The Port Institute through a glass
On Saturday night after a very good meal at Ibo, sitting at a window table and watching ferries cross the Tagus and freighters move up and town, we decided to end our evening at The Port Institute.
We chose four different Colheitas (single vintage Tawny Port) to try: Cálem 1988 (3.80€ a glass), Barros 1983 (5€), Feist 1980 (5.80€) and Hutcheson 1975 (6.40€). Our top two wines were definitely the Hutcheson 1975 and the Feist 1980 with preferences somewhat split. Both were fine and complex with the Feist having more body, while the Hutcheson had lovely balance. This was followed by the OK but not exciting Barros 1983 and we agreed that the rather disappointing Cálem 1988 should occupy fourth place.
The Port Institute is an agreeable place to enjoy an after-dinner Port. Equally you could drop in there beforehand for a glass of white Port. You really need to get in before 11.30pm as they close on time and are reluctant to serve newcomers after 11.30pm.
Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e do Porto, I. P.
Solar do Vinho do Porto - Lisboa
Rua de S. Pedro de Alcântara, 45
1250-237 Lisboa - Portugal
Tel: +351 213475707
Solar do Vinho do Porto - Lisboa
Rua de S. Pedro de Alcântara, 45
1250-237 Lisboa - Portugal
Tel: +351 213475707
Email: solarlisboa@ivdp.pt
Monday to Friday: 11h00 às 24h00
Saturday - 14h00 às 24h00
Sunday and public holidays: closed
Saturday - 14h00 às 24h00
Sunday and public holidays: closed
Cálem 1988
Barros 1983
Feist 1980
Hutcheson 1975
1 comment:
Jim, the weather is splendid but ... the first signs of flu keep me inside (still just able to stand). The more so because I’m down to just under one ha (2 acres) to prune, and in no hurry (outside, that is).
The Port Institute in .... Lisbon. This was unthinkable less than a score of years ago.
I will – quickly – tell you a revealing anecdote. The Portuguese ambassador in Belgium (in the ‘90ies) was a charming educated gentleman who spoke very decent French – better than my Portuguese anyway. He once told me he had ordered “wine” when still a young clerck at their embassy in Tokyo, together with the ambassador in charge and other members of the staff. He, a Lisboete, did NOT know anything about Port wine. So the boxes were delivered some time later at his Lisbon residence ... and kept there for more than a decade. When he fell upon them, he opened one bottle and found it delicious but – these were his words – “pleine de boue” (full of mud). He meant it had thrown a crust and a deposit. So far for Lisbon people and Port wine. By the way, it was Guimarães 1955 (a Vintage, not a colheita, but still).
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