‟Daily Drinker”, 2 Dec (was "are we wasting our money?")

[JacobH]

• +CHR’s +1 (more details please)

Eliza, EE, not know to be left-handed.

To the moderator, could I request that that CHR and EE be moderated in a light way since they are somewhat newer to this game then the rest of us (the same would apply to Nick Oakley, though from what I think is his website, he is fairly au fait with Port)?

[jdaw1]

Updated draft of the placemats.

• Sixteen Greeks (α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο Ï€), and S82;
• +EE;
• Food orders: do add yours.

And moderation here is always light.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I feel that the ideal number of bottles for a tasting like this one would be 10-14. That should give plenty of opportunity to examine different styles and price points. If we have 5-7 people attending then 2 bottles each seems appropriate. If we are more than 7 people then 1 bottle per person (plus some extra bottles if needed to make the numbers up to at least 10) seems better.

This then also leaves the chance for the odd extra bottle.

[DRT]

Changing to 1 bottles each adds a complication in terms of what can be added to the line-up. The current 2 bottles for up to £30 give a fairly wide range of possibilities. Those possibilities will reduce if the limit is changed.

Perhaps CHR and EE could be allowed special dispensation for their first tasting and bring 2 between them? Nick oakley is fine and already in for two.

Any additional attendees can just pay towards the food as previously suggested.

[JacobH]

Perhaps CHR and EE could be allowed special dispensation for their first tasting and bring 2 between them? Nick oakley is fine and already in for two.

Any additional attendees can just pay towards the food as previously suggested.

I think it will be CHR's third UK tasting, so I have suggested that she brings two (I think she has two in mind) and she sees if EE is happy just making a cash contribution towards the food as previously suggested.

That would be 14 bottles between 8 and if we could pick up a couple of more of the Usual Suspects between now and December we might end up with a ratio more in line with what AHB suggested.

[uncle tom]

and if we could pick up a couple of more of the Usual Suspects

- Would that mean me..?

Go on, put me down - I'm wanted at the CBI that day, and will need resucitation by the end of the afternoon..

Tom

[jdaw1]

Updated draft of the placemats.

• With THRA that’s nine people, the others being JGH, BMHR, DRT, AHB, RAYC, JNO, CHR and EE.
• Still with sixteen Greeks (α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο Ï€), and S82;
• Food orders: do add yours.

[uncle tom]

•Food orders: do add yours

Soup
Pave steak (medium) with pepper sauce
Cheese: Cropwell bishop & Lincolnshire poacher

Tom

[jdaw1]

Updated draft of the placemats.

• Nine people, being JGH, BMHR, DRT, AHB, RAYC, JNO, THRA, CHR and EE.
• Still with sixteen Greeks (α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο Ï€), and S82;
• Food orders: do add yours.

[benread]

•Food orders: do add yours

Soup
Pave steak (medium) with pepper sauce
Cheese: Cropwell bishop & Lincolnshire poacher

Tom

Put me down for the same but M-R on the steak, with no sauce.

Thank you.

[jdaw1]

Updated draft of the placemats.

• +BMHR’s food.
• ”“PrePour pages.
• Nine people, being JGH, BMHR, DRT, AHB, RAYC, JNO, THRA, CHR and EE.
• Sixteen Greeks (α β γ δ ε ζ η θ ι κ λ μ ν ξ ο Ï€), and S82;
• Food orders: missing AHB, JGH, CHR, EE.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'll order my food on the day, depending on what I feel like at the time.

[RAYC]

There was suggestion upthread that a modestly priced VP should be added as a ringer.

Would this be a good role for the Tesco 1994 to fulfil? After all, it is widely available, and at only £16.50 (and frequently available at 25% off) is a genuine contender at the type of price point we are looking at.

Not married to the idea, but just a thought. Suggest jdaw1 would allocate who should bring and it be included blind along with the others.

[DRT]

As I understand it there are no restrictions on type. There is really only one rule: Bring two bottles of port with a combined full retail cost of £30 or less, both of which are generally available at that price. With that rule it is possible for a number of SQVP's or BOB VPs to appear in the line-up alongside some basic rubys. (watch out for the Cruz 89!)

We do not need to go further than that.

The inevitable Sandeman 1982 will provide the necessary benchmark. If we finish the tasting and think "Bottle ?" was WOTN, and then taste the S82 and change our minds, we will know that we do not have to sell our cellars.

[jdaw1]

Bring two bottles of port with a combined full retail cost of £30 or less, both of which are generally available at that price.

Correct.

[jdaw1]

In assigning bottles, I might be evil and have one overlap. Just to keep you honest.

[JacobH]

As I understand it there are no restrictions on type. There is really only one rule: Bring two bottles of port with a combined full retail cost of £30 or less, both of which are generally available at that price. With that rule it is possible for a number of SQVP's or BOB VPs to appear in the line-up alongside some basic rubys. (watch out for the Cruz 89!)

Yes, I agree.

The only thing I would add is that I would encourage participants to have one bottle at c.£15 and one at c.£10. I think it would be fun if we could find an excellent Port at about £75 for a case of six, whereas we know if you are willing to spend £110 for a case of six you can easily find something pretty good.

[Alex Bridgeman]

While I accept that we have Judge Julian keeping us honest, I do wonder whether the £30 limit is too generous. At full retail value, for £30 I could buy a bottle of Tesco BoB vintage port and a bottle of Noval Unfiltered LBV and know that I was going to have jolly good drinking. Is the limit too generous? Should we say two bottles for a total of £20?

[RAYC]

The only thing I would add is that I would encourage participants to have one bottle at c.£15 and one at c.£10.

I like this approach - ensures that it is a good test of ruby/cheap lbv vs what you could get for a few £s more.

[JacobH]

While I accept that we have Judge Julian keeping us honest, I do wonder whether the £30 limit is too generous. At full retail value, for £30 I could buy a bottle of Tesco BoB vintage port and a bottle of Noval Unfiltered LBV and know that I was going to have jolly good drinking. Is the limit too generous? Should we say two bottles for a total of £20?

A "total cost" wasn't exactly what I had in mind for this tasting when I was thinking about this tasting. My view was that it would be nice if everyone brought one bottle that was very cheap (i.e. sub £10) and another that was a bit more expensive (up to about £15).

The flexibility in the total was so that someone could, if they wished, bring a couple of £13 bottles and because I didn't want to be overly prescriptive. But, as AHB mentioned, the aim of this tasting was to see if some of those cheaper Ports that we see every time we go to a supermarket are any good and whether there are one or two which could save us a lot of money by becoming our regular Ports to have at home.

I think most people will be happy to play along with that, and I am sure HHJ Wiseman's invisible hand might be able to point things in the right direction, if necessary.

[jdaw1]

The sense of the comments has been noted.

[Deleted_User_1]

From someone who is not very well....I am so confused as to what can and cannot be acceptable....please count me out....then please let me know if I missed anything. TY

[JacobH]

From someone who is not very well....I am so confused as to what can and cannot be acceptable....please count me out....then please let me know if I missed anything. TY

I'm sorry to hear that Ray. I've PM'ed you to see if there is a way around; otherwise, we will certainly let you know what the results are!

[JacobH]

I am afraid we have a problem: the Crusting Pipe switched to a Christmas menu on the 1st December which means: i) no cheap set menu; ii) higher corkage and iii) a requirement to pay a £10 deposit per person.

I think we can either try to find another date in November or try to find another venue (e.g. the Bowler?). What are people's views?

[DRT]

If the group stays small I vote for the Bowler. But we might find that the Christmas menu problem is a common theme