The London Olympiad Vertical - 1948 - 2012

[Cookie]

It maybe a little early but I thought it may be a good idea to start a thread with a view to organising an Olympic event to be held in 2012.

We could have a vertical tasting of every Olympic year between the two London Olympics 1948-2012.

We obviously cannot achieve this with Vintage Ports only (1956 and 1976 for example) but we can span 60 years giving us 16 wines to taste.

Date now confirmed 25th July 2012. @ 17.30hrs prompt.

Venue now confirmed

The Portuguese Embassy
12 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PP

Attendees:-

1. His Excellency Dr Joao de Vallera
2. Lord Boswell of Aynho
3. Charles Metcalfe
4. Alex W Ellis
5. Roger Bramble
6. Ray Cook
7. Tom Archer
8. Derek Turnbull
9. Wolfgang Starz
10. Ben Read
11. Julian Wiseman
12. Rob Coombes
13. Oscar Quevedo
14. Alex Kilbey
15. Carl Schneider
16. Phil Wakely
17. Giles Wigoder
18. The Right Reverend Graham R James (Bishop of Norwich)
19. Lorenzo Bakewell-Stone
20. Steve Filbey
21. Quentin Archer
22. Oz Clarke


Reserves:

None at present.

11.1.2012 - AHB removed at his request.
Andy Velebil removed at his request.
11.7.2012 - Axel Probst removed at his request

[DRT]

I'm in!

[WS1]

Hi there,

I am interested, but would like to suggest not to do this tasting in the summer. I have always the feeling that in the summer vintage ports due to the generally warmer temperatures do not show as well when it is a bit cooler.
I think the only year where it is very difficult to get good ports is from 1956. In 1976 the Fonseca Guimarens is stunning!

regards

WS1

[benread]

Yes please! Wolfgang, you are right about the weather but personally I think the historic nature of the Olympics dictates a relevant date around the event itself and we plan for the weather not being kind.

[jdaw1]

Yes please.

Is it a good idea to be in London any time near the Olympics?

[benread]

Yes please.

Is it a good idea to be in London any time near the Olympics?

It depends if you have tickets or not!

[Cookie]

Yes please.

Is it a good idea to be in London any time near the Olympics?

We could hold it in the city that thought they had won it I suppose!!

[DRT]

An idea that might be ridiculous:

If we are to do this properly perhaps we could do it at an Olympic event? Perhaps a modest corporate box would be available in the early rounds of a not very popular event at modest cost? A first round tie between Botswana and the Camen Islands in the Ladies Footlball springs to mind as something that the venue will struggle to fill seats. It is probably beyond hope that we could get a box overlooking the Brazil v Sweden Ladies Beach Volleyball court at reasonable expense.

What do you think?

PS: AHB just texted me to ask us to book him a seat.

[Cookie]

An idea that might be ridiculous:

If we are to do this properly perhaps we could do it at an Olympic event? Perhaps a modest corporate box would be available in the early rounds of a not very popular event at modest cost? A first round tie between Botswana and the Camen Islands in the Ladies Footlball springs to mind as something that the venue will struggle to fill seats. It is probably beyond hope that we could get a box overlooking the Brazil v Sweden Ladies Beach Volleyball court at reasonable expense.

What do you think?

PS: AHB just texted me to ask us to book him a seat.

That is not a ridiculous idea at all...I think this is a great idea...I am on the list for the first release of tickets in February 2011. I shall make enquiries from there.

[DRT]

PS: AHB just texted me to ask us to book him a seat.

Repeated in case it was missed

[Cookie]

PS: AHB just texted me to ask us to book him a seat.

Repeated in case it was missed

Done

[AHB]

I've just mentioned to DRT that there is usually a week of pre-qualification for certain events before the day of the opening ceremony. Corporate boxes for these would probably be very reasonably priced (at least comparatively).

[DRT]

It is probably beyond hope that we could get a box overlooking the Brazil v Sweden Ladies Beach Volleyball court at reasonable expense.

I've just mentioned to DRT that there is usually a week of pre-qualification for certain events before the day of the opening ceremony. Corporate boxes for these would probably be very reasonably priced (at least comparatively).

It is even less likely that Brazil and Sweden will have to pre-qualify

[jdaw1]

I wouldn’t be offended by tickets to Denmark versus Uruguay Women’s Beach Volleyball.

Ladies? In their own right, or because of the husbands’ titles? Women, please. Even the ICC uses the term “Women”.

[jdaw1]

Is there a risk of airport-style no-liquids security checks? How would we get VP through that?

[DRT]

Is there a risk of airport-style no-liquids security checks? How would we get VP through that?

There is a risk of that. Probably even a certainty. But I can't imagine that corporate boxes will be {unacceptable word} so the organisers of the boxes would be able to help.

[jdaw1]

Probably even a certainty.

Perhaps definitely.

[DRT]

But I can't imagine that corporate boxes will be {unacceptable word} so the organisers of the boxes would be able to help.

I apologise unreservedly for using a word that is taboo on this forum. Luckily the filter that traps expletives did its job and prevented any offense that might have been caused.

For those of an innocent nature who are unable to work out what this foul word is just imagine what a golf ball might sit on followed by the sum of a list of numbers.

[AHB]

Do you mean that you used the word tea totall?

[DRT]

Do you mean that you used the word tea totall?

There is no need for such profanity.

[AHB]

My apologies. I assumed that the automatic profanity detector would spot my foul and abusive language and remove it before displaying my post.

[Cookie]

I've just mentioned to DRT that there is usually a week of pre-qualification for certain events before the day of the opening ceremony. Corporate boxes for these would probably be very reasonably priced (at least comparatively).

I have had a communication from the Olympic Organising Comittee and it seems that you are absolutely correct Alex in saying there are a few events that require pre-qualification...one of them being Beach Volleyball held at Horse Guards Parade...the prestigious hospitality is to be held in the officers mess overlooking the parade ground.

There is also prestigious hospitality at Wimbledon for the Tennis (overlooking Centre Court) and the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich for the Archery again in the officers mess.

I am now waiting for my contact to get back to me with prices and the green light to provide our own wine and will report as soon as I know...fingers crossed.

[Cookie]

But I can't imagine that corporate boxes will be {unacceptable word} so the organisers of the boxes would be able to help.

I apologise unreservedly for using a word that is taboo on this forum. Luckily the filter that traps expletives did its job and prevented any offense that might have been caused.

For those of an innocent nature who are unable to work out what this foul word is just imagine what a golf ball might sit on followed by the sum of a list of numbers.

When did you become American?

[AHB]

...and the Royal Artillery Barracks in Woolwich for the Archery...

Is it just the pre-qual for the Archery at Woolwich? I had thought that the Archery was being held at Lord's.

[Cookie]

Just had a reply from the 'Olympic Prestigious Hospitality' team and it's.....bad news....they would willingly accomodate us if we were prepared to each part with £795 + VAT...for this you have a buffet meal, open bar and tickets for the event of choice...for the final events the cost is £4800 + VAT per head...

Kind of makes the RAF Club a very reasonable option me thinks.