At a French bar years ago, the French owner was telling me about their "ja ja" wine. He said it was the term for a house wine, often when they'd pour the leftovers from a few bottles into one. It's cheap and usually just fine but not fabulous. I don't see the term often (and it tends to mean something different every time), but I saw it again at a French bar recently. The bartender told me it was a house wine with no set vintage (though they did offer a region). She poured it out of one bottle (thought they may have used a funnel). It was pretty darn good. Can anyone tell me the origin of the word, and what it generally means when you see it on a wine list? Is it lots of leftover wines poured together, or only from one region, or something altogether different? It's not listed on wikipedia, my first reference, and with such a short word, Google searches don't help. I just want to know what I'm drinking. Thanks!
posted on Jul 24, 2008 - 2 answers

I've found an unusual (to me) item, and I'd like to know what it's called. [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2008 - 5 answers

Why are wine bottles 750ml in size? My lady and I find that we usually don't want to drink that much when we order wine with dinner, but ordering wine by the glass isn't always an available option. 500ml would be more suitable, I would have thought. [more inside]
posted on Jul 1, 2008 - 39 answers

SO setting the more pressing questions aside, I'm having an evening of wine and conversation with my former educational director and always friend...Wine is the libation of choice... [more inside]
posted on Jun 29, 2008 - 13 answers

So what exactly are the restrictions regarding purchasing alcohol in Maryland? [more inside]
posted on Jun 27, 2008 - 11 answers

I was recently persuaded by a good friend to buy a box of wine. It was a Banrock Station Cabernet Sauvignon, which I was assured I would enjoy. I just had my first glass last night, and unfortunately I found it to be a dud. So now I have this box (3 bottles?) of wine that is not terrible, but does not scream deliciousness to my tastebuds. What do I do? [more inside]
posted on Jun 26, 2008 - 37 answers

Winefilter: What's a good book about Italian wine (and maybe a bottle, too) for my dad? [more inside]
posted on Jun 24, 2008 - 4 answers

I've just started a wine tasting course, and someone asked whether there was an adjective that described a wine that tastes like it smells. The closest we could get was onomatopoeic, which obviously isn't the right word, but is similar in concept. If not in English, is there a word in any language? (I'm thinking that maybe there's a German word, as they're really good at creating new words by putting other words together) Or is "tastes like it smells" as good as it gets?
posted on Jun 17, 2008 - 18 answers

What extra special wineries has this Sonoma Valley regular missed? [more inside]
posted on Jun 14, 2008 - 19 answers

How to find the wine/beverage called Federweisser or Sturm in California? Are there any similar-tasting beverages? [more inside]
posted on Jun 6, 2008 - 1 answers

I'm a red wine snob. But I was wine tasting last week and got persuaded to try a Ravenswood muscato. I loved it! It was sweet, but tart, crisp, and refreshing, and I'm looking for more. [more inside]
posted on Jun 1, 2008 - 11 answers

Can I use spoiled wine as vinegar? Cooking wine? [more inside]
posted on Jun 1, 2008 - 12 answers

What do I need to learn about wines to be a waitress at a nice restaurant? [more inside]
posted on May 22, 2008 - 26 answers

Does goon (box wine) actually contain fish eggs? [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2008 - 6 answers

I'm interested in collecting some older vintage wine. I've heard mention of people selling their cellars and of wine auctions. How can I find such sales in my area? [more inside]
posted on May 8, 2008 - 5 answers

I need recommendations and suggestions for Austrian wines. [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 9 answers

What can you tell me about buying one 1978 vintage wine? [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 8 answers

As a gift, I'd like to be able to order Californian wine from a Napa or Santa Barbara winery (or anywhere) and have it mailed to a family member in the United Kingdom. (I live in Los Angeles) [more inside]
posted on Apr 9, 2008 - 4 answers

What's the best format for an extremely lightweight drinker to buy & store wine, to enable very gradual consumption without the wine going sour? [more inside]
posted on Apr 8, 2008 - 21 answers

Can you recommend a good wine super-store in NW New Jersey? [more inside]
posted on Apr 4, 2008 - 4 answers

Are there any vineyards between LA and SanFran which are dog-friendly? [more inside]
posted on Apr 2, 2008 - 1 answers

Looking for wine tasting recommendations in the Finger Lakes region of New York. I'll be spending a long day up there in late May and would like recommendations for wineries worth visiting. Preferences are for dark and dirty reds, but I like a good riesling, too. I know very little about the area and the wine, so please suggest away!
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 4 answers

I'm relatively new to wine and would like to know more about it. Which labels/names are best, what goes with what, etc. So, what are some good wine review sites and blogs for the average Joe? I've Googled for such things, but I don't know which ones are worth their salt.
posted on Mar 24, 2008 - 16 answers

What is the best way to convert an old, dry cistern into a wine cellar? [more inside]
posted on Mar 23, 2008 - 11 answers

Wine pairing: what un-pretentious snacks go with pomegranate wine and a silly movie? Bonus points are not given for "hard to find" or "time consuming."
posted on Mar 19, 2008 - 15 answers

I love red wine. However, after a few sips. it coats the bottom portion of my front teeth with a thick, dark, blackish film... not too attractive. How can I prevent this from happening. [more inside]
posted on Mar 12, 2008 - 25 answers

What should we see and do from 4/24 to 5/2 between Sacramento and Los Angeles? [more inside]
posted on Mar 11, 2008 - 10 answers

I'm looking for a red wine like the "house reds" we drank in northern Italy. [more inside]
posted on Mar 9, 2008 - 22 answers

We have this bottle of Tokaji since 1999 or so (it's vintage is 1993). According to my girlfriend, during its lifetime and travels (from Hungary to the US and then from Boston to Denver) it's turned to a much darker amber color than when she originally bought it. We're worried it may have gone bad. [more inside]
posted on Mar 2, 2008 - 22 answers

Should I bring wine to a "communal dinner?" [more inside]
posted on Feb 28, 2008 - 21 answers

Tricks, tips, and recipes for cooking with alcohol? [more inside]
posted on Feb 18, 2008 - 19 answers

What to do about bringing wine that needs decanting to a BYOB restaurant? [more inside]
posted on Jan 31, 2008 - 12 answers

Is it possible to find wines similar in style to what the ancient Romans would have been drinking? Or were their vinification methods so crude that no one bothers trying?
posted on Jan 21, 2008 - 10 answers

Carbohydrate counts for specific wines? And which labels are lowest in carbs? [more inside]
posted on Jan 21, 2008 - 1 answers

Healthy drinking: Red Wine vs. Pomegranate Juice, help me choose [more inside]
posted on Jan 9, 2008 - 24 answers

Please provide recommendations for companies to move my wine collection from Seattle to San Francisco. [more inside]
posted on Dec 31, 2007 - 5 answers

Can I grow wine grapes in Boston? Advice and anecdotes sought... [more inside]
posted on Dec 19, 2007 - 9 answers

De-corking a bottle of wine. Slow and steady or just rip 'er out? [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 28 answers

WineFilter: How do I open a bottle of prosecco gracefully? [more inside]
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 7 answers

What wine grapes (if any) would grow successfully just outside of Kelso, Washington? Ideally, they would be low maintenance as far as grapes go. Would be looking to graft 2 or 3 year old plants. It's cold in the winter, hot in the summer and wet all the time.
posted on Dec 18, 2007 - 10 answers

I'd like to spend about $50-75 on booze for my secretary. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted on Dec 17, 2007 - 28 answers

How long do I have to consume a bottle of opened Marsala? [more inside]
posted on Dec 16, 2007 - 4 answers

Help me select Spanish wine and cheese combinations. [more inside]
posted on Dec 12, 2007 - 8 answers

I am trying to have bottles of wine delivered to clients at different addresses in Toronto, and I am in New York, and would like to do this online if possible, does anyone know any sites? [more inside]
posted on Dec 11, 2007 - 2 answers

I keep hearing that synthetic wine corks are endangering the livelihood cork farmers. Why hasn't the upswing in the use of cork flooring offset this phenomenon?
posted on Dec 9, 2007 - 8 answers

I'm trying a dry run with this wine puzzle (the metal wine caddy version) that I plan to give as a gift, and I'm having a tough time assembling it via the enclosed instructions. I may just give up and drink this wine instead. Do any of you have any firsthand experience assembling that puzzle and could offer a few pointers?
posted on Dec 7, 2007 - 0 answers

My best friend and I are sake (rice wine) lovers. Not lovers, because he's a guy. And ugly. But he's a great guy and I'd like to buy him some top quality traditional sake and a set of cups and bottle. [more inside]
posted on Dec 6, 2007 - 10 answers

What are the relative environmental impacts of procuring a *single serving* of wine, liquor, or beer? [more inside]
posted on Dec 3, 2007 - 16 answers

Yes, I know each recipe is best with a specific type of alcohol, preferably from the region that the cuisine originates from. But it simply not economical to have so many different bottles of alcohol If I only could have half a dozen bottles of alcohol to cook with, what would they be? Any specific vintage/brand recommendations. Bonus question: How to solve the "wine goes bad in a few days" problem, when I don't drink on a regular basis?
posted on Nov 28, 2007 - 20 answers

What bottle of wine is perfect for my first Christmas with a wine lover? [more inside]
posted on Nov 27, 2007 - 30 answers