The Book, ‘Port Vintages’, is for sale

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:44 Mon 03 Sep 2018

Port drinker and friends.

As many of you know, for ages and ages I’ve been writing a book, Port Vintages. As George Sandeman says, “This is the definitive reference book on old Vintage Port. Every book that comes after will rely on it.”

And — drum roll — it is now officially on sale! Please order at www.PortVintages.com.

A note about process. The book is not yet printed. Pre-orders are being gathered, and that’s how many will be printed. So it won’t be in bookshops; it’s going directly to out of print. Please order before it does. The plan is that Port Vintages will be delivered in December.

Please order at www.PortVintages.com.

Post by **DRT** » 20:51 Mon 03 Sep 2018

Excellent, Julian - well done!

My order already in!

Post by **flash_uk** » 20:54 Mon 03 Sep 2018

Superb! Huge congratulations. Order placed.

TLW · Post by **TLW** » 21:39 Mon 03 Sep 2018

Congratulations!

Order placed.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 00:47 Tue 04 Sep 2018

A big congratulations to you Mr. Wiseman!

Hopefully you might venture back state side one of these days!

Looking forward to utilizing the book!

differentdave · Post by **differentdave** » 00:57 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Congrats Julian. Order placed, a holiday present I am looking forward to receiving and using!!!! I agree with G-man about returning for a visit.
Unrelated great seeing sushinorth and gman this past weekend.

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 06:08 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Horray, will spread the word on the continent.

DaveRL · Post by **DaveRL** » 12:54 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Excellent news, and congratulations. Hope it sells well. My order placed.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:11 Tue 04 Sep 2018

My order also already in. But do I order a second copy, one which can be signed by the author...

Constandia · Post by **Constandia** » 15:37 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Great news-Many congratulations! My order is now placed. Can I have it signed please

Rubby · Post by **Rubby** » 19:40 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Congratulations on this feat!
Looking forward to it.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:42 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Signing? The books will be printed in Glasgow, and distributed from there. So not before arrival. But books brought to tastings can of course be signed. Decide in advance what you want written in the front.

People: please do market this to wine aficionados you know. I really want it to be owned and used by those with an interest in its subject: please help me reach them.

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 22:34 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Woohoo. Ordered 2

M.Charlton · Post by **M.Charlton** » 22:37 Tue 04 Sep 2018

This book sounds tremendous - I’ve ordered. Well done to the author.

g-man · Post by **g-man** » 22:55 Tue 04 Sep 2018

Best part of this book is that i'm going to use it as a checklist and have my fellow port lovers signature bottles shared together!

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 03:47 Wed 05 Sep 2018

AHB wrote: ↑13:11 Tue 04 Sep 2018 My order also already in. But do I order a second copy, one which can be signed by the author...

My dilemma as well...

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 03:53 Wed 05 Sep 2018

Glenn E. wrote:
AHB wrote: ↑13:11 Tue 04 Sep 2018 My order also already in. But do I order a second copy, one which can be signed by the author...
My dilemma as well...

I ordered two so one I can read and one I can keep in new condition. With the hope that one day when I’m old I can pass it on to a deserving younger Port lover.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Constandia · Post by **Constandia** » 09:56 Wed 05 Sep 2018

jdaw1 wrote: ↑19:42 Tue 04 Sep 2018 Signing? The books will be printed in Glasgow, and distributed from there. So not before arrival. But books brought to tastings can of course be signed. Decide in advance what you want written in the front.

People: please do market this to wine aficionados you know. I really want it to be owned and used by those with an interest in its subject: please help me reach them.

I'll def. bring it to a tasting for signature and will post on social media

Post by **jdaw1** » 23:10 Thu 06 Sep 2018

g-man wrote: ↑22:55 Tue 04 Sep 2018Best part of this book is that i'm going to use it as a checklist and have my fellow port lovers signature bottles shared together!

Great plan. Don’t forget to add the date drank.

Terrible plan. There is little chance of tasting a large fraction of the ≤1900 Ports in the book.

Constandia wrote: ↑09:56 Wed 05 Sep 2018and will post on social media

Please do, often and well. And please let me know where done. Thank you.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 08:26 Fri 07 Sep 2018

Could you create a stand-up cardboard mock-up of the cover or contents page and some blurb (plus a link to portvintages.com) and then ask if you could leave it in places like the B&F, Bar Douro on a notice board or the end of the bar?

Caparica · Post by **Caparica** » 18:33 Fri 07 Sep 2018

Julian, Congratulation !

Two books ordered...

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 22:20 Fri 07 Sep 2018

I think we should celebrate the launch of the book with an offline. I will choose a date and start a thread to that effect. Keep an eye on the events forum later this weekend...

Post by **DRT** » 23:30 Fri 07 Sep 2018

AHB wrote: ↑22:20 Fri 07 Sep 2018 I think we should celebrate the launch of the book with an offline. I will choose a date and start a thread to that effect. Keep an eye on the events forum later this weekend...

Hopefully the offline will not be "ten years in the making"

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 07:50 Sat 08 Sep 2018

Well done Julian - it's been a long time in the making..

Just had a look at the ordering page..

..what's the TPF discount code??

Andy Velebil · Post by **Andy Velebil** » 12:49 Sat 08 Sep 2018

AHB wrote: ↑22:20 Fri 07 Sep 2018 I think we should celebrate the launch of the book with an offline. I will choose a date and start a thread to that effect. Keep an eye on the events forum later this weekend...

Perhaps just after everyone get's their copy so it could be a "Book signing by the Author" event as well. You could require each person getting it signed to give a glass of aged Port to the author and anyone who did any proof reading, supplied pictures or any other involvement, however slight.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:58 Sun 09 Sep 2018

Usual practice is to charge for signing.

Since when have I been bound by usual practice? No charge — just bring to the event a bottle of great Port and the book, and I’ll happily sign.

(My proper ink pen was cleaned and dried and put away about 22 years ago. It has been brought out of retirement, and will be used for signings.)

StuartC · Post by **StuartC** » 12:09 Mon 10 Sep 2018

Ordered 3!

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 00:53 Tue 11 Sep 2018

I have a group purchase to order, but am not sure that all interested have had the opportunity to respond. I leave for Portugal next Thursday.

Safe to wait to place the group order until at least Oct 3, or will orders have closed by then?

Post by **jdaw1** » 06:21 Wed 12 Sep 2018

Glenn E. wrote: ↑00:53 Tue 11 Sep 2018Safe to wait to place the group order until at least Oct 3, or will orders have closed by then?

Safe.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 09:28 Tue 16 Oct 2018

I've just listened to the esteemed author on The UK Wine Show ThirtyFifty podcast where he talks about vintage port. Very entertaining and well worth a listen.

There's also a follow up podcast which I haven't listened to yet, where he talks about The Book.

DaveRL · Post by **DaveRL** » 16:13 Wed 17 Oct 2018

AHB wrote: ↑09:28 Tue 16 Oct 2018 I've just listened to the esteemed author on The UK Wine Show ThirtyFifty podcast where he talks about vintage port. Very entertaining and well worth a listen.

There's also a follow up podcast which I haven't listened to yet, where he talks about The Book.

Both very good, very well worth a listen.

SCP-DFF · Post by **SCP-DFF** » 16:25 Wed 17 Oct 2018

DaveRL wrote: ↑16:13 Wed 17 Oct 2018
AHB wrote: ↑09:28 Tue 16 Oct 2018 I've just listened to the esteemed author on The UK Wine Show ThirtyFifty podcast where he talks about vintage port. Very entertaining and well worth a listen.

There's also a follow up podcast which I haven't listened to yet, where he talks about The Book.
Both very good, very well worth a listen.

Yes, and Part 2 of their conversation is up as well.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:02 Wed 17 Oct 2018

SCP-DFF wrote: ↑16:25 Wed 17 Oct 2018
DaveRL wrote: ↑16:13 Wed 17 Oct 2018
AHB wrote: ↑09:28 Tue 16 Oct 2018 I've just listened to the esteemed author on The UK Wine Show ThirtyFifty podcast where he talks about vintage port. Very entertaining and well worth a listen.

There's also a follow up podcast which I haven't listened to yet, where he talks about The Book.
Both very good, very well worth a listen.
Yes, and Part 2 of their conversation is up as well.

I was slightly disappointed that neither episode featured the actual drinking of Port.

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:05 Fri 19 Oct 2018

AHB wrote: ↑17:02 Wed 17 Oct 2018I was slightly disappointed that neither episode featured the actual drinking of Port.

I was the guest — it was worse for me!

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:55 Wed 31 Oct 2018

Stock is running low, and sales are about to end. If you have, thank you. If you haven’t, then www.PortVintages.com.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:27 Thu 15 Nov 2018

The shop is closed. Supply is not quite exhausted (about 90% sold), but for the moment the shop is closed.

Cloth-bound books are set to arrive at the fulfilment company on Wednesday 28th November. Hence they are likely to be in the hands of UK readers early in the week beginning 3rd December; European and US readers later that week or early week of 10th December; and Australian readers not long after that.

Leather-bound books are likely to be ready in early January.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:32 Thu 15 Nov 2018

Notes to self: FTLOP thread; JancisRobinson.com thread.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:58 Mon 26 Nov 2018

The printer has sent me a picture of an unfolded hardback cover, which will be attached to the inside pages tomorrow (Tue 27th Nov).

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:22 Wed 28 Nov 2018

Received from fulfilment company at about 4pm today (Wed 28^th Nov):
> Just to let you know, within the past hour we have took delivery of the books – 3 pallets.

Two copies were sent by the printer directly to my home, and it looks good. I’m confident you will be pleased. Reading it will take you several magnums.

Anyway, some of you are doubtless impatient for this pleasure. When your treasure arrives if you are able to post in this thread on ThePortForum (or, when it’s working again, on FTLOP), please help the others by posting to say when it arrived. Please also say approximately where you are in the world, and whether you are remotely rural or speedily urban.

Thank you.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:46 Fri 30 Nov 2018

An ambiguous message was been received from the fulfilment company, at about 4pm today = Fri 30^th Nov.

> Just to let you know, the job is ready for dispatch. I will have the bulks dispatched on Monday, so you should receive yours by Tuesday.

Given that fifty are being delivered to me, that might mean that the non-bulks have been shipped today. Have they? And how many books is “bulk”? I asked by email (no reply); I phoned (several times; phone not answered). Sigh. The ambiguity is not my fault, except in the sense that it came from my subcontractor. Sorry: I do understand that it irritating me does not help you.

So, when your book(s) arrive, if you are able to post in here on ThePortForum (or on FTLOP), please help the others by posting to say how many arrived, and when. Please also say approximately where you are in the world, and whether you are remotely rural or speedily urban.

Thank you.

Despite this, I’m confident you will be pleased. Reading it will take you several Imperials.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:50 Sun 02 Dec 2018

The author has confessed to finding an error in his copy of The Book. One error in 395,000 words.

I am deeply impressed and look forward enormously to receiving my copy. On Christmas Day I shall be ignoring the family and reading The Book.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:22 Mon 03 Dec 2018

Message received from the fulfilment company, at about noon today = Mon 3^rd Dec.

> The singles (1 copy) mailed on Friday and bulks (2 and above) are leaving from today. You will receive yours tomorrow. 10 boxes.

I know that a single ordered to London did not arrive today, but tomorrow, Tue 4th Dec, is surely quite likely.

As said before, please, when your book(s) arrive, if you are able to post here on ThePortForum (or on FTLOP), please help the others by posting to say how many arrived, and when. Please also say approximately where you are in the world, and whether you are remotely rural or speedily urban.

Thank you.

PS: the ‘advertising’ did say “Delivery expected before Christmas”; tomorrow is three weeks before that day.

AHB wrote: ↑20:50 Sun 02 Dec 2018The author has confessed to finding an error in his copy of The Book. One error in 395,000 words.

On page 603: “There are pictures of other Wine Society labels: Warre 1934 on page 521; Cálem Quinta da Foz 1963 on page 19; Cálem Quinta da Foz 1966 on page 19; and Gould Campbell 1977 on page 193.”

Alas (feel my pain!) this omits a Cálem Quinta da Foz 1958 on p18. But page 18 is opposite p19, to which there is a pointer (twice — Cá63 and CáF66), so readers are no more than slightly disadvantaged.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 13:48 Tue 04 Dec 2018

jdaw1 wrote: ↑19:22 Mon 03 Dec 2018 Message received from the fulfilment company, at about noon today = Mon 3^rd Dec.

> The singles (1 copy) mailed on Friday and bulks (2 and above) are leaving from today. You will receive yours tomorrow. 10 boxes.

And have you?

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:34 Tue 04 Dec 2018

Reports have been received of single books arriving in Cornwall, and in St Andrews. A bulk shipment of books arrived in South London. But a single that was ordered to be delivered to my office in central London did not come today (Tue 4^th Dec).

Make of that what you will.

Edit: also a single near Romford.

Post by **DRT** » 11:42 Wed 05 Dec 2018

Two books arrived safely in Chesterfield this morning

Doggett · Post by **Doggett** » 17:50 Wed 05 Dec 2018

My order for a single volume arrived this afternoon between 16.00 and 17.00 GMT.

It was delivered to me in Sanderstead, approx 10 miles south of Charing Cross in C London.
Some Sanderstead stats for those unfamiliar...

Population - 12,777 (2011 Ward)[1]
UK OS grid reference - TQ337613
London borough - Croydon
Ceremonial county - Greater London
Region - London
Country - England
Sovereign state - United Kingdom
Post town - SOUTH CROYDON
Postcode district - CR2

At first look it is just as impressive as I hoped and expected from the Author. I am very much looking forward to some quality quiet time to give it the attention it deserves.

I am, of course, more than happy to sign page 608 for anyone that wishes.

Post by **flash_uk** » 07:41 Thu 06 Dec 2018

I had a UPS card for a missed delivery yesterday, so I anticipate picking up my delivery this afternoon.

DaveRL · Post by **DaveRL** » 10:21 Thu 06 Dec 2018

My copy of The Book arrived here in speedily urban London today, and it looks very good indeed. I am most certainly not disappointed.

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 17:32 Thu 06 Dec 2018

I picked up my copy this afternoon. I look forward to a long, long read.

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:43 Thu 06 Dec 2018

Delicious review comment: “There is some truly useless information in there!”