Merchants.

[angeleyes]

Hello,
Just a quick question to ask for recommendations on merchants (in London) where small quantities can be purchased (ie 2 or 3 bottles) that can be collected so that the disproportionate shipping charges can be avoided.

[uncle tom]

There are several merchants scattered across the capital who sell vintage ports over the counter, but none at prices I would contemplate.

- What are you looking for?

Tom

[angeleyes]

Mainly those and also older tawnies and colheitas. Buying in cases a better value option then? -Mark

[uncle tom]

Mark,

Although they sometimes like to pretend otherwise, merchants buy most of their mature vintage port at auction.

And the key to buying at auction is to know what you are buying, - and when to stop bidding.

My own cellar is fairly well stocked now, and I'm quite content to pass on the majority of port lots that go under the hammer; but I'm also more than happy to help you snap a bargain or two.

Try cruising the auction sites online, notably Bonhams, Christies, Dreweatts, Sothebys & Straker Chadwick; but don't dive in without dropping me a line - it's not unusual to see a couple of people who havn't done their homework bid each other up to silly prices that exceed retail levels, when auction prices are, essentially, a trade price, and not a retail one.

The important thing is to keep in touch - aside from saving you money, its great fun to socialise with fellow enthusiasts, share bottles and occasionally split auction lots.

Newbies are always welcome - there are no airs and graces here!

Tom