Regarding the whine/wine merger but without getting too fussy about details and history nor trying to be hypercorrect, am I wrong if I use the unvoiced w (whispered h) before words like:
Also, not exactly related, can you show me some words where the h is silent in English, like:
I find that if I am delivering a prepared talk, the 'whispered h' of my youth comes back, but generally I agree with emsr2d2's opinion - for English people. The form is natural for many Scottish and Irish people.
If you have been taught to use it, and it comes naturally, don't worry, but I would generally recommend that learners use a standard /w/