I've been drinking (exclusively) red wine since I was about 10, but until I came to live in Portugal the choice was usually based on the "it's red and it's cheap" basis.
Then, a couple of years ago, I wondered what "the good stuff" tasted like, so I splashed out and spent 70 euros on a bottle (here in Portugal I could have got 30 bottles of pretty decent stuff, in bottles, with corks, for that price). It was something of a revelation - not 30 times better, to be sure, but definitely better.
And that's started me on the "wine trail" of learning, questioning, tasting, buying, tasting, drinking, questioning, traveling - exclusively with Portuguese wines (although I have some old French wine from when I lived there) - I'm starting to develop a serious fondness for pure Baga from Bairrada.
Of course that led me to visit Porto, and ride the train up and down the Douro.
But my interest in Vinho do Porto has been sparked by 2 things...
1.
![Glass with 663333 :663333:](./images/smilies/glass_663333.gif)
![Image](http://i57.tinypic.com/2vslzzt.jpg)
and I discovered that perhaps it was getting to the point where it ought to be drunk (possibly even a bit past it) - previously I'd thought vintage port lasted forever.
2.
![Glass with 663333 :663333:](./images/smilies/glass_663333.gif)
3.
![Glass with 663333 :663333:](./images/smilies/glass_663333.gif)
So that's how I came to be here.
I doubt I'll have much to say, but I'll be doing a whole lot of listening, and I'd love to find some tastings.