For The Love Of Port

Interesting to see every year mentioned - I wonder when the concept of 'declared years' evolved - I wonder if in those days the wine got shipped every year - good or bad. Tom, I imagine that during this period, port drinkers were just glad to get any supply at all! The demand within the English mar...

Can anyone tell me the weight of an OWC containing 24 half bottles of VP? Derek, I normally figure about 20 kg for a full OWC, because that's what's printed on the side of some of my Bordeaux cases. But ... as you have halves, and as port bottles might weigh more than standard claret bottles, I'd e...

I am always intrigued to read what people buy as their "go to" Port, whether it is Tawny or Vintage, which producer, what vintage etc. Roy, I'm afraid mine is Taylor's VP. I've been buying it since I was eight or ten, and I just love the violets thing in the better examples. I'm sure ther...

Just to note that there have not been enough people reply to me in the UK to make it worth organising an offline before Roy's next visit to London later in the year. Keep an eye on the forum after the summer holidays and I will post arrangements nearer the time. Those who have been in touch with me...

Sadly, John Harvey & Sons was bought up a few years back so its not possible to contact them and ask for their opinion as to whether the labels are genuine. However, my personal view is that it is not a problem to have handwritten slips. I see these come up quite often at auction and if it was ...

Suggestions? 1) Hire cleaner 2) Hire lady to do laundry etc. 3) Explain to wife that she is no longer indispensible 4) Duck flying bottle (hopefully cheap ruby) 5) Fill remaining 4/5 cellar 6) Enjoy! Tom 8) Tom, You forgot: 7) Consult Divorce Lawyer 8) Discover wife is entitled to half your assets ...

About my specific requirements, I've sent you a pm. Thanks for that suggestion. Re: fakes, yes that is a worry. However, when I open an old bottle I wonder how anyone could fake a branded port cork to look as it does when you pull it. The way that it behaves and distorts I just wonder how it can be...

Does anyone have recent knowledge of this vintage? As far as I can see it was a brilliant vintage lost due to the depression (which caused the 27s to be left on the shelves). It seems only Noval and Niepoort declared. Both Roy and MB seem to agree that Noval, at least, was outstanding. Has anyone s...

David - thanks for the reply. You're on the list, as you will see below. Alex, Firstly, thanks for including me in this tasting. I look forward to meeting you all. Next, although Ben will source our primary bottles, would it be prudent for us to bring spare bottles in case one (or more) of the bott...

The date for the next London Offline has now been set. It will take place in the evening of Monday May 8, starting at 5pm and running on to approximately 10pm. The venue will be in Central London, probably at the Crusted Pipe in Covent Garden. The theme will be A Complete Tasting of All 13 Vintages...