For The Love Of Port

Roy Hersh wrote:Yeah, but please make sure you keep a fire extinguisher nearby and don't do this next to your dining room curtains.

You take all the excitement out of it. I suppose one should wear eye protection too?

Eric Menchen wrote:

Roy Hersh wrote:Yeah, but please make sure you keep a fire extinguisher nearby and don't do this next to your dining room curtains.

You take all the excitement out of it. I suppose one should wear eye protection too?

Don't forget the Nomex gloves and long sleeve suit too :joker:

I used to have 10-15 decanters, most of different shape. Most were ruined in a cleaning accident some months ago. I still can't forgive our cleaner for that. But fortunately some favourites have been replaced, like the Ramos-Pinto and Quinta do Noval ones.

Nice to see you here again Ronnie. Sorry for your decanter loss. I hope your cleaner wasn't decanting any of your top notch wines!

Ronald Wortel wrote:I used to have 10-15 decanters, most of different shape. Most were ruined in a cleaning accident some months ago. I still can't forgive our cleaner for that. But fortunately some favourites have been replaced, like the Ramos-Pinto and Quinta do Noval ones.

OUCH!!! sorry to hear that. I guess it was time for a new cleaning lady anyways huh.

I need to get one. Most of what I buy is ready to drink (serrated cap/corks) so I've gotten away witout it.

I do wish I had one for those times I pick up something with a full cork. I'm just unsure of what to look for.

Bob,
No need to be flashy with a decenter and no need to spend a ton of money on one. Really any decanter will work, from a wide bottom, to a square spirit type decanter. I find mine at discount clothing/appliance stores such as Ross and Marshall's and don't pay over $15-20 for them. They work just as good as the $200 one.

Wine Enthusiast as a good variety of decanters that are reasonably priced. My personal favorite is their "visual wine decanter" which comes with a funnel and mesh filter, all for about $40. I like it because it's sturdy (nice, thick glass) and has a slimmer profile so that it doesn't take up quite as much space on the table.

What!?!?!?!?!?! Put a $200+ bottle of port in a $40 decanter!

I was more curious about the preferred shape and wether it should be pure glass and have a stopper. I don't see the sense in a leaded crystal decanter, especially if something is recommended to stay in it for a week or up to 2 weeks. I can only imaging what metallic flavoring it would impart.

Bob,

I am not a fan of crystal but can assure you, although the lead might not be good for your system, you certainly will not be tasting it. However, since most Port does not just stay in a decanter for a week or two ... especially the $200 bottle you're mentioning, I wouldn't really worry too much about the lead.

Drink faster.

I read somewhere, but now cannot find the article, that there's nothing to worry about when using lead crystal decanters and glasses. The article said something to the effect that while it is theoretically possible for lead to leach out of the crystal into the drink, it would take months if not years for it to do so.

So glasses and decanters pose no risks whatsoever. Lead glass bottles for Port, on the other hand, might be problematic.

I have a variety of decanters, most of which only see daylight if I am hosting an offline. The vast majority of these have been bought at auction or from charity shops and I've paid £3-5 per decanter.

The one I use all the time is a ship's decanter in cut lead crystal . I love the weight of it, yet it has beautiful balance so that it is easy to pour from. The detail of the cut makes the port sparkle when the decanter is full and it fits perfectly between shelves in my storage.

I have others, including others of a similar shape, but this is the one I keep coming back to.

I have three decanters, two of which are ship's decanters and one that is a somewhat more unusual shape. I do like the basic design of the ship's decanter, but I feel that there could be a bit more of a design element incorporated into it. I'm not quite sure what is missing, but I do know that it could be improved upon without making major changes to the overall shape.

I've a few really nice decanters including a Baccarat, a couple nice Bohemians, and Riedel. Still, I'm usually too lazy to get them out and use an old Paul Masson carafe most of the time.

Marijke recently got me this nice one for half bottles I included a full size one in the picture for scale.

What a cool little decanter. Where did she find it? I'd love to get a 1/2 bottle decanter.

Andy Velebil wrote:What a cool little decanter. Where did she find it? I'd love to get a 1/2 bottle decanter.

A local wine shop, http://www.tenacitywineshop.com/
I think I still have the box and will update this post with the brand if it is on there.

O.k., that is a small Beaune Wine Decanater made by Franmara, No. 9460. From my quick perusal of their web site, it doesn't look like they sell directly retail, but perhaps they can help you find a retailer. Or you can just let Google be your friend. They have several other smaller decanters in addition to that one as well.

Roy Hersh wrote: By the way, I realize few of you ever have Port hanging out in a decanter for more than a couple of days, but does anyone here ever have concerns about the lead in crystal decanters?

I think that highly-acid contents tend to leach out lead faster. Maybe less of a problem with ports than with some other wines. There are also newer low-lead and lead-free crystals with high refractive indexes (sparkly) which would alieviate the problem. High-lead crystal (as in antique decanters) might be problematical. Some are very high lead content (which makes them very heavy, too).

Lastly, the most pernicious effect of lead ingestion is its effect on mental development in toddlers (0-5 years). There is no reason (if you can possibly avoid it, as a society or as an individual) to have a child grow up less intelligent than it might have been. However, toddlers drink very little port wine.

But, what will happen to your high-lead crystal decanter (or any other HL crystal, or the faceplates of old TV's and monitors) when they break or are removed from service? Please, don't send them to the land-fill; most places have re-cycling facilities where they can safely dispose of HL crystal.

Moses Botbol wrote:If you are buying a torch, get the yellow can; MAPP Gas.

The trouble with MAPP gas it that it contains acetylene; it really stinks when a little escapes while lighting the torch.

Andy, I also have a number of 1/2 bottle decanters and if you're interested I can direct you to some local places that carry them.