What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

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PhilW
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What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by PhilW »

There is a general impression of drinking less VP during the summer months, whether switching to tawny, white or other drinks; but I wondered whether that is really true amongst TPF, since we can be a somewhat unrepresentative group in some respects. I have a hunch that given any small excuse, some (many?) of us will still drink VP - perhaps even older bottles - through the summer.

With the last few weeks being warmer, and it now being August, I'm therefore interested to see whether TPF-ers are still drinking VP during the warmer season or not. So, quick poll:

What was the last bottle of VP you opened prior to today (2nd August 2019), and when did you open it?

PW:
- Fonseca '85 opened 26th July
I still enjoy sharing VP through the summer with friends when suitable opportunities arise; overall I drink a little less VP in the hot months, and a little more tawny/white, but it's not a massive switch for me.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by winesecretary »

[Excluding, as not VP, the half bottle of Graham Malvedos 2001 (luscious) consumed with a friend on Tuesday 30 July] the last was the bottle of Warre 1977 consumed with two friends on Friday 26 July (pale now, and, in bottle size, I think towards the end of its drinking window, but a lovely fragrant wine with a persistent cherry finish).
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by CPR 1 »

PhilW wrote: 12:58 Fri 02 Aug 2019
What was the last bottle of VP you opened prior to today (2nd August 2019), and when did you open it?
The answer to this question is Ck63 on the 27th July, but I also feel I should declare a G80 that is in the decanter for tonight, although not strictly meeting the criteria given as opened at lunch time today.
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DRT
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by DRT »

Warre 1970 on 1st August. There is none left.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by /2alph »

Im right now on a bottle of Cockburn Canais 2010
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by SCP »

A bottle of Vesuvio 1992, opened and enjoyed over the first couple of days of the Tour de France (watching highlights)
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

I have a bottle of Fonseca 2001 LBV in the fridge and in my glass at the moment. The last bottle of Vintage Port I opened was on 9 July when I opened a bottle of Warre 1963.

I clearly do drink more non Vintage Port in the summer - since opening the Warre 1963 I have opened and drunk a Barros 1998 Colheita, a Fonseca Terra Prima, a half bottle of Kopke 20YO White and my current Fonseca 2001 LBV.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Christopher »

Croft 82 over the weekend.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by JAG321 »

Smith Woodhouse 1970 over the weekend and Graham’s 1963 at Hawksmoor tonight. Enjoyed by all. Less in Summer.... but did you not think that Autumn is coming early this year?
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by TLW »

A bottle of 1994 Graham in early July. Wonderful as always, and more whence that came.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Alex M »

F85 one week prior to the heat.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by flash_uk »

Christopher wrote: 16:44 Mon 05 Aug 2019 Croft 82 over the weekend.
How was the Croft '82 Christopher? I have a few of these - in my handful of previous tastings it has been quite mature and delicate.
Last edited by flash_uk on 22:25 Tue 06 Aug 2019, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Andy Velebil »

The last one I opened was a 1963 Warre's VP just over a week ago. Granted, it was not my bottle but I did open it, decant it and then drink some of it. Does that count?
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

I've just opened a bottle of Warre 1970 - but then it is lashing down with rain at the moment, and quite cool.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by nac »

Ferreira 1945 last week. Bit of seepage, but still very good.
PhilW
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by PhilW »

Well; I honestly wasn't sure which way this would go, given the apparent reticence sometimes noted in previous discussions on whether to organise tastings in the summer months. However, TPF members have come through magnificently, clearly demonstrating that many if not all of us are more than happy to open old VP even during the warmer months of summer, clearly dispelling any potential "we don't drink VP in the summer months" rumour.

Thank you for all the replies :990033:
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Alex Bridgeman
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Are you suggesting that we to organise a tasting in what is left of August?

Is anyone going to be in Cornwall between 30 August and 5th September?
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by DRT »

A Fonseca 1970 was decanted this morning. It looks and smells delicious.
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by uncle tom »

A few days ago I opened an odd bottle of Croft '75 and I'll probably pop my next victim, a leaky Vargellas '84 tomorrow.

The only issue with VP in high summer is the importance of not letting the decanter get too warm.
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by Axel P »

Today a bottle of Warre 1963. I have bought some 50 bottles in France and wanted to check the quality.

FANTASTIC.

When I open VP in Summertime, I always keep the bottle on ice or in the fridge.

A good start before leaving to the Champagne tomorrow.

Best

Axel
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Re: What was the last bottle of VP you opened, and when did you open it? (VP in the summer?)

Post by DRT »

Axel P wrote: 18:23 Thu 15 Aug 2019Warre 1963 ... I have bought some 50 bottles ... FANTASTIC.
Lucky boy! 88)
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
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