How can I learn about my port?

[Mafeb G]

Hi there!
My Portuguese grandmother passed away recently at 97 and add the only Port drinker in the family, I was given her bottle of that "she had been saving for a special occasion".

I'd love to know what I have - whether I should drink it, store it or consider selling it (I'm doubting this would be the case, just hoping it's still drinkable!). Is there a forum here that could help me?

My best guess is mid 1900s. Bottle is unopened and carefully stored indoors in an inside wall in temperate climate.

The cap says, "oporto" on the top, with "produce of Portugal" on the neck band. The selo de garantia is intact.

The bottle label says "Henrique Ruby Port, produce of Portugal, alcohol 290% by volume, contents 1 pint and 6 fluid ounces; Produced, Bottled & Shipped by H. & C. I. Feist - vinhos, S. A. R. L.; oporto - Portugal; imported by Carolina Wine Co. Watertown, Mass."


Can anyone help me learn?
Thanks, Melissa

[Al B.]

It would be great if you could post a picture of the bottle, the label and of the code part of the sello where the numbers are printed. With these details we might be able to help you pin down the date of the bottle.

From what you have said is printed on the label, this sounds like it is a basic ruby port from the Feist port house. While it is likely to be drinkable, it is not likely to be particularly good or enjoyable as these types of port are made to be drunk as soon after bottling as possible. My best guess of its value would be approximately nothing.

I would suggest that you open it at the earliest opportunity when you have family together and toast your grandmother's memory with the bottle she had been looking after for many years. It would be a nice farewell to someone who will have had a huge impact on you and your family.

[Bradley Bogdan]

It would be great if you could post a picture of the bottle, the label and of the code part of the sello where the numbers are printed. With these details we might be able to help you pin down the date of the bottle.

From what you have said is printed on the label, this sounds like it is a basic ruby port from the Feist port house. While it is likely to be drinkable, it is not likely to be particularly good or enjoyable as these types of port are made to be drunk as soon after bottling as possible. My best guess of its value would be approximately nothing.

I would suggest that you open it at the earliest opportunity when you have family together and toast your grandmother's memory with the bottle she had been looking after for many years. It would be a nice farewell to someone who will have had a huge impact on you and your family.

+1

It also sounds like you may be correct as to the approx. age of the bottle, as the pint measure hasn't been kosher to use on US labeled bottles in some time.


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[Andy Velebil]

It would be great if you could post a picture of the bottle, the label and of the code part of the sello where the numbers are printed. With these details we might be able to help you pin down the date of the bottle.

From what you have said is printed on the label, this sounds like it is a basic ruby port from the Feist port house. While it is likely to be drinkable, it is not likely to be particularly good or enjoyable as these types of port are made to be drunk as soon after bottling as possible. My best guess of its value would be approximately nothing.

I would suggest that you open it at the earliest opportunity when you have family together and toast your grandmother's memory with the bottle she had been looking after for many years. It would be a nice farewell to someone who will have had a huge impact on you and your family.

+1

It also sounds like you may be correct as to the approx. age of the bottle, as the pint measure hasn't been kosher to use on US labeled bottles in some time.


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I was thinking the late 1970's is when they stopped using it, IIRC.

And I am also a +1 to what Alex wrote.

[Moses Botbol]

First off, welcome to our forum and I am sorry to read about this loss of your Grandma. Was she from the mainland or Azores? I too am from MA (Cape Cod); so your story is not unique...

I do not think Carolina wine imports was not that old, so the bottle can only be so old...

There was a lot of 1970 Fiest going around MA, so that could well be around the age of that bottle. I did not think Carolina was in business at that point. United Liquors was a big importer around that time and I think from Watertown as well.

A picture of the bottle would help. If I were you, I would honor legacy by drinking the bottle. She was saving it for something; grandchildren celebrating her legacy sounds as good an occasion as any.