Heading to Edmonton to present my annual Port seminar.

[Roy Hersh]

This year we will be doing a fine horizontal of nine well-known 2011 Vintage Ports. I will admit, I am really looking forward to this.

I know Conrad B. grabbed one of the seats and Anita and Paul from BC, who joined us on a Fortification Tour will be making the trek over from their Province. Richard Beeken who occasionally posts here, will also be there. 18 in total. Afterwards, Edmonton's best late night pizza, accompanied by a hodgepodge of table wines.

[Grant H]

Hi Roy,

The folks at Devine Wines told me that they have a port guru come do tastings with them every so often. I now assume that you are that guy. Are these open to the general public or is it more of a invite only tasting? I live in Saskatoon and in the future would love the opportunity to drink some port with a professional. The wine tastings in Sask are typically more for table wines with only the odd bottle of fortified wine mixed in. A specific port tasting would be really cool.

[Roy Hersh]

Hi Grant,

Yes, I do these Port seminars every year mid-November at DeVine's and they ARE open to the public, usually advertised on their website. They do charge a fee for opening the bottles (it does not go to me!) and they then sell the Ports at a huge discount the night of the tasting. I also do one seminar on Port (sometimes Douro wine too) during the Vancouver International Wine Festival and typically another privately in BC for a group of Port lovers there. I am happy to do one in your area, but we could talk about that by email if you'd like.

Thanks for your interest.

Roy

[Andy Velebil]

I'm sure it's cold there, so keep the Port flowing to stay warm

[Mahmoud Ali]

HI All,

I missed this subject heading and ended up posting the following elsewhere when in fact it should have been over here. Anyway, here it is:

Roy, I want to apologize on behalf of Edmonton for the inhospitable weather at your annual port tasting here. I'm sure the young ports helped keep some of the cold at bay. For the other members of the forum we've had a cold spell and yesterday's "high" was -15° (yes, minus).

This year I was in town but, as usual, there was already a waiting list when it came to my attention. I meant to put myself on the waiting list last week but got caught up in other issues. I called the store late Friday afternoon to see if there were any last minute cancellations but no luck.

I notice you mentioned tasting through 9 ports though the wine store website listed 7 for the tasting - Portal, Cockburn's, Warre's, Croft, Graham's, Fonseca, and Taylor Fladgate. I'm assuming the Dow and one other were added at the last minute. I'mwondering if you brought the Dow as the store itself doesn't list it.

Was the other port the Smith Woodhouse?

Mahmoud.

PS: The store in question recently won a well deserved provincial award for Excellence in Liquor Retailing. I don't know much about the award but I can't see how they wouldn't win it every year. But then, keep in mind, I'm biased.