I do not know which hotel is being booked but I do know that I shall be FIRST into the taxi this year!!!RAYC wrote:Are people booking the same hotel as last year?
15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
- Axel P
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
I would like to rephrase the very often used sentence into: We leave no-one behind, except ex-RAF-policemen, who should know their way around anyways...
Axel
Axel
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Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
You can wriggle as much as you like but it is still no excuse...the bit.... ''we leave no-one behind''... is the clueAxel P wrote:I would like to rephrase the very often used sentence into: We leave no-one behind, except ex-RAF-policemen, who should know their way around anyways...
Axel
- Axel P
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Accepted! So this year we should leave no bottle behind, how about this?
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- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
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Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
I've just booked into the Saffron Hotel.
Nearer the time we should count the number of people who need to get back by taxi and whether that is back to the Saffron Hotel or to Newport. It could be that we end up booking two separate taxis to the two separate destinations.
Or perhaps we have Jan drive the naughty taxi, so that she can shout at and scold the people in the naughty taxi and someone nice driving the other taxi. Someone who will go back to pick up anyone left behind!
Nearer the time we should count the number of people who need to get back by taxi and whether that is back to the Saffron Hotel or to Newport. It could be that we end up booking two separate taxis to the two separate destinations.
Or perhaps we have Jan drive the naughty taxi, so that she can shout at and scold the people in the naughty taxi and someone nice driving the other taxi. Someone who will go back to pick up anyone left behind!
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
First draft of the placemats.
Other comment welcomed.
- Twenty-six ports between the ten attendees (is that enough?);
- Tasting-note sheets, but no glasses sheets;
- Two sets of sticky-label sheets:
- Large bottle labels, two of each (for front and back), eight per sheet, and
- Small glass labels, sixty-five per sheet, arranged by person for easy cutting and distribution.
Other comment welcomed.
-
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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- Location: Near Cambridge, UK
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Hi - I've decided I should sign myself off for this one; as third reserve I'm very unlikely to be needed, and getting rooms at the last minute likely impossible, plus will simplify any other pre-xmas arrangements.
Phil.
Phil.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Another moment of panic as a date clash was threatened between this and my chance to see Def Leppard, Motley Crue and Steel Panther at Wembley Arena. Thankfully i will be able to enjoy permed mullets/lycra and unknown shipper port on consecutive evenings.
Rob C.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
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- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
If you talk to us nicely, you can do both on both evenings.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14908
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
I've just updated the list of the attendees on the first post - my guest (who is not from the industry, but is a fellow port lover and consumer who happens to live close to the Bell) has confirmed that he is free on the 15th.
To try and make the arrangements for the Xmas Offline as smooth as possible, please would people:
(a) confirm that if they are on the list as attending, then they still intend to attend
(b) if they are on the list as attending and still intend to attend, whether they wish a taxi to collect them from the Bell and where they would like the taxi to take them
(c) whether they are attending or on the reserve list, if they would like a fillet steak and chips dinner, or something else
Thanks.
To try and make the arrangements for the Xmas Offline as smooth as possible, please would people:
(a) confirm that if they are on the list as attending, then they still intend to attend
(b) if they are on the list as attending and still intend to attend, whether they wish a taxi to collect them from the Bell and where they would like the taxi to take them
(c) whether they are attending or on the reserve list, if they would like a fillet steak and chips dinner, or something else
Thanks.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Alex,AHB wrote:I've just updated the list of the attendees on the first post - my guest (who is not from the industry, but is a fellow port lover and consumer who happens to live close to the Bell) has confirmed that he is free on the 15th.
To try and make the arrangements for the Xmas Offline as smooth as possible, please would people:
(a) confirm that if they are on the list as attending, then they still intend to attend
(b) if they are on the list as attending and still intend to attend, whether they wish a taxi to collect them from the Bell and where they would like the taxi to take them
(c) whether they are attending or on the reserve list, if they would like a fillet steak and chips dinner, or something else
Thanks.
a) yes.
b) yes - Saffron Hotel
c) is there anything else on the menu?! I thought steak & chips was part of the deal in attending!
Thank you.
Ben
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Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
-------
Vintage 1970 and now proud owner of my first ever 'half-century'!
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
a) Yes
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
Hi,
a) Yes
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel which I just booked
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
regards
WS1
a) Yes
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel which I just booked
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
regards
WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
- Axel P
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
- Posts: 2027
- Joined: 08:09 Wed 12 Sep 2007
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Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
a) Yes
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel which I just booked
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
Thanks for organising
Axel
b) Yes please, to the Saffron Hotel which I just booked
c) Fillet steak & chips, please
Thanks for organising
Axel
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- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3513
- Joined: 14:22 Wed 15 Dec 2010
- Location: Near Cambridge, UK
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Am on the reserve list (though did post to sign off it). If by some miracle (a) enough people dropped out, (b) I was able to make the date and (c) able to book a room somewhere, then fillet steak and chips would do nicely.AHB wrote: (c) whether they are attending or on the reserve list, if they would like a fillet steak and chips dinner, or something else.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
(a) YesAHB wrote:To try and make the arrangements for the Xmas Offline as smooth as possible, please would people:
(a) confirm that if they are on the list as attending, then they still intend to attend
(b) if they are on the list as attending and still intend to attend, whether they wish a taxi to collect them from the Bell and where they would like the taxi to take them
(c) whether they are attending or on the reserve list, if they would like a fillet steak and chips dinner, or something else
(b) Yes - Saffron Hotel (twin room booked some time ago, initially so that the spare bid would give some flexibility to Jacob if he moved to the main list but would be equally available to others on the reserve list or - if all confirm - on the main list )
(c) fillet? Since you're offering us a choice, what about a porterhouse?!
Rob C.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Many thanks - i can volunteer printing services. And have bucket loads of the small sticky-label sheets, which have not been used since the tasting last year!jdaw1 wrote:First draft of the placemats.
Too many? I am bringing an unknown and a peculiar on the basis that neither may be drinkable, but i would have thought max 20 overall?jdaw1 wrote:Twenty-six ports between the ten attendees (is that enough?);
Last year Tom provided decanters with 10 decanter neck tags numbered 1-10 (or thereabouts). If the same is to be done this year, we might only need sticky labels for ports 11 onward. Are two labels per bottle desireable?jdaw1 wrote:Two sets of sticky-label sheets:
Large bottle labels, two of each (for front and back), eight per sheet, and
WOTN currenlty split over two pages - is this felt to be easier to use?jdaw1 wrote:Other comment welcomed.
Should there be categories? (best peculiar, best unknown)
Should the numbering on the small glass labels be restricted to the shaded background number only, allowing us to write clearly the identity of the port onto the label after the big reveal?
Despite being the cork display's biggest fan, i do wonder whether it will work in this type of set-up (though happy to keep and try to make work!)
Can we have small christmas trees or holly bushels in the corners of or background to the sticky labels? Or at least a star of Bethlehem...(butchered from the star quality tasting know-how)?!
Rob C.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
DRT to adjudicate.RAYC wrote:Too many? I am bringing an unknown and a peculiar on the basis that neither may be drinkable, but i would have thought max 20 overall?jdaw1 wrote:Twenty-six ports between the ten attendees (is that enough?);
One back and one front helps. Rather than hollering ‟where is n?”, one has a greater chance of seeing it and gently asking somebody nearby.RAYC wrote:Last year Tom provided decanters with 10 decanter neck tags numbered 1-10 (or thereabouts). If the same is to be done this year, we might only need sticky labels for ports 11 onward. Are two labels per bottle desireable?jdaw1 wrote:Two sets of sticky-label sheets:
Large bottle labels, two of each (for front and back), eight per sheet, and
I guessed so. If you disagree, easily changed.RAYC wrote:WOTN currenlty split over two pages - is this felt to be easier to use?
Instruct.RAYC wrote:Should there be categories? (best peculiar, best unknown)
RAYC wrote:Should the numbering on the small glass labels be restricted to the shaded background number only, allowing us to write clearly the identity of the port onto the label after the big reveal?
You want to remove content to add writing space, and then to replace the writing space with clutter. Anyway, writing on the foot of the glass will probably be too fiddly. (And what does a ‟star of Bethlehem” look like?)RAYC wrote:Can we have small christmas trees or holly bushels in the corners of or background to the sticky labels? Or at least a star of Bethlehem...(butchered from the star quality tasting know-how)?!
Probably not. Failing contrary instruction, it will be removed.RAYC wrote:Despite being the cork display's biggest fan, i do wonder whether it will work in this type of set-up (though happy to keep and try to make work!)
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
The first suggestion was a genuine one - writing F66, T27 etc. on the foot of the glass was exactly what a number of us did last year to keep track of what we were writing. [EDIT: drinking, not writing! But already quoted below!]jdaw1 wrote:RAYC wrote:Should the numbering on the small glass labels be restricted to the shaded background number only, allowing us to write clearly the identity of the port onto the label after the big reveal?You want to remove content to add writing space, and then to replace the writing space with clutter. Anyway, writing on the foot of the glass will probably be too fiddly. (And what does a ‟star of Bethlehem” look like?)RAYC wrote:Can we have small christmas trees or holly bushels in the corners of or background to the sticky labels? Or at least a star of Bethlehem...(butchered from the star quality tasting know-how)?!
The second suggestion was tongue in cheek. Maybe i should have added an emoticon to flag this!
Star of Bethlehem:
Last edited by RAYC on 12:13 Fri 25 Nov 2011, edited 1 time in total.
Rob C.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
RAYC wrote:Should the numbering on the small glass labels be restricted to the shaded background number only, allowing us to write clearly the identity of the port onto the label after the big reveal?
Not sure that I like entirely removing the words, but something can be done.RAYC wrote:writing F66, T27 etc. on the foot of the glass was exactly what a number of us did last year to keep track of what we were writing.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
As changes need to be made, please could there be an updated list of participants.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
As this is a "drinking" rather than a "tasting" I tend to agree with Rob that 20 might be considered to be enough. However, as always, the team will do there duty regardless of how many bottles turn up on the night.jdaw1 wrote:DRT to adjudicate.RAYC wrote:Too many? I am bringing an unknown and a peculiar on the basis that neither may be drinkable, but i would have thought max 20 overall?jdaw1 wrote:Twenty-six ports between the ten attendees (is that enough?);
Just to be clear in case we have any Xmas Bash virgins this year, the entry fee is 1 bottle of unknown or unusual Port (which doesn't necessarily have to be Port). If we get thirsty we can take the long walk to the bar, which is approximately 3 yards from the table.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell
Hi,
Axel and my bts are already with Tom, both fit the bill and all in all should be very interesting. However since I have a dentist appointment the next day in Woodbridge and with Seckfords I will avoid the "walking to the bar bit" despite tempting at one stage in the evening it may be. Secondly out of my experience these " in the beginning I thought this is a good idea" actions never held the excitement the next day.
regards
WS1
Axel and my bts are already with Tom, both fit the bill and all in all should be very interesting. However since I have a dentist appointment the next day in Woodbridge and with Seckfords I will avoid the "walking to the bar bit" despite tempting at one stage in the evening it may be. Secondly out of my experience these " in the beginning I thought this is a good idea" actions never held the excitement the next day.
regards
WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
Mark Twain
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
He might have meant ‟which doesn't necessarily have to be Vintage”, but one can’t be sure with DRT.DRT wrote:the entry fee is 1 bottle of unknown or unusual Port (which doesn't necessarily have to be Port).
Typically on the next day one realises that the dose was too small.WS1 wrote:out of my experience these " in the beginning I thought this is a good idea" actions never held the excitement the next day.
Re: 15 December 2011 - The Unknown Shipper at the Bell?
Non-vintage Port is certainly allowed and there have been many instances of such bottles appearing at The Bell. On previous occasions people have brought Madeira and bottles that were thought to be VP might have turned out to be something else. Whilst the central focus of the evening is indeed Vintage Port that is unusual or of unknown vintage or shipper, no one will be any less welcome if they decide to treat us to something else that fits with the general theme. So, if anyone turns up with an Amphora of Vino Romanica A.D. 0037 we are not going to be disappointed.jdaw1 wrote:He might have meant ‟which doesn't necessarily have to be Vintage”, but one can’t be sure with DRT.DRT wrote:the entry fee is 1 bottle of unknown or unusual Port (which doesn't necessarily have to be Port).
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn