Do you always pass Port to the left?

[Roy Hersh]

Do you follow the tradition and do you know how it began going around the table that way?

[Peter W. Meek]

I like the decanters with the pointed bottoms that must be returned to the host (who has the base). That way it doesn't matter which way it is passed; it just has to get back to the host.

[Andy Velebil]

I pass it to the left, right, up, down, slantways, sideways, and any way's you can think of.

[John M.]

When hosting a gathering, I always pour to the person on my right, then myself, then pass left...and heaven help the poor fellow who pours a little too heavy within my crew--abuse will be forthcoming!!!

[Tom D.]

I like the decanters with the pointed bottoms that must be returned to the host (who has the base). That way it doesn't matter which way it is passed; it just has to get back to the host.

I've always thought those are pretty neat. I'd like to pick one up, but have never seen one for sale in the US.

[Moses Botbol]

I like to maintain tradition as much as possible, but after a couple bottles of port, tradition becomes tenuous.

[Eric Menchen]

I like to maintain tradition as much as possible, but after a couple bottles of port, tradition becomes tenuous.

I hear that. At a dinner/tasting with four decanters, I told my friends about the Bishop of Norwich. By the end of the evening that tradition had been warped and each decanter had a different name, Bishop of Norwich, Bishop of ...

[Roy Hersh]

So, can anyone tell me exactly how and where the tradition of passing Port to the left took place?

[Daniel R.]

So, can anyone tell me exactly how and where the tradition of passing Port to the left took place?

I always thought of it as part of the mythology surrounding port, with multiple explanations:

1 - you need your right hand (sword hand) free if you are a pirate or an officer in the navy

2 - most people are right handed and it is easier to pass to the left

3 - most important person in the room is seated to the right of the host. according, host serves person the right, serves himself and then passes to the left

????

[Derek T.]

I googled this question and stumbled upon this ridiculous atricle from one of the UK's leading newspapers: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink ... -left.html

I will quite happily take this guy's "oldest vintage" two-day decanted 1945 off his hands

[Roy Hersh]

Yeah, it was like a quote in an article on a blog re: Port, where an expert mentions that the 1994 is virtually undrinkable at this time. Wonder what he is drinking ... maybe some Muscadine from Georgia or port from Tunisia?!?!?

[Peter W. Meek]

I'm surprised that no one has "gone to Suckling" where on p-134 he describes almost all these guesses and a few more.

[Derek T.]

Yeah, it was like a quote in an article on a blog re: Port, where an expert mentions that the 1994 is virtually undrinkable at this time. Wonder what he is drinking ... maybe some Muscadine from Georgia or port from Tunisia?!?!?

Or Hutcheson?

[Roy Hersh]

Or Cruz.

[Scheiny S]

this was so much fun! i've been wondering whether real Port drinkers do this and the Bishop of Norwich line. i love frivolous traditions, i think they're silly and fun.