We will be spending part of Christmas about 90 miles away. I wanted to bring a few bottles to enjoy but am concerned about bottle shock. Just curious what strategies you employ for this situation. Cannot really open at home (splash decant) since we'll be there several days.
My thought was to take an 1983 Smith Woodhouse, a 1995 SW Madelena and a 2003 Warres LBV.
Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
Any Port in a storm!
- Andy Velebil
- Posts: 16629
- Joined: Tue Aug 02, 2005 4:49 pm
- Location: Los Angeles, California, United States of America - USA
- Contact:
Re: Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
If you can leave them standing up on the trip and try to minimize the shaking (outside of normal driving) then leave standing when you arrive, you should be fine.
If possible, open and decant prior if possible, the one bottle you intend to consume on the arrival day and open the others like normal.
If possible, open and decant prior if possible, the one bottle you intend to consume on the arrival day and open the others like normal.
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
-
- Posts: 5936
- Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2006 7:38 am
- Location: Boston, USA
Re: Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
I'd keep the bottles in the interior of the car to not fluctuate the temperature too much. Those are hearty ports; you'll be fine.
Welsh Corgis | F1 |British Cars
-
- Posts: 995
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2016 7:55 pm
- Location: In the middle of cornfields & cow pastures, PA
Re: Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
So how did they turn out? Did they survive the trip well enough?
"I have often thought that the aim of Port is to give you a good and durable hangover, so that during the next day you should be reminded of the splendid occasion the night before." - Hungarian/British journalist & author George Mikes
Re: Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
The 95 Madelena was double decanted (back into the bottle), then traveled and was fine--I've had this several times and no discernible difference.
The 1983 SW was okay---but not having had it before not sure if traveling was the issue.
The 1983 SW was okay---but not having had it before not sure if traveling was the issue.
Any Port in a storm!
Re: Advice on Travelling With Port to Open
For future reference, IF bottles are IMPORTANT for a tasting or special event:
Ship them a few weeks or a month ahead of time. They will settle and should be left in a cellar or cool place with no light, preferably standing up.
Another alternative, that I find is a great savior for travel, with Ports that do not need to be part of a horizontal or vertical ...
Bring Tawny or Colheita Ports. For me, they seem to be much more resilient than older Vintage Ports. Young VPs don't seem to show as poorly as old ones can.
Ship them a few weeks or a month ahead of time. They will settle and should be left in a cellar or cool place with no light, preferably standing up.
Another alternative, that I find is a great savior for travel, with Ports that do not need to be part of a horizontal or vertical ...
Bring Tawny or Colheita Ports. For me, they seem to be much more resilient than older Vintage Ports. Young VPs don't seem to show as poorly as old ones can.
Ambition driven by passion, rather than money, is as strong an elixir as is Port. http://www.fortheloveofport.com