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A fascinating evening's drinking. No easy winner, really, as they were all very good or at least very promising, with the exception of the '77 which was sadly corked. Note to self is that the Dow style is a little too dry.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): A lovely, easy drinker, and comparative to the Croft '82 in that respect.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Odd, because it smelt a bit stewed. Very intriguing, though. All the components seem to be there to turn it into something very good.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Good, but I only remember it had slightly more acidity than the rest.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): The sweetest and most easy drinking of them all. A third place for the night.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): The most youthful looking, dark red and opaque. Rich in fruit but seemed to be disjointed somehow. Nevertheless, very good and I wouldn't refuse if offered it.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Corked, but lightly so - but nevertheless took away what might have been. Would make an excellent ingredient to onion gravy or port and cherry jam sauce.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): The surprise of the night, very good indeed.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): My joint W.O.T.N. Still very much red, but translucent. Very good indeed.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Dark tawny colour, but still showing strongly. Plenty of time left in this one.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Dark tawny colour, light and very nicely balanced but possibly on its way down.

From memory (left the tasting notes at the table again): Light tawny colour, quite easy drinking but seems to be fading away. Nevertheless extremely good.

Looking at some of the traffic this morning, it looked pretty tricky to ride on the road at all! Some of the tube is running, I believe the Northern is as per normal. It may be worth venturing into a station to check before resorting to other means.

Andy, After decanting (using the other end of your chopstick to stop the cork blocking the neck) you can wrap the bottle in newspaper before breaking it with a hammer to liberate the cork in one piece. With practice, the plastic bag method of cork removal works, as seen here: http://www.youtube.com...

The bikes have dynamo driven LEDs, though you'll need to register with TFL and get a 'key' I think, as they haven't implemented pay as you go yet. There's a good chance the bikes could be anywhere - as it currently stands they are having some trouble keeping them evenly distributed at docking statio...

Yes, Charing X is not far away. LUL are saying they will try to operate as much as they can. Taxis and omnibus services will obviously be in more demand and slow moving with the extra traffic. Feeling adventurous? (and particularly so after drinking all that port), you could hire one the Blue Boris ...

It might be important for attendees to know that there is a proposed strike on the Tube on Monday evening and all day Tuesday. I wonder if the the two events are somehow related...

I'd very much like to attend this - is there is an available space? Absolutely there is. Don't suppose you have a bottle of Dow 1991 you could bring along as your contribution? If not, we can sort one our for you to adopt. I'll try to update when passing an apple shop. MKD: please say wether the 19...

I'd very much like to attend this - is there is an available space?

Tesco now stocking a new vintage BOB "Finest" vintage port - 2000 - in half bottles at £9.99. Come the Christmas deals, this may be a good purchase. The only mention of the shipper is "Symington Family Estates".

A proposed by-law for a minimum price to buy alcohol. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-10846702 It seems to be targeted at those who buy super strength cider and lager; 9% for 500ml will see a min price of £2.25. For the rest of us it'll make little difference (£4.50 for a bottle of w...

Latter half of August is better for me, so another time alas.

Good suggestion.

Went to a fantastic sherry and tapas tasting at Gordon's Wine Bar the other day - or at least it was billed as a tasting but turned out to be a seven course meal lasting 6 hours! So, I may be tempted to bring a sherry if the date suits (and I can get permission also!)

Has anyone experienced this before? I've purchased a case of recently bottled southern Rhone wine and they are rather flat and slightly acidic.

I like sherry (mainly the dry varieties), but it's a bit of a mixed bag. You could say sherry is to port as British Leyland is to Rolls Royce. Perhaps a terrible analogy; but with sherry, it's inexpensive but functional (Morris Maxi), sometimes unreliable (Austin Princess), unusual but occasionally ...