Port in a fridge: my first attempt — how did I do?

[jdaw1]

So, having read learned comment on about putting some port in the fridge, I had a go.

The evening started, as too few evenings do, with a newly-opened unknown-house 1870 Sercial. Too much heat; sweeter than ideal for Sercial; a little thin; though excellent length. Wife, guest + me had half of this, the rest being set aside, at room temperature, for resampling tomorrow.

The ladies being less abstemious than previously heralded, an emergency bottle of Quinta da Eira Velha 1997 was decanted. Recalling earlier female protestations of moderation, it went through muslin into two decanters, holding approximately equal portions, one decanter then repairing to the refrigerator. After about hour, maybe a little less, having observed the rapidly-diminishing level of the non-cooling decanter, the now slightly-chilled decanter was rescued from the large metal coffin and consumed.

This was my first attempt at port-in-the-fridge. Did I get the overall technique right? Are there any details that could be improved? Suggestions welcomed.

[DRT]

The ladies being less abstemious than previously heralded

Whilst this is often a good sign of things to come, on this occassion I think it served to distract you from the task.

an emergency bottle of Quinta da Eira Velha 1997 was decanted. Recalling earlier female protestations of moderation, it went through muslin into two decanters, holding approximately equal portions, one decanter then repairing to the refrigerator. After about hour, maybe a little less, having observed the rapidly-diminishing level of the non-cooling decanter, the now slightly-chilled decanter was rescued from the large metal coffin and consumed.

This isn't the normal approach. One should decant into one vessel and then pour slightly more than half the contents into a half bottle with the fill level well into the neck. A T-cork should then be applied and the half bottle placed in the fridge for 24-168 hours. Upon removal from the fridge the wine should be decanted again with the decant-time-clock being advanced by 1 hour for each period of 24 hours spent in the fridge.

Having read your summary of the evening I believe you chose the wrong approach entirely. You should have purchased some Croft Pink for the ladies to drink whilst they tidied the kitchen.

[jdaw1]

half bottle

T-cork

Cecily: “When I see a spade I call it a spade.†
Gwendolen: “I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different.†

Half-bottle? T-cork? I have seen mention of such artefacts in ancient textbooks, heavy with sneeze-inducing dust, but do not own any, and — until your fearsome report — was not aware that I knew anybody who had ever owned such terrible things. Really! Shame on you.

[DRT]

half bottle

T-cork

Cecily: “When I see a spade I call it a spade.†
Gwendolen: “I am glad to say that I have never seen a spade. It is obvious that our social spheres have been widely different.†

Half-bottle? T-cork? I have seen mention of such artefacts in ancient textbooks, heavy with sneeze-inducing dust, but do not own any, and — until your fearsome report — was not aware that I knew anybody who had ever owned such terrible things. Really! Shame on you.

In my defence, my half bottle is brown and once contained Croft 1937 and my T-cork is from a bottle of BBR Vintage Character circa 1970.

Derek

[RonnieRoots]

I hate to say it Julian, but if you want to give your 'port-in-a-fridge' experiment another try, you'd better source yourself some half bottles and T-corks. That's definitely the way to go.

[benread]

I assume a T-cork is one of the kind found in tawny bottles etc?

[RonnieRoots]

I assume a T-cork is one of the kind found in tawny bottles etc?

Indeed.

[uncle tom]

Julian,

Next time you're in Pinhao, drop into that little shop opposite the station that's never open when you want it to be (and has no name over the door) and buy a little bag of T corks (they might stock 375ml bottles too!)

Keep the receipt; nay, frame it and put it on the wall; so all your friends know that you'd never stoop so low as to procure a bottle with a T stopper.

Tom

[benread]

Keep the receipt; nay, frame it and put it on the wall; so all your friends know that you'd never stoop so low as to procure a bottle with a T stopper.

Tom

Is there something wrong with drinking tawny then?! (Given what I have just learnt above)

[JacobH]

Would it not be better to use a dedicated bottle-resealer than a T-Cork? Something like one of these:


The seal of a T-Cork never seems terribly tight, especially if it is being reused on multiple occasions.

[DRT]

Keep the receipt; nay, frame it and put it on the wall; so all your friends know that you'd never stoop so low as to procure a bottle with a T stopper.

Tom

Is there something wrong with drinking tawny then?! (Given what I have just learnt above)

Ben,

Fear not, when you meet Julian you will understand.

Derek

[Alex Bridgeman]

T-cork? I have seen mention of such artefacts in ancient textbooks, heavy with sneeze-inducing dust, but do not own any, and — until your fearsome report — was not aware that I knew anybody who had ever owned such terrible things. Really! Shame on you.

Didn't you keep the T-cork that came out of the bottle of Croft 1925 that we opened in Boston...

[jdaw1]

Didn't you keep the T-cork that came out of the bottle of Croft 1925 that we opened in Boston...

Alleged Croft 1933. And no.

[SushiNorth]

Are there any details that could be improved? Suggestions welcomed.

Yeah, how was the Eira Velha?