Wokingham, Tuesday 20th May 2008

[jdaw1]

I might need to be at a conference in London on Thursday 22nd May 2008. Might there be interest in a tasting about then? (Though, for obvious reasons, not on Wednesday 21st May.)

Given my general non-impressedness with Cockburn, this wouldn’t have to be that vertical.

Edit: on 3rd April title changed from “Penultimate week of May 2008† to “Wokingham, Tuesday 20th May 2008†.

[DRT]

There would be interest from me. Which dates would you be here and available?

Derek

[jdaw1]

As yet, all I know is that I might need to be at that conference on 22nd May. So, if I do need to be there, then my arrangements could, to some limited extent, be fitted around others’ plans.

[jdaw1]

I might need to be at a conference in London on Thursday 22nd May 2008. Might there be interest in a tasting about then? (Though, for obvious reasons, not on Wednesday 21st May.)

OK, I have just undertaken to be at the conference, so the “might† can be deleted.

[DRT]

OK. I'm in.

Perhaps we need an interesting theme to attract others. Here are some suggestions:

1. Bring a bottle of port wrapped in silver foil
2. Single's Night (only SQVP's allowed)
3. 1960 Horizontal
4. 1980 Horizontal
5. The G-Plan (Graham's Vertical)
6. Rose Night

Derek

[jdaw1]

A 1980 horizontal would be of great interest. Possible contributions from me include:

• 1980 Fonseca (recently purchased from THRA);
• 1980 Graham (I have 23 bottles remaining);
• 1980 Nacional (excellent, and tasting of passion fruit, see TN);
• 1980 Offley Boa Vista (recently purchased from THRA);
• 1980 Taylor (various sources).

I’m willing to facilitate others adopting some of these.

[jdaw1]

A Graham’s vertical would be of even greater interest. Possible contributions from me include:

• Graham’s 1927 (my only bottle, costing £268·20);
• Graham’s 1945 (my only bottle, part of a mixed lot, and having similar cost);
• Graham’s 1963 (my only bottle);
• Graham’s 1977 (I have too much);
• Graham’s 1980 (I have 23 bottles remaining);
• Graham’s 1985 (a staple of my diet).

Some financial rebalancing might be required if the older bottles are to be brought into play.

[KillerB]

I have a 1980 Warre and a 1980 Fonseca.

I have SQVPs.

I have alluminium foil, I can't afford silver.

[Ghandih]

I like the idea of all of these, though the date may be tricky for me. I don't think I can make any port contribution, but could presumably find a bribable donor.

J, I like the fact that you have 23 bottles of G80, but too much G77. Is 'too much' more than 23 bottles, or is there a tacit consideration of quality within your assessment?

Sometime we should try a blind tasting. Put the Grahams in year order, or match the 80's against the shippers available. It is an extra logistical challenge, but could be done.

[jdaw1]

or is there a tacit consideration of quality within your assessment?

Yes.

[Axel P]

Hey guys,

dont forget me. May is a splendid month, but it has to be before the 21st. So the 14th and the 7th would suit me (if anyone would ask). As I just came back from a Grahams Vertical, its definitely worth organizing...

Axel

[Axel P]

... for Cockburn I could bring a Canais 2005. My problem is that I do arrive that day, so standing upright for XX hours could be a bit of a problem. I do have 94 and 70s as well.

Axel

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just realised that I haven't replied to this post yet, so I am now remedying my oversight.

I like some of the themes that Derek has suggested. I've noticed that there seems to be a macro-theme developing this year.

On Feb 2 there was a 1963 horizontal
On Jan 28 there was a 1966 horizontal
On Feb 14 there was a 1970 horizontal
On Mar 29 there is planned a 1977 horizontal

If we continue this macro theme then a good theme for the end of May might be the 1980 horizontal (I have Fonseca and Smith Woodhouse).

That said, I like all of the other suggested themes. I'm a little light on Grahams, but could probably find a vintage to offer. I very much like the idea of a "silver foil" tasting where I can choose an interesting bottle and offer it blind. A singles night would be easy for me - guess which Quinta's wine Mr Vesuvio would bring along?

Perhaps we should leave the final choice of theme to Julian, since he is providing the excuse for the tasting. If we leave it open to democracy, I'll vote for the 1980 horizontal since I think 1980 is a significantly overlooked vintage.

Alex

[jdaw1]

Perhaps we should leave the final choice of theme to Julian, since he is providing the excuse for the tasting. If we leave it open to democracy, I'll vote for the 1980 horizontal since I think 1980 is a significantly overlooked vintage.

Dictatorship or democracy: I could mention Arrow’s Theorem. Anyway, my preference, already stated, is one of 1980 horizontal or Graham’s vertical. Given Alex’s vote it seems that there might be a consensus around a 1980 horizontal. What 1980s do we have?

[KillerB]

Perhaps we should leave the final choice of theme to Julian, since he is providing the excuse for the tasting. If we leave it open to democracy, I'll vote for the 1980 horizontal since I think 1980 is a significantly overlooked vintage.

Dictatorship or democracy: I could mention Arrow’s Theorem. Anyway, my preference, already stated, is one of 1980 horizontal or Graham’s vertical. Given Alex’s vote it seems that there might be a consensus around a 1980 horizontal. What 1980s do we have?

Warre, heeurrghh, what is it good for? A 1980 horizontal, that's what.

[jdaw1]

Warre, heeurrghh, what is it good for? A 1980 horizontal, that's what.

Very good.

[KillerB]

Warre, heeurrghh, what is it good for? A 1980 horizontal, that's what.

Very good.

I've got another, just as good:

Fonseca, heeurrghh, what is it good for? A 1980 horizontal, that's what.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Doesn't work quite so well.

[Conky]

Location is no good to me. I've done enough London Port trips for a while.

I'm sure you'll have a ball though.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I'm happy to take the lead on organising the offline for the moment, but may not be able to be there in person as I have some problems with the dates - my other half is away on a residential course during the week so I am on child-watch duties Monday to Friday. Drinking port during the weekends of May 17/18 or of May 24/25/26 might work for me, subject to negotiations with the wife.

Do either of these weekends work for others?

Alex

[DRT]

A weekend might be doable for me with enough notice to sort out other commitments.

Unfortunately, I only have one bottle of 1980 Vintage Port in my cellar. Fortunately, it's a Quinta do Noval Nacional which I am happy to add to the line-up.

If we are doing this at the weekend I would prefer not to do it in London but happy to go with the majority.

Derek

[DRT]

On Feb 2 there was a 1963 horizontal
On Jan 28 there was a 1966 horizontal
On Feb 14 there was a 1970 horizontal
On Mar 29 there is planned a 1977 horizontal

There was also a 1985 Horizontal in January

There is an urgent need to organise a Horizontal tasting in April

1960 anyone?

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

If we do this on a weekend, I would like to be able to dedicate only a single day to drinking port so that I can spend the other day working on the house or garden.

Because of its rail services, an afternoon in London would work well for me but then so would a Saturday afternoon in Birmingham (2 hour journey, last direct train home leaves New Street at 9pm). Manchester on a Saturday afternoon would be on the absolute boundary of the possible as it is a 4 hour train journey from home with my earliest arrival time at Piccadilly being 10am and my latest departure time being 5:20pm. Believe it or not - this one wouldn't have to be in the South East as far as I'm concerned! I'm open to suggestions as to other possible venues for tastings provided they are reasonably accessible by train for a day trip in and out and also convenient for Julian and others.

Alex

[DRT]

I think we need to wait and see what Julian's thoughts are on this as he may not be planning to be here on the weekends or may already have other plans.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

I think we need to wait and see what Julian's thoughts are on this as he may not be planning to be here on the weekends or may already have other plans.

Derek

Agreed

[DRT]

In true democratic style I would like to suggest that we set the theme as a 1980 Horizontal. Dissenters have 48 hours to disagree.

The line-up so far is:

• Fonseca;
• Graham;
• Noval Nacional;
• Offley Boa Vista;
• Taylor;
• Warre.

Dow is sadly missing

Possible attendees:

• AHB (if at weekend and not north of Manchester)
• Conky (if not south of somewhere that counts as "London")
• Derek T. (the Martini girl)
• Ghahhhhhndihhh (if someone will sell him a bottle)
• Jdaw
• KillerB

More bottles and more attendees are required.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

In true democratic style I would like to suggest that we set the theme as a 1980 Horizontal. Dissenters have 48 hours to disagree.

The line-up so far is:

• Fonseca;
• Graham;
• Noval Nacional;
• Ofey Boa Vista;
• Taylor;
• Warre.

Dow is sadly missing

Possible attendees:

• AHB (if at weekend and not north of Manchester)
• Conky (if not south of somewhere that counts as "London")
• Derek T. (the Martini girl)
• Ghahhhhhndihhh (if someone will sell him a bottle)
• Jdaw
• KillerB

More bottles and more attendees are required.

Derek

I've got a bottle of Smith Woodhouse 1980 which I will now keep to one side for the end of May.

The weekend after JDAW attends his conference is the late May bank holiday weekend, so giving additional recovery time if required.

Also, my preferred venue would be a Saturday afternoon in Birmingham so that I can do this in a day trip. Manchester would be a tough stretch.

But I'll do my best to fit in around others - and assuming that I don't get sent to some far flung land!

[DRT]

The weekend after JDAW attends his conference is the late May bank holiday weekend, so giving additional recovery time if required.

Does this open up the possibility of a Sunday event? Easier for me to swing than a Saturday and we could all have the Monday to recover.

I still have a preference for midweek in the big smoke for this one.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

We need some guidance from Julian as to what would work for him. I can't make a mid-week session during the week commencing 19 May as I am on child-minding duties...unless we have it in my house in Wokingham I could make a London based mid-week session the week commencing 12 May or the week commencing 26 May (other than the Monday or Tuesday) or a port event on, say, Sunday 25 May in London or Birmingham.

What works for others? While I'd like to be a part of the "Welcome Home Julian" party I will happily accept it if the majority view means that I can't attend.

[Conky]

Although I said London is out for me, I'm hoping that the Summer Bash might come off. So as its convenient for the majority, why dont you focus on the Crusting Pipe for this one. I would have tried to have made a Birmingham venue, but now there's something else to look forward to, I think you should just make the decision, and revert to your Staus Quo.

Alan.

[jdaw1]

I need to make plans and book flights. Your role in this is, for the moment, establishing a date. Reminder: I am speaking at a conference on Thursday 22nd May 2008, so a date near that, but not Wed 21st, is desired.

Proposal: Thursday 22nd May 2008. Who would be in?

(Sorry Alex, but I probably ought to be doing family visiting duties on dates significantly far from Thu 22nd.)

We should also be edging towards a decision on which tasting theme. If it is this date, thus eliminating Alex, then we are back to the Arrow’s theorem problem: G vertical or 80 horizontal?

[DRT]

I can't make a mid-week session during the week commencing 19 May as I am on child-minding duties...unless we have it in my house in Wokingham

AHB,

Was this a serious suggection/offer?

Whilst I could probably re-arrange my life to attend an Offline in London on Thursday I would rather do a night earlier in the week. May I suggest, subject to AHB telling us it was a joke, that we hold the Offline at AHB's house in Wokingham on Tuesday 20th May?

Derek

[KillerB]

Dow is sadly missing

Doesn't the Crusting Pipe have a supply of Dow 1980?

[DRT]

Dow is sadly missing

Doesn't the Crusting Pipe have a supply of Dow 1980?

Yes, they do, but so do Farr's for about £35 a bottle - £500 minimum spend

[KillerB]

Dow is sadly missing

Doesn't the Crusting Pipe have a supply of Dow 1980?

Yes, they do, but so do Farr's for about £35 a bottle - £500 minimum spend

£340 per case, which is £28.33 ea. Finding another £160 worth and doing a TPF special split might work.

[DRT]

Dow is sadly missing

Doesn't the Crusting Pipe have a supply of Dow 1980?

Yes, they do, but so do Farr's for about £35 a bottle - £500 minimum spend

£340 per case, which is £28.33 ea. Finding another £160 worth and doing a TPF special split might work.

My £35 per bottle included an estimate of Duty and VAT. Not sure if Farr's £500 minimum includes those elements or is just the IB price?

A TPF special split is a definate possibility. I would take 4.

Derek

[Simon Lisle]

I'm afraid I'm out as I'm off on holiday a couple of day's after

[jdaw1]

Wokingham on Tuesday 20th May?

Works for me, subject to there being a bed available. (I.e., turn around touch the ground bagsy me a bed!)

[Alex Bridgeman]

I can't make a mid-week session during the week commencing 19 May as I am on child-minding duties...unless we have it in my house in Wokingham

AHB,

Was this a serious suggestion/offer?

Whilst I could probably re-arrange my life to attend an Offline in London on Thursday I would rather do a night earlier in the week. May I suggest, subject to AHB telling us it was a joke, that we hold the Offline at AHB's house in Wokingham on Tuesday 20th May?

Derek

I was serious. If folks are willing to meet up in Wokingham so that I can honour my parenting duties while still taking part in an offline then I can certainly host a tasting on Tuesday 20th May.

I can fit 12 (at a push) round the dining table. I only have 1 spare bed but there are two B&Bs within 5 minutes walk of the house on which I can post details, plus a sofa and a large living room floor with two inflatable mattresses.

Wokingham is about 5 minutes south of junction 10 of the M4 or on the Waterloo-Reading rail line, with my house being 5-10 minutes walk from the station. I will be working in London on Tuesday and can meet up with anyone else travelling to Wokingham from London in the afternoon.

If I host, I'll even throw in a fried breakfast for those who would like one!

The offer holds true if Thursday 22nd May is selected as the offline date.

Alex

[jdaw1]

Wokingham on Tuesday 20th May 2008 works for me. And I bagsied the bed!

But Wokingham on Thursday 22nd May presents difficulties with timing: the conference would delay my arrival until most of 8pm.

There are possible issues with my getting bottles from my father’s to Wokingham: those travelling on the A23 between now and then are invited to tell me so.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tuesday 20th May sounds as though it's confirmed - any dissenters?

Alex

[DRT]

Turn around touch the ground bagsy me a sofa bed (will supply own sleeping bag)

Turn around touch the ground bagsy me a fried breakfast

Now we need a theme.

I vote Grahams and can supply 63, 75 and 91

Derek

[jdaw1]

Three is quorate. I hereby declare the tasting, in honour of my homecoming, to be in Wokingham in the evening (and perhaps afternoon) of Tuesday 20th May 2008.

Will anybody be on the A23 between now and then? I have some Goodies in West Sussex.

A Graham’s vertical would be of even greater interest. Possible contributions from me include:

• Graham’s 1927 (my only bottle, costing £268·20);
• Graham’s 1945 (my only bottle, part of a mixed lot, and having similar cost);
• Graham’s 1963 (my only bottle);
• Graham’s 1977 (I have too much);
• Graham’s 1980 (I have 23 bottles remaining);
• Graham’s 1985 (a staple of my diet).

Some financial rebalancing might be required if the older bottles are to be brought into play.

[DRT]

Three is quorate. I hereby declare the tasting, in honour of my homecoming, to be in Wokingham on evening (and perhaps afternoon) of Tuesday 20th May 2008.

Will anybody be on the A23 between now and then? I have some Goodies in West Sussex.

A Graham’s vertical would be of even greater interest. Possible contributions from me include:

• Graham’s 1927 (my only bottle, costing £268·20);
• Graham’s 1945 (my only bottle, part of a mixed lot, and having similar cost);
• Graham’s 1963 (my only bottle);
• Graham’s 1977 (I have too much);
• Graham’s 1980 (I have 23 bottles remaining);
• Graham’s 1985 (a staple of my diet).

Some financial rebalancing might be required if the older bottles are to be brought into play.

There is a very small chance that I will be in Sussex during the last week of March. If so, I can collect Goodies. If not, perhaps it is not too far for AHB to collect at some point?

I think we need more people if we are to begin adding some older bottles.

I see that Jdaw1 has 1 bottle of the G63. I have 3. I know that AHB has more than 3

Derek

[jdaw1]

I think we need more people if we are to begin adding some older bottles.

Have just invited a few fine friends of mine—though mid-week play might not be easy for all of them. They own no Graham’s, so would adopt a bottle or split cost.

I see that Jdaw1 has 1 bottle of the G63. I have 3. I know that AHB has more than 3

In which case I’d rather hold on to my lonesome last bottle.

[DRT]

A thought:

If it ends up being only 3 or 4 of us would a 1980 Horizontal be more practical as the average bottle price would be lower, thereby allowing us to indulge in more bottles without worrying too much about waste? (not that I envisage there being any)

Derek

[jdaw1]

If it ends up being only 3 or 4 of us would a 1980 Horizontal be more practical as the average bottle price would be lower, thereby allowing us to indulge in more bottles without worrying too much about waste? (not that I envisage there being any)

If the oldest Goodie were 1963 — others being ’70, ’75, ’77, ’80, ’83, ’85, ’91, or similar (which doesn’t mention the embarrassing ’75!), or maybe some Malvedos — would the cost be so different?

But I’m amenable to either a G vertical or an ’80 horizontal. Perhaps our newly-appointed host should choose? If his decision matches his vote, it’ll be the horizontal:

If we leave it open to democracy, I'll vote for the 1980 horizontal since I think 1980 is a significantly overlooked vintage.

[DRT]

Have we decided on a theme? If it's a 1980H then at least three of us can now offer a Dow

In terms of planning worky things I could do with confirmation of the date and place at least. The theme we can decide once the attendees are known.

Derek

[KillerB]

I have three 1980s (now) and no fully declared Graham's. Malvedos I can do. I am quietly fond of 1980.

[DRT]

I have three 1980s (now) and no fully declared Graham's. Malvedos I can do. I am quietly fond of 1980.

I think that is a quorum. 1980 it is.

AHB and Jdaw. Please confirm time and place.

Thanks

Derek