Given the numbers that are emerging, and the cost of London venues, I wonder whether a better angle might be to form an 'indulgence club' where members take it turn to host events at a competant pub or restaurant close to where they live.
I can think of several venues local to where I live that could offer a private room, excellent food and corkage on a £50 - £60 per capita budget.
The event host could then choose a selection of wines and ports for the occasion, which could be decanted and left to stand in an orderly manner that would be difficult if everyone was bringing a bottle.
- Just a thought!
Port Event in London?
Moderators: Glenn E., Roy Hersh, Andy Velebil
Personally, I would be quite happy if I were to meet 3 other people in a wine bar in London and share some good port with them. Its not often that I get the chance to share a special bottle of port from my cellar with people who will get as much of a kick from it as I do.
I spoke to the manager of a wine bar in central London this afternoon. They would be quite happy for us to take over a corner of their restaurant on a Saturday afternoon and drink some port. Fees would be negotiated, but would basically be the cost of the food, service tips and corkage fee of some sort.
On that basis, I would be happy to meet up on an informal "indulgence club" type basis for a Saturday lunch and afternoon spot of port tasting (and if there's only 4 of us then its the perfect excuse to bring those half bottles out of the cellar!). Personally, I prefer central London as most rail lines go in and out of London - for me to get to Cambridge, for example, is a bit of a trek if I don't drive.
I would also be very happy if the 4 people from the list were able to meet up at a time when Roy was in London or if the other 3/4 people that Roy has in mind were able to make a London port event. The beauty of an "indulgence club" approach is that you can cut the type of the event to suit the number of people. With 8-10 people it might be worth hiring a private room or going to a more upmarket restaurant. With only 3-4 people the "theme" might be spread over 2 sessions, with 8-10 the theme would be all on the same day.
I'll wait for Roy to confirm the dates that he is planning on flying through London and then see if anything can be set up. I'll also continue to investigate options for early 2006 and come back to the list when I have something more developed.
Alex
I spoke to the manager of a wine bar in central London this afternoon. They would be quite happy for us to take over a corner of their restaurant on a Saturday afternoon and drink some port. Fees would be negotiated, but would basically be the cost of the food, service tips and corkage fee of some sort.
On that basis, I would be happy to meet up on an informal "indulgence club" type basis for a Saturday lunch and afternoon spot of port tasting (and if there's only 4 of us then its the perfect excuse to bring those half bottles out of the cellar!). Personally, I prefer central London as most rail lines go in and out of London - for me to get to Cambridge, for example, is a bit of a trek if I don't drive.
I would also be very happy if the 4 people from the list were able to meet up at a time when Roy was in London or if the other 3/4 people that Roy has in mind were able to make a London port event. The beauty of an "indulgence club" approach is that you can cut the type of the event to suit the number of people. With 8-10 people it might be worth hiring a private room or going to a more upmarket restaurant. With only 3-4 people the "theme" might be spread over 2 sessions, with 8-10 the theme would be all on the same day.
I'll wait for Roy to confirm the dates that he is planning on flying through London and then see if anything can be set up. I'll also continue to investigate options for early 2006 and come back to the list when I have something more developed.
Alex
I really like the idea of a Fonseca vertical, has to be said. My contrib to any event could be a '94/2/85, but if the event took place next year I could just about justify my last bottle of '66 which I was saving for my 40th! Anyway, for me an evening (Wed/fri) is best, but Sat not out the question. London really is my only choice given I wouldn't want to drive...