Storage of a Case of Port

[Todd Pettinger]

Hi all,

Quick question - how do YOU store your cases of port that you purchase for extended cellaring? Do you keep them in the case? Do you take them out and put them into racks or storage bins in your cellar? Do you hide them under the stairs so you are not tempted to OPEN them before it's time??

I'm looking to purchase a couple of cases in the very near future (my lucky son who was born in 2003 with a blockbuster Vintage from all accounts) and am wondering how cases are typically stored for longer periods of time.

Thanks!

Todd

[Derek T.]

If I buy a case that just isn't ready to drink then I send it off to my storage facility to remove temptation.

If I buy a case that is ready for drinking but will last or improve further over time I open it, keep 6 bottles in my wine cooler and send the other 6 off until they grow up.

Derek

[Andy Velebil]

I have an offsite not too far from my house. It keeps them a nice and cool 55 degrees and 70% humidity year round. The plus to the offsite is I can't get to them instantly, preventing me from killing the younglings before their time Plus offsite is like the old saying, "Out of sight, out of mind."

Although I was there today to pull some stuff and I was drooling over those younglings...ohh, i so wanted to open that Fonseca 2000 to try....so I grabbed a 1966 Moreira Colheita to try instead....TN to follow soon

[Derek T.]

Andy,

Congrats on leaving that F00 where it is - your honourary UK passport is in the post

Derek

[*sweetstuff]

Just remember, Gentlemen, that every time you exert discipline and don't drink one of those young ports, you're depriving US of a tasting note.

[Alan C.]

Andy,

Having adored the Fonz 85 and enjoyed and respected the Fonz 70 last Saturday. The Fonz 00 amazed me! I found a bottle of Port I didn't like. The lads explained its youth issues, and why it tasted so poor, it was also pointed out it was a certainty to reappear in a few decades as a Brooding Stud of a Port, similar to the other to but with its own unique traits.
But for now...dont be in the slightest bit tempted. Leave it in its worthy hibernation.

Alan.

[Derek T.]

John,

Check this thread for a couple of F00 tasting notes....

http://www.fortheloveofport.com/ftlopfo ... 2&start=40


Al-C,

Fonz - what are you doing, man - don't go all 50's Yank on me now - proper English please when abbrieviating Portuguese names

Derek

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

Fonz, indeed. The only acceptable names are

• Fonseca;
• Fonseca’s;
• when abbreviating ports with years from several houses, the likes of “F55” or “F63”.

[Andy Velebil]

Fonz, indeed. The only acceptable names are

• Fonseca;
• Fonseca’s;
• when abbreviating ports with years from several houses, the likes of “F55” or “F63”.

Very well put..thank you
All others, head to these rules please or suffer the rath :twisted:

[Alan C.]

Ha,Ha,Ha.

Sorry Gentlemen. But having read that Thread on the Possesive's, I couldn't resist. It took you a few references to bite, but I love the resulting Shark Frenzy!
Now you've been suitably wound up....Fonseca all the way!

Al-C

[Derek T.]

Hmmm, I think I got you first time out Mr C - what did I miss?

Derek

[Alan C.]

Al-D

Try the Emergency Offline Thread, and I threw another one in, but cant find it now. I was beginning to give in....and then you bit!

Al-C

[Derek T.]

Nah, I spotted the one on the other thread after I nailed you on this one. I am slightly more awake than the last time we met

Derek

[Al B.]

Todd,

I'll give you an "on-topic" reply.

If you (or your son) plan to sell your wine in the future, keep it in the original case. If you open the case to inspect the wine then do so carefully so that you can put it back together again without having damaged it. Wine will sell more easily if it is in its original wooden case. It will also sell more easily if it has been professionally stored.

If you intend to store the wine for the long term for it to mature, its probably also best to leave it in the case. Bottles have a habit of needing to be moved around from time to time and its much easier to have them in their cases than just as individual bottles.

But if you have just bought a case and intend to consume the wine in it over the next few years, then open the case and enjoy.

Alex

PS - another cool item to have in your cellar would be workbench and tools for opening those stubborn cases

[Todd Pettinger]

Todd,

But if you have just bought a case and intend to consume the wine in it over the next few years, then open the case and enjoy.

Alex

PS - another cool item to have in your cellar would be workbench and tools for opening those stubborn cases

Thanks Alex!

I have come to the conclusion that two types of cases will be stored in my cellar:
1. The two or four cases (2 for each of my kids) that will become part of their 21st birthday present (despite the drinking age being 18 here, 21 seems about right for them to garner somewhat of an appreciation for the old man's habits and reverence for port). These will not be touched save 17 years and 19 years from now when my son and daughter turn 21 respectively.

2. All others will be meant to be consumed.

Do people actually purchase cases of port with the intention of selling them when they have appreciated in value?? That seems so... so... wrong

Now that you mention it, a case of Nacional VP might fetch a pretty penny 30-40-50 years down the road. I suppose if I ever had the money for two cases, that would be a decent investment... (you know of course why I say TWO cases... Yep, I'm fully integrated into this little 'club' you guys have going here. If I can afford a case to sit in the cellar for 50 years, I supposed I would have to sample every few years, you know, to ensure my investment is still solid! )

And that case of Nacional would definitely have to be stored off site!! I know myself too well!!!

Todd

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

A case of Nacional will sell for a pretty penny. But it will cost you a pretty penny now, a pretty penny on which you could have been earning interest.

[Andy Velebil]

That seems so... so... wrong Wink

Todd,

My thoughts excatly. Buying VP to later turn it for a profit is just wrong in my book. Besides, the return on investment is rather poor considering the cost (offsite storage) and hastle of keeping it around. Better off getting some kinda money market account, etc.

As for the age and understanding Port that young, you would be surprised....Nikolaj, who is an occassional poster here is (IIRC) only around 19, and he has a surprisingly good grasp of Port. So play that one by ear, as they see you over the years you may be surprised how much your kids learn as they grow up.

Ohh, and if you wish to get me a case of NN, my 50th is only 16 years away...just in time to pop the first bottle of a case to see how she is doing

[Todd Pettinger]

That seems so... so... wrong Wink

Ohh, and if you wish to get me a case of NN, my 50th is only 16 years away...just in time to pop the first bottle of a case to see how she is doing

So 16 years for me to save my pennies then... Yeah, that'll put me 4 years away from my own 50th, so how about we meet in the middle when you are 52 and I am 48... I should have my house paid off by then... so perhaps I could put aside 5-6 mortgage payments for the case of NN. Er... one bottle

Here's hoping that one day I'll be able to taste the sweet nectar of Nacional. I just bought my very first Noval (2003) today and am really looking forward to the potential of opening it up next weekend. (I really wanted to open it this weekend for Easter, but I'm on call and I have a feeling that opening it would be bad because if I get called and am half way thru that bottle... well, Todd won't have a job to fund that expensive Port habit of his!!)
**Editted for 'speeling' :)
Todd

[Alan C.]

Todd,

A cautionary note. Like you, I was keen to have my first Nacional, and a week a go, with Derek and KillerB (Alex), I had the opportunity. Sat there, transfixed, took my time over the colour and the nose, tasted it and.....It was ordinary!
The lads couldn't work it out. It was just a plain VP dwarfed by some of the others on offer at the tasting.
Its not dented my desire to try a second bottle, but its just not an exact science. I hope when its your turn, you stumble across a Cracker.

Alan

[Todd Pettinger]

Alan,

I have to agree. With all the hype that has been given to Nacional, it better darn-well be good! That being said, I'm still a rookie at this VP stuff (although that appears to be rapidly changing!) and at this point, NN would be a waste on an untrained palate such as mine. If I was given the opportunity to try a NN'31 for, free... I would not give that opportunity up, but perhaps I would pass on opening a bottle of Nacional from any other year just yet. Gotta break in the tastebuds! :)

Reminds me of a story from a local high-end liquor store in my city that had a bottle of scotch stolen from it's display case in an armed robbery. Bottle was something crazy-old like 200-300 years old. Worth something like $50,000CAD (22,000 GBP or $45,000 USD). The owner of the store, when interviewed was sick to his stomach over the thought of that 300 yr old whiskey being poured down the gullet of some homeless drunk who wouldn't be able to tell the difference between a $20 bottle of swill-scotch and that old, rare stuff.

(The happy ending included that fact that the thief realized what he had taken after watching the news the next day and miraculously, returned the bottle with a note stating he was sorry... bottle untouched!)

Bit off-topic, but the fact of the matter is that I'm not sure my own VP-palate is any more refined than said homeless guy's whiskey palate would have been. Nacional on me might be a waste at the moment!

Todd