ThePortForum.com

Is it too hot to have an offline in London in July? Is anyone else interested in meeting up and sharing a bottle or two?

Always interested! Timing the issue! Any thoughts on when?

I am still in major catch up mode after two weeks holiday in middle of nowhere. It was lovely having no TV or web access!

Ben - I'm open to suggestions for when it would be convenient to get together and drink port. My diary is fairly quiet at the moment in July - I'm happy for you to suggest dates which would work for you and see which will be best for a majority of others.

I am likely to be in London at some point in July but not yet sure when. I go on leave on 24th July so it would have to be before then.

I would suggest a "bring a bottle to share" theme is the most appropriate given the potential temperature and impromptu nature of the event.

Derek

Hi there,

I am also on holiday the weekend comencing the 24th of July but otherwise open to have a " Summer offline". Please let me know. Will also check with Kevin if he would be availble as well.

regards

WS1

Monday and Tuesday are now my best nights if that works for our Chesterfield contingents business plans!

How about TUesday 21st July?

Tuesday 21st July works for me.

That makes us a quorum. I declare the July 2009 TPF Offline to be on Tuesday 21st July.

Any suggestions for venue? The Crusting Pipe was extremely hot last year in the summer, to the extent that we had to get ice buckets in to cool the port and stop it from being excessively alcoholic. Portal restaurant works very nicely but is more expensive, at about £50-60 a head including food and corkage.

I'm off to visit the New Cavendish Club at lunchtime today (about 5 mins walk north of Marble Arch tube), which may become a suitable venue for future tastings. I'll report back as to whether we should consider that as a possible venue?

But the date is now fixed.

Themes? The traditional "Bring a Bottle to Share" or a variation along the lines of "An '80s night" where you bring along a bottle from the '80s to share (for the sake of clarity, that is meant to be the 1980s, but wines from the 1880s or 1780s would also be acceptable as would wines with 80-89 years of age). I've got a bottle of Dow 1983 that I want to open and investigate and it would be fun to share it to get other thoughts and opinions.

Alex,

Could you change the original topic title to relfect agreed date.

Venues: I would prefer something at the cheaper end. How about one of the other Davys venues, although pre booking would be a requirement after our last attempt to go off piste!

Theme: 80's night would work for me. Lets go with that on a unanimous basis as we are the two confirmed attendees at this stage!

benread wrote:Could you change the original topic title to relfect agreed date.

Done

Venues: I would prefer something at the cheaper end. How about one of the other Davys venues, although pre booking would be a requirement after our last attempt to go off piste!

Given that other bad experience, I would be inclined to go back to the Crusting Pipe and just ask them for ice buckets. We are unlikely to get good, hot food at many other Davy bars - but if you have one in mind or can think of somewhere else that might be sympathetic to a small group of port lovers wanting to eat and drink the night away (there are lots of places in and around Leadenhall market that I just don't know) then I would be happy to try somewhere new.

Theme: 80's night would work for me. Lets go with that on a unanimous basis as we are the two confirmed attendees at this stage!

So, '80s night is now confirmed! Do we have to come in appropriate dress code?

I think you will have to do this without me

Too much stuff to get rid of at work before going on holiday at the end of next week so can't fit this in.

Have fun

Derek

Ben, Alex,

I am in (21st of July), have already something in mind what I will bring round. Cooling of the Ports will be necessary, I will attempt to use the fridge at work. May need to put Joly Rogers on the bt to fend off greedy collegues (e.g. Kevin who cannot make it )



Looking fwd to the event!

Wolfgang

I'm game for an excuse!

I would be inclined to go back to the Crusting Pipe and just ask them for ice buckets.

That works for me - the CP's menu is much more to my liking than Portal's, and it's cheaper..

Tom

Christopher is also confirmed.

This makes the confirmed attendees: BMHR, WS1, AHB, THRA, CMG

I will call TCP and make a reservation, probably for the Board Room if we can get it otherwise for one of the tables round the back. I shall book for 6pm but keep the official start time as 7pm to accommodate Christopher and Wolfgang's work commitments.

The theme is "An '80s Night" with any port from a vintage in the range 1980-1989 being very welcome.

Anyone else who reads the forum and would like to join us on Tuesday night would be very welcome - that's exactly how we all met up, casually dropping in on the Crusting Pipe!

I'm afraid I'm at the Proms on Tuesday but I hope you have a fun evening!

Placemats?

Tuesday 21st July; The Crusting Pipe; Eighties Night; BMHR, WS, AHB, THRA, CMAG. Five bottle spaces labelled with the names of the people? Coming right up.

www.jdawiseman.com/port/20090721_eighties.pdf.

Lovely. Thank you.

I shall print these tomorrow and bring them with me on Tuesday.

Without me trying others have arranged for me to be in London rather than Bristol on Tuesday afternnon. I need to end up in Bournemouth but not until the last train.

Is there space for one more at the table?

Derek

I am sure we can find space if you are accompanied by a bottle fitting the requirements!

AHB was in charge of table booking.

Updated: www.jdawiseman.com/port/20090721_eighties.pdf.