Cara/Andrea here,
This past week, there was much revelry among the Wenches on our private e-mail loop, along with a jolly amount of liquid libations consumed—alas, all cyber! By some strange quirk of timing, four of us had book deadlines on Monday and we all scribbled—with much moaning and grumbling—to the finish line and turned them in on time . . so I think we heartily deserved a glass of bubbly!
Actually, as I began to think of it, since the manuscripts were all Regency-set stories, we probably deserved stronger spirits—and what could be more quintessentially Regency than port. (The fact that port was forbidden to proper ladies of course makes it even more alluring.) So, I thought it might be fun to take a small sip of the spirit’s history.
Though port comes from the region of Portugal near the city of Oporto, it’s traditionally thought of as a very British drink. And with good reason! The British taste for port dates back to the 14th century, and the development of the winemaking industry is inextricable intertwined with the Sceptered Isle. The Treaty of Windsor, signed in 1386, established close political economic ties between the two countries. Each permitted merchants from the other to take up residence and have the same trading rights as its own subjects. A number of Englishmen set up business in Portugal and trade began to flourish between the two counties. By the late 15th century, Portuguese wine was flowing into England in return for salt cod.
The wine trade grew even important in 1667, when Louis XIV’s finance minister imposed strict rules limiting the import of British goods into France. In retaliation, Charles II, clamped down on the import of French wine, forcing oenophiles to look elsewhere. To meet the growing need, wine merchants looked to expand their supply, but some of the Portuguese wine did not suit the English palate, which was accustomed to the richer French wines. So they began to look inland, and found the wines produced in the dry, mountainous Douro region produced a full-bodies wine more to the English taste.
It required an arduous river journey to bring the wine down to the city of Oporto, where it could then be shipped to the British Isles—where it became know as Vinho do Porto. Or port. To keep the wine from spoiling during the shipping, it became customary to add a bit of brandy to fortify the wine, making it more potent (more on this in a moment!)
Now, the growing demand also gave rise to a problem in quality as a number of merchants added elderberry wine and other less desirable ingredients to make a cheap wine and sell it as port. Enter the Marquis of Pombol, the Portuguese prime Minister, who in 1756 established state control of the port wine trade. The Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro—sort of the East India Company for Portuguese wine—was given a monopoly on trade with Britain and Brazil. He also set up a strict delineation of the port wine region—335 stone pillars, known as marcos pombalinos, were erected to mark out its boundaries. Only vineyards within the area could call their wine “port.”
Now, up until this time, the wine was made by traditional methods, though as I mentioned,, brandy was occasionally added to stabilize it for shipping. But in the early 19th century, brandy began being added during the fermentation process, resulting in a fortified wine that was sweeter and stronger than ordinary wine. The taste was very popular in Britain, and by the 1830s, the method had become pretty much universal for all the port producers.
Fortifying the wine allowed it to be aged much longer than ordinary wine. Vila Nova de Gaia, on the outskirts of Oporto
became the home of quintos, or Lodges of the port merchants, and their massive warehouses began to spring up there, allowing them to age the various types of port. (Vintage port—wine from one specific year that is deemed to be a quality harvest—is aged in individual bottles. The other varieties of port—including ruby, tawny and white is aged in oak casks.) Most of the leading port Lodges were owned by British merchant families with deep roots in Portugal, and many still are today. Taylor Fladgate, Dows, Graham, Churchill—a trip to the local wine shop says it all.
The Peninsular War had a great impact on the wine trade, as Napoleon’s forces invaded the country and General Soult occupied the Douro region. There’s a fascinating history of the era on the Taylor Fladgate website (an American was instrumental in helping our Regency heroes keep well-fortified with port!) which you can read here.
I shall now put a cork in the bottle, before I intoxicate you with too many historical details. But before I do, just a few questions for you—have you ever tried port? Do you like it? (I do—a lot! Though I don’t drink it very often. I have a friend who really knows port, so have been lucky enough to taste some vintages from the 1920s and 1930s, which is quite fun. Like drinking history!)
And if you don’t like drinking it, port also is a great cooking ingredient. Here’s a recipe for a traditional Christmas pudding with port. Pip, pip, hooray!
Great post Cara/Andrea. I have indeed drunk port on many an occasion. The district where I spent the first seven years of my life (north-east Victoria in Australia) is a wine-growing area well known for lovely “big” red wines and excellent ports and muscats.
Port is lovely on a chilly winters night, as an after-dinner drink, slowly sipped and enjoyed. Some ports are a little sweet for my taste, but the really good ones are stunning.
In fact, you’ve inspired me to open a bottle next time I have friends around for dinner. 🙂
Great post Cara/Andrea. I have indeed drunk port on many an occasion. The district where I spent the first seven years of my life (north-east Victoria in Australia) is a wine-growing area well known for lovely “big” red wines and excellent ports and muscats.
Port is lovely on a chilly winters night, as an after-dinner drink, slowly sipped and enjoyed. Some ports are a little sweet for my taste, but the really good ones are stunning.
In fact, you’ve inspired me to open a bottle next time I have friends around for dinner. 🙂
Great post Cara/Andrea. I have indeed drunk port on many an occasion. The district where I spent the first seven years of my life (north-east Victoria in Australia) is a wine-growing area well known for lovely “big” red wines and excellent ports and muscats.
Port is lovely on a chilly winters night, as an after-dinner drink, slowly sipped and enjoyed. Some ports are a little sweet for my taste, but the really good ones are stunning.
In fact, you’ve inspired me to open a bottle next time I have friends around for dinner. 🙂
Great post Cara/Andrea. I have indeed drunk port on many an occasion. The district where I spent the first seven years of my life (north-east Victoria in Australia) is a wine-growing area well known for lovely “big” red wines and excellent ports and muscats.
Port is lovely on a chilly winters night, as an after-dinner drink, slowly sipped and enjoyed. Some ports are a little sweet for my taste, but the really good ones are stunning.
In fact, you’ve inspired me to open a bottle next time I have friends around for dinner. 🙂
Great post Cara/Andrea. I have indeed drunk port on many an occasion. The district where I spent the first seven years of my life (north-east Victoria in Australia) is a wine-growing area well known for lovely “big” red wines and excellent ports and muscats.
Port is lovely on a chilly winters night, as an after-dinner drink, slowly sipped and enjoyed. Some ports are a little sweet for my taste, but the really good ones are stunning.
In fact, you’ve inspired me to open a bottle next time I have friends around for dinner. 🙂
I love port, but always feel it should come in pint glasses.
However Dr Johnson disagreed.
‘Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.’
I love port, but always feel it should come in pint glasses.
However Dr Johnson disagreed.
‘Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.’
I love port, but always feel it should come in pint glasses.
However Dr Johnson disagreed.
‘Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.’
I love port, but always feel it should come in pint glasses.
However Dr Johnson disagreed.
‘Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.’
I love port, but always feel it should come in pint glasses.
However Dr Johnson disagreed.
‘Claret is the liquor for boys; port for men; but he who aspires to be a hero must drink brandy.’
Anne, yes, a really good port is wonderful on a cold winter night sitting in front of the fire . . . with stilton and walnuts to counterpoint the slight sweetness (a really good port isn’t too sweet) Sigh—I’m getting thirsty!
Anne, yes, a really good port is wonderful on a cold winter night sitting in front of the fire . . . with stilton and walnuts to counterpoint the slight sweetness (a really good port isn’t too sweet) Sigh—I’m getting thirsty!
Anne, yes, a really good port is wonderful on a cold winter night sitting in front of the fire . . . with stilton and walnuts to counterpoint the slight sweetness (a really good port isn’t too sweet) Sigh—I’m getting thirsty!
Anne, yes, a really good port is wonderful on a cold winter night sitting in front of the fire . . . with stilton and walnuts to counterpoint the slight sweetness (a really good port isn’t too sweet) Sigh—I’m getting thirsty!
Anne, yes, a really good port is wonderful on a cold winter night sitting in front of the fire . . . with stilton and walnuts to counterpoint the slight sweetness (a really good port isn’t too sweet) Sigh—I’m getting thirsty!
Oh, that’s a wonderful quote, Duncan! Thanks for reminding me of it. (And if a good vintage port is being offered, I highly agree about the pint glasses!)
Oh, that’s a wonderful quote, Duncan! Thanks for reminding me of it. (And if a good vintage port is being offered, I highly agree about the pint glasses!)
Oh, that’s a wonderful quote, Duncan! Thanks for reminding me of it. (And if a good vintage port is being offered, I highly agree about the pint glasses!)
Oh, that’s a wonderful quote, Duncan! Thanks for reminding me of it. (And if a good vintage port is being offered, I highly agree about the pint glasses!)
Oh, that’s a wonderful quote, Duncan! Thanks for reminding me of it. (And if a good vintage port is being offered, I highly agree about the pint glasses!)
I like port, unfortunately it doesn’t like me at all. One or two sips are sure to give me a headache, even the really good stuff. I stick to sherry. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find good sherry on the island.
I like port, unfortunately it doesn’t like me at all. One or two sips are sure to give me a headache, even the really good stuff. I stick to sherry. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find good sherry on the island.
I like port, unfortunately it doesn’t like me at all. One or two sips are sure to give me a headache, even the really good stuff. I stick to sherry. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find good sherry on the island.
I like port, unfortunately it doesn’t like me at all. One or two sips are sure to give me a headache, even the really good stuff. I stick to sherry. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find good sherry on the island.
I like port, unfortunately it doesn’t like me at all. One or two sips are sure to give me a headache, even the really good stuff. I stick to sherry. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to find good sherry on the island.
Oh, poor you, Ella! Port really is wonderful . . .perhaps it’s the added brandy that gives you a headache? I’ve yet to acquire a taste for sherry—probably because I’ve only tried the cheap stuff, which seems sweet and bland. Must expand my education on Regency libations!
Oh, poor you, Ella! Port really is wonderful . . .perhaps it’s the added brandy that gives you a headache? I’ve yet to acquire a taste for sherry—probably because I’ve only tried the cheap stuff, which seems sweet and bland. Must expand my education on Regency libations!
Oh, poor you, Ella! Port really is wonderful . . .perhaps it’s the added brandy that gives you a headache? I’ve yet to acquire a taste for sherry—probably because I’ve only tried the cheap stuff, which seems sweet and bland. Must expand my education on Regency libations!
Oh, poor you, Ella! Port really is wonderful . . .perhaps it’s the added brandy that gives you a headache? I’ve yet to acquire a taste for sherry—probably because I’ve only tried the cheap stuff, which seems sweet and bland. Must expand my education on Regency libations!
Oh, poor you, Ella! Port really is wonderful . . .perhaps it’s the added brandy that gives you a headache? I’ve yet to acquire a taste for sherry—probably because I’ve only tried the cheap stuff, which seems sweet and bland. Must expand my education on Regency libations!
What a wonderful port post, Cara/Andrea! I learned some of this on a riverboat cruise on the Douro several years ago, where admired the terraced vines along the river, and visited one of the port warehouses when we returned to the coast. Believe me, the incredible intensity of scent in a port warehouse will knock you endwise! I don’t much like port, not being fond of sweet drinks, but I do have a character in the Lost Lords series who is a British port producer based in Portugal. Still working on his story…
What a wonderful port post, Cara/Andrea! I learned some of this on a riverboat cruise on the Douro several years ago, where admired the terraced vines along the river, and visited one of the port warehouses when we returned to the coast. Believe me, the incredible intensity of scent in a port warehouse will knock you endwise! I don’t much like port, not being fond of sweet drinks, but I do have a character in the Lost Lords series who is a British port producer based in Portugal. Still working on his story…
What a wonderful port post, Cara/Andrea! I learned some of this on a riverboat cruise on the Douro several years ago, where admired the terraced vines along the river, and visited one of the port warehouses when we returned to the coast. Believe me, the incredible intensity of scent in a port warehouse will knock you endwise! I don’t much like port, not being fond of sweet drinks, but I do have a character in the Lost Lords series who is a British port producer based in Portugal. Still working on his story…
What a wonderful port post, Cara/Andrea! I learned some of this on a riverboat cruise on the Douro several years ago, where admired the terraced vines along the river, and visited one of the port warehouses when we returned to the coast. Believe me, the incredible intensity of scent in a port warehouse will knock you endwise! I don’t much like port, not being fond of sweet drinks, but I do have a character in the Lost Lords series who is a British port producer based in Portugal. Still working on his story…
What a wonderful port post, Cara/Andrea! I learned some of this on a riverboat cruise on the Douro several years ago, where admired the terraced vines along the river, and visited one of the port warehouses when we returned to the coast. Believe me, the incredible intensity of scent in a port warehouse will knock you endwise! I don’t much like port, not being fond of sweet drinks, but I do have a character in the Lost Lords series who is a British port producer based in Portugal. Still working on his story…
There was a feisty old broad who lived across the street from us in the 1960s, and she and my mother got to be friends. She introduced my mom to sherry, port, and marsala. We keep a bottle of sherry around to this day.
There was a feisty old broad who lived across the street from us in the 1960s, and she and my mother got to be friends. She introduced my mom to sherry, port, and marsala. We keep a bottle of sherry around to this day.
There was a feisty old broad who lived across the street from us in the 1960s, and she and my mother got to be friends. She introduced my mom to sherry, port, and marsala. We keep a bottle of sherry around to this day.
There was a feisty old broad who lived across the street from us in the 1960s, and she and my mother got to be friends. She introduced my mom to sherry, port, and marsala. We keep a bottle of sherry around to this day.
There was a feisty old broad who lived across the street from us in the 1960s, and she and my mother got to be friends. She introduced my mom to sherry, port, and marsala. We keep a bottle of sherry around to this day.
PS re Ella’s headache comment: I have the same problem with champagne. Instant headache. Dang.
PS re Ella’s headache comment: I have the same problem with champagne. Instant headache. Dang.
PS re Ella’s headache comment: I have the same problem with champagne. Instant headache. Dang.
PS re Ella’s headache comment: I have the same problem with champagne. Instant headache. Dang.
PS re Ella’s headache comment: I have the same problem with champagne. Instant headache. Dang.
Terrific post. I can see story ideas resulting (once I fortify them with brandy). Thanks!
Terrific post. I can see story ideas resulting (once I fortify them with brandy). Thanks!
Terrific post. I can see story ideas resulting (once I fortify them with brandy). Thanks!
Terrific post. I can see story ideas resulting (once I fortify them with brandy). Thanks!
Terrific post. I can see story ideas resulting (once I fortify them with brandy). Thanks!
Mary Jo, love the port importer hero idea! Check out the Taylor Fladgate website. They have some very good history, especially Peninsula War era. (And try a good vintage port– they aren’t so sweet and are wonderfully complex. )
Mary Jo, love the port importer hero idea! Check out the Taylor Fladgate website. They have some very good history, especially Peninsula War era. (And try a good vintage port– they aren’t so sweet and are wonderfully complex. )
Mary Jo, love the port importer hero idea! Check out the Taylor Fladgate website. They have some very good history, especially Peninsula War era. (And try a good vintage port– they aren’t so sweet and are wonderfully complex. )
Mary Jo, love the port importer hero idea! Check out the Taylor Fladgate website. They have some very good history, especially Peninsula War era. (And try a good vintage port– they aren’t so sweet and are wonderfully complex. )
Mary Jo, love the port importer hero idea! Check out the Taylor Fladgate website. They have some very good history, especially Peninsula War era. (And try a good vintage port– they aren’t so sweet and are wonderfully complex. )
Ha, ha, ha, Grace! Yes, there’s definitely a number of good stories submerged in this subject!
Ha, ha, ha, Grace! Yes, there’s definitely a number of good stories submerged in this subject!
Ha, ha, ha, Grace! Yes, there’s definitely a number of good stories submerged in this subject!
Ha, ha, ha, Grace! Yes, there’s definitely a number of good stories submerged in this subject!
Ha, ha, ha, Grace! Yes, there’s definitely a number of good stories submerged in this subject!
Your mothers’s friend sounded like a fun woman, Artemisia. So sorry you can’t drink champagne– that’ another libation I love. (Not that I imbibe a lot, I promise!)
Your mothers’s friend sounded like a fun woman, Artemisia. So sorry you can’t drink champagne– that’ another libation I love. (Not that I imbibe a lot, I promise!)
Your mothers’s friend sounded like a fun woman, Artemisia. So sorry you can’t drink champagne– that’ another libation I love. (Not that I imbibe a lot, I promise!)
Your mothers’s friend sounded like a fun woman, Artemisia. So sorry you can’t drink champagne– that’ another libation I love. (Not that I imbibe a lot, I promise!)
Your mothers’s friend sounded like a fun woman, Artemisia. So sorry you can’t drink champagne– that’ another libation I love. (Not that I imbibe a lot, I promise!)
What a great post Cara/Andrea! I am very partial to a glass of port. As Anne says, it’s perfect for a chilly winter night. I was once lucky enough to be offered a glass or two of really good vintage port. It was gloriously smooth (and strong). The rest of the evening was a very happy, warm blur.
What a great post Cara/Andrea! I am very partial to a glass of port. As Anne says, it’s perfect for a chilly winter night. I was once lucky enough to be offered a glass or two of really good vintage port. It was gloriously smooth (and strong). The rest of the evening was a very happy, warm blur.
What a great post Cara/Andrea! I am very partial to a glass of port. As Anne says, it’s perfect for a chilly winter night. I was once lucky enough to be offered a glass or two of really good vintage port. It was gloriously smooth (and strong). The rest of the evening was a very happy, warm blur.
What a great post Cara/Andrea! I am very partial to a glass of port. As Anne says, it’s perfect for a chilly winter night. I was once lucky enough to be offered a glass or two of really good vintage port. It was gloriously smooth (and strong). The rest of the evening was a very happy, warm blur.
What a great post Cara/Andrea! I am very partial to a glass of port. As Anne says, it’s perfect for a chilly winter night. I was once lucky enough to be offered a glass or two of really good vintage port. It was gloriously smooth (and strong). The rest of the evening was a very happy, warm blur.
Nicola, I think we need to do more research on vintage port– like a vertical tasting of some really old years. Shall we meet at Berry brothers? we would of course need to book a suit at the Connaught, because neither of us would be in any state to drive.
Nicola, I think we need to do more research on vintage port– like a vertical tasting of some really old years. Shall we meet at Berry brothers? we would of course need to book a suit at the Connaught, because neither of us would be in any state to drive.
Nicola, I think we need to do more research on vintage port– like a vertical tasting of some really old years. Shall we meet at Berry brothers? we would of course need to book a suit at the Connaught, because neither of us would be in any state to drive.
Nicola, I think we need to do more research on vintage port– like a vertical tasting of some really old years. Shall we meet at Berry brothers? we would of course need to book a suit at the Connaught, because neither of us would be in any state to drive.
Nicola, I think we need to do more research on vintage port– like a vertical tasting of some really old years. Shall we meet at Berry brothers? we would of course need to book a suit at the Connaught, because neither of us would be in any state to drive.
Love port, but didn’t know the history so thanks for the information. My husband has a glass every night. Every birthday, fathers day and christmas our son always gives his father a case of port as a present. Much appreciated.
Love port, but didn’t know the history so thanks for the information. My husband has a glass every night. Every birthday, fathers day and christmas our son always gives his father a case of port as a present. Much appreciated.
Love port, but didn’t know the history so thanks for the information. My husband has a glass every night. Every birthday, fathers day and christmas our son always gives his father a case of port as a present. Much appreciated.
Love port, but didn’t know the history so thanks for the information. My husband has a glass every night. Every birthday, fathers day and christmas our son always gives his father a case of port as a present. Much appreciated.
Love port, but didn’t know the history so thanks for the information. My husband has a glass every night. Every birthday, fathers day and christmas our son always gives his father a case of port as a present. Much appreciated.
I recently found out that my parish church uses port for the communion wine!
I recently found out that my parish church uses port for the communion wine!
I recently found out that my parish church uses port for the communion wine!
I recently found out that my parish church uses port for the communion wine!
I recently found out that my parish church uses port for the communion wine!
Jenny, your husband (and son) have excellent taste! I’m coming over to your hourse one evening!
Jenny, your husband (and son) have excellent taste! I’m coming over to your hourse one evening!
Jenny, your husband (and son) have excellent taste! I’m coming over to your hourse one evening!
Jenny, your husband (and son) have excellent taste! I’m coming over to your hourse one evening!
Jenny, your husband (and son) have excellent taste! I’m coming over to your hourse one evening!
That’s interesting, Suzy—has church attendance risen?
That’s interesting, Suzy—has church attendance risen?
That’s interesting, Suzy—has church attendance risen?
That’s interesting, Suzy—has church attendance risen?
That’s interesting, Suzy—has church attendance risen?
Great post, Andrea.I love port, so my characters tend to drink it a lot.When we visited Portugal many years ago, our hosts gave us a bottle of white port, which they said was the sort that never gets out of Portugal. All I remember is that it was amazing.
Great post, Andrea.I love port, so my characters tend to drink it a lot.When we visited Portugal many years ago, our hosts gave us a bottle of white port, which they said was the sort that never gets out of Portugal. All I remember is that it was amazing.
Great post, Andrea.I love port, so my characters tend to drink it a lot.When we visited Portugal many years ago, our hosts gave us a bottle of white port, which they said was the sort that never gets out of Portugal. All I remember is that it was amazing.
Great post, Andrea.I love port, so my characters tend to drink it a lot.When we visited Portugal many years ago, our hosts gave us a bottle of white port, which they said was the sort that never gets out of Portugal. All I remember is that it was amazing.
Great post, Andrea.I love port, so my characters tend to drink it a lot.When we visited Portugal many years ago, our hosts gave us a bottle of white port, which they said was the sort that never gets out of Portugal. All I remember is that it was amazing.
Oh, that white port sounds wonderful. I’ve had some lovely ports in Portugal, but never something that special.
Oh, that white port sounds wonderful. I’ve had some lovely ports in Portugal, but never something that special.
Oh, that white port sounds wonderful. I’ve had some lovely ports in Portugal, but never something that special.
Oh, that white port sounds wonderful. I’ve had some lovely ports in Portugal, but never something that special.
Oh, that white port sounds wonderful. I’ve had some lovely ports in Portugal, but never something that special.
I always think it was rather mean that the ladies had to drink tea whilst their other halves got sozzled on the port !!I often wonder if they every had a sip to find out what they were missing.I once had some fifty year old port it was delicious,a deep golden colour looking more like sherry than port.My brother in law was a chiropractor and one of his patients a wine merchant used to pay in kind – hence the port.I have to admit that brother in law, sister, myself and the other half demolished the bottle and a chuckle of stilton in a sitting after New Years Day lunch!I don’t remember having a hang over but do remember someone singing all the way home in the back of the car!Good thing it was before the days of breathalysers!!!
I always think it was rather mean that the ladies had to drink tea whilst their other halves got sozzled on the port !!I often wonder if they every had a sip to find out what they were missing.I once had some fifty year old port it was delicious,a deep golden colour looking more like sherry than port.My brother in law was a chiropractor and one of his patients a wine merchant used to pay in kind – hence the port.I have to admit that brother in law, sister, myself and the other half demolished the bottle and a chuckle of stilton in a sitting after New Years Day lunch!I don’t remember having a hang over but do remember someone singing all the way home in the back of the car!Good thing it was before the days of breathalysers!!!
I always think it was rather mean that the ladies had to drink tea whilst their other halves got sozzled on the port !!I often wonder if they every had a sip to find out what they were missing.I once had some fifty year old port it was delicious,a deep golden colour looking more like sherry than port.My brother in law was a chiropractor and one of his patients a wine merchant used to pay in kind – hence the port.I have to admit that brother in law, sister, myself and the other half demolished the bottle and a chuckle of stilton in a sitting after New Years Day lunch!I don’t remember having a hang over but do remember someone singing all the way home in the back of the car!Good thing it was before the days of breathalysers!!!
I always think it was rather mean that the ladies had to drink tea whilst their other halves got sozzled on the port !!I often wonder if they every had a sip to find out what they were missing.I once had some fifty year old port it was delicious,a deep golden colour looking more like sherry than port.My brother in law was a chiropractor and one of his patients a wine merchant used to pay in kind – hence the port.I have to admit that brother in law, sister, myself and the other half demolished the bottle and a chuckle of stilton in a sitting after New Years Day lunch!I don’t remember having a hang over but do remember someone singing all the way home in the back of the car!Good thing it was before the days of breathalysers!!!
I always think it was rather mean that the ladies had to drink tea whilst their other halves got sozzled on the port !!I often wonder if they every had a sip to find out what they were missing.I once had some fifty year old port it was delicious,a deep golden colour looking more like sherry than port.My brother in law was a chiropractor and one of his patients a wine merchant used to pay in kind – hence the port.I have to admit that brother in law, sister, myself and the other half demolished the bottle and a chuckle of stilton in a sitting after New Years Day lunch!I don’t remember having a hang over but do remember someone singing all the way home in the back of the car!Good thing it was before the days of breathalysers!!!
Jo, I’m sure there were many ladies who sampled a tipple of port on the sly! Your 50-yr-old port and Stilton sounds like a fabulous experience—I’m sure you were a merry band heading home!
Jo, I’m sure there were many ladies who sampled a tipple of port on the sly! Your 50-yr-old port and Stilton sounds like a fabulous experience—I’m sure you were a merry band heading home!
Jo, I’m sure there were many ladies who sampled a tipple of port on the sly! Your 50-yr-old port and Stilton sounds like a fabulous experience—I’m sure you were a merry band heading home!
Jo, I’m sure there were many ladies who sampled a tipple of port on the sly! Your 50-yr-old port and Stilton sounds like a fabulous experience—I’m sure you were a merry band heading home!
Jo, I’m sure there were many ladies who sampled a tipple of port on the sly! Your 50-yr-old port and Stilton sounds like a fabulous experience—I’m sure you were a merry band heading home!
You’re welcome, Cara/Andrea.
You’re welcome, Cara/Andrea.
You’re welcome, Cara/Andrea.
You’re welcome, Cara/Andrea.
You’re welcome, Cara/Andrea.
I always so enjoy your posts, Cara/Andrea.
And I learned to enjoy port out at the Keeneland horse sales in Jan. and Nov. here in Kentucky. There’s nothing more warming than good port on a cold and blustery day in the winter – especially when one is in a cold tack room!
I always so enjoy your posts, Cara/Andrea.
And I learned to enjoy port out at the Keeneland horse sales in Jan. and Nov. here in Kentucky. There’s nothing more warming than good port on a cold and blustery day in the winter – especially when one is in a cold tack room!
I always so enjoy your posts, Cara/Andrea.
And I learned to enjoy port out at the Keeneland horse sales in Jan. and Nov. here in Kentucky. There’s nothing more warming than good port on a cold and blustery day in the winter – especially when one is in a cold tack room!
I always so enjoy your posts, Cara/Andrea.
And I learned to enjoy port out at the Keeneland horse sales in Jan. and Nov. here in Kentucky. There’s nothing more warming than good port on a cold and blustery day in the winter – especially when one is in a cold tack room!
I always so enjoy your posts, Cara/Andrea.
And I learned to enjoy port out at the Keeneland horse sales in Jan. and Nov. here in Kentucky. There’s nothing more warming than good port on a cold and blustery day in the winter – especially when one is in a cold tack room!
Port and horse sales—what a quintessentially Regency pairing, Donna! And port and blustery weather do go together as well. No wonder our bucks of the ton were so fond of it!
Port and horse sales—what a quintessentially Regency pairing, Donna! And port and blustery weather do go together as well. No wonder our bucks of the ton were so fond of it!
Port and horse sales—what a quintessentially Regency pairing, Donna! And port and blustery weather do go together as well. No wonder our bucks of the ton were so fond of it!
Port and horse sales—what a quintessentially Regency pairing, Donna! And port and blustery weather do go together as well. No wonder our bucks of the ton were so fond of it!
Port and horse sales—what a quintessentially Regency pairing, Donna! And port and blustery weather do go together as well. No wonder our bucks of the ton were so fond of it!