ThePortForum.com

Thought I'd launch this one with a poll - DON'T expect me to organise everything - I have a seasonal business, and this conflicts badly...

Option A

Book rooms in Oporto, tour as a group to VNG and the quintas, maybe indulge a little picking/treading on the way.

Option B

Book rooms in a quinta, tour during the day, help out with the treading in the evening at our host quinta if welcomed to do so.

Option C

Tour quintas as a roving pack armed with sleeping bags - help with picking/treading - doss down and turn up at another quinta the next day.

Option D

I've got a better idea...

Option E

I'd love to, but can't spare the time...

Tom

OK, I forgot to put option E on the list, and the edit tool won't let me back in...

..blame the Graham '75...

Tom

I assumed that option E wasn't legitimate.

I've done the organised thing and enjoyed it very much but Option C sounds like most fun if I were to do it again

Derek

I'm happy with the dossing down. I'm actually happy with options A, B and C. Option D requires me to thrust my imagination at a practical problem which can only lead to very impractical conclusions. My imagination has much better uses than practicality.

I dont do tents or caravans!

..what about pan tiles - or stars...?

I'll lend you some bug spray!

Tom

I do patios, lawns, sofas, lagars, carpets, swimming pools (only once) and patio chairs.

Derek

Having done a harvest tour, I'd be very happy to travel over at a time when things are less hectic for the poor sods who we would want to meet and spend time talking to. If I was able to pick the perfect time of year for my next trip to the Douro then I would probably choose to go in April. Hopefully there would be the chance to catch a fiesta and then meet up with some of the leading characters from the Port trade, who would have the time to be able to have a more relaxed evening or afternoon with us that they would during the harvest.

The next thing that I would love to see are some of the cellars - especially the Noval and Ferreira cellars - and have the chance to mosy around in there, just to see what there is.

Alex

OK, who had the sweep saying that Alex B would choose something different?

AHB,

You do know your on about Northen Portugal!!!

Folks from the Algarve never travel up!

Alan

AHB wrote:Having done a harvest tour, I'd be very happy to travel over at a time when things are less hectic for the poor sods who we would want to meet and spend time talking to. If I was able to pick the perfect time of year for my next trip to the Douro then I would probably choose to go in April. Hopefully there would be the chance to catch a fiesta and then meet up with some of the leading characters from the Port trade, who would have the time to be able to have a more relaxed evening or afternoon with us that they would during the harvest.

The next thing that I would love to see are some of the cellars - especially the Noval and Ferreira cellars - and have the chance to mosy around in there, just to see what there is.

Alex

Mai and June are not bad at all too Alex. You also might want to be around on the 24th of June to celebrate Oporto's day. April as far as I remember can be cold and rainy in the Douro. July and August are really too hot. You get exausted after 30 mins of walk and you want water not Port

I'd also recommend group of 4 too. This is the best way to really have great time with a producer or other employee from one company. Though with less people they open less wine, but for having being there a few times, the best part is really the people, having the time to know them, share your passion. Once you have that, wine IMHO do really come 2nd.

KillerB wrote:OK, who had the sweep saying that Alex B would choose something different?

We all get a 25% share of the winnings

I have to say I love the idea of a Cellar Rumaging Tour - perhaps we could srike a pre-rumage deal on any leakers found during the tour

Derek

KillerB wrote:OK, who had the sweep saying that Alex B would choose something different?

Boundaries are there to be pushed! I'm not arrogant enough to choose option D, but strong willed enough to suggest something different (especially if it might coincide with Tom being in Oporto already for a fireworks display!)

Alex

Any. A trip with you folks would be extremely:

• Educational;
• Fun;
• Alcoholic.

That can’t be a bad combination.

Oh, I almost forgot.

• Ungrammatical (as in “IF there was a TPF harvest tour...† rather than “If there were a TPF harvest tour…†).

i say we do it old-school style and just invade the whole place and claim it as ours. Then we can drink all the old stuff we want

I actually think Portugal is one of the few Countries we haven't invaded or been at war with?
Long term natural allies...I think.

Alan

That means they won't see us coming....its all about the element of surprise

And if they run for the hills, we'll be sure to follow. The Hills over there are actually the Duoro, aren't they?

I actually think Portugal is one of the few Countries we haven't invaded or been at war with?

We both have problems with the Spanish...

Tom

Andy,

Have you been taking lessons from GWB? If someone has something you want then Plan A is INVADE

Derek

Of course, its lovely to hear potential plans for the future...

But anyone who's anyone, is in Portugal in September, this year!!!
Aren't we Fred?

Couldn't resist.

Alan

Derek T. wrote:Andy,

Have you been taking lessons from GWB? If someone has something you want then Plan A is INVADE

Derek

that is the American way ohh boy, we need to scrape our system and start over