I'm here to advise you on anything wine and other drink related.

I have 10 years experience in the UK wine trade and I have studied to WSET (http://www.wset.co.uk/) Diploma level (http://www.internationalwinecenter.com/diploma/diploma.asp). Basically a degree level course in wine.
I have travelled extensively in Europe and to Wine Australia.
I have a passion for Scottish Malt Whisky and quality beer.

I have tried various examples of all the worlds great wines and have met a number of their makers.
I have an underground, personal cellar with some of the greatest vintages and estates ever made.

Feel free to ask me anything you want to know.
My advice is based on my personal experience.

Someone just posted today, I think in real estate or something
Saying they bought a house that included bottles of wine and they asked about some specific brands and specific questions.
I don't know if you replied to it or where to find it.

EDIT
***Also I would like a sweet, non dry, possibly fruity wine or whatever.

You mean this one: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/food-drink/1993-pauillac-bordeaux-domaines-barons-de-rothschild-lafite-reserve-speciale-289056.html

Already got it ;)

That's what prompted me to do this.

Here is the problem I have. I love to drink, not in an alcoholic way but I love it none-the-less.

When I drink I drink a lot of Cocktails ie: Canberry Vodka (Absolut or Skyy)
Lemonade Vodka (Svedka or Ciroc)

Them vodkas are my favorite. Especially Ciroc. ( Ibelieve it's the most smoothest)

THe problem is my friend and his family is more of a wine and champaigne type of family and we're having a party there this weekend and I a have to bring a wine that I like.

I have tried many types of wine( don't know of there names though) and don'y like it.

Since, I have to bring a bottle is there one you would recommend that is not REAL sweet, not dry, not REAL fruity.

I hate sweet girly drinks.

Let Me Know!

Rick, you've left out the most important information...

Red or White ;)

I don't know the difference!

What tastes better?

I couldn't care less if it's blue, yellow or green as long as it's soomething I can choke down for this formal event!

Like I stated I hate girly drinks ie: real fruity, real sweet. But not like gin where it's a dry taste.

Oh I have a question... I like some red wines but not all and the place I buy wine often doesn't have the same brands when I go back again.

I am looking for a red that's not overly "dry" or that has a strong after taste.

Is there a specific type of grape of region you would recommend to stick to to get a red wine that is a bit less "harsh" since as soon as I seem to find a brand I like I can't buy it anymore. Oh and, in general, is it true or untrue that the more you spend the better the wine will be?

Hi, I was wondering if certain kinds of red wine have more health benefits than others or are they all equally healthy?

Some of the bunco girls drink wine.its always merlot, I can't stand it. They are big wine drinkers at least a bottle each, so price does matter. They are picky, any help would be great. Thanks loads!

Which wine is going with meat

which wine is going with meat

Really depends on what meat and how it's being prepared.

I once had this wine 10 years ago -- it might have been red but I'm not sure. And I just didn't like it very well. Do you think you could recommend something else I might like?

:p

Sorry... I couldn't resist.

On a serious note, I'd love to have a wine conversation with someone sometime. Not sure where I'd put my knowledge - probably above an average person, but about 10 billion light years from an expert. (You can also move this anywhere you feel appropriate.)

What advice do you have, if any, for someone who is thinking about becoming a sommelier?

You need to immerse yourself in the Classics, i.e. Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italians and Spanish.

Unless you have a good palate you really don't have a chance of becoming a good sommelier.
You also need to be fully conversant with the whole wine making cycle and how to care for wines to nurture them to their best.

My fiance's birthday is coming up and he wants a kit of Wine Accessories... the particular set he wants includes "easy-lift corkscrew, foil cutter, two stainless steel pourers, two bottle stoppers, extra corkscrew worm and display case"


Can you suggest a brand or product?

I am dating a very beautiful smart French girl who loves and knows very much about wine. With Valentines day coming up I would like to buy her some REAL French wine, which for her would be from back home. I am in the U.S. And am willing to order online if needed. What are some famous or the best real French wines. Preferably not American versions, but actual French wine. Thank you all

Tloinnc, well the classic is Pink Champagne.
There's many brands available, my personal preference is for Billecart Salmon.

Thank you very much Curleyben. She is very into Red and often White. Any suggestions there?

That opens things up massively.

Any ideas what styles she likes ?

I would say, most commonly she drinks a Red Pinot. I know that's what it was a few nights ago. I think that really just has to do with what's available though. Unfortunately I don't know much at all about wine, I'm a whiskey man myself.

Any helps appreciated, it's most important really just to find something 'from home' although she's found a few wines I think she likea here. She always talks about not being able to find the same as back home.

But yes, if I had to bet the farm, I would say a Red Pinot. And I know she would appreciate a very high quality red of any kind, if there are some infamous reds that anyone knows of and such. I will paste a list I found online: responses are appreciated.



BORDEAUX 
Château Mouton Rothschild, Pauillac 
Château Ducru-Beaucaillou, St. Julien, Medoc 
Château Lafite Rothchild, Pauillac 
Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac 
Château Lynch Bages, Pauillac 
Château Beychevelle, St Julien 
Château Gloria, St. Julien 
Château Puy-Blanquet, St. Emilion 
Château LaRose-Trintaudon, Haut Medoc 
BURGUNDY 
Romanee -Conti, Domaine Romanee - Conti 
La Tache, Domaine Romanee - Conti 
Romanee St. Vivant, Domaine Romanee-Conti 
Grands Echezeaux, Domaine Romanee-Conti 
Grands Echezeaux, Domaine Romanee-Conti 
Vero, Joseph Drouhin, Bourgogne 
Domaine de la Croix Jacquelet, Faiveley, Mercurey 
Domaine de Valmoissine, Louis Latour, Verdon 
Beaujolais Villages, Georges du Boeuf 
Beaujolais Nouveau, Georges du Boeuf 
COTE DU RHONE 
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Dom Vieux Telegraphe 
Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Barton & Guestier 
Parallele , 45, Paul Jaboulet 
Crozes-Hermitage, Les Launes, Delas Freres

Pint Noir is the grape of red Burgundy, so that would be your best bet.
I would avoid the Rhones and Bordeaux.
The Beaujolias is Gamay and a lighter.

The Burgundies listed are serious stuff and WILL cost a small fortune.
Domain de la Romanee Conti (DRC) is thought of as the greatest of all the Burgundy producers.

Thank you very much for your help. Can you think of any good Burgundies that you would suggest? Under the 250.00 US range.

My friend is looking for info about this bottle of wine. She says most of the label is gone but is does say it's from 1879.
Here is the link. Hope it works.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2232142088771&set=a.2135917163208.2130907.1404456778&type=1&ref=nf

I've a question regarding a few bottles I came across in my house randomly. I can't seem to find any information about them online so I was wondering if you could tell me what you know? One is a Chenin Blanc 1989 from Windsor Vineyards in Sonoma County. The other is a French Colombard from the same place and same year. Thanks in advanced!

Hi, this is the first time I've posted here.

I drink a lot of red wine from all over the world and my wife and I get pretty geeky about it. One aroma that we commonly recognize with quality blends, often from Bordeaux, but sometimes from Languedoc, Napa, and Washington can only be described by us as "oysters" or "seaweed", so its definitely a savory aroma. As common as this is in our experience, I rarely if ever read wine reviews where this aroma is described in this manner.

So, what are the experts calling this aroma? Nearest thing to it that I can come up with is herbs like thyme or marjoram that are often referenced by experts.

I have 2 small girls born in 2005/2008. I would like to buy a case of wine that will last and can be opened much later (college graduation, wedding, etc). Can you recommend a reasonably priced wine that will allow them to sit in my cellar for some time and still be good to open when the time is right? Ideally this would be more symbollic and I am not looking to break the bank on buying these 2 cases.

Thanks in advance