Ahh Port, as warming as a cashmere jumper, the perfect way to end dinner, paired with cheese and often a Christmas staple. Its also a drink that carries with it a number of rules!
Enjoy one of Northcote’s Vintage Ports to conclude a perfect dinner.
Once a Vintage Port has been decanted and the moment has come to enjoy it, age old traditions should be respected… time to Pass the Port.
The Etiquette of Port
The rituals are most apparent when it comes to serving the Port, tradition dictates that the Port decanter should be placed on the table to the right of the host or hostess.
It is then passed to the left, going clockwise around the table until it comes to rest at its starting point.
Port must never be passed across the table or back on itself, only to the left.
Why you may ask?
- Historically, to keep one’s sword arm free
- In the Royal Navy, the rule was ‘port to port’, ie ‘all the way round’
- To simply ensure its shared fairly and no one misses out
Northcote's Port Menu
