For The Love Of Port

Here in Ontario all alcohol at the retail level is sold via government owned shops; beer is sold through 'the beer store', while all other alcohol is sold through LCBO (licquor control board of ontario) outlets.


My local LCBO outlet has a 'vintages' section with a seemingly half-decent selection of ports. As a new drinker I had never really looked at them before however.

My visit today was to stock up on some for my collection that is just beginning and also to enjoy over the upcoming holidays; I was surprise to see that every bottle was standing up and displayed under some fairly bright lights--I have no idea how long they have been in this condition, should this put me off purchasing?

I did pick up several bottles of Grahams 1980, Smith Woodhouse 1983. some Graham's crusted port, Graham's Malvedo 1998 and some others that I don't recall off the top of my head.

That week off over Christmas is going to be very enjoyable:)

Cheers,

Bernard,

If you are buying a bottle to drink immediately it's normally safe enough to buy one that is standing up, especially if it is from a shop that has a fairly high turnover of stock and providing the bottle is not any older than those you have bought. If you see lots of dust sitting on top of the bottle then don't buy, it has probably stood there for weeks or months and the cork may have dried, shrunk and let in some air which will have damaged the wine.

If you are buying bottles to lay down flat in your cellar or wine rack you should ask the retailer for some bottles from his cellar rather than take the ones standing on the shelf.

Fred Blais should be able to give you some good tips on how to get good deals on port in Canada.

Derek

Hi Bernard, if you have any question regarding Port and disponibility in Canada/Ontario, don't hesitate to contact me, it will be a pleasure to assist you.

I didn't know there was some SW 83 at the LCBO I'll take a look at this, I've drank this port only once and it was fantastic, I'll surely buy some more.

Fred

The SW83 was in 375ml bottles. The shop on my street had 11 bottles left as of tonight. I would be happy to get extras if we could find a way to get them to you.

Bernard, this is very kind, but I have an aunt living in Cornwall, Ontario. I'll probably do some product transfer.

By the way, don't miss some Domini 2001 Douro red. A fantastic red wine from douro made by the joint venture of Van Zeller(ex noval) and Jose Maria Fonseca better known in the south for great red wine and moscatel. At 29$ its a real bargain! There is plenty in the Toronto area.

I am impressed with this board more and more!!!

I was just going to start a new thread about how I found a local store that has several bottles of Dow's 95 Bomfim, at a good price, but they are standing up. The owner is a very friendly type, so I think if I ask him how long they have been standing up, he would tell. I also think he would dig out some bottles from the storage room that were laying on their sides and sell them to me...

Thanks for the info......

john

John

I posted a tasting note on the Bomfim '95 on October 23rd, if you want to have a reference to the wine.

I enjoyed it, a very pleasant drink but nothing spectacular.

Alex

bridgema wrote:John

I posted a tasting note on the Bomfim '95 on October 23rd, if you want to have a reference to the wine.

I enjoyed it, a very pleasant drink but nothing spectacular.

Alex

Alex,

I thought for the $$ the store was selling them for, it was worth a shot to try..... Trying to expand my horizons....

john