Oscar Night Port Tasting - London - 11th Feb 2010

Post by **DRT** » 19:48 Sun 17 Jan 2010

When: Thursday, 11th February 2010

Where: Crusting Pipe?

Attendees:

Oscar Quevedo;
DRT;
AHB
Benread;
Christopher;
Chris Doty;
Denise Medrano;
Emily Monsell;
Gemma Crocker;
Richard Giner;
Godfrey Spence;
Muriel;
Robert McIntosh (not yet confirmed);
jdaw1 (not yet confirmed).

Ports:

Weird Colheitas and Unusual Vintage Ports (all to be served blind)

--------Original message...

No, it isn't the gold statue that's coming to town, it's the real Oscar...

Oscar Quevedo emailed me today to ask if it was possible to have a Port tasting on the evening of 11th Feb as he will be in London that day and overnight.

By strange coincidence I happen to have a meeting in London that day so will be in town to meet up with Oscar to form a quorum. Would anyone like to join us?

Possibilities for a theme are:

1. Bring a bottle of Port to share with Oscar Quevedo
2. A re-scheduling of this tasting

Thoughts?

Derek

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 20:11 Sun 17 Jan 2010

I'm free on the night of the 11th - I'd be happy to meet up with you and Oscar and anyone else who's free. Do you have a venue in mind?

Post by **DRT** » 20:30 Sun 17 Jan 2010

AHB wrote:Do you have a venue in mind?

Crusting Pipe?

benread · Post by **benread** » 21:16 Sun 17 Jan 2010

I have a pass - unusual for a Thursday but Mrs R has to work from home so I am excused childcare duty! Bonus! TCP works for me. Can certainly work with "bring a bottle to share", or would welcome something more specific if anyone has a particular desire...

Post by **DRT** » 21:22 Sun 17 Jan 2010

Attendee list updated to include Ben and Christopher.

oscar quevedo · Post by **oscar quevedo** » 23:51 Mon 18 Jan 2010

Great to see that we already have some confirmations. If we go to the 2nd option, this is, the rescheduling of the tasting for the 16th or 23rd, I suggest that we keep the theme and go for Vesuvios. Otherwise, why not to go for a theme like "Bring that weird Colheita"

Looking forward to hear your thoughts!

Oscar

Post by **DRT** » 00:00 Tue 19 Jan 2010

oscar quevedo wrote:If we go to the 2nd option, this is, the rescheduling of the tasting for the 16th or 23rd, I suggest that we keep the theme and go for Vesuvios. Otherwise, why not to go for a theme like "Bring that weird Colheita"

Oscar,

The suggestion to re-schedule was in relation to the Vesuvio tasting - that is, to move the Vesuvio tasting to 11th February so that you could join in. However, we have decided to leave the Vesuvio tasting until 23rd February so we will choose a different theme for your visit on the 11th. Or, were you suggesting that you might come on the 23rd instead of the 11th?

Derek

oscar quevedo · Post by **oscar quevedo** » 00:53 Tue 19 Jan 2010

I didn't know that you have already decided to leave the Vesuvio tasting for the 23rd Derek. For me it works better the 11th. So we have to think about themes...

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 12:43 Tue 19 Jan 2010

oscar quevedo wrote:a theme like "Bring that weird Colheita"

Hmm, that might be a little difficult for me. I only have one (known) colheita. Does only having one bottle of colheita make that a weird colheita?

Or I could bring a bottle of Croft Ruby port which was bottled to commemorate the coronation of Elizabeth II. That's not a colheita but would be pretty weird.

Or I could just bring a bottle of vintage or LBV port

Post by **DRT** » 23:09 Tue 19 Jan 2010

AHB wrote:
oscar quevedo wrote:a theme like "Bring that weird Colheita"
Hmm, that might be a little difficult for me. I only have one (known) colheita. Does only having one bottle of colheita make that a weird colheita?

As we are all British (apart from Oscar, obviously): all Colheitas qualify as being "weird".

I think I only have 3 bottles of Colheita. Two of them are life-preservers and need to be drunk within 2 weeks either side of 28th March in a non-classic vintage year. The other is from a non-classic year from a non-conformist shipper, so I think it definitely qualifies. It is also one of 3 bottles in my cellar that I have owned for the longest time.

I will happily bring it along to keep Oscar's weird Colheita company.

Perhaps the theme could be "Weird Colheitas and Unusual Vintage Ports (all to be served blind)"?

Glenn E. · Post by **Glenn E.** » 23:26 Tue 19 Jan 2010

DRT wrote:As we are all British (apart from Oscar, obviously): all Colheitas qualify as being "weird".

Colheitas aren't weird. Brits drinking Colheitas is what's weird.

Oscar's Particular Colheita is a bit weird, but that's what makes it special. If you are very lucky (and his sister will let him), he might bring a bottle.

This might also be an opportunity to compare the '52 and '63 Dalva Golden White Colheitas if you can get some purchased in time for Oscar to pick them up and bring them with him.

*sigh* I really wish I could attend.

benread · Post by **benread** » 06:11 Wed 20 Jan 2010

I think I can almost meet the "weird colheita" theme. I have a bottle I believe dates from pre-war described as "matured in wood", albeit undated so possibly more strictly a tawny. Please sir, is that acceptable?!

Some of you may know what it is, having been asked for help wih identification some months ago!

oscar quevedo · Post by **oscar quevedo** » 12:18 Wed 20 Jan 2010

Of course it is acceptable Ben, I think this can be fun!

I like the idea of weird Colheitas and unusual Vintage Port all served blind

We can all learn a lot!

Post by **DRT** » 18:41 Wed 20 Jan 2010

oscar quevedo wrote:Of course it is acceptable Ben, I think this can be fun!

I like the idea of weird Colheitas and unusual Vintage Port all served blind We can all learn a lot!

The theme is now confirmed and the details of the tasting have been updated.

Axel P · Post by **Axel P** » 08:47 Tue 26 Jan 2010

Please let Oscar live to the next day, because his presence is needed on the continent then.

Axel

Post by **DRT** » 22:27 Tue 26 Jan 2010

Axel P wrote:Please let Oscar live to the next day, because his presence is needed on the continent then.

Axel

We will make sure he drinks no more than 3 bottles of port and is in bed by 1am so that he can be sure of catching the 06:30 flight from Stansted

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:53 Tue 26 Jan 2010

[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=13240#p13240]Here[/url] DRT wrote:Day 1

It is raining in Oporto.

However, I am at Gatwick waiting TAP flight 333 to Oporto at the delayed time of 2.30pm. The Ryanair flight from Stansted took off just as I was waking up on Tom's sofa at 6.30am. It seems Guinness, N58 and GM68 are not good things to have before an early flight.

Post by **DRT** » 23:12 Tue 26 Jan 2010

jdaw1 wrote:
[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=13240#p13240]Here[/url] DRT wrote:Day 1

It is raining in Oporto.

However, I am at Gatwick waiting TAP flight 333 to Oporto at the delayed time of 2.30pm. The Ryanair flight from Stansted took off just as I was waking up on Tom's sofa at 6.30am. It seems Guinness, N58 and GM68 are not good things to have before an early flight.

OK. No Guinness for Oscar.

oscar quevedo · Post by **oscar quevedo** » 18:00 Wed 27 Jan 2010

DRT wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:
[url=http://www.theportforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=13240#p13240]Here[/url] DRT wrote:Day 1

It is raining in Oporto.

However, I am at Gatwick waiting TAP flight 333 to Oporto at the delayed time of 2.30pm. The Ryanair flight from Stansted took off just as I was waking up on Tom's sofa at 6.30am. It seems Guinness, N58 and GM68 are not good things to have before an early flight.
OK. No Guinness for Oscar.

Water, I'll make sure I drink few pints of water!

Some few friends will join us for the tasting, maybe 3-4.

Post by **DRT** » 01:54 Thu 28 Jan 2010

oscar quevedo wrote: Some few friends will join us for the tasting, maybe 3-4.

Team Alert!!!!! - we need to ensure there is sufficient Port for our guests

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 13:54 Fri 29 Jan 2010

Hi there!

If there is any space available, I would be interested in joining. I don't know if it is obscure enough, but I've heard good things about the '76 Niepoort and figured this might be the appropriate time to give it a whirl.

Post by **DRT** » 08:44 Sat 30 Jan 2010

Chris Doty wrote:Hi there!

If there is any space available, I would be interested in joining. I don't know if it is obscure enough, but I've heard good things about the '76 Niepoort and figured this might be the appropriate time to give it a whirl.

Hi Chris,

Welcome to

I have added your name to the list at the top of this thread. I am sure your suggested bottle will be most welcome

I have also added a number of Oscar's friends who will now be joining us.

If the two unconfirmed attendees decide to join us we will have a full compliment of 14 attendees. Any more volunteers will have to go on a reserve list otherwise we will not have enough port to taste from each bottle

Derek

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 14:44 Wed 03 Feb 2010

Are we confirming that this is a blind tasting? Is there any guidance that we should follow other than "Weird colheitas and unusual ports"?

Post by **DRT** » 01:25 Thu 04 Feb 2010

AHB wrote:Are we confirming that this is a blind tasting?[/url]Perhaps best not having this as a blind tasting given that lots of us would have no hope of working out one Colheita from another. Unblinded does me if others are OK with that?

[/url]Is there any guidance that we should follow other than "Weird colheitas and unusual ports"?

"No blind 1975s allowed"?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 16:29 Thu 04 Feb 2010

The Crusting Pipe has been booked for 14 people from 6:30 - but if anyone is early then they will make you very welcome.

We have both the tunnels at the back of the restaurant, one for eating and one for the tasting.

We have confirmed the early evening menu @ £15 for 2 courses, £18 for 3 courses (+£5 if you want the highly recommended rib eye on the bone) and £10 per bottle corkage. So please bring £40-50 each to cover food, corkage and service. There is also a very tempting Sandeman 1982 on the wine list for £46...

Alex

Post by **jdaw1** » 22:56 Mon 08 Feb 2010

Derek: I thank you for the optimism embedded within you assuming ‟jdaw1 (not yet confirmed)”, but not this time.

Placemats: any special instructions, or just the usual numbered overkill?

Post by **DRT** » 06:38 Tue 09 Feb 2010

jdaw1 wrote:Derek: I thank you for the optimism embedded within you assuming ‟jdaw1 (not yet confirmed)”, but not this time.

Placemats: any special instructions, or just the usual numbered overkill?

That is a shame. I was hoping that if SCP-DFF read it she would have taken pity on you and given you a bonus pass.

Placemats: numbered overkill will do nicely, thanks.

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 08:21 Tue 09 Feb 2010

jdaw1 wrote:Derek: I thank you for the optimism embedded within you assuming ‟jdaw1 (not yet confirmed)”, but not this time.

In that case, might I take space No. 14?

Post by **jdaw1** » 09:56 Tue 09 Feb 2010

Please, what is Muriel’s surname, just for consistency within www.jdawiseman.com/port/20100211_oscar_blind.pdf?

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:57 Tue 09 Feb 2010

jdaw1 wrote:Please, what is Muriel’s surname, just for consistency within www.jdawiseman.com/port/20100211_oscar_blind.pdf?

Can anybody confirm or deny Muriel Chatel?

Post by **Alex Bridgeman** » 21:46 Tue 09 Feb 2010

Any volunteers for printing the placemats? I can do it, but don't want to end up with duplicates.

Christopher · Post by **Christopher** » 22:46 Tue 09 Feb 2010

Very sorry to say I unfortunately have to drop out, I have a double booking and do not want to upset the Mrs! I hope you have a wonderful evening and will raise a glass of port to you all. Oscar very sorry not to see you - hope we get to catch up next time you are over.

Post by **jdaw1** » 12:44 Wed 10 Feb 2010

Updated www.jdawiseman.com/port/20100211_oscar_blind.pdf.

Post by **DRT** » 18:41 Wed 10 Feb 2010

JacobH wrote:
jdaw1 wrote:Derek: I thank you for the optimism embedded within you assuming ‟jdaw1 (not yet confirmed)”, but not this time.
In that case, might I take space No. 14?

Yes!

JacobH · Post by **JacobH** » 10:52 Thu 11 Feb 2010

I have in my briefcase a bottle of this colheita stuff which claims weirdness by virtue of being the only one I own. Any thoughts as to whether I need to decant it at any stage before I get to The Crusting Pipe?

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 13:51 Thu 11 Feb 2010

I'm planning to in an hour or so (round 3pm) FWIW.

Woo woo

Post by **DRT** » 14:33 Thu 11 Feb 2010

I just decanted mine. It's brown and therefore weird.

AHB decanted his earlier today and has confirmed that his is also brown and therefore weird.

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 16:01 Thu 11 Feb 2010

Brown and weird. I concur.

Post by **DRT** » 16:06 Thu 11 Feb 2010

As a contingency I have decanted a second bottle which is only a little weird and very purple.

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 17:17 Thu 11 Feb 2010

Spoken like a true commando.

Was a start time ever specified? 6:30pmish?

Chris Doty · Post by **Chris Doty** » 14:36 Fri 12 Mar 2010

Sorry - was there ever a list made of the wines we consumed at this thing?

thanks