Understanding the label

[Michael W]

I'm relatively new to the whole world of Port. Yesterday, my local grocery was having a "get rid of it" sale for some of their wines and I grabbed a bottle of Port that had been marked down around 50-60%. I enter my wines into a wine database (WineBanq) and I also usually look up some reviews from some of the magazines. The bottle in question is Cockburn's Special Reserve. As I was examining the bottle, I noticed the white Vinho do Porto Garantia label. What caught my attention was the notation QO 340531 04. What does this tell me? Does this tell me when the Port was bottled (2004, perhaps)? If not, is there a way to tell when a particular Port was bottled (if it isn't a vintage bottle)?

Thanks for the help!

[Marc J.]

Michael, that code that you mentioned that is on the Selo does provide bottling information, but it can only be deciphered by the IVDP (a governing body of the Port industry.) The process is very involved and probably not worth the effort for a commonly available Port. I've enjoyed Cockburn's Special Reserve on quite a few occasions and hopefully it'll be to your liking as well.

[Roy Hersh]

Michael,

Mark has given you solid intel. Thanks for dropping in and come back anytime. We'd like to hear how you enjoyed your experience with the Cockburn's. I had that bottle on Friday night, but Glenn is doing an article on that night's Reserve Ruby tasting, so you'll now see his report in the next FTLOP newsletter.

[Michael W]

Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to report back when I get around to trying that bottle (though, to be honest, my list of things to drink seems to be growing rather than shrinking...).

[Glenn E.]

(though, to be honest, my list of things to drink seems to be growing rather than shrinking...)

Welcome to the club!

[Roy Hersh]

Michael,

I can assure you that you're not alone!

Is most of what you've been buying lately table wine or Port or both?

[Michael W]

Mostly wine. For whatever reason, I'd been a bit afraid of Port until I tried some back around Thanksgiving. Now, I've found myself grabbing quite a few bottles of several different styles (and across a range of price points, too). But so far, I'm still mostly a wine guy, especially as I most often have the chance to drink with dinner. That said, I've been planning (though without much success) to start having a bottle or two of Port to enjoy with my book or a movie late in the evening. Of course, that would require that I have the time and energy to actually, you know, stay awake late into the evening...

[Al B.]

Or you could try what I do, and drink port with dinner!

[Glenn E.]

Or you could try what I do, and drink port with dinner!

+1

Ruby Ports go great with red meat (among other things) and tawny Ports go great with many pastas. Experiment! You might be surprised.

[Michael W]

Hmm. Ruby Port. Dinner. Steak. Port. Meat. I'm sensing an idea brewing here...