London at Christmas- what port to buy?

[JB vintage]

We are three families visiting London on Dec 19-25.

If anyone knows about any good offers on Vintage port for sale in London I would be grateful for your recommendations. In addition to the traditional Port houses I know there are several buyers-own-brand vintage port around at good prices, but I do not know were to buy or what are the best deals.

In addition, we would be grateful for recommendations on good places to have a good meal with some good wine, in particular vintage port. I have read the Travel section and the recommendations made there.

[RAYC]

Email sent

[Alex Bridgeman]

Tesco own label 1994 is from the Symingtons but suffers some bottle variability. Good bottles are delicious. Varies in price from £15-£24 depending on what promotions are in place.

Waitrose own label 2011 port is Quinta de la Rosa and was very good when I tasted it in the summer. This is currently for sale at £30.

Sainsbury own label vintage port is currently the 1999 vintage. This is also from the Symingtons and last time I saw it was available at £25.

You will need to find full branches (rather than the local or convenience stores) to be able to buy the own label vintage ports. A quick search on the internet for the name of the supermarket will allow you to quickly find the branch nearest to where you are staying.

[JB vintage]

AHB and RAYC,

Great advice! Thank you.

Tesco 1994 I actually bought a few years ago in Dublin, and the bottle I got was quite good. The other vintage ports I have never had the chance to sample but will certainly do my very best to acquire.

[jdaw1]

Sainsbury own label vintage port is currently the 1999 vintage. This is also from the Symingtons and last time I saw it was available at £25.

Some branches might still have the Malvedos 1999, but some have the Malvedos 2001.

[Alex Bridgeman]

I've just seen bottles of Graham Crusted Bottled in 1998 appear on the shelves of my local Sainsbury for £14 each. That might be worth buying.

[RAYC]

So I happened to be last-minute shopping in Harrods this morning and, after finishing the necessaries, naturally found myself browsing the fine wine department.

There was a small crowd around the port section - not unusual, I thought, given that Christmas is the most likely time of year for non-aficionados to buy port.

However, after a few seconds it was clear that they were not only speaking in a Scandinavian-sounding language but also seemed to be ignoring the natural candidates for a Christmas purchase in favour of debating the 2002-2004-2007 Cockburn Canais mini-vertical on display.

Cogs starting to whir, I asked my first tentative question...."are you from Sweden"

Response: "yes" . A 1 in 3 shot. The next question required a greater leap of faith

"Are you the chaps behind the vintageport.se site....?"

"Yes"!

Unfortunately we each only had a few spare moments to talk but a nice little coincidence!

As an aside, I left Harrods a happy man with another 3-pack of Capela 07 at £75 per bottle. Perhaps not bargain territory but given its rarity and the fact I was in Harrods (where the G82 single harvest tawny is £120) not too bad...

[jdaw1]

A splendid coincidence. And they must have been pleased that their fame reaches so far.

[JB vintage]

It was an incredible coincidence! My father-in-law told me you met him. I was at the Hedonism at the time to admire their Yquem wall of fame.

Thanks for all good advice on buying port in London.