Hi everyone,
Does anyone know of anywhere in the UK where I can taste some vintage port? There are plenty of places to try various wines (even organised wine tasting days) but I'm struggling to find port tastings. I would like to try a few before I buy. I have a collection of 23 bottles at the moment from 1963 - 1999. I have had some bottles which I did not like (not corked) and would like to taste a few before I spend any more money. My most recent disappointment was with a Warre 1977. LOADS of alcoholic heat. Tried a second bottle a few weeks later - exactly the same. Thanks in advance for any feedback. Chris
UK Port tasting
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
Re: UK Port tasting
Chris,
Having had great luck with 1977 Warre's, I must ask you ... are you decanting your Vintage Ports and if so, for how long before consumption?
As to UK/London area tastings, we have many friends here on FTLOP who post on occasion and also on their own Port-centric forum as well. They hold some of the best Port tastings in the world, in central London's Covent Gardens, at The Crusting Pipe (although they use other venues as well). Even when they are not there, you should pop in and see that great bastion of Port consumption which is a reasonably priced bar with great Port bottles and even some fine ones served by the glass. But these guys are a ton of fun to hang out with and you should try to meet up with them. I am sure one or two will be along to get in touch.
Having had great luck with 1977 Warre's, I must ask you ... are you decanting your Vintage Ports and if so, for how long before consumption?
As to UK/London area tastings, we have many friends here on FTLOP who post on occasion and also on their own Port-centric forum as well. They hold some of the best Port tastings in the world, in central London's Covent Gardens, at The Crusting Pipe (although they use other venues as well). Even when they are not there, you should pop in and see that great bastion of Port consumption which is a reasonably priced bar with great Port bottles and even some fine ones served by the glass. But these guys are a ton of fun to hang out with and you should try to meet up with them. I am sure one or two will be along to get in touch.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Re: UK Port tasting
Chris
your post is well timed. We're actually getting together on Monday (April 19) at the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden at 6:30pm or as close as work allows. You (and anyone else reading this post) would be very welcome to join us for some or all of the evening. All you need to be welcome is a bottle of vintage port and £10 for corkage, doesn't matter what port as Monday's tasting is themed "bring a bottle of port to share". There will be 5-6 of us so it would be a chance to taste several different bottles of port and start to decide whose house style and what level of maturity you really like on your port.
We usually also have a meal at The Crusting Pipe. If you'd like to join us for that them budget another £25.
Hope to see you Monday!
your post is well timed. We're actually getting together on Monday (April 19) at the Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden at 6:30pm or as close as work allows. You (and anyone else reading this post) would be very welcome to join us for some or all of the evening. All you need to be welcome is a bottle of vintage port and £10 for corkage, doesn't matter what port as Monday's tasting is themed "bring a bottle of port to share". There will be 5-6 of us so it would be a chance to taste several different bottles of port and start to decide whose house style and what level of maturity you really like on your port.
We usually also have a meal at The Crusting Pipe. If you'd like to join us for that them budget another £25.
Hope to see you Monday!
-
chris ward
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Wed Apr 14, 2010 4:48 pm
Re: UK Port tasting
Thanks for the feedback. Roy - yes decanted for 3.5 hours. Did not improve over time. Left a bit to try the following day with no improvement. Maybe bottles from a poorly stored case? I only purchases these a few months ago.
AI B - thanks for the invite but I'm up in Durham a good 6 hours away. I teach so could only make weekends or school holidays. Let me know if in the future if you hold any gatherings at these times and I might try to make a weekend of it. Thanks again.
Chris
AI B - thanks for the invite but I'm up in Durham a good 6 hours away. I teach so could only make weekends or school holidays. Let me know if in the future if you hold any gatherings at these times and I might try to make a weekend of it. Thanks again.
Chris
Re: UK Port tasting
I had a Graham's '77 recently, and that took nearly three days for the heat to dissipate sufficiently - but then you have to be careful you don't leave it so long that the wine itself fades away too.chris ward wrote:Thanks for the feedback. Roy - yes decanted for 3.5 hours. Did not improve over time. Left a bit to try the following day with no improvement. Maybe bottles from a poorly stored case? I only purchases these a few months ago.
AI B - thanks for the invite but I'm up in Durham a good 6 hours away. I teach so could only make weekends or school holidays. Let me know if in the future if you hold any gatherings at these times and I might try to make a weekend of it. Thanks again.
Chris
I've been to one of the Crusting Pipe offlines; good port, good company and good food too.