Royal banquet for Saudi King

[Roy Hersh]

Nikolaj,

Thanks for the trivia ... I think.

Did you ever notice how uptight the Brits get when anybody says anything negative about their Queen, yet they are so quick to smack talk about the American President(s).

Just an observation.

[Nikolaj Winther]

Yeah, I'm not sure about the greatnes of golden toilets either.

A tip on the feelings on the queen - Let the brits begin the rant and then join the choir.

Besides, the difference is that when you critizise the queen, you critizise a system. When you critizise the president, you critizise a person.

But what is odd is, if it's more (less) polite to state "you have an awful wife" or "you have an awful lifestyle".

- Note how I didn't use a taste-in-drink (as in port) analogy. I think I deserve extra credit for that.

[Alan C.]

Nikolaj,

Thanks for the trivia ... I think.

Did you ever notice how uptight the Brits get when anybody says anything negative about their Queen, yet they are so quick to smack talk about the American President(s).

Just an observation.

If that was a humourous tease, it worked. But to respond...I'll reciprocate...

I don't mind George Bush. What do you think Roy?

Now if you reply honestly, glance at your Quoted Post again.

Alan

[Otto Nieminen]

Does the Saudi King drink or..?

I don't know about the king, but when I lived in and visited the Arabian Peninsula regularily, I got to taste some of the best wines I have ever had the opPORTunity to try...

[Richard Henderson]

Just wondering, isn't alcohol banned in Saudi Arabia. Could this foreign prince have to abstain for religious reasosn?

Just a fond memory of mine but a former Collector of the Port of London, the late Deryk Fellingham, retired from Her Majesty's Custom Service once visited my home here in Texas and we opened the 1977 Taylor. I still have that empty bottle. May he RIP.

[Alan C.]

Just wondering, isn't alcohol banned in Saudi Arabia. Could this foreign prince have to abstain for religious reasosn?

Although a devout Muslim, should abstain from alcohol, just like a good Jew should have no pork, I am a Christian, and fail that particular religion most days. I get uneasy when we expect strict adherence from others. I play golf with a good man, who happens to be Jewish, and adores a nice bacon butty after our game. It is not for me to pass judgement.

Alan

[Tom Archer]

T77 is a bit of a lame duck for a State Banquet (in my book..)

But then, you're dealing with a country that is supposedly dry

For a state bash, I can see the attraction of going for Taylor - although Graham and Noval would be equally qualified..

For vintage, I would pitch at '66 or '70

Tom

[Richard Henderson]

I certainly mean no judgment but I am genuinley curious and surprised that the Saudi sovereign would drink publicly since , if I am not misinformed , there is legal prohibition of alcohol in that country , not merely a religious custom.

I think it is a good thing if he enjoys a little fruit of the vine and hope he does.
I think if folks of different political persuasions could sit down and enjoy wine in moderation more often, we might have a better chance at world peace.

[J. Ali Harlow]

I certainly mean no judgment but I am genuinley curious and surprised that the Saudi sovereign would drink publicly since , if I am not misinformed , there is legal prohibition of alcohol in that country , not merely a religious custom..

Wouldn't be a problem on the grounds of a foreign embassy of course, which it almost certainly was.

[Roy Hersh]

I am in agreement with Tom as mentioned earlier, that a mere '77 Taylor VP (no matter how well thought out in advance) is pretty common for such an important event. Nonetheless, I am sure it can be counted on to be enjoyed with little chance of being disappointed by bottle variation (unless the un-likelihood of a corked bottle).

That said, a 1963, 1966 or 1970 would have been better choices as Tom said. I believe that when a foreign dignitary comes to another country they go out of their way to partake in that country's customs ... even if it goes against their own (of course not if it goes against their own religious beliefs though). So it would not be a stretch to think that in this case, partaking in a few sips of Port would be a major faux pas, even for a Muslim, unless fairly orthodox in his practice. But this is all just fun conjecture.

[Alan C.]

Tom,

The Queen has had around 100 State Banquets in her reign. That averages out at around 10 a year. They are often held with a 100+ guests.

Do you really want them quaffing all the precious 66 stock?

I've got to insist, for very selfishand unpatriotic reasons...Taylor 77 will do them fine.

Alan

[Roy Hersh]

Alan,

No joke, I personally know the individual that is responsible for maintaining the wine cellar of the Queen at various castles and residences. He has only provided the most scant details of this and does not like to divulge details. That said, I can assure you that their cellars are so well stocked, that there is no risk of any old vintages becoming scarce in the near future, based on these types of very special dinners.

[Julian D. A. Wiseman]

My understanding is that the Koran prohibits wine. It does not prohibit all alcohol, though the prohibition is widely interpreted thus.

Taylor 1977 is a perfectly fine drink. Save the more precious stuff for a guest who would appreciate it, and be willing to admit to doing so.

(Aside: I didn’t know Roy was a Republican. Good piece of trivia.)

The Queen has had around 100 State Banquets in her reign. That averages out at around 10 a year.

Hmmm: 100 banquets, 55 years on the throne. Maybe my calculator is broken.