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Wine/Questions Answered by Expert Patrick W Fegan
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Paul Masson rare souza calif. port | 8/28/2011 |
| Q: I have read your prior responses (very helpful ) to port questions, my only addition for an answer ... A: Michelle, There should not be a drastic difference in the two cuvées. They're great dessert wines ... | |
| old champagne | 8/16/2011 |
| Q: - PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT 1953; - PIPER-HEIDSIECK BRUT 1959; - PIPER-HEIDSIECK EXTRA DRY 1960; - ... A: ben, It's difficult to say if they are worth anything without knowing how they were stored. If at ... | |
| Da Silva Porto | 8/3/2011 |
| Q: We have many bottles of wine that have never been opened. They are very old. Also a bottle of Da ... A: Alvin, "We have many bottles of wine that have never been opened. They are very old.". Without ... | |
| Asti Spumante | 7/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Fratelli Cella Asti Spumante, I don't know the date. I have looked on the box and ... A: Teresa, Hmm. "Do you know how I can find this." If by this you mean the date, you won't find one. ... | |
| Creme De Menthe bottle | 7/26/2011 |
| Q: I have this bottle in my mom's collection of old antique bottles. It's a Creme De Menthe bottle - ... A: Kathy, It's not a wine bottle; rather, creme de menthe is a liqueur. BOLS was the (Dutch) producer. ... | |
| 1984 Windsor Vineyards Vintage Brut Champagne | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: I thank you in advance for your assistance. I have a bottle of 1984 Brut Champagne, Sonoma County ... A: Elizabeth, It is not toxic and will not harm you. But it was a wine meant to be consumed young and ... | |
| Port Value | 7/17/2011 |
| Q: Mr. Fegan, I received a Croft 1970 Vintage Port from a friend about 8 yrs ago. I have stored the ... A: Jeff, Good brand, very good vintage but improper storage may have hurt it. The problem with trying ... | |
| champagne | 7/9/2011 |
| Q: I live in a very old house in san mateo, calf.I found in the basement in a dark corner three bottles ... A: Johnnie, It is the rare Champagne that lasts more than 80 years and most of those have spent all ... | |
| wine decanter | 6/27/2011 |
| Q: I have a wine that was given to me. It is Marchio & Nazionale in a light green bottle that is the ... A: Bart, Marchio & Nazionale is the Italian governmental signature. This was one of a long list of ... | |
| Can we drink this? | 6/25/2011 |
| Q: We have a 1991 Johnson Turnbull Chardonnay - Knights Valley Teviot Springs Vineyard. Is this wine ... A: Kelly, It will not be toxic and you probably can drink it; but the odds are against its being in ... | |
| Grande Fine Champagne | 6/14/2011 |
| Q: Fegan, I have 2 bottles of Cognac I would like to find out more information about them. The white ... A: John, Frank Schoonmaker was an importer of fine European wines & spirits back in the 40s, 50's, ... | |
| wine value | 6/6/2011 |
| Q: I have a case of four of HARDYS Commemorative Release OLD VINE Shiraz, Mclaren Vale, 1997. They ... A: David, There is no traffic in the wine world for this wine. What I have found are prices for the ... | |
| Dalva Tawny Porto Wine | 5/2/2011 |
| Q: My 96 year old grandmother handed me over a Dalva Porto wine which she brought into Canada from her ... A: Most Portuguese Tawnies are blends on wines from different years so you usually won't see a year on ... | |
| 1973 Dom Perignon OEnotheque | 4/23/2011 |
| Q: I have located a crate/presentation box that was for a 1973 vintage Dom Perignon OEnotheque. In the ... A: Dennis, If it just the packaging/marketing material and not the wine itself its desirability is ... | |
| Lafaurie-Peyraguey | 4/10/2011 |
| Q: I have an unopened bottle of Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey dated 1975. The contents seems to be a ... A: Pam, Are you sure about the green bottle? L-P is bottled in clear. You don't mention the storage ... | |
| Old Vintage Ports | 3/9/2011 |
| Q: I have 3 old bottles of vintage port and I am wondering whether I should open them, dump them, save ... A: Trish, It is extremely difficult to sell single bottles of wine (people like to taste before they ... | |
| How to tell? | 2/24/2011 |
| Q: Occasionally I like to just grab a bottle of wine at random - it has to be on sale and obviously not ... A: Leonard, The best way to go about this is exactly to talk to someone at the store: they are the ... | |
| Wine Value snd Resale | 2/6/2011 |
| Q: I was wondering the value of a bottle of wine I have. 1971 Chateau Rineau, St-Emilion Grand Cru ... A: Kim, 1971 was an above average year for that part of Bordeaux. That said, only the very best ... | |
| champagne | 1/2/2011 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Piper Heidsieck -Piper Brut champage. It says made in 1923 and bottled in 1924. ... A: Frank, Just to make sure: most Champagnes today are aged an average of three years in the bottle ... | |
| L'Ecole No 41 | 12/31/2010 |
| Q: I uncovered 3 bottles of 2000 Columbia Valley Barrel Fermented Semillon in a case with some reds I ... A: Lisa, Much depends upon how they were stored. If cool (less than 60 F) they have a good chance and ... | |
| paul ruinart brut 1949 Reims France | 12/30/2010 |
| Q: Over the Holidays my uncle produced a bottle of Paul Ruinart Brut 1949 from his wine cellar. He ... A: Drew, The Paul Ruinart brand is not traded on the serious wine market, hence I cannot give a value. ... | |
| Red Wine shelf life | 12/26/2010 |
| Q: Good Morning, My husb. and I do not drink but enjoy serving (if we know it's ok to serve)and have ... A: MaryAnne, A lot has to do with how they were stored. If cool --below 65 or so-- most will be in ... | |
| 9 liters of Perrier Jouet... | 12/21/2010 |
| Q: A 9 Liter bottle of Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Depuis 1811 Bottle was given to me and I'm curious of ... A: Kevin, Tough to say. It's not being traded on the auction market so there is no way to value it ... | |
| CHAMPAGNE | 12/13/2010 |
| Q: I HAVE FIVE BOTTLES OF DON PERIGNON DATING BACK TO 1973. IS THERE A WAY WITHOUT OPENING IF THE ... A: Albert, Dom Perignon is a keeper. Take off the capsule as much as possible. If the liquid is only ... | |
| wine valuation | 12/5/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of rieussec sauternes gran cru classe from 1974 I would like some information on ... A: Ch. Rieussec is a white dessert wine from the Sauternes district of Bordeaux. It is classified very ... | |
| muscatel wine | 12/4/2010 |
| Q: i have been informed that muscatel is no longer being made.ive been drinking royal host and italian ... A: Chris, Neither has made it for many years so I doubt if any stores would have any left. I checked ... | |
| g. h. mumm champagne | 11/30/2010 |
| Q: i have a bottle of gh mumm(rene lalou)dated 1973. i have had it since 1981. it has been horizontally ... A: Paulette, Rene Lalou is the Dom Perignon of the Mumm company: the finest wine they make. However, ... | |
| market value of celebrity cellar wine | 11/20/2010 |
| Q: Have unopened 1997 First Edition Label Release Collector's Reserve Jerry Garcia and was wondering ... A: Libby, There are no quotes for the 1997. There are listings for the current vintage which gives a ... | |
| 1961 Beaujolais | 10/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1961 Beaujolais. The label says Marmot Grand Vin De Bourgogne Beaujolais ... A: Anissa, It is a Gamay grape wine (assuming it's red) from a very good year. Problem is, even the ... | |
| Home Wine Making | 9/19/2010 |
| Q: i just started my first batch of home wine making kit and now its at a stage of bottling. however ... A: WILLIAM, Not sure: does the winemaking kit allow you to measure acidity or pH? TA should be in the ... | |
| wine | 9/8/2010 |
| Q: Why do strong wines tastes better if you leave them open for a while A: fernanda, If by strong you mean more alcoholic, then leaving them open a while may or may not bring ... | |
| Yeast in wine | 9/6/2010 |
| Q: My question is: Is there live yeast cells in wine that is bottles for consumption. The Basic premise ... A: Randy, The vast majority of yeast cells that cause fermentation are kept out of the finished bottle ... | |
| 1974 wine | 7/13/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1974 Rioja Siglo in a spanish wine, unopened at this time. I would like to know ... A: Debbie, If that is all the info on the label, then I'd say it was an ex-wine. It is said "Gran ... | |
| selections and quantity | 7/7/2010 |
| Q: I'm having a wedding on July 24, 2010. At the ceremony (backyard event), we will have a champagne ... A: Ms MacNeil, For the wedding toast, for 80 people, 3-4 ounces per person should do it if it is ... | |
| Valuation of several different liquers/wine/champagne | 5/31/2010 |
| Q: Could you please tell me the approximate value of the following items that my dad had. The ... A: Denise, Unless his closet was a refrigerator on its side, the wines are way past their ... | |
| Pieroth | 5/21/2010 |
| Q: I have just found a bottle of Pieroth Bockenheimer Grafens---- which is a Grand Prix 86 Adelaide ... A: Linda, It may still be drinkable depending upon how it was stored. If under 60 Fahrenheit from ... | |
| Champagne Value | 4/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a magnum of Dom Perignon 1955, excellant condition and kept in the proper climate since new. ... A: Tom, Quel tip! If it were indeed kept in the "proper climate" since new (that would be anywhere ... | |
| Mirafiore Chianti | 4/18/2010 |
| Q: I have a 1975 Mirafiore Chianti in green glass in the shape of an elephant. The trunk of the ... A: All sorts of marketing are used to entice consumers, these animal packagings being a common one. I ... | |
| The value of a bottle of champagne | 4/8/2010 |
| Q: I presently have (in storage) a 22 year old? bottle of Domaine and Charndon champagne white star ... A: Michael, You are giving me a mixed message. Domaine Chandon does not make a wine called "White ... | |
| souzao port | 3/30/2010 |
| Q: I've got a bottle of Paul Masson Rare Souzao Port with a sticker on it that says cuvee no. 101S. I ... A: Diane, It was one of this country's better attempts at Port. But if it's from the 1970's--and has ... | |
| 5 litre bottle | 3/29/2010 |
| Q: I would be interested to learn about the quality and value of a 5 litre bottle of Martinez Bujanda ... A: Sean, Not sure I have ever run into the wine and I could find no transactions for it. But as a ... | |
| Large collection of wines | 3/15/2010 |
| Q: I live in Mexico City, and in my grandparents house we found a large colection of wines and liquors. ... A: Ila, To know if they are in good condition, I would have to know how they were stored. But just to ... | |
| clos du moulin | 3/12/2010 |
| Q: I have recently come across a bottle of 1961 clos du moulin, appellation medoc controlee. Through ... A: Coming from the Médoc, it is indeed a Bordeaux. It is the 2nd wine of Ch. La Peyre. "Contrôlée" ... | |
| Value of this bottle | 3/2/2010 |
| Q: someone left a bottle of Baron Philippe De Rothschild Sauternes 1995 at a Xmas party. I know ... A: Lee, If it has been stored cool (under 65-60 fahrenheit) it should still be drinkable. It's a ... | |
| Value and date of wine | 2/25/2010 |
| Q: I purchased a Real Vinicola port today from an estate sale that is in a beautiful folk art bottle ... A: Lisa, Without knowing what that company's code numbers mean I cannot fathom what year is was ... | |
| Bordeaux Wines | 2/14/2010 |
| Q: I have been given a bottle of Chateau Milon 1988 vintage Is it drinkable Does it have any monetary ... A: Larry, There are many wines named simply "Milon". If this is also labeled "Saint Emilion Grand ... | |
| old wines!!! | 2/4/2010 |
| Q: "Hi, I have a couple old wines.The prints on the wines as below: Wine 1: 1949 CHATEAU LA TOUR ... A: Ayhan, Their condition --and value-- depends largely upon how they were stored. If stored at a ... | |
| Martell VSOP | 2/3/2010 |
| Q: I've been trying searches (Google, Ask, Yahoo!, etc.) for over a month now to try to find ... A: Paul, The 1909 may have been a bottling date. But no matter: spirits do not usually evolve like ... | |
| Value and taste | 1/30/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Chateau Haut-Pontet Recoulte 1997 Saint-Emilion Grand Cru and would like to know ... A: Christine, You have a wine from a decent estate but from a very middling vintage. If you have ... | |
| Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard 1964 | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: We have just received a bottle of this 1964 Chateau de Terrefort-Quancard Cru Exceptionnel as a ... A: Victoria, 1964 was a good vintage generally across Bordeaux. Ch. Terrefort-Quancard produces very ... | |
| 1923 bordeaux | 1/6/2010 |
| Q: I would like to know the worth of an unopened bottle of Bourdeaux 1923 Montagne Set Emilion. A: Gene, First off, I'd need to know the estate that made the wine. Secondly, an 86 year old bottle ... | |
| OFFLEY | 1/2/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of OFFLEY- Baron De Forrester- "1963 Reserve"-Bottled in 1979.It was imported ... A: Chris, It is a Tawny Porto meant for consumption within a few years of its bottling date. While it ... | |
| Selling a collectable | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I want to sell a 60 year old bottle of Champagne, Champagne Cuvee Dom Perignon Vintage 1949. I am ... A: Alan, As I do not know where you live, I don't know what to tell you. I can tell you that if you ... | |
| Commanderie St. John Wine | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: I recently acquired a sealed, 750ml bottle of Commanderie St. John, in the original box, vintage ... A: Richard, I remember purchasing a 1947 Commanderia back in the early 70's thinking I was super ... | |
| 1977 Monchhofer Sonnkogel | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: I want to serve this wine with dessert on Christmas, had this bottle for years. Will I be opening a ... A: Ted, That means it was an exceptionally sweet white wine with tremendous aromatics: at birth. ... | |
| Old brandy | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I have an 1893 fine cognac marked Barnett &Fils. Would like to know its worth.If I want to auction ... A: Suzanne, Is there anything that indicates a bottling date? Also, if you only have 1 bottle of it, ... | |
| DOMAINE DE LA VOUGERAIE CLOS DE VOUGEOT GRAND CRU 2001 | 12/16/2009 |
| Q: I have this bottle that i have a really good deal for it about 3 years ago and cannot find any info ... A: Dennys, It is Pinot noir. As for its current consumption, if it has been stored well you can ... | |
| Chateau Sociando Mallet Haut Médoc 1995 | 12/13/2009 |
| Q: I recently decided to start collecting wine. Over the past two years, I attended to wine fundraising ... A: Colleen, To get an idea of how much they are worth, go to winesearcher.com. Whether or not they ... | |
| Dom Perignon 1976 | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: I found an overlooked bottle of Cuvee Dom Perignon Vintage 1976 Champagne in the cellar. The label ... A: Bob, What was the cellar temp and for how long was it there? If there since its release (c. ... | |
| perrier jouet rose | 11/27/2009 |
| Q: Sir; I actually quite paying attention the box this bottle was in sometime ago it is a 1999 ... A: Rick, The 1999 Fleur Rosé is quite likely still very good wine. However, it's not a good idea to ... | |
| UNOPENED BOTTLE OF WINE | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE A CHANCE TO PURCHASE A BOTTLE OF WINE THAT WAS FOUND IN A WALL IN A HISTORIC HOME THIS BOTTLE ... A: ZAC Virginia Dare was a Scuppernong-based sweet wine created in the 1830's; it is no longer made. ... | |
| Laurent Perrier | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: Greetings! I know you are a wine expert, although Champagne is after all a cousin of the wine. I ... A: David, Champagne is a wine and as such needs to be stored cool (not more than 60 fahrenheit long ... | |
| Value for old Dom Perignon Champagne | 11/3/2009 |
| Q: ... I know very little about the items I have but have been told they could be quite valuable. I am ... A: Kirk, As for the Dom Pérignons, if they have been stored at 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower for the ... | |
| What is my wine worth and how do I sell it? | 11/2/2009 |
| Q: Mirassou 1977 Monterey Cabernet Savingnon Charles Krug Napa Cab 1974 Beaulien 1971 Napa Estate Cab ... A: Nance, Most of those wines were meant for early to mid consumption and are likely past their prime ... | |
| Value of Wine | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1986 Laithwaite's Silver Leaf Brut. Is it worth anything? A: Joanne If it has been stored cool for all its life it would still be quite drinkable. However, if ... | |
| 1st vs 5th growths and education | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: I am confused about what exactly the 1st growth (bordeaux) is and waht it stands for. I've read the ... A: The Medocain classification is pretty much a done deal: the only exception to this I know of was the ... | |
| Preparation and serving of Penfolds Grange 1977 | 8/24/2009 |
| Q: I've recently purchased a 1977 Penfolds Grange to share with my father on Father's Day (Australia - ... A: Nothing certain can be known about the current state of the wine unless you know how it has been ... | |
| Moet et Chandon a Epernay vintage 1978 | 8/23/2009 |
| Q: CUVEE DOM PERIGNON CHAMPAGNE, I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT CHAMPAGNE AND CLEANING OUT A HOUSE OF A FAMILY ... A: The problem is two-fold. First, if it has been standing bolt upright for years at room temperature ... | |
| Bolla 12 percent alcohol wine | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: found a large bottle of unopened Bolla wine in the basement it is the year 1966 on the bottle. Is ... A: Lois, It depends upon a) how large a bottle, b) what else it says and c) at what temperature it has ... | |
| Monsieur Henri Wines LTD | 7/26/2009 |
| Q: Before someone opens this bottle that was given to me by my uncle by mistake, I would like to know ... A: It's from a very good year, but unfortunately, unless it has been stored remarkably well, it is ... | |
| 1976 Rioja | 7/1/2009 |
| Q: We found a bottle of 1976 Federico Paternina Rioja Gran Reserva. It also has the wording Cllauri on ... A: Tom, It depends upon how well it was stored. If at 60-65 Fahrenheit or lower, it will probably ... | |
| wine valuations and comments | 6/28/2009 |
| Q: I have 2 bottles of vintage liqueur/port and would like some information as to their 'best' time to ... A: Ross, The Para is probably dead. The Croft is iffy. It depends upon how it was stored. If cool ... | |
| 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: Rose, It's an Austrian wine, a blend of Pinot blanc and Gewürztraminer and made in the very sweet ... | |
| Cleaning out the wine cabinet | 5/26/2009 |
| Q: I'm going through my house and cleaning things out and putting things in order. I've come to our ... A: It depends upon the temperature of your wine cabinet. If it has been at room temp for a few years ... | |
| Old Wines - any value | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 1980, three bottles of Le Chamville ... A: With one exception (the Cabernet) the wines are likely dead. If it has been stored well (60-65 F or ... | |
| Chateau La Fleur Du Grand Moine | 4/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a friend who was given a bottle of 1990 Chateau La Fleur Du Grand Moine from his grandmother. ... A: Bingo. Stands for Societe Agricole Groupement. The groupment in question is Monsieur Touton. The ... | |
| Chateau La Fleur Du Grand Moine | 4/20/2009 |
| Q: I have a friend who was given a bottle of 1990 Chateau La Fleur Du Grand Moine from his grandmother. ... A: Look at the bottom of the label: if it says Pommier on it, it is probably the second wine of Ch. ... | |
| german wine found in garage | 3/15/2009 |
| Q: I have found 6 bottles of German wine dating from 1962 to 1976 in the rear of my garage, , i live in ... A: trevor As German wines vary in quality -- and ageability -- I cannot answer the question unless I ... | |
| Price for Wine | 3/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of JG Monnet Napoleon Cognac, not sure of the year. But I am thinking it is at least ... A: Don't know where you live so I don't know of the legalities of your trying to sell it. But realize ... | |
| Value/Drinkability of inherited bottles of wine? | 1/21/2009 |
| Q: Patrick, My father-in-law died in 1984 and at that time he was VP of Almaden Wines in California. ... A: Ric, All depends upon how they were stored. If stored cool (below 65 F) one of these wines might ... | |
| rehearsal dinner | 1/13/2009 |
| Q: I am having my rehearsal dinner on the beach in August. It is going to be a very casual menu- ... A: Dry reds: Castlerock Pinot Noir, Gato Negro Merlot, Los Vascos Cabernet, Jaboulet Aine Côtes du ... | |
| wine valuation | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: I have recently been given a 150cl 1980 bottle of dao regiao demarcada vinho tinto that is still ... A: Kat, There's no way of knowing unless you tell me how it's been stored all these years. Even if ... | |
| wine | 1/5/2009 |
| Q: I HAVE A 1980 12L BOTTLE OF RIBEZZO NEBBIOLO D'ALBA ANY IDEA WHAT THIS WINE IS WORTH A: Mark, Nebbioli d'Alba are usually made for the short haul; and, while you have a big format bottle ... | |
| 1978 Dom Perignon Champagne | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1978 Dom Perignon that has been stored in a cool cellar on it's side since ... A: David, I don't know where you live so I cannot answer the first question (in my state-IL-it's ... | |
| Wine Chateau- Margaux 1961 | 12/25/2008 |
| Q: Yes I was invited to to a X-mas Eve party this evening and the host open a bottle of Chateau- ... A: The Question is should we have opened it and had the bottle of wine with a Turkey Christmas Eve ... | |
| wine | 12/16/2008 |
| Q: i have descoverd a bottle of barton and guestier medoc 1961 in the loft of a house i have bought. ... A: Scott, 1961 was a fantastic year and wines made classically are still drinking well if they were ... | |
| Champagne collectable? / Valuable? | 12/15/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of a Moet Bicentennial Cuvee celebrating, obviously, 200 years of American ... A: John, You don't mention if it had a vintage date on it or not. If not, it's toast. If it's a 1976, ... | |
| dom perignon | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1978 bottle of Dom Perignon Champaign and am thinking of selling it. It has been stored ... A: If the closet was at room temperature for the 22 years, it is unlikely the wine is still worth ... | |
| Niepoorts port | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1964 Niepoorts port. Is it worth keeping it for a longer period of time or should ... A: John, Niepoort is a company that does a lot of Colheita Portos which are vat-aged Portos from 1 ... | |
| G. H. Mumm Champagne - 1925 | 11/19/2008 |
| Q: I recently acquired an unopened bottle of G. H. Mumm Extra Dry Champagne. The woman said it was a ... A: Donna, Vintage Champagnes can keep quite a long time if they are stored cool (50-60 F or so). ... | |
| Dom Perignon | 11/18/2008 |
| Q: The bottle is always rotated and is always kept laying down can you please give me some advice ... A: Eren, If you are 21 now, the DP in question would be from the 1987 vintage. But they did not make ... | |
| Claret | 11/16/2008 |
| Q: I have won a bottle of Bordeaux Claret in a raffle. Other information on the label is Belle France, ... A: Generally, if a wine is labeled with the simplest appellation of the region ("Bordeaux") it tends to ... | |
| pieroth wine | 10/21/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1992 Matraalja-Ausbruch red wine and I was wondering if is any good and were can ... A: It depends upon how it has been stored, but the odds are against it. If you only have 1 bottle it ... | |
| Another Penfold's Grange (but I'm vegetarian) | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: on 8/6 Joshua answered a question about what to match with a 1996 penfold's grange. It must be the ... A: I don't know who Joshua is. The first thing that comes to mind is a good farmhouse cheddar, ... | |
| Dom Perignon 1980 | 9/10/2008 |
| Q: My parents got a bottle of Dom for their anniversary in 1980. They keep in a refrigerator in the ... A: The short answer is I don't know. What is the temperature of the refrigerator? Sometimes, if a wine ... | |
| value of old bottle of champagne | 9/1/2008 |
| Q: I was given an old bottle of champagne I was wondering if it had any value. It's G.H. Mumm & Co. ... A: That bottle, if stored properly, could have survived a couple of decades (not necessary to turn it). ... | |
| Basics | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: Since I am fairly new to wine and started sweet and am working my way to drier wines, will you ... A: Cathy, Basically, ANY grape can be made into wines of varying sweetness or dryness. A lot of it ... | |
| Monsanto Chianti Classico -- age question | 8/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva Poggio, 1983, which means it's 25-years-old. ... A: I have had 60 year old Chiantis that were in great shape: that's a general statement. More ... | |
| Wine Database | 8/8/2008 |
| Q: Patrick, Do you know where I can buy a database of all wines. We are designing a wine menu program ... A: Jeff, I do not know. But Wine Enthusiast sells database managers for wine consumers and it may be ... | |
| 1971 champagne | 7/23/2008 |
| Q: I just found a bottle of Moet Chandon champagne, cuvee dom perignon vintage 1971 in my Aunts home. ... A: It's very iffy. Did she have it in her possesion since its bottling (c. 1978)? 30 years at 70 ... | |
| 1995 Andre Champagne | 7/9/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1995 Extra Dry Andre Champagne. I don't know much about wine, but it was given ... A: Are you sure it just says "Andre"? Andre is an inexpensive bubbly from Gallo's corral which never ... | |
| my wine is turning sour.. | 6/27/2008 |
| Q: im gilbert; well the reason that i am writing you is because i made three five gallons of wine with ... A: If you have left them in the initial fermenting tank for two months they could very well be spoiled, ... | |
| moet chandon champagne | 6/18/2008 |
| Q: my daughter won a magnum of moet chandon champagne about 6/7 years ago and she wants to know if it ... A: All of this depends upon whether or not it was stored in a cool place. You do not say if it was a ... | |
| Piper Heidsieck | 6/4/2008 |
| Q: I received a bottle of Piper Heidsieck black label dated 1962 which I have owned and cared for since ... A: Even if it has been stored under perfect conditions, it is likely too old to be worth anything. It ... | |
| Louis Roederer 1996 Cristal Champagne | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: I received this bottle for my wedding 5 years ago. When is the optimal time to drink? We are ... A: How has it been stored? If under 65 F for all the time you've had it, then it is in great condition ... | |
| pieroth white german wine | 6/1/2008 |
| Q: my friend likes a German wine i would like to purchase some bottles for her to say thankyou. a ... A: Pieroth wines are usually sold at home wine tastings (like Tupperware parties), so it's unlikely ... | |
| Italian wines | 5/24/2008 |
| Q: I love wines like Bosc, Moscato & Saracco. Can you tell me where I can read more about these wines ... A: I think you are speaking about Moscato d'Asti which is made is southern Piemonte from vineyards ... | |
| Are these champagnes and Port still good? | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: All of the following have been stored in a cabinet in our dining room for years: A 1998 Windsor ... A: As I do not know the storage temperature of your cabinet, I can't say for certain. But if it was ... | |
| is this wine still good | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: We are complete novices in wines. Can you tell us would a 1997 Conoma County "Old Vines" Zinfandel ... A: I need more info on which winery made the Zinfandel. Most 97's are too old by now, but there are ... | |
| Chocolate Wine | 5/3/2008 |
| Q: I was recently at a bridal shower in which they served a wine called Chocolate Temptation. I do not ... A: The only "Chocolate Temptation" I know of that has any relationship to wine is the E & J "Cask and ... | |
| Value of Old Bottle of Champagne | 5/2/2008 |
| Q: I recently found in my aunt's estate a unopened bottle of 1952 Taittinger, Blanc De Blancs Brut, ... A: Tough call if you don't know how it's been stored (do you?). If it were stored in a cool place for ... | |
| Wine value | 4/27/2008 |
| Q: Recently came upon a bottle of wine and wonder if it has any value: Chateau de Mittelwihr "1959 ... A: This was a pretty good vintage for that area. But unless it 1) has been stored pristinely since it ... | |
| chateau berliquet st. Emilion grand cru 1986 | 4/26/2008 |
| Q: hey patrick, I have a case of chateau berliquet st. Emilion grand cru from 1986, do you have any ... A: It's a Grand Crus Classé from a very good vintage noted for drinking on the early side. Things that ... | |
| brolio | 4/23/2008 |
| Q: i just found a 1971 chianti classico brolio castle casa vinicola barone ricasoli do you think its ... A: It depends. 1)How has it been stored? If in a cool cellar (65 F) for all its life, it has a better ... | |
| Discovering New Wines | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: I've been doing a little research on red and white wines and am curious to know if you might have ... A: Sean, 1) I'd check out Jancis Robinson's "Vines, Grapes and Wines" to get descriptions of them. ... | |
| port wine | 4/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1944 Porto Colheita wine that was given to my husband many years ago. On the ... A: A Colheita Porto is not the same as a Vintage Porto. Colheitas are wines from 1 year which are ... | |
| wine | 4/12/2008 |
| Q: in your opinion, what are the best shiraz and merlots around? is there any real great american red ... A: The classic Shirazes are the old vine Barossa examples (St Hallett, Grant Burge, Elderton, Penfolds, ... | |
| dumb question | 3/21/2008 |
| Q: HY, iv been trying to make wine for about 2 years now. iv succeeded about 4 times. most of the ... A: Candy First, be a detective. What did you do the 4 times you succeeded that you didn't do when you ... | |
| Can you tell if Champagne has gone bad by the cork | 3/20/2008 |
| Q: I wanted to know what it meant if you opened a bottle of Champagne and the cork remained small and ... A: The unexpanded cork issue is commonplace. It just means that the cork has been in the bottle for a ... | |
| Value of a bottle | 3/14/2008 |
| Q: I work on a wine store and a customer brought a bottle of sauternes dated 1967 G. Johanneton et Cie ... A: Marjorie, This, I believe, is a basic negociant's Sauternes blend, not an estate wine. Hence, it ... | |
| Less Sugar | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a question regarding the amount of sugar in fruit wines (zinfandel based). What are my ... A: Jen The sugar you start with in the juice will ultimately--if you let it run its course--be ... | |
| Virginia Dare | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a few bottles of Virginia Dare wine, still full. The label is stamped with 11.1.NY and ... A: Karen, Virginia Dare was wine made primarily from native grapes of the Muscadine group, ... | |
| Bordeaux | 2/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1962 Chateau Corbin Michotte, Grand Cru Classe, Saint E'milion. I was wondering about ... A: 1962 was quite a good year. It was not a year that was considered to be a great keeper (i.e. much ... | |
| Is Secondary fermentation necessary for making wine at home? | 1/28/2008 |
| Q: Is Secondary fermentation necessary for making wine at home? ANSWER: Unless you are making ... A: If, by secondary fermentation, you mean the malolactic conversion, that is not a fermentation as it ... | |
| fruity drinks | 1/25/2008 |
| Q: i do not really like the taste of alcohol and i am looking for wines, shots, mixed drinks, ... A: I'd stick with wines that have classically had low alcohol contents. The two groups that stand out ... | |
| Moet & Chandon Sparkling Champagne | 1/24/2008 |
| Q: I inherited a bottle of Moet & Chandon Champagne and would like to know how old it is and if it is ... A: If it doesn't have a vintage date on the label then it is a non-vintage Champagne. Non vintage ... | |
| Valuation and your opinion of drinkability | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: Greetings from Maryland. After “collecting” for a number of years and having recently entered into ... A: As this is a free service, I cannot comment at length on all the wines. I can however, tell you that ... | |
| Old Port | 1/23/2008 |
| Q: I have 2 old and possibly hard to find bottles of PORT. (1) Niepoort & CO PORTO colheita 1934-glass ... A: The big question is when these wines were bottled (it may say so on the front or back labels). If ... | |
| Madame Gaston Briand cognac | 1/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a 4/5qt. bottle of cognac and would like some help in valuation. Label reads ; "A Frank ... A: This is an old bottle of Cognac. I haven't seen the Schoonmaker name on a bottle in years. That ... | |
| Christian Brothers Napa Rose | 1/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Christian Brothers Napa Rose wine from the 1960's, atleast I assume it's from the ... A: I'm pretty sure -- as the Monthy Python folks would put it -- that it is an ex-rosé. It was not ... | |
| 1978 Dom Perignon Champagne | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: We have been given a bottle of 1978 Cuvee Dom Perignon Champagne. Can you tell me the value? Is ... A: The last time I saw it for sale it was at about $500. If the wine has been stored properly for all ... | |
| value of bottle of wine | 1/18/2008 |
| Q: I have had, for many years, an unopened bottle of wine my father purchased with my birth year. It ... A: I have not seen mention of it in any files with respect to value. However, it is most likely is past ... | |
| wine drinkability | 1/16/2008 |
| Q: I have two bottles of 1996 Conde de los Andes Rioja-Gran Riserva. How long can I keep them. A: The wine is from a very good vintage and represents the best wine made that year in the estimation ... | |
| Dom Perignon 95 &99 | 1/12/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of each and was wondering what types of food would go best with each vintage? I'm ... A: Good Champagne is wonderfully adaptable to a variety of foods, so I would not worry too much about ... | |
| Wine question... | 1/11/2008 |
| Q: wondering if you could clear up some confusion over 2 wines we were wondering about. Pinot ... A: I don't know exactly where you are writing from, so I'll take a general stab (some markets get sweet ... | |
| chianti melini 1934 and bolla vapolicella classico 1968 | 1/5/2008 |
| Q: ..in cleaning out the basement, we found the two unopened bottles of wine and wondered if they have ... A: I am sorry: but these are ex-wines, esp. the former. You might want to keep them as curiosities (or ... | |
| wine from Romania | 1/5/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon that has a "Certificat De Calitate" that reads...An recolta : ... A: It's from the NE region of Moldovei(c.10 miles from the border with Moldova). It could be worth a ... | |
| 1965 Georges de Latour Beaulieu Vineyard Private reserve | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: I have been given a bottle of 1965 Georges de Latour Beaulieu Vineyard and would like to know when ... A: It frankly all depends upon how it was stored before you acquired it. I have had that wine several ... | |
| time | 1/4/2008 |
| Q: hy, i just started a batch of wine, white to be exact. its curently winter here and the normal day ... A: Not to get too personal here, Corn Likker, but how big is your batch (a gallon, 10s of gallons, ... | |
| 2002 and storage | 1/3/2008 |
| Q: I got married in 2002 and would like to buy and store some wines now for our anniversaries in years ... A: First, you need to know that for long term storage you need proper conditions of temperature and to ... | |
| Champagne | 1/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Great Western Champagne it says Brut - very dry. I know it is at least 20 years ... A: I need more information. 1) Is the Great Western from Australia or New York? 2) Does it have a ... | |
| Tytell Beaujolais 1972 | 1/1/2008 |
| Q: Do you know if this wine has any value. Just inherited some wine. Thank you, Sue A: Most Beaujolais is meant to be drunk quite young: within a few years of release. If it is labeled ... | |
| 1977 grand cru | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: I was given a bottle of wine as a gift when I lived over seas back in the early 90's - just curious ... A: Ted, Belair is a very good estate in the right bank area of Bordeaux. However, 1977 was not so good ... | |
| champagne | 12/31/2007 |
| Q: Was piper-heidsieck champagne 1959 a good year? and if it's still good what would it be worth? A: 1959 was a great year for Vintage Champagnes. However, it's now almost 50 years old; and unless it ... | |
| CASTELLO BANFI | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: I HAVE A CASTELLO BANFI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCHINO 1995 IS IT STILL DRINKABLE? HOW GOOD IS IT? A: Is it the regular or the Riserva? If either, it is quite a good dry, chewy red wine in need of red ... | |
| Bottle of 1969 Cordon Rouge Champagne Brut | 12/27/2007 |
| Q: I have a bottle of G.H.Mumm & Co Cordon Rouge Champange. the contents 1Pint 10 Fluid Ounces 5" ... A: At this point, the wine is most likely past its delectability. Many vintage Champagnes can last a ... | |
| storage temperature - what's too cold? | 12/26/2007 |
| Q: I store my wine in an unheated storage room. It's underground, and is adjacent to heated space, but ... A: You do not say how warm it gets... That kind of cold temperature--40 fahrenheit --will not hurt the ... | |
| How can I tell if a wine has turned? | 12/24/2007 |
| Q: How can I tell if a wine has turned? I always buy good wines and save them for a good occasion...How ... A: If you have some experience with a given wine you can usually tell when it is saying bye bye. Reds ... | |
| moet et chandon | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: Do you have any idea of what the value of a 1965 bottle of Moet et Chandon could be? Many thanks ... A: Many vintage Champagnes will last a few decades and still be quite drinkable if properly stored. ... | |
| D.O.M. Benedictine 1955 | 12/23/2007 |
| Q: Sir, I have a sealed bottle of D.O.M. Benedictine, part of the tax stamp is tore but 55 is showing, ... A: Most folks who evaluate these items would want a sample. If you only have 1 bottle, that's a ... | |
| source of flavours in red wine | 12/21/2007 |
| Q: When wine is described as having a 'hint of black currant, orange, pepper, etc. Is this because the ... A: Bruce, Vintners do not add these components to wines: they are naturally occuring elements derived ... | |
| value of wine | 12/19/2007 |
| Q: I would like to know if you could value a wine from chile. The wine is a vintage 1983 vina linderos ... A: Chile has a rep for making good/great Cabernets. But this particular one is probably an ex-Cab (i.e. ... | |
Wine
Answers by Expert:
Patrick W Fegan
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
Wine: Basics through Advanced
Experience
32 years of teaching the subject
Publications
Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun Times, Chicago Magazine, Wine Spectator, Italian Wines and Spirits, Wines and Spirits International and others
Education/Credentials
B.A. in Political Science
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