Who am I?
Hello! I’m Alex
For the last 5 years or so I have been running a lovely little wine shop in the leafy ‘burbs of Cardiff, but late in August, I left all that behind and set off on my circumnavigation of the globe…
The trip has evolved from wanting to work a vintage in New Zealand, into the 12 month voyage through every major wine producing country in the Southern hemiphere.
Working my way up within a company like Oddbins has allowed me to learn an awful lot about wine, both the technical side of things, by studying for various courses, and by being exposed to the wines themselves thanks to the extensive range of international wines…
Learning about wine in the UK, one of the most diverse wine markets in the world, due to the lack of much in the way of a local wine industry, we are able to get our hands on wines from pretty much anywhere that produces the stuff – something I have always taken for granted, but it really allows for a broad view of wine styles…
One of the things I have always enjoyed about selling wine is the chance to pass on my enthusiasm for wine in general, but also share a real find when I come across something that really gets me inspired, and that’s what I hope to do with this site… be sure to leave me plenty of comments if you do try any of the wines to let me know what you think, although of course, part of the great thing about wine is that everyone has different tastes…
The site will often I’m sure, go off on tangents, many of which will have little or nothing to do with wine, but I never intended this to be purely a wine blog, it will also be my journal of experiences as I travel around
If you’d like to get in touch, feel free to leave a comment or email me - alex@winetraveller.net
are you making the napoleon dynamite 2 on your travells?
By: ferris on July 20, 2007
at 6:54 pm
Alex – You have to visit The World’s Highest Vineyard when you are in Potosi in Bolivia. I’m not sure of the quality, but you can’t beat a good superlative, and Bolivia has the world’s highest everything!
By: Adam on August 8, 2007
at 9:40 pm
Hi Alex
and ………….bon voyage! I heard from Matt that you are planning to stay at Sams Giardino in Swakopmund! I am sure you willl enjoy it!
Keep in touch.
Pob lwc!
Mike
By: mike scott on August 14, 2007
at 6:30 pm
Hey Bro
Have a good time,
talk to you soon.
Try not to get too pissed
Frank
By: Frank on August 17, 2007
at 10:59 pm
Good luck Alex will be keeping up with your travels
Roger + Jan
By: Roger Bazeley on August 19, 2007
at 12:53 pm
Hi Alex
You’ve certainly done a lot to the site in 4 days – very impressive! Glad to see you’re enjoying things so far. You’ll be pleased to know it’s still raining in the UK…
Rachel
By: Rachel Shapton on August 20, 2007
at 8:44 pm
collect all those corks, and you can make a wonderful ‘ethnic’ bathroom mat. alternatively, hang them from a hat for that authentic ‘australian’
high fashion satorial elegance. alternatively, when wading through foreign-rivers insert them carefully before entering the water to avoid insects burrowing into areas only suppositories go. apart from these tips, never look directly into the sun. have a good trip. “a toast to all my friends…”
By: nick & gina & newbaby chloe on September 21, 2007
at 7:41 pm
Hi Alex,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY – not sure exactly where you are at the moment – so hope this reaches you safely. Have a wonderful day today and if you are still with your mum, dad and Gordon today – please give them my love.
I absolutely take my hat off to you – I think you’re being extremely enterprising and I am full of admiration of you – VERY WELL DONE and ALL VERY GOOD WISHES AND LOTS OF LUCK FOR YOUR FUTURE TRAVELS
Masses of love
Kit xx
By: Kate Hills on October 1, 2007
at 7:57 am
Further to Adam’s comments, I’d recommend Potosi, but not for the local wine or beer. However, the wines from Tarija – which is 2000-odd m lower and further south with a more equable climate – can be pretty good and its on the way to the Province de Salta wine region of Argentina…
Alex
By: Alex Page on October 5, 2007
at 3:58 pm
my friend has just planted the largest vineyard in wales when are you back?
By: dafydd on October 20, 2007
at 1:16 am
Hi Dafydd
I’ll be back in August, so a while to go yet, but probably still not long enough for the vines to be ready to harvest though!
stay in touch and I’ll have to come and take a look when I get back!
Alex
By: Alex on October 22, 2007
at 12:07 pm
Hi Alex,
I just found out about this expedition of yours! Sounds amazing, going for a whole year, I think it’s a great idea, I can’t recommend travelling enough! I just had a quick look at ya blogg, that’s quite a trip you have planned, but some great destinations there!! I’m sure you will have a truly outstanding time, discover every experience you can! I’ll check back to see how you get on soon. In the mean time take it easy, ENJOY YOURSELF
FROM TIM CLAPHAM
By: Tim Clapham on October 28, 2007
at 1:53 pm
Hey Alex…rather plush looking web-site, good on you. Sounds like you are fun trying all those OTT lollipop wines! Ha ha. Its gonna take you a while to re-educate your palate to proper French wines.
Cheers, Carl
PS Bring back some nice stuff!
By: Carl Davies on November 12, 2007
at 7:56 pm
Just got your details from your Dad’s newsletter! Hope the trip is going well, my favourite vineyard in NZ is Clearview, at Cape Kidnappers (Hawkes Bay). (I’m your Dads cousin in case you don’t remember!). Looking forward to finding out what you are up to on this v. professional website.
All the best
Tora
By: Tora Shand on January 3, 2008
at 10:48 am
I don’t roll round your pad much anymore.
Got myself a crew and we hang around the Oddbins on Albany Road, your old steez.
Keeping that shit locked down for you.
Word.
By: Dante Jermaine De La Fuente' on January 29, 2008
at 4:27 pm
Rollin with my crew outside the albany Oddbins.
Crimpin’ on yo steez. Makin’ mad dollars of protection money. I may be a pussy cat, but I’m a thug at heart.
By: Dante Jermaine De La Fuente on January 29, 2008
at 4:29 pm
Nice to hear that you’re looking after the place for me Dante!
You’ve obviously been busy since I left, learning to type for a start – there can’t be many cats who can do that!
If you happen to run into a certain James McFadden, please be sure to pass on my regards…
By: Alex on February 6, 2008
at 6:31 am
Did you know that you can get two bottles of passion pop in Australia ( and sometimes in New Zealand) for $5.00!
iF you pay more than $5.00 for a bottle of wine…you pay too much..
By: Miss Amber on February 19, 2008
at 3:44 am
Thanks Amber, for your expert advice..
maybe you can get hold of some and we’ll do a tasting later on.. I think I’ll bring a bottle of Matahiwi Sauvignon blanc for after
see you
Alex
By: Alex on February 19, 2008
at 6:31 am