Online Tasting - Wed 25th March 2020

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 11:08 Tue 21 Jan 2020

The original face to face tasting and dinner has been cancelled - the Boot & Flogger is now shut anyway - but Mike has volunteered to set up a Zoom Conference for any who would like to participate in an experimental online tasting. We tried a Skype call with Charles at the tasting last Tuesday and that worked rather well.

The theme is almost the same: drink a blinded bottle of Port to share a description with other Port lovers.
Location: Online - Mike will send the invitation
Time: 19.30
Food order: buy your own sirloin steak, green beans and chips

Attendees

AHB
MPM
CPR
GEAG
CMAG
SCD
NAC
JDAW

Since this is a virtual tasting, any member of TPF in any country is welcome to join in!

CANCELLED

A supporter of TPF who lives and works in Vila Nova de Gaia is visiting the UK in late March and has confirmed that he would be available to join us on Wednesday 25th March.

We are booked into the Ovens (the Red Room being already booked for a different wine tasting). I suggest arriving at 18.00 to start at 18.30.

The theme is to bring a blinded bottle of Port to share with other Port lovers.

Attendees

AHB (confirmed)
JV (confirmed)
BMHR (confirmed)
CPR (confirmed)
MPM (confirmed)
JDAW (confirmed by SCP-DFF)
NAC (confirmed)
GEAG (confirmed)
IDJ (confirmed)
--Vacant
MC (confirmed)
CMAG (confirmed)
RGO (confirmed)
TC

if you are on the list above, please confirm that you are definitely available.

I'll follow up on the food order 10 days or so before the event.

benread · Post by **benread** » 11:11 Tue 21 Jan 2020

If it was 25th March I'd make a very strong case to be allowed out and use it as an excuse to drink something from 1970! 26th I would not be allowed out. Ben

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 11:12 Tue 21 Jan 2020

It is never too soon; I am available either day but have a preference for 26th if that works for others.

Post by **flash_uk** » 13:36 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Either date Ok for me.

Post by **jdaw1** » 14:00 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Permission granted for either date. Not sure whether I can fairly interpret the permission as being for both.

nac · Post by **nac** » 14:44 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Can definitely do 25th, probably can't do 26th.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 17:39 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Can definitely do 25th, definitely can't do 26th.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 18:09 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Should be ok for either date.

Post by **PhilW** » 18:54 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Either possible, 25th preferred

M.Charlton · Post by **M.Charlton** » 21:37 Tue 21 Jan 2020

I’m available on either day.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 22:16 Tue 21 Jan 2020

Either work for RGO and myself
Great idea

forest26 · Post by **forest26** » 07:23 Wed 22 Jan 2020

25th would work for me

Post by **flash_uk** » 10:12 Wed 22 Jan 2020

AHB wrote: ↑11:08 Tue 21 Jan 2020 I’m available on either day. Is anyone else?

I think that makes 14 available including your guest

Post by **jdaw1** » 10:24 Wed 22 Jan 2020

Tastings fill up fast.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 19:39 Wed 22 Jan 2020

I'm currently checking that the guest is willing and able to commit to Wednesday 25th since that seems the majority preference.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:59 Thu 23 Jan 2020

First post has been updated with the arrangements for the day.

nac · Post by **nac** » 10:42 Thu 23 Jan 2020

AHB wrote: ↑11:08 Tue 21 Jan 2020 The theme is to bring a blinded bottle of Port to share with other Port lovers.

"Port" only, or can we go a bit wi(l)der again?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 10:57 Thu 23 Jan 2020

Our guest is from the Port industry, so Port only this time please.

nac · Post by **nac** » 11:41 Thu 23 Jan 2020

Port it is then.

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 13:32 Thu 23 Jan 2020

I confirm I am definitely available.

Post by **flash_uk** » 14:33 Thu 23 Jan 2020

Yes def available.

M.Charlton · Post by **M.Charlton** » 15:40 Thu 23 Jan 2020

I confirm I am definitely available.

benread · Post by **benread** » 09:28 Fri 24 Jan 2020

Confirmed. And approved!

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 10:21 Fri 24 Jan 2020

confirmed

SCP-DFF · Post by **SCP-DFF** » 16:47 Fri 24 Jan 2020

jdaw1 wrote: ↑14:00 Tue 21 Jan 2020 Permission granted for either date. Not sure whether I can fairly interpret the permission as being for both.

Permission for Julian hereby confirmed.

Post by **DRT** » 17:50 Fri 24 Jan 2020

SCP-DFF wrote: ↑16:47 Fri 24 Jan 2020
jdaw1 wrote: ↑14:00 Tue 21 Jan 2020 Permission granted for either date. Not sure whether I can fairly interpret the permission as being for both.
Permission for Julian hereby confirmed.

First post updated.

idj123 · Post by **idj123** » 18:02 Fri 24 Jan 2020

Confirmed.

Post by **PhilW** » 09:39 Tue 10 Mar 2020

I have to withdraw from this event due to other commitments; my apologies.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 12:52 Tue 10 Mar 2020

Yes RGO and me good

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 05:14 Tue 17 Mar 2020

Apologies all, but I have cancelled this tasting. Given the reduction in numbers for tonight's tasting from 14 to 4 with only a few hours notice it is clear there will not be adequate interest for this tasting to happen physically. I strongly suspect the 1992 and 1960 horizontals and the Warre and Kopke / Krohn verticals are likely casualties since we are being advised we are 12 weeks from the peak of this crisis, but those are decisions for other people.

If ayone is interested in participating in a virtual tasting on 25th March, please say so here. If there's enough interest I'll investigate whether / how to set up a Skype video call for us.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 09:08 Tue 17 Mar 2020

Thanks Alex
I am up for my first ever virtual tasting on the 25th

winesecretary · Post by **winesecretary** » 18:11 Fri 20 Mar 2020

Alex, I also am up for a virtual tasting on the 25th, since we are otherwise unlikely to be able to drink port together for a while.

Post by **flash_uk** » 18:49 Fri 20 Mar 2020

Me too. I can set up a Zoom videoconf call. Can handle lots of people.

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 19:32 Fri 20 Mar 2020

yes I am up for this

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:55 Fri 20 Mar 2020

flash_uk wrote: ↑18:49 Fri 20 Mar 2020 Me too. I can set up a Zoom videoconf call. Can handle lots of people.

Mike - please do. It would be a bit of fun to try something out and see if we can make it work - even if we only have 40 minutes of banal chat whilst drinking our own bottle of Port.

Post by **flash_uk** » 09:25 Sat 21 Mar 2020

AHB wrote: ↑21:55 Fri 20 Mar 2020
flash_uk wrote: ↑18:49 Fri 20 Mar 2020 Me too. I can set up a Zoom videoconf call. Can handle lots of people.
Mike - please do. It would be a bit of fun to try something out and see if we can make it work - even if we only have 40 minutes of banal chat whilst drinking our own bottle of Port.

What time should we start?

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 09:37 Sat 21 Mar 2020

I think my travel plans will allow me to join this tasting if there is room? Any particular theme or just something you want to enjoy at home? Best wishes to all and I hope you and your families stay safe and healthy.
Simon

CPR 1 · Post by **CPR 1** » 13:01 Sat 21 Mar 2020

flash_uk wrote: ↑09:25 Sat 21 Mar 2020
What time should we start?

7:30pm would be good for me, does that work for others?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:43 Sat 21 Mar 2020

7.30pm works for me. First post updated.

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 14:08 Sat 21 Mar 2020

7.30 all good for me too.

Post by **flash_uk** » 16:47 Sat 21 Mar 2020

I've sent everyone an invite for 7.30 on Wednesday.

nac · Post by **nac** » 17:49 Sat 21 Mar 2020

Please add me in.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:42 Mon 23 Mar 2020

JDAW has just advised me he will be participating.

Post by **flash_uk** » 00:01 Tue 24 Mar 2020

AHB wrote: ↑09:42 Mon 23 Mar 2020 JDAW has just advised me he will be participating.

Splendid. Julian now added to the video call. It transpires that I will still be at work at 7.30pm on Wednesday, so I will most likely get the video call up and running and leave you to it. A small chance that I’ll be in a hotel and can then join in.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:17 Tue 24 Mar 2020

I’d like the format for tomorrow’s tasting to be Reverse Blind.

Reverse Blind? I taste my Port, and tell you what I taste. You ask questions — “X on the aftertaste?” — and I answer honestly.

Then you guess what my Port is.

Objections?

Post by **flash_uk** » 23:17 Tue 24 Mar 2020

jdaw1 wrote: ↑22:17 Tue 24 Mar 2020 I’d like the format for tomorrow’s tasting to be Reverse Blind.

Reverse Blind? I taste my Port, and tell you what I taste. You ask questions — “X on the aftertaste?” — and I answer honestly.

Then you guess what my Port is.

Objections?

Like it!

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 07:17 Wed 25 Mar 2020

jdaw1 wrote: ↑22:17 Tue 24 Mar 2020 I’d like the format for tomorrow’s tasting to be Reverse Blind.

Reverse Blind? I taste my Port, and tell you what I taste. You ask questions — “X on the aftertaste?” — and I answer honestly.

Then you guess what my Port is.

Objections?

That was precisely what I meant by the theme. I fully support your interpretation of the theme.

Plus we can all see the colour / appearance of the wine in your glass.

nac · Post by **nac** » 10:22 Wed 25 Mar 2020

Wine decanted at 0700 this morning. Into a proper decanter. Quite excited.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:57 Wed 25 Mar 2020

Mine was opened at 09.00 and decanted at 13.00, also into a proper decanter.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:49 Wed 25 Mar 2020

There is an almost irresistible temptation to having a decanter of Port sitting on my desk while I am working from home.

Do I need to open a cellar defender to ensure my decanter survives intact to 19.30?