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Am I crazy -- or is it generally much harder to find vintage Niepoort in the US and UK than almost any other large and well known house?

The 1985s, the 1994s, 77s, 70s, 66, etc. etc.

What's the deal?

Well, the deal is mostly that Niepoort is a small producer, and their quantities of vintage port are very limited. Therefore, you won't see much of it. And next to that, the UK and US are only relatively new markets for Niepoort.

Niepoort is indeed not widely available in the UK.

This does not mean that you are not crazy.

To give a hint at the best country to buy the stuff consider the name Dirk van der Niepoort. Tracing the origins and consequently biggest importing country. It ain't far and has a history of great offlines. There will be one there in the Summer with our two favourite ex-pats. A chance for a great night with some great people and shops with all the Niepoort you can carry.

Thanks guys for the responses.

As for the offline in Holland this summer, I did indeed see the thread, and have been quite interested in attending, but I feel a bit awkward inviting myself, as I know neither of the hosts, nor most of the other participants.

I have tremendous respect for Niepoort, and think it is among the most under-appreciated port producers (at least in the U.S.). Croft now too I think is starting to deserve similar mention, as they've been on a tear over the last decade or so.

Chris Doty wrote:As for the offline in Holland this summer, I did indeed see the thread, and have been quite interested in attending, but I feel a bit awkward inviting myself, as I know neither of the hosts, nor most of the other participants.

Chris,

The only reason lots of us here know one another is because we did exactly what you are hesitating to do. There is no reason to feel awkward, get in there and meet our Dutch contingent, and perhaps some of us that are already more familiar to you

Derek

PS: Is the fact that a New Yorker is feeling awkward about being forward worthy of inclusion in Irony Corner?

Chris Doty wrote:As for the offline in Holland this summer, I did indeed see the thread, and have been quite interested in attending, but I feel a bit awkward inviting myself, as I know neither of the hosts, nor most of the other participants.

Then earn your supper by bringing interesting bottles.

RonnieRoots wrote:Well, the deal is mostly that Niepoort is a small producer, and their quantities of vintage port are very limited. Therefore, you won't see much of it. And next to that, the UK and US are only relatively new markets for Niepoort.

You are correct on the first part. Niepoort is a small house and not a lot of the older vintages were imported here. But they have been imported here for many decades, just in very small amounts and now old vintages are quite hard to find here.

Chris,

The first time that I met Ronald and Maartje, the two loveable ex-pat Dutchies, was when I put up a thread on Wine-Spectator asking if they would be around in Amsterdam. We've been friends for over five years now all due to meeting on-line. Trust me, you will be more than welcome,

Alex

Chris, it would be great if you could attend the summer offline. Would it help if we made it a Niepoort theme?

Andy, didn't know about that, thanks for the info!

Alex, you should really come over to Oman soon to visit all the middle-eastern members of TPF! (We have a spare bedroom.)

RonnieRoots wrote:Would it help if we made it a Niepoort theme?

Splendid. But I have no Niepoort. Please may I adopt a splendid bottle?

That is incredibly gracious of you. I have added a post to the OL thread, and will be sure to get in touch whenever I decide to travel to Oman (it is actually about #9 on my list of places to see next, so I'd say it is at least 50/50 I get to it this year). Again, thank you very much for your hospitality.

C

Vintages are hard to find, but their Garrafeiras are not too difficult to source.

jdaw1 wrote:

RonnieRoots wrote:Would it help if we made it a Niepoort theme?

Splendid. But I have no Niepoort. Please may I adopt a splendid bottle?

Should we indeed decide on Niepoort, than you are most welcome to adopt a bottle from us.