Commerce Corner

[Marc McSorley]

Will the site offer a commerce corner in the future? Thanks for the new site.

[Roy Hersh]

I am open minded to a Commerce Corner. My question in return is:

Would you like to see this JUST for Port and Madeira, or do you envision this area for all wines?

This question applies to anybody who reads this. Your feedback will be appreciated and democracy rules in this regard.


I think that to reward the folks that support this website, in the future ... if we do create a Commerce Corner, I would ONLY post my "Port Buys" here and on no other website. I have arranged with a half dozen retailers, to give me a heads up FIRST, when it comes to putting their Ports on sale. When the prices are solid and the Ports (and now Madeiras) are near the top of the vintage, I have been posting them in the past, in many cases, before the wines hit the emails and websites elsewhere (although I normally don't have more than 24 hours of advanced notice).

[Marc McSorley]

Just Port and Madeira. I think ebob.com covers the rest. I would really appreciate the heads-up on VP offers.

[Alan Rath]

I would agree, since this is a Port/Madeira site, that would be the best focus. BTW, Garagiste just emailed an offer for (regular) 2003 Noval at $69, which is even better for me here in Calif with no sales tax!

Cheers,
Alan

[Roy Hersh]

OK, this should not be difficult. Calling Stewart!

We will do one for Port & Madeira only. I like it.

[Roy Hersh]

BTW,

I saw the Garagiste offer and they had 2003 Quinta do Noval Nacional for $587. That is a heck of a deal, IF one is interested in buying into the Nacional. I saw the wholesale price to the trade on pre-release sales by a CA distributor (very early in the game) and it was $600 two months ago and that price was only good for a few days. I am not suggesting you go out and run to buy the Nacional. For my palate, I actually preferred the regular bottling of Noval to the Nacional.

[Alan Rath]

For my palate, I actually preferred the regular bottling of Noval to the Nacional.

Your notes made the trigger easy to pull... on the regular Nacional would be nice, but I've got 2 kids to put through college in a few years

If you see any good deals on 2003s, please let us know! Here are the prices I've seen in local stores (I'll pay a few bucks more for reliability, and to avoid shipping if possible). Interestingly, the UK prices don't seem any cheaper than here this time around.

Croft 60
Fonseca 70
Vesuvio 60
Roriz 45
Taylor 73
Dow 65
Graham 70
Niepoort 70
Noval 70

Cheers,
Alan

[Roy Hersh]

Alan,


I will certainly let you know. I have been watching prices since the first tranch in both London and here across the USA. Your prices are very good. I only paid $2 per bottle less on most, and $5 more on the Fonseca. So, I would say you did very very well.

[Alan Rath]

Roy, those were the best I could find in my local area. I see Winex has many for prices you mentioned, but the shipping cost is equal to or greater than the difference. I should probably try to find them outside of the state, where the tax savings more than offsets the shipping, but I'm a little more comfortable dealing with local places for things that won't be delivered for a year or two.

Cheers,
Alan

[Roy Hersh]

Ah, the beauty of living outside of California where the grapes and deals are both "ripe for the picking." I can even buy Washington State wines made just a few miles away, cheaper from CA ... including shipping costs!

[Eddie]

So um Roy, where'd you get your Fonseca?

[Roy Hersh]

Eddie,

All you had to do is ask, there is no secret here. I am the guy trying to promote the stuff!

Winexchange in Orange, CA