Over the years I've lost count of the people who have approached me, sometimes breathlessly or with a conspiratorial wink, to tell me that they have unearthed a treasured, dusty bottle hidden in Granddad's basement.
With a first-class return flight to Europe in mind, they inform me that it is 1983 Jacobs Creek claret or something similar, and ask how much it is worth.
Inevitably I let them know the bad news that the wine is probably way past its best and wouldn't even buy them a walk to the cake shop.
There is such mystique to older bottles of wine, yet just being old is no precondition for worth.
As with all forms of commerce, an item is only worth what someone else is prepared to pay for it.
Whether it be fine art, baseball cards, fine wine or any other collectable the finest and rarest are just that, extremely rare and unlikely to be found in the home of your spinster aunt.
Provenance is also crucial, with poor storage decimating even the most highly prized wine's value.
Moreover, while some current release New Zealand wines are commanding prices in excess of three figures, older wines often have low resale value.
Be mindful too of the phrase ''a little knowledge is a dangerous thing''.
I have had people adamantly telling me they have bottles of Mouton (Chateau Mouton Rothschild) worth $2000 a bottle, whereas a cursory glance tells me that it is Mouton Cadet, an inexpensive red with zero resale value.
If you do believe you have a valuable wine that you want to sell, or wish to liquidate your wine cellar, there are several auction houses that run wine auctions.
A quick google search will find them.
Price: RRP $29
Rating: Very good to excellent
Whisper of funk with a ferrous character. Ripe red fruits with pepper.
Quite powerful and concentrated nose: pure.
Mouthfilling: the oak becomes evident.
Fruit sweetness but quite bracing acidity with a firmness on the finish.
All the elements are here but could do with a little time to fully integrate.
Price: $99
Rating: Outstanding
Deep colour.
A whisper of funk that soon blows off.
Intense nose with dark fruits, cassis and a smoky element.
Savoury notes hinting at umami/soy sauce.
Wonderful concentration and density without being ponderous, with fine, tannic grip giving structure.
Excellent texture and great length with sweet fruit but finishing dry.
Fabulous poise.
Price: $39.99
Rating: Very good
Savoury but sweet fruited nose.
A smoky/charry note on the palate with licorice savoury overtones and a touch of funk.
Powerful entry with good grip, the mid-palate somewhat finer.
Quite a forward ''in your face'' style that is quite appealing.
Finishes a little firm.
