Auction offers Queen Mother’s favourite tipple

Fancy owning a drop of HRH The Queen Mother’s favourite tipple? Left-over crates of port bought for a visit by her Highness to the Winter Gardens Theatre in Margate, Kent, in 1983, is to be sold in a London saleroom.

Prior to the visit, the head of wine & spirits at the theatre was asked to order some crates of Graham’s Port 1977,  her Highness’ drink of choice. However, much of it was unused on the visit and it remained in the venue’s cellar, untouched for more than 30 years.

It proceeded to feature on 30 years’ worth of stock counts before the food and beverage manager retired and his replacement decided it was time to sell it.

Chiswick Auctions is to offer the opportunity to share this rare vintage in their upcoming sale of wine and spirits on December 5.

Sam Hellyer, head of Chiswick Auctions wine department, describes the port as, “Luscious, smooth, with the last hurrah of thick tannins lining the tongue and laying down a plush carpet for the chewy fig and lingering acidity to mingle on. With them came a hint of smoky and chocolately notes, the smell of cigar boxes and freshly sanded wood.”

He said the port is not just drinkable, but delicious, due to it having been stored in perfect cellared conditions.

Four lots of the Graham’s Port 1977 are to be offered, three in their original wooden cases, estimated at £700-£850, and one lot comprising four bottles is estimated to fetch £100-£150.