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Hello there! I'm Dr. Vinifera, or "Vinny" for short. Ask me your toughest wine questions, from the technical aspects of winemaking to the fine points of etiquette. I hope you find my answers educational and even amusing. Want to see more of them? Check out my archive. And here are my most Frequently Asked Questions.

Dear Dr. Vinny,

I saw on a television show that Champagne loses its carbonation over time. Is this true?

David Icken, Burlington, Mass.

Dear David,

It is true, though how much and how fast varies from bubbly to bubbly. By the 10-year mark, most people will notice a clear drop in carbonation in most bottles of sparkling wine. However, some will keep their sparkle for 30 or even 40 years.

—Dr. Vinny

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