What should I drink?

[Alex Bridgeman]

I seem to have been suffering a shortage of Port consumption this year. Partly, I suspect, that is down to not seeing my fellow Port drinkers and so having an excuse to open a bottle. I normally plan to open 78 bottles per week, that being a nice and convenient 1½ bottles per week — generally adequate for something to drink at home and something a bit nicer to share with others at the Boot & Flogger.

It's been a while since I was last at the Boot & Flogger and it looks like being several weeks before I'm back there so I've decided to cheer myself up with a bottle to be opened at home and enjoyed.

I have limited myself to a choice of:

1. Quinta do Noval 1978
2. Warre 1985
3. Graham 1983

Anyone want to help me decide which to open?

[PhilW]

I normally plan to open 78 bottles per week

Crikey! That's almost as much as Tom and Julian combined!
(and with 78 being the number, that is also therefore my vote)

[MigSU]

I normally plan to open 78 bottles per week

Crikey! That's almost as much as Tom and Julian combined!
(and with 78 being the number, that is also therefore my vote)

I almost had a mild stroke when I read that sentence, until I realised it was a typo

[Glenn E.]

1983 Graham is very nice right now.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I think if I’d been getting through 78 bottles per week I would have been suffering the most appalling headaches!

Yes, you are correct. It was a typo. 78 bottles per year is my plan.

[Mike J. W.]

1983 Graham is very nice right now.

That got my vote as well. Much better than the '85 Warre. I haven't had the Noval '78.

[Doggett]

Although more interested in the G83 as a possible future purchase, I have voted for the N78 as I have had this a few times and wondered how it was doing and if it still has time before heading south.

[uncle tom]

My home consumtion is a little less than 78 bottles a week - my normal annual allocation for home consumption is:

48 bottles mature VP
24 bottles mature LBV
12 bottles of my finest unfiltered reserve (FUR)
6 miscellaneous bottles of ruby/reserve/LBV
2 bottles crusted
2 bottles mature 10yr tawny
1 bottle mature 20yr tawny
1 bottle colheita

= 96 bottles of port p.a.

As I have not been able to make my usual trip to warmer climes this year, I have added another dozen FUR and a dozen Taylor 10yr in 500mL bottles.

(I'm voting for the '78 as it has little further to go)

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've gone with the majority vote and opened a bottle of Graham 1983. Slightly worryingly, there is a note of VA on the nose...