Thursday 18th January 2018?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'll be in London for the day on Thursday 18th January and would be happy to stay on for the evening if anyone else would like to meet up.

If we do, it could be an opportunity to visit Bar Douro, Max Graham's Portuguese petiscos themed restaurant in Flat Iron Square. Max has offered to do us a deal over the private area if he's not busy.

Or is it too soon after meeting up on January 2nd?

When: Thursday 18th January 2018 at 18.30
Where: Bar Douro, Flat Iron Square but the space only accommodates 10-12
Theme: "A 1982 Port if You Have One and Nobody Else is Bringing it. Otherwise a Port not From 1982." Note that this deliberately brings LBV and colheitas within scope. 1982 has been chosen since Irayna is joining us and she is a 1982 baby.

Who:

1. Max (but possibly only for a quick drink);
2. Irayna (Smith Woodhouse 1982, bottled 1986);
3. AHB (Churchill 1982);
4. IDJ (Niepoort 1982);
5. JDAW (adopting from TC);
6. CPR (Dow 1980 bottled 1982);
7. TC (Croft 1982, Messias Cachao 1982);
8. WS1 (Sandeman 1982);
9. SCD (Sandeman 1980, bottled 1982);
   
   Possibles:
   
   Not Attending:
10. RLC;
11. DRT.

Current draft of the placemats.

[idj123]

I believe I can accommodate but for 82 can only offer a N or Ni.

[jdaw1]

I believe I can accommodate but for 82 can only offer a N or Ni.

Please may I adopt the other?

[idj123]

I believe I can accommodate but for 82 can only offer a N or Ni.

Please may I adopt the other?

Of course.

[Deleted_User_1]

Yes please.

[CPR 1]

Yes please. I would need to adopt is only 82, but I could bring a 80 bottled in 82?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I don't think Irayna will be particularly fussed about 1980 or 1982 or any other vintage for that matter - and I haven't yet asked her if she'd like to join us. If she's around tomorrow night I might broach the subject.

[Doggett]

Can you pencil me in please... I will need to check Zachary care after Christmas. I could offer a Sandeman 1980 bottled in 1982?

[forest26]

Can you put me down for this

[Alex Bridgeman]

SCD and TC are confirmed. Further attendees will have to wait until after Christmas when I can confirm numbers , glasses etc with Bar Douro.

[WS1]

Hi,

if possible I would like to attend too. I would bring a Sandeman 1982.

regards

WS1

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just heard back from Bar Douro, who have confirmed that they can accommodate us.

Max Graham will join us, but probably only for a quick drink and not for the entire evening.

We have 8 people confirmed, including Irayna and Wolfgang. Since this is partly a thank you for the way Irayna has looked after us at the Boot & Flogger, I suggest that we split her food between the 7 of us.

Does anyone NOT want suckling pig?

Suckling pig for 8 plus a couple of tapas dishes each plus service would work out to be £80 per head, give or take. If we don't go for the suckling pig we would be down to our normal £50(ish) per head. I'm running a poll to see which we go for - suckling pig requires the unanimous consent of the voters. Voting will stay open until Sunday noon.

I've promised Bar Douro we'll order in advance. Take a look at the menu and tell me what you would like to order. My advice is 1 Petiscos, 1 or 2 from Garden / Sea / Land / Cheese & Charcuterie , 1 dessert. If we have the Suckling Pig I would strongly advise to order only 1-2 dishes. When you advise your menu choices please give me two options - one with Suckling Pig and one without.

I'm also flexing the theme slightly to be "A 1982 Port if You Have One and Nobody Else is Bringing it. Otherwise a Port not From 1982." Note that this deliberately brings LBV and colheitas within the scope of the evening. Please declare what you will bring — we are doing this as a sighted tasting.

[idj123]

I see that unanimity has been downgraded to a consensus with regards to the suckling pig

For my own part (and trying to take Alex's advice) I will choose:

-the sausage croquettes

-the bacalhau (unless this version comes with egg in which case I'll change to the Pumpkin from the Garden section)

-cheese board (what else!)

-caramel mousse

Thanks

[Alex Bridgeman]

I see that unanimity has been downgraded to a consensus with regards to the suckling pig

Two dissentions would make it cost prohibitive, but one may not.

Thanks for the food order.

[jdaw1]

Is the menu tapas-style? If the pig is a no-no, then my backup would be
• Bacalhau à Brás;
• Prego no prato Onglet.

Do we know enough about the wines for placemats to be made?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Is the menu tapas-style? If the pig is a no-no, then my backup would be
• Bacalhau à Brás;
• Prego no prato Onglet.

Do we know enough about the wines for placemats to be made?

Yes, the menu is tapas style.

A pig is £250 and will feed several people. If 7 out of 8 people want pig then we can cope — more pig and less tapas — for circa £70 per head for pig eaters. However, I'm inclining towards asking whether we could have a plate of suckling pig as a special tapas order and not go for the whole pig.

[CPR 1]

Pig please if this works for the group

I plan to bring a bottle of Dow 80, bottled in 82

[Doggett]

Pig please if it works. I think I am all good to come but will confirm by the end of the week.

[forest26]

Hi
The pig theme is great for me

1982 I have

Croft
Messias Quinta do Cachao
Offley
Noval
Warre cavadinha

Let me know what you want....

[Deleted_User_1]

Apologies but I will not be able make this tasting after all.

[forest26]

Having read the header again - I can add Ramos Pinto LBV and Barros Colheita

[jdaw1]

The current draft of the placemats, also in first post, shows six bottles for 7½ people.

[idj123]

The current draft of the placemats, also in first post, shows six bottles for 7½ people.

We clearly require more bottles...

[Alex Bridgeman]

People, I have taken the following executive decisions:
Max may join us for a drink. It is possible he will want to contribute a bottle if he does so. Noval 1982 is on the Bar Douro wine list so this would be an obvious choice for him. Therefore, please no-one bring the Noval 1982 as I would not want to embarrass Max.

This means I'd like Ian to bring the Niepoort 1982 and for Julian to adopt from Tony. Please adopt the Offley.

Tony, please bring the Barros colheita. I will contribute a bottle of SW82LBV on behalf of Irayna. Between us we will have covered three different styles, which will give Irayna a good insight into what style of port she prefers.

Simon (if he confirms) will bring the Sandeman 1980, bottled 1982.

JDAW - this should somewhat ameliorate your concerns over thirst on Thursday. For the placemats, Irayna is right-handed and has ILD as her initials.

1. Max (but possibly only for a quick drink);
2. Irayna (Smith Woodhouse 1982);
3. AHB (Churchill 1982);
4. IDJ (Niepoort 1982);
5. JDAW (Offley 1982, adopting from TC);
6. CPR (Dow 1980 bottled 1982);
7. TC; (Barros colheita 1982)
8. WS1 (Sandeman 1982)
   
   Possibles:
9. SCD (dependent on childcare) (Sandeman 1980);

In a desperate emergency we can always either run round to the B&F and get something of ours from the cellar or we could purchase from the Bar Douro wine list - Dow 1985 would be about £25 each for a bottle.


I have food orders from 4 of 8 and partial food orders from 4 of 8. 7 of 8 have expressed a preference for pig. IDJ would prefer not to have to eat pig. The good news is that we can accommodate some of everyone's preference as follows:
…Sausage croquettes (1-2 each)
…Whole suckling pig
…Bacalhau
…Octopus
…Pumpkin
…Caramel mousse
…Cheese
Including corkage, service etc the cost will work out to be around £70 per person (other than Irayna).

[Alex Bridgeman]

Would people please plan on bringing their bottles double decanted. Although Bar Douro would be able to provide some decanters, it would be better to come prepared.

[CPR 1]

sounds excellent, thank you Alex

[Alex Bridgeman]

One last request. Bar Douro only have around 60 glasses which they can put at our disposal. My maths says that 9 people and 9 bottles needs 81 glasses.

So you have a choice: be prepared to re-use glasses or bring 3 (or more) of your own with you on the day.

[jdaw1]

Would people please plan on bringing their bottles double decanted. Although Bar Douro would be able to provide some decanters, it would be better to come prepared.

Or single decanted, into a proper decanter.

Everything else works for me.

[jdaw1]

The placemats have been updated.

[DRT]

Gents,

There is a chance I will be in London on 18th Jan. I cannot commit to being there but wondered whether or not a gate-crasher with a bottle of something suitable to drink would be tolerated?

I'm happy to pay for and eat a share of the suckling pig if that is deemed to be helpful

[jdaw1]

Somebody is getting stronger. Good. Somebody will have to atone for these calories with a few weeks of kale. Not so good.

If you were to attend, what would you want to have been written on the additional placemat circle?

[CPR 1]

I plan to bring a bottle of Dow 80, bottled in 82

This has transformed into a bottle of G80, also bottled in 82

[jdaw1]

Alex: how spacious is Bar Douro? Will we have room for 2×A4? Currently I have squeezed seven bottles onto a single A4, but when Derek reveals his ’82 that will become eight, for which a single A4 is insufficient. How tight are things?

[forest26]

Alex - I plan to bring Croft 82 + Messias Cachao 82 (double decanted)

[DRT]

Alex: how spacious is Bar Douro? Will we have room for 2×A4? Currently I have squeezed seven bottles onto a single A4, but when Derek reveals his ’82 that will become eight, for which a single A4 is insufficient. How tight are things?

At this point there is a 30% chance I will be there. Please don't change things to accommodate me unless that percentage increases significantly.

That said, perhaps Legal-sized paper rather than A4 would provide sufficient space?

[Alex Bridgeman]

There is a chance I will be in London on 18th Jan. I cannot commit to being there but wondered whether or not a gate-crasher with a bottle of something suitable to drink would be tolerated?

I'm happy to pay for and eat a share of the suckling pig if that is deemed to be helpful

Of course you would be welcome to join us, but we're only having half a suckling pig which feeds only 6-7 people. You may have to buy your own suckling pig - or order a main from the menu like Ian is having the pumpkin.

Simon - any clarity whether you are able to get your childcare organised and join us on Thursday?

Alex: how spacious is Bar Douro? Will we have room for 2×A4? Currently I have squeezed seven bottles onto a single A4, but when Derek reveals his ’82 that will become eight, for which a single A4 is insufficient. How tight are things?

I've only vaguely seen the space before, having taken a quick glimpse some months ago. Space will be tight, it is described as accommodating up to 10-12 people for a tapas style dinner. This sounds to me as though that would be 12 people shoulder to shoulder with no space between them.

I plan to take stickies as a back-up plan, but if you can get all the glasses on a single sheet (even if US legal) then I think that would help a lot.

[Doggett]

It was momentarily looking unlikely, but I am pleased to confirm my place. I would also like to confirm my vote for suckling pig and that I will bring the S80 bottled in 1982. I shall look forward to seeing those coming on Thursday. Hopefully there is still room for DRT as it would be a fine way to celebrate the first half of his Strictly audition... for which I send you my very best wishes sir.

[Alex Bridgeman]

The list of ports being brought by people has been updated slightly following Tony's post, and now reads as follows. If DRT attends, the obvious bottle to bring would be a bottle of Offley 1982...

1.Max (but possibly only for a quick drink);
2.Irayna (Smith Woodhouse 1982, bottled 1986);
3.AHB (Churchill 1982);
4.IDJ (Niepoort 1982);
5.JDAW (adopting from TC);
6.CPR (Graham 1980 bottled 1982);
7.TC (Croft 1982, Messias Cachao 1982);
8.WS1 (Sandeman 1982);
9.SCD (Sandeman 1980, bottled 1982);

Possibles:
10.DRT

Not Attending:
11.RLC.

[jdaw1]

Ten glasses can squeeze onto US Legal. Alex: will you be able to print onto 14″×8½″?

[DRT]

The reason for my trip to London has now been brought forward so I will be down tomorrow rather than Thursday. Unfortunately this means I a unable to join you.

Enjoy.

[jdaw1]

The placemats have been updated. Please check.

[Alex Bridgeman]

The reason for my trip to London has now been brought forward so I will be down tomorrow rather than Thursday. Unfortunately this means I a unable to join you.Enjoy.

I understand that there is a deadful train strike planned for Tuesday evening through to Thursday evening. You may, unfortunately, be delayed on your return trip due to the strike.

[Alex Bridgeman]

The placemats have been updated. Please check.

They look good to me.

Could we swap the S82 and Ch82 so the two Sandeman wines are next to each other?

[jdaw1]

Could we swap the S82 and Ch82 so the two Sandeman wines are next to each other?

Placemats: preferred to swap the two ’80s: if you object, will do your plan.

[DRT]

The reason for my trip to London has now been brought forward so I will be down tomorrow rather than Thursday. Unfortunately this means I a unable to join you.Enjoy.

I understand that there is a deadful train strike planned for Tuesday evening through to Thursday evening. You may, unfortunately, be delayed on your return trip due to the strike.

That night have worked perfectly, had I not travelled down by car

[Alex Bridgeman]

The reason for my trip to London has now been brought forward so I will be down tomorrow rather than Thursday. Unfortunately this means I a unable to join you.Enjoy.

I understand that there is a deadful train strike planned for Tuesday evening through to Thursday evening. You may, unfortunately, be delayed on your return trip due to the strike.

That night have worked perfectly, had I not travelled down by car

I don’t see how that’s relevant. Surely a rail strike will just mean everyone drives with the result that the roads clog up and you can’t get back to Sheffield until Friday.

[WS1]

The reason for my trip to London has now been brought forward so I will be down tomorrow rather than Thursday. Unfortunately this means I a unable to join you.Enjoy.

I understand that there is a deadful train strike planned for Tuesday evening through to Thursday evening. You may, unfortunately, be delayed on your return trip due to the strike.

That night have worked perfectly, had I not travelled down by car

I don’t see how that’s relevant. Surely a rail strike will just mean everyone drives with the result that the roads clog up and you can’t get back to Sheffield until Friday.

This strike could give you the opportunity to have a lengthy counselling with your life coach......



regards

WS1

[jdaw1]

Links:

• Review of the evening as a whole;
• 1980 Sandeman;
• 1980 Graham;
• 1982 Sandeman;
• 1982 Churchill;
• 1982 Croft;
• 1982 Niepoort;
• 1982 Messias Quinta do Cachão;
• 1982 Smith Woodhouse LBV;
• 1998 Fonseca Guimaraens;
• 1997 Churchill;
• Placemats (which, SNAFU, were printed on 2×A4);
• Planning and arrangements.