My wife and I are just getting started with our collection and we need to get something to store our wines. We have a basement, but I fear it will be too hot in the summer. Adding a cooling system and converting the basement into a wine cellar is a little beyond our means. We were considering a "mini" wine cellar -- the small (50-100 bottle) units that have built in cooling systems and humidifiers. Are there any units that anyone can recommend? I should add that since the unit will go in our unfinished basement, appearance is not a concern.

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Hi, I just recieved a bottle of Johann Falkenburg Riesling white wine, 2003, from the mosel-saar-ruwer area of germany. I was wondering what it was worth, before i just gave it away, thank you. Landon

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Within the last measurable year, what is the percentage of domestic (USA) wines consumed versus imported wines into the USA? Figures either by volume or value are OK.

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I have and unknown bottle of port wine that I need to identify. The bottle is leather bound (bottom included), has a wooden stopper attached to the leather at the neck of the bottle with a gold chain, and has 2 coins embedded in the leather with the picture of a man with the phrases Alfonso XII Por La g De Dios surrounding the picture. This wine was obtained in europe (perhaps spain or portugal) in the late 60s by a now deceased relative. Any information that you may have about this bottle of wine would be greatly appreciated. I will try to upload a picture of this bottle in the near future.

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I've been having recurring problems with a malfunctioning temperature sensor in my Vinotemp VT-200. Vinotemp wants the whole until returned for service (all 300 pounds of it. Can you imagine the shipping costs?) The place I bought it wanted $300 to pick it up! Does anyone know anything about repairing temperature sensors?

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anyone have an idea where I can find some of this wine? Just drank my last bottle, by mistake. ;-( Email me if you have a lead. Thanks.

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Hello all, I'm in the final planning stages of a new and exciting business venture that should interest some of you who have succeeded in collecting large amounts of wines and you're finding that you're running out of room to store them. Like my friends in Menlo Park I will offer the best state-of-the art facilities for storage of your collections but unlike anyone else in our geographical region of the greater Bay Area, I will ensure that not only temperature and humity levels are met but also that light and vibration are eliminated from the equasion. My purpose of this announcement is first to let you know this is coming very soon to the East Bay where I'll target the communities from Martinez in the North all the way to Gilroy in the south. Some of the ammenities to be offered are; State-of-the-art environmental protection including not only the HVAC systems but the total elimination of ultra violet light as well as vibration from the facility. As far as I'm aware there are NO FACILITIES in Northern California that totally address ALL of these aspects for safely storing your investment. These systems will be monitored 24 x 7 through web based systems and backed up by remote monitoring facilities which are manned 24 x 7. Safe and secure 24 x 7 access to your investment via CCTV monitored card access systems. Once again monitored as mentioned above. Other services offered will include Fine affordable tobacco product sales and storage (cigars) into the mix with a sealed smoking room with WiFi Internet access. (Closed at 10:00 p.m.) Weekly tastings co-sponsored by any number of the 31 wineries in the Livermore Appelation District as well as those from the Gilroy area. Quarterly special events such as wine/food paring dinners, harvest party dinners/events, port/chocolate parings.....the list is endless. Wine appreciation seminars for the novice wine lover as well as advancced wine making techniques and events (bottle your own wines) Consignment wine sales Retail area which will market wine & tobacco accessories as well as my own line of scented custom made candles and luxury items Buying co-ops that will focus on our active membership as well as commercial proprieters such as bars, restaurants and local merchants Reserved storage space for local wineries and winemakers. Well I suppose I've let the cat out of the bag so I should get my big ol butt in gear and get this place opened. Initially we'll offer just the storage facility until such time as the clientle warrants adding the additional features. I'm currently seeking start-up capital and I welcome any and all inquiries from private investors as well as more traditional sources. Franchising inquiries are also welcome. Currently under negotiations for the initial facility which will be near the 580/680 freeway interchange, most likely in the Dublin/Pleasanton area. I wish to remain as accessible to local freeways and major highway and city routes as possible. If all goes as planned this facility will be operational by EO1Q2006. Please feel free to contact me directly at [email protected] or via my direct business line, 925-699-8659. I hope it is ok that I included these contact interfaces???

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