The Clash was probably not thinking of Vintage Port when they released “1977” as the B-side to “White Riot” (nothing to do with white wine) in March 1977…
Joe Strummer was perhaps unaware that 20 Port shippers declared 1977, a year in the Douro that started with a wet winter and a cold spring.
September was extremely hot and the sun ripened the grapes that were picked at the end of the month.
Prices were considered high at the time but now seem very generous.
Fonseca 1977, for example, was released in London in January 1980 at £48 per dozen bottles. That now equates to about £220.
Arden’s bottle of 1977 Fonseca came from a private cellar in east England, overlooking the North Sea.
Other 1977s available include Quarles Harris and Warre’s – in 75cl bottles and (yeah!) 150cl magnums.
In the meantime, as The Clash sang: “Stay free…”