Disqus - Latest Comments for Andrew

Re: Wine blogs We Like and a Few Others

Andrew — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 12:27:28 -0000

Cheers Ryan, nice to know that you enjoy my scribbles. I must say that I think Catavino is going from strength to strength and is making for some jolly interesting reading.

Re: Give me a Iberian Wine Rap

Andrew — Sun, 09 Jul 2006 13:34:46 -0000

I think there is more to it than just having bubbles (is there ANY Cava with a similar price tag?) it is about flaunting wealth, exclusivity. Most of a rappers fans couldnt even dream of being able to buy a bottle of C.

Re: Culinary Podcast Network - Interview on Northern Spain

Andrew — Sat, 12 Aug 2006 20:08:21 -0000

Great photo collection - particularily liked stones - you can almost smell the sea

Re: Searching the Iberian Wine-o-Food-o-Sphere

Andrew — Tue, 24 Oct 2006 13:43:52 -0000

And this one

http://www.spittoon.biz/customised_google_searc...

http://www.spittoon.biz/wineblogsearch.html

Re: Iberian Wine Myth Busters - Why Vintage Doesn’t Matter

Andrew — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 19:10:56 -0000

I'm with you chap; vintages generally dont matter. The vast majority of wines are so well made (thinking brands here) that vintage variations can be 'ironed' out to keep the style required. Those that like to emphasise any vintage variation (smaller producers generally) can do but I don't think many people would notice (unless they buy the same wine year after year from the same producer) and even then blends can be altered to counter any poor showing aspects.

I guess I am a wine geek but I don't read vintage reports, generally don't link to stories of the same and apart from needing to know some 'good years' for passing the WSET diploma several years ago have no idea which year is supposed to be good or better or not in any region at all.

Vintages only really matter if you are buying top clarets and even then the price is generally determined by the quality of the vintage anyway.

Re: Wine Blog Awards

Andrew — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 22:28:29 -0000

With you on this Ryan, but these things are good in raising the profile of the top blogs over the masses, much the same way as wine competitions are supposed to. But they do tend to boil down to popularity contests - those with large readerships are bound to win. How many different wine blogs can one normal person be bothered with?

But I think Tom is in an excellent position to raise this sector of the blogosphere; his connections could take this to mainstream.

I must take issue with the name though - 'American' is so geographically limiting (I realise they are open to english language blogs) and rather a snub to those outside the USA.

Re: New grapes in Rioja…Who cares!

Andrew — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 14:41:51 -0000

I am more interested in the encouragement of those older, near-extinct varieties Maturana red, white and parda ('brown'), Tempranillo blanco, Turruntés and Monastel de Rioja; so I guess I do care.

I have to agree though - if I have an urge for something Spanish I will tend to buy something that is not Rioja.

Re: Wine around town and Whining about wine…

Andrew — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 19:18:13 -0000

Can't recall ever sampling a Brazilian wine but recently have tried several Portuguese wines that were really superb. I have a white to post about on Spittoon this week that combines good weight, interesting food friendly flavours, unusual grape varieties and a great price. What more do you need from a wine?!

Re: Top Ten Winery Website Mistakes/Annoyances

Andrew — Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:48:57 -0000

well put chap - most of your points are relevant for the general consumer as much for the journalist. It should all be viewed as part of the marketing effort!

Re: They Say It’s My Birthday!

Andrew — Sun, 25 Mar 2007 18:43:12 -0000

Congrats Ryan - my 32nd was so long ago I have forgotten it entirely!

Re: Virtual Wine Tasting for April

Andrew — Sun, 22 Apr 2007 22:44:15 -0000

Haven't forgotton this - hopefully a rose I have in my sights will be consumed tomorrow!

Re: Iberian Wines News From Around the Web

Andrew — Sat, 19 May 2007 02:34:36 -0000

Glad you like the pictures Ryan - its funny you always think you are taking loads and loads of pictures but when you get home you wonder why you took so few. (maybe thats just me!). Sorry I didn't have any spare time to arrange to meet-up with you while in Spain; next time for sure.

Re: Iberian Wines News From Around the Web

Andrew — Fri, 25 May 2007 19:38:30 -0000

Sorry, but how does this International tasting differ from Wine Blogging Wednesday? And what about those in countries that don't have a wine making culture?

Re: Community Tasting Notes and The Wineries Who Need them?

Andrew — Fri, 25 May 2007 19:50:11 -0000

I throw my notes up on BottleTalk, a UK based service. No idea how many users (not many in comparison to the sites you list I expect) or the number of wines listed. My main gripe with all these services is "what are they actually for?", "what benefits do they give me" (more exposure for my blog?) and, perhaps more importantly "what does the non-wine writer gain"?

Do they invoke a 'community' atmosphere (not really is the answer). Are they just for tech-geeks with an additional love of wine? More questions than answers I am afraid. But unless they can capture the imagination (usefulness too) of both the frequent wine blogger/writer and the passing interest wine lover I can't see them lasting or ever building a 'vital' resource.

Re: Iberian Wines News From Around the Web

Andrew — Sun, 27 May 2007 22:23:25 -0000

My take? We don't need another WBW. We can always do with other wine blog events, (I have fun with my 'Combinations' but it hasnt caught on in general) but a carbon copy of WBW is not the way to go.

Re: Lancers and Mateus - Representing a Nation of Wine

Andrew — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:16:48 -0000

The Mateus bottle has been tweaked over the years. For me it brings back romantic memories during my couple of years of Far Eastern travel - precious pennies squandered on a bottle at a Macau restaurant over-looking the South China Seas. Seemed like a really extravagent indulgance for us budget travellers but as the sun set... etc etc etc

Re: Wine Bloggers Unite? or at least Discuss!

Andrew — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:35:36 -0000

I love the way individual wine blogs have condensed into a 'community'. I agree that frequently is better than daily - I seldom manage daily now - and I do think that written, verbal and visual media should be included.

WBW is one of the mature blog events - and long may it live - but I notice a change in those who participate in events in general over the years. (I post events to Is My Blog Burning so see things come and go) The old school, the first bloggers, once they have found their niche/audience seldom participate in 'events' anymore. (I am thinking of the larger foodie blogs group rather than specifically wine). New bloggers tend to participate. I remember when I first started how isolated it felt but participating in events gave a sense of belonging. And I'm the same - I really cant find the time to participate even in WBW sometimes. Maybe the wine bloggers community is smaller and stronger than the more general food bloggers - which might explain why Ryan is condensing us still further into a united 'voice'.

There is a difference in wine blogging to food blogging - people eat from the day they are born and thus know (or should know) a lot of what they write about. Wine is different. The knowledge comes with experience and a huge number of people never get that knowledge. Which is where wine bloggers come in - it is here that more knowledgable people impart their opinions.

In the UK though there are maybe four or five wine blogs. Pitiful I think for a nation that prides itself on being the centre of the wine world. We are different (to eventually answer the question!) in that the UK has little home wine industry of note. We have many of the worlds top tasters, wine writers and journalists though but the national papers hold great sway.

Bloggers do not.

At the moment blogs are still looked down upon as little more than 'journals', with reference to wine blogs, little more than 'i drank this today' type of affairs and obviously showing little background knowledge. Many wine blogs in the world are like this, but the ones I follow in the UK are distinctive and informative and passionate. I don't know what readership figures the other UK wine bloggers receive but mine continues to grow, slowly, month by month.

There is a future for wine bloggers - maybe WBW can advance this - but in the UK at the moment it is a very small niche.

Rather than end on a down-beat note, interestingly, I am receiving more and more attention from vineyards and PR people; mostly though from the US... Europeans are lacking in their attention to the UK wine blogs...

Re: Wine Bloggers Unite? or at least Discuss!

Andrew — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 15:54:13 -0000

the fact that I was a member of the Circle of Wine Writers was of much more interest than who or where I actually wrote. I gave up in the end and just said I wrote on the internet...

Re: WBW #38 - Portuguese Table Wines Wrap-Up!!!

Andrew — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 09:17:25 -0000

A superb round-up and get use of the google map. Must have taken you hours to compile everything!

The theme is also one I think we should return too soon.

Re: Catavino, Supposedly, was Never in Jerez

Andrew — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:46:49 -0000

Perhaps the powers that be are looking to promote the on-trade aspects of sherry and thus promote the Sommelier aspect. Seems a bit of a kick in the teeth to me though. Would love to have done the course.

Re: Iberian Links around the Web

Andrew — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 13:49:59 -0000

facebook - do i have the time, the energy, the willpower? perhaps those in that age group (which I suddenly realise includes me!) dont have much else to do... is it really worth it and long lasting?

Re: Port’s Popularity in the UK

Andrew — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:34:21 -0000

I'm a great cheese lover actually - of all types. I have a nice hunk of blue in the fridge as we speak that is going into a winter salad dish. I think the hatred partially stems from the fact that it is all anyone ever serves with port. And there is this stupid tradition of pouring the stuff into the cheese... why do that?

Re: La Cata de los Lacres 2008

Andrew — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 08:38:18 -0000

what an amazing tasting - must admit to being more than a little envious!

Re: The Odd Couple - Late Bottle Vintage and Colheita Port Wines

Andrew — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 03:43:32 -0000

I'm rather a fan of aged tawny's - the Taylors 20 year old for example. It's been a while since I wrote about it but
http://www.spittoon.biz/wine_tasting_note_taylo...

Re: Link Bait or Ignorance? A Reporter Gets Spanish Wine Wrong

Andrew — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 10:53:46 -0000

I have something to say - 'rubbish'!

Also badly researched, lacking in tasting experience and knowledge. That'll do for a start.

Re: Birth Year Wines

Andrew — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 05:00:47 -0000

Not really that bothered myself but I did have the fortune to sample two Bowmore vintage whiskys from my brith year. The fact they retail for £1000 a bottle means I wont be rushing out to buy any.

Re: Wineblogger.info’s Future

Andrew — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 13:03:11 -0000

What would I like to see in a pop up? How about the last three blog posts? A screenshot of the blog?

Re: European Wine Blogger Conference 2008

Andrew — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 11:50:36 -0000

sounds most fun! Not sure about the dates but if I can make it, I will!

Re: Hey Wine Bloggers, Wanna Publish Something in Print?

Andrew — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 12:20:44 -0000

twitter is just sooo geeky! This mag idea has to appeal to the casual internet user and will take some time to take off. It's worth persuing, I think, if only as a vehicle to raise the profile of the writers blogs.

Re: Hey Wine Bloggers, Wanna Publish Something in Print?

Andrew — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:32:33 -0000

I dont have a problem with commercial operations being involved. The punter has to know where to buy the wines recommended from and the best way to appreciate the processes involved in their making is from a producer for eg. So as long as the relationship is up front I cant see a problem.

Traditional print media interviews wine makers and producers. The blog format allows a more direct approach.

Perhaps any producer supplied content could be moderated/tempered by an independent review of the wines involved from another writer?

Re: Random Bits of Information Regarding Wine, Wine-ing, Wizardry, Wonderfulness and Awards

Andrew — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:30:56 -0000

ref Wine-ing2.0 - I dont like it; far too America/American-focused. I mean, I havent even been mentioned yet! And I'm going to Spain again so you had better be there this time.

Re: WBW 45 - Old World Reisling

Andrew — Wed, 07 May 2008 15:06:23 -0000

Perhaps that's why I don't really get on with Rieslings; I'm not a man of 'delicate nature'.

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

Andrew — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 10:37:56 -0000

Plan to be at Vinoteca and the Wednesday SITT tasting sounds fun also. You will be sick of me by the end of the visit! ;-)

Re: SITT Tasting in London and an Interview with Jamie Goode from the Wine Anorak

Andrew — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:12:03 -0000

It was indeed a mighty fine tasting; so glad I struggled up to town in the end if only to have the pleasure of meeting you both and tasting a few wines together!

Re: A Week Exploring Lisbon in Preparation for the EWBC

Andrew — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:14:49 -0000

All right already! pastries, olive oil, wine, fish, cheeses... wine! I'll be there ok! ;-)

Re: The Spanish and Portuguese Take to the London International Wine Fair

Andrew — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:21:16 -0000

Glad the fair was a success for you and Andre; still a long way to go in getting the main stream wine involved but I was impressed with what I saw in your corner of the fair; limited time not with standing.

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

Andrew — Wed, 20 May 2009 13:23:09 -0000

I didnt go - but wish I had - but this wine and food people mixing is something I've been banging on about since I first started blogging. Well done for actually making something meaningful happen!

Re: A couple of wine notes - Montau de Sadurní

Andrew — Mon, 25 May 2009 14:51:22 -0000

lovely you mentioned me but I think you might just mean the Atlantic, rather than the bigger pond...

PS would love to try that bubbly

Re: Lookery.com Breaks Down Wineblogger by Demographics

Andrew — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 09:50:53 -0000

I havent looked at the report but where does the UK come in the list?

Re: 2005 Ken Wright Cellars “Angela” Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton District AVA

Andrew — Mon, 04 May 2009 08:09:08 -0000

with such a small production I can pretty much guarentee this wine isnt going to be available on my side of the pond! shame.

Re: 2006 Antech Blanquette de Limoux Brut Grande Réserve

Andrew — Tue, 19 May 2009 12:43:02 -0000

I've been indulging in a heck of a lot of Prosecco of late - bubbles, it would seem, are definitely IN!

Re: More BBC Wine Conversations

Andrew — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:25:34 -0000

Good luck to you (and to Annie) sadly I dont really think I can assist - I've been using twitter as a marketing tool (publicising my blog posts) and keeping in touch with various friends ie your good self.

Re: Wine is not just for wine bloggers

Andrew — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 10:42:00 -0000

do you have a date? And how long will the trip be for?

Before I push myself forwards (unless you were planning on ignoring the established wine bloggers) I'm running out of dates in June... although would love to go

Re: New Site Feature - Video Wine 2.0 site reviews…

Andrew — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 22:43:45 -0000

Enjoyed that, thanks - perhaps a little more indepth next time (exploring the links, the tags, how easy to enter a wine note).

Perhaps a comparison with http://www.bottletalk.com/ could be on your next vid. Looks similar to snooth only with a better name.

Re: Wine Blogging Mega-merger Announced!

Andrew — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:36:46 -0000

Interesting developments - I for one are excited how the wine blogging field is developing and am watching what you come up with with keen interest.

Re: Male vs. female brain

Andrew — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 03:32:35 -0000

Excellent! I've found another in the series

http://eatliver.com/i.php?n=3823