Bottle of Port - any recommendations?

[bizzylizzy]

Hi one and all
My hubby likes the odd glass of port at Christmas time. I thought I'd buy him a bottle so I've been looking across the web for recent reviews. But they're suprisingly hard to find. Can anyone recommend any brands or even better point me in the direction of any review sites. I keep stumbling across sites that are more for people who want to lay down wines, they don't last that long here. I don't want to pay any more than �20 as we're not really in the position to pay oodles of cash but don't want to buy something that's a complete waste of money, like some wines we've stumped up for. I know that Tesco, Sainsbury's etc all send good selections, but what to buy? Any help appreciated. Cheers :-)

[winebuyer]

It's hard to be too specific, because one never knows what will be available in your area. However, this might point you in the right direction.

At that price, you might be able to get a bottle of Vintage Port, but prices for this cover a huge spectrum, and your local stockist might only have more expensive Vintage Ports.

If not, then look on the label for the words "Late Bottled Vintage". This is slightly different from Vintage Port, but only because it is matured in the barrel, instead of the bottle. This is a more economical process, and so Late Bottled Vintage port is less expensive.

Do you have a local supplier like Oddbins? They are very good.

Also, for a Christmas treat, it might be nice to avoid Port that says "Bottled for [name of supermarket]". Instead, look for a bottle imported directly from one of the big Port houses, such as:

Fonseca
Dow
Warre's
Graham's
Taylor's

A Late Bottled Vintage from any of these will be a delight, and should be within your budget.

Bear in mind that Vintage and Late Bottled Vintage Port will have a sediment. It will need to be stood still for 24 hours, and then decanted, before you can drink it. This ritual is part of the pleasure.

If by any chance you don't have a decanter, then choose a Tawny Port, again from one of the companies named above.

Good luck.

[theonlyone]

Try a bottle of Marks &Spencer port ..
had a bottle last year and it was good ,but
they now have a special reserve in a decanter ..
it was on offer under �10 ..worth a try ...

[ethandron]

we too had a bottle of port from m & s last christmas and it was really, really nice, i wouldn't hesitate to recommend it.

[bizzylizzy]

Super, thank you all for your sage advice. I shall go out armed with notes. Good health to you all. Merry Christmas. BL

[joggerjayne]

Hi, WB ... how are ya? x

[winebuyer]

Hi JJ. I'm well, thank you. You too, I hope?

[joggerjayne]

Hey, WB. I thought you'd gone again.

Have you been watching sneakiny from behind the curtains?

LOL

J x

[joggerjayne]

"sneakily" I mean

[joggerjayne]

WB ...

... [email protected]

Mail me your address.

[bizzylizzy]

Well I've just been out and about. I swung past M&S, they're port in a decanter does have a discount as you guys have said. But I was mindful of winebuyer's advice. The M&S port in the decanter was only bottled fairly recently in Port terms. There was one bottle left on the shelves which was nabbed by another shopper, she got there 5 secs before me, but she let me read the label!! So I intend visiting Oddbins for a bottle for hubby and will probably buy the M&S decanter as well, just because you've given it such good press. I may be pressed to sample a glass or two - just to be sociable of course :-) Thanks everyone BL