If you'd like to know about Port...

Rod

I don't have iTunes so only read what I presume is your report. Nice and clear and very helpful.

I am currently drinking a Taylor's LBVP 2000 bottled in 2005. I was bought for me. It is a bit "sharp" compared to what I normally like. Was this a poor year, or am I just unlucky with this particular bottle (i'm not looking for a refund - so don't worry!!!!)

I have tended to drift between Fonceca, Graham and Taylors and between Tawny, LBVP and the (very)occasional Vintage. I particularly like port with my stilton and also with nuts. Normally I expect to pay about £20 a bottle but this does vary.

Any recommendations (E&OE)

Cheers

Don

BTW the report didn't reveal your name....

Excellent Rod.

I love port but it gives me thumping headaches - what can I do?

Acad

Don,

Thanks, I can't in all honesty go into recommendations for particular Ports, as I am partisan, working for one of the two big family companies that dominate the market (especially in the UK). As Taylor's is one of those, then I think I can safely say that from your description there is/was something wrong with the particular bottle of LBV 2000 you had, and if there is more than half left and you still have the receipt, return it forthwith to the emporium who sold it to you for a replacement. The 2000 LBV, although hardly a superstar Port price-wise, should be smooth and supple.

Best value amongst Ports - irrespective of brand - are Single Quintas and aged Tawnies.

Acad, thanks also. Difficult to know where the headache is coming from particularly. Obviously there is more alcohol in Port (although not that much more than some of today's bigger other red wines). Also, as I said in the podcast, people tend to blame a hangover or a headache on the Port because it is the last thing they consumed (or can remember) whereas it's the cumulative effect that's doing the damage. Drinking at least as much water (alternately with the booze) during an evening is a very effective way to avoid the dehydration that is one of the the real causes of hangovers/headaches, and much more effective than the "pint of water before bed" solution.

Without getting too technical - although I can point you in the right direction - if you also have a problem with histamine/allergy, then Port and indeed other red wines may be causing or exacerbating a problem. Very recent research has finally shown a link between histamine allergy and wines that have been through a particular part of the fermentation process. There are people who say "red wine gives me a headache, but white wine doesn't", and this was the cause of much speculation amongst the boffins. This prompted the research that has shown there are indeed substances that can provoke a mild reaction - often manifested as a headache - in such wines.

Try the water thing first, though Life without Port (especially at this time of year) would be less good indeed.

Cheers

Rod

Hi Rod,

I hardly drink at all and when I do I never drink enough to get drunk - I do think there is something in red wine and more so in port that does not quite agree with me (unlike white)but the port thing may be made worse by stilton (which I also like but does not quite agree with me). I have one or the other but not both at once and provided I dont have more than one glass of port on top of a good meal I am fine. The water thing is a very sensible suggestion. Many thanks for your most informative and interesting post.

Acad

Rod, Windows Media Player will play this straight on the pc, no need for iTunes or any pod device.

I listened to the whole interview and picked up a lot from it. I'm a novice allright but the interview is a bit like a briefing: matter of fact, not trying to entertain, just bringing you up to speed in 20 minutes.
The interview starts 5 minutes into the mp3.