What do I have?

[Jerry D Mead]

//The following is a follow-up from our friend and Port authority Roy Hersh. JDM//


I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. Here is the definitive word on the 1962 Vintage Porto from Sandeman...in response to my email to him. Hope this clears up the mystery:

Dear Roy,

Well, I hope that you didn't bet a bottle of Vintage Porto on this
one!

In fact we did ship 1962 Vintage Port, a lot of about 8,000 cases, AND
mainly to the USA. The curious thing is that we never actually
"declared" the Vintage!

This just goes to show that "declaring" has become more important than
it used to be. Nowadays, people think that "declaring" Vintage is
almost some kind of religious ceremony rather than the original
purpose - which was to advise the trade and customers that the Shipper
had wine of the year for sale!

Last time I tasted the 1962 it was quite fine, having evolved into a
rather nice, light style, more tawny than ruby in colour. It was
medium in its complexity and showing its 37 years. The wine was made
for drinking rather earlier (say at 20-25 years) but was holding up
remarkably well.

Maybe with this information you can get your friend to open the bottle
and taste it with you!

All the best

George Sandeman