Minors drinking Port

[Roy Hersh]

I am sure if I was to look all the way back through this forum's archive we have had this discussion before at some point.

However, I am facing bringing my daughter to Porto for 10 days this year and she is concerned about people there seeing her drink Port or table wine; the latter with a meal. She will be nearing 17 years of age at the time. I am not sure what the legal drinking age is in Portugal and I have seen winemaker's children as young as 9, swigging wine before, and they asked that no photos or videos be taken/shown when that happened.

It has led me to wonder what others practice at home with their children, teens and up through legal drinking age in their countries. Feel like sharing your story when it comes to Port and/or still wines?

[Thomas V]

According to this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_drinking_age#Europe

There is not a set legal drinking age in Portugal e.g that you can consume wine and spirit at any age. However it is required to be 18 to be able to purchase.

Shouldn't be any issue while you are accompanying Taylor in bars & restaurants. They are pretty liberal on this issue in Portugal like most European countries. (Aint like the yanks )

Enjoy you trip

[Bert VD]

here in Belgium (and i think many European countries) it is quite normal. the legal age is 16 for wine and beer, 18 for strong alcohol.
but drinking a glass with your parents at 14 or 15 is not frowned upon. in my opinion this means we are more used to alcohol and perhaps more responsible when we start driving at 18. although some might feel too confident and drink too much and still drive, like kids in the US who feel very confident in a car and then start drinking i guess...

oh and i used to drink little sips from my grandfathers glass on holidays when i was a kid

anyway, it's her choice to drink or not. being old/responsible enough to drink means also being able to make these choices

[Mike K.]

I encouraged my daughter to ‘nose’ spirits and wine from a young age and give her impressions. As an adult she enjoys every day wine and beer, but is a good judge of higher end pours.

I often ask her to nose something for me when I’m writing tasting notes and can’t quite identify an aroma.

I once took her to a liquor store port tasting and turned her loose. At the end I asked what she thought. She said the Sandeman 30 was incredible but above her budget. I replied: A fine choice, lets head home, I’m sure I’ve got a 30 or 40 open. Big smile.

In short, I’ve always allowed the kids to have a sip from my glass if they were interested. It is generally accompanied by some background on what they are trying.

[Eric Ifune]

I've told this story before, but when I was in my early teens, my parents visited Louis Martini winery in the Napa Valley. Louis P. Martini, the owner and winemaker was working the wine bar. After walking in, he said in a loud voice to my parents "Does the kid want any wine." My parents said nothing, but I piped up, "Sure!" It was a different world back then.

[John M.]

In the privacy of home, when we had something with dinner, my children were allowed to have a glass of wine or have a beer once they were teens. Before that a sip from my glass. If nothing else its important for them to understand the effects when they do come of age.

[Moses Botbol]

After her Bat Mitzvah it's okay to drink at the table...

In all seriousness, I see nothing wrong with beverage use of wine with someone her age. No one is going to be offended or look at both of you awkwardly. As long as it doesn't digress into drunkenness and then it gets a little uncomfortable.