about Dudenhoefer is a Supreme Court ruling affirming their conviction ...
Wine1/22/2009
  Q: My father makes the absolute best-tasting home-made wine with his friend. I myself am a young ...
  A: OK, then the office to go is the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Check their site, it is really ...
Wine Importing1/21/2009
  Q: I am starting a Wine Importing & Franchise Business in the U.S. that will find good wines at good ...
  A: Best place to find that information is the Portuguese Trade Office that goes by the name of ICEP. ...
Taylors Port1/21/2009
  Q: I have 3 bottles of port, two are the same and as i have only just found your site apologies as I ...
  A: 1963 does have value in the market but it breaks my heart seeing you selling that gem to clear some ...
Red Wine Fortnum and Mason1/10/2009
  Q: I have a 1994 bottle of Red Burgundy 'Mercurey' which I received as a present from Fortnum and ...
  A: If properly conserved, it should still be drinkable. I am not acquainted with F&M own label, but I ...
port1/8/2009
  Q: I have a single bottle of port with the name cotheitarde 1917 vintage.The bottle is embossed JMDA ...
  A: I am not the right person to ask about value of wines. However, I would be surprised if that bottle ...
Port1/7/2009
  Q: Could you tell me how long an un-opened bottle of port would be good for. We've had one on our wine ...
  A: It all depends on the type of Port you are talking about. Vintage Ports can last decades or even ...
SO SLEEPY1/7/2009
  Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: why does wine make you sleepy? Thanks
  A: Wine, among many other mostly healthy substances, contains alcohol. Alcohol relaxes your body and ...
1443 Hoopwea Vintage port Value1/1/2009
  Q: My father-in-law has one intact bottle of Hoopers's 1943 Vintage Port "from the rage vintage port ...
  A: 1943 is considered to be the best of wartime vintage ports. However, I could not get hold of any ...
Warre's port12/29/2008
  Q: I have a few bottles of 1983 vintage Warre's port, and I was wondering whether it should be drunk ...
  A: 1983 was a very good year with Vintage Ports showing quite well now, some of them remaining quite ...
Niepoorts port12/28/2008
  Q: I have received a bottle of Niepoorts 20 year old Port (aged in wood and bottled in 1979). There is ...
  A: It´s not worth anymore than a new bottle and probably less so. It may, however, still be in good ...
Locate Wine/Liquor Producer12/19/2008
  Q: I am attempting to locate the Royal Host company. In particular, I am trying to find Royal Host ...
  A: East-Side Winery, Lodi The well-known East-Side Winery, one of the largest in the district, is a ...
Grandeuca12/13/2008
  Q: I have 3 bottles that my parents brought back from Europe. Need to know if worth anything BARBERA ...
  A: Usually they should way past their drinking age, however, sometimes old italian wines surprise you. ...
Presidential Porto reserve 194412/11/2008
  Q: I found on my father seller a bottle of Presidential Porto Reserve 1944, bottled 1994, shipped by C. ...
  A: this a 1994 bottling of a very old Reserve Port, like a Colheita that was in cask since the harvest ...
SO HAPPY12/4/2008
  Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: why does alcohol make us happy? P.S would you ...
  A: Wine, among many other mostly healthy substances, contains alcohol. Alcohol, when consumed in ...
Bottle of Port11/11/2008
  Q: It is from 1947 and in Gold hanwriiten are the words: ?doPorto Alto Douro colheha 1947 carr? ...
  A: I am not really the right person to evaluate your wine. However, I can assure you it is a Colheita ...
Real Vinicola VINHO DO PORTO TIPO VINTAGE NO.AT07057911/6/2008
  Q: I WAS LEFT AN SEALED AND UNOPENED GREY CERAMIC BOTTLE BY AN OLD LADY FRIEND BEFORE SHE DIED IT HAS ...
  A: I just saw a picture of the top of the bottle. It is not 1979, the number you mention being a serial ...
wine10/25/2008
  Q: my grandfather has a very old bottle of italian wine. We were wondering how old it is, if the taste ...
  A: I am sorry but with the details you provide I have no way of knowing how old it is. I think the ...
Gift of Port10/17/2008
  Q: I would like to buy my husband a nice bottle of Port for our anniversary this month. Do you have any ...
  A: That's a wonderful idea. For that kind of money, you may try buying him an old tawny Port, probably ...
Portuguese Brandy9/29/2008
  Q: and thank you in advance for your personal time in helping all with the many questions you encounter ...
  A: In those days, very few people used a date code in brandies. I do not think C Da Silva did. The ...
Rare wine?9/29/2008
  Q: We found 2 original boxes of the following wine in my deceased grandmothers house and were wondering ...
  A: This was a special edition launched on occasion of the 250 years of Stammhaus Burg Layen, a small ...
How and where can I sell wine9/14/2008
  Q: I have about 40 bottles of Dom Perignon Champagne, 1998 and 1999, and 60 assorted Bottles of High ...
  A: Your best bet is an auction house. Here are a few from California specialized in wine: WineBid ...
Vida Nova9/5/2008
  Q: Have you ever tasted any wines from Agarve, Portugal from the Adega do Canter Winery called Vida ...
  A: Sir Cliff did go lengths to ensure that his wine would have the best chances possible. He hired one ...
Over heated Port wine9/3/2008
  Q: I left a bottle of port wine in my car & forgot about it the whole day. The next day i found the ...
  A: Well, Paulo, you probably did what we do for research purpose call an artificial ageing process. It ...
erase my ignorance8/28/2008
  Q: I have no idea what I have except what the label (unopened and in great shape) says: Caves de ...
  A: Sorry for the delay MaryAnne, this was a baffling question... Mouquin's was a famous New York ...
Moet& Chandon8/24/2008
  Q: I was wondering if you can help me find out what my Old Bottle of Moet & Chandon might be worth, and ...
  A: It seems to be worth quite something judging from your description. I am however not the best person ...
port wine8/12/2008
  Q: I have a bottle of Offley Forrester's Ltd 1926 port wine. How much would this sell for ? thank you
  A: I am sorry but I am baffled: Offley did not declare a 1926 Vintage Port. The only house who did was ...
Donnici wines8/5/2008
  Q: I am interested in Donnici Wines. I can not find them anywhere in the states. I wanted to see if ...
  A: this is a tough one. I have seen Donnici wines on sale on eBay, but I cannot be sure whether they ...
wine bottle8/2/2008
  Q: hy, i ran across an empty wine bottle (without a label or identification) that has some interesting ...
  A: I don't think that's the meaning. Usually those codes refer to the bottle manufacturer's name and ...
Moet et Chandon Grand Vintage 20008/1/2008
  Q: My husband and I were given a bottle of Grand Vintage 2000 (boxed) as a wedding present in April. ...
  A: If you are to wait 10 years, you should to keep it in a cool (max 60ºF, better 50ºF), damp place not ...
Spanish Brandy7/30/2008
  Q: I have a bottle of Brandy Escat and I don't know exactly what I have. It is a guitar shaped bottle ...
  A: Sometimes that type of item comes up in eBay with values ranging from just a couple of dollars. It's ...
has wine gone bad7/25/2008
  Q: My wine was subjected to 110 degrees for two days while I was out of town. In some of the bottles, ...
  A: Well, Jeff, it all depends on what wine it is, how resilient it is. What happenned was a damn good ...
rothschild 867/21/2008
  Q: WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED VALUE AND BEST WAY TO GO ABOUT SELLING IT? DAWN
  A: Price should be in the area fo 1500 to 2000 USD depending on how well the bottle condition is. The ...
Food for Wine Competition judges7/16/2008
  Q: During a Wine Competition what foods/menus should be served to the wine judges for breakfast, ...
  A: Sandy From my experience, I usually separate flights of wines with crackers and olives (black, ...
south african port7/15/2008
  Q: I've got a magnum of Boberg conservation port 1978 (1.5l) 10 year old. it's a numbered bottle from ...
  A: Emma I am not acquainted with this wine, so I cannot really tell you what's its value. What I can ...
Niepoort port 1950 bottled 1955 decanted 797/13/2008
  Q: I have this bottle more than 30 years. Is it true that 1950 is very hard to get and very expensive? ...
  A: The 1950 is not highly rated. It was nicknamed the Lady's Vintage as it was very subtle and elegant. ...
Chateau Petrus7/12/2008
  Q: What are considered to be the best drinkable years of Chateau Petrus today?
  A: From several sources, where I drink my information from (not my Petrus, unfortunately), these years ...
where and how to buy Napoleon French Liquer Cognac7/10/2008
  Q: Can you send me a link, etc. in order to purchase a bottle of this. Please
  A: Well, it all depends where you are. The link here is from a NJ online store that ships in the USA ...
1910 constantino's colheita oporto7/9/2008
  Q: I was given a bottle of the above as a 40th birthday present 14 years ago. I am not a port drinker ...
  A: Well, it will be from a harvest 100 years old in just two years, so I guess you should find someone ...
Warre's lbv port. 1999 bottle matured, bottled 20037/4/2008
  Q: I am hoping to give this as a Christening gift. Is it suitable for keeping for many years unopened?
  A: Considering it is an LBV, even if from a respectable house as it is, it has been in bottle already ...
wine7/3/2008
  Q: looking for the name/brand of some sweet Red Wines. Thank you
  A: Sweet red wines can be fortified or not fortified: On the fortified side, you have: Port - Portugal ...
Hooper's 1967 Vintage Port7/1/2008
  Q: A very dear friend showed me a bottle of wine he had saved for many years and only drank it ...
  A: None whatsoever. I searched the net but could not find any reference. The thing is 1967 is a well ...
Hooper's 1967 Vintage Port6/30/2008
  Q: A very dear friend showed me a bottle of wine he had saved for many years and only drank it ...
  A: Well, I don't think it is available in the US. However, in Portugal it retails around 20 to 25 US$ ...
Hooper's 1967 Vintage Port6/30/2008
  Q: A very dear friend showed me a bottle of wine he had saved for many years and only drank it ...
  A: I am afraid it will be very difficult to find another bottle like that one. The original company ...
choosing wine.6/28/2008
  Q: in cooking what red wine should I use?
  A: Like any other cooking ingredient, the better you choose the better your cooking will be. Apart ...
winemaking6/4/2008
  Q: I'm interested in trying winemaking for fun. I was looking at kits online and it costs like $150 to ...
  A: All you have to do is buy some grapes and some yeasts. Crush the grapes and then add the yeast (make ...
Dom Crespo rose 19695/23/2008
  Q: My Father recently passed away and I was cleaning his condo. While going through his wine stock, I ...
  A: This is an old bottle of a quite unknown and uninspiring rose wine from Vinho Verde region in NW ...
Vino de la tierra de Extremadura5/20/2008
  Q: I have a bottle of Monesterio de Tentuda Tradicion 1994. Will it still be OK to drink? It has been ...
  A: This is a very particular wine, from a not too well known region in SW Spain. It's a blend of ...
value of a bottle wine5/7/2008
  Q: !my question is this: i have a bottle of metaxa centenary wine hand made porcelaine and 18k empty i ...
  A: Well, it might have some value actually. I am however unable to assess its value. I suggest that ...
rochas wine5/3/2008
  Q: i own a rochas old tawny port and have lost the seal and dates , sb....2...220 on the bottom. and ...
  A: It will be difficult to find out now. The sb reference is the bottle manufacturer, in this case the ...
Old Port and Madeira wine4/26/2008
  Q: I have recently inherited a few very old wine bottles, and I’m interested in understanding a bit ...
  A: 1) Without any further references, I can't be of any help. Hutcheson was acquired by the portuguese ...
wine bottle/lamp4/21/2008
  Q: I have a bottle of wine that is also a lamp. It has a label on the top with BURCHINO but there is no ...
  A: This belongs to the Castellani family, in the wine business for more than one century (est. 1903). ...
Mateus4/17/2008
  Q: How long will a bottle of unopened Mateus Rose keep. I found it at the back of a cupboard in my ...
  A: I am sorry to say that an unopened bottle of Mateus Rose will not keep for 15 years. It may keep for ...
Resveratrol in Tawny Port?4/15/2008
  Q: I LOVE tawny port. I would like to claim some medicinal value to my wine drinking. Does tawny port ...
  A: Tawny Port should have a tiny amount of resveratrol. However, never as much as a Ruby Port or a red ...
1905 port4/9/2008
  Q: Rare Douro Port Special Reserve 5 Crown Garrafeira Particular 1905 shipped by C. Da Silva Do you ...
  A: This may have some value due to its rarity, but the only person interested would be a collector of ...
Old Champagne4/8/2008
  Q: I bought a bottle of 1962 la Grande Dame Veuve Clicquot pansari. But its so old I can't find ...
  A: I could not find a specific quote for that particular year, but I am sure it is worth something. ...
Red Wine4/2/2008
  Q: What was doctor's reply to Barbara Walter's question on how much red wine to drink in Tuesday April ...
  A: I don't live in the US and I don't have ABC. So I could not see Barbara Walters. However, I like a ...
vinitaly 20083/31/2008
  Q: My husband and I plan on attending vinitaly 2008. We intend to open a wine and gourmet food store ...
  A: Vinitaly is for trade visitors only. You may use one of two strategies: 1- Go to a local shop, ...
Port Valuation3/28/2008
  Q: I was recently given a very old bottle of port as a present from someone who was literally clearing ...
  A: I must say whoever gave you that bottle prizes you very much. Taylor's 1935 is credited as one of ...
please can u tell me what my wine is worth,3/21/2008
  Q: ola! i have a bottle of madeiran wine it is a bottle of sercial dry 1940, i think made in funchal? ...
  A: In those days in Madeira it was normal to have the label painted in white paint. Is there any name ...

All Questions in This Category

Wine

All Answers


Answers by Expert:


Ask Experts

Volunteer


Antonio Rocha Graça

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

Viticulture issues, enology / winemaking issues. Wine regions of the world, with specialisation in the wines of Portugal, including Port. Tasting and sensory analysis, chemical analysis and the relation between both. Wine industry and wine economics (BUT NOT PRICES OF WINES). Sources of information regarding any aspect of wine. The human element of the wine industry and the integration of all aspects and sciences that concur to make a wine. Terroir.

Experience

I have been a winemaker for 20 years. I am also in charge of the R&D department of the largest wine company in Portugal.

Organizations
Sogrape Vinhos S.A. ADVID (Association for the Development of Viticulture in Douro)

Education/Credentials
Degree in Enology - UTAD, Vila Real, Portugal

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.