Allow my welcome to the world of port. I am only 18 and my father bought me a bottle of Taylor's 1984 Vintage port (it's the only alcohol I like to drink)
Since I am new, I poured my Taylor's port into a decanter (traditionally owned by my great-grandfather), using a pair of old tights as a filter!. The taste was splendid!.
My question is, after reading Roy's decanting tips, I am confused whether you are able to leave your port in a decanter for months after it was opened?
Or do you have to pour it back into the bottle and re-assemble with the cork for everytime you use it?
The reason being, I like to drink when I feel like it (usually three times a week) and after three weeks since my birthday, I have at least 1/3 left in my decanter. Am I treating the concept of port how I should treat it?
Many thanks in advance
Nicholas
The confusing world of port!
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
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Kurt Wieneke
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Re: The confusing world of port!
I have never tried using an old pair of underwear as a substitute for cheesecloth. The splendid taste may have been the result of the old tights helping out with and masking some of the initial VA or bottle stink.Nicholas wrote:using a pair of old tights as a filter!. The taste was splendid!.Nicholas
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Derek T.
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Nicholas,
Welcome the the Forum :)
Firstly, the next time you find an old pair of tights please throw them in the bin. If you do insist on using tights as a filter, I would suggest you buy a new pair. Although, they won't have the same flavour as an old pair
Given your admirable approach to sensible drinking I would suggest you start with other styles of port rather than VP. Traditionalists will tell you that VP should be consumed within 24 hours of decanting. Lots of people on this Forum regularly drink a bottle of VP over a period of a few days but not many would keep it for a week. This is partly because none of us seem to have much will power here but mainly because VP does go down hill more rapidly than other styles.
If you want to have a bottle that you drink over 3 or 4 weeks then your best bet would be to choose a Late Bottled Vintage or 10 Year Old Tawny. Not only will these keep better than VP you will not need any tights as they do not need decanting 8)
If you do want to drink VP you should find yourself an empty half bottle (375ml) and, as soon as you decant your VP, pour half of it into the 375ml bottle, cork it, and put it in the fridge. This slows down the evolution of the wine and means you could enjoy it over a longer period than if you kept it at room temperature in an open decanter. Just decant the second half of the bottle again for a few hours before you are ready to drink it.
Derek
Welcome the the Forum :)
Firstly, the next time you find an old pair of tights please throw them in the bin. If you do insist on using tights as a filter, I would suggest you buy a new pair. Although, they won't have the same flavour as an old pair
Given your admirable approach to sensible drinking I would suggest you start with other styles of port rather than VP. Traditionalists will tell you that VP should be consumed within 24 hours of decanting. Lots of people on this Forum regularly drink a bottle of VP over a period of a few days but not many would keep it for a week. This is partly because none of us seem to have much will power here but mainly because VP does go down hill more rapidly than other styles.
If you want to have a bottle that you drink over 3 or 4 weeks then your best bet would be to choose a Late Bottled Vintage or 10 Year Old Tawny. Not only will these keep better than VP you will not need any tights as they do not need decanting 8)
If you do want to drink VP you should find yourself an empty half bottle (375ml) and, as soon as you decant your VP, pour half of it into the 375ml bottle, cork it, and put it in the fridge. This slows down the evolution of the wine and means you could enjoy it over a longer period than if you kept it at room temperature in an open decanter. Just decant the second half of the bottle again for a few hours before you are ready to drink it.
Derek
Thank you for your responses. Firstly, not to worry, the tights were already cleaned before I use it!
Wow, I didn't realise you VP drinkers could drink within a few days. Fortunately, as a mature young adult, I couldn't do that. Needless to say, I have noticed my 1984 VP doesn't taste as good as previously after being stored for three weeks, including the aroma.
The suggestion for a 10 year old Tawny sounds a good idea until I am older and wiser. Something like: Taylor's 10 year old Tawny Port from vintagewinegifts.com? Any good recommendations?
Wow, I didn't realise you VP drinkers could drink within a few days. Fortunately, as a mature young adult, I couldn't do that. Needless to say, I have noticed my 1984 VP doesn't taste as good as previously after being stored for three weeks, including the aroma.
The suggestion for a 10 year old Tawny sounds a good idea until I am older and wiser. Something like: Taylor's 10 year old Tawny Port from vintagewinegifts.com? Any good recommendations?
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Kurt Wieneke
- Posts: 274
- Joined: Thu Nov 24, 2005 9:57 am
- Location: Indiana, USA
Hi Nicholas,
I would suggest maybe starting off with those labeled "Fine Tawny" ports as they are alot of times less expensive than the 10 yr tawny's. At this lower end of the spectrum, I tend to shy away from Taylor and Fonseca and go with other producers such as Cockburn's, Dow's, Niepoort, and Warre's. If you want to splurge, you could always buy a half bottle of VP and drink it over a week's time, putting it back in the fridge after each night's pour.
I would suggest maybe starting off with those labeled "Fine Tawny" ports as they are alot of times less expensive than the 10 yr tawny's. At this lower end of the spectrum, I tend to shy away from Taylor and Fonseca and go with other producers such as Cockburn's, Dow's, Niepoort, and Warre's. If you want to splurge, you could always buy a half bottle of VP and drink it over a week's time, putting it back in the fridge after each night's pour.