Churchill's Port Club

[JacobH]

I am absolutely not complaining about the selection! But I just wonder how sustainable it is? £80 is about €91. The retail prices are €24 for the 75cl tawny and €32 for the Crusted (so €56 in total). Whilst they don’t sell the 1992 QdAA; the 2003 QdG is €75 and the 1997 VP is €110. It just feels like this box is much under the retail value which made me worried that they just running out the year, unless they can’t sell the 1992 for the sorts of prices that the younger vintages go for. Or are being extremely generous! I’m crossing my fingers for the latter.

[winesecretary]

The 1992 QdAA is a cracking port if you get a good bottle of it. Almost makes me want to sign up for Port Club.

[rich_n]

I am absolutely not complaining about the selection! But I just wonder how sustainable it is? £80 is about €91. The retail prices are €24 for the 75cl tawny and €32 for the Crusted (so €56 in total). Whilst they don’t sell the 1992 QdAA; the 2003 QdG is €75 and the 1997 VP is €110. It just feels like this box is much under the retail value which made me worried that they just running out the year, unless they can’t sell the 1992 for the sorts of prices that the younger vintages go for. Or are being extremely generous! I’m crossing my fingers for the latter.

My assumption was always that they were aiming to use port club to drive a lower margin route to market with the online members' portal being closer to retail pricing, with both being probably at a better profit margin than selling via importers etc where at least 2 layers of businesses are taking a cut before you get to the customer. I doubt they're selling anything at a loss. Maybe the subscription will go up over time but only if they are seeing big numbers in terms of uptake.

[JacobH]

My assumption was always that they were aiming to use port club to drive a lower margin route to market with the online members' portal being closer to retail pricing, with both being probably at a better profit margin than selling via importers etc where at least 2 layers of businesses are taking a cut before you get to the customer. I doubt they're selling anything at a loss. Maybe the subscription will go up over time but only if they are seeing big numbers in terms of uptake.

Something which has never been clear to me about the Port Club is why it is being run from Portugal rather than through Festa (aka the Bar Douro bottle shop). I think that is also owned by the Graham family and is also trying to sell Churchill Port to the UK. Perhaps they were hoping to spin one or both businesses off in due course? And I suppose the Bar Douro wine club had similar problems to the Port Club with getting boxes into the UK which may be why they also gave up on their subscription in the end.

[nac]

My case still hasn't arrived. Anybody else still waiting?

[benread]

Mine arrived on Friday.


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[Alex Bridgeman]

Mine arrived last week - Thursday, I think.

[Justin K]

I got mine 5 weeks ago directly from Portugal so no customs issues.