The Port Forum Offline #1 - 18th July 2007

[DRT]

The 1st Offline organised by members of this forum will be held at The Crusting Pipe in Covent Garden, London on 18th July 2007.

Suggested starting time is 19:00

Attendees so far are:

• RonnieRoots
• LadyRoots
• AHB
• KillerB
• Uncle Tom
• Christopher Gee
• Mrs Gee
• Guest of Mr & Mrs Gee
• Derek T.

This will be a partially-sighted tasting, with most of the wines being served blind. Contributions offered to date are...
Table Wines:

• Something Red (KillerB)
• Maybe Something Else (KillerB)
• Something Red (The Roots)
• Something White (The Roots)
• Quinta de Macedos 2000 (Christopher Gee)

Port::

• Niepoort 1977(KillerB)
• Maybe Something Else (KillerB)
• Something with 20% Alchohol (The Roots)
• Port1 (AHB)
• Port2 (AHB)
• Unknown Shipper 1955 (Uncle Tom)
• Port3 (Mr&Mrs Gee and Guest)
• Port4 (Mr&Mrs Gee and Guest)
• Port5 (Derek T.)
• Port6 (Derek T.)

If anyone wishes to join us please contact one of the attendees or post on this thread.

Derek T.

[jdaw1]

Thirteen is too many glasses for an A4 placemat. What’s the largest paper size onto which an attendee can print?

Feel free to comment on the current draft.

(Techno-dweebs only: source PostScript. There is extra complexity because of the two-page format.)

[DRT]

jdaw,

I have split the list into Table Wines and Ports - could I suggest that one mat for each would be a practical solution?

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

So you automatically assume that a wine with more or lesss than 20% alcohol and a notable amount of residual sugar is a port?

This looks very, very good and I'm very much looking forward to it!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Christopher has managed to persuade both Mrs Gee and a port loving friend to be free on the evening of July 18th. All three will attend. Between them they will bring the Macedos plus at least two bottles of port.

Could I suggest that we amend the attendees list to reflect Mr & Mrs Christopher Gee and guest?

Also, did Al-K manage to speak to Ian yesterday? I've only just picked up the message that he would if I didn't want to.

Alex

[DRT]

I have updated the lists above.

I think we need to try to secure the long table in the tunnel at the back of the restaurant - could AHB or KillerB use their charm on Ian, please?

Also, is everyone OK with a 7 pm start?

Thanks

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

7PM is perfect for us.

[KillerB]

7PM is a bit on the late side as I eventually have to get my sorry persona onto a train. As Ronnie is free I will happily meet up considerably earlier, even if it's just for a couple of pints of TT Landlord.

[DRT]

I'm happy for it to be a bit earlier, but can't be there before 6pm

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

7PM is a bit on the late side as I eventually have to get my sorry persona onto a train. As Ronnie is free I will happily meet up considerably earlier, even if it's just for a couple of pints of TT Landlord.

Earlier is fine as well. I think LadyR can be there from 6PM. I'm available whole day for pints.

[KillerB]

Table has been booked for 9 people plus any stragglers from 6PM onwards. Ian maybe there at the beginning but we will be looked after anyway.

[jdaw1]

Earlier post edited.

Feel free to comment on the current draft.

Also free to test whether it prints.

[DRT]

jdaw,

It prints fine. Three observations:

1. Only 8 rings on the Ports TM but there are at least 9, possibly 10 ports coming along on the night. The 9th is a second port offered by The Gee's and the 10th being KillerB's "Maybe something else" - presumably the "Maybe Something Else" will only turn out to be either a Port or a Table Wine but for now we must allow for it being either or both.

2. Mrs Gee and Guest of Mr & Mrs Gee don't appear to have TM's

3. Jdaw has a TM - is he putting in a surprise appearance?

Derek

[jdaw1]

1. Only 8 rings on the Ports TM but there are at least 9, possibly 10 ports coming along on the night. The 9th is a second port offered by The Gee's and the 10th being KillerB's "Maybe something else" - presumably the "Maybe Something Else" will only turn out to be either a Port or a Table Wine but for now we must allow for it being either or both.

2. Mrs Gee and Guest of Mr & Mrs Gee don't appear to have TM's

Whoops: either those changes happened after I made the sheets, or I failed to notice it. Will be fixed within 24 hours. (Again I ask about larger paper: 10 glasses is a lot on one sheet of A4. Can you print on to legal (and what is the size of British legal paper?)?)

3. Jdaw has a TM - is he putting in a surprise appearance?

I shall be there in spirit, even if not in person.

[DRT]

I can only print on A4.

Let's give it a go and I'll try it out at home. If it's too tight we can always have the glasses around the outside sitting slightly off the edge of the paper. This may prove too much for OCD sufferers to cope with as the base of the glass will not be entirely contained within the appropriate ring but it may be the best we can do

Derek

[jdaw1]

I can only print on A4.

Others?

This may prove too much for OCD sufferers to cope with as the base of the glass will not be entirely contained within the appropriate ring but it may be the best we can do

We can and will do better.

[Alex Bridgeman]

If I get the chance tomorrow, I will try printing onto A3 and see if that works.

[jdaw1]

If I get the chance tomorrow, I will try printing onto A3 and see if that works.

Check here first: I might give you something to print.

[RonnieRoots]

Only A4 here too.

[DRT]

I have 4 possibilities standing on Death Row alongside Ronnie's WLBV95 -

I would tell you the average age of the bottles but KillerB would just moan about statistical relevance so I won't bother telling you it's 30.25 years

[jdaw1]

Too tired and emotional to do another version this evening. Maybe tomorrow morning.

[Alex Bridgeman]

It prints well onto A3 paper, and fits very neatly.

I'm scheduled to be in my office on both Monday and Tuesday next week so could do the printing then.

Thanks for doing these Julian.

Alex

[KillerB]

I have 4 possibilities standing on Death Row alongside Ronnie's WLBV95 -

I would tell you the average age of the bottles but KillerB would just moan about statistical relevance so I won't bother telling you it's 30.25 years

There is nothing wrong with talking of an average age, it is a cumulative age which is bow legs.

[RonnieRoots]

Derek, maybe if I told you that LadyR and I have an avere age of 31 (and that the lady is born in the wonderful vintage of KillerB's port), you could take that into account when making your final decision.

Julian: thanks for all the work!

[KillerB]

Sadly, there is now a distinct possibility that I may not be able to make it. I have just heard some very bad news about the death of a relative and if the funeral is on that day I will be there, come what may.

I would come down to meet up with Ronnie and Lady Roots on another, as I don't want to miss them.

I will keep you all informed as to whether I will attend.

[RonnieRoots]

That's very sad to hear. Condolances.

Keep us posted, we certainly don't want to miss you either.

[DRT]

Derek, maybe if I told you that LadyR and I have an avere age of 31 (and that the lady is born in the wonderful vintage of KillerB's port), you could take that into account when making your final decision.

Gotcha, a 5th bottle will now go on Death Row - it will be that one plus one of the other 4 (plus your WLBV95) that make the trip.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

Alex,

Sorry to hear the bad news. I hope that all goes as well as it can under the circumstances.

Alex

[DRT]

Alex,

Ditto

If you don't get down on Wednesday but intend coming another night please let me know. I'm in London Mon to Fri next week and happy to try that warm brown Landlord stuff you all keep banging on about.

Derek

[KillerB]

I can definitely make it down for one day that the Rootses are here so all that can make that same day are welcome. It will be irrelevant if the funeral is not Wednesday or early Thursday.

Thanks for the kind words all. It's actually a closer relative of Treacle's but I am also deeply saddened by it.

[jdaw1]

OK, I’m at my computer about to re-do things, with one version on A4 and one on A3. Requests pronto, please.

[jdaw1]

The current draft has been updated. Extra CG port added; extra guests including a blank who-knows guest; some tidying. KillerB’s complete mystery still on the non-port page: if it is port, as now looks less likely, you’ll just have to cope. Also with the port page on A3.

Please do comment.

[KillerB]

The mysterious one is Port

[jdaw1]

About to go to work. Unless you are sure that the glass will fit, 10 is too many for A4. Please test A3 printing. If that’s a go I’ll move it over. If not, new plan needed. Maybe move several ports over to the non-port page?

But KillerB is coming: great.

[KillerB]

Not necessarily coming, but if I do then the mystery is a Port.

[KillerB]

Looks highly likely that I will be there now, so back to Plan A.

[DRT]

Glad to hear it. I liked Plan A

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

Plan A looked like the better one to me too.

[DRT]

OK - dumb question time

I have never been to a blind tasting where the port was to be served out of the original bottles. How do we hide the labels?

• Paper and sticky tape?
• Peel the labels off?
• Other?

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

I was just thinking about the same. I can bring a couple of cardboard bottle sleeves. Those cover most of the bottle, except the neck. A different method would be to wrap the bottles in aluminium foil.

[DRT]

I was just thinking about the same. I can bring a couple of cardboard bottle sleeves. Those cover most of the bottle, except the neck. A different method would be to wrap the bottles in aluminium foil.

Excellent - I will go to the Sainsbury's next to the hotel when I arrive in London tomorrow and buy some Bakofoil

Ronnie, when do you and LadyR arrive in London? Where are you staying?

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

LadyR arrived this evening, and I will be joining her Tuesday evening. We are staying in the Radisson Hampshire on Leicester Square.

[DRT]

Hmmm, so LadyR and I are alone in London tomorrow night

[RonnieRoots]

I knew there was a risk in sharing that information with you!

[Conky]

Remember the attractive women in the Command Bunker???

Its all in his head!

[KillerB]

KillerB: We're almost out of our 5 kg of stilton cheese... It's indeed time to meet up again.

Challenge accepted

[RonnieRoots]

I have the feeling we're going to make a lot of people happy again.

[DRT]

My contributions made it to London safely and are now standing in the wardrobe of my hotel room where they will remain undisturbed for 48 hours - provided my willpower remanis intact

Derek

[jdaw1]

No recent comment has been received on placemats. Therefore nothing is happening. If that’s wrong, instruct.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Julian et al

I am only just catching up with weekend postings and don't have the chance to print off mats and notes for all until tomorrow morning. However, I will do so as early as possible (around 7:30am) and will advise if anything goes wrong.

If all goes well then I will bring a big pile of big paper with me on Wednesday!

Alex