Disqus - Latest Comments for Justin Roberts

Re: Charles Metcalfe Hosts a Portuguese Wine Tasting at the EWBC

Justin Roberts — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:08:57 -0000

Can't wait!

Re: Gabriella Joins the Circle of Wine Writers

Justin Roberts — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:42:50 -0000

Well done!

Re: Doctor’s Prescription in Spain: More Meat, More Wine, More Fat, More Excitement

Justin Roberts — Fri, 23 May 2008 06:47:04 -0000

Glad you're on good form. It's the red wine cure-all. You'll probably live to 100!

Re: Vila Viniteca

Justin Roberts — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:14:11 -0000

Based on your recommendation, I checked this shop out the last time I was in BCN a couple of weeks ago. It's a great find. They also have a deli opposite, which is also worth a visit. Two other gems nearby on Argenteria are the Sans & Sans tea shop and the El Magnifico coffee roaster opposite. Very friendly people and excellent range of top-quality teas and coffees.

Re: How do Spanish Sweet and Fortified Wines Size Up on an International Scale?

Justin Roberts — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 12:54:59 -0000

Thanks for the comments, hope to see you at the next Vinoble AllAboutAlavesa and I can understand why you're a fan of apple ice wine RICHARDA. It's great stuff!

Re: Perfect Summer Combination: Manzanilla and Gazpacho!

Justin Roberts — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 11:25:23 -0000

Hey guys. Did you get the Manz from Vila Viniteca in Born? It's the only place I've ever seen it for sale.

Re: Sherry at EWBC 2008 and Alvaro Domecq

Justin Roberts — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:43:41 -0000

Thanks Andre. Hope you guys enjoyed the PX...

Re: Sherry at EWBC 2008 and Alvaro Domecq

Justin Roberts — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 03:51:36 -0000

Hi Dylan. That cobblestone road is the main entrance to bodegas Alvaro Domecq in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

Re: Sherry House: Emilio Hidalgo, And Ways to Change Future Generations of Sherry Lovers

Justin Roberts — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:00:18 -0000

Thank you Dylan. It was a bit misty and quite early in the morning. The sky could have been a deeper blue. Hopefully we'll get the wine tourism ball rolling properly in Jerez....

Re: Sherry in London

Justin Roberts — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:03:00 -0000

I'm there!

Re: Sherry in London

Justin Roberts — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:03:52 -0000

Hi Dale. Keep trying!

Re: Wake Up Spanish Wineries! Wine Pleasures is Here!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:25:36 -0000

It's not just the "siesta", but also Saturdays and Sundays. Here in Jerez, there is only one sherry bodega regularly open to the public at weekends. Gonzalez Byass.

Re: Wake Up Spanish Wineries! Wine Pleasures is Here!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:34:05 -0000

I know it's quite strong, but I kind of agree with Ryan. The spanish don't seem to "get" the web.

There are very few spanish websites which are useful and userfriendly. Just about all of them are Flash, have annoying guitar music playing, are out of date and struggle to provide relevant and useful information.

I often get the feeling that in spain having a website is just another thing you have to tick off. Not much research is done, the developers get a poorly thought out brief and consequently produce something which suits them - flashy, expensive and sans CMS.

Re: Wake Up Spanish Wineries! Wine Pleasures is Here!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 05:43:53 -0000

And don't get me started on translations... Some of the stuff you see is shocking. Why spend all that money on a website and then use google translate for the content? WHY?

Re: All Gabriella Wants for her Birthday is the Assurance that you VOTED!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 10:19:59 -0000

Since I can't vote in the US or Spain I'll vote for Gabriella! Have a good day.

Re: Wake Up Spanish Wineries! Wine Pleasures is Here!

Justin Roberts — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 13:54:23 -0000

Hi DeBlancoaTinto. I have to agree with you, it's a great site except when it comes to the English translations. For example under Andalucia:

"For many years, and due to the existing quality from the past, the range of elaborations of the Andalusian region suffered virtually no change. However, the loss of market generous and the emergence of a surplus obligo winemakers to seek new strategies to market their wines."

This looks like it came straight out of Google Translate. No English person would have written this and it's not just english-speaking people you will confuse but anyone with english as a second or even third language. That's pretty much the Dutch, the Germans and all the Scandinavians.

You really should get a professional or at the very least an native english speaker to do your translations...

Re: Global Economic Crisis and Spanish Wine, Portugal Pay Attention

Justin Roberts — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:22:30 -0000

Even getting the producers within a single DO in Spain to work together is almost impossible. They are all so suspicious of each other. Here in Jerez the trade has been slowly and painfully descending into crisis for a long time, but many bodegas still have the "if he's there, then I'm not going" attitude. They would rather not sell a bottle than have it on the same shelf as a competitor's wine. Madness! I went to Sauternes recently, where there is an official AC shop in the village selling wines from every producer, they even had a blend of wine from every producer called Duc du Sauternes. If you tried even the shop idea in Jerez it would fall flat almost immediately. When I lived in London there were constantly tastings devoted to wines from particular denominations, regions, countries etc, but never anything for sherry. I always thought that was strange, given the UK is their biggest market. Now I know why...

Re: WBW #51 Baked Goods and Madeirized Wine

Justin Roberts — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 13:33:01 -0000

Thanks Joe. Great theme!

Re: WBW #51 Baked Goods and Madeirized Wine

Justin Roberts — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 04:47:47 -0000

Thank you Dylan!

By the way, there are other "baked" wines around. Some of the Banyuls wines made in southern Roussillon are aged outside in the sun to develop a "rancio" style and similar bullet-proofing to the Madeiras.

Re: 6 Things you Don’t Know about Catavino

Justin Roberts — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 12:51:31 -0000

I love number 3. I had no idea!

Re: Red Wine in Sherry Town

Justin Roberts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:44:33 -0000

Guys. For some reason this does not render in IE.

Re: Red Wine in Sherry Town

Justin Roberts — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:46:45 -0000

Just this post.

Re: Bottle-aged Sherry?

Justin Roberts — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:29:15 -0000

Hi Steve. I've only tried two so far, the oldest being the Bailaora described above. It was very yellow and had aromas and flavours of ripe pear and it was a bit nutty. Firm acidity and a bit of saltiness, especially on the finish. It was nothing like a Manzanilla Pasada or Fino-Amontillado, both of which I have had quite often. Maribel Estevez, who makes the stuff thinks we should not look at it as a Manz or even an Manz Pasada, but as a completely different wine. She said decanting should sort out bottles with reduction. I have not had the chance to put that to the test, but yesterday I might (nothing in Jerez is ever certain) have sourced 10 bottles of old (and some very old) stuff of various styles (including a Croft Pale Original which looks like it's from the 70s). Will keep you posted.

Re: Bottle-aged Sherry?

Justin Roberts — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:53:08 -0000

Hi Dylan. Christmas pudding is quite a British thing. It's a bit like a fruit-cake/Panettone but MUCH heavier and darker - almost black. Depending on the recipe you will usually get flavours of plum, dried and candied fruit, raisin, orange-peel, burnt sugar,brown sugar, molasses, (and if the pudding has been "fed" with brandy over a few weeks before Christmas then woody, vanilla, brandy flavours too). I often pick up these sorts of flavours in PX sherries.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_pudding

Re: Bottle-aged Sherry?

Justin Roberts — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 12:02:09 -0000

Hi Steve. On the topic of the date "code" on the back. I wish they would they just put an unambiguous date-stamp on the bottles! It would make everyone's life a lot easier...

Re: Bottle-aged Sherry?

Justin Roberts — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:13:26 -0000

Hola Álvaro. Thanks for the comment. BTW I'm a HUGE fan of the Navazos wines...

Re: Rediscovering a Little Gem - El Brillante in El puerto de Santa María

Justin Roberts — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:16:26 -0000

Gracias Eduardo. Dame un toque antes de venir. Quiza quedamos para un trozito de Atun y una copa? Un abrazo fuerte. Justin

Re: Rediscovering a Little Gem - El Brillante in El puerto de Santa María

Justin Roberts — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 05:18:00 -0000

Hi Dylan. Yup, it is slow cooked, in a similar way to french duck or goose confit I guess. It has a really soft texture, almost like pate. If you visit the southern Andalucia then do get in touch!

Re: My name is Brandy and I come from Jerez

Justin Roberts — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:11:01 -0000

Thanks for the comment Ben. Yup, Veterano is a bit rough, but good with coke or in coffee...

Re: Wine Blog Wednesday: Breakie and Wine - El Jefe asks us what wines go with breakfast foods

Justin Roberts — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 13:02:25 -0000

Dylan. Everytime I see or hear the word lumberjack I can't help thinking of the Monty Python Lumberjack song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clPYfaTvHT0

Re: Catavino Gets An Extreme Makeover!

Justin Roberts — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:55:32 -0000

I like the new hairstyle!

Re: New Catavino Correspondant, Ivan Larcome: An Expat’s Exploration of Spain

Justin Roberts — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 05:26:31 -0000

Hola Ivan. Bienvenidos al equipo!

Re: Where is the Future of Wine Tourism Heading? A Summary of The Wine Pleasures Conference

Justin Roberts — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 04:54:13 -0000

I hate to be a pedant up front, but it's Kristall KellerEi as in German for Winery.
http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kellerei

It was really interesting following the conference and as for some of the points:

1. What's that 24hr business all about? Really! What your visitors do before/afterwards might be interesting is as far as helping you improve your offer but I think that's about it.

2. I think it's a no-brainer to have a well translated (and interpreted, not just literally translated) English website. Badly translated and at best you amuse the native speakers and confuse the rest - at worst you put people off.

3. It goes without saying. Why not make the pie bigger, rather than slugging it out for a larger slice of a diminishing pie.

7. I hope so/ Ek hoop so/ Ich hoffe so!

Re: Bar Ramon Barcelona - Ryan goes

Justin Roberts — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 14:10:03 -0000

Hey Ryan.

Choco = Cuttlefish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuttlefish
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepiida

Re: Catavino Heads to London: Iberian Wine Tasting at Vinoteca!!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:46:03 -0000

Wish I was going too!

Re: The Manzanilla of the North

Justin Roberts — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 00:26:39 -0000

Gracias Denise. Hope I can join you in London for a dram or two one day!

Re: Spanish Wine Tasting: Grasping Our Understanding of Spanish Wine Vocabulary

Justin Roberts — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:49:20 -0000

What a great post Ivan.

Here in Jerez they seem to speak a different language when it comes to describing the wines.

I learned two new ones today. When a wine has been chilled and becomes slightly hazy, it is said to be "triste" and when a wine drawn straight from the butt is very bright and shiny it is "rompecopas"...

Re: Sherry Wine, is it a dying breed?

Justin Roberts — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:42:33 -0000

VERY interesting to watch this video, and interesting comments from Steve, Lindsay and Michael. I agree with Steve, Tio Pepe should not be dismissed - I think all the own-label stuff in UK supermarkets has done a lot more damage. I also agree that bodegas like Tradicion, Lustau/Caballero, and don't forget Fernando de Castilla, are showing the way. These bodegas are producing the type of wine which made Sherry famous in the first place.

Young people like, like Paul Shinnie's nephew, might not go out and buy a bottle of Fino, but there's no reason why things might not develop to a point where that will happen in the future. It's up to the bodegas, the consejo and the trade in general. There is a lot they need to get right.

Re: Sherry Wine, is it a dying breed?

Justin Roberts — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 05:48:32 -0000

I should also have mentioned that what Equipo Navazos is doing is also all for the good! I'm glad they sell out in the UK, and I hope that continues!

Re: Top 10 Tips for Traveling Spain - Don’t Forget the TP!!

Justin Roberts — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:02:59 -0000

Excellent post Gabriella!

BTW. A mobile phone with a bright screen can come in handy in the bathroom when the timer light trips off...

Yes, and definitely take care at those pedestrian crossings!
http://www.theaa.com/public_affairs/reports/aa-...

Re: Table Manners in Spain: Tackling The Tough Questions Like Where to Put the Olive Pit

Justin Roberts — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:56:25 -0000

"No need for nordic politically correct vaccinations out here....yet"

What a strange comment Troy. I'm still not sure exactly what you mean, and for all you know Gabriella might well be three quarters Navajo. Slightly insulting to Nordic people if anything.

If you could be bothered to read Gabriella's brilliant piece again you'll see that, unlike yourself, she was making an observation - not any kind of judgement, least of all "politically correct".

Like Gabriella, I've also noticed that "locals", as you like to call them, in my inland and very Spanish town, tend to drink alcohol with meals and tend not to drink it between meals. The only people in my town able to spend all and any hour of the day in bars having a drink are the "parados", the unemployed. As I'm sure you already know Extremadura has one of the highest rates of unemployment in the European Union, so I imagine the people you have noticed are some of the many Extremeños in this unfortunate position.

Re: H3: Where the Ultimate Mouthwatering Hamburgers are Made in Portugal

Justin Roberts — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 13:37:08 -0000

Hmm, I know where I'll be going for a meal during EWBC 09...

Re: Twitter Taste Live the Español Edition - Hosted with Somni.org

Justin Roberts — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:26:10 -0000

Opai. Where do you guys get these wines from? To save me doing the rounds, would you know of potential stockists in Jerez?

Re: Who’s up for some Good Old Dragon Killing?

Justin Roberts — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 03:56:13 -0000

Fawlty Towers: Set on St George's Day.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBX5rW5pgZg&feat...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCRYrwNJVH4&feat...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTQLpWHpVOo&feat...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvxhyKpNYD8&feat...

Re: Bacalhau: The Staple of Portuguese Cuisine

Justin Roberts — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:53:58 -0000

Hmm, cabrito, yum. The younger, the better!

Re: Catavino’s Big News! We’re Headed to America! See you at the WBC!!!

Justin Roberts — Sun, 10 May 2009 16:32:37 -0000

Smart move ViniPortugal! Wake up Spain!

Re: What Happened to His Sherry Butt?

Justin Roberts — Wed, 20 May 2009 07:27:23 -0000

Thanks Tom,

I met Graham at LIWF last week and he's been on the phone to me re this post.

Hope all well. Will we be seeing you at EWBC this year?

Best regards

Justin

Re: London Food and Wine Bloggers Meet-up was a Huge Success

Justin Roberts — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:36:40 -0000

Sorry I missed this. Can't complain about the company and wines I had elsewhere, but would have been great to meet all, esp Henrietta who was off the next day to my old stomping grounds on the slopes of Thyolo Mountain!

Re: London Food and Wine Bloggers Meet-up was a Huge Success

Justin Roberts — Wed, 20 May 2009 14:57:35 -0000

Lizzie Eats London aka Hollow Legs link not working...

Here it is: http://lizzieeatslondon.blogspot.com/

Re: London Food and Wine Bloggers Meet-up was a Huge Success

Justin Roberts — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:02:28 -0000

Ditto Algarve Buzz

Here:http://www.algarvebuzz.com/

Re: Would you Like Some Tea with your Wine? The Undiscovered Perfect Pairing!

Justin Roberts — Fri, 29 May 2009 03:53:14 -0000

I'm not half biased, but the Malawi teas Henrietta has are definitely worth a try. I'm sipping on a Malawi Black (TGFBOP1 from Balaka) as I type this. A very civilised wake-up.

If of you get a chance, try the unique Malawi Antlers. You'll understand when you do!

Re: Wine Bloggers Have No Credibility

Justin Roberts — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 07:01:12 -0000

Time will tell, the public will choose...

Re: The People’s Wine Press

Justin Roberts — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:08:58 -0000

It's a good post. I think this is exactly the way the wind is blowing.

Re: Brain Fail

Justin Roberts — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:00:11 -0000

Ay que pena!

Re: Social Media in a shirt

Justin Roberts — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0000

New sartorial innovation? A Moocket?

Re: Gary Vaynerchuk - Giving a Presentation vs. Working the room Brands...

Justin Roberts — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:31:26 -0000

Working the room like a pro!

Re: Free wireless Internet access in the center of my village, S. João da Pesqueira

Justin Roberts — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:27:40 -0000

Hola Oscar.

We have a similar system here in Jerez
http://www.wifijerez.net/

Um abraço

Re: Proposals for Roundtables

Justin Roberts — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:34:25 -0000

Any chance of getting someone in be they blogger, grower, or whoever who has improved their bottom line as a direct result of Web 2.0? Would be very interesting to hear from someone like that...

Re: Say Goodbye to Static Winery Brochures and Hello to Interactive Winery Information

Justin Roberts — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:36:01 -0000

Fantastic idea. No more paper, DVDs etc to lug home...

Re: 12 Countries Currently Represented at the EWBC 2009!!

Justin Roberts — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 06:14:42 -0000

I thought WineConversation was from Scotland? Surely another country to add to the list...