[POSTPONED] Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park

Organise events to meet up and drink Port.
Post Reply
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

[POSTPONED] Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park

Post by JacobH »

The plan is now to arrange an informal tasting in St James’ Park on a Saturday in August to take advantage of the hopefully nice weather and avoid COVID-19 related lockdowns of restaurants.

The theme for the tasting is: “bring some Summer Port to share” with a suggested emphasis on young red Ports, tawnies and whites.

The aim is to be informal and fun, so we can welcome as many people as are willing to join. Picnics are encouraged; as are non-Port-obsessed other halves and children. If there is interest, I could bring some Pimms-style Port cocktail.

We will need a contingency plan in the even of bad weather which has not yet been devised.

Possible Attendees

JGH + 1
WS1
AHB + 1
rich_n
flash_uk
akzy

(Original Post)

(Considering that: a) the availability of restaurants etc. for large gatherings remains a little uncertain; b) some of the recent :tpf: tastings have become fully reserved within minutes of someone suggesting them; and c) the informal virtual meetings have been great fun, would anyone be interested in trying to arrange something a little different this Summer?

I was thinking of something along the lines of choosing an afternoon (perhaps a Saturday), finding an outdoor venue, and encouraging :tpf: to bring a bottle of Port or two to share in hopefully nice weather. Perhaps the emphasis could be on young red ports, tawnies and whites?

I was thinking of it being informal in encouraging people to try different things but be relaxed if they don’t get a glass of every Port. If so, we wouldn’t have to limit numbers. I also thought it might be suitable for bringing less-than-obsessed partners and children, too. Clearly we would have to make some contingencies for bad weather but I am sure we could sort that out.

In terms of food, I guess it would depend on venue. If it were a Royal Park in central London we could do it with picnics, perhaps ordering from Fortnums who are nearby and do this sort of thing ever Summer? Or I guess there might be a venue where a barbecue would be possible.

Not sure if something like this has been tried before and if there is any interest but thought I would put it out there as an idea!)
Last edited by JacobH on 08:59 Thu 15 Jul 2021, edited 5 times in total.
Image
User avatar
jdaw1
Cockburn 1851
Posts: 23613
Joined: 15:03 Thu 21 Jun 2007
Location: London
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Summer Tasting?

Post by jdaw1 »

Good idea, location dependent. Obviously a London park would work well for me and a few ⅔ bottles of JHA 10Y white.

Indeed, location might the difficulty — other halves might be reluctant to stay sober, impeding driving.
User avatar
WS1
Cruz 1989
Posts: 1058
Joined: 23:08 Wed 04 Feb 2009
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: Informal Outdoor Summer Tasting?

Post by WS1 »

Yep, count me in. In summer I usually drink young VP, Crusted or Tawnies/Colheitas. Older VP imho do not work as well in summer. I should somewhere have mag of Croft 11 that would be perfect. After I misplaced it I should make an effort to relocate it. Hope I have not drunk it and forgotten. Or as DRT always thought it was stolen.....🤣🤣🤣

Regards
WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
User avatar
nac
Fonseca 1980
Posts: 1808
Joined: 14:21 Fri 16 Dec 2016
Location: Kent & London
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Summer Tasting?

Post by nac »

Good idea. St James’s maybe?

This may be of interest ~ Royal Parks Picnic Policy
Last edited by nac on 23:19 Sun 07 Mar 2021, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Summer Tasting?

Post by JacobH »

Thanks for this. Yes: I was thinking of St James’ Park.
Different Parks have different maximum group sizes: [...] St James’s Park: 60
Sounds ok!
Barbecues, or any form of cooking in the Parks. As well as being a fire hazard, abandoned barbecues can be a hazard to other visitors and to wildlife. There are catering outlets in each Park selling a selection of hot and cold food.
So, picnics only.
Glass – please ensure that you use plastic cups and bottles where possible. Broken glass is a hazard to other visitors and wildlife and very difficult to remove from parkland.
That doesn’t sound like an absolute prohibition, just a request to be careful.
We have no objection to alcoholic drinks, but they must be available free of charge (ie not for sale), and for consumption by your guests only. And of course, alcohol must only be made available to persons over the age of 18.
Sounds ok, too!

Would a Saturday afternoon suit people? Say early July before the schools break up?

[Edit: Revised the date on further reflection!]
Image
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, July

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

This sounds very interesting - I think Mrs B and I would be up for this. Nice idea Jacob.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
rich_n
Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
Posts: 550
Joined: 10:59 Thu 23 May 2019

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, July

Post by rich_n »

Tentatively yes, as long as I can work out the logistics of getting over from Bristol and sort somewhere to stay - I might bring my dad if he's interested.
User avatar
flash_uk
Graham’s 1977
Posts: 4081
Joined: 20:02 Thu 13 Feb 2014
Location: London

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, July

Post by flash_uk »

Yes please!
User avatar
flash_uk
Graham’s 1977
Posts: 4081
Joined: 20:02 Thu 13 Feb 2014
Location: London

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, July

Post by flash_uk »

Yes please!
akzy
Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
Posts: 537
Joined: 21:42 Tue 13 Nov 2018
Location: Three Bridges

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, July

Post by akzy »

Yes please
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by JacobH »

I’ve suggested the 17th July, simply because it is better to have a date in the diary. However, if that doesn’t work for anyone do let me know.

I think I have accurately transcribed the possible attendees across but clearly you will want to check that date works for you!
Image
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

17th works nicely for us - it's in our diary.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
nac
Fonseca 1980
Posts: 1808
Joined: 14:21 Fri 16 Dec 2016
Location: Kent & London
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by nac »

Would have been a likely, but unfortunately already holidaying by 17th.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Given the change in the date for removal of all social distancing regulations, the picnic in St James's Park would seem to be the first large (but no more than 30!) Port Forum event of 2021.

Are we still planning for it to happen?
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by JacobH »

I am rather worried I have jinxed the COVID recovery plan by proposing this but we are still keen if anyone else is!
Image
User avatar
rich_n
Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
Posts: 550
Joined: 10:59 Thu 23 May 2019

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by rich_n »

I don't think I'll make it for this given the circumstances. I'll be keen later in the summer if things continue to go on the right direction though.
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by JacobH »

That’s understandable, if a shame! Perhaps other potential attendees could let me know if they are still keen for 17 July (with, of course, the possibility of a re-run in August if successful) or whether they would also like it to be put back?
Image
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Elizabeth and I are both double jabbed and very happy to meet up with people in July.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Unfortunately Elizabeth and I are going to have to drop out of the planned picnic. She’s currently working three jobs and is exhausted. Weekends are mostly spent sleeping.

Life should be a bit closer to normal w/c 26 July after the schools have broken up if we arrange something slightly later in the year.
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
akzy
Warre’s Otima 10 year old Tawny
Posts: 537
Joined: 21:42 Tue 13 Nov 2018
Location: Three Bridges

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by akzy »

I'm going to struggle, although not impossible, to attend this. It slightly slipped my upcoming radar!
User avatar
JacobH
Quinta do Vesuvio 1994
Posts: 3300
Joined: 16:37 Sat 03 May 2008
Location: London, UK
Contact:

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by JacobH »

Alex Bridgeman wrote: 13:13 Sun 11 Jul 2021 Unfortunately Elizabeth and I are going to have to drop out of the planned picnic. She’s currently working three jobs and is exhausted. Weekends are mostly spent sleeping.
Really sorry to hear that. Hope things get back-to-normal soon!
akzy wrote: 16:46 Mon 12 Jul 2021 I'm going to struggle, although not impossible, to attend this. It slightly slipped my upcoming radar!
Considering that quite a lot of people will be struggling to attend this weekend, I suggest that we pre-emptively rain-check it until August. If this will cause anyone hardship, perhaps they could post here?
Image
User avatar
Alex Bridgeman
Graham’s 1948
Posts: 14880
Joined: 13:41 Mon 25 Jun 2007
Location: Berkshire, UK

Re: Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park, 17 July 2021

Post by Alex Bridgeman »

Rescheduling to August would be wonderful for us.

Can I tentatively suggest Sunday 16th (or Saturday 15th)?
Top Ports in 2023: Taylor 1896 Colheita, b. 2021. A perfect Port.

2024: Niepoort 1900 Colheita, b.1971. A near perfect Port.
User avatar
WS1
Cruz 1989
Posts: 1058
Joined: 23:08 Wed 04 Feb 2009
Location: Hertfordshire

Re: [POSTPONED] Informal Outdoor Tasting: St James’ Park

Post by WS1 »

I assume you mean Sunday 15th of August or Saturday 14th of August. Looks so far good to me.

rgds

WS1
"Sometimes too much to drink is barely enough"
Mark Twain
Post Reply