Following on from discussion of when branding on the end of corks started, this led to a discussion on when branding was first used on any port corks.
The oldest branded port corks I have seen are Croft 1912 and Cockburn 1912. Others here have opened many more pre-war bottles than I, so may have older examples; Is the 1912 vintage the first to have been bottled (in 1914) with branded corks?
(side question: same query, but for any wine, not just port; ignoring re-corked bottles ofc).
Earliest Port corks with branding
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14915
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Earliest Port corks with branding
I have a photograph of a branded Cockburn 1908 cork which I think was an original cork.
I'd suggest you also post this enquiry on FTLOP and on the Scandinavian websites. There's lots of knowledge there too.
I'd suggest you also post this enquiry on FTLOP and on the Scandinavian websites. There's lots of knowledge there too.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
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- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3520
- Joined: 14:22 Wed 15 Dec 2010
- Location: Near Cambridge, UK
Re: Earliest Port corks with branding
Please post a picture if you are able.
A good suggestion; will do.
- Alex Bridgeman
- Graham’s 1948
- Posts: 14915
- Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
- Location: Berkshire, UK
Re: Earliest Port corks with branding
I found it!
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
Re: Earliest Port corks with branding
Perhaps you could ask Amorim if they have company records that would answer the question?
"The first duty of Port is to be red"
Ernest H. Cockburn
Ernest H. Cockburn
- uncle tom
- Dalva Golden White Colheita 1952
- Posts: 3520
- Joined: 23:43 Wed 20 Jun 2007
- Location: Near Saffron Walden, England
Re: Earliest Port corks with branding
I have a Feuerheerd 1896, sold to me a long time ago by Jeffrey Benson. It has no outward identification. He explained that he'd acquired a pair of matching unknown bottles and opened one which revealed its identity on the cork.
Aside from that, the oldest bottle I've ID'd from a cork (I think..) was a Croft 1904 half bottle.
The 1851 unknown shipper that I opened for Richard Mayson's 50th six years ago had the vintage date embossed on the end of the cork, but with no branding on the sides - the only time I've seen this..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv6RmZR2XGE
Aside from that, the oldest bottle I've ID'd from a cork (I think..) was a Croft 1904 half bottle.
The 1851 unknown shipper that I opened for Richard Mayson's 50th six years ago had the vintage date embossed on the end of the cork, but with no branding on the sides - the only time I've seen this..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv6RmZR2XGE
I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I shall be sober and you will still be ugly - W.S. Churchill