I'm watching it in Welsh (which I don't speak). At least you can get English subtitles!
Welsh would be impossible, but I'd manage in Finnish if Yle allowed, but they don't - "tämä ohjelma on katsottavissa vain Suomessa" (= this programme can only be watched in Finland), so I'm relying on you for updates
This site personally was of great comfort to me whilst I was close to suicide two years ago, which thankfully I've now got over and have been good for over a year now.
I know that I have often disagreed with people and have often said the wrong thing but I really am glad to post here and I do try my best to be kind where I can. I hope somebody would notice that.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Great shame that @MrEd was banned. I enjoyed conversing with him and he was supportive to me during my earlier struggles with mental health. Wishing him well wherever he is.
I wonder if anyone has kept a list of the Saturday morning Puto-bots. We ought to mention them in the thanks for providing light relief each weekend.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
How do we know? I often wonder about this. It seems frankly improbable after 20 years that more of us haven't died. And in most cases, people will just occasionally think, huh, poster x hasn't posted in a while - I wonder if he's still with us? And that will be that.
Is Jack W still with us? Or Alastair Matlock?
Maybe I should add instructions for a valedictory message to my will?
Although perhaps I could write a Python script to do it for me, if it finds I haven't read any of my emails for at least 30 days...
Breaking: Our Brexit passports are produced by a Franco-Dutch company in Poland using Italian software to print Spanish ink on to Finnish paper.
So we haven’t retreated into isolation and still trade with Europe? Excellent. Wouldn’t want to end up like the French, who make their passports wholly in France due to protectionism, cloaked with spurious National Security reasons.
I'm watching it in Welsh (which I don't speak). At least you can get English subtitles!
Welsh would be impossible, but I'd manage in Finnish if Yle allowed, but they don't - "tämä ohjelma on katsottavissa vain Suomessa" (= this programme can only be watched in Finland), so I'm relying on you for updates
Chwaraewr yn aflan yno, gan yr amddiffynnwr hwnnw o'r Ffindir. Cerdyn melyn wedi'i roi.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Great shame that @MrEd was banned. I enjoyed conversing with him and he was supportive to me during my earlier struggles with mental health. Wishing him well wherever he is.
I wonder if anyone has kept a list of the Saturday morning Puto-bots. We ought to mention them in the thanks for providing light relief each weekend.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
Is there an ecosystem of small Chilean and Argentinian wines which we don’t get here, or is it dominated by the brands? In an independent wine merchant here, we don’t see the variety of Chilean wines we see of French wines, for example.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
I don't remember when I first joined PB but I think it was a couple of years after it had started. It remains the only place worth visiting to get both informed opinion and often the first hint of breaking news. It has become such a part of my online life that I can't imagine the internet without it. So huge thanks to OGH for widening my horizons and introducing me to such a fascinating bunch of characters.
I completely agree Richard. When a news story is breaking I come here first. It is a fantastic site for collating information, often from sources I would never find on my own. It has also been a great source of entertainment and then there has been @ydoethur's puns as well 😉 I honestly can't remember when I started reading PB but it must be at least 15 years and maybe more.
A very sincere thank you to Mike. He has created something special.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
How do we know? I often wonder about this. It seems frankly improbable after 20 years that more of us haven't died. And in most cases, people will just occasionally think, huh, poster x hasn't posted in a while - I wonder if he's still with us? And that will be that.
Is Jack W still with us? Or Alastair Matlock?
Jack_W was roaming the battlements just a couple of days ago to the sound of distant bagpipes.
Long-time lurker (since 2008, I think). Moved to sign up today to express thanks to Mike for establishing PB, a site that I've greatly enjoyed 'popping into' daily over the years. All the best to Mike and the PB team.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
Is there an ecosystem of small Chilean and Argentinian wines which we don’t get here, or is it dominated by the brands? In an independent wine merchant here, we don’t see the variety of Chilean wines we see of French wines, for example.
No, it’s a few mainstream mass production wines. Tho this is quite a nice one, to my mind
3.9 on Vivino
If you go to Argentina or Chile - as I have done - then yes you will find loads of local wines, some of them magnificent - which they don’t export
I think Argentine Malbec is the best value red wine in the world at the moment. In any Argentine town you will find a superb Malbec for under £10. The stuff they make at altitude is mmmm
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
Presumably @eadric - who he? - chose to delete all of his content.
Didn't even know that was possible. @tim obviously did the same, which is a pity. Some of his barbed comments were timeless. "How many samosas did Eric Pickles order?" Anyone else remember that one?
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
Thank you Mike for all you've done. I'm a relatively recent convert from lurker to poster - but I've enjoyed the site for well over a decade. I do truly wish you (and yours!) well. Good luck with your health - I hope many years and election swingometers are still to come for you.
I've read the headers most days for about half the site's history I suppose. Then came the fell day I decided to look at the comments. Always informative, generally entertaining and sometimes infuriating.
All in all quite the tribute to its founder. Well done Mike - many thanks to you and your little helpers!
A huge thanks to Mike for what he has created and run for so long - one of the very best forums. And particular thanks from me for giving me the opportunity to write headers.
All good wishes to you and your wife during retirement and I really hope you keep as well as you can.
I'm watching it in Welsh (which I don't speak). At least you can get English subtitles!
Where is it being shown (which channel?)
S4C. If you're not in Wales it's on Satellite and Cable, and the S4C website.
(It's also on ViaPlay in English, but that's 15 quid a month so sod that!)
Cheers. Surprised it’s not on a main channel.
Think Viaplay have the rights to most Euro Qualifiers. I believe the only reason S4C are showing it is because the commentary is in Welsh (they sometimes have English commentary on the Red Button, but not today it seems).
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
Presumably @eadric - who he? - chose to delete all of his content.
Didn't even know that was possible. @tim obviously did the same, which is a pity. Some of his barbed comments were timeless. "How many samosas did Eric Pickles order?" Anyone else remember that one?
I think, re. tim, back then we were on Disqus, rather than Vanilla comments?
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
Presumably @eadric - who he? - chose to delete all of his content.
Can I also add Robert that keeping this place going for your dad is a wonderful gesture which makes me wonder how entirely serious you were being about your kids earlier!
I’m not a regular poster (I don’t have the stamina to keep up) but I love reading this site and honestly despite the odd dong dong it is one of the most positive and friendly online communities I have come across. Thank you Mike and wishing you all the best
That is correct: back in 1992, I got my first access to the Internet as rcs1000@phx.cam.ac.uk
From then on, rcs1000 has been my Internet id.
I can't remember my janet login from Edinburgh University library, but that would be 1990.
Mine was hcc1.
So I must have been top dog.
(Not really. Aber had a system - last number of the year for undergrads, last two numbers for postgrads, initials only for staff. As I was all of them in turn, I therefore added and subtracted numbers like a mathematician on crack.)
I still - I am somewhat ashamed to say - remember people by their username rather than actual name. 'Oh look - it's rdy2k!'.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Breaking: Our Brexit passports are produced by a Franco-Dutch company in Poland using Italian software to print Spanish ink on to Finnish paper.
So we haven’t retreated into isolation and still trade with Europe? Excellent. Wouldn’t want to end up like the French, who make their passports wholly in France due to protectionism, cloaked with spurious National Security reasons.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
Tesco had a Chinese red wine recently. A little odd, and a little overpriced. But not bad.
I remember buying Chinese wine in China in about 2009. In xiengeli-la (literally: shangri-la) in Yunnan province, where everyone is Tibetan
It was the only wine available and pretty expensive but the bottle I bought for $20 was actually ok
I remember my driver could not understand the point of buying a bottle of weak alcohol for $20 when I could buy a litre of the local firewater for about $2
Those were the early days of Chinese wine culture…
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Have you found it yet
This is the earliest article I've been able to find so far.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
Presumably @eadric - who he? - chose to delete all of his content.
Can I also add Robert that keeping this place going for your dad is a wonderful gesture which makes me wonder how entirely serious you were being about your kids earlier!
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Have you found it yet
This is the earliest article I've been able to find so far.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
Tesco had a Chinese red wine recently. A little odd, and a little overpriced. But not bad.
I remember buying Chinese wine in China in about 2009. In xiengeli-la (literally: shangri-la) in Yunnan province, where everyone is Tibetan
It was the only wine available and pretty expensive but the bottle I bought for $20 was actually ok
I remember my driver could not understand the point of buying a bottle of weak alcohol for $20 when I could buy a litre of the local firewater for about $2
Those were the early days of Chinese wine culture…
There was a Chinese restaurant here who used to offer Chinese wine back in the early 2000s. Then the owner 'lost' his chef in a poker match and had to sell up. (More recently, it emerged the guy he lost the chef too's restaurant was being used as one of the 'Chinese Police Stations')
Sad times all round.
Although the wine was in fact boakin. But the food was good.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Have you found it yet
This is the earliest article I've been able to find so far.
You must forgive me. I've been reading, and commenting on, this blog site for nearly twenty years, and consequently my mental faculties are not what they once were.
What is the "it" that you were referring to that I was apparently searching for?
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
Tesco had a Chinese red wine recently. A little odd, and a little overpriced. But not bad.
I remember buying Chinese wine in China in about 2009. In xiengeli-la (literally: shangri-la) in Yunnan province, where everyone is Tibetan
It was the only wine available and pretty expensive but the bottle I bought for $20 was actually ok
I remember my driver could not understand the point of buying a bottle of weak alcohol for $20 when I could buy a litre of the local firewater for about $2
Those were the early days of Chinese wine culture…
In Taiwan, there was a government monopoly on wine production - recently overturned. But most of the local production is still under their auspices. It tends to be weak and mediocre. Still cheaper than french and australian imports, though, presumably due to tarriffs.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Have you found it yet
This is the earliest article I've been able to find so far.
You must forgive me. I've been reading, and commenting on, this blog site for nearly twenty years, and consequently my mental faculties are not what they once were.
What is the "it" that you were referring to that I was apparently searching for?
I’d hoped you would have found your password by now
Talking of missed posters, has anyone heard from HurstLlama? His twitter hasn't been updated since January last year, and he was having some health problems. I hope he's okay.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
Oh, Mike, you will be missed! I think I have been around (on and off) for about 19 of those 20 years, and your idea (and hard work) has been an endless source of enjoyment and education throughout. I have met, IRL, some wonderful people as a result of this site, including you and your family at one of the very first get-togethers. I also bought two (!) copies of your excellent book. FWIW, I think you are leaving the site in very good hands, and I trust you will feel fit enough to post the occasional words of wisdom here in the future.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Great shame that @MrEd was banned. I enjoyed conversing with him and he was supportive to me during my earlier struggles with mental health. Wishing him well wherever he is.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
Tesco had a Chinese red wine recently. A little odd, and a little overpriced. But not bad.
I remember buying Chinese wine in China in about 2009. In xiengeli-la (literally: shangri-la) in Yunnan province, where everyone is Tibetan
It was the only wine available and pretty expensive but the bottle I bought for $20 was actually ok
I remember my driver could not understand the point of buying a bottle of weak alcohol for $20 when I could buy a litre of the local firewater for about $2
Those were the early days of Chinese wine culture…
China is now the world’s largest winemaker by some measures.
Some of their top crus are pretty good - could pass for a Bordeaux classed growth. But they remain derivative - there’s not really a style yet. Most of China is too hot. They should try to make Hunter Valley style sémillon, or Madeira style wines (as should Taiwan).
I've been lurking here for most of those 20 years - briefly breaking that silence tonight to say a huge thank you to Mike for creating what is unquestionably one of the best places on the Internet. I suspect it will still be going strong another 20 years from now. My very best wishes for the future, Mike.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
Happy Birthday to pb.com. I’ve been reading and posting here since about September 2004, and I can’t believe how quickly that time has gone. I’m still so sorry to hear of your health issues, Mike, and I hope that medical advances might yet outrun the illness. You’ve created a genuine institution of UK politics; I suspect that Lascelles would be tempted to post his Provisions here rather than in The Times if the need arose again.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
That is correct: back in 1992, I got my first access to the Internet as rcs1000@phx.cam.ac.uk
From then on, rcs1000 has been my Internet id.
The 1000 puts you in a pretty narrow date range even if you hadn't given the year: earlier crsids were shorter, and later ones were usually 5 characters and avoided initial 1 to minimise l/1 confusion. (I got mine in 1995, so missed Phoenix entirely.)
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
There have been others which I can't recall, and I know that at least one other has died, so if anybody can add more names I would be grateful.
Mention of @SeanT reminds me of @eadric (flounced?), @Byronic (banned) and @LadyG (also banned) for some reason - I can't think why.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
I think eadric convinced the mods they were about to have a book adapted into a film and therefore become famous enough to be embarrassed by some of their idle musings, and so had all of their comments deleted.
I assumed they were such twaddle the fabric of the universe lost them through a series of quantum blips.
How would I manage nearly 15,000 posts if that were 'appening???
Have you found it yet
This is the earliest article I've been able to find so far.
You must forgive me. I've been reading, and commenting on, this blog site for nearly twenty years, and consequently my mental faculties are not what they once were.
What is the "it" that you were referring to that I was apparently searching for?
I’d hoped you would have found your password by now
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran?
Are we counting countries that don't produce wine officially, or only those that don't actually produce wine?
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran?
Didn’t Iran used to produce wine before the arrival if Islam.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
I think I stumbled on PB around the time of the Hartlepool by election (2004). How the interweb and politics have changed since then. But PB has always been able to throw up a completely serendipitous and fascinating knowledge bank - as well as developing all sides of an argument. And for which, Mike, I and I hope the PB community thank you, for producing this wondrous thing
Best of all, the grape used in 4000BC - the areni grape - is the same grape used in the same area today. You can buy modern wine made from it right next to the cave. Which is kinda brilliant
That last chat was a bit depressing so here is something genuinely and wonderfully uplifting
Elon Musk’s Neuralink gives a quadriplegic guy the chance to interact with a computer, and thus the world: a form of telekinesis. The joy on the guy’s face is 🥂👍🍷👏👏👏👏👏
He's not developing this technology to help people. That's PR.
Also some heavy-duty game is being played with the use of the name "Telepathy".
Musk sees it as a step onwards from this preliminary stage we're in now in which most people's almost-permanent interface between their fleshspace self and planet digital is their smartphone. He has said as much.
Personally I think Muskologists pay too little attention to Paypal.
I imagine he is dashing to keep up with China, with "X" as the "superapp" hanger on to the tail of WeChat. Chinese people in China are only allowed WeChat accounts if they link them to their bank accounts. Most people in China haven't bought anything either with cash or a bank card for years.
It's good to see you looking at implant tech. This is far more important than AI.
Cybertruck: Armoured Personnel Vehicle
Raptor-9: ICBM
Starship: Orbital Bombardment Vehicle (Earth)
Starship HLS: Troop transport and spaceborne assault vehicle
It's good to see you looking at implant tech. This is far more important than AI.
Yep: China is genuinely cashless. The only people that ever use ATMs are tourists.
But on the other hand, no, implant technology is not more important than AI.
When parts of the British intelligentsia wake up and realise that mass head chipping isn't a good thing, and that the Luddites were right all along, it will be far too late. They'll have bought into it because of convenient consumption or public health or something.
The good news is that what's true in Islington may not be true in Urumqi or Kashgar. Perhaps it won't be true in Hong Kong either.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran?
Are we counting countries that don't produce wine officially, or only those that don't actually produce wine?
Well, indeed. But yes Iran, historically a big wine producer and probable originator of the Shiraz grape - Elburz mountains and the Far NW Kurdish regions are pretty similar to Kakheti in Georgia.
And I also think highland Afghanistan, eg the Panshir Valley, could be promising too.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Reflecting back over the years, RIP to those former posters who were a significant part of the site, but, sadly, are not with us to mark the 20 year milestone.
I remember when you were Yanis Varoufakis. Anyhoo...
Left whilst still alive
@RodCrosby (Holocaust remarks) @isam (argued with hosts, since returned) @antifrank aka @AlistairMeeks (argued with others, now blog author) @Charles (argued with others), @TissuePrice (works in a big shed somewhere) @SeanT (left, never to return) @IshmaelZ (argued with others) @MrEd (argued with hosts, thought to have returned) @CorrectHorseBattery (argued with others, thought to have returned)
Nikki Haley, who's no longer running, reported more cash on hand at the end of February than the RNC.
President Biden has a major fundraising advantage over Trump, according to the latest FEC filings. In February:
• Biden's campaign raised $21.3 million. It has $71 million in cash on hand. • Trump's campaign raised $10.9 million. It has $33.5 million in cash on hand. • The DNC raised $16.6 million. Cash on hand: $26.5 million. • The RNC raised $10.7 million. Cash on hand: $11.3 million
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran and Algeria?
Algeria does produce wine, I had some in Algiers. It was ok - French style rose/gris.
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran?
Are we counting countries that don't produce wine officially, or only those that don't actually produce wine?
Well, indeed. But yes Iran, historically a big wine producer and probable originator of the Shiraz grape - Elburz mountains and the Far NW Kurdish regions are pretty similar to Kakheti in Georgia.
And I also think highland Afghanistan, eg the Panshir Valley, could be promising too.
Omar Khayyam (sp) ….. A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and thou……
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran and Algeria?
Algeria does produce wine, I had some in Algiers. It was ok - French style rose/gris.
That last chat was a bit depressing so here is something genuinely and wonderfully uplifting
Elon Musk’s Neuralink gives a quadriplegic guy the chance to interact with a computer, and thus the world: a form of telekinesis. The joy on the guy’s face is 🥂👍🍷👏👏👏👏👏
He's not developing this technology to help people. That's PR.
Also some heavy-duty game is being played with the use of the name "Telepathy".
Musk sees it as a step onwards from this preliminary stage we're in now in which most people's almost-permanent interface between their fleshspace self and planet digital is their smartphone. He has said as much.
Personally I think Muskologists pay too little attention to Paypal.
I imagine he is dashing to keep up with China, with "X" as the "superapp" hanger on to the tail of WeChat. Chinese people in China are only allowed WeChat accounts if they link them to their bank accounts. Most people in China haven't bought anything either with cash or a bank card for years.
It's good to see you looking at implant tech. This is far more important than AI.
Cybertruck: Armoured Personnel Vehicle
Raptor-9: ICBM
Starship: Orbital Bombardment Vehicle (Earth)
Starship HLS: Troop transport and spaceborne assault vehicle
Boring flamethrowers: personal defence weapon
Starlink: information control satellites
Neuralink: enslavement and pacification device
Optimus: drone troops and terminators
The guy is building Hydra in plain sight...
One peculiar thing about Elon Musk is that he is a strange combination of naive and gormless, who makes stupid mistakes whilst unable to perceive the consequences.
One was to create the Cybertruck to be so bloody designed-in-dangerous that it will never reach Europe.
Another was his crass intervention in the Ukraine War, to actually try and do what some stupid politicians had been proposing.
That last chat was a bit depressing so here is something genuinely and wonderfully uplifting
Elon Musk’s Neuralink gives a quadriplegic guy the chance to interact with a computer, and thus the world: a form of telekinesis. The joy on the guy’s face is 🥂👍🍷👏👏👏👏👏
He's not developing this technology to help people. That's PR.
Also some heavy-duty game is being played with the use of the name "Telepathy".
Musk sees it as a step onwards from this preliminary stage we're in now in which most people's almost-permanent interface between their fleshspace self and planet digital is their smartphone. He has said as much.
Personally I think Muskologists pay too little attention to Paypal.
I imagine he is dashing to keep up with China, with "X" as the "superapp" hanger on to the tail of WeChat. Chinese people in China are only allowed WeChat accounts if they link them to their bank accounts. Most people in China haven't bought anything either with cash or a bank card for years.
It's good to see you looking at implant tech. This is far more important than AI.
Cybertruck: Armoured Personnel Vehicle
Raptor-9: ICBM
Starship: Orbital Bombardment Vehicle (Earth)
Starship HLS: Troop transport and spaceborne assault vehicle
It's good to see you looking at implant tech. This is far more important than AI.
Yep: China is genuinely cashless. The only people that ever use ATMs are tourists.
But on the other hand, no, implant technology is not more important than AI.
When parts of the British intelligentsia wake up and realise that mass head chipping isn't a good thing, and that the Luddites were right all along, it will be far too late. They'll have bought into it because of convenient consumption or public health or something.
The good news is that what's true in Islington may not be true in Urumqi or Kashgar. Perhaps it won't be true in Hong Kong either.
Oh, that's not the issue with implants.
I'd be happy to be chipped tomorrow, were it not for the enormous evidence of the body violently rejecting foreign objects. (Watch the documentary about the Italian surgeon and the trachea implants of you want to be truly horrified.)
Well this is both sad and touching. Thank-you, Our Most Genial of Hosts, I hope your health somehow allows you to return, occasionally
It’s been a privilege to comment on this site these past 15, sorry 9, sorry 4, sorry 2 and a half, sorry 2 years. It really is like a pub except the locals wear terrifying masks and Hitler occasionally plays the piano
Its also kept me sane and prevented me dying of loneliness on long foreign trips - such as this one right now
Cheers to all of us, mods and commenters, anarchists and atheists, kippers and Communists, lurkers, lefties, LadyGs and lunatics, from the hot and cloudy jungles of Colombia
They couldn’t come up with anything better than a wine so popular it’s in every Tesco in Britain? Is there any Colombian wine?
No
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
Almost every country I visit these days produces some kind of wine
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
As wine has become a mass market beverage it’s inevitable that it’s become much more widely produced, although it’s not yet as globalisable as beer.
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
I’ve had Bolivian wine - in Bolivia. And yes it was surprisingly good - like Ethiopia
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
There are some. I follow one on Insta. Near Sapporo I think. Very stylish looking, rather like their whiskies.
Ah. Then that proves the rule. Almost every country now makes wine
So, quiz time: what country would be the most theoretically promising but is not currently a producer? Actually 2 countries.
Iran?
An Iranian writes:
Iram indeed is gone with all its Rose, And Jamshyd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows; But still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields, And still a Garden by the Water blows.
And David's Lips are lock't; but in divine High piping Pelevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine! Red Wine!"—the Nightingale cries to the Rose That yellow Cheek of hers to'incarnadine.
and of course:
I wonder what the vintners buy One half so precious as the stuff they sell.
Most impressive prediction? RCS suggesting an 80 seat Conservative majority for GE2019. I only wish he had been wrong by 85 seats No, no, not a Tory majority of 165.
Comments
I know that I have often disagreed with people and have often said the wrong thing but I really am glad to post here and I do try my best to be kind where I can. I hope somebody would notice that.
Anyway, this isn't about me.
(Incidentally, why is @eadric showing 0 posts? That's not right, shirley?)
Thank you.
For all that is to come,
Yes!
May your retirement be long, happy and partial.
At least I haven’t found any
I am extremely grateful for the existence of Chilean and Argentine wine - in Colombia. Otherwise it would be Californian or European and twice as pricey
Although perhaps I could write a Python script to do it for me, if it finds I haven't read any of my emails for at least 30 days...
(It's also on Viaplay in English, but that's 15 quid a month so sod that!)
So he’s still knocking about, albeit sporadically
He must be about 178 by now
https://www.madalyneloree.com/post/explore-colombian-wine-country
A very sincere thank you to Mike. He has created something special.
“INSIDER TIP: we found the wine in La Union to be quite sweet or dulce. They explained during the tour that while they do make drier wines (seco) the majority of their customer base in Colombia (mostly Colombians) instead like the sweet wines. In fact, we read that the majority of wine from Colombia is on the sweeter side (due to the elevation and climate). If you are like us and prefer drier wines, still definitely try the sweet wine - it is quite refreshing and delicious. “
3.9 on Vivino
If you go to Argentina or Chile - as I have done - then yes you will find loads of local wines, some of them magnificent - which they don’t export
I think Argentine Malbec is the best value red wine in the world at the moment. In any Argentine town you will find a superb Malbec for under £10. The stuff they make at altitude is mmmm
All in all quite the tribute to its founder. Well done Mike - many thanks to you and your little helpers!
A huge thanks to Mike for what he has created and run for so long - one of the very best forums. And particular thanks from me for giving me the opportunity to write headers.
All good wishes to you and your wife during retirement and I really hope you keep as well as you can.
I’ve had Thai wine (not great). I’ve had Ethiopian wine (not bad at all). I’ve had Indian wine (meh but improving). I’ve had Egyptian wine (tolerable)
It’s actually rare to find a country that doesn’t make wine
Eg Denmark makes wine. Yes, Denmark
https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/things-do/danish-food/vineyards
Greenland. Iceland. Parts of west and central Africa - no wine
It was the only wine available and pretty expensive but the bottle I bought for $20 was actually ok
I remember my driver could not understand the point of buying a bottle of weak alcohol for $20 when I could buy a litre of the local firewater for about $2
Those were the early days of Chinese wine culture…
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/oct/10/labour.politicalcolumnists
HT
And no, I wasn't being entirely serious.
Problem for wine in Thailand is the insane tax on it
Sad times all round.
Although the wine was in fact boakin. But the food was good.
What is the "it" that you were referring to that I was apparently searching for?
The distinction I’d make is between new wine regions that are able to reproduce, with effort, a palatable wine that tastes not dissimilar to other international wines, and new regions that manage to make wines that are distinct, and truly new, and reflect their terroir.
Many (hot) countries have been able to do the former with some judicious coaxing by international winemakers. China to great success. But the really novel innovations have come from cooler places - either because they’re high latitude, or high altitude.
Marlborough and North Otago, the higher bits of Mendoza, Southern Chile, British Columbia and Oregon, Ontario, Southern England and Wales, Tasmania, all regions that have brought something new and exciting to wine in the last few decades. I could well imagine Ethiopia having some interesting terroir given its climate. Bolivia should do too. But both Chile and Argentina are only just scratching the surface of their cooler climates further into Patagonia.
Some of their top crus are pretty good - could pass for a Bordeaux classed growth. But they remain derivative - there’s not really a style yet. Most of China is too hot. They should try to make Hunter Valley style sémillon, or Madeira style wines (as should Taiwan).
Japan stretches from virtual tundra to subtropics, with all kind of altitudes. Why aren’t they making great wine? They must have some suitable spots
I’m still so sorry to hear of your health issues, Mike, and I hope that medical advances might yet outrun the illness.
You’ve created a genuine institution of UK politics; I suspect that Lascelles would be tempted to post his Provisions here rather than in The Times if the need arose again.
My plea to them is: now you've signed up, why not carry on and continue to join in? The more voices the better!
And for which, Mike, I and I hope the PB community thank you, for producing this wondrous thing
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vietnamese_wine
Swedish wine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swedish_wine
Mexican wine
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican_wine
Cuban wine
https://www.beyondtheordinary.co.uk/features/cuban-wine/
Best of all tho is surely Armenian wine. I have been to the oldest winery in the world, its in Armenia, here it is
it’s actually a cave with evidence of wine making dating from 4100BC. They also found the world’s oldest shoe here. A moccasin
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/110111-oldest-wine-press-making-winery-armenia-science-ucla
Best of all, the grape used in 4000BC - the areni grape - is the same grape used in the same area today. You can buy modern wine made from it right next to the cave. Which is kinda brilliant
The good news is that what's true in Islington may not be true in Urumqi or Kashgar.
Perhaps it won't be true in Hong Kong either.
And I also think highland Afghanistan, eg the Panshir Valley, could be promising too.
By the rule of permutation, BatteryCorrectHorse can only be banned 6 times without regenerating.
President Biden has a major fundraising advantage over Trump, according to the latest FEC filings. In February:
• Biden's campaign raised $21.3 million. It has $71 million in cash on hand.
• Trump's campaign raised $10.9 million. It has $33.5 million in cash on hand.
• The DNC raised $16.6 million. Cash on hand: $26.5 million.
• The RNC raised $10.7 million. Cash on hand: $11.3 million
https://twitter.com/kylegriffin1/status/1770918531846000985
Libya might also make good wine if it was allowed
It was known for wine in the Roman era
https://www.bilnas.org/publications_dir/rural-settlement-and-economic-activity-olive-oil-wine-and-amphorae-production-on-the-tarhuna-plateau-during-the-roman-period/
One was to create the Cybertruck to be so bloody designed-in-dangerous that it will never reach Europe.
Another was his crass intervention in the Ukraine War, to actually try and do what some stupid politicians had been proposing.
I'd be happy to be chipped tomorrow, were it not for the enormous evidence of the body violently rejecting foreign objects. (Watch the documentary about the Italian surgeon and the trachea implants of you want to be truly horrified.)
🌳 Conservative 25% (-2)
🌹Labour 43% (+1)
🔶Lib Dems 11% (+1)
🟣Reform 11% (+1)
💚Green 5% (-1)
Lab lead 18, highest under our current methodology
N=2027, 19-20/3
https://twitter.com/LukeTryl/status/1770888732708610098
Iram indeed is gone with all its Rose,
And Jamshyd's Sev'n-ring'd Cup where no one knows;
But still the Vine her ancient Ruby yields,
And still a Garden by the Water blows.
And David's Lips are lock't; but in divine
High piping Pelevi, with "Wine! Wine! Wine!
Red Wine!"—the Nightingale cries to the Rose
That yellow Cheek of hers to'incarnadine.
and of course:
I wonder what the vintners buy
One half so precious as the stuff they sell.
Been here since just before GE2005.
Most impressive prediction? RCS suggesting an 80 seat Conservative majority for GE2019. I only wish he had been wrong by 85 seats No, no, not a Tory majority of 165.