DISQUS

Troy · 2 years ago

Everyone has their own taste and is entitled to his own opinion, but for my money:


-white port is for teenagers





-ruby port is for cooking.



Don't let anyone sell you either for sipping. Even with those two broad categories shoved aside in a ham-fisted totalitarian manner, there is a wide range of options. For those to whom money is an object -- and seriously, isn't that everyone? -- the older vintage ports can be quite the extravagance. Given that the wine changes dramatically with age, the older tawnies are a good cheapskate's way of enjoying the benefits of an old vintage without the price.



Remember that they declare a vintage on potential, not achieved results, so that 5 to 10 year old vintage hasn't yet achieved what it probably will. They say it is drinkable, but why waste it? Another cheapskate way around vintage prices is to select a colheita. The whole industry has to agree that it is an exceptional year in order to declare a vintage, but in years where some houses think it is but they don't reach consensus, those individual houses might release their product as a colheita. So, a colheita from a house you like is essentially a vintage but at half the price (it is more complicated than that, but that's generally how it works).



That's my thoughts on being cheap, but you know what? Go ahead and treat yourself to one of those vintage ports from back in the 70s. You will be glad you did.



Thanks casal Opaz for making it Port month. I shall rededicate myself!

Troy · 2 years ago

Everyone has their own taste and is entitled to his own opinion, but for my money:

-white port is for teenagers
-ruby port is for cooking.

Don't let anyone sell you either for sipping. Even with those two broad categories shoved aside in a ham-fisted totalitarian manner, there is a wide range of options. For those to whom money is an object -- and seriously, isn't that everyone? -- the older vintage ports can be quite the extravagance. Given that the wine changes dramatically with age, the older tawnies are a good cheapskate's way of enjoying the benefits of an old vintage without the price.

Remember that they declare a vintage on potential, not achieved results, so that 5 to 10 year old vintage hasn't yet achieved what it probably will. They say it is drinkable, but why waste it? Another cheapskate way around vintage prices is to select a colheita. The whole industry has to agree that it is an exceptional year in order to declare a vintage, but in years where some houses think it is but they don't reach consensus, those individual houses might release their product as a colheita. So, a colheita from a house you like is essentially a vintage but at half the price (it is more complicated than that, but that's generally how it works).

That's my thoughts on being cheap, but you know what? Go ahead and treat yourself to one of those vintage ports from back in the 70s. You will be glad you did.

Thanks casal Opaz for making it Port month. I shall rededicate myself!

RichardA · 2 years ago

Do you know much about the old English traditions of drinking Port?

RichardA · 2 years ago

Do you know much about the old English traditions of drinking Port?

Ryan · 2 years ago

Troy, thanks for making me a teenager again! White port is a marvelous aperitif and one of our favorite ways to start a meal. Taylor's Chip Dry is a fav, but we like many of them. Make sure to revisit these, you may be missing out!


As to Ruby's, there are good one's but the best value by far in my opinion is the LBV's, vintage port with a bit friendly time frame for drinking them.



Cheers,





Ryan

Ryan Opaz · 2 years ago

Troy, thanks for making me a teenager again! White port is a marvelous aperitif and one of our favorite ways to start a meal. Taylor's Chip Dry is a fav, but we like many of them. Make sure to revisit these, you may be missing out!

As to Ruby's, there are good one's but the best value by far in my opinion is the LBV's, vintage port with a bit friendly time frame for drinking them.

Cheers,
Ryan

Jill · 2 years ago

Hey Ryan and Gabriella, I think it's time for the Port-Pack!

Jill · 2 years ago

Hey Ryan and Gabriella, I think it's time for the Port-Pack!

Troy · 2 years ago

Again? No, Ryan, you are a teenager STILL. Remember, you're only young once, but you can be immature forever (my life's credo). One of the directors of a port house once described white port to me as "a sexy blonde; flashy and sweet, but at the end of the day there isn't a lot there." Apologies to the feminists I have just offended.


RichardA: British naval tradition is to always pass the bottle to the left (ie, to the port side). Some go so far as to pour for the person on the right and then pass the bottle to the person on the left to get their own glass filled, others insist you must only use your left hand. My favorite port decanters have a round bottom, so they cannot be put down. As the bottle or decanter is passed around the table, should it get held up somewhere, you can ask that fellow, "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?" If the confused fellow says no, you say, "terribly nice fellow but he never remembers to pass the port."

Troy · 2 years ago

Again? No, Ryan, you are a teenager STILL. Remember, you're only young once, but you can be immature forever (my life's credo). One of the directors of a port house once described white port to me as "a sexy blonde; flashy and sweet, but at the end of the day there isn't a lot there." Apologies to the feminists I have just offended.

RichardA: British naval tradition is to always pass the bottle to the left (ie, to the port side). Some go so far as to pour for the person on the right and then pass the bottle to the person on the left to get their own glass filled, others insist you must only use your left hand. My favorite port decanters have a round bottom, so they cannot be put down. As the bottle or decanter is passed around the table, should it get held up somewhere, you can ask that fellow, "Do you know the Bishop of Norwich?" If the confused fellow says no, you say, "terribly nice fellow but he never remembers to pass the port."

Gabriella · 2 years ago

Troy, from my understanding, there is a remedy for those who are greedy enough to "hog" the decanter and not pass it left. It is called a Hogget Decanter. A Hogget Decanter has a rounded bottom so that you dear friend can't set it down conveniently in front of him, claiming forgetfulness when the port has magically disappeared. Unless you have th nifty little stand for this decanter on the table, he/she is required to keep it in route to the next in line.

Gabriella · 2 years ago

Troy, from my understanding, there is a remedy for those who are greedy enough to "hog" the decanter and not pass it left. It is called a Hogget Decanter. A Hogget Decanter has a rounded bottom so that you dear friend can't set it down conveniently in front of him, claiming forgetfulness when the port has magically disappeared. Unless you have th nifty little stand for this decanter on the table, he/she is required to keep it in route to the next in line.

Ryan · 2 years ago

Troy - The best white ports are pretty darn dry! Infact the Lagrima's which are the sweet white ports from what I understand are their own category. Dry white port is like fine sherry, pair it with olives, sardines and enjoy!

Troy · 2 years ago

yeah, yeah...even the best and even the driest white ports don't have the complexity to warrant the name. that isn't to say that I haven't had a few of them -- even recently -- just that the dear dark versions do so much more for me. remember, I did caveat my original post that everyone had his own taste and was entitled to his own opinion (even if they are wrong!).

Ryan Opaz · 2 years ago

Troy - The best white ports are pretty darn dry! Infact the Lagrima's which are the sweet white ports from what I understand are their own category. Dry white port is like fine sherry, pair it with olives, sardines and enjoy!

Troy · 2 years ago

yeah, yeah...even the best and even the driest white ports don't have the complexity to warrant the name. that isn't to say that I haven't had a few of them -- even recently -- just that the dear dark versions do so much more for me. remember, I did caveat my original post that everyone had his own taste and was entitled to his own opinion (even if they are wrong!).

RichardA · 2 years ago

BTW, I may be going to a Portuguese wine tasting (about 150 table wines and ports) on 11/20/07.

RichardA · 2 years ago

BTW, I may be going to a Portuguese wine tasting (about 150 table wines and ports) on 11/20/07.

Gabriella · 2 years ago

Fantastic Richard! We'll be looking forward to hearing which ports were there, how you liked them and what people's general impressions were of the style. Being a much more popular style than Sherry, it will be fun to hear what your experiences will are!

Gabriella · 2 years ago

Fantastic Richard! We'll be looking forward to hearing which ports were there, how you liked them and what people's general impressions were of the style. Being a much more popular style than Sherry, it will be fun to hear what your experiences will are!

Bill · 2 years ago

Every time someone mentions White Port, all I can think about is the song WPLJ, which opens the "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" album by The Mothers Of Invention. This song is famous for the extended Spanish and/or Mexican dialogue that occurs near the end of the song. Personally, I've never tried WP. Of course, in East LA, they're probably not really drinking Port, but something improperly labeled as such, in the vein of Chablis or Burgundy. I know I shared this before, a few years ago, so my apologies to those who have already seen the lyrics. Feel free to sing along if you know the melody:


I say WPLJ, really taste good to me





WPLJ, won't you take a drink with me





Well, it's a good good wine





It really make you feel so fine





(So fine, so fine, so fine)



I went to the store when they opened up the door





I said, "Please please please gimme some more"





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





Ooh what it do to you!



You take the bottle, you take the can





Shake it up fine, you get a good good wine.





White Port & Lemon Juice,





(Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah . . . )





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





Ooh what it do to you!



The W is the White,





The P is the Port,





The L is the Lemon,





The J is the Juice





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





Ooh what it do to you!



Well I feel so good, I feel so fine





I got plenty lemon, I got plenty wine





White Port & Lemon Juice,





White Port & Lemon Juice,





I said White Port & Lemon Juice,





Ooh what it do to you!



Now the Spanish dialogue, which may translate somewhat R rated, according to what I've read. Sounds like they really want their WPLJ. Personally, I'll stick to Vintage, Ruby or Tawny.



Por qué no consigues tu... tu carnal que nos compre some wine ese, ándale, pinchi vato, puto, hombre, no te hagas nalga, hombre… no seas tan denso, hombre, ándale, dile, por qué no merecer, ándale, pinchi vino, más sua... más suave es, más... más lindo que la chingada, hombre, ándale, pinchi vato, hombre, quiere tu carnal, hombre, tu carnal ese, tú, tú sabes, tú sabes esto de la movida, tú sabes la movida, ese, tú sabes cómo es, pinchi vino, puta, ándale, pinchi vato, cabrón, ándale, empechúguele, hombre, por qué no, hombre? Te digo que sí, hombre, te digo, chingao ese, está más... está más meco, hombre, nos ponemos más mecos que la chingada, ay! Ay, vato pinchi, ay! FEMALE VOICE: They… they get you after a while

Ryan · 2 years ago

Well I think good white port can be next to heaven. Not in the same world as Red and yes we are all allowed to have our own opinions. Therefore my opinion is that White Port is a Nectar from the Gods! Especially as an apertif...as to the song, I've sold a lot of what they are talking about(cheap cali knockoffs) and I will tell you it's a shame they still do it. Nothing in common with the good stuff.


Cheers and now to head to the wine shop!

Bill · 2 years ago

Every time someone mentions White Port, all I can think about is the song WPLJ, which opens the "Burnt Weeny Sandwich" album by The Mothers Of Invention. This song is famous for the extended Spanish and/or Mexican dialogue that occurs near the end of the song. Personally, I've never tried WP. Of course, in East LA, they're probably not really drinking Port, but something improperly labeled as such, in the vein of Chablis or Burgundy. I know I shared this before, a few years ago, so my apologies to those who have already seen the lyrics. Feel free to sing along if you know the melody:

I say WPLJ, really taste good to me
WPLJ, won't you take a drink with me
Well, it's a good good wine
It really make you feel so fine
(So fine, so fine, so fine)

I went to the store when they opened up the door
I said, "Please please please gimme some more"
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
Ooh what it do to you!

You take the bottle, you take the can
Shake it up fine, you get a good good wine.
White Port & Lemon Juice,
(Yeah yeah yeah yeah yeah . . . )
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
Ooh what it do to you!

The W is the White,
The P is the Port,
The L is the Lemon,
The J is the Juice
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
Ooh what it do to you!

Well I feel so good, I feel so fine
I got plenty lemon, I got plenty wine
White Port & Lemon Juice,
White Port & Lemon Juice,
I said White Port & Lemon Juice,
Ooh what it do to you!

Now the Spanish dialogue, which may translate somewhat R rated, according to what I've read. Sounds like they really want their WPLJ. Personally, I'll stick to Vintage, Ruby or Tawny.

Por qué no consigues tu... tu carnal que nos compre some wine ese, ándale, pinchi vato, puto, hombre, no te hagas nalga, hombre… no seas tan denso, hombre, ándale, dile, por qué no merecer, ándale, pinchi vino, más sua... más suave es, más... más lindo que la chingada, hombre, ándale, pinchi vato, hombre, quiere tu carnal, hombre, tu carnal ese, tú, tú sabes, tú sabes esto de la movida, tú sabes la movida, ese, tú sabes cómo es, pinchi vino, puta, ándale, pinchi vato, cabrón, ándale, empechúguele, hombre, por qué no, hombre? Te digo que sí, hombre, te digo, chingao ese, está más... está más meco, hombre, nos ponemos más mecos que la chingada, ay! Ay, vato pinchi, ay! FEMALE VOICE: They… they get you after a while

Ryan Opaz · 2 years ago

Well I think good white port can be next to heaven. Not in the same world as Red and yes we are all allowed to have our own opinions. Therefore my opinion is that White Port is a Nectar from the Gods! Especially as an apertif...as to the song, I've sold a lot of what they are talking about(cheap cali knockoffs) and I will tell you it's a shame they still do it. Nothing in common with the good stuff.

Cheers and now to head to the wine shop!

Steve · 1 year ago

Who drinks port wine? What type of person are you? More specifically, what is the profile of the native New Yorker who could be or is a port consumer?

Steve

Ryan Opaz · 1 year ago

Lot's of people drink port! :) We love the stuff. You might want to head to http://fortheloveofport.com and ask in their forums, I'm sure you'll get a lot of advice. Mention us if you do! Cheers,