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....that Chambertin Clos du Beze was the favorite wine of the Emperor Napoleon. He was well known for sharing his wine with his soldiers, which he believed made them a better fighting unit.

......Do you know what the top 3 selling varietals of wine are in the U.S.? According to industry sources, the top 3 sold in retail outlets and restaurants are: Chardonnay, Merlot, and White Zinfandel respectively.

With the Holidays now behind us and Winter settled in, what more is there to do than count the days until Puxatawny Phil shadow reappears? How about hosting your very own wine tasting.

What a better way to thin out your cellar to help make room for all those purchases and gifts of wine received during the Christmas season. I can think of no warmer welcome on a cold evening than to spend time with great friends and some great bottles of wine. Don't know where to start? Here are a few helpful hints and suggestions to get the ball rolling.

Technically, all you really need for a tasting are people and wine. But if you like your affair to be a bit more respectable, you will need to address a few simple essentials to help you properly prepare for this function. We have assembled a small check list of ideas to help you get under way.

First to consider is the number of guests you plan on inviting to your tasting. Be it just a few couples or a larger gathering, this will determine just how many bottles of wine and other essentials will be required. Next, what level of tasting would you like it to be.

Your first options to consider are a Stand Up or a Sit Down tasting. A Stand Up tasting tends to be a more informal, entertaining, and laid back affair. Wines are served from a table and everyone is free to roam, taste, and discuss their wine. A Sit Down tasting can be a bit more serious and formal, leaning more towards the educational side of wine tasting. This format gives you a better way to comparison taste, with 2 or more wines of the same varietal from different producers and countries to choose from.

Will there be any theme to your tasting? Choices abound for you in this category, where range has no boundaries. You can serve only red wines, or only white wines, or any combination of both if you prefer. You can select a certain varietal, such as Cabernet, Merlot, or Sauvignon Blanc from any number of producers or vineyard sites

You can select your wines from a certain region from around the world. Be it New Zealand, France, Italy, or Sicily, your options are endless. You may also choose to do it by vintage. Select a year, say 1999, and present all the wines from that same vintage. You can also do it according to price range. Choose any number of wines that range from $10 to $15 dollars, or any dollar amount to find a new bargain favorite. Or mix and match any of the suggestions above to create your own theme.

• Louis Latour Pinot Noir......$10.59
• Louis Latour Gevrey Chambertin......$29.99
• Kumala Merlot......$5.99

Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc

Selected from various low yielding vineyards in the Wairau, Brancott, Waihoepai and Awatere valleys, these Sauvignon Blanc grapes were machine harvested and protectively handled. After juice clarification the wine was innoculated with pure, aromatic yeast strains and cool fermented. Once dry the wine was stabilized, filtered and bottled. The wine displays classic Sauvignon characters of gooseberry, passionfruit, figs and a touch of herbaceousness. The palate is full bodied with rich, ripe fruit balanced with crisp acidity. A stylish wine with good fruit intensity.

A great aperitif. Ideally suited to asparagus, oysters and summer salads. Cellar: A wine to drink now and, with careful cellaring, will last up to five years.

Available at Champane's for $12.99

Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne

This opulent wine has an intense golden hue with a distinguished amber yellow core. A multi-dimensional wine, characterised by its abundance of tropical and exotic fruits. Its rich complexity is enhanced by its spicy vanilla and a powerful, toasty richness. It offers a restrained elegance now, but will develop into another classic from Corton-Charlemagne.

In it's youth, this wine is lean and vibrant, making it ideal for veal, chicken and rich fish, such as tuna. As the wine takes on it's mantle of maturity and complexity, it will be able to take on the most flavoursome of sauces. Alternatively, savour it on it's own, with good friends

Available at Champane's for $49.99

1. Banfi Sangiovese 1.5 Liter (Italy)......$5.99
2. Lombardo Marsala 750 ML (Italy).......$6.99
3. La Bastarda 750 ML (Italy).........$6.99
4. Gluhewein Glow Wine 1 Liter (Germany).....2 for $10.00
5. Dr. L Riesling 750 ML (Germany).......$8.99
6. Piesporter Michelsberg 750 ML (Germany).....3 for $10.00
7. Leelanau Winter White Michigan 750 ML.....2 for $10.00
8. Fortius Tempranillo 750 ML (Spain)........$5.99
9. New Age White Wine 750 ML (Argentina).....$7.99
10. Yellow Tail Cabernet, Merlot, Shiraz 750 ML (Australia)......2 for $10.00