I remember reading some time back that Chilean Reds had a very high content of anti oxidants. My mum began to buy them for my dad, well I couldn't say if he saw the benefits. He's in his mid-80s now, and not so good, though mum is still alive and kicking! Just as well she helped him drink them, maybe

I wonder how much of your 'taste' in wine is psychological. I really liked the Carmenere, though would have said I was not so keen on Cabernet Sauvignon (my dad's favourite wine, incidentally). It seems to me to have a slight back taste of fermenting fruit. I know, I know it's wine! But even so, I don't think that 'fermentation' flavour is always obvious. I would not have likened the Carmenere to Cab Sav - but what do I know? Nowt. I suppose there are lots of different types of Cabernet Sauvignon?

And obviously I was being ironic when I asked you about Chilean wine, Peter. I knew you would be the (proverbial) fount of knowledge, and I thank you for the information.

Cheers!

Of course Carmenere was mistaken for Merlot for many years. Hundreds of thousands of people drank Carmenere thinking it was Merlot!

What makes wine so interesting is the variety of flavours and that they are always changing.

Lets take Cabernet Sauvignon. That's the name of a grape variety but all the thousands of wines labelled as Cabernet Sauvignon don't taste identical. It depends on many variebles. Cabernet grown in a hot climate will taste different to that from acool climate for example.

Older wine will taste differently to young wine, those aged in oak barrels will taste different from those that are not.

Do you live near a Morrisons? If so get a bottle of 'Cover Drive' (�10.99, from Jim Barry winery in Australia) for your dad and try a glass yourself. Tell me what you think !

Ooh yes - Morrisons is our local supermarket.

I shall see if they have any 'Cover Drive' and get my dad some as we're going there for Christmas, then I'll report back

Sutter Home White Zinfandel is my favorite.

Sutter Home pioneered and populised that style of wine -- and it came about by accident !

Indeed sometimes serendipity produces wonderful results!

Moscato...especially the one that comes in the blue bottle. A lot of people think that it's too sweet but I love it.

For white I enjoy pinot grigio, for red I like chianti.

I like pinot grigio also but it's a little bitter for me. My preferences are Moscato, White Zinfendel and then Pinot if the other 2 aren't available.

I've never tasted red wine.

Peter, how do the varietals of icewine compare? I've only had white, but recently saw a rose on a shelf. My favorite icewine actually comes from the Niagra region. It's sweet but not overpoweringly sweet. I was excited to try one from Germany only to discover it tasted like pure sugar with a twist of apricot...very unappealing.

Oh, my favorite champagne....Veuve Clicquot.

My favorite red...Raymond Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon

My favorite white...Willamette Valley Vineyards Pinoit Gris