June 25th - The London "After Cricket" offline

[Alex Bridgeman]

It has been suggested that there may be an opportunity to get together on the evening of June 25th, at the Crusting Pipe, to share some port.

This could be in celebration, commiseration or complete indifference to England's attempts to win the One Day International against New Zealand at the Oval earlier in the day.

Of course, if the weather continues as it has been over the last few days, we could see the port "evening" starting fairly early in the day.

If anyone is interested in joining us, please let me know or post here. Any suggestions for themes would be welcome, and my contribution is "A Cheap and Cheerful Blind Tasting". Ports to be served blind and to cost no more than £15 per bottle. Vintage and Late Bottled Vintage only.

[benread]

Any suggestions for themes would be welcome, and my contribution is "A Cheap and Cheerful Blind Tasting". Ports to be served blind and to cost no more than £15 per bottle. Vintage and Late Bottled Vintage only.

In deference to the fact that it is likely those of us going to the game may not have a clean palate by the evening?!

As you know, I am a definite for this! I am happy with the theme and have a few ideas. Would need the option to drop off at TCP the day before or morning of 25th though.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I haven't asked TCP, but I am sure that they would be willing to look after a few bottles for the day. I plan to drop off first thing in the morning, before heading to the Oval.

[benread]

I did have one alternative thought for a theme - either for this or another day.

BOB bottles compared to their commercial bretheren. For example, we know the Tesco 1994 is bottled by Symmington / Quarles Harris. There is a 1994 QH commercially available as well - at around twice the price via BBR. How would the two compare?

Are there other similar connections known of?

[Alex Bridgeman]

This tasting is now quorate with three confirmed attendees. More are welcome.

BOB theme is a good one, and perhaps one we should explore when we have more people around, so that we can try 2-3 different ports. Maybe an idea to carry forward to September?

[benread]

It may take some planning as well. What other pairings exist?

Who else is joining us?

[KillerB]

I can make it.

I can do cheap & cheerful, BOB's are limited.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Cheap and cheerful could include BoBs, I would suggest.

Vintage port or late bottled vintage only, costing £15 or less per bottle when purchased or today.

Should we name the bottles we are bringing (to ensure that we don't end up with 4+ bottles of the same thing)? Or shall we just do this totally blind and hope for the best?

I'll post more details and a list of attendees in due course.

Alex

[benread]

I am relaxed either way. If we do not name, I will at least try to surprise with something I have not talked about too obviously here!

[KillerB]

If we did BOBs then we could all end up bringing the same bottles of Tesco 1994. I suggest revelations.

[benread]

Just a thought should we make this "under GBP20"? It would give us just a bit more scope. Even the Tesco 1994 is normally GBP15.99 I think.

I am begining to favour an agreed line up as options at sub GBP15 make it likely we end up with mutiple bottles.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'm happy to go with:

- vintage or late bottled vintage port
- under £20 a bottle
- say what you're going to bring

Obvious choices to bring include:
* Morgan '91 (Christies - £8 per bottle)
* Martinez '97 (New York - currently £8 per bottle)
* Cruz '89 (Somerfields - currently £10 per bottle)
* Tesco '94 (Tesco - currently £14 per bottle)
* Tesco '95 (Tesco - currently £14 per bottle)
* Noval '01 Traditional LBV (Tesco - currently under £10 per bottle)
* Warre '95 Traditional LBV (Asda - £5 per bottle last year)
* Croft '02 Traditional LBV (Sainsbury - £7 per bottle last year)
* Crusted Ports (often around the £15-20 mark, but much better with some bottle age)
* Single Quinta Ports (careful shopping can reveal some good prices, like Quinta de Corte '87 for £17.50 per bottle)
* non Douro imposters, which are usually quite cheap

Even my Martinez '94s (which I am not going to bring!) would fall into the category of "under £20". Hell! I even acquired some of my Vesuvio '94 (which I am not going to bring!) for under £20!

Moving from "£15 or less" to "£20 or less" makes a big difference to what I can bring and makes the selection process much easier. Having written out the list above and having been through my cellar list, I'm not convinced that I do want to raise the bar. Any thoughts from others coming or thinking of coming to the tasting? It might be more fun to try a selection of the ports that are around but often overlooked.

[benread]

Under GBP20 is much easier. Under GBP15 is a challenge but one I can rise to.

Bring something under GBP15 could mean two things. Lets have a cheap port for a change or suprise me with something I would not normally try.

It sounds like the theme is "surprise me with something I would not normally try" - in which case it should be under GBP15.

[benread]

....and my ticket for the cricket has just arrived!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Bring something under GBP15 could mean two things. Lets have a cheap port for a change or suprise me with something I would not normally try.

It could even mean both of these. Of the ports that I listed above in the £15 or under category, I only regularly drink one of these and have only tasted 4 of the others.

I shall bring a Morgan '91 for Ben and Richard to try.

[benread]

Bring something under GBP15 could mean two things. Lets have a cheap port for a change or suprise me with something I would not normally try.

It could even mean both of these. Of the ports that I listed above in the £15 or under category, I only regularly drink one of these and have only tasted 4 of the others.

I shall bring a Morgan '91 for Ben and Richard to try.

Derek has been waxing lyrical about the Morgan '91 so I am very interested in trying that. In which case, I can supply without any shopping the following:

• Tesco 1994
  Noval 2001 (LBV unfiltered)
  Fonseca 2000 (LBV unfiltered)
  Dows Trademark Finest Reserve

With the new customer discount I could claim the Quinta Da Corte 1987 I purchased averaged at about £14 but I think that may be cheating!

Not sure if any of these fall into your 'not tried' or 'tasted' category. The Fonseca was purchased in anticipation of being required for 20th June but I have a feeling I will be requiring a Taylors LBV by then! Let me know what appeals.

[KillerB]

I can provide without shopping:

Tesco Vintage 1994
Sainsbury Vintage 1996
Malvedos 1996
Vargellas 1996, 1998
Bomfim 1996
Guimaraens 1986, 1988
Warre LBV 1992, 1995
Noval LBV 1997, 2001
Krohn LBV 1997
Croft LBV 2002

[Alex Bridgeman]

If I'm allowed to choose, I'll choose for Ben to bring the 1994 Tesco and Alex K to bring the Warre '92 LBV.

I'll see if I can persuade Richard to bring the Tesco 1995 - it might be interesting to try the 1994 against the 1995.

[Conky]

London, Cheap & Cheerful, Cricket, (or more likely precipitation stories)...

I'll keep saving up towards October.

[jdaw1]

When you have an decided on the list of ports, I’ll do the usual trick.

[benread]

If I'm allowed to choose, I'll choose for Ben to bring the 1994 Tesco and ...

Agreed. Consider one of my bottles duly marked for this. Will drop off at TCP first thing Wednesday - assuming they are open early enough.

[benread]

PS - what is considered appropriate instructions for TCP in terms of decanting for a Tesco 1994? Any ideas out there in TPF land?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I suggest that you just ask them to double decant as early as possible, ideally before lunch.

[Alex Bridgeman]

London, Cheap & Cheerful, Cricket, (or more likely precipitation stories)...

The contingency plan, should it rain, is that we make it to the Crusting Pipe when they open at 11am and stay there until they close at 11pm. We will have several large wads of port vouchers in our pockets from the refunds that will be given on the tickets.

[benread]

We will have several large wads of port vouchers in our pockets from the refunds that will be given on the tickets.

...but a lack of options in TCP! We may need to make a few reccies if that proves to be the case.

I just hope the home team play better cricket than was seen at the Oval tonight. Surrey were awful!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Despite being in Germany, I was still able to see and hear just how awful Surrey were.

Looks like the players might be losing their chance to star in the World Club Championships...

Back on topic - if it does rain then there are a number of shops within easy reach of TCP who can offer us additional port choices. Berry's is not too far and there's a pretty good wine shop in Soho which is within walking distance.

Alex

[Alex Bridgeman]

RIchard will be bringing the Noval 2001 infiltered (predictive text speak for unfiltered) LBV.

[DRT]

I might be able to make this one due to a change of plans at work. Can someone please provide a sumary of the rules, who is bringing what and when we are meeting?

Ta.

[benread]

Do we have a Tesco 1995 in the line up now? I have the 1994 but saw both on the shelf next to each other at the weekend (Tesco Gatwick)

[DRT]

Plans now confirmed. I'm in

Please let me know what is already in the line-up so that I can choose a suitable bottle from my stock.

Please also let me know whether or not any of the participants wish to take delivery of their D80s.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

A summary of the rules:
- Vintage or Late Bottled Vintage Port
- Costing £15 or less (when originally purchased or current price)
- Sighted tasting

Attending:
AHB
BR (sorry Ben, I've forgotten the middle initials)
RL (friend of mine who's coming to the cricket with me)
ARK
DRT (late addition)

Wines Attending:
Tesco 1994 VP (BR)
Morgan Brothers 1991 (AHB)
QdN 2001 Unfiltered LBV (RL)
Warre 1992 Unfiltered LBV (ARK)

Ideally, DRT could bring the Tesco 1995 VP. I'd like to compare the 1994 against the 1995.

I'll have a wheelie travel case with me so would be delighted to take delivery of my three bottles of Dow 1980 (or suitable substitute).

Also, anyone who is in London for the evening of Tuesday 24th June, I'll be arriving in town about 9:30pm and spending the night in London. If anyone is up for meeting and a drink then let me know.

Alex

[DRT]

I don't have any Tesco 1995 but I do have some Vesuvio 96's that cost me exactly £15 each. Would that do?

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

I haven't had the Vesuvio 1996 for a while (can't get at my tasting notes at the moment so can't say exactly how long). It would be nice to try it again. Sounds good to me.


JDAW - would you be so kind as to prepare a tasting mat for the occasion?

All - I am not in the office before our offline and so will not be able to print the tasting mats. If any kind soul is able to do so, it would be most appreciated. Please volunteer in this thread so we don't end up with several copies.

All - TCP will have plenty of glasses, but they will not necessarily be the right shape for port. Anyone who is able to bring a set of tasting glasses might wish to do so.

Alex

[jdaw1]

JDAW - would you be so kind as to prepare a tasting mat for the occasion?

Sure. Please provide usual lists of who and what.

[Axel P]

Well, I just learned the rules about Hurling, Galic football, rugby and all the irish stuff - but cricket: go away.

Isn't it just some sport that was only played in the colonies to confuse the natives?

Axel

[jdaw1]

First draft of placemats. Please check the what and the who.

cricket […] Isn't it just some sport that was only played in the colonies to confuse the natives?

Alas, some of these ‘natives’ aren’t bad at cricket.

[DRT]

First draft of placemats. Please check the what and the who.

W92LBV should be ARK

[jdaw1]

First draft of placemats. Please check the what and the who.

W92LBV should be ARK

Well spotted. Fixed.

[DRT]

First draft of placemats. Please check the what and the who.

W92LBV should be ARK

Well spotted. Fixed.

Thanks. I will print.

[DRT]

First draft of placemats. Please check the what and the who.

W92LBV should be ARK

Well spotted. Fixed.

Thanks. I will print.

I have printed and they look wonderful. I like the topical in-filling of the principal lettering. New Zealand 3, England 2. Excellent.

Thanks

Derek

[benread]

I have printed and they look wonderful. I like the topical in-filling of the principal lettering. New Zealand 3, England 2. Excellent.

Thanks

Derek

If 3-2 was a reference to possible score. they cannot now be accurate! at 1-1 with 1 game lost it cannot be 3-2!

On the upside, the weather forecast for Wednesday at this range ahead looks very good. May need to take my hat and suncream!

Does anyone know at what time TCP are open on a Wednesday to accept deliveries?

[DRT]

I have printed and they look wonderful. I like the topical in-filling of the principal lettering. New Zealand 3, England 2. Excellent.

Thanks

Derek

If 3-2 was a reference to possible score. they cannot now be accurate! at 1-1 with 1 game lost it cannot be 3-2!

You're on the wrong tracks again, Ben. Try printing off or zooming in on one of the tasting mats and you will see what I mean.

Derek

[benread]

I have printed and they look wonderful. I like the topical in-filling of the principal lettering. New Zealand 3, England 2. Excellent.

Thanks

Derek

If 3-2 was a reference to possible score. they cannot now be accurate! at 1-1 with 1 game lost it cannot be 3-2!

You're on the wrong tracks again, Ben. Try printing off or zooming in on one of the tasting mats and you will see what I mean.

Derek

I can pick up the England v. New Zealand part but not the 3 - 2. Help!

[DRT]

I can pick up the England v. New Zealand part but not the 3 - 2. Help!

There are 5 circles.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Crusting Pipe opens for deliveries any time from about 9:30 onwards, but you will have to ring the bell if you get there much before 11. I recommend telephoning in advance to arrange a delivery.

The "Office" is booked officially from 7:30pm but anyone finishing early and wanting a place to wait for cricket lovers would presumably be well looked after by the staff at TCP.

[JacobH]

Coincidentally, I’ve arranged to go to the ROH on Wednesday so I might see anyone who gets there a bit early. This is, of course, dependant on whether the person I am going with is willing but considering what the prices are like inside the hall, I think there’s a strong possibility!

[DRT]

Coincidentally, I’ve arranged to go to the ROH on Wednesday so I might see anyone who gets there a bit early. This is, of course, dependant on whether the person I am going with is willing but considering what the prices are like inside the hall, I think there’s a strong possibility!

Jacob,

By all means drop by and say hello before the show or during the interval - When you enter the Crusting Pipe turn left and walk as far as you can. We will be in the small room at the end.

Derek

[KillerB]

Looks like I will have to leave a bit earlier than normal. We have tickets to see Goldfrapp at the Royal Albert Hall. If the cricket is late then I may only see some for a very short period - my apologies, it happened at short notice.

[DRT]

Looks like I will have to leave a bit earlier than normal. We have tickets to see Goldfrapp at the Royal Albert Hall. If the cricket is late then I may only see some for a very short period - my apologies, it happened at short notice.

In which case I will not bring your D80s in case our paths don't cross and to avoid you being ejected from the gig for carrying bevvy in glass bottles.

[KillerB]

Looks like I will have to leave a bit earlier than normal. We have tickets to see Goldfrapp at the Royal Albert Hall. If the cricket is late then I may only see some for a very short period - my apologies, it happened at short notice.

In which case I will not bring your D80s in case our paths don't cross and to avoid you being ejected from the gig for carrying bevvy in glass bottles.

Thanks - I hadn't thought of you bringing them.