ThePortForum.com

We are three families visiting London on Dec 19-25.

If anyone knows about any good offers on Vintage port for sale in London I would be grateful for your recommendations. In addition to the traditional Port houses I know there are several buyers-own-brand vintage port around at good prices, but I do not know were to buy or what are the best deals.

In addition, we would be grateful for recommendations on good places to have a good meal with some good wine, in particular vintage port. I have read the Travel section and the recommendations made there.

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Tesco own label 1994 is from the Symingtons but suffers some bottle variability. Good bottles are delicious. Varies in price from £15-£24 depending on what promotions are in place.

Waitrose own label 2011 port is Quinta de la Rosa and was very good when I tasted it in the summer. This is currently for sale at £30.

Sainsbury own label vintage port is currently the 1999 vintage. This is also from the Symingtons and last time I saw it was available at £25.

You will need to find full branches (rather than the local or convenience stores) to be able to buy the own label vintage ports. A quick search on the internet for the name of the supermarket will allow you to quickly find the branch nearest to where you are staying.

AHB and RAYC,

Great advice! Thank you.

Tesco 1994 I actually bought a few years ago in Dublin, and the bottle I got was quite good. The other vintage ports I have never had the chance to sample but will certainly do my very best to acquire.

AHB wrote:Sainsbury own label vintage port is currently the 1999 vintage. This is also from the Symingtons and last time I saw it was available at £25.

Some branches might still have the Malvedos 1999, but some have the Malvedos 2001.

I've just seen bottles of Graham Crusted Bottled in 1998 appear on the shelves of my local Sainsbury for £14 each. That might be worth buying.

So I happened to be last-minute shopping in Harrods this morning and, after finishing the necessaries, naturally found myself browsing the fine wine department.

There was a small crowd around the port section - not unusual, I thought, given that Christmas is the most likely time of year for non-aficionados to buy port.

However, after a few seconds it was clear that they were not only speaking in a Scandinavian-sounding language but also seemed to be ignoring the natural candidates for a Christmas purchase in favour of debating the 2002-2004-2007 Cockburn Canais mini-vertical on display.

Cogs starting to whir, I asked my first tentative question...."are you from Sweden"

Response: "yes" . A 1 in 3 shot. The next question required a greater leap of faith

"Are you the chaps behind the vintageport.se site....?"

"Yes"!

Unfortunately we each only had a few spare moments to talk but a nice little coincidence!

As an aside, I left Harrods a happy man with another 3-pack of Capela 07 at £75 per bottle. Perhaps not bargain territory but given its rarity and the fact I was in Harrods (where the G82 single harvest tawny is £120) not too bad...

A splendid coincidence. And they must have been pleased that their fame reaches so far.

It was an incredible coincidence! My father-in-law told me you met him. I was at the Hedonism at the time to admire their Yquem wall of fame.

Thanks for all good advice on buying port in London.