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Elaine Marshall

U.S.
Available
Expertise

I am a specialist in wines from California, the Pacific Northwest, Australia and the Rhone. My specialties are the business and marketing of wine, professional wine evaluation, and wine writing. I have experience in winemaking for the home enthusiast but a broader knowledge in viticulture and the wine regions of the world. I WILL AUTO-REJECT ALL VALUATION, COGNAC, and SPIRITS QUESTIONS.

Experience in the area

Currently the Wine Director for Sunset Magazine's Wine Club, I founded the First Street Wine Company in Livermore, California. As former restaurant sommelier, I have over 12 years of experience in the wine industry and am an Advanced Certified Wine Professional of the Culinary Institute of America. As a specialist in New World wines, especially Syrah/Shiraz, I have studied extensively the wines of California, Australia, the Rhone Valley, and the Pacific Northwest. Accepted to the Institute of Masters of Wine program in 2006, I taste hundreds of wines annually. I have served as a wine judge for many California and Oregon wine competitions. A graduate of the University of California at Davis, I have produced and bottled my own private-label wine for four vintages. My wine reviews have been published in Diablo Magazine and in various on-line newsletters, including Sunset Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Intowine.com and others.

Publications

Sunset Magazine, Diablo Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, Intowine.com

Education/Credentials

Certified Wine Professional Advanced, Culinary Institute of America Master of Wine Candidate

Past/Present Clients

Sunset Magazine Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine

Average Ratings

  • Knowledgeability 9.82
  • Clarity of Response 9.88
  • Politeness 9.98
  • Response Time(hr) 46.7
  • Response Time(hr, last 90 days) 228.4
  • Number of Questions Today 1
  • Max Questions to be Asked in a Day 4
  • Total Questions (since joining AllExperts) 445
  • Volunteer Since 2008-01-02
  • Prestige Points 3260

Recent Reviews from Users

Read More Comments

    K = Knowledgeability    C = Clarity of Response    P = Politeness
UserDateKCPComments
Don 10/21/11101010Thanks for your timely answer.
Freda08/13/11101010A good service for wine novices. Thank .....
Stephanie07/09/11101010Thank u very much
Rich06/04/11101010Dear Elaine, Thank you for your response .....
Amber 05/10/117 7 10 

Recent Answers from Elaine Marshall

2011-11-30 Cost of importing wine into CA:

Hi there - sorry for the delay in getting back to you.    1) the rule of three covers varying margins between agents, as these percentages are highly negotiable.  It says that if you buy a wine ex cellar

2011-11-23 Cost of importing wine into CA:

Hi Julian-    Thanks for the question.  I will start by saying this is a long complicated list and difficult to cover fully via this method (and, the kind of questions I'm generally paid to answer!)  But

2011-09-29 2002 Domaine Carneros Pinot Noir:

Hello Rose-    Your wine was certainly better a few years ago, but should be hanging in there.  Look for flatter aromas of caramel, toast, and less of cherry and bright fruit.  Pair it with stewed meats

2011-07-16 Shiraz Vintage Port 1986:

Hi Freda-    Thanks for the question.  Ports, both from Australia and Portugal, are extremely age-worthy due to their high alcohol content and sugar content.  Your wine should be fine to drink - don't

2011-05-09 red wine:

Hi Amber-    I think Merlot is a pretty good answer, although some Merlots can be quite dense and heavy, almost as weightly as Cabernet Sauvignon.  I recommend wines like California Zinfandel (red, not

 

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