Ben,Ben Cullen wrote:Eric, Andy,
Thank you for the warm welcome.
I am indeed in the UK, in South Wales if anyone is else around is interested.
I'm going to attempt to try some variations over the coming months, some Tawny, Colheita, an old vintage around 1970 if my budget can stretch (read convince the wife to let me) some younger VP and try to get my first bottle to lay down.
Outside of supermarkets does anyone in the UK, EU (or anywhere really) have some good sources for purchasing? I've had a quick look online and I'm wary about purchasing from the Web due to trust and shipment issues so any advice will be greatly recieved.
Thanks again.
You might like to take a look at an auction house not too far from you called Straker Chadwick in Abergavenny. They have a good track record for finding older bottles which have been reasonably well looked after for the last few decades. Auctions are a good route to acquiring mature port at less than retail price, but you do take a risk that if the bottle is no good you can't return it to the retailer. It's really important that if you buy at auction you are able to look at the bottles and make sure they are not leaking, have sound corks sitting in the neck of the bottles, have good colour and are filled to at least just below the point at which neck meets shoulder.
But it is a good way to buy mature port.
Another option is if you ever come to London there's a group of us who get together once or twice a month to share bottles of port. We're always happy to welcome people new(ish) to the world of port and give you a chance to try a variety of styles and ages to see what you particularly enjoy - and we don't play Wheel of Portune! If work or leisure brings you to London then please let us know through the Travel and Offlines forum.
Welcome to FTLOP.
Alex