For The Love Of Port

Andy recently mentioned warmer temperatures in southern California, and in this thread Monique asked, "do you often drink VP in the spring and summer??" I thought that question was worthy of its own thread.

As temperatures go up, will you drink less VP? More tawny? Chilled? Or dare I ask, what about a pink Port cocktail?

Being from the southern hemisphere we are just getting into what I consider the optimal port drinking weather here although it has been a relativley cool and wet summer by our standards
I'd say that overall, I would drink a fair bit less Port over summer than I would during the rest of the year. While I did open a couple of VPs over the summer just gone, I think chilled tawny is the go. Along with my reduction in port consumption, I'd also say that I drink less red wine over summer. Instead, I'd drink more beer, white wine and sparkling red.

LOL, well since I do live in a desert that sees some hot temps in the summer, I do tend to increase my consumption of chilled tawny's in the summer.

I also love a good White Port and Tonic in the warmer months as well. It's quite the refreshing drink and really hits the spot after I've been out in the heat all day at work.

But I still enjoy VP's too. I'll just turn the a/c down a little more and/or keep the decanter or bottle chilled to just above cellar temperature. That allows it to warm a little as I drink the glass without it getting too warm and allows me to still enjoy VP's even when it's quite hot outside. Takes a little more pre-planning but at least I can still enjoy my favorite beverage year round!

it doesn't!!

I drink a little less over the summer and drift even more toward tawnies (as if that's possible). Upon reflection, what probably happens is that my tawny consumption doesn't change and my VP consumption drops significantly, thus accounting for both the drop in overall consumption and the drift toward a higher proportion of tawnies.

I tendo to drink VP at special occasions, so not affected at all by the seasons.

I continue to drink LBV and tawnies in the hot weather, the only difference is I will probably chill it or drink it at a lower temperature.

dom carter wrote:it doesn't!!

Same here if not even drinking more port in the summer. The late nights outside beg for port, and I have hooked all my friends on port tonics which is the "official" mixed drink of summer 2011!

+1 Although I tend to drink more Vintage Port in the 9 months where the weather is cool here. We've only broken 70 degrees on two days in 2011. It is still in the low 50's at night ... perfect for evening Port consumption.

The late nights outside is where I think my uptick in port drinking (for the summer) comes. Last night at friend's house we had '86 Smith Woodhouse Colheita, 20 year Ramos Pinto, and Portal Moscatel.

I actually end up drinking a bit less Port in the summer months, not because it is warm here (we're farther north and usually colder than you are in Seattle Roy,) but due to the fact that once a year, I try to fool myself that I cam get myself back into the type of shape it takes to compete inn Ironman Triathlons. I would be fooling you to say that i have EVER been "competitive", all I'm trying to do these days is get in good enough shape that it doesn't hurt SO BAD...

Anyways, blame any decrease in Port consumption over the summer months to me fooling myself!

Speechless.

I definitely change with the seasons.

The winter, I drink with sweat pants and a sweater
Spring and fall, I drink with shorts and tshirt
During the summers I usually just sit around in my boxers sipping port.

Jeff G. wrote:I definitely change with the seasons.
...
During the summers I usually just sit around in my boxers sipping port.

cheers to you Jeff, I dedicate y drinking in my boxers tonight to you!!!

Jeff G. wrote:I definitely change with the seasons.

The winter, I drink with sweat pants and a sweater
Spring and fall, I drink with shorts and tshirt
During the summers I usually just sit around in my boxers sipping port.

This summer, for the first time ever, I bought a bottle of white port (Ferreira) to be able to drink Port 'n' Tonic on the long summer evenings that we get in June and July.

Since I bought the bottle, it has rained. The UK has broken record after record for the most rain in April / May / June / 1st half July / 2nd Quarter or for the least sunshine in April / May / June / 1st half July / 2nd Quarter. In the South East of England we've gone from drought (less rain in the period 2006-2011 than parts of the Sahara) to ground water levels being so high that streams and springs that no-one remembers running are back in business.

Has this affected my port drinking habits - absolutely not! The one change in my habits that I planned - to sit outside on warm summer evenings and drink white port - has not happened. I'm still drinking vintage or LBV port, although served at cellar temperature (about 12C) so glasses are misting over with condensation when first poured.

Alex,
You know you can always come out west to the warmer parts and enjoy your Port and Tonic. And I'd even open an old VP for you as well

Al B. wrote:
Since I bought the bottle, it has rained. The UK has broken record after record for the most rain in April / May / June / 1st half July / 2nd Quarter or for the least sunshine in April / May / June / 1st half July / 2nd Quarter. In the South East of England we've gone from drought (less rain in the period 2006-2011 than parts of the Sahara) to ground water levels being so high that streams and springs that no-one remembers running are back in business.
.

Unfortunately the same wether over here, but for me it made a difference, I do tend to drink more LBV and VP now comparing to the last springs/summers due to the lower temperature.