Port Wine

[mosesbotbol]

The reason for decanting port is to open it up like wine. Vintage port has sediment, so traditionally, Vintage port is suppose to be kept upright for a week before opening. I just use a screen funnel and/or cheesecloth to catch the sediment.

Tawny port can be decanted if you plan to drink the bottle down quick. I prefer to just keep the cap off while you're drinking it and each day the port will gain more character. All depends what time frame you expect to finish the bottle. If you are planning it to last a week or two, just leave it in the bottle; you'll see for yourself how the port evolves as the air gets to it.

[MoTheMan]

Thanks for all the head's up guys, and thanks for the references.

Did a search before my original post, guess I should have gone farther back to find more posts.

Now I gotta start learning about the different kind of ports.

Now one last question. Does anybody know how long you can keep a bottle of port open before it starts oxidizing & going bad?

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by MoTheMan

Now one last question. Does anybody know how long you can keep a bottle of port open before it starts oxidizing & going bad?

Month or so. It's unlikely to last you more than week, as it's not too strong and easy drinking.

[miki]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Or any 10 year old tawny port. I would also add Sandemans to that list.

I got the Taylor 10 year tawny and have to say it is very good.

[ATLHARP]

Originally Posted by Andyman

In the $20 range go with a 94 or 97 LBV (Late Bottle Vintage) Taylor, Graham, Fonseca, Dow.. Although not a true vintage year I had a 96 LBV Grahams that was ecellent..

IMHO the '96 and '99 LBV's from Taylor-Fladgate are excellent. They are flawless, fruity tasting, and very smooth. I happened upon some Taylor-Fladgate 97 LBV that was just excellent a while ago. I brought a bottle of it to the Bolivar event last night and it disappeared in about 45 minutes! LBV is a great buy if you not looking to spend mega-bucks for port ,but still want to get close the to that Vintage Port character. Graham's Six Grape is also excellent for around $20, it is their reserve Port but still has an excellent character.

ATL

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by ATLHARP

IMHO the '96 and '99 LBV's from Taylor-Fladgate are excellent.
ATL

Dow has an LBV in the low $20's and I was impressed at its value. Not sure what year it was.

Trader Joe's

If you don't mind a little edge, Trader Joe's has 1988 vintage port for $10.99 or so that is pretty dam good all considering. I bought my friend a case of it a couple of years ago and he's drinking it!

I haven't been in TJ's for a while, usually for chocolate supplies, but they always have great value priced ports. Check them out if they are in your area.

[vic_c]

For around $20 I would go with a 10 yr Taylor or Fonseca both have been consistant (especially since the 1940's) highly rated producers of port.

[rdcross]

I too have been getting into port of late - reading and researching.

I foudn this to ba a fine overall big-picture guide and introduction to the various types of ports (make sure to click through all the links for details):

http://www.intowine.com/port.html

[rdcross]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I could talk all day about Port.

How much do you want to spend?

The biggest names are Taylor, Dow, Fonseca, Warres, Ramos Pinto, Grahams, Nieport.

I would go for an '83 Vintage Port; not too expensive and quite tasty. For a tawny port, I feel the Taylor 10 is the best value.

Are there sites and sources you can reccomend for buying good port at fair prices?

[vic_c]

Originally Posted by rdcross

Are there sites and sources you can reccomend for buying good port at fair prices?

TRY THIS they seem reasonable. Or PM me and I can hook you up with the distributor I buy from....I just don't know if he can ship.

[rdcross]

Originally Posted by vic_c

TRY THIS they seem reasonable. Or PM me and I can hook you up with the distributor I buy from....I just don't know if he can ship.

Wow, Vic. That's an impressive and what appears to be reasonably priced selection. Thanks for this! Have you purchased from them before?

[vic_c]

No... I purchase from a friend of mine who is a vino distributor ...his prices are usually better...I don't know if he can ship...but I can hook you up with him if you want.

[mosesbotbol]

The 90 Lafite on that web site looks hot! A good way to go is buying off of private collectors; that's what I do. Chances are they bought it back in the day and will sell stuff for what one would think of wholesale. Once you find someone who has bottles they want to unload, do all you can to buy while they're selling...

[rdcross]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

The 90 Lafite on that web site looks hot! A good way to go is buying off of private collectors; that's what I do. Chances are they bought it back in the day and will sell stuff for what one would think of wholesale. Once you find someone who has bottles they want to unload, do all you can to buy while they're selling...

This may be a stupid question, but how do you find these folks? Do they tend to use certain Web sites or advertising methods?

[illuminatus]

wow, after reading this whole thread, I now have an interest in trying port... So I guess in 18 months (almost exactly), I'll go out and buy some ... but this is some good info, thanks, it'll gimme something to look for when I'm actually in the market