Port wine in 20 cl bottles

This forum is for discussing all things Port (as in from PORTugal) - vintages, recommendations, tasting notes, etc.

Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil

Post Reply
User avatar
Rune EG
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 11:03 am
Location: Drammen, Norway

Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Rune EG »

Here in Norway Churchill Reserve port has the last year been available in 20 cl bottles.
As from 2nd September this year also Grahams LBV is available in 20 cl. Grahams LBV is steadily one of the top-three sellers of port in Norway.
I have been checking out the market for these small bottles, and have been speaking with representatives of the State Monopoly and importers.
They believe that there is a market there for people that do like port, but are not willing to spend money on a big bottle they will never drink.
That could be elderly that want a small glass after a weekend dinner at home, younger people that do not want to spend big money on port. etc
I see now that Grahams is also introducing this bottle size for tawnies.

Would be interesting to hear other FTLOP subscribers view on this bottle sieze.
Will it just be marginal in the market? Will it be a door openerer to more port later on etc?
Jasper A.
Posts: 266
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:40 am
Location: Zutphen, Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Jasper A. »

We have the Grahams 10, 20 and 30 year old tawny in 20cl on stock starting this weekend. I don't think it will be a big market, but it offers great port (like the 30 year old) for a desent price. Not a lot of people are willing to spend a 100 euro.
Last edited by Jasper A. on Thu Sep 08, 2016 10:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Glenn E.
Posts: 8383
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:49 am
Location: Sammamish, Washington, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Glenn E. »

I would probably drink a lot more Port on my own if I could find good port in 20 cl bottles. A 750 - or even a 375 - is really too much Port for me to open at one time because I'm generally drinking alone and only want 1-2 glasses. Sure, I can drink the Port over a few days, but that gets monotonous. I'd rather open a 20 cl bottle and drink it in one night, then open something different a couple of nights later.
Glenn Elliott
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16811
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Andy Velebil »

Very large bottles of tawny have been a big hit in some restaurants. So much so that the Symington's now regularly make a decent amount of them to sell now. So long as the price point is good I think the smaller bottles will sell decently once they start to catch on. I would suspect initial selling of them may be a bit slow until people realize they are there. I think it's a great idea, for reasons mentioned.

Jasper
What's price point compared to 375's and 750's of the same Port?
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Jasper A.
Posts: 266
Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2015 10:40 am
Location: Zutphen, Netherlands
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Jasper A. »

Andy Velebil wrote:Very large bottles of tawny have been a big hit in some restaurants. So much so that the Symington's now regularly make a decent amount of them to sell now. So long as the price point is good I think the smaller bottles will sell decently once they start to catch on. I would suspect initial selling of them may be a bit slow until people realize they are there. I think it's a great idea, for reasons mentioned.

Jasper
What's price point compared to 375's and 750's of the same Port?
For example a normal bottle 30 year old graham's we charge €99,50, the 20 cl version will cost €29,95
User avatar
Rune EG
Posts: 1265
Joined: Mon May 04, 2009 11:03 am
Location: Drammen, Norway

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Rune EG »

Graham's LBV in Norway:

20 cl is abt 53 % of 37.5 cl
Price for a 20 cl is abt 54 % of the price for a 37.5 cl
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16811
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Andy Velebil »

Rune EG wrote:Graham's LBV in Norway:

20 cl is abt 53 % of 37.5 cl
Price for a 20 cl is abt 54 % of the price for a 37.5 cl
I like your prices better. :lol:
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Eric Menchen
Posts: 6679
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:48 pm
Location: Longmont, Colorado, United States of America - USA

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Eric Menchen »

Jasper A. wrote:For example a normal bottle 30 year old graham's we charge €99,50, the 20 cl version will cost €29,95
That's really a reasonable margin, ~13% for the smaller size. I hate when 375s are so much more per ml, like 50% compared to the 750, that I either just get the full bottle or skip it altogether out of annoyance.
User avatar
John M.
Posts: 2162
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:15 pm
Location: Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by John M. »

Eric Menchen wrote:
Jasper A. wrote:For example a normal bottle 30 year old graham's we charge €99,50, the 20 cl version will cost €29,95
That's really a reasonable margin, ~13% for the smaller size. I hate when 375s are so much more per ml, like 50% compared to the 750, that I either just get the full bottle or skip it altogether out of annoyance.
+1 Eric.
Any Port in a storm!
Moses Botbol
Posts: 6037
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Moses Botbol »

20 cl bottles make for nice gifts.
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16811
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Andy Velebil »

Eric Menchen wrote:
Jasper A. wrote:For example a normal bottle 30 year old graham's we charge €99,50, the 20 cl version will cost €29,95
That's really a reasonable margin, ~13% for the smaller size. I hate when 375s are so much more per ml, like 50% compared to the 750, that I either just get the full bottle or skip it altogether out of annoyance.
Eric I agree. Bartholomew Broadbent (the importer) had a good rant recently on Facebook about his dislike for the pricing of many 375's compared to 750's. I wish he could change all 375ml wines to better prices in relation to their full bottle counterpart.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
Tom Archer
Posts: 2790
Joined: Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:09 pm
Location: Near Saffron Walden, England

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Tom Archer »

Given the airline cabin baggage limits on fluids that are now virtually universal at 100mL (10cL), I have been prodding a few producers to start bottling in 10cL ..

I've even volunteered a brand name for it: Air Port 8--)
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16811
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Andy Velebil »

Tom Archer wrote:Given the airline cabin baggage limits on fluids that are now virtually universal at 100mL (10cL), I have been prodding a few producers to start bottling in 10cL ..

I've even volunteered a brand name for it: Air Port 8--)
Pretty sure Apple already has that trademarked, etc. :(
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
Roy Hersh
Site Admin
Posts: 21829
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:27 am
Location: Porto, PT
Contact:

Re: Port wine in 20 cl bottles

Post by Roy Hersh »

I hope we will see more of these in the future. It gives those new to Port wine, a chance to get their first impression at a very reasonable price.

Great for ballgames too! [foilhat.gif]
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Post Reply