DRT’s trip to India

[jdaw1]

Dow LBV 2003 on flight from Manchester to Dubai ran out after 1 glass. Noval LBV 2002 on flight from Dubai to Chennai was cooked. Not a good start.

[DRT]

Thank you to my correspondent in NYC for keeping you up to date with my less than successful port-drinking exploits in the Middle East and Asia.

I was hoping for better luck this evening in the hotel bar in Chennai but a quick look at the bevarages list in the room reveals that the closets relative to a glass of port is "Harvey's Bristol Cream"

Perhaps I will have better luck tomorrow in Mumbai.

[RonnieRoots]

Thank you to my correspondent in NYC for keeping you up to date with my less than successful port-drinking exploits in the Middle East

Welcome to this part of the world.

[DRT]

Haven't found any port yet but did visit a beach today where 131 people were killed by the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004. A very sobering experience.

[DRT]

Last night we had a fabulous southern Indian meal in a restaurant the Dakshin Restaurant at the Chennai ITC Sheraton. A bit like an Indian version of Tapaz, served on a banana leaf with no cutlery. Excellent. At the end of the meal my host asked the waiter to bring me a glass of Port. What turned up, in one of those inverted cone shaped glasses, was a glass of cloudy, cooked Marsala. Yuck.

Tonight another fabulous meal has been consumed in the Peshawri Restaurant at the ITC Maratha, Mumbai. An absolute meat-fest - not a green leaf or a vegitable in sight. Unfortunately, the Port situation remains bleak. The only viable entry on the wine list reads "Cockburn's Ruby 700Rs (60ml)" - That, at 70Rs to the £, is around £10 more than I would normally pay for a small glass of Cockburn Ruby

I am told that when we return to Chennai on Friday we are being taken to an exclusive "Club" that has existed since the days of the Empire. Surley to God they must have a decent glass of port in there!!! - If not, my hopes of establishing an Asian port sample exchange group will take a significant dent.

[benread]

Do you want to know that tonight, Alex, Christopher and I had samples of Sandeman 1963, (X) 1947, Kopke 1983 ( surprised them both with how good that could be!) and Gould Campbell 1991.

Tought not!

See you Tuesday for a Vergella'thon'!

[Andy Velebil]

Derek,
This is the wrong way to go about cutting back on drinking Port mister Hope you avoid the fleas of a thousand camels infesting your armpits and may you finally find a decent glass of purple sunshine

[Alex Bridgeman]

If you're staying at a decent hotel, ask the concierge to acquire you a bottle of Goan (red) port. You should be able to get hold of it relatively easily - I was able to do so while staying in some up-market chain or another in Kolkota

[DRT]

This evening we had dinner at The Madras Club, hosted by one of the business contacts we have been visiting in Chennai. It was rather spooky to find that The Madras Club is situated on Turnbull's Road - which is quite possibly named after George Dundas Turnbull who, according to various google hits, served as a Judge in Madras and other provinces in 1871.

Dear departed Great-great-great-great Uncle George, how thoughtful of him to leave this legacy for me to find in such a far away place

[Alex Bridgeman]

So what did Great Uncle George leave you in his cellar?

[DRT]

So what did Great Uncle George leave you in his cellar?

A case of Kingfisher.

[RonnieRoots]

So what did Great Uncle George leave you in his cellar?

A case of Kingfisher.

Was 1871 a good vintage for Kingfisher?

[DRT]

So what did Great Uncle George leave you in his cellar?

A case of Kingfisher.

Was 1871 a good vintage for Kingfisher?

Yes. They put excessive amounts of chlorine in it that year which has preserved it over the decades.

[Andy Velebil]

So what did Great Uncle George leave you in his cellar?

A case of Kingfisher.

Was 1871 a good vintage for Kingfisher?

Yes. They put excessive amounts of chlorine in it that year which has preserved it over the decades.

since it will obviously last a lot longer, be sure to save some for your children when they get older. I'm sure they will be gratefull for you thinking of their drinking pleasure

[jdaw1]

I’ve just enjoyed a sample bottle of fine colheita. And we know that a cunning and wise fellow like Derek would never go to India without essentials, doubtless including several 6cl samples of port and his Blackberry.

[DRT]

I’ve just enjoyed a sample bottle of fine colheita. And we know that a cunning and wise fellow like Derek would never go to India without essentials, doubtless including several 6cl samples of port and his Blackberry.

Blackberry yes, samples no.

Back in Blighty now and looking forward to the Vargellathon tomorrow evening. Three glasses of Dow LBV 2003 on the flight from Dubai to Manchester restored my faith in humanity.