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Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:43 am
by Marc Sherwin
I'm looking to buy a few bottles from this store in Portugal and having them shipped to the USA.
They were very prompt by email, etc. Just looking for anyone with good or bad experiences.
Thanks.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:24 pm
by João Rico
Helo,
I personally know the owners of GN. Many people buys from them overseas as i think it's one of the few that ships worldwide.
They are really professioal and as far as i know, never heard about any problems.
Anyway, if you need of some assistance, just ring.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:26 pm
by Marc Sherwin
Thank you.
Exactly the type of feedback I was looking for.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 4:06 pm
by Roy Hersh
Not to burst the bubble as I have some wines that have come from them although I have not purchased from them directly. What has struck me at times is that their pricing seems pretty far out of whack in many cases. Outside of that, I know people who really enjoy working with them.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 4:52 pm
by Derek T.
I often search Portuguese wine merchants on wine-searcher as the shipping cost to the UK isn't too bad and I have to agree with Roy that these guys, along with many others, set their prices way too high.
I have never used them so can't comment on service.
Derek
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:19 pm
by Reidar Andersen
I have used them a few times. First of all picked up bottles at their store, second picked up
bottles at different hotels i stay in Europe ( since I canot have them shipped to Norway ).
Monday I will pick up a bottle in Franfurt to bring to Norway ( in the suitcase ).
Always happy with them....

Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:54 pm
by Roy Hersh
Reidar,
Do you find their pricing in line and that is why you use them or is it due to the fact that they have Port and/or Madeira that you can not typically find elsewhere?
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Thu Apr 10, 2008 12:12 pm
by Reidar Andersen
Roy,
Especially a few years ago their Madeira prices were so low I grabbed all the goodies in competition with Peter

.
My theory for this is simple. It is 90+ % a PORT shop with lot of expertise there ( I think so, know very little about port myself ), but they were not aware of the fast rise of madeira prices the past years,
I can tell what I bought this time , not so cheap as before, but a 1846 Borges Terrantez bottled 1900
for EUR 495.... Not too bad...
Reidar
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:57 am
by Al B.
I've also used GN in the past and have found them to be very reliable and have been very pleased with their service. On their pricing - I agree that generally they are very expensive, but there are hidden little nuggets on their price list from time to time where they are competitive.
Alex
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 12:04 pm
by Ronald Wortel
A little late with my reaction, but anyway: I've bought from GN a couple of times, both of the internet and in the store. I'm very happy with their service. The only thing that bugs me is that they can't seem to get themselves a properly working, fast and user-friendly internet store. Other than that, no complaints and only good service.
BTW, they have seriously decreased the prices on Douro wines, making them very competitive, even when you take shipping (to nothern Europe) into account. The port prices are often steep, but from time to time there are good offers.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:36 am
by Ronald Wortel
BTW, I tried to access their site (garrafeiranacional.com) yesterday and today and got the notification that 'the account has been suspended'... Am I the only one having trouble reaching their site, or did they forget to pay some bills...?
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 5:46 am
by Andy Velebil
Ronald,
just tried it and its working for me.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 4:04 pm
by Glenn E.
I had the same problem yesterday also, Ronald, but it seems to be back up and running today.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sun May 25, 2008 11:55 am
by Reidar Andersen
I only use e-mail and drop everything else and get excellent service

Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sun Jun 01, 2008 5:20 pm
by Marc Sherwin
I did go ahead and order 8 bottles of 1952 Dalva Golden White. The price was a little high (IMHO), but I've had trouble finding this elsewhere. The order was processed and shipped promptly. Overall I'm very happy except I'm already down 3 bottles -- 1 downed by me and 2 for the bro-in-law.
Thanks for all the input.
Re: Any Experience with Garrafeira Nacional?
Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 9:30 pm
by Roy Hersh
Run don't hide, especially if you are in the EU where obtaining this would be much easier.
There is a 50% off sale on Warre's "Cintra" Colheita (I'm not sure why it would have this designation). But the price has been slashed to 135 Euros, which is a real steal of a deal for a bottle that old.