Ins and Outs of Port

[Sijan]

Do you see many Crusted Ports anymore? I have only seen one bottling (Dow's 2000) at one store in the many wine shops I've visited in the DC area and elsewhere.

I agree on the Warre's 1995 LBV, although it is unfiltered so there is some inconvenience.

For filtered ports, you are in good shape if you can find Taylor's 2000 LBV or Dow's 2000 LBV. Unfortunately, 2001 has replaced the 2000 for most LBVs I'm seeing on the shelves.

[Vange]

Just Churchill and Dows and not often. I prefer them to LBVs.

[wintermute]

Wow, thanks for all of the help. Port definitely seems to be an arcane drink!

[Sijan]

There's a lot to know eventually, but you don't need to know all that much right now in order to enjoy it. Just go get a bottle of Fonseca Bin 27 or Graham's Six Grapes (or Warre's Warrior or Sandeman's Founder's Reserve) and let us know what you think.

[CorvallisCracker]

For a great ready to drink tawny port look to Australia. Yalumba Clocktower is very inexpensive ($15 to $20) and is really good. Grahams 6 grapes is a good ruby to try and a good LBV is Smith Woodhouse Lodge reserve. I really enjoy ports with cigars. Great taste combination.

Although the Aussie offerings are not "true" ports (not being from Portugal) I agree that they're good choices for the money. Try the Buller "Victoria" Tawny, a favorite of mine and costs about $13-14.

[mier]

I agree on the Warre's 1995 LBV, although it is unfiltered so there is some inconvenience.

Forget decanting in Portugal they just pour it trough a coffeefilter,the best "portfilter" there is and you use the whole contents.
Eric.

[pepcycle]

There's a nice little summary of ports in Travelhost magazine.

I was interviewing in Rockland County, NY and the hotel had this magazine in the room.

Simple and to the point.

Its page 43 of the March/April edition for NYC Suburbs and Hudson Valley.

http://www.travelhost.com/jsp/magazines.jsp

[Sijan]

Forget decanting in Portugal they just pour it trough a coffeefilter,the best "portfilter" there is and you use the whole contents.
Eric.

How well do coffee filters work generally for decanting wine?

I have a small metal filter that fits in the mouth of my decanter - it looks a bit like a drainer you might find in an old sink. It will catch most chunks, but the 1mm grid is too big to catch real small particles.

[Vange]

I use UNBLEACHED cheese cloth to filter my ports and then a standard $30 decanter to let it breathe.

[mier]

I always use coffeefilters from a German brand called Melita,50 paperfilters for 80 cts or so and i`ve never had any residu in my port,i never thought of cheesecloth,that`s a good idea too.
I read about Australian "port" did anyone tried South-African?I had a South-African port from 1967 and you couldn`t taste the diffrence.
Eric.