Our friend recently brought her new boyfriend to a birthday dinner for my husband. It was at a BYO restaurant, and I brought wine to share. My husband and I make wine a part of almost any festive occasion. I know, however, that our friend’s new boyfriend is a recovering alcoholic. This was confided in me on another occasion, and most of the table didn’t know. For this reason, I offered him wine just like everyone else, knowing he would decline. He did. I did this because, his alcoholism being a secret, it would have appeared rude for me not to offer him any; I am also not sure he knows that I know about his alcoholism, and not offering it might have given that away.

Was this correct? They are coming over for a smaller dinner at our home soon, and I plan to simply serve no wine, as it is not a special occasion, although we often would offer friends wine (or beer), anyway. Is this also correct?

Technorati Tags: alcoholism, birthday dinner, festive occasion, new boyfriend, special occasion, wine

I recived a bottle of wine as a gift and was planning on holding it till a special occasion, i don’t have an event in mind but thought i could hold out on drinking the wine till a event came along worth toasting. while telling a friend about this plan she said that some wines are ment to be had in that first six months while others do get better with time. so which wines can be held and which wines should be had right away?
it is an Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005. thank you

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I received 2 bottles (one a chardonnay and one a bordeaux) as gifts and I would like to save them for a special occasion. But I’m afraid they will go bad if I don’t store them properly.

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A very special-occasion bottle to remember, but i only want to save the label.

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My husband gave me a bottle of Riesling about a year ago. We don’t drink often and were saving it for a special occasion…I had it stored in my wine rack in the kitchen, which of course is at a comfortable temperature year-round. Even though it was in plain sight over the past year, I forgot about it and am wondering if it is still okay to drink.

Thanks.
I know the aged wine is better, but I thought that was when it was stored in a proper wine cellar.

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I bought a number of great scoring (WS and RP) ones from this vintage at release. Wine Spectator says to drink them now. But many collectors are still holding many older Bordeauxs that fall into the "drink" category and drink them on occasion in vertical tastings. The dilemma is that (with the exception of a Sauternes where I have two) I bought a single bottle of each and really have no immediate special occasion to cork any of them. Are these really going to fall off the the cliff if they are being properly cellared? I am inclined to pack rat hold them a bit more.

Technorati Tags: cork, dilemma, sauternes, special occasion, tastings, wine spectator