James Suckling has posted a blog entry about vintage Port ($). Suckling is probably my favorite Wine Spectator editor (probably because he comes off as very down to Earth and unassuming), and he is an avowed Port connoisseur -- as this entry shows. His last line sums up the greatness of Port: "Vintage Port is a wonderful drink with wonderful traditions. . . ."
Not only is Vintage Port an amazing wine, but it has a rich history and culture. Among some families, there has been a custom of buying a case of vintage Port for a newborn child -- obviously, a great gift to give someone when they became an adult (a concept that I'm probably going to follow when/if I ever have any children, though I'll probably throw a First Growth Bordeaux and a d'Yquem in for good measure).
Another great Vintage Port tradition is how to pour the Port. When a group gathers to drink a fine Port, they sit around a table and pass the decanter from "port to port." Starting with the host, each person passes the decanter to the person on their left, who then pours into passer's glass. But, should someone not have the Port poured into their glass (or should their glass run low), the ask the person on the left if they "know the Bishop of Norwich." If no Port is poured and the response is a "no," the questioner says something like: "He's a great fellow, but he's mighty stingy with the Port!"
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