Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

This section is for those who have basics questions about, or are new to, Port. There are no "dumb" questions here - just those wanting to learn more!

Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil

Post Reply
User avatar
Roy Hersh
Site Admin
Posts: 21829
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:27 am
Location: Porto, PT
Contact:

Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Roy Hersh »

If you needed to purchase one or a dozen, inexpensive decanters for a Port tasting but did not want to spend a lot of money on the purchase ... which would you choose and where is it sold?
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
Glenn E.
Posts: 8383
Joined: Wed Jan 23, 2008 10:49 am
Location: Sammamish, Washington, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Glenn E. »

I really liked the single bottle small ship-style decanters we saw on the Harvest Tour. Most of them were IVDP branded, but I think we also saw one at Ervamoira that was Ramos Pinto branded. No idea what they cost, but they looked great and weren't too huge (so you could fit several on a table).
Glenn Elliott
User avatar
Roy Hersh
Site Admin
Posts: 21829
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:27 am
Location: Porto, PT
Contact:

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Roy Hersh »

As long as they are large enough to hold an entire 750, that is fine. I do have one Magnum decanter, but it is not easy to use unless well-practiced in pouring every last drop out of it. So if you have better suggestions for mag decanters, I am always open to suggestions.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. 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: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Eric Menchen »

I bought several Libbey decanters a while back, like this one:
http://www.meijer.com/s/libbey-vina-win ... =665083751
They want $12.99 for it. As I recall, I got them on sale at Bed Bath & Beyond online for $10 each with free shipping, but they don't appear to have them anymore there.
Moses Botbol
Posts: 6037
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
Location: Boston, USA

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Moses Botbol »

TJMaxx, Home Goods, or Marshalls usually has some decanters under $20
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
User avatar
Andy Velebil
Posts: 16813
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
Contact:

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Andy Velebil »

Moses Botbol wrote:TJMaxx, Home Goods, or Marshalls usually has some decanters under $20
This is where I generally find mine at too. I see no reason to spend over $25-30 on a decanter. The inexpensive ones work just as well as the uber priced ones. :scholar:
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
John M.
Posts: 2162
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2009 2:15 pm
Location: Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by John M. »

The main thing for me--after cost--is the last pour issue. Some decanters are just terrible at the last of a wine and its all you can do to keep it from going everywhere. [foilhat.gif] I agree that under $30 is the goal....rather spend my $$$ on better port.
Any Port in a storm!
User avatar
Roy Hersh
Site Admin
Posts: 21829
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2005 1:27 am
Location: Porto, PT
Contact:

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Roy Hersh »

I had a feeling that value hunters would weigh in here with great suggestions. I can tell from this crowd that the old antique decanters for Port are few and far between, which is understandable. I was at a cool winery in Rioja this summer that had the most amazing lineup of decanters in their museum that I have ever seen!
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com
User avatar
Eric Ifune
Posts: 3538
Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:02 pm
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America - USA

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Eric Ifune »

I have some nice crystal decanters from when I lived in Europe, but haven't used them in years. Just worry about breakage and cleaning to use frequently. Baccarat, Reidel, Val St Lambert, Villeroy&Bach even a tregnum one from the Bohemia!
Eric Menchen
Posts: 6679
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2008 9:48 pm
Location: Longmont, Colorado, United States of America - USA

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Eric Menchen »

Roy Hersh wrote:I had a feeling that value hunters would weigh in here with great suggestions. I can tell from this crowd that the old antique decanters for Port are few and far between, which is understandable.
This is a serious group of Port drinkers. We'd rather spend the money on another bottle, not a fancy decanter.
Jim R.
Posts: 131
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 3:33 pm
Location: Boulder Creek, CA, USA

Re: Buying value oriented quality decanters for Port

Post by Jim R. »

I agree that a great looking decanter will enhance the presentation of a meal or tasting but when you need a bunch of them buy some bottles of Paul Masson and use those bottles instead. Depending on your tolerance level you can always use the wine(?) to make sangria. I have had good luck with the red but I bought them a long time ago. I have a couple that I have had for over thirty years, very sturdy and machine washable. Many of the fancy ones have necks that are a pain when it comes to washing the decanter. Be sure to avoid the heavily leaded glass decanters or don't leave the alcohol in them for long since it leaches the lead out of the glass and into the liquid. Health hazard!
Post Reply