Two very old Blandys and a mystery bottle..

[Reidar Andersen]

I have been a bit quiet for a while.. Little time for wines, but I have aslo promised myself to dive into this again when the ( horrible ) autumn comes over Norway and our garden..

Since Roy has contact with Francisco Alberquerque, I have a couple of questions which also may interest all of you here ..So pplease help me/us Roy...

First two Blandy's bottles ( both bought at RWC ):

A ) 1846 Campanario, bottle 16 out of 48, paperlabel.

B) 1862 Malvasia Velha with old very faded white stencil. At bottom of this faded text, clear white new stencil “ Blandy's Madeira “.

Very old molded bottle. Just below shoulder some , unreadable, embossed letters all around the bottle..

Hope to learn about origins, when bottled etc, and a specific question about the 1846: Was it only 48 bottles total, or just this bottling ?? I always have doubted that it was only 48, but no reason for this doubt...

C ) My mystery bottle. I have asked so many, including Mr. Alex Liddell . No one could help....

I bought the bottle at Garrafeira, Lisbon around 2002... I was completely aware at the day I bought it that it may be plonk and my money went out the window. .. But it was so fascinating that I took the chance, and the price was not that expensive. So well done in design etc this bottle.

Colorful faded, paperlabel with a small picture of a man at top left corner . Text like this:

Homenagem AO

Presidente 1890

Madeira Vinho Velha

J. J. De Menezes Funchal

Red capsule, blue seal with small text, one word Lisboa and the number 1246..... I could find out the whole text if necessary

Of course one can guess this is madeira bottled in Lisboa ??

Very happy if I can get some answer...

Reidar

[Andy Velebil]

Reidar,

It may be a while before Roy can get back to you since he is now fully involved in his yearly Fair duties than the trip to Portugal in october right after. But hopefully other Madeira lovers here can help.

I'd suggest posting a picture of the bottle(s) or a link to pictures of the bottles. As that usually helps in identifying them.

[Reidar Andersen]

Thanks Andy.. have no pictures now, but I can wait.. The two first are well known so just info is needed..

The third , I can wait first... I doubt that anyone can find out....But if someone wants to have a look , I can always take a photo...

Reidar

[Roy Hersh]

Hey Reidar,

I can do my best to help you but would need pictures of the front and back labels or whatever you can show me of the particular bottle. Please send it to me at Portolover@aol.com and I will do my best to help you.

I might ask one of the Blandy's directly, depending on what I can determine from your photo. Thanks

Best regards,


Roy

[Roy Hersh]

From Mannie Berk:


The big diagonal word does say "Madeira?" (It's hard for me to make out.)

What's really strange is the paper label sticking out of the capsule which appears to be some kind of official guarantee strip but is definitely not from Madeira. As you say, it may have been bottled on the mainland.

I can't see the photo of the man; is it of Salazar? "Homenagem ao President" means homage to the President. That part is pretty cool.

If you drink it, let me know how (and what!) it is.

[Reidar Andersen]

Thanks a million Mannie and Roy ! For your efforts.. The stamp is definitely from Lisbon..

I will google a bit later and find find pictures of Salazar and compare... Anyway, it is a mystery and will let you know when it is opened
or , best, bring it one day and share this with you guys... I am often in the uS... Next time Oct 13th-16th in Houston, on the way home from Panama...

Reidar