Bloggers, wine writers, critics or whatever category you want to put us in, we all have one thing in common… We love wine and want to express our thoughts about it to the public whether it be in cyberspace or in hard copy. The newest and potentially most powerful voice in the wine world is emerging on cyberspace. Bloggers as we are called proliferate the internet. I myself can be included in this group who feel a need to share what we know about wine with anyone who will listen. The problem that emerges from all of this is how much does the blogger really know about the subject of wine. Is it just a hobby that they like to talk about or is it a career that they put a lot of effort into.
When reading a wine blog, it doesn’t take long to figure out which group that site falls under. I think that it would be safe to say that a large amount of wine blogging is done by folks who are seriously interested in enlightening their readers on the subject and guiding them towards a good choice in wine purchasing. However, a disturbing piece of information came my way recently that tells me there may be a different motive for some (hopefully a small group) of wine bloggers.
Joe Roberts is a wine blogger that I love to read . He put a video up in June that I just viewed (Sorry Joe) in which he calls some bloggers douche bags. Why did Joe feel a need to use such strong language? Evidently he has heard through credible channels that there are some wine bloggers going into winery tasting rooms without an appointment and demanding free tastings and samples. Also, some are asking for more then one bottle sample of the same wine from wineries or PR agencies. I agree with Joe that if you are a wine blogger and you do something like that you are indeed a douche bag. I will also go a step further and conclude that one of the main reasons you are blogging about wine is to get free stuff… Basically you are a freeloader.
Joe Roberts (1Winedude) makes an excellent point. As wine bloggers we need to set a united front as credible wine writers and critics. As a whole we are a powerful voice. Heaven forbid that we become a rogue wine critic like Jay Miller, formerly of The Wine Advocate. If certain individuals decide to abuse the office of a wine writer, that could effect the reputation of the group as a whole. Again, I want to go just a step further.
Getting samples of wine, trips, free tastings, hotel rooms or whatever, should never be a reason to be a wine critic or writer. If that is the reason you are trying to get in the wine blogging biz, then get out before you embarrass yourself. In his video, Joe takes us down to his basement where he has stored away, five cases of wine samples that he received over the weekend when he and his family were gone. The samples were unsolicited. He makes the comment that he doesn’t necessarily even want them, but there they are, and he has to deal with them. I can relate. I am a wine steward in a very busy store. We do a ton of wine business and I receive samples on a weekly basis. There are times that I am over-whelmed and burdened with the task of reviewing all these wines.
Don’t get me wrong… I love my job, and I love finding hidden gems in the wine world and sharing those with my readers. However, when I receive a sample of wine from a winery, I feel an intense obligation to give it my best and report my findings, good or bad. My first loyalty is to the consumer. I never would think of demanding a tasting or sample to gratify my ego or desire to get something for nothing. As Joe said, when you work hard and put in your time, you don’t have to ask for anything.
There will always be people that are into something for the wrong reason. No matter how much I rant and rave, I cannot change that fact. However, I would like to conclude with a little bit of advice. Get out before we call you on your $&*!. Freeloaders have no place in the wine blogging community, it is the wrong reason to even try to be there. Joe Roberts offered his advice and I offer mine. Wineries and wine makers work too hard (Fred Franzia excluded) to be treated with such disrespect.
I am a wine blogger and I’m proud to be in this community. Let’s keep it powerful, let’s keep it strong. Cheers! Stan The Wine Man
