I work part time at a wine store. One day, a customer came in and pulled down our most expensive bottle, a 2001 Chateau Cheval Blanc ($365). So I say "man, i've always wanted to get that bottle". So he says "It's yours then" ("yeah right" i think to myself) and proceeded to pull down something else. His wife comes in with a pizza from the pizzeria next door, they sit down at the tasting counter and he says "Where's your cork pull?". "I'm sorry sir but you can't open that here". "But the owner lets me do it".

Long story short, I lock the door as it was closing time anyway and he offers me some pizza and wine and I dine with them. He paid for the wine as he was leaving and I say "Sir, you forgot your Chateau Cheval Blanc", "No I didn't"...and he left.

All I can say is that i'm glad I didn't pay for that wine...perhaps it needed more time to age.

Nice story Vasillios.
I've had one or two wines in the more expensive category and honestly, they were not a world better than a solid $40 bottle.
Still, it is nice to try something silly expensive now and again as a comparison and a splurge.

As for the Six Grapes, it is sitting in my cellar now next to 3 other opened bottles. I just haven't warmed up to it that much. It was touted as being more sweet than most Portugal ports but i didn't have that impression. I'm still quite taken with the flavours, texture and general character of the Aussie "ports" i've come across. My new mission has been to seek out more of them.

Has anyone here ever purchased wine futures? I just found out about wine futures and was thinking of getting a few bottles.

I have not looked much into wine shares as i'm not much into the investing of wine for resale. Some people may choose to buy wine shares if they are very keen on a brand or vineyard and want to get a piece of the limited stock of a particular release, but again i cannot say that we've been so picky to want to do this.

I am going to hazard a guess that buying in advance adds risk that the after casked wine is actually going to be good or at least as good as the money one spends buying in advance.

I just bought two lots - 6 bottles. One lot for $90 and one for $60. It isn't for investment. I just figured that I'm saving some money, in some cases quite a bit, by buying them now. Yup, you do take a chance in hoping the wine is worth the price. But I would suspect that there's isn't that much a risk from the better houses...I hope! Now I just have to wait until spring 2008.

And these wines are??
Come on now, don't leave us hanging.

I've never bought futures before and didn't really know what to buy. I could have gone to my local lcbo and talk to someone there but I decided to just take a chance and pick my own.

Côtes de Bourg - Red Wine
Fougas Maldoror 2005
500587 (XD) 750 mL
$33.00 per btl $99.00 per 3-btl. lot
Lots available: 795
RP: 89-91
Tasting Note: Quickly becoming my favorite Côtes de Bourg estate, Fougas-Maldoror's gorgeous 2005 reveals notes of chocolate, sweet cherry jam, smoke, and barbecue spice. Medium to full-bodied, ripe, and fleshy, it will offer beautiful drinking over the next decade. Score - (89-91). (RP)

and

Bordeaux - Red Wine
Marjosse 2005
500348 (XD) 750 mL
$20.00 per btl $60.00 per 3-btl. lot
Lots available: 795
RP: 87-88
Tasting Note: This lower pedigree wine represents undeniable quality/value rapport in 2005. This vintage is so deep in quality among the better run, less heralded estates, that these wines should appeal to readers looking for terrific values from Bordeaux. Most of these wines are Merlot-based and will be drinkable young. Sleeper of the vintage. Score - (87-88). (RP)

I'm partial to sangrias that have the extra kick of hard alcohol (e.g. whiskey, vodka, gin, brandy, rum). Lemon and orange slices are a must, of course, and you can add any other juicy in-season fruit you want. Keep the proportions as follows and you really can't go wrong:

For each bottle of red wine, add:
2 shots liquor (maybe tequila since it's Cinco de Mayo)
2 cups club soda, tonic, ginger ale, or any flavor of fruity soda (Hansen's works very well)
3 citrus fruits, sliced thinly (more orange than lemon or lime usually tastes better)
1-2 cups of other fruit (try kiwis)
2 tablespoons sugar (or less if the added carbonated drink is already sweet)

It's hard to go wrong, really.

OK, here's my family recipe for Sangria. It really is good, especially if you make it the day before (except for the soda, add that at the end)

2 bottles red wine - Rioja
1/2 c Triple Sec
1/4 c Tequila
1/4 c sweet vermouth
1/4 c fresh lime juice
Lemons, limes, oranges (sliced)
sugar to taste
2 cups Sprite or 7Up
Mix all ingredients in larger pitcher except Sprite Add fruit slices and ref for a few hours. Just before serving add sugar to adjust sweetness and pour in soda. Serve over ice with slices of fruit.


Rich