Allnutt 1893 Price List

[Bertie3000]

Last year I acquired a few bits and pieces of paper that I find interesting (not sure my wife does!). This included 2 x Allnutt prices lists from 1893 (prices for port, sherry, burgundy, claret and brandy). These are not easy to share so I have taken the first page, split into 2 and pasted below. In general it seems vintage ports were bottled 3 years later during this period although some were longer. I am assuming the ‘Taylor’s and Croft’s Blended’ was done by Allnutt themselves. Sharing in case this is of interest to others too.

[Bertie3000]

Part 2

[Doggett]

Very interesting! That is a huge amount of bottles!

[MigSU]

I love the descriptions.

[JacobH]

I think these sorts of things are really interesting. Especially for the non-vintage wines since I think we have much less of an understanding about what non-vintage Port used to be available before the modern categories came in.

Some of the terminology, I can understand: “old” usually means “tawny”, so something like like the “Cockburn’s Fine Light Old Dry” would presumably be a very old tawny of some description. I think it is interesting that they were selling them bottle-matured thought.

I haven’t come across “with wing” before. Does anyone know what that is?

Also, I have wondered this but never really known the answer: what does “dry” mean in this context? Is it another qualifier of an old tawny wine? Or does it actually mean “less sweet”? We know that in the early 19th Century many Ports were fermented dry before being fortified but I thought that had died out by this period. Although that isn’t really based on any historic knowledge: just a guess.

Finally: I always think it is interesting that SQVPs were as highly regarded as VPs in this period with the Quinta da Romaneiro being the most expensive wine on the list and a Quinta de Roriz being not that far behind.

[winesecretary]

Wing = Beeswing.

[Will W.]

Wing = Beeswing.

What is 'beeswing' in the context of port?

[MigSU]

Apparently they're tartarates. Weird that they'd mention it, though.

[winesecretary]

Was a 'thing' among Victorian port connoisseurs.

[MigSU]

Ah, interesting bit of knowledge, that.

[Justin K]

I can’t get the DeLorean started; anyone got jump leads?

[JacobH]

Was a 'thing' among Victorian port connoisseurs.

I wonder when that stopped being fashionable? I presume it was seen as some sort of mark of quality. I suppose like having a driven cork rather than a t-cork today might be today.

[jdaw1]

Beeswing is mentioned in the book. Start at index entry on p634.

[DRT]

I think these sorts of things are really interesting. Especially for the non-vintage wines since I think we have much less of an understanding about what non-vintage Port used to be available before the modern categories came in.

I have lots of these old price lists which were accumulated as part of the research for The Book. I will dig out some interesting ones and post images for those interested. I must say this Allnutt's price let is quite exceptional!

[jdaw1]

Sharing in case this is of interest to others too.

This is an excellent price list, and, with your permission, should go in the second edition of the book, likely as not near Morgan 1875, which is currently under-evidenced (p279 of first edition).

Please, are you willing to take and email a high-resolution image of the whole thing? Obviously, proper credit would be given — tell me what credit you want (my contact information). Thank you.

[JacobH]

I have lots of these old price lists which were accumulated as part of the research for The Book. I will dig out some interesting ones and post images for those interested. I must say this Allnutt's price let is quite exceptional!

I would love that if you don’t mind. It would be really interesting to see what non-Vintage Ports were available in the days before modern categories.

[JacobH]

Beeswing is mentioned in the book. Start at index entry on p634.

Thank you: I hadn’t realised this. Some very interesting passages which I will enjoy reading.

[jdaw1]

This catalogue has been mentioned in the thread Port Vintages, Second Edition.