London, week beginning 16 March

[Alex Bridgeman]

It seems that I am required to work in London next week. Is anyone interested in meeting up one evening to share a leaky bottle of port which I have discovered while moving my bottles around in anticipation of my forthcoming building work?

Consider it an invitation to a warm up event for the Vargellas tasting the week after.

Alex

[JacobH]

What about Monday or Tuesday? Not sure I could do the theme of ‟leaky bottles of port” but could probably find something else

[benread]

It is possible I could make the Monday or Wednesday given childcare arrangements. If either suits you both, I have a couple of good options to share with like minded friends!

[Alex Bridgeman]

Sadly, my better half saw my post and has booked Monday for her own purposes.

I could make either (or both) Tuesday and Wednesday...

...and have more than one leaky bottle.

[DRT]

I will join you from Chennai (Madras)

[Alex Bridgeman]

I will join you from Chennai (Madras)

And what time will you join us as you fly in from Madras to enjoy some port?

Don't forget to try some Goan port while you are there. Portuguese grape varieties, portuguese wine makers, but a very Indian twist

[DRT]

I will join you from Chennai (Madras)

And what time will you join us as you fly in from Madras to enjoy some port?

I will be there until 22nd March so will have to join you virtually.

Don't forget to try some Goan port while you are there. Portuguese grape varieties, portuguese wine makers, but a very Indian twist

Is that a "hot exit" rather than a "hot entry"?

[jdaw1]

Not sure what I’ll be allowed to do, but it will be in spirit rather than in the flesh.

[benread]

Was any consensus reached on a day next week?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Was any consensus reached on a day next week?

No, but I am happy to meet up with Jacob on Tuesday and you on Wednesday. I'll be in Trinity Square until 6pm on Tuesday and in Moorgate until 7pm on Wednesday.

If you and Jacob would like to suggest suitable venues that would be convenient for each day then let me know.

[benread]

OK. Tuesday is not an option for me at all so unless Wednesday is for Jacob, it may be as you suggest. Either way, if you are in Moorgate Wednesday, we could try one of the other Davys establishments. The Bishop of Norwich would be very convenient but closes at 9pm on Monday - Wednesday nights. All of their 'City' establishments seem to. I did look at the 'City Pipe' as an option but same issue. If you will be free at 7pm that would allow time for food but not much time for a glass of port unless drunk around dinner.

That being the case, we might end up at TCP! (Unless we move to 0.375 bottles which seems unlikely!)

[jdaw1]

That being the case, we might end up at TCP! (Unless we move to 0.375 bottles which seems unlikely!)

Fascinating quotation taken from the book How to draw a reprimand from the administrators, by Ben Read.

[benread]

That being the case, we might end up at TCP! (Unless we move to 0.375 bottles which seems unlikely!)

Fascinating quotation taken from the book How to draw a reprimand from the administrators, by Ben Read.

Julian,

I would have expected you to recognise British humour (or should I say humor?!) despite your location. I was clearly saying I could see no situation emerging where we would decide drinking 0.375l bottles was a good idea!

Am I to understand that the only time when it is considered (TPF) acceptable to drink from half bottles is when they are being compared to their big or even bigger brothers?

Ben

[jdaw1]

I too was endeavouring (endeavoring) to be humorous.

When are halves acceptable? Well, When there are ≥2n halves for n people.

[benread]

I too was endeavouring (endeavoring) to be humorous.

When are halves acceptable? Well, When there are ≥2n halves for n people.

Rule noted!

[uncle tom]

I shall probably be venturing into town on Tuesday, have no rush to venture home, so could drift by TCP if company be there good..

Tom

[Alex Bridgeman]

It sounds like we have a plan - Tuesday at TCP with Tom, Jacob and me to drink one of my leakers (blind tasting rules?). Wednesday, perhaps at the Bishop of Norwich or perhaps at the Barbican - Ben and me to drink another of my leakers (blind tasting rules again?).

Ben - do you fancy seeing if Neil is around on Wednesday?

Alex

[benread]

It sounds like we have a plan - Tuesday at TCP with Tom, Jacob and me to drink one of my leakers (blind tasting rules?). Wednesday, perhaps at the Bishop of Norwich or perhaps at the Barbican - Ben and me to drink another of my leakers (blind tasting rules again?).

Ben - do you fancy seeing if Neil is around on Wednesday?

Alex

I wil and he is. Long story for when sober!

[jdaw1]

Are ‘blind’ placemats needed? If so, for whom, and how many bottles each?

[benread]

Wednesday, perhaps at the Bishop of Norwich or perhaps at the Barbican - Ben and me to drink another of my leakers (blind tasting rules again?).

I suspect we will need to use TCP as both of these shut at 9pm.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Wednesday, perhaps at the Bishop of Norwich or perhaps at the Barbican - Ben and me to drink another of my leakers (blind tasting rules again?).

I suspect we will need to use TCP as both of these shut at 9pm.

TCP it is then.

I will communicate on placemats when I have a better idea on who will be attending.

[Alex Bridgeman]

It seems that my employer has realised that with the global team coming together in London, a team meal should be organised - for Tuesday.

I may be a little late in reaching TCP. We're eating at the Chop House in Butler's Wharf. I would estimate that we'll be finished about 8:30 and so I should reach TCP about 9pm.

Has Jacob confirmed his attendance? At present, attending we have:

Tuesday - AHB, Uncle Tom and provisionally Jacob
Wednesday - AHB and Ben Read


Alex

[jdaw1]

Tuesday - AHB, Uncle Tom and provisionally Jacob
Wednesday - AHB and Ben Read

Blind? Will follow later in my New York day.

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tuesday - AHB, Uncle Tom and provisionally Jacob
Wednesday - AHB and Ben Read

Blind? Will follow later in my New York day.

Given the very limited number of people attending, the limited number of wines and my extremely limited time in the office to print, I suspect that we would do better without using tasting mats on this occasion - but this should not be seen to be setting a precedent in any way.

[JacobH]

It seems that my employer has realised that with the global team coming together in London, a team meal should be organised - for Tuesday.

I may be a little late in reaching TCP. We're eating at the Chop House in Butler's Wharf. I would estimate that we'll be finished about 8:30 and so I should reach TCP about 9pm.

Has Jacob confirmed his attendance? At present, attending we have:

Tuesday - AHB, Uncle Tom and provisionally Jacob

Apologies. I've been away for a few days and haven't been following this thread. I'm doing something immediately after work tomorrow, but could then come on to TCP. Probably at around 7.30 or so. Would that work for the other proposed attendees?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I have been taking a quick look at some alternative venues to TCP for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

If it is preferred, Tuesday we could meet at "Cooperage", another Davy's wine bar right by London Bridge station (48-50 Tooley Street) and therefore hopefully convenient for any heading home either South or North. I could be there about 8:30pm. The place closes at 11pm.

Wednesday, we could meet in the same place (Ben - I forget which station you use to get home) or the Habit in Crutched Friars, which is open until 11pm, I believe. The City Flogger (Fenn Court) is probably closer to you and more convenient for me to travel on the Drain to Waterloo.

Alex

[benread]

I have been taking a quick look at some alternative venues to TCP for both Tuesday and Wednesday.

The City Flogger (Fenn Court) is probably closer to you and more convenient for me to travel on the Drain to Waterloo.

Alex

The City Flogger would work for me and is open until 10pm on a Wednesday. More chance of Neil joining us then I think!

Let me know what time.

[JacobH]

If it is preferred, Tuesday we could meet at "Cooperage", another Davy's wine bar right by London Bridge station (48-50 Tooley Street) and therefore hopefully convenient for any heading home either South or North. I could be there about 8:30pm. The place closes at 11pm.

That would be fine for me but will they be amenable to us bringing some bottles?

[Alex Bridgeman]

Given that Tom does not appear to have had the chance to read these recent posts, we will meet as follows:
Tuesday (tonight) - The Crusting Pipe - Jacob arriving around 7:30, Alex arriving around 8:30
Wednesday - The City Flogger - Alex arriving about 7:00 from Moorgate

Alex

[Alex Bridgeman]

Safely arrived in London, leaky bottle stood upright in the secret port compartment of my otherwise very professional looking business case.

Alex

[JacobH]

Safely arrived in London, leaky bottle stood upright in the secret port compartment of my otherwise very professional looking business case.

I wan't quite sure if we were still on tonight (or how or when) but I grabbed a couple of halves, a funnel and some coffee filters on the way out of the house, which I hope will be usable tonight!

[benread]

Safely arrived in London, leaky bottle stood upright in the secret port compartment of my otherwise very professional looking business case.

I wan't quite sure if we were still on tonight (or how or when) but I grabbed a couple of halves, a funnel and some coffee filters on the way out of the house, which I hope will be usable tonight!

I on the other hand have to leave early to collect Edward and am starting to salivate at the thought of all this port! Maybe I can have a virtual glass with you tonight in preparation for tomorrow and next week!

[benread]

Port decanted for tomorrow in preparation. Am having a glass of Tesco 1994 tonight and thinking about your 'leakers'!