The Port Wine Thread

[Bubba - NJ]

Once a bottle of Port is opened , How long do I have to finish it ? Does it go bad real quick or does it last a month or 2 once opened ? I've had the Fonseca Bin 27 and liked it . I just bought an Osborne tawny and a LBV 2001. Has anyone had either of these ? And what did you think of them ?

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by Bubba - NJ

Once a bottle of Port is opened , How long do I have to finish it ? Does it go bad real quick or does it last a month or 2 once opened ? I've had the Fonseca Bin 27 and liked it . I just bought an Osborne tawny and a LBV 2001. Has anyone had either of these ? And what did you think of them ?

If you put the cork back in the bottle it will last along time! Port is way different than red wine in that respect!

[mosesbotbol]

Sorry no pictures, but last night we had an excellent round up of port and Madeira:

1898 Barbeito Verdelho Madeira
1970 Morgan Vintage Port
1977 Ferreira Vintage

It was first for trying any of these vintages. I have had a lot of Ferreira and once did a vertical of Ferreira from '55 to '85, but was missing the '77. The '77 had a funky nose, yet was still grapey and well balanced. A touch hot and we detcted a little TCA, but not enough to say it was an infected bottle.

The Morgan '70 was awesome! Buy all you can if you ever see it. I have never had a Morgan, but know collectors in England that rave about it and its QPR. This is one of the most velvety smooth ports that was like straight up strawberry jam. A little dead on the nose, but still incredible.

The Barbeito was just another excellent Madeira, not a blockbuster, but certainly no slouch. Typical prailene and dried fruits, with a fairly dry finish. Excellent indeed.

Two people and 2.5 bottles drank... Feeling it today.

For cigars, I started off with Montecristo A, had a vintage Montecristo No. 2, and then a vintage Punch Churchill... Still tasting the cigars this morning...

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Sorry no pictures, but last night we had an excellent round up of port and Madeira:

1898 Barbeito Verdelho Madeira
1970 Morgan Vintage Port
1977 Ferreira Vintage

It was first for trying any of these vintages. I have had a lot of Ferreira and once did a vertical of Ferreira from '55 to '85, but was missing the '77. The '77 had a funky nose, yet was still grapey and well balanced. A touch hot and we detcted a little TCA, but not enough to say it was an infected bottle.

The Morgan '70 was awesome! Buy all you can if you ever see it. I have never had a Morgan, but know collectors in England that rave about it and its QPR. This is one of the most velvety smooth ports that was like straight up strawberry jam. A little dead on the nose, but still incredible.

The Barbeito was just another excellent Madeira, not a blockbuster, but certainly no slouch. Typical prailene and dried fruits, with a fairly dry finish. Excellent indeed.

Two people and 2.5 bottles drank... Feeling it today.

For cigars, I started off with Montecristo A, had a vintage Montecristo No. 2, and then a vintage Punch Churchill... Still tasting the cigars this morning...

I love it when you review your tastings!!!! It reminds me of when Dave does a review of something out of the ordinary from his collection!!!!!

Speaking of collections, Moses, Do you have any pics of your collection that you might want to share? Maybe a close up of that bottle from Prince Charles and Diana's wedding

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Ron1YY

I love it when you review your tastings!!!! It reminds me of when Dave does a review of something out of the ordinary from his collection!!!!!

Speaking of collections, Moses, Do you have any pics of your collection that you might want to share? Maybe a close up of that bottle from Prince Charles and Diana's wedding

I can't find the Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer Fonseca bottle picture

Just poking around my photobucket album, I found this one:



Which was fun little Fonseca vertical we did earlier this year. The largest vertical we've done is with Croft, which actually was the most complete Croft vertical ever know to have been done. One participant actually went to a vertical at Croft in VNG, Portugal and we more vintages. It went from 1896 to 1970 with only a couple of vintages missing.

We've had well over 100 different vintages on our weekend port and cigar tastings. It begins to be a blur which ones I have had and haven't had.

[Skywalker]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I can't find the Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer Fonseca bottle picture

Just poking around my photobucket album, I found this one:



Which was fun little Fonseca vertical we did earlier this year. The largest vertical we've done is with Croft, which actually was the most complete Croft vertical ever know to have been done. One participant actually went to a vertical at Croft in VNG, Portugal and we more vintages. It went from 1896 to 1970 with only a couple of vintages missing.

We've had well over 100 different vintages on our weekend port and cigar tastings. It begins to be a blur which ones I have had and haven't had.

Very nice!!!

[RichardW]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

I
Just poking around my photobucket album, I found this one:



[snip]

How did you pop the bottle top, Moses? That's a sweet little trick -- a lot more efficient than fishing and filtering.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by RichardW

How did you pop the bottle top, Moses? That's a sweet little trick -- a lot more efficient than fishing and filtering.

I used port tongs to cleave the end of the bottles off. Doing so allows the cork to be preserved for identification and prevents fishing the cork out. The tongs are fun to use and I have an acetilene (sp) torch just for this.

It's very easy to get a cork out of bottle that has been pushed in, but I'd rather not have to deal with it.

Rare and/or unique bottles I may pull the cork, but I generally do not save corks or bottles so they are of little concern.

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Two people and 2.5 bottles drank... Feeling it today.

Nice hedonistic night! That much alcohol and residual sugar would have my head banging in the morning

~Vitis

[RichardW]

Originally Posted by mosesbotbol

Sorry no pictures, but last night we had an excellent round up of port and Madeira:

[snip]
Two people and 2.5 bottles drank... Feeling it today.

For cigars, I started off with Montecristo A, had a vintage Montecristo No. 2, and then a vintage Punch Churchill... Still tasting the cigars this morning...

Yikes!! and I'll bet you're still feeling the 2.5 bottles

[Chris.]

Originally Posted by Bubba - NJ

Once a bottle of Port is opened , How long do I have to finish it ? Does it go bad real quick or does it last a month or 2 once opened ? I've had the Fonseca Bin 27 and liked it . I just bought an Osborne tawny and a LBV 2001. Has anyone had either of these ? And what did you think of them ?

Adding to the question....Once it has been opened, should it be stored at room temp or in the fridge? Tried the six grapes last night. I liked it. Very sweet and smooth.

[mosesbotbol]

Originally Posted by Chris.

Adding to the question....Once it has been opened, should it be stored at room temp or in the fridge? Tried the six grapes last night. I liked it. Very sweet and smooth.

Either way, but if you serve port cold, it will be more acidic and not as sweet. I would keep it out and put in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving again. Port should be served around 62 degrees.