
The Asociación de la Capa was out in full force this past weekend in Sevilla. Their goal is to keep the custom of wearing capes alive. Gotta admit they look sharp.
asociación de la capa
18 Monday Nov 2019
18 Monday Nov 2019
16 Saturday Nov 2019

The indoor thermostat is saying it’s 17.9ºC in the house. It’s been a strange “change of seasons” these past few weeks, what with going to Galicia and instant winter mid-October, then to Madrid for autumn weather, and then back home to sunshine and sandals again. But it does seem like sandal weather is over for the year. Not bad lasting until mid-November. But although I am layered up at home I think I’ll indulge in a little heat before bed.
15 Friday Nov 2019

It’s always such a pleasure to taste these wines. Finos Palmas is an annual limited selection of a small number of the very best casks of Tio Pepe Fino sherries from Bodega González Byass in Jerez de la Frontera.
This year’s selection was made mid-October by Antonio Flores, Gonzalez Byass’ master winemaker, and master of wine Peter Liem and, as always, bottled “en rama”, without filtration or clarification.
The tasting took place at Lalola Taberna Gourmet inside the Hotel One Shot Palacio Conde de Torrejón and was led by Silvia Flores, sommelier, assistant winemaker at González Byass, and Antonio’s daughter. It was different this year as it was the first time Finos Palmas has been presented to the public (rather than just press) before hitting the shelves. Really hard to pick a favourite, though of course the 53 year old Cuatro Palmas is in a league of its own. But all the wines, including a taste of Tío Pepe en Rama to begin, show the development of the finos and each one is delicious in its own way.
14 Thursday Nov 2019

I was on the radio today! Radio Tomares to be exact, a small suburban station. My pal Javier Compás got in touch the other day to ask if I would do a short “chat interview” on his programme about gastronomy in Sevilla and what I do. At first I thought NO WAY. I mean, people are always teasing me about my “atrocious accent” and so the thought of speaking in public in Spanish sent a chill of dread down my spine. And that’s basically why I decided to do it – because it scared me.
So in order to build up my courage I first met my friend Ania for lunch at Lalola Taberna Gourmet where chef Javier Abascal plied us with lovely wines and even better food. By the time I met up with Compás with Ania in tow it suddenly seemed like a good idea to include Ania in the show, since she is a licenced tour guide familiar with gastronomy tours (I think Javi was also sensing I might bolt). And it ended up being FUN. It was great having Ania there and, although I “lost my words” a couple of times, I don’t think I came off sounding like a total idiot.
And just like everytime I do something I thought I could never do… I’m ready to go again! 🙂
Listen here: La Factoría Fenicia 14 Nov 2019
13 Wednesday Nov 2019