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Wine/Questions Answered by Expert Elaine Marshall
| Subject | Date Asked |
| Cost of importing wine into CA | 11/30/2011 |
| Q: I noticed you are an expert in Australian wine. I am thinking about importing wine from Australia ... A: 1) the rule of three covers varying margins between agents, as these percentages are highly ... | |
| Cost of importing wine into CA | 11/23/2011 |
| Q: I noticed you are an expert in Australian wine. I am thinking about importing wine from Australia ... A: I will start by saying this is a long complicated list and difficult to cover fully via this method ... | |
| 2002 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir | 9/29/2011 |
| Q: I purchased a bottle of 2002 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir from the Domaine Carneros Winery years back ... A: Your wine was certainly better a few years ago, but should be hanging in there. Look for flatter ... | |
| Shiraz Vintage Port 1986 | 7/16/2011 |
| Q: I have a bottle of this port from the Boroka Vineyards, Victoria, Australia that I received as a ... A: Ports, both from Australia and Portugal, are extremely age-worthy due to their high alcohol content ... | |
| red wine | 5/9/2011 |
| Q: somebody ask me that What type of red wine is the best for a beginner? I answered them A good red ... A: I think Merlot is a pretty good answer, although some Merlots can be quite dense and heavy, almost ... | |
| wine | 4/29/2011 |
| Q: My question is about "Vino Nobile di Montepulciano" Can you please tell me if the actual name of ... A: The formal name is Vino Nobile di Montepulciano. Vino Nobile refers to the blend, and Montepulciano ... | |
| Wine Too Old to Drink | 4/5/2011 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1984 Sonoma County Rodney Strong Cabernet Sauvignon and a bottle of 1986 Napa ... A: "Too old to drink" is really a personal decision about how you like your wines. These are both ... | |
| German Wine | 3/30/2011 |
| Q: I was given a bottle of wine from an older gentleman (75 years old) which he purchased years ago in ... A: Your wine is a white wine blend from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region of Germany, likely made from a ... | |
| value and best way to enjoy | 3/28/2011 |
| Q: Elaine, I received a bottle of Chateau de la Sabliere Fongrave 1990 Bordeaux Superieur as a birthday ... A: In the case of your "Bordeaux Sup," it's a great vintage, 1990, but a this quality level it is long ... | |
| Age of wine | 3/17/2011 |
| Q: I got the La Salle muscat wine of california and I wonder for how long time I can save it before it ... A: Muscat wines, like most aromatics, should be consumed early to maximize the freshness of the aromas. ... | |
| Import Wines | 2/14/2011 |
| Q: I am about to create a company to import wines from Argentina into the USA. I know that I need to ... A: In my experience, it takes between 3 and 6 months to obtain your license. Much depends on how ... | |
| Drink now or too old to drink? | 1/24/2011 |
| Q: We have a 3L bottle of wine that we won at an auction years ago. I wonder if it's too late to ... A: No, its not too late to drink your Cabernet. The 3L format extends the life of the wine and ... | |
| Wine importing business | 1/20/2011 |
| Q: I am a little confused about the role of the importer and the role of the distributor. Let's say I ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. The basic answer to your question is "it depends." ... | |
| Can this Champagne be drunk? | 1/3/2011 |
| Q: we have in our possession a bottle of 'Lanson Noble Cuvee 1980'and i am wondering if it is still ok ... A: Older Champagnes can be fun to experience, but don't be surprised by their matterized state and ... | |
| dry semillon | 12/23/2010 |
| Q: 28 years ago brought east a bottle of Wente Bros. 1977 Vintage Livermore Dry Semillon, racked bottle ... A: What you have on your hands is an oxidized wine due to cork failure. The sherry-like aromas are ... | |
| Cakebread Cellars Cabernet 1984 | 12/18/2010 |
| Q: I have this bottle of wine which has not been stored in a cool dark place. I also have a Mouton ... A: Your Cakebread Cabernet should be fine although past peak. 1984 was a good year and the Napa wines ... | |
| Are my wines still good? | 11/26/2010 |
| Q: I enjoy red wine on occasion but know next to nothing about it (to be perfectly honest). I am ... A: In general, picking when a wine is mature or even too old to drink is a matter of taste. The wines ... | |
| Collector's Reserve | 11/24/2010 |
| Q: I have two bottles of a Collector's Reserve 1995 Califronia Cabernet Sauvignon (Frank Sinatra) One ... A: The Frank Sinatra wines have ranged in desirability by Sinatra fans. While I no longer offer ... | |
| Is There or Is There Not a Chateau LaSalle? | 11/4/2010 |
| Q: Like many, I have searched wine shops for many years looking for an old favorite, Christian Brothers ... A: Yes, there is a Chateau La Salle - I know that the brand still is registered as being active in ... | |
| Purchased 6 bottles of wine at a charity event... | 11/3/2010 |
| Q: My husband purchased 6 bottles of wine from a charity event last night ($300 for all 6). I have ... A: You're right that it's tough to figure anything out about this wine. There are a few registered ... | |
| dow 1977 siver jubilee port | 10/18/2010 |
| Q: I weonder if you could advise me please. My son was given a case for his christening some 25 years ... A: You're the lucky holder of a very good bottle of Port from an excellent year. Port is one of the ... | |
| 1929 Maison Boisseaux-Estivant | 9/29/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1929 Boisseau-Estivant Mercury that I want to offer to a church charity auction(I ... A: I no longer answer valuation questions so I cannot provide an auction estimate for you. A Burgundy ... | |
| oloroso cream/meisters cuvee | 9/11/2010 |
| Q: I was given two bottles of wine not sure if they are worth anything or we should just drink them or ... A: It can be very difficult to figure out how old a wine is when it's a non-vintage, as your two ... | |
| white wine glass | 9/3/2010 |
| Q: hye, may i know more about white wine glass? why the white wine glass must be chilled when serve to ... A: Remember, when I said 55 degrees, I mean Fahrenheit. That's nicely chilled. I do not think ... | |
| white wine glass | 8/29/2010 |
| Q: hye, may i know more about white wine glass? why the white wine glass must be chilled when serve to ... A: For white wines, I recommend using a room temperature glass (not chilled.) That way you can inspect ... | |
| cellier des dauphins 1998 prestige is it still drinkable? | 8/19/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of red wine from 1998 it is produced by cellier des dauphins cotes du rhone, I was ... A: I have a few Rhones in my cellar still from this good vintage. But, they are of greater appellation ... | |
| sale of vintage port | 8/16/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Taylor 1977 vintage port still in the original wood box with sliding lid also ... A: The resale of a single bottle of wine is a difficult challenge to the individual. I'm based in the ... | |
| Bolla Wines | 8/1/2010 |
| Q: I had a wood box with 1994 wines Valpolicella Classico, Soave, Piave Merlot, and Chardonnay. Is it ... A: In general, the wines you are describing were intended for immediate consumption. So, in my ... | |
| Wine storage and silverfish control | 7/2/2010 |
| Q: My husband and I just bottled our first batch of wine for our personal use. It's amazing how many ... A: Congratulations on bottling your first batch of wine! I hope you're pleased with the result. ... | |
| Is my wine too old to drink? | 5/18/2010 |
| Q: I have two bottles of wine stored in their original wood crate on their side in the kitchen ... A: In my opinion, the Chardonnay is past prime - it won't hurt you, but won't be very good. The Cab ... | |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 5/17/2010 |
| Q: Hope you can assist. I accidently put too much SO2 in my white wine. It reads 83ppm. I need to ... A: The differences are between free and combine sulfur. About 30 ppm free sulfur is the threshold for ... | |
| Hydrogen Peroxide | 5/16/2010 |
| Q: Hope you can assist. I accidently put too much SO2 in my white wine. It reads 83ppm. I need to ... A: 83 ppm (assuming free SO2 here) is a bit high but will gradually reduce as your wine ages and it ... | |
| Longevity | 5/11/2010 |
| Q: Elaine, thank you for your help with the Wine Rep question. I want to start a small collection of ... A: I tasted the '05 Oracle last year. I felt that it had an optimum drink age of 2-3 years from now ... | |
| Wine Distributors | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: Elaine, my name is William. I work at a wine store in Tuscaloosa, Alabama (college town). We have a ... A: Your question is a bit of a conundrum for many retailers (I even had a friend who tried to build a ... | |
| Merlot | 5/10/2010 |
| Q: When will a merlot go bad. I have 2005 tinroof Merlot and cabernet sauvignon 2005 a case each.Thanks ... A: Wine going "bad" is a subjective thing. Some consumers enjoy a well aged wine, taking pleasure out ... | |
| Quality of wine | 4/30/2010 |
| Q: About 2 years ago I purchased 2, 1.5 bottles of Charles Krug Napa Cabernet 1980. I have kept them in ... A: Since you smartly purchased the wines in large formats (magnum) it is very likely your wine is just ... | |
| WINE BROKERAGE | 4/25/2010 |
| Q: I am working in foreign trade, and new in wine business, and have potential buyer in Far East, I am ... A: For your first question, the answer is you'll be best off with some sort of contract. Many things ... | |
| wine flavour and value | 4/3/2010 |
| Q: Have 2 bottles am curious about (1) Pieroth 1994 Gensinger Goldberge 1994 Collection L; Rheinhessen ... A: I don't answer valuation questions, but here's what I can tell you about what potentially is inside ... | |
| Wine Import | 4/1/2010 |
| Q: Hola Elaine, I am currently a wine importer in Los Angeles..(i have all my licenses) but I only deal ... A: Your question is very broad and difficult to answer in this context. However, here are my thoughts: ... | |
| Cruse & Fils Treres, Medoc Cruse, "La Dame Rouge". | 3/28/2010 |
| Q: I have a question regarding a wine, it is: Cruse & Fils Treres, Medoc Cruse, "La Dame Rouge". It is ... A: Cruse %26 Fils Freres is a well established negociant firm, made somewhat ignominiously famous in ... | |
| Paul Masson Brandy | 3/21/2010 |
| Q: I have an unopened white & Blue collector bottle of Paul Masson Brandy. The bottle says, "SPIRIT, ... A: As you might know, Paul Masson is a huge brand currently owned by the Centerra company, part of ... | |
| names of wines | 2/19/2010 |
| Q: i have a question i wanted to know the different names of wines (red and white) 5 each ANSWER: Hi ... A: Okay, thanks for the clarification. Again, there are many regions of the world where the name of ... | |
| names of wines | 2/18/2010 |
| Q: i have a question i wanted to know the different names of wines (red and white) 5 each A: I'm assuming from your question that you're asking for names of grape varieties, not wine ... | |
| Papagni Vinyard Sinatra | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: I'm just learning about wine, and was given a bottle of Angelo Papagni's "Ol Blue Eyes" red dinner ... A: Red dinner wine means its a dry wine style of any type grape, less than 75% of one of them. It ... | |
| 2004 Ristow Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Quinta de Pedras | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: Yesterday I bought two bottles of this wine and would love some information about this cabernet? ... A: Ristow Estate is a boutique winery using a single vineyard source, the Quinta de Pedras. The ... | |
| 2000 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Cabernet Sauvignon Cask | 2/6/2010 |
| Q: I have this bottle in my wine cellar for almost four years and i would like to know some information ... A: The 2000 vintage as you've noted is known as the "donut" vintage - good framing without any middle. ... | |
| Semillon 1989 | 2/1/2010 |
| Q: We purchased a 375ml of 1989 Noble Semillon wine when we visited Mount Avoca vineyard, The Pyrenees, ... A: The short answer to your question is yes, the wine is most certainly drinkable. Botrytised ... | |
| Three tier system | 1/25/2010 |
| Q: I understand that in Washington DC a wine importer can also be a retailer. Is this true of any of ... A: Yes, there are other states that allow this - it highly varies according to each state as you might ... | |
| chardonnay | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: i work at a liquor store and we all have diffferent answers as to how long a chardonnay will be ... A: The answer to your question is "it depends." The attributes of wine that make it long lived are ... | |
| galiano | 1/21/2010 |
| Q: .. i would like to know if, i have a bottle of galiano, that is old... and was open... since 20 ... A: Your old bottle will not hurt you but will likely not taste the same as it did. The aromas of the ... | |
| makinging wine | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: while making wine what should the temperature be during the process and after?,I'm new at this I ... A: Part of my answer is "you've got what you've got" meaning if those are your conditions, then there's ... | |
| Petri Brand Sparkling Burgundy | 1/14/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Petri Brand sparkling burgundy with the words "Employees Package" on the label ... A: First, this isn't a Burgundy of course. It's California Sparkling wine made from what were called ... | |
| US Domestic Wine questions | 1/11/2010 |
| Q: I found a handful of of wines in our basement we forgot we had. Can you tell me if these are worth ... A: Here is my opinion of each wine: Biltmore Estate Chateau Reserve Chardonnay - 2004 Likely slightly ... | |
| 1983 ferdinand pieroth Szigetvar-inselburger | 1/10/2010 |
| Q: My grandmother recently passed away and my father found two bottles of above listed wine. He has no ... A: Your wines are from the direct-business winery Ferdinand Pieroth and are single vineyard red blends ... | |
| Single wine bottle 1998 | 1/9/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Cuvée de la Tamardière 1988. Ive read that single bottles are hard to sell does ... A: Yes, single bottle lots have less value and are worth about 30% less if you can't prove the ... | |
| wine | 1/5/2010 |
| Q: .I have another one, and I will send 2 questions so you can see each picture..I have a decorative ... A: What an interesting bottle. It reminds me of the time when Chianti was more interested in producing ... | |
| old bottle of wine? | 1/4/2010 |
| Q: I have a bottle of wine and the label reads on top of it...Baden..Affentaler ... A: Basically you have a bottle of wine with a kitschy label, comprised of Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir) ... | |
| price of a bottle of wine | 1/3/2010 |
| Q: Its a Bottle of 1974 a monsieur henri selection Chablis appelltion chablis controlee produce of ... A: I've previously answered a question on this service about M. Henri Selections (just this month) so ... | |
| wine | 1/1/2010 |
| Q: I found A bottle of beringer 1996 White Zinfandel, is it still good? A: Short answer - probably not. It's sweet, so the sugar will have preserved it some, but White ... | |
| How do I sell one bottle? | 12/29/2009 |
| Q: I want to sell a 60 year old bottle of Champagne, Champagne Cuvee Dom Perignon Vintage 1949. I am ... A: There aren't very good options for a single bottle seller, I'm afraid. My best advice is contact ... | |
| unopened bottle still good | 12/28/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1995 vintage dom. Have stored in a cool dark place for several years is bottle still good? A: Your wine should be fine. 1995 was a good year and the wine should still be showing youthful fruit ... | |
| Christian Brothers Champagne Rose | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering what you could tell me about a bottle of Christian Brothers California Champagne ... A: Christian Brothers no longer makes sparkling wines as you've surmised; they only produce low-end ... | |
| Kier Royale | 12/27/2009 |
| Q: What is the correct way to make a Kier Royale? I always thought it was Champagne and Creme de ... A: It's my understanding that a Kir Royale is Champagne with creme de cassis, usually combined in a ... | |
| What is this? | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: Elaine,I found a bottle of some type of liquor from Italy and I'm going to give it away as a gift.It ... A: Liquore Strega is an Italian liqueur made from herbs, specifically including saffron which gives it ... | |
| sichel 1977 beaujolais | 12/26/2009 |
| Q: a friend brought this bottle over on xmas! and I dont know anything about it !is it good was it good ... A: Maison Sichel started as a Bordeaux merchant group in the Chartrons in the 1880s and continue today ... | |
| determine drinkability 1974 Chateauneuf-du-pape | 12/24/2009 |
| Q: Would appreciate your guidance about this bottle. I think it has been stored out of the light and ... A: Chateauneuf-du-Pape wines, being based in Grenache typically (with 12 other grapes allowed under the ... | |
| Wine worth | 12/21/2009 |
| Q: We have a bottle from Buena Vista in Sanoma CA. It is a 2000 Zinfandel Port Carneros. My question ... A: Your wine will be drinkable because it's a port style that is well preserved by the levels of sugar ... | |
| Bor Forra's Red Wine. | 12/20/2009 |
| Q: I too like Pam's Husband very much like the Hungarian Bor Forra's Red Wine, and like Paul said, the ... A: Try wine-searcher.com for the wine, otherwise I have no information on where you might find it. I ... | |
| Wine is sour, what to do | 12/17/2009 |
| Q: My wife made some wine home with grape and some wheat. The wine tastes very sour. Can anything be ... A: If the wine just tastes sour but is not re-fermenting or smelling like vinegar, then adding RCGM or ... | |
| 1999 Joseph Perrier | 12/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1999 nebukadnezar of the bruet. It has been stored at average room temp in low light. How ... A: I'm assuming from your question that you have a 1999 vintage brut of Joseph Perrier Champagne in a ... | |
| wine evaluation | 12/11/2009 |
| Q: i have a bottle of red dry whine vintage 1968 ,Afames is the name and it's from Cyprus,can anybody ... A: White Lady doesn't seem to be in production anymore (see website: ... | |
| Locate a wine | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I am searching for Christian Brothers Chateau La Salle Blanc. I Live in Houston Texas and have ... A: There are some reports that the wine is still made at Mission Bell Winery in Madera, a holding of ... | |
| Wine Value | 12/10/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Deepwood Cellars Cabernet Franc 2002, I can not find anything on the internet ... A: I typically hate answering valuation questions because unless it is an auction-worthy wine knowing ... | |
| 1943 Cordon Rouge | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: I recently inherited a bottle of 1943 G. H. Mumm and Co. - Reims Cordon Rouge Champagne Brut. The ... A: One-off bottles basically have very little value since they are hard to sell and have limited ... | |
| wine | 12/9/2009 |
| Q: i would like information concerning wines. What does a serial number on a wine mean? Also how can i ... A: A serial number on a wine is a tracking device. Mandated in the UK, it identifies the batch in ... | |
| Wente Bros Pinot Noir | 12/4/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1981 Wente Brothers Monterey Pinot Noir that's been sitting in my wine rack for ages. Is ... A: The simple answer to your question is technically yes, but it's long since past-prime (drinkable in ... | |
| Moody Blue wine | 11/30/2009 |
| Q: My mom had a bottle of Moody Blue wine she had gotten I believe, from Vancouver B.C. and she said it ... A: From the spotty research I could do on this wine, it appears to be available at the Ontario ... | |
| White wine or Chardonnay with Bubbles | 11/28/2009 |
| Q: I'm new to wine and chardonnay. Me and my girlfriend went out to a nice restraunt and bar a few ... A: There are two different ideas I have for you. One, Chardonnay with bubbles is usually a Blanc de ... | |
| Lascombes / USA import | 11/26/2009 |
| Q: I have a Ch Lasacombes 75 GC which is individually numbered and marked 'not for resale in the USA' ... A: Usually bottles are marked like that in an effort for the winery or chateau to control distribution ... | |
| 1984 Opus One | 11/24/2009 |
| Q: For my 50th birthday I was give a bottle of Opus One 1984 red table wine that was signed by both ... A: I'd try Bounty Hunter downtown, or Acme in St. Helena (David Stevens is one of the owners.# Also ... | |
| Saint-Emilion Grand Cru | 11/22/2009 |
| Q: Some time ago I have was given a box of Three bottles of wine from Chateau Grand Martinet, ... A: The consumption recommendation is a useful item, and frankly, a rare one to be found on a wine ... | |
| 1984 Opus One | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: For my 50th birthday I was give a bottle of Opus One 1984 red table wine that was signed by both ... A: Never underestimate your value as a wine consumer; it is our collective whole that is interesting, ... | |
| wine | 11/21/2009 |
| Q: I have one of each 1986 bottle of SOAVE BOLLA and VALPOLICELLA 1985.Are worth any thing. A: My short answer is no, sorry, they aren't worth much. The Soave is completely dead and I wouldn't ... | |
| mercier | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a Esterline 1995 champagne. Time to drink it? Merci bien!!Kay A: For the 1995, yes, it's a good time to drink this. I'm a little worried that this particular wine ... | |
| mercier | 11/16/2009 |
| Q: I have a Mercier Vendange 1990 champagne. Time to drink it? Merci bien!!Kay A: 1990 was an exquisite Champagne vintage, most of the top flight wines having blooming acidity and ... | |
| value of a bottle of wine | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: Could you please help my family regarding the value of a bottle of wine. We have 2 375ml bottles of ... A: The information you provided is incomplete as it is missing the vintage date of the wine. But, ... | |
| Masson Vineyards Red Cannery Row Bottle | 11/11/2009 |
| Q: First, I'm making an assumption that the wine is red (no lable). This bottle of wine was given to ... A: What a nice wedding anniversary gift! Engraved bottles are designed to be souvenirs, promotions, or ... | |
| Storing wine upright or horizontal/on side | 11/8/2009 |
| Q: I'm truly an amateur, but enjoy wine. I've always wondered if it is bad to keep my wine stored ... A: This is a common question. "Laying down" a wine on its side and in a cellar was designed to keep ... | |
| California wines really old. | 11/4/2009 |
| Q: I have 3 bottles of wine that have been on a concrete slab away from sunlight in a garage since the ... A: Sorry to be the messenger, but your bottles are deader than a doornail. They will taste extremely ... | |
| port wines | 10/31/2009 |
| Q: there used to be a small winery in napa that made great port and sherry wines - they used to sign ... A: I'm guessing at what winery you are thinking of - Prager Port Works near St. Helena. About the gold ... | |
| heart shaped paul masson rare cream sherry | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: the complete wording on the label is paul masson rare cream california sherry cuvee no. 301c 25.4 ... A: This is an off-dry sherry, kind of like a tawny or the like (sort of.) I'd recommend cooking with ... | |
| heart shaped paul masson rare cream sherry | 10/27/2009 |
| Q: the complete wording on the label is paul masson rare cream california sherry cuvee no. 301c 25.4 ... A: The crest date should be 1892, the year that Paul Masson is credited for making his first sparkling ... | |
| 1985 Cristal | 10/25/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Louis Roederer 1985 Cristal. Is it still ok to drink? Or should I just keep it as ... A: Your bottle of wine is from an outstanding producer and a very good vintage, as you probably well ... | |
| How much wine? | 10/6/2009 |
| Q: Can you please suggest an inexspensive, good red and white wine for a wedding? Also if we have 200 ... A: Its always hard to come up with something universal for a large party or group. Here are my ... | |
| Champagne | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Dom Perrignon champagne that I received a few years ago. I am not well versed in ... A: Try the Champagne on its own first, then I'd suggest something like a Kir Royale - creme de cassis ... | |
| Champagne | 10/1/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Dom Perrignon champagne that I received a few years ago. I am not well versed in ... A: Sorry to hear that your Champagne has been in the refrigerator for so long - I'm assuming that it's ... | |
| Collectible wine | 9/30/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1.5L August Sebastiani Etched Heritage MV Merlot 1995. It is in a wooden box and hand ... A: The value of your wine really comes down to the signature and the rarity of the etching. Calling ... | |
| cali wines | 9/25/2009 |
| Q: Firstly,I am a wine lover. I want to start a collection to enjoy with my wife in 10-15yrs but don't ... A: Yes, that's a lot of questions. I'll start with the easiest first: the MS program is much more ... | |
| wine | 9/15/2009 |
| Q: I have a 1978 mouton -cadet red Bordeaux magnum in its original wooden box. I received it as a Xmas ... A: With wine it's hard to tell. All you have to go on if the wine is still "good" is type of wine, ... | |
| how to check if my wine is potable. | 9/9/2009 |
| Q: i had made some home wine around eight years ago and i saved a bottle to gift to one of my friends ... A: Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. For your follow-up, if you've tasted it and there isn't ... | |
| chateau saint germain | 9/8/2009 |
| Q: We just found a bottle of chateau saint germain bordeaux 1994, and can't seem to find any info on ... A: This bottling is a moderate level producer, with current releases retailing for between $15-20. ... | |
| how to check if my wine is potable. | 9/6/2009 |
| Q: i had made some home wine around eight years ago and i saved a bottle to gift to one of my friends ... A: That's an interesting question. "Harmless" I'm interpreting to mean that drinking it won't make you ... | |
| question about a 1 gallom wine bottel | 8/29/2009 |
| Q: ANSWER: Hi Skip King- Martell wines in general were brandies and cognacs so no vintage date is ... A: I did get them - they are blurry. What I can see is that you have one of the cognacs. By the back ... | |
| Question about a Wine | 8/25/2009 |
| Q: Looking through my house I came across a old Green bottle of red Wine, its a 1979 Cabernet ... A: Don't feel bad about not finding much about your wine - the world of wine is vast and unfortunately ... | |
| sparkling shiraz & unfiltered chardonnay | 8/22/2009 |
| Q: hvac contractor moved 2 cases of white from our wine fridge to boxes & forgot to put them back so ... A: The overall likelihood of any damage to your wines in such a brief period of time is small. Liquids ... | |
| Niersteiner Spatburgunder Rotwein 2008 | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I was at a friends house and they had a German foreign exchange student staying with them. He ... A: Your wine, a Spatburgunder, is Pinot Noir. Neirsteiner is the region in Germany ( a sub-region of ... | |
| california wine | 8/21/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1993 California Cabernet Sauvignon from August Sebastiani. Is it still ... A: 1993 in CA was a decent vintage if a little lean of a year in style. Your wine, however, was meant ... | |
| Wine value | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I was asked to check the value on two Paul Masson wine bottles that my Mother-In-Law has. Both wine ... A: Both these wines are well past their intended "sell buy" being made in mass quantities for early ... | |
| 1996 Premium Red/Santana/Celebrity Cellars | 8/11/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of "Santana" artists series vinted and bottled by Celebrity Cellars, Manteca,CA. It ... A: Sorry to say, the wines from Celebrity Cellars have not gone up in value very much. They continue ... | |
| foxen chardonnay 1996 | 8/3/2009 |
| Q: can you please evaluate the foxen estate chardonnay from 96 A: I haven't personally tasted this wine so all I can offer you is a general overview of this winery ... | |
| Cain Five | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: I have a magnum bottle of Cain Five. My label accidentally came off. Is there a way that I can ... A: Bummer! What a terrible situation. The only way I know of to find out the year is possibly on the ... | |
| wine | 8/2/2009 |
| Q: My mother-in-law passed away awhile back and while we were cleaning out her home found many bottles ... A: Your mother-in-law had an amusing collection of wines, primarily leaning toward affordable, sweet ... | |
| How long can I go? | 7/27/2009 |
| Q: I was given a bottle of (Mondavi) Opus One red wine (Napa) dated 1999. I wondered if I have 'gone ... A: Great question. I think the 1999's are holding well and are an interesting wine to taste now. They ... | |
| Chateau La Salle WIne | 7/21/2009 |
| Q: Where can I find this wine in Denver? Is it even still produced - by someone other than Christian ... A: The wine is now made by Heublein since of course Christian Brothers hasn't been in business for a ... | |
| wine | 7/7/2009 |
| Q: how do i now when my wine was bottle ? A: I'm assuming you mean put into bottle. The best way to know is by finding out from the winery - the ... | |
| Napa Valley and Sonoma Girl's Trip | 6/29/2009 |
| Q: Elaine, My best friend and I are trying to plan a last minute trip to San Francisco with a two-day ... A: I'm not much for advice about wine tours, but Sunset has some great resources - check here for more ... | |
| Champagne | 6/27/2009 |
| Q: I found a bottle of Almadén California, blanc de blanc, champagne, 1966 cuvée. Is this worth ... A: Your bottle for lack of any other evidence is likely real; California has been producing sparkling ... | |
| USA IMPORTOR NEED | 6/25/2009 |
| Q: I am Basit Khan live in Pakistan. I need web links there have data about usa importer i need email ... A: There are hundreds of importers in the US. Here's a guide to a handful of them who might be able to ... | |
| value | 6/19/2009 |
| Q: My name is Daysi and I have a question regarding a bottle of wine I was given. The bottle of wine ... A: The best way to preserve your bottle is to keep it in a wine cellar, with stable temp control 55-65 ... | |
| type & quantity of wine for reception | 6/11/2009 |
| Q: There's a party beginning Friday at 8:30 as a reception after a book-signing. Host is serving chili, ... A: I'd serve a spicy wine with the chili, something like red Zinfandel. Other good choices will be ... | |
| just wanted to know | 6/8/2009 |
| Q: Just wanted to know if the bottle of 1977 Henkell extra dry vintage sprakling wine is any good to ... A: Your bottle of wine is over the hill. 1977 in Germany was a marginal year, about a B- in terms of ... | |
| name of wine | 5/18/2009 |
| Q: I was watching a cooking show on TV and I think they were making Risotto. They mentioned a wine, ... A: I think the wine you're referring to is Brachetto d'Acqui, a fizzy, sweet wine from Piedmonte. It ... | |
| Chianti Shelf life | 5/7/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Il Grigio da San Filipe chianti classico from 1997. It has been kept at room ... A: Your wine will be well past its prime, showing balsamic notes, soy, and other oxidative aromas. ... | |
| Paul Masson Wines | 4/28/2009 |
| Q: Paul Masson sold four (4) Rare Wines that were in Heart shaped bottles; Rare Tawny Port, Rare Sozou ... A: The Paul Masson wines are still being made and sold by Centerra Wine Company, a part of ... | |
| Guigal Hermitage | 4/23/2009 |
| Q: I recently came across two bottles of E. Guigal Hermitage from 1980 for what I think to be a very ... A: Ah - one of my favorite wines. Guigal is a good producer in Hermitage with reliable grape sources ... | |
| Age of wine | 4/16/2009 |
| Q: Generally speaking, how long should one keep a Syrah or Pinot Noir before it starts to lose it's ... A: Here's a really general answer because it depends on many factors like quality level, region of ... | |
| Jerry Garcia Wine | 4/3/2009 |
| Q: I have received a Book of photos of Grateful Dead and would like to make a basket for a raffle, a ... A: Without a lot of details its tough to answer your questions. The Garcia wines, however, were ... | |
| Wine Importing | 4/1/2009 |
| Q: I am thinking about opening a wine importing company that has connection in Chile and Argentina to ... A: You wouldn't need an import license, you could use theirs (as long as they have a federal import ... | |
| Selling wine in Norway | 3/25/2009 |
| Q: I understand it is very hard to break into the wine buiness in Norway due to the Vinmonopolet. Is it ... A: I'm not that familiar with the exact standards for the Vinmonopolet in terms of costs. But here is ... | |
| secondary shelf life | 3/4/2009 |
| Q: i just like to know after the opening of the wine bottle(red & white) how long do i may keep ... A: My answer is - it depends. I'm assuming for this discussion that you're not using anything to help ... | |
| wine importing | 2/25/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are thinking about becoming part-time wine importers. We have a friend who owns a ... A: Kristina- I didn't mean to be rude in any way - just that your question is really long for this ... | |
| wine importing | 2/24/2009 |
| Q: My husband and I are thinking about becoming part-time wine importers. We have a friend who owns a ... A: I almost rejected your question because it's an intensely long subject that frankly, I get paid to ... | |
| don perignon | 2/19/2009 |
| Q: I was giving a bottle of Don Perginon when i was first born and i was told to sell it when i turnt ... A: Your tete de cuvee is worth about $195 USD according to current retailers and auctioneers. Selling ... | |
| Celebrity Cellars | 2/13/2009 |
| Q: I have recently purchased a 1995 Collectors Edition etched Frank Sinatra 1st series Cabernet ... A: I responded to a similar question like yours last June 2008 and I estimated the value of the wine at ... | |
| Temp and food | 2/12/2009 |
| Q: The year our eldest son was born we purchased a 1975 Cabernet Sauvignon from the Sonoma Vineyards - ... A: Sorry to hear that about your son! He's near to my generation - we're unfortunately beer drinkers ... | |
| Wine Credentials & Certificates | 2/11/2009 |
| Q: .. I'm making a career change into the wine industry and am looking to educate myself. I have seen ... A: Since I am a Masters of Wine Candidate, my answer is simply that the MW is the highest level of ... | |
| Red wine | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: I want to find a red wine as close to the wine used at Communion in the Catholic Churches. Theirs is ... A: Churches use a wide variety of types of red wine for the sacrament, mine uses port while others use ... | |
| two-buck chuck | 2/4/2009 |
| Q: Elaine. Can you tell me how to purchase Trader Joe's Charles Shaw wine if I live in Maine? Thanks ... A: Trader Joe's doesn't ship any wine, so receiving the wine by mail is not an option right now. The ... | |
| Boisseaux-Estivant | 1/31/2009 |
| Q: I have a bottle of 1978 Boisseaux-Estivant, Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Appellation Chateauneuf-du-Pape ... A: Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a Grenache-based blend of up to 13 different varieties, although most lean ... | |
| finding out about a champagne | 1/30/2009 |
| Q: I have an old bottle of champagne i cannot find any thing about it it has written on the neck label ... A: I almost wrote back to you that I didn't know anything about your wine. But here's what I could ... | |
| brookside dry muscat | 1/28/2009 |
| Q: where can i buy brookside dry muscat.in the 70,s they had a tasting in upland-ontaria area. thank ... A: Unfortunately, to my knowledge, the Brookside Winery closed a few years back. Since their products ... | |
| evolution of wine's acidity over time | 1/24/2009 |
| Q: Considering that tartaric / lactic / oxalic acids are stable -by the way, how much (in wine)?- could ... A: In short, qualitatively the answer is yes, temp fluctuations, UV, and especially oxygen (not so sure ... | |
| Are any of these wines still drinkable please? | 1/14/2009 |
| Q: I hope that you can help me or possibly put me in touch with someone who can? I have a collection ... A: If you send me a list I can give you an estimate of where I think the wines are in terms of ... | |
| Cataloging a small wine cellar | 1/11/2009 |
| Q: what is the cost for someone to catalog a small wine collection? Do you have a suggestion of where ... A: The price for such a service will range, depending on the individual/company and the size of your ... | |
| Taylors 1976 Cab Sav | 1/9/2009 |
| Q: I recently received a bottle of Taylors 1976 Cab Sav bottled from the Chateau Clare Estate, Clare ... A: I know of no particular high value/collectable opinion of your wine which makes it difficult to ... | |
| SO SLEEPY | 1/7/2009 |
| Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: why does wine make you sleepy? Thanks A: Alcohol has a sedative effect that can decrease the amount of time it takes to fall asleep. It is ... | |
| 5 year old chardonnay | 12/28/2008 |
| Q: I have a California Ironstone Vineyard Chardonnay 2004 and wanted to know if it is still good to ... A: your Chardonnay is on the ragged edge. It will likely be flat, a bit materized, and lacking fruit. ... | |
| Ph of wine | 12/27/2008 |
| Q: Ph or acidity seems to be an important characteristic in how much I enjoy a certain wine and I find ... A: No, I don't know of any such websites. Sorry. If I were you, I'd pick a handful of big brands from ... | |
| Ph of wine | 12/26/2008 |
| Q: Ph or acidity seems to be an important characteristic in how much I enjoy a certain wine and I find ... A: The pH and the TA (total acidity) are the key elements to pay attention to, although your perception ... | |
| Cavernet Sauvignon | 12/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a 1990 estate bottled Beaulieu Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon. Is it still drinkable? A: I can't tell from your question the exact bottle you have, but I'm assuming it is the Napa Valley ... | |
| does wine go bad | 12/11/2008 |
| Q: I have bottles of red wine from 2000 and to 2002 they have been stored on their side at room temp. I ... A: Your question is innocent enough, but the answer is a real bag of worms. The answer is "it ... | |
| SO HAPPY | 12/4/2008 |
| Q: I was wondering would you please explain to me: why does alcohol make us happy? P.S would you ... A: Alcohol makes us "happy" by releasing chemicals in our brains that in turn give us a sense of ... | |
| Importing Wine | 12/2/2008 |
| Q: My boss asked me to look into how to become a wine importer. He plans to import wine from Italy to ... A: You've asked for information that is long and complex. There are many books available on the ... | |
| CA Port | 12/1/2008 |
| Q: I have a signed bottle of a 1988 Prager Tawney port and wondered if it should be saved. When I went ... A: Whether or not to save that port is dependant on what you plan to do with it. It's not really an ... | |
| how much is my bottle of wine worth? | 11/25/2008 |
| Q: How much is a bottle of 1994 Rosso di Montalcino, Caparzo worth today? A: The estimated value of that wine in my opinion (given perfect storage) is not that much greater than ... | |
| wine | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: Does Christian Brothers still make Napa Rose A: Christian Brothers, the Napa facility and much of its related properties, was purchased and many of ... | |
| Old House Wine | 11/23/2008 |
| Q: Is it safe to drink a 1984 bottle of inexpensive wine. Label: Parducci. 1984 Gewurztraminer? A: If what you mean is the wine not going to make you sick, then yes, an old bottle of Gewurztraminer ... | |
| 1997 Stonestreet Merlot | 11/20/2008 |
| Q: I was reorganizing my wine collection the other day and came across a bottle of 1997 Stonestreet ... A: I still have as bunch of '97s in my cellar, although most of mine are Cabs. The '97s in general, in ... | |
| Embossing Chateauneuf bottles | 11/11/2008 |
| Q: Please could you let me know if legally Chateauneuf du Pape has to be sold in an embossed bottle? I ... A: It is my understanding that all bottles from the commune are embossed with some sort of papal ... | |
| How to open and drink a old bottle of red wine | 11/8/2008 |
| Q: I have an 1967 Chateau Latour and is considering drinking it. The cork is old and some wine is ... A: I'm sorry to hear that your wine is leaking - you should consume it as soon as you can, the wine is ... | |
| please recomend websites for more wine info? | 11/6/2008 |
| Q: greetings from san franscico. i'm an antique dealer, and you know how prolific my buying options are ... A: There are many sources you can go to to predict valuation of wine. On the book side, there is an ... | |
| Wines Show Case in China | 11/5/2008 |
| Q: I am starting a business that provides service for USA wine makers. Our service includes a display ... A: I have a couple of ideas for you. One, you could exhibit or attend the WSWA (Wine and Spirits ... | |
| 1977 Jordan Wine Drinkability | 10/27/2008 |
| Q: I have 2 bottles of !977 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon , Alexander valley. Are these still drinkable? A: While 1977 was not a vintage of note, there is a good chance your wine is still highly drinkable. ... | |
| 1943 UNOPENED BOTTLE OF JOSE PEMARTINS CREAM SHERRY | 10/24/2008 |
| Q: ANY COLLECTOR VALU FOR THIS 65 YEAR OLD BOTTLE FULL AND UNOPENED ? TKS ALAN HILL A: I was unable to unearth any information about your wine, but in general, wines that old do have some ... | |
| PaulMassonRareSouzaoPortcuvee no6023 | 10/16/2008 |
| Q: I read your response for 3/10/2008 re;tawny port 1852 from another curious emailer.I wonder if my ... A: Your wine should be in a bottle aged ruby port style, as opposed to the tawny style mentioned in my ... | |
| Sinatra, Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia wines | 10/11/2008 |
| Q: I have a Korbel champagne bottle decorated by Sinatra's art. Also Have J.Garcia cab, merlot and ... A: Celebrity wines are here to stay as it seems, but the value of them as collectibles is highly ... | |
| sparkling wine valuation | 10/6/2008 |
| Q: Can you tell me the retail value of a 6 litter millennium bottle of Gloria Ferrer Royal Cuvee. this ... A: Gloria Ferrer's Royal Cuvee 2000, which is the same wine as in your bottling, is still available in ... | |
| grapes and winemaking | 9/30/2008 |
| Q: I bought a house in Portland Oregon that had existing grapes growing. I have no idea what type they ... A: There are two ways you can try to identify the grapes by looking at the plant. The quick and dirty ... | |
| lead seal in a wine bottle | 9/27/2008 |
| Q: I have a full bottle of Huffman's bitter wine that is sealed with a lead seal Can you tell me how ... A: I can tell you that your wine is older than 1996 because that was when the US banned the use of lead ... | |
| Wine Distribution | 9/23/2008 |
| Q: I am currently obtaining my wholesaler's license for wine. Since I am starting out small, I've ... A: I'll assume you're in CA for the purposes of my answer, just to make things easy. The grand-daddy ... | |
| Settlement officers pipe port | 9/15/2008 |
| Q: Could you please direct me to some one who could value and advise me on a bottle of port given to my ... A: It sounds like a wonderful story! And that your bottle most likely is similar to an antique, not ... | |
| Pol Roger Extra Cuvee De Reserve Brut 1976 | 9/14/2008 |
| Q: I recently came across a bottle of the above and was wondering if it was worth anything, or even if ... A: Crowninshield- I enjoyed a Dom Perignon of the same vintage as your wine several years ago and it ... | |
| Wine for sale | 9/12/2008 |
| Q: I have two bottles of wine that I am thinking of selling - could you please give me an approximate ... A: The Pichon-Longueville is worth about $50-75, while the Castillo de Molina Reserve is likely $25 or ... | |
| valuation and quality | 9/6/2008 |
| Q: I searched the internet and discoverd this question put to you earlier. "Question I have a bottle ... A: I had trouble finding an equivalent bottling myself to give you an estimate. However, you ask about ... | |
| wine | 9/6/2008 |
| Q: I have 2 bottles of champagne that someone wants to buy from me, and I was wondering if you could ... A: I will assume perfect storage conditions for the sake of this estimate, as I have said before there ... | |
| Paul Masson Wine Labels | 9/3/2008 |
| Q: I found in a book I purchased in a yard sale, a plastic sleeve of 13 different labels in pristine ... A: I have not ever seen old wine labels as having a resale value, except to perhaps the bottling winery ... | |
| Opus one Red Wine NAPA | 9/2/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle 2002 vintage of Opus One. I purchased from the winery in NAPA in 2006 I have stored ... A: Opus One, one of the flagship blends coming out of Napa Valley, is built to last. While it still ... | |
| questions about Dom Ruminart + Piper - Heidsieck | 8/25/2008 |
| Q: Can you help me? I received two bottles of champagne recently. I was wondering what they are ... A: 1. The brut in this case just indicates sweetness - it is a Blanc de Blanc. 2. I cannot find an ... | |
| questions about Dom Ruminart + Piper - Heidsieck | 8/24/2008 |
| Q: Can you help me? I received two bottles of champagne recently. I was wondering what they are ... A: The easiest way I think to sell older wines is through a retailer in your area. There are online ... | |
| how old is too old? | 8/24/2008 |
| Q: For how long is a chardonnay good when it has lived on a wine rack (no direct sunlight) and the ... A: A wine's ability to age is determined by its acidity, tannin, alcohol, and sweetness. It is highly ... | |
| 1981 The Associated Vintners Merlot (WA) | 8/24/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Associated Vintners (now Columbia Winery) Merlot from 1981. It is 76% Merlot ... A: There is very little data available specifically about WA wines in 1981 since their industry was ... | |
| Reisling wine | 8/23/2008 |
| Q: what is the difference between a reisling wine and an angel reisling wine? ANSWER: Hi Lisa- I know ... A: Lisa- If an "angel" Riesling indicates a ice wine, it will be considerably sweet, about 150-200 ... | |
| Porto Lidador 1974 | 8/20/2008 |
| Q: wanting to find the value of a Porto Lidador 1974 Reserve Port Churnwood bottled in 1998. Thanks in ... A: I could not find a specific value for your bottle, but found 2 reference points that might help. ... | |
| California merlot | 8/16/2008 |
| Q: I just received a bottle of Fife Vineyards, Napa, Ca, 2002 merlot.Do you know anything about this ... A: Fife Vineyards is owned principally by Dennis Fife, although the brand and winery assets are ... | |
| Storing Cream Sherry | 8/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Korbel Cream Sherry and would like to know how long and how it should be stored ... A: Cream Sherry is pretty indestructible; it will be able to keep open in a cool spot for months ... | |
| wine | 8/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of covery run 3 liter syrah 2003 Columbia valley wine. I was wonder if this wine is ... A: Covey Run is considered a very good value brand out of Washington State. But, the wine are not ... | |
| Food and wine | 8/5/2008 |
| Q: I will be shortly opening a bottle of Penfolds Grange and a Special Selection Caymus Cab. What food ... A: I will assume for the purposes of answering your question that these are newer vintages. Please ask ... | |
| Brut Champagne | 8/3/2008 |
| Q: How many years can a bottle of Brut last? Is there a certain age when its the best? A: Most NV Brut (not vintage per se) is meant to be drunk upon release as the wine has been blended at ... | |
| wine bottle | 8/2/2008 |
| Q: hy, i ran across an empty wine bottle (without a label or identification) that has some interesting ... A: Embossing on wine bottles generally tell you the manufacturer and sometimes the bottle size, such as ... | |
| bad wine | 7/30/2008 |
| Q: How can you tell if a red wine is bad? A: "Bad" wine is subjective, but their are two major categories in which problems with red wine occur - ... | |
| Questions on older Bottle I found | 7/27/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle that I've found hanging around that I was wondering if I could get some info on. ... A: Your wine is a signature blend of the Masi wine brand. It is made using a variety of grapes. The ... | |
| Syrah vs. Shiraz | 7/17/2008 |
| Q: I understand that syrah and shiraz are the same grape, with shiraz referring to that grown in ... A: There has been much debate as to the origins of Shiraz in Australia, some citing its origin as ... | |
| Muscadine wine | 7/17/2008 |
| Q: Are there Muscadine wines made in California and if so, could I have a list of Muscadine wines? A: Muscadine wines are made from a native American grape species, Vitis rotundifolia, different from ... | |
| Is my expensive bottle going bad? | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of IceWine ,Pinot Noir 1997 is getting cloudy, is it save to drink? I have not ... A: Wines cloud because particles that used to carry a charge loose that charge over time, bind with ... | |
| I have a question | 7/16/2008 |
| Q: My parents have this bottle of champagne that they got prom my grandfather around 1984. the bottle ... A: If a bottle of Champagne has no date on it, it's what's called a non-vintage wine. This is quite ... | |
| Vintages | 7/15/2008 |
| Q: Can you tell me what are the best vintages for california cabs in the last 5 years? A: Cal Cab vintages break down as follows for 2000-2006 (most high end producers are still in 05.) ... | |
| value of 2 bottles | 7/12/2008 |
| Q: I have 2 bottles of Grand Cordon Champagne Brut by G.H Mumm 1st bottle is a 1,5L #NM 257-001 in ... A: Both of your wines are Non-Vintage so their age is hard to determine. But, non-vintage wines are ... | |
| FRANK SINATRA | 6/30/2008 |
| Q: I HAVE A BOTTLE OF FRANK SINATRA COLLECTORS EDITION 1995 CALIFORNIA SAUVIGNON. ONLY 1000 CASES. CAN ... A: Your bottle is currently listed in an Ebay store for $159, but while this is the offered price, I ... | |
| vintage wine or not? | 6/11/2008 |
| Q: I found a bottle of wine in my garage and the front label reads Riverside Farm, California Red-dry ... A: Labelling law requires the vintage to appear on the front of a bottle, either on a necker label or ... | |
| How Much is my Bottle of wine worth? | 6/11/2008 |
| Q: My mother past away in 2001 and she had this wine in a sack in a dark cool place. It says CROSBY ... A: Celebrity Cellars, the producer of the wine you have, was sold by the Delicato group in the late ... | |
| 1979 wine | 6/10/2008 |
| Q: My boyfriend loves wine and for his birthday I was hoping to get him some wine from his birthday ... A: The best idea I have for a wine that old is to buy him a port. It was a "declared" vintage so there ... | |
| 1966 and 1969 Bottle of Dom Perignon | 5/27/2008 |
| Q: I was recently helping an uncle move and we stumbled upon two bottles of dom in his basement...they ... A: Rick- Selling individual bottles is pretty difficult these days and no, Ebay has restricted who can ... | |
| Question on a very old Greek wine | 5/24/2008 |
| Q: when I was married my father in-law (a Greek priest) gave me a bottle of Seven Star Metaxa. The ... A: Metaxa Seven Star is the longest aged version of this brandy-like liquer from Greece. It is a blend ... | |
| Value & Selling | 5/19/2008 |
| Q: They were gifts to her from her ex husband, and she is cleaning out her closets so to say... I ... A: Lauren- I would start by calling the winery in St. Helena to ask what they think. They might be ... | |
| Sherry | 5/19/2008 |
| Q: I have a heart shaped bottle of Paul Masson rare cream sherry with a cuvee no 001 was wondering if ... A: Paul Masson sherry's in heart shaped bottles were produced until 1994. There is no way to tell how ... | |
| Wine Worth | 5/17/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of Brutt Taylor Wine from 1959. What is it worth? A: Gary- I hate to say it but I am unfamiliar with this producer - are you referring to the sparkling ... | |
| wine sommelier | 5/15/2008 |
| Q: I have a few questions about becoming a wine sommelier. What personality traits match this career? ... A: An interesting question, to be sure. I think as far as a personality goes, it is like any service ... | |
| wines bottled in 1948 | 5/14/2008 |
| Q: I am looking for the name of a good wine (not too too expensive) that was bottled in 1948 for a ... A: 1948 was a good year for Port, athough good luck with the not too expensive part (they will run you ... | |
| Is this wine still good | 5/10/2008 |
| Q: We have a 2002 Connon Park Bendico Shiraz of Australia. Is that still good? Thanks A: Your bottle should be on the tail end of good drinking. Bendigo-Victoria is cooler so Connon Park's ... | |
| wine business | 5/8/2008 |
| Q: Did you happen to taste a Moldovan wine? I am seriously thinking about importing wines to the US ... A: No, I haven't tasted any Moldovian wine, per se, but, large quantities of this countries wine are ... | |
| 1982 Mouton Rothshild | 5/6/2008 |
| Q: I inherited a bottle of 1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac, in decent but not perfect ... A: Your bottle in general is very valuable. But as you pointed out, the label condition is a big ... | |
| Whats it worth? | 4/30/2008 |
| Q: I have a non-open bottle of Leacock's Madeira Verdelho 1934 its from Portugal. Took it to a local ... A: I'd estimate the bottles value at $400-450, depending on condition. And yes, since it is an ... | |
| 1985 Cuvee Dom Perignon | 4/28/2008 |
| Q: I live in Charlotte, NC and I have a bottle of 1985 Cuvee Dom Perignon, and I am wondering if you ... A: Selling an individual bottle is not so easy, just because of the effort involved in using one of the ... | |
| Wines | 4/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a big date coming up this weekend and I'm kind of nervous about it and want everything to go ... A: Light white wines like Gruener Veltliner, Sauvignon Blanc, and unoaked Chardonnay are safe bets for ... | |
| 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: This is a very long question! I'll tackle each section as much as I have time. Question 1 - You've ... | |
| Paul Masson Port | 4/15/2008 |
| Q: I tried this port while on vacation in San Francisco. It had a dark brown label with gold lettering ... A: I only know of the Rich Ruby Port from Paul Masson, it is a dark reddish brown label with gold ... | |
| value of my wine | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: I am looking to find the value of a bottle of 1983 Mount Veeder cabernet sauvignon Napa Valley... ... A: Unfortunately, 1983 was not a very good year for California Cabernet Sauvignon. And, your bottle is ... | |
| Graf Istvan Question 3-17-08 | 4/13/2008 |
| Q: My partner has also enjoyed a bottle of Graf Istvan Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon purchased through ... A: I did a little research and it seems that Pieroth's Graf Istvan wines are only available through ... | |
| Wine temperature | 4/4/2008 |
| Q: I have read and heard about the temperature that the wine has to be kept for optimum experience, but ... A: Temperature makes a difference, to be sure, but it is primarily changes in temperature that stress a ... | |
| wine export to Europe | 4/1/2008 |
| Q: I am thinking about importing wines from the United States to Europe.I am originally from Charlotte, ... A: Good luck with your studies, they will serve you very well! As for your question, it is pretty ... | |
| vinitaly 2008 | 3/31/2008 |
| Q: my husband and i plan to attend vinitaly 2008; however, we are only consumers at this point. we ... A: I'm assuming you've already got your airline tickets since Vinitaly starts in 4 days! But, ... | |
| Value of old bottle of port | 3/30/2008 |
| Q: I have just found a bottle of Wirra Wirra vineyards 1977 Vintage Port. Can you tell me if it is of ... A: I know of no collectability factor for this wine, that is, it is not a famous producer that is ... | |
| About Red Wine, filtering out the yeast | 3/28/2008 |
| Q: I am interested in Yeast free wines but hear that they basically don't exist, however there is a ... A: Yes, since wine is made from the conversion of grape sugars by yeast to alcohol and other ... | |
| Don Perignon 1975 | 3/27/2008 |
| Q: A friend at work has this vintage bottle and he asked me to look up on the web how much it was ... A: Ulrike- I found an auction price through a retailer of $260 for this bottle. AS with any wine, ... | |
| Value of a bottle of wine | 3/16/2008 |
| Q: Elaine, I have a bottle of Frascati Pizzetti white wine bottled in 1948 in Italy. This bottle is in ... A: Kim- The only info I can find on your wine is that it was shown at the 1939 World's Fair and that ... | |
| wine making | 3/11/2008 |
| Q: Now that I'm out of prison,I have a question about homemade wines. In prison "pruno" is made of a ... A: Joseph- Congrats on your release! And what an interesting question. I have to preface my answer ... | |
| Paul Masson Rare Tawny Port | 3/10/2008 |
| Q: I have a small 2 ounce almost heart shaped bottle of Paul Masson Rare Tawny Port and the date on the ... A: Paul Masson manufactured dessert wines, which your Rare Tawny Port is one, for many decades. I ... | |
| champagne | 3/5/2008 |
| Q: What is the value of a 1990 vintage Cuvee Dom Perignon, Moet et Chandon? A: As with any valuation, the provenance of the wine is extremely important. Not knowing how your wine ... | |
| Value of wine or bottle | 2/23/2008 |
| Q: I found a bottle of wine in the basement of a 100+ year house. It has no label, but in glass it ... A: Sorry to say, all I can tell you is that you have a bottle marked as Chateauneuf-du-Pape by the ... | |
| wine valuation to sell | 2/22/2008 |
| Q: I have a bottle of penfolds grange hermitage bin95 1990 it has never been cellared but I was ... A: Please contact an auction house such as Acker Merrill about interested parties and your Grange. It ... | |
| Grand Vin de Chateua latour 1967 | 2/16/2008 |
| Q: While cleaning out my parents house I found in a wooden box two bottle of wine one was a Grand Vin ... A: 1967 as a vintage in France was terrible overall. But, Chateau Latour being a First Growth, it ... | |
| Old wine bottle | 2/15/2008 |
| Q: I have an old wine bottle that i have had for 26 years. It was given to me by my grandmother. It ... A: I am unaware of this wine and its history, so no, I don't have much insight into its vintage date. ... | |
| red wine for health | 2/13/2008 |
| Q: Is there a red wine that is easy to drink and still offers health benefits? I normally do not like ... A: Wine provides health benefits because it contains antioxidants in the form of flavonoids. ... | |
| recommendation for wine tour in Santa Barbara area | 2/9/2008 |
| Q: I am a member of your wine club and i need some information or advice . I want to tour some Santa ... A: I'll start with the lodging - I can recommend a handful of places. Fess Parker Inn in Los Olivos is ... | |
Wine
Answers by Expert:
Elaine Marshall
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
I am a specialist in wines from California, the Pacific Northwest, Australia and the Rhone. My specialties are the business and marketing of wine, professional wine evaluation, and wine writing. I have experience in winemaking for the home enthusiast but a broader knowledge in viticulture and the wine regions of the world. I WILL AUTO-REJECT ALL VALUATION, COGNAC, and SPIRITS QUESTIONS.
Experience
Currently the Wine Director for Sunset Magazine's Wine Club, I founded the First Street Wine Company in Livermore, California. As former restaurant sommelier, I have over 12 years of experience in the wine industry and am an Advanced Certified Wine Professional of the Culinary Institute of America. As a specialist in New World wines, especially Syrah/Shiraz, I have studied extensively the wines of California, Australia, the Rhone Valley, and the Pacific Northwest. Accepted to the Institute of Masters of Wine program in 2006, I taste hundreds of wines annually. I have served as a wine judge for many California and Oregon wine competitions. A graduate of the University of California at Davis, I have produced and bottled my own private-label wine for four vintages. My wine reviews have been published in Diablo Magazine and in various on-line newsletters, including Sunset Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Intowine.com and others.
Publications
Sunset Magazine, Diablo Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Intowine.com
Education/Credentials
Certified Wine Professional Advanced, Culinary Institute of America
Master of Wine Candidate
Past/Present Clients
Sunset Magazine
Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine
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