Clara watched her clumsy movements and finally couldn't help but speak, her voice calm but clear. "This 1982 Lafite has fine tannins and aromas of black currant and cedar. It needs at least two hours to decant. Shaking it so violently will damage the wine's structure, and even the best wine will become sour and astringent." She paused, her eyes falling on the label on the bottle. "Also, this bottle of wine has subtle traces of gilding on the edge, a technique unique to the winery back then. Imitations are rare on the market."

Vanessa's face flushed instantly, and Liam frowned, his tone questioning, "How do you know all this? I'm afraid you just copied it down from a few wine tasting magazines and pretended to understand it?"

"That's right!" Vanessa agreed immediately. "How could a girl from a village in the city possibly know anything about red wine? You must be making it up! Even if you're right, so what? Can you afford it? You'll just have to watch us drink it for the rest of your life!"