The London Olympiad Vertical - 1948 - 2012

Post by **PhilW** » 07:47 Mon 19 Mar 2012

uncle tom wrote:I've been chewing this one, and aside from a heartfelt plea to the trade to find something - anything..! - from '56, I think it's do-able without breaking the bank..

Possible line- up:

2008 - Quevedo - need to source, but readily available, cost for 2 btls c.£40

2004 - Noval - need to source - cost maybe £70 (2btls)

2000 - Delaforce - can supply @ £50/2

1996 - Vesuvio - can supply @ £35/2

1992 - Eira velha - can supply @ £35/2

1998 - Fonseca Guimaraens - can supply @ £25/2

1984 - Warre Cavadinha - can supply @ £30/2

1980 - Dow - can supply @ £70/2

1976 - Graham Malvedos - have one bottle only - anticipated cost for 2 c. £80

1972 - Have Dow, but good slot for Sandeman - anyone have stock?

1968 - Niepoort colheita - can supply @ £110/2

1964 - Have Nacional, but good slot for Taylor Vargellas - anyone have stock?

1960 - Croft - can supply @ £120/2

1956 - Problem!!

1952 - Niepoort colheita - can supply @ £130/2

1948 - Martinez - Can supply @ £190/2btls

..before I send a begging missive to the trade for a '56 of some description - any other thoughts??

Just some ideas, in case they might help:
- For 68, instead of a second Ni Col, you could replace with 68 Romaneira, available at 35euro/bottle in Germany, if Axel were happy to purchase for us perhaps?
- I'd also be tempted to make the 92 the Fonseca, though then we'd have to fill the 88 alternatively; perhaps a Calem or SW88? (I have [only] one SW88 which I'd be happy to donate if that would help).
- My only thought for the 56 would be to take a really nice 55 and use a black marker pen on it

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 11:26 Mon 19 Mar 2012

Although 1956 was a good madeira vintage.

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:43 Mon 21 May 2012

Please could we have an update on the state of play.

Post by **DRT** » 21:45 Mon 21 May 2012

DRT wrote:
AHB wrote:The cost could be underestimated. My experience is that if we supply ports for a tasting from our personal cellars then we usually beat Wine Searcher prices by about 20%. Wine searcher has a line up similar to the one suggested by Tom priced at £2,750 for the 16 bottles. Take off the 20% and add on glass hire and you get an cost estimate of £2,500. If this is a one bottle tasting with 6 guests and 8 TPF paying attendees then this works out to be £312.50 per TPF member. Fill the table with 24 attendees, of which 18 are TPF paying members and have two bottles of each wine and the cost works out to be about £280 per TPF member.
AHB is normally quite accurate in his estimations for such events. If this is indeed going to cost in the region of £300 per head I am sorry to say that it is not for me as most of these wines are likely to be curiosities. If others are more keen that I am them please drop me down to a possible attendees and allow someone lower down the list to take my place.

I remain unconvinced. Please can someone tell us what the plan is and convince us it is a good use of ££££ ?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 08:37 Tue 22 May 2012

Have just returned from Portugal complete with two bottles of 1956 - kindly supplied by Dirk after a lot of searching by Nick Delaforce.

To give some idea of the rarity of this vintage, Dom Symington (whose birth year is 1956) tells me that his family does not possess a single bottle from this vintage, either of port or madeira.

Anyway, this means that the event is now ON, and unless anyone has any objections, I am happy to sponsor the event under the TPS banner to fix costs.

On that front, upon hearing of the event, the new head of the IVDP has very kindly offered to donate the glasses, although that will probably be on the basis of the Portuguese tasting regime that has three of four glasses per person, rather than a whole table full.

If there is any further sponsorship, that that will further reduce the sign-up cost, but at this stage I can guarantee that the total cost of the evening will not exceed £150 per person.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 10:14 Tue 22 May 2012

I am happy to hand the organising over to Tom.

Post by **PhilW** » 10:49 Tue 22 May 2012

Nice job Tom! Good news on the 56 and the event sponsorship, am looking forward to it.

Post by **jdaw1** » 11:00 Tue 22 May 2012

Good job Tom.

I would rather pay extra to do glasses properly, rather than that be free and not properly. But perhaps that is a minority view?

(Note to self: check whether the draft of the placemats has the correct ’56.)

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 11:35 Tue 22 May 2012

Nice work - sounds like the plan is coming together nicely.

Whilst i do not want to look a gift horse in the mouth or turn down a generous offer, i would echo jdaw1's comments re: glasses (particularly if we have a full complement of attendees to share the port between, but also becuase i do not want to feel that i have to finish/throw away one port entirely before moving to another). If there's a way of ensuring this without causing offence, i think we should.

Post by **DRT** » 16:18 Tue 22 May 2012

Nice job, Tom. I am now convinced.

I agree with JDAW and RAYC that doing the glasses properly is the way to go. I think Riedels would be doing it properly.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 14:07 Thu 31 May 2012

Attendees list updated...anyone on it that is unable to attend please let me know as soon as possible.

The final cost of the tasting will be announced w/c 18th June but expected to be around £150... money will be collected soon after.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 14:09 Mon 25 Jun 2012

By way of an update Tom and I are meeting with The Ambassador on Wednesday 27th June to discuss the tasting and to see if there are any logistic issues.

We will obviously look at space and timings etc but if anyone has a vital question that could/should be asked at that meeting then please say.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 15:44 Mon 25 Jun 2012

Cookie wrote:We will obviously look at space and timings etc but if anyone has a vital question that could/should be asked at that meeting then please say.

Clearly the most important one is whether he is left or right handed...

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 00:08 Tue 26 Jun 2012

JacobH wrote:
Cookie wrote:We will obviously look at space and timings etc but if anyone has a vital question that could/should be asked at that meeting then please say.
Clearly the most important one is whether he is left or right handed...

Good call...thank you Jacob

WS1 · Post by **WS1** » 09:20 Thu 28 Jun 2012

Hi,

after I have to be in London in order to complete my move to the countryside I would like to join in on the 25th of July and confirm my attendance.

regards

WS1

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 12:15 Thu 28 Jun 2012

Following our visit to the Embassy yesterday I am very happy to report that the space available to us is superb and can easily accomodate all glassware and dinner without the need to move.

I have updated the attendee list and please note the slight change of venue address from the Embassy at No.11 to No.12 the Ambassadors Residence across the road.

In order to get through the wines we need to arrive for 17.30 prompt with a view to sitting down by 17.45. We will have the wines in two flight starting with the first eight wines 2008-1980 inclusive. Dinner at around 19.45hrs followed by second flight 1976-1948.

If there is still anyone on the list who is unable to make it then please say as soon as possible.

Post by **DRT** » 19:12 Fri 29 Jun 2012

Cookie wrote:We will have the wines in two flight starting with the first eight wines 2008-1980 inclusive. Dinner at around 19.45hrs followed by second flight 1976-1948.

Can you please explain the reason for the order of the wines? Previous experience suggests that most people will have rather fatigued palates by the end of the first flight. Do we really want to be tasting a 1948 after 15 other Ports, some of which will be very young and tannic?

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 09:08 Mon 02 Jul 2012

Can you please explain the reason for the order of the wines? Previous experience suggests that most people will have rather fatigued palates by the end of the first flight. Do we really want to be tasting a 1948 after 15 other Ports, some of which will be very young and tannic?

The thinking was to keep the most interesting wines for after dinner, which would itself provide an opportunity to refresh palates. It also fits with the plans for the place settings, which I hope to make rather more elegant and professional in appearance, with the glass placemats printed on single large sheets of buff cartridge paper, guillotined to size.

Post by **jdaw1** » 20:30 Mon 02 Jul 2012

Updated draft of placemats

One page of A3, by request of THRA.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 21:22 Mon 02 Jul 2012

jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of placemats
One page of A3, by request of THRA.

Looks impressive.

Note for JDAW: I think AHB, Elizabeth and Andy V. have declared themselves out.

Question for Cookie: have you had confirmations from Axel, Carl and Alex K?

griff · Post by **griff** » 21:28 Mon 02 Jul 2012

RAYC wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of placemats
One page of A3, by request of THRA.
Looks impressive.

Note for JDAW: I think AHB, Elizabeth and Andy V. have declared themselves out.

Question for Cookie: have you had confirmations from Axel, Carl and Alex K?

Confirmed!

p.s. I like the text in the numerals.

Post by **jdaw1** » 21:49 Mon 02 Jul 2012

Updated draft of placemats

”“AHB, ”“EAB, ”“ADV;
+CRS.

Cookie or Uncle T.: please check the names and post here any errors (or that they are correct).

griff wrote:p.s. I like the text in the numerals.

FillTexts.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:18 Mon 02 Jul 2012

Also - is this a more up-to-date line-up than the one you currently have included on the tasting mats?

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 22:21 Mon 02 Jul 2012

griff wrote: p.s. I like the text in the numerals.

Gave my printer something to think about just now though - a single A3 page took 20 minutes!

From an aesthetic point of view, personally i think that title and fill text may benefit from being a slightly lighter shade.

Post by **jdaw1** » 06:05 Tue 03 Jul 2012

jdaw1 wrote:Please could we have an update on the state of play.

RAYC wrote:Also - is this a more up-to-date line-up than the one you currently have included on the tasting mats?

Please could we have an update on the state of play.

RAYC wrote:Gave my printer something to think about just now though - a single A3 page took 20 minutes!

When making a draft of a complicated page, that is, of pages using the FillTexts, I set FillTextPrintQuickerDistillSlower to false. For the final it will be set to true, which will increase the distillation time to a large fraction of an hour, but reduce the file size and print time, at least a little.

[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=42222#p42222]Here[/url] in the thread entitled [i]Software that makes placemats[/i], on 24 April 2011, jdaw1 wrote:Drafting placemats for The London Olympiad Vertical showed me how slow is the combination of FillTitles and PlaceNames.

So the old code has been improved, with the addition of a new parameter FillTextPrintQuickerDistillSlower. If this is true the text-filling distillation is now about 1½× faster than before, if false then much much faster. In particular, for the current draft placemats of The London Olympiad Vertical, the old code took 60 minutes; new with true about 40 minutes; new with false an edge more than one minute.

If not using PlaceNames then new with false takes 29 seconds.

Post by **jdaw1** » 06:17 Tue 10 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Glasses on unusual paper size requested by Tom.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 07:08 Tue 10 Jul 2012

I like the look of those!

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 10:58 Tue 10 Jul 2012

jdaw1 wrote:Updated draft of the placemats.
Glasses on unusual paper size requested by Tom.

And me...twice

As this is a TPS sponsored event would it be possible to include the TPS logo on the placemats?

Post by **PhilW** » 13:50 Tue 10 Jul 2012

RAYC wrote:I like the look of those!

I don't - but only because there isn't one with my name on it! (which there should be). Otherwise they look good!

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 13:55 Tue 10 Jul 2012

Patience Phil - I'm planning to make a test print tomorrow to make sure it comes out OK, and then we'll tie up all the little details!

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 16:09 Tue 10 Jul 2012

Ray, I am very sorry, but I will be not able to attend. I am fully aware that this is extremely short notice therefore I am fully happy to pay my financial obligations. I wasnt following your preperation to tightly as I tought that I already send you an email much earlier.

Hopefully all bottles show up nicely.

Very best

Axel

Post by **jdaw1** » 16:56 Tue 10 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

”“AP;
+PW.

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:13 Tue 10 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Mz48 replaces G48;
Rows reversed with /PackingDirectionVertical /BottomToTop def.

Post by **jdaw1** » 08:55 Wed 11 Jul 2012

Forgot to say: I also changed the ordering of the TN sheets, to relfect Tom’s desired drinking order. But should the ordering on the voting sheets be by vintage, or by tasting order?

griff · Post by **griff** » 09:04 Wed 11 Jul 2012

Personally I would prefer the notes section in the order of consumption.

Carl

p.s. travel and accommodation arrangements complete! Starting to get excited.

Post by **jdaw1** » 10:37 Wed 11 Jul 2012

griff wrote:Personally I would prefer the notes section in the order of consumption.

That done. I was asking about vote-recorder pages.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 11:23 Wed 11 Jul 2012

Giles Wigoder would like to take Axel's place.

Post by **jdaw1** » 11:47 Wed 11 Jul 2012

uncle tom wrote:Giles Wigoder would like to take Axel's place.

Wilco, though Axel already removed. Any other changes to the people?

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 13:21 Wed 11 Jul 2012

jdaw1 wrote:
uncle tom wrote:Giles Wigoder would like to take Axel's place.
Wilco, though Axel already removed. Any other changes to the people?

Just updated attendee list on page 1.

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:41 Wed 11 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Believed to match attendee list on page 1;
For the first time vote-recorder sheets landscape, to accommodate 24 votes.

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:14 Wed 11 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Ports per email received from Tom.

Please check everything carefully!

Post by **jdaw1** » 18:16 Wed 11 Jul 2012

And the obvious post has been made in the obvious place.

Post by **jdaw1** » 19:47 Thu 12 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Glasses re-arranged as requested by Tom, which means they even fit on A3.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 11:49 Sat 14 Jul 2012

Attendee list updated on page one.

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:50 Sat 14 Jul 2012

Updated draft of the placemats.

Cookie wrote:18. The Right Reverend Graham R James (Bishop of Norwich)
19. Lorenzo Bakewell-Stone

The Bishop’s name appears differently on different page types (glasses, tasting-notes, vote-recorder, placename). Please check all.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 08:23 Mon 16 Jul 2012

I’m not sure the abbreviation ‟TRR” is in common usage for ‟The Right Reverend”; also isn’t it more conventional in a formal setting to refer to the office rather than the holder (i.e. ‟The Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Norwich”)? See, for example, Crockford’s or Debrett’s.

RAYC · Post by **RAYC** » 12:52 Mon 16 Jul 2012

Good stuff - any update on anticipated costs?

18. The Right Reverend Graham R James (Bishop of Norwich)
19. Lorenzo Bakewell-Stone

Any update on who these fine gentlemen are would also be welcome - are these further embassy guests?

In terms of the front page, there are still a number of "Industry Guest" slots. What is the intention for these? I am just slightly conscious that what started off as a celebratory TPF event could end up involving fewer TPF members than non-TPF members....

Post by **jdaw1** » 17:36 Wed 18 Jul 2012

I now have limited internet access from home. If somebody could gather into one post what changes are wanted, I will do them and re-upload. Thank you.

uncle tom · Post by **uncle tom** » 08:44 Thu 19 Jul 2012

Any update on who these fine gentlemen are would also be welcome - are these further embassy guests?

Lorenzo works for Mentzendorff, and is representing the TFP

Lord Boswell serves on the all-party Anglo-Portuguese group

Costs look likely over-run a little, but will be capped at £150.

Deleted_User_1 · Post by **Deleted_User_1** » 12:31 Fri 20 Jul 2012

The attendee list is now complete and unless any further TPF members wish to join us we will run with 22.

The new listings are:

Alex Ellis - Director of Strategy at FCO and former UK Ambassador to Portugal
Roger Bramble - Former Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Greater London
Steve Filbey - C2C Wines
Quentin Archer - Tom's very own brother (yes there is another one

)
Oz Clarke - Wine writer and broadcaster

Cost is now set at £150...please arrange payment with Tom asap.

The wines are now 'resting' at the Embassy and the Riedel glasses are being delivered on Tuesday....this is going to be epic