Search found 152 matches

by Overtired and emotional
17:25 Sun 17 Jan 2010
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Have you Cleared the Path Outside of Your House?
Replies: 10
Views: 5563

Re: Have you Cleared the Path Outside of Your House?

The trouble is that there is a whole industry based on wide boys offering money to people for their claims. You can see it advertised on taxis and daytime TV. You would be suprised what people will say for a quick £150 - £300. That there is an industry in sourcing claims corrupts the whole process a...
by Overtired and emotional
00:24 Sun 10 Jan 2010
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1991 Graham
Replies: 1
Views: 3068

Re: 1991 Graham's Vintage Port

Broached a bottle on Thursday. Last night, it was awful, almost undrinkable. Tonight, at around 48 hours, much more agreeable, albeit simple and straightforward. I'll wait a year or two before the next tasting.
by Overtired and emotional
01:03 Sat 09 Jan 2010
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Alcohol and health
Replies: 339
Views: 183695

Re: Alcohol and health

I just Googled it....... http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1 ... 78,1413917

I was twenty years out, but the report was even better than I recalled.
by Overtired and emotional
00:59 Sat 09 Jan 2010
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Alcohol and health
Replies: 339
Views: 183695

Re: Alcohol and health

There was a story circulating years ago that a Russian tank crew stationed in Czecho sold their tank for a crate of vodka. It was supposed to have happened in the 60's, I think. There is, in that tale, heroic and unconquerable simpicity.
by Overtired and emotional
00:53 Wed 23 Dec 2009
Forum: Other Wines
Topic: Champagne for Christmas
Replies: 22
Views: 8853

Re: Champagne for Christmas

Champagne is fine stuff, but, everywhere, it demands such a premium. Even when there are deals to be done, the white burgundy etc you can buy for the same price will be streets ahead in quality.

The odd time I have been in funds, I buy champagne, but other times, it just looks like real pain.....
by Overtired and emotional
05:37 Fri 09 Oct 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: You know you're a port head when...
Replies: 10
Views: 5442

Re: You know you're a port head when...

the sheer awfulness of human existence and dread of the future is overcome by a determination to live until those lovingly cellared wines reach maturity.
by Overtired and emotional
23:02 Wed 29 Apr 2009
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1994 Martinez
Replies: 3
Views: 4093

1994 Martinez

My only acquaintance with this shipper has been through the Forum. However, this month, I have had a very pleasant introduction. My club in Manchester does not have an extensive cellar, but a recent purchase of this vintage is now on offer and at a very advantageous price. It is undoubtedly very you...
by Overtired and emotional
20:32 Wed 22 Apr 2009
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Innocent abroad
Replies: 5
Views: 4157

Innocent abroad

I took the train to work today. Waiting to buy my ticket, I overheard a suit (tieless), carrying a beautiful briefcase, ask for a single return ticket. To his credit, the booking clerk/station master refrained from making the man wait until he worked out what he ought to say.
by Overtired and emotional
22:02 Wed 18 Mar 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Is the party over?
Replies: 22
Views: 11472

Re: Is the party over?

For me, the sign came last autumn when Farr Vintners began again to e mail me after several years absence. AS in many sectors, very old mailing lists are being dredged up.
by Overtired and emotional
20:30 Thu 12 Mar 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Drying decanters
Replies: 26
Views: 10358

Re: Drying decanters

Arguably the best means of avoiding mustiness is to refill the decanter as soon as it has been emptied.
by Overtired and emotional
22:12 Mon 09 Mar 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Drying decanters
Replies: 26
Views: 10358

Re: Drying decanters

So far, my decanters have avoided disaster by being placed in a two pint measuring jug in a quiet corner. Once most water has run off, any residue tends to evaporate if left without stopper. That seems also to avoid any musty smells lingering, as noted elsewhere.
by Overtired and emotional
22:20 Thu 19 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Taylor 55 decanting time
Replies: 8
Views: 5449

Re: Taylor 55 decanting time

Final glass on Tuesday remained very well balanced and agreeable. I did not expect it to last so well.
by Overtired and emotional
00:04 Tue 17 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Valentines Day
Replies: 12
Views: 5706

Re: Valentines Day

Mrs H Your snoring was appalling last night. Kept me awake for hours...... Did you drink port last night..................Even Rocky (the cat) wondered what the noise was............ O & E I suffer from catarrh....... Sadly, Mrs H's love of vintage port was blunted years ago by the savage migrai...
by Overtired and emotional
23:52 Mon 16 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Taylor 55 decanting time
Replies: 8
Views: 5449

Re: Taylor 55 decanting time

That has been an interesting experience. When I drew the cork there was a curious burnt whiff which blew away immediately on decanting. The colour was deeper, towards ruby, than I had expected for a wine of this age. Three hours later there was not a lot of fruit but immense power and depth. At this...
by Overtired and emotional
21:08 Wed 11 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Taylor 55 decanting time
Replies: 8
Views: 5449

Re: Taylor 55 decanting time

Many thanks. I shall try to remember to track the various stages.
by Overtired and emotional
22:06 Tue 10 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Taylor 55 decanting time
Replies: 8
Views: 5449

Re: Taylor 55 decanting time

Well, that was another thought. Say, over two or three evenings. Do you think that too ambitious?
by Overtired and emotional
23:08 Mon 09 Feb 2009
Forum: Other Wines
Topic: Madeira Wine
Replies: 13
Views: 10253

Re: Madeira Wine

But if you killed of people who were in their 30's or 40's, what a treat we would all miss. Let your Madeiras achieve maturity; many live longer than most humans. An end to infanticide!
by Overtired and emotional
22:59 Mon 09 Feb 2009
Forum: Port Conversations
Topic: Taylor 55 decanting time
Replies: 8
Views: 5449

Taylor 55 decanting time

I have just one bottle which I would like to drink soon. I would expect that it needs, say, five hours, but after looking at Alex's tasting note wonder if longer is advisable? The bottle has been well cellared, and has a good level, mid neck or so. Any advice?
by Overtired and emotional
22:39 Fri 30 Jan 2009
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Haggis, Neaps and Tatties
Replies: 4
Views: 5783

Re: Haggis, Neaps and Tatties

I have lived close to Salford all my life and pass through each day, and yet, I have never heard of John Cooper Clarke.
by Overtired and emotional
22:28 Fri 30 Jan 2009
Forum: Other Wines
Topic: Madeira Wine
Replies: 13
Views: 10253

Re: Madeira Wine

It is probably not a good idea to taste, say, a 5 year old against a vintage. The paralells with with different grades of port are obvious and just as valid. If you can taste several vintages wines, then it is a great experience. The 10 and 15 year olds are pretty good, but, for me, the 5 year olds ...
by Overtired and emotional
22:05 Fri 30 Jan 2009
Forum: Other Wines
Topic: Books on CDP
Replies: 7
Views: 5022

Re: Books on CDP

If the J L-L book is published, it will be the definitive work. I cannot recommend highly enough his "Wines of the Northern Rhone". His previous works are, I think, long out of print. Robert Parker's *wines of the Rhone" is pretty good but is too old now to be very useful for the Rhon...
by Overtired and emotional
21:34 Sun 23 Nov 2008
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: How Sad can you Get?
Replies: 5
Views: 3835

Re: How Sad can you Get?

is it significant that there are so few female posters? Does that speak to port and masculinity or the geekiness of blogging and masculinity?
by Overtired and emotional
22:47 Mon 03 Nov 2008
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1963 Cockburn
Replies: 12
Views: 10508

Re: 1963 Cockburn

It turned out nicely. The cork was beginning to fail, the failure disguised by an odd plastic seal, looking the same as the one in your picture. Tasted after a couple of hours, it was marred by a slight spirity finish, but after six hours its fruit was quite forward. It was, by evening, well balance...
by Overtired and emotional
22:57 Tue 28 Oct 2008
Forum: Port Tasting Notes
Topic: 1963 Cockburn
Replies: 12
Views: 10508

Re: 1963 Cockburn

This is good service, if ever I saw it.

My bottle has a good level and a very sound capsule. It will be a disappointment if it has gone. Will report next week.

Thanks.
by Overtired and emotional
22:53 Tue 28 Oct 2008
Forum: Meaningless Drivel
Topic: Philosophical question
Replies: 10
Views: 5790

Re: Philosophical question

Putting it another way, given that whenever you read in the press about something of which you have some knowledge, it is wrong, would you ever be wholly truthful to questions in the public arena. Whatever answer you give will be twisted out of recognition. You will say whatever you think will produ...