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Question needing an answer by Saturday. For nine adults at a slightly belated Thanksgiving lunch to be held on Sunday (Brit, Paris, not the official day of Thanksgiving: I am not interested in hearing it) I will be serving three bottles of reasonable fake champagne, several bottles of an acceptable Bordeaux, and then three bottles of 1985 port. But which three, from:

• Churchill;
• Dow;
• Fonseca;
• Graham;
• Martinez;
• Ramos-Pinto;
• Royal Oporto;
• Smith Woodhouse;
• Souza;
• Taylor?

I reckon it’s too late for the Dow, and the Fonseca is for experienced port drinkers. That leaves eight: which three of those?

(In Paris I have two of the Churchill, and one of each of the others.)

If I were there, this is what I would want you to open:

Martinez
Smith Woodhouse
Royal Oporto

For my own selfish reasons I would want port I have not tried, even if at the expensive of the others potential enjoyment.

mosesbotbol wrote:Martinez
Smith Woodhouse
Royal Oporto

That’s one of the two likely to be terrible (these aren’t port people), and two reasonable drinking ports. That is very sensible.

1. Churchill
2. Ramos-Pinto
3. Royal Oporto

1 because you have two of them and it will probably be pleasing to you. 2 and 3 because your guests will more than likely include French people who are unlikely to appreciate the alternatives.

RP85 thoroughly acceptable though (1, 2, 3, 4, 5).

I am unfamiliar with Souza? What's the story of the brand.

DRT wrote:1. Churchill
2. Ramos-Pinto
3. Royal Oporto

Good choices. That's what I would go for as well. Will let you all know how they are and how they were received.

SCP-DFF.

1. Churchill
2. Martinez
3. Ramos Pinto

The Graham, like the Fonseca, is for experts. The Churchill would be as well except that you have two and can afford to treat your guests to something special.

I wouldn't serve the Souza or Royal Oporto, because you want to serve something good just in case these particular French are open minded and might become converts. Martinez and Ramos Pinto are fine Ports and perfectly acceptable. Smith Woodhouse borders on Churchill/Dow/Fonseca/Graham quality and so would probably be wasted. Taylor is a bit unpredictable in 1985, so would be risky though otherwise perfectly acceptable.

Supreme Commander Port-Drinking Forces France approved the plan of Air Commodore Turnbull. Hence:

• 1985 Royal Oporto;
• 1985 Ramos-Pinto;
• 1985 Churchill.