"WWW" on a port label
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- Derek T.
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"WWW" on a port label
Does anyone remember a thread here where someone posted a photograph of a port bottle with the letters WWW followed by an old vintage year? Some speculation followed as to what might be in the bottle and who the producers was.
I am sure I remember seeing that thread here but cannot find it.
I stumbled across this page in Henrick Oldenburg's boot today and it reminded me of that question...
If anyone can tie this to the previous thread it would be much appreciated.
I am sure I remember seeing that thread here but cannot find it.
I stumbled across this page in Henrick Oldenburg's boot today and it reminded me of that question...
If anyone can tie this to the previous thread it would be much appreciated.
- Andy Velebil
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
If I'm not mistaken, this generally means a very old Port, with each "V" representing so many years. I'm also quite sure that each producer probably does it a bit differently. So in this case there are 6 "V's". The funny part is I remember being told that at Ramos Pinto back in 2006, which makes sense since your bottle is also from Ramos Pinto.
Of course I could be totally wrong in which case ignore![Observing [1974_eating_popcorn.gif]](./images/smilies/1974_eating_popcorn.gif)
Of course I could be totally wrong in which case ignore
![Observing [1974_eating_popcorn.gif]](./images/smilies/1974_eating_popcorn.gif)
Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
- Derek T.
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
When was the last time your Department made you have an eye test?Andy Velebil wrote:If I'm not mistaken, this generally means a very old Port, with each "V" representing so many years. I'm also quite sure that each producer probably does it a bit differently. So in this case there are 6 "V's". The funny part is I remember being told that at Ramos Pinto back in 2006, which makes sense since your bottle is also from Ramos Pinto.
Of course I could be totally wrong in which case ignore
Firstly, they are "W"s, not "V"s.
Secondly, there are 3 of them, not 6.
Finally, the note at the top of the picture describes exactly what it means.
I do hope that the citizens of L.A. do not rely entirely on your powers of observation and evidence gathering capabilities Officer Velebil


- Andy Velebil
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
While they may look like "W's" I believe they are actually two "V's" that are placed together. I'm stretching my memory on this, but I could have sworn that was how it was explained. My earlier disclaimer is still in effectDerek T. wrote:When was the last time your Department made you have an eye test?Andy Velebil wrote:If I'm not mistaken, this generally means a very old Port, with each "V" representing so many years. I'm also quite sure that each producer probably does it a bit differently. So in this case there are 6 "V's". The funny part is I remember being told that at Ramos Pinto back in 2006, which makes sense since your bottle is also from Ramos Pinto.
Of course I could be totally wrong in which case ignore
Firstly, they are "W"s, not "V"s.
Secondly, there are 3 of them, not 6.
Finally, the note at the top of the picture describes exactly what it means.
I do hope that the citizens of L.A. do not rely entirely on your powers of observation and evidence gathering capabilities Officer Velebil![]()

BTW Here is a pic of that same Port we tasted in their tasting room back in 2006
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Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com
Re: "WWW" on a port label
The conversation was the result of a tasting note on TPF. Do you recall that at the Christmas 2009 offline I brought along a magnum of unknown port that was stencilled with "WWW 1907". We had no idea what was in the bottle, but thought it was a peasantly tasty tawny. Interesting to now read that we might well have been right - that this was possibly a port bottled in 1907 and very old at the time. Excellent!
Last edited by Al B. on Sat May 28, 2011 11:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
- Derek T.
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Re: "WWW" on a port label

Thank you. I have linked the TN on TPF to this thread.
Re: "WWW" on a port label
Despite my child induced tiredness, it does occur to me that Andy may have a point regarding the two V's. If I remember correctly, Vinha Velha means 'old grapes' (or old vines?) so WWW could be 'very old grapes' perhaps?
- Derek T.
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
Go back to bed, Ben.Ben Read wrote:Despite my child induced tiredness, it does occur to me that Andy may have a point regarding the two V's. If I remember correctly, Vinha Velha means 'old grapes' (or old vines?) so WWW could be 'very old grapes' perhaps?
They are "W"s
![Pointless [dash1.gif]](./images/smilies/dash1.gif)
- Glenn E.
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
It's because Elmer Fudd made the labels. The Port is wery, wery, wery old.Derek T. wrote:Go back to bed, Ben.Ben Read wrote:Despite my child induced tiredness, it does occur to me that Andy may have a point regarding the two V's. If I remember correctly, Vinha Velha means 'old grapes' (or old vines?) so WWW could be 'very old grapes' perhaps?
They are "W"s

Glenn Elliott
- Andy Velebil
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Re: "WWW" on a port label
Ben dont' go back to bedDerek T. wrote:Go back to bed, Ben.Ben Read wrote:Despite my child induced tiredness, it does occur to me that Andy may have a point regarding the two V's. If I remember correctly, Vinha Velha means 'old grapes' (or old vines?) so WWW could be 'very old grapes' perhaps?
They are "W"s

Andy Velebil Good wine is a good familiar creature if it be well used. William Shakespeare http://www.fortheloveofport.com