545682 Tue Aug 05 06:41:04 -0700 2008 22 34 Wine 0 3931001 My parents are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary this year. I'd like to treat them to a bottle of wine from 1978, but I have no idea how to go about looking for one that's a) not past its prime and b) no more than $100. It may not exist, but I want to try! They like reds better than whites, although they love champagne and other sparkling whites, with the exception of Prosecco. Any direct suggestions or resources would be appreciated! Tue Aug 05 06:41:05 -0700 2008 70560 pomme de terre 1 3931102 There are wine vintage charts on the internet. Here is one from Robert Parker http://www.wine-pages.com/resources/vintage.shtml#part2 the ones in the 1978 column with R behind the rating will be good. 1978 was not a vintage year for champagne and I can't imagine anyone would have laid down any other sparkling wine for 30 years. However, I doubt you'll get any of them for under $100. Also, unless you know your parents like the taste of very old wines you might want to save your money. The only very old wine under $100 I've ever liked are ports, so that would be my recommendation. 1978 was not a classic year but some quintas declared vintages. The ones that are available tend to have lower ratings and can be had for under $100 but are still quite good, you can find them by doing a search for "1978 vintage port". Tue Aug 05 07:21:59 -0700 2008 3931001 69044 hsk 2 3955634 you will also have some good luck with madeira Wed Aug 13 21:28:29 -0700 2008 3931102 28475 bowmore36 1 3931247 That is a TALL order given your under $100 price range. Most wine just doesn't age well for 30 years, and those that do, at the 30 year mark, generally are far more than $100... at least those that would have from 1978. That said, I have had some California Cabernets from '78 (Mayacamas, Montelena, Heitz Martha's) that may not be outrageously priced. Tue Aug 05 08:08:24 -0700 2008 3931001 50041 whiner 1 3931714 1978 will indeed be a hard year to find anything for under $100, but the Cali cabs that were suggested are great choices. The other I would suggest that whiner didn't list is the Phelps Insignia, but you won't find it for anything near there. If you want tosm past their prime Bordeaux, that might be a possibility. I picked my wife up a '78 Haut Brion for our anniversary, and we need to pop it. I know it is getting worse by the day, but who knows, we may be presently surprised. Also have a Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande from '78 as well. Those might both be good anniversay wines for us this year...we'll see! -mJ Tue Aug 05 10:35:14 -0700 2008 3931001 192452 njfoodies 1 3931807 If you are someplace where you can buy from an online retailer, it is fairly easy to search most of them to look for wines from a particular year (I just plugged "1978" into the search box on a few, and they generally seemed to know what I meant). From a quick search of my usual online suspects, it does seem you'll be able to find some California Cab in about the right price range (whether or not they've got any life left in them is another story). Another possibility is Spanish Rioja - Lopez de Heredia is an old-school producer who often holds bottles for 10+ years before releasing. There's some 1978s on the market that are only a few hairs over $100. From what I saw in a very quick peek, K&L Wine Merchants seems to have the broadest selection. They also had several vintage-dated armagnacs from 1978. http://www.klwines.com/content.asp?Nty=1&Ntt=1978&N=4294966780&Ne=7&Nr=OR%28OutofStock%3AN%2CInventory+Location%3ASpecial+Order%29&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ns=QtySoldLast30%7C1&Ntk=search%5Fall Tue Aug 05 11:04:36 -0700 2008 3931001 35525 Frodnesor 1 3931927 Barolo Price may be an obstacle, but the wines are singing Tue Aug 05 11:36:57 -0700 2008 3931001 172675 CAR 1 3932117 You can also do a search on Wine-Searcher.com and see what comes up. On the Pro version, it lists 622 results. Aberfeldy Whisky Highlands Scotland United Kingdom Angelo Gaja Costa Russi Barbaresco Piemonte Italy Angelo Gaja Red Barbaresco Piemonte Italy Angelo Gaja Sori Tilden Barbaresco Piemonte Italy Argiano Rsrv Brunello Montalcino Tuscany Italy Ausone St Emilion Bordeaux France Bacchus Cab Sauv Joseph Phelps Napa County Northern California Coast Usa Balvenie 25 Malt Whisky Speyside Scotland United Kingdom Barbieto Sercial Madeira Portugal Barros Colheita Port Oporto Duoro Portugal Basse Soldera Brunello Montalcino Tuscany Italy Batailley Pauillac Bordeaux France Beaucastel Chateauneuf Pape Rhone France Beaumnt Cab Sauv Merlot Haut Medoc Bordeaux France Bekaa Valley Musar Rouge Lebanon Beringer Cab Sauv Prvt Rsrv Napa Valley California Beychevelle St Julien Bordeaux France Blandys Malmsey Propriet Madeira Portugal Bon Climat Sanford Benedict Pinot Noir South Coast Santa Ynez Barbara California Bon Pasteur Pomerol Bordeaux France Borgogno Sergio Batista Cannubi Nebbi Barolo Piemonte Italy Bouchard Corton Charlemagne Aloxe Cote Beaune Burgundy France Bouchard Echezeaux Vosne Romanee Grand Cote Nuit Burgundy France Bouchard Pere Estate Pinot Noir Corton Aloxe Grand Cote Beaune Burgundy France Bouchard Pere Volnay Les Caillerets Cote Beaune Burgundy France Boyd Cantenac Margaux Bordeaux France Branaire Ducru St Julien Bordeaux France Brane Cantenac Margaux Bordeaux France Broadbent Terrantez Rsrv Madeira Portugal Brovia Illy Rocche Nebbi Barolo Piemonte Italy Brune Blond Etienne Guigal Red North Cote Rotie Rhone France Buehler Cab Sauv Napa Valley California Burgess Cab Sauv Selection Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Bv Beaulieu George Latour Prvt Rsrv Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Canon St Emilion Bordeaux France Cantemerle Haut Medoc Bordeaux France Castarede Bas Armagnac France Castillo Ygay Gran Rsrv Marque Murrieta Rioja Spain Castillo Ygay Gran Rsrv Spc Marq Murrieta Rioja Alta Spain Caymus Cab Sauv Napa Valley California Caymus Cab Sauv Spc Selection Rutherford Napa Valley California Ceretto Brunate Nebbi Barolo Piemonte Italy Certan May Pomerol Bordeaux France Charles Krug Cab Sauv Selection Napa Valley California Chave Jean Louis Red Hermitage Rhone France Cheval Blanc St Emilion Bordeaux France Chevalier Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France Chevalier Rouge Graves Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France Clerc Milon Pauillac Bordeaux France Clos Val Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Clos Val Napa Valley California Clos Val Rsrv Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Coeur Lion Calvados France Coleburn Whisky Speyside Scotland United Kingdom Comte George Vogue Grand Cru Vieilles Vigne Pinot Noir Musigny Chambolle Cote Nuit Comte Lafon White Montrachet Puligny Grand Cote Beaune Burgundy France Comte Taittinger Brut Champagne France Comte Vogue Vieilles Vigne Musigny Chambolle Grand Cru Cote Nuit Burgundy France Coron Pere Pinot Noir Clos Vougeot Cote Nuit Burgundy France Cos Estournel St Estephe Bordeaux France Coutet Barsac Bordeaux France Croizet Bages Pauillac Bordeaux France Cvne Rioja Vina Real Crianza Tempranillo Spain Dartigalongue Armagnac France Doisy Daene Sec Blanc Barsac Bordeaux France Dows Bomfim Single Quinta Port Oporto Duoro Portugal Dry Creek Zinfandel Valley Sonoma County Northern California Coast Usa Duckhorn Cab Sauv Napa Valley California Ducru Beaucaillou St Julien Bordeaux France Duhart Milon Pauillac Bordeaux France Dujac Clos La Roche Morey St Denis Grand Cote Nuit Burgundy France Etienne Guigal La Landonne Cote Rotie Rhone France Evangiles Pomerol Bordeaux France Faiveley Clos La Marechal Nuit St George Cote Burgundy France Fargues Sauterne Barsac Bordeaux France Feist Port Duoro Portugal Ferreira Port Oporto Duoro Portugal Fieuzal Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France Figeac St Emilion Bordeaux France Fonseca Port Oporto Duoro Portugal Fossacolle Sangiovese Grosso Brunello Montalcino Tuscany Italy Franc Mayne St Emilion Bordeaux France Freemark Abbey Cab Sauv Bosche Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Gazin Pomerol Bordeaux France Geantet Pansiot Poissenots Gevrey Chambertin Premier Cote Nuit Burgundy France Giacomo Borgogno Figli Rsrv Nebbi Barolo Piemonte Italy Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Piemonte Italy Gilette Creme Tete Sauterne Barsac Bordeaux France Giroud Les Rugiens Pommard Cote Beaune Burgundy France Giscours Margaux Bordeaux France Gloria St Julien Bordeaux France Grace Fmly Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Grand Puy Ducasse Pauillac Bordeaux France Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac Bordeaux France Gruaud Larose St Julien Bordeaux France Guigal Cote Rotie Rhone France Guigal Sra Hermitage Rhone France Hacienda El Condor Cab Sauv Millaman Curico Valle Central Chile Haut Bailly Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France Haut Brion Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France Heitz Bella Oak Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Heitz Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Heitz Martha Cab Sauv Napa Valley Northern California Coast Henri Bonneau Rsrv Celestin Chateauneuf Pape Rhone France Henri Jayer Aux Murger Nuit St George Cote Burgundy France Henri Jayer Cros Parantoux Vosne Romanee Premier Cote Nuit Burgundy France Henri Jayer Richebourg Vosne Romanee Grand Cote Nuit Burgundy France Henry Remy Pinot Noir Gevrey Chambertin Cote Nuit Burgundy France Henschke Mnt Edelstone Sra Eden Valley South Australia Inglenook Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa Jean Gros Richebourg Vosne Romanee Grand Cote Nuit Burgundy France Joseph Phelps Cab Sauv Napa Valley California Joseph Phelps Insignia Red Napa Valley California Kopke Colheita Port Oporto Duoro Portugal Kopke Port Oporto Duoro Portugal La Clusiere St Emilion Bordeaux France La Conseillante Pomerol Bordeaux France La Dominique St Emilion Bordeaux France La Gaffeliere St Emilion Bordeaux France La Grave A Pomerol Bordeaux France La Grave Figeac St Emilion Bordeaux France La Lagune Haut Medoc Bordeaux France La Louviere Blanc Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France La Mondotte St Emilion Bordeaux France Just to name a few.... -mJ Tue Aug 05 12:37:18 -0700 2008 3931001 192452 njfoodies 2 3932187 I'm guessing there's not a lot of those priced @ $100. Tue Aug 05 12:53:28 -0700 2008 3932117 35525 Frodnesor 3 3932204 Of the 622, 212 of them are below $100.00. A few examples pasted below: Aberfeldy Whisky Highlands Scotland United Kingdom (1) Bacchus Cab Sauv Joseph Phelps Napa County Northern California Coast Usa (5) Barros Colheita Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (2) Batailley Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Beaumnt Cab Sauv Merlot Haut Medoc Bordeaux France (1) Beychevelle St Julien Bordeaux France (6) Boyd Cantenac Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Branaire Ducru St Julien Bordeaux France (1) Brane Cantenac Margaux Bordeaux France (3) Burgess Cab Sauv Selection Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa (2) Bv Beaulieu George Latour Prvt Rsrv Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast (1) Cantemerle Haut Medoc Bordeaux France (1) Certan May Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Charles Krug Cab Sauv Selection Napa Valley California (2) Clerc Milon Pauillac Bordeaux France (2) Clos Val Napa Valley California (1) Clos Val Rsrv Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast Usa (2) Cos Estournel St Estephe Bordeaux France (3) Coutet Barsac Bordeaux France (2) Croizet Bages Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Cvne Rioja Vina Real Crianza Tempranillo Spain (1) Doisy Daene Sec Blanc Barsac Bordeaux France (1) Dows Bomfim Single Quinta Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (1) Dry Creek Zinfandel Valley Sonoma County Northern California Coast Usa (1) Duckhorn Cab Sauv Napa Valley California (1) Duhart Milon Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Fargues Sauterne Barsac Bordeaux France (3) Feist Port Duoro Portugal (6) Ferreira Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (4) Fieuzal Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (2) Figeac St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) Fossacolle Sangiovese Grosso Brunello Montalcino Tuscany Italy (1) Franc Mayne St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) Gazin Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Gloria St Julien Bordeaux France (2) Grand Puy Ducasse Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Gruaud Larose St Julien Bordeaux France (4) Hacienda El Condor Cab Sauv Millaman Curico Valle Central Chile (1) Haut Bailly Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (1) Haut Brion Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (1) Kopke Colheita Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (2) La Clusiere St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) La Dominique St Emilion Bordeaux France (19) La Gaffeliere St Emilion Bordeaux France (2) La Grave A Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) La Grave Figeac St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) La Lagune Haut Medoc Bordeaux France (2) La Louviere Blanc Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (1) La Mondotte St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) La Pointe Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) La Tour Carnet Haut Medoc Bordeaux France (1) La Vieilles Julienne Red Chateauneuf Pape Rhone France (1) Lascombes Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Latour Pauillac Bordeaux France (1) Leoville Cases St Julien Bordeaux France (3) Les Grand Murailles St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) Les Picasse Olga Raffault Red Chinon Touraine Loire France (1) Lynch Bages Grand Pauillac Bordeaux France (4) Marchesi Barolo Piemonte Italy (1) Martinez Port Quinta Eira Velha Duoro Portugal (2) Matanzas Creek Cab Sauv Sonoma County Northern California Coast Usa (1) Maucaillou Moulis Bordeaux France (1) Merlot Stags Leap Napa County Northern California Coast (2) Meyney St Estephe Bordeaux France (1) Monbousquet St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) Montelena Zinfandel Napa Valley California (2) Montrose St Estephe Bordeaux France (4) Nenin Pomerol Bordeaux France (2) Niebaum Coppola Rubicon Rutherford Napa Valley California (1) Pape Clement Rouge Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (3) Pavie St Emilion Bordeaux France (2) Petit Village Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Phelan Segur St Estephe Bordeaux France (1) Phelps Joseph Johannisberg Riesling Select Late Harvest Anderson Valley Mendocino County Northern (1) Picque Cailloux Red Pessac Leognan Bordeaux France (1) Pitray Cote Castillon Bordeaux France (1) Plince Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Pontet Canet Pauillac Bordeaux France (2) Potensac Medoc Bordeaux France (1) Pouget Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Prieur Lichine Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Produttori Barbaresco Piemonte Italy (1) Quinta Infantado Port Duoro Portugal (1) Quinta Noval Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (1) Rauzan Gassies Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Ravenswood Cab Sauv Sonoma County Northern California Coast Usa (1) Robert Mondavi Cab Sauv County Napa Valley Northern California Coast (1) Rouget Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Sales Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Silver Oak Cab Sauv Alex Valley Sonoma County Northern California Coast (1) Soutard St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) St Michelle Cab Sauv Columbia Valley Washington (1) Sterling Cab Sauv Napa Valley County Northern California Coast (1) Taillefer Pomerol Bordeaux France (1) Taylor Fladgate Port Oporto Duoro Portugal (2) Tertre Margaux Bordeaux France (1) Torres Gran Coronas Black Rsrv Propriet Penedes Catalonia Spain (1) Verdignan Haut Medoc Bordeaux France (1) Vieux Chauvin St Emilion Bordeaux France (1) Tue Aug 05 12:58:32 -0700 2008 3932187 192452 njfoodies 1 3936688 Had the last bottle of a restaurant's '78 Inglenook Cab (think that it was just listed as Napa, but I guess that it could have been Rutherford, or Oakville - should have taken notes). It was drinking beautifully. My guests were NOT impressed that I had ordered an Inglenook, but quickly changed their mind. However, finding one, in great condition, might be tough. Over the years, I have probably had most of a case at this particular restaurant, so I was honored to finish off their last bottle. Back when, they were a WS Grand Award winner, but have slid in the last 5 years. Still, good cellar and cellar conditions. For Vintage Ports, I do not recall anyone declaring in '78. '77 was a big year for most, and I think that the next of any significance was '83. Doesn't help you, I know. Haven't had any Bdx, or Burgs on my radar, so cannot comment on '78 there. A '75 Latour was great, though pale and thin, next to a '70, but still doesn't help you. Sorry! Happy anniversary to your parents, BTW, Hunt Wed Aug 06 20:04:09 -0700 2008 3931001 11329 Bill Hunt 1 3950245 Some 1978 Champagnes were made, but the ones in your price range won't be good and the good ones (DP Rose, Cristal) will be way out of your price range. Just about any red Burgundy you find (even down to village level wines, at least from serious producers) will be excellent if it's been stored well. Bordeaux is more variable, but better on the left bank. Rhones are outstanding, one of the vintages of the century in both north and south; same goes for Piedmont. California is also very good and probably the most cost-effective option. Tue Aug 12 09:38:31 -0700 2008 3931001 146247 craig_g 1 3951318 pomme de terre : I think it's a neat idea to give your parents a memorable bottle........but (there always has to be a "but") I don't think you can pull it off for the $100. 1978 was a great year for both Burgundy and the Piedmont , but I don't think you can buy a bottle that you can trust for $100 , or anything very close to $100 . Which leads me to ask you if you have considered Madeira ? I'm sure your folks would enjoy it , as it's in the same class as port and sherry . The Rare Wine Co. currently has a bottle of 1968 for $125. , a bottle of 1977 for $100 , and a bottle of 1988 fro $90. Why not give them a call , and explain your situation , and I'll bet they can run down a bottle of 1978 for you . www.rarewineco.com Good luck with your project...... Tue Aug 12 15:17:13 -0700 2008 3931001 80122 pinotho 1 3951353 Wait... why not get them a 30 Year Tawney Port!?!? That would fit bill... literally! Tue Aug 12 15:29:31 -0700 2008 3931001 50041 whiner 2 3952715 Oh, a tawny port is a good idea! But in the end, I didn't do the anniversary wine. There certainly were bottles from 1978 that were less than $100, but they seemed sort of suspect. Now that I think about it, a better idea would have been to find out what the best wine from 1978 was and then bought a more recent vintage (so it could still have a connection, but not be insanely expensive and/or bad). And I did know that $100 was a cheapskate price. But my father would have been appalled by his kids spending any more than that, and subsequently wouldn't have been able to enjoy the bottle. You know dads. I could have put that money in a savings account! Had my oil changed! Used it to buy vegetables, of which I do not eat enough! But thank you very much to everyone for the all the wine resources. Wed Aug 13 06:15:26 -0700 2008 3951353 70560 pomme de terre 3 3955576 But wait! You can't get off that easy. What DID you get? Not another tie, I hope... ? Hunt Wed Aug 13 20:43:18 -0700 2008 3952715 11329 Bill Hunt 4 3956975 Well, my sister bought some sort of wine, whose name currently escapes me. (The restaurant was BYOB, which is part of the reason we thought of getting them wine in the first place.) And then there was sort of a gag gift, with a chowhoundish story attached. When telling the tale of her wedding day, my mother always mentions that she had a shrimp salad sandwich for lunch. (My grandmother famously would not let her have a Coke with it, for fear she would burp during the ceremony.) So on their actual anniversary, I went to the same deli and ordered the same thing, and got into a conversation with the clerk about it. The clerk suddenly got REALLY chatty about how he LOVES to hear romantic stories and stores them away in his memory because did he mention he's a songwriter and by the way, would I like a free sample of his demo CD? It's a really romantic song that my parents could listen to and celebrate their love. So in the end, I got them a) an anonymous bottle of wine and b) a free Gershwin-ish demo CD. Happy 30th, Mom and Dad! Thu Aug 14 10:38:00 -0700 2008 3955576 70560 pomme de terre 5 3957521 Dude, you didn't get her a coke? Thu Aug 14 13:12:00 -0700 2008 3956975 177724 tmso 6 3957774 No, but I did buy myself one when I got the sandwich. No one at my office cared if I burped. FYI, the ShrimpSalSand at Eddie's of Roland Park is very tasty. I bet it did not cost in excess of $8.00 back in '78, though. Thu Aug 14 14:30:03 -0700 2008 3957521 70560 pomme de terre 1 4567575 I have a 750 ml bottle of Cotes du Rhone red table wine from 1978 by Dulong Freres et Fils. Anyone have any idea of what this is? Sat Apr 04 12:47:40 -0700 2009 3931001 205744 mikems 2 4567860 Irrespective of producer and storage conditions, any 30+ year old Côtes du Rhône is trash by now. Sat Apr 04 15:16:46 -0700 2009 4567575 28703 RicRios 3 4570740 Have you not heard of Ch. Fonsalette? The 1978 Cotes du Rhone and Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Syrah are quite alive and kicking, if not downright vigorous! Mon Apr 06 00:01:12 -0700 2009 4567860 97345 Vinny Barbaresco 4 4571456 Well, Fonsalette is not Rhone, it's Rayas. But then again, as much as I enjoyed and enjoy old generation ( that is, father Louis and son Jacques Raynaud of revered memory ) monumentals Chateauneuf-du-Pape Reserve ( I even remember putting together a 10 year vertical centered around the 1990), somehow my neurons couldn't save the memory of the Pignans and Fonsalettes, or even the white CdP for that matter. Undoubtedly it's just me. Yougest generation ( Emmanuel ), however, might start getting even with history and my remaining brain cells. The 2004 red AND white CdP already making a strong impression in my wino ROM. Mon Apr 06 08:44:22 -0700 2009 4570740 28703 RicRios