Resealing Port

[TheSecondMrsAshwell]

Hi

Can anyone help me with a problem I have with a bottle of vintage Port (1st world or what?).

I have a bottle of 1978 port which has been stored on its side since I got it about 15 years ago. I moved house recently and, when I unpacked the port, the wax seal had shattered. The cork underneath has either shrunk or fallen in and there is a half inch gap between the top of the cork and the top of the bottle. The cork is also very wet I can smell the port from here as I type. There was enough on the cork when I touched it for me to get a drop on my fingertip (it's nectar, btw). It's been evaporating for a while - the port is down to the bottle's shoulders.

Can I reseal the bottle, if so, how? Can I use a fresh cork? or should I use something else? I've got the top wrapped in a layer of tin foil at present.

Or should I just drink it?

Are you hoping to save it for a specific occasion? If so, dipping the top inch of the bottle in molten wax {try to keep it as horizontal as possible) should reseal it. If not, then just enjoy it. Don't worry about saving it 'for best' with no real idea of why, or best may never come... A relative of a good friend of mine had multiple bottles of a truly excellent wine that he was saving 'for a special occasion' , but he sadly died without drinking a single one. They had a dinner party in his honour with them...

The cork has fallen into the port? Hmm I’d drink it rather than resealing as I’d worry thrbconditin of the port was deteriorating but maybe find an expert and take advice?

Drink it.
You can get it resealed, but personally I would just enjoy it.

The cork has't actually fallen in, but I may have trouble getting the bastard out in one piece.

You're right. It's my birthday next month and I have some friends coming to dinner. They've helped me through a shitty time lately. They deserve the best.

So they'll get it.

A seive and a decanter will do the job.