ThePortForum.com

JohnDavidFrance

Id be game as an adopter? As i dont have WS bottling....at the moment

JohnDavidFrance

Figured i better show some available bottles. From memory i have Burmester, Borges and Gould Campbell for sure, will double check other stock when i can

JohnDavidFrance

For me:

Smoked salmon
Bangers and mash with side of carrots
Chocolate brownie

Thank you!

JohnDavidFrance

Just confirming for the set date

JohnDavidFrance

Michael this was a great introduction for me in to a proper B&F night. The spread of wines was great, food great as always and the company even better. I was a little wavey walking up to my room though, not wanting to waste the good stuff caught up with me 😅 I'll definitely second alex's notion ...

JohnDavidFrance

Im going to greatly regret this, but i'll give up my space on this one seeing as im there for RP a week earlier

JohnDavidFrance

Interested, though Ramos Pinto tasting is also early June?

JohnDavidFrance

I have a 1970 noval if useful so count me in if space allows

JohnDavidFrance

I see the vibe for this trip is already perfect

happy to help with organising also if needs be. If accomodations are needed in the douro then i'll be able to secure

JohnDavidFrance

Gladly join if space allows of course

JohnDavidFrance

I will bring the SW70 and GC70, and if you would like the GC85 Thank you, Harry. I've put you down as bringing the SW70 and the GC70. However, as you're doing the heaviest lifting in bringing two of the oldest bottles, and as JDF doesn't have anything available, perhaps it makes sense for him to ad...

JohnDavidFrance

Food choices:

Soup
Bangers and mash
Lemon tart

JohnDavidFrance

Count me in!

JohnDavidFrance

So far on my travels i have only seen 1991 (€199) and 1995 (€95) if anyone thinks they are worth getting?

JohnDavidFrance

Either date works for me if there is space

JohnDavidFrance

2 days after my birthday, how could i not! John, apologies, but because we can only fit 10 people around the table in Tom’s pub, the people who attended last year (and the people on last year’s waiting list) get first refusal. But I can put you at the top of the list of people joining the waiting l...

JohnDavidFrance

2 days after my birthday, how could i not!

JohnDavidFrance

Would love that! Count me in

JohnDavidFrance

Just confirming my attendance after Mr Alex very kindly sorted me out. Are we bringing bottles or resting our livers after the day?

JohnDavidFrance

Just need to square my attendance with Alex but would love to join if there is space

JohnDavidFrance

Will see what bottles are on offer RE: 1955 when i head there in April. A good friends Uncle works for Ramos Pinto so here's hoping

JohnDavidFrance

FYI there is a smith woodhouse 1980 vp in the current Wine Auctioneer if needed

JohnDavidFrance

JohnDavidFrance wrote: ↑10:31 Thu 12 Feb 2026 Put me as a reserve if possible. Not because of dates but because i have none of the above at the momebt but alwats shopping and in porto during april so could find something nice

Add me to the list if possible, I have 2 x 63 Gould Campbell after all

JohnDavidFrance

Put me as a reserve if possible. Not because of dates but because i have none of the above at the momebt but alwats shopping and in porto during april so could find something nice

JohnDavidFrance

Love to join in if space, i have a 1982 and 1983 direct from the cellars

JohnDavidFrance

Ear mark me a space alex! I'll find something interesting for this. I have some already but i'll try fill a gap i we end up missing something

JohnDavidFrance

Would have loved to join in, however, i'm in the douro that week

JohnDavidFrance

I have Fonseca 66,70,77,88 (though i was trying to save the 88 )

JohnDavidFrance

JohnDavidFrance wrote: ↑12:08 Mon 05 Jan 2026 Count me in if there is space

I have some estate bottles from Santo Antonio? Although not labelled as Fonseca it's owned/operated by them? Could even even bring one just as a brucy bonus?

JohnDavidFrance

Count me in if there is space

JohnDavidFrance

This sounds fun! Is there a space still? Yes, added. Be aware that the current placemats are somewhat in jest — the presence of Tuke Holdsworth 1756 is not perfectly guaranteed, nor that of the Sandeman 1797, even knowing that everybody will be bringing serious bottles. But I’m very hopeful that so...

JohnDavidFrance

This sounds fun! Is there a space still?

JohnDavidFrance

Maybe the solution is for less VP to be sold when first bottled with more of the production being matured in the producer’s cellars and held back for later release. There would be a cash flow hit for the producer, but they would then have more control over the future price of the mature wine. We ar...

JohnDavidFrance

That second article is very damning of the government and agricultural institutes of Portugal, but I agree with the above, this is coming from someone who represents a monopoly on douro producers, the symingtons arn't typical farmers, they are business people who will fight a full war for a one cent...

JohnDavidFrance

I’m really glad this event is being held close to home, I attend every year. I won’t be able to make the Thursday dinner (the night before the mezze), so if any TPF member doesn’t have dinner plans for the 27th and would like to join me for a "late" dinner, feel free to send me a message....

JohnDavidFrance

Alex Bridgeman wrote: ↑12:34 Wed 12 Nov 2025 If anyone attending is interested in having a late lunch together before the Berry's tasting, drop me a PM and I'll coordinate something.

I would have been game as it's just a tasting not a meal but my train only gets in at euston after 4pm

JohnDavidFrance

The portosphere, i love it 🤣 yeah i met roy hersh of FTLOP earlier this year, absolute gem and his connections are astounding. I was trying to make it on to his tour in september but I just couldn't make it work 😪 I hear you with the niche thing, it's a real shame as there is plenty to go at in the ...

JohnDavidFrance

Hi All, I know we have many many members from all over the world here, but I want to ask....were do you get all your port wine news from? In the UK we have select magazines focused on wine such as Decanter magazine that sometimes feature port, but what do YOU use to stay up to date? Facebook groups ...

JohnDavidFrance

I'll be there, travelling down from Preston (Lancashire) station

though i will have to leave 10 min early as the train back from Euston is at 21:10

Very much looking forward to trying the 80 tawny as i missed it on my last visit to Porto!

JohnDavidFrance

I've been a bit absent from the forum the last few months but it doesn't mean i've not been busy. I thought i'd see if anyone here is attending the Port Wein Messe in Leverkusen this month? I'll be there, travelling from the UK. Axel Probst is the host and has held many successful events previously ...

JohnDavidFrance

Oh no, not put off at all, it's a beautiful example. Similar to some 40 y.o tawny i sampled. The bottle is a moulded style, two seems up opposite sides, stopping half an inch from the mouth, with a third seem running around the base. The base its self is completely smooth, no markings, just the bord...

JohnDavidFrance

I came across seven worse for wear bottles of Offley at auction recently. They intrigued me greatly and I won them at a fair price. Well, after about 3 weeks sitting in my collection I caved and had to try one. These bottles are Offley Forrester Boa Vista Old in Wood Very Finest Old Port (quite the ...

JohnDavidFrance

Ah excellent! I'll see if i can make the dates work as my flights are not booked yet. Out of curiosity, were is your tour heading? That is unknown to me at present. A friend is working with Roy Hersh to set up a tour for some of her WA winemaker friends, so it will no doubt be similar to past FTLOP...

JohnDavidFrance

Sorry chaps for reviving an old thread, but what happened with this sale? Was a sale agreed by the family? Are there bottles available? A very interesting read either way 👍 We didn't progress this as it wasn't great & potentially too expensive. Will W may have further info. Suggest contacting h...

JohnDavidFrance

I'll be back out in the douro in May 2025 also if any of you happen to be there 👌 Welcome, John! I'm currently planning a trip to Portugal in that time frame, but have not yet settled on dates. It will be a private tour, but I usually arrive a day or two early to get adjusted to the time zone and m...

JohnDavidFrance

Guys this is perfect! I love a London trip so i'm always game for that. Miguel, it would be great to meet up in the valley! Just to clarify, you're not Miguel from Casa Cimera by any chance?

I will certainly look at a northern tasting session for sure if there are enough of us up here!

JohnDavidFrance

Sorry chaps for reviving an old thread, but what happened with this sale? Was a sale agreed by the family? Are there bottles available?
A very interesting read either way

JohnDavidFrance

Masters and enjoyers of the ruby elixir, hello to you all. I'm John David France and I hail from Lancashire, England. Although probably in the younger demographic of the port wine audience (36 tomorrow) I am an avid learner and taster. I've skirted round joining the forum long enough, so here we go ...

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