For The Love Of Port

The scoring systems are conventional, and it would be hard to make objective arguments supporting them. For professionals the resolution implied by a 0-100 point scale may make sense, but not for a non-professional like myself. For me, what is the difference between a 93/100 and a 94/100 Port? Preci...

The Rolling Stones. I can't think of any other band who has made as many songs that I like listen to and still like to listen to. It is also note worthy how often these songs are still played on radio stations -- Honky Tonk Woman, Brown Sugar, Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction, etc.

So far I drink more Port alone than with others, but I'm trying to indoctrinate others. My wife often has a wee bit of Port with me, and then stops. For example, two nights ago she had about 2 ounces -- maybe less -- of Noval 2001 LBV and wasn't enthousiastic about it. I don't know why not. I shared...

Sorry for your loss w/ the decanter Michael. Thanks for your condolences, Roy. I confess that I have already callously discarded my former consort and replaced her with a bright new model with the kind of firm curves that I like. May we have a long and satisfying relationship! I was pleased to find...

Roy: I appreciate your guidance on scores. As I said above, I am nervous giving scores. I understand that scoring wines is inherently a norming process. This process works best, I think, when you have a broad experience with the subject wine type -- in this case Port wine -- so that you understand w...

I tasted a Noval 2001 LBV March 21, 2010. This was unfiltered, bottled in 2007. $21.99/bottle. I decanted 3.5 hours before drinking. The last 4 oz of the wine had significant sediment in it. Additionally, a goodly crust of sediment adhered to the inside of the bottle and came off in slabs or lozenge...

I shared a bottle of this with friends Saturday night while I was on an out of town visit. I did not pay close enough attention to provide any detailed tasting notes, but this was very pleasing -- rich, fruity, appropriate sweetness. I didn't get much bouquet from the Port, which is fairly typical i...

What use is made of the vineyard ratings that derive from these ratings? (1) The beneficio allocated to a land holding is tied to the rating (class A land gets a larger beneficio than class B land; class B land gets a larger beneficio than class C land; etc.), correct? (2) Does some governmental bod...

I grew up in rural Illinois and we had both our fair share of snow falls as well as dramatic drifting. I moved away immediately upon graduating from college and so never had to manage keeping a car operating and a driveway cleared. I now live in Texas and sorely miss snowfalls. I was just sharing a ...

One other thought is that you might somehow insulate your ports against rapid temperature changes in the stairwell. While these temperature changes may be less rapid than under the house, if the temperature is susceptible to daily change you could still possibly benefit by insulating your ports. You...

Roy: Thanks for sharing your story. Others may have been familiar with it, but I was not. Your story was very effective at conveying the hardships of a chefs life. Another aspect of that hardship is WHEN you put in your hours. I imagine that most successful cooks/chefs are working during family prim...

Every bottle of Port I have consumed has one of those mostly white labels that have a number and some fancy graphical decoration. It goes over the cork on top and down both sides of the neck of the bottle and is visible below the cap or foil that covers and protects the cork. I assume this is some s...

Been big into making creme fraiche recently. So cheap to do it yourself. Yes, creme fraiche is easy to make. It seems, however, about the only thing I make which calls for creme fraiche is this same tarte flambee I mention above. I make a trout dish that calls for creme fraiche (salt, pepper butter...

I enjoy cooking and typically cook a special dinner for my family -- for me? -- on Saturday night. While I cook a variety of things, generally I tend to cook dishes in the vein of French Provincial cooking (hence, humble rather than deluxe ingredients that are cooked according to traditional methods...

I have a further thought on this. I think the label can do both things -- provide the necessary information for the wine afficianado to determine specifically what they are about to buy (wine from a specific vintage or non-vintage, ordinary or "reserve" quality Port, late bottled vintage o...

I suppose seeing "1948 Graham Vintage Port" or "1948 Taylor Vintage Port" or "1933 Quinta do Noval Nacionale" is all most of us need to observe on the label to get excited. On the other hand, let me reply more seriously in the spirit of your question (by the way, none o...

Thanks for your reply, Oscar. I was fishing for any thoughts whether there might be any voices advocating nationalizing the Port industry -- as there had been in 1975/1976 (according to Mayson). From your reply I would guess things are not that dire and that it would be alarmist to think that strate...

I was reading an on-line article today to the effect that Portugal's public finance is apparently headed towards a slow decline. I gather that there is pressure from citizens to maintain or increase public services while financial stake holders urge austerity and reduction of public debt. Mayson dis...

Ramos Pinto Collector (reserve ruby). This had a t-stopper style of cork. Drunk 1/23/2010. Dark red color. Modest nose -- some leather, some generic pleasant red fruit notes. Somewhat spicey and raw taste. Sweetness is moderate. Good fruitiness -- raspberry, black currant. Medium aftertaste. Some ta...

Very intriguing. I'm game and would like to buy a bottle from my local wine retailer should he determine to stock this. The only Quinto do Noval that I see is vintage port -- no LBV or tawny or ruby -- and I'm not sure I've seen any of that in my local shop, maybe I saw it in another city while trav...