Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
- KillerB
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
This refers to basic non-vintage rubies, the mass-produced stuff that we all sneer at. I made this specific so that nobody pops up with an impossible boutique ruby that they got from the assistant winemaker's dog at Quinta do Ronaldinho. Sadly, this excludes, the more than pleasant but only available from a tall, ginger bloke in Amsterdam, Quinta do Javali.
I suppose it means that it will be a big name but there should be a good ruby available from your average supermarket.
Anybody naming Cockburn's Special Reserve had better be using irony.
I suppose it means that it will be a big name but there should be a good ruby available from your average supermarket.
Anybody naming Cockburn's Special Reserve had better be using irony.
Port is basically a red drink
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Broadbent Auction Reserve works for me, as do Graham's Six Grapes and Quinta de la Rosa's Finest Reserve.
If you're looking for a non-reserve, then give Quinta de la Rosa's Lote 601 a try.
If you're looking for a non-reserve, then give Quinta de la Rosa's Lote 601 a try.
Glenn Elliott
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Six Grapes, I get the point and no problems with getting hold of it.
However, Quinta de la Rosa I don't see around much and I've never seen the Broadbent in the UK at all. Has anybody else as it seems like a nice idea?
However, Quinta de la Rosa I don't see around much and I've never seen the Broadbent in the UK at all. Has anybody else as it seems like a nice idea?
Port is basically a red drink
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Graham's produced a nice little thing with "Graham's Reserve" on the label a few years ago. Sainsbury were punting it out at around £10-12 for a while but it seems to have vanished from the shelves in my local store and is not listed on their website. It had a distinctive green capsule and a neck-tag with a little story about grapes and rivers and hills and wooden barrels. If you see it buy it.
I have enjoyed Fonseca Bin 27 previously but have not had it for around 4 years.
I have only had Graham 6 grapes once, at the lodge in VNG, and liked it. I have to confess that the reason I have never bought one is that I don't like the appearance of the bottle. Sad but true.
The de la Rosa that Glenn mentions is quite nice but I have never seen it in the UK. Nor have I seen Broadbent.
I have enjoyed Fonseca Bin 27 previously but have not had it for around 4 years.
I have only had Graham 6 grapes once, at the lodge in VNG, and liked it. I have to confess that the reason I have never bought one is that I don't like the appearance of the bottle. Sad but true.
The de la Rosa that Glenn mentions is quite nice but I have never seen it in the UK. Nor have I seen Broadbent.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I haven't had it in a while, but I remember the sandeman's founder's ruby to be quite nice.
Disclosure: Distributor of Quevedo wines and Quinta do Gomariz
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Berry's stock the Rosa reserve.
BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..
..however, I can't really help on that front - Tesco's own is better than might be feared
Tom
BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..
..however, I can't really help on that front - Tesco's own is better than might be feared
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
- JacobH
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I don’t know the ruby reserves very well for the simple reason that they usually cost about the same as one of the cheap, unfiltered LBVs. Indeed, with supermarket discounts, they are frequently more expensive. Am I missing a trick, though, by being slightly snobby about what I drink? How does something like 6-Grapes compare to the Graham LBV?
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
uncle tom wrote:BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..
Glenn E. wrote:If you're looking for a non-reserve, then give Quinta de la Rosa's Lote 601 a try.
Last edited by Glenn E. on 23:17 Thu 09 Apr 2009, edited 1 time in total.
Glenn Elliott
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
i shall have to take one for the team and go out now to buy some standard rubbi .. rubies
Disclosure: Distributor of Quevedo wines and Quinta do Gomariz
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I don't think I have ever bought a standard rubyuncle tom wrote:BTW - no-one has yet mentioned any Standard Rubies - only Reserves..
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- uncle tom
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Whilst I don't think I've ever tried the Six Grapes, it is rumoured that when allocating the juice available for different products, the Six Grapes takes precedence over the LBV.How does something like 6-Grapes compare to the Graham LBV?
Being unfiltered, the Six Grapes should have good aging potential - is it bottled with a driven cork, or a stopper?
Tom
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
- RonnieRoots
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
The one port that got me hooked on drinking port was Niepoort's standard ruby (and their standard tawny btw). Haven't had it for years but it is probably still very enjoyable. For a bit more you can also get the Junior Tinto, although that is more or less on the same price level as a non-filtered LBV.
I currently have a bottle of Cockburn Special Reserve in the house.... it's awful.
I currently have a bottle of Cockburn Special Reserve in the house.... it's awful.
- KillerB
- Taylor Quinta de Vargellas 1987
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I think I need to go and get a bottle of Six Grapes. I've had it before but only as a glass from a hotel or restaurant, which was disappointing. As it has been given the thumbs up by a number of people before I should have another go, this time from a fresh bottle. Graham's LBV has been known to be very good and very bad. I think that the Six Grapes is deliberately more expensive and more consistent.
I'm happy for this to include Reserves, in fact that's what I meant. I remember that the Marks and Sparks ruby in the squat bottle was reasonable and good value. I also remember that it was called "Vintage Character" and the manager at the Reading branch put up a big sign saying "Vintage Port only £5" - oops. I did leave a diplomatic hour before calling Trading Standards.
I'm happy for this to include Reserves, in fact that's what I meant. I remember that the Marks and Sparks ruby in the squat bottle was reasonable and good value. I also remember that it was called "Vintage Character" and the manager at the Reading branch put up a big sign saying "Vintage Port only £5" - oops. I did leave a diplomatic hour before calling Trading Standards.
Port is basically a red drink
- RonnieRoots
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
6-grapes certainly isn't bad. In fact, it makes more sense to buy that than their LBV. If I recall correctly, the Noval LB isn't bad either.
I believe Dow makes a couple of reserves as well? Trademark and Midnight. Anybody knows what the difference is between the two and if they are worth buying?
I believe Dow makes a couple of reserves as well? Trademark and Midnight. Anybody knows what the difference is between the two and if they are worth buying?
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Have tried bit Dows and they are OK but I use them for cooking. This may result in a snifter whilst the Bolognese is cooking. Just checked and the one that I have half a dozen botlles of is Renown which worked out at £4.75 per bottle. It is adequate but not something I would pay the tenner that was claimed as normal price.RonnieRoots wrote:6-grapes certainly isn't bad. In fact, it makes more sense to buy that than their LBV. If I recall correctly, the Noval LB isn't bad either.
I believe Dow makes a couple of reserves as well? Trademark and Midnight. Anybody knows what the difference is between the two and if they are worth buying?
Midnight is just dark, that appears to be its USP.
Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.
Port is basically a red drink
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Maybe it just stands for "Late Bottled" then they realised it wasn't vintage so left it that wayDRT wrote:Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.
Port is basically a red drink
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Good grief I was rightRonnieRoots wrote:That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"
Port is basically a red drink
- RonnieRoots
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Oh no you weren't! LBV is a different product, and I suppose it will be a lot better (have the '01 open now, lovely stuff). LB is just the brand name for their ruby reserve.KillerB wrote:Good grief I was rightRonnieRoots wrote:That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"
The marketing department at Dow's must have been quite pleased with themselves.KillerB wrote:Midnight is just dark, that appears to be its USP.
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Not that post the later one, it crossed with yours so it's actually after your explanation, but independent:RonnieRoots wrote:Oh no you weren't! LBV is a different product, and I suppose it will be a lot better (have the '01 open now, lovely stuff). LB is just the brand name for their ruby reserve.KillerB wrote:Good grief I was rightRonnieRoots wrote:That's the one I mean. The LB stands for Late Bottled, but it isn't a single vintage port.DRT wrote: "Noval LB Finest Reserve"
KillerB wrote:Maybe it just stands for "Late Bottled" then they realised it wasn't vintage so left it that wayDRT wrote:Noval produce a premium ruby named "Noval LB Finest Reserve" - I have had it a few times and from what I remember it is quite good. I do not know what the LB stands for and the empty half that I have in the cupboard reveals no clues.KillerB wrote: Do you mean the Noval LBV? If so, that's excellent.
Port is basically a red drink
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.
I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.
I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I concurrently apologise and thank you.DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.
I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.
Port is basically a red drink
Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
Fear not, it will not go to waste. Tomorrow is my monthly "cook as much chilli and spag bol as you can day"KillerB wrote:I concurrently apologise and thank you.DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.
I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- KillerB
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Re: Favourite easily available standard Ruby?
I have about a pound and a half of Top Rump that I am considering macerating for such purposes. Alternatively, it maybe turned into high quality burgers. Please advise.DRT wrote:Fear not, it will not go to waste. Tomorrow is my monthly "cook as much chilli and spag bol as you can day"KillerB wrote:I concurrently apologise and thank you.DRT wrote:This thread caused me to spend just under £7 on this.
I have definitely taken one for the team on this occassion.
Port is basically a red drink