Should people who write about wine except samples?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Cuvée Corner Wine Blog on -
Tom that is a great question, unfortunately my depth of knowledge in regards to bloggers (and I love the assumption) in non direct ship states is pretty limited, but the fact that a special law was passed for Mr. Parker could embolden other bloggers to take up a suit or at the very least petition their respective representatives. I appreciate the degree of dialogue on the subject!
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Permalink Reply by tom merle on -
All writers would like to accept wine but can't in MD except Mr. Parker. See your discussion starting question {8^)
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Permalink Reply by Cuvée Corner Wine Blog on
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I assume that is how so many issues get resolved, proving the axiom " always dare to ask why?" I do sympathize with the position you are in, fortunately for me I live in California.
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Permalink Reply by Katie Pizzuto on -
I'm not well versed in all the legalese, but I do know (after speaking to someone who lives in Utah) that there are ways around it, if the wine is intended for "educational purposes".....but yes, as someone who lives in NJ, I've encountered the same problem from time to time as well, Tom.
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Permalink Reply by Peter Fanucchi on -
-Note especially to Consumers:
You know, if everyone including those "most influential" periodicals, maybe it would be different. -Maybe.
Those biggest ones are bought off, in that at least their focus is on the ones who “Host” them at lavish expense, &/or advertise with them. (Those full-page ads cost well into six figures per printing so a single ad in a year’s worth of issues can cost a couple of million $$$)
Then another big level writing is done by companies who charge big bucks to receive samples…
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Permalink Reply by Marlene on -
I am the wine columnist for three magazines. I accept samples. If I did not, I would have to spend a good deal of money
and time looking for wines that are suitable.
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Permalink Reply by Cuvée Corner Wine Blog on
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Marlene,
Thanks for your input, I am curious when winemakers randomly send samples because you're an established wine columinist, do you then review those wines or because it may not fit editorial plans you unfortunately cannot review them at all?
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Permalink Reply by Cuvée Corner Wine Blog on
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Peter,
Thanks for joining the coversation. Some folks most likely speculate about whether certain publications may or may not be influenced by advertising dollars and paid reviews, but honestly I would like to believe that they try to be objective as possible. Because of their (certain publications) influence it is possible to float one boat and sink another.
That said, personally for me I purchase most of the wine I review. I of course don't charge anything to review a wine, nor do I feel obligated to give the wine a good review for those who send me a sample.
It appears many wine blogs are filling the gap between the large influential wine periodicals and the average aspiring writers(aka, bloggers). I believe bloggers bring a fresh perspective to some of the over the top and old school methods of wine review. Which I believe is fuel for another topic here.
I just received two samples from a new start-up, with a very interesting background story. I can hardly wait to taste the wine and tell the story, but that will have to wait. No promises of positive spin though. If someone purchases their wine as a result of my review, that's great. In a sense the wine maker or proprietor is getting some free advertising. I just like to get the word out about winemakers who I believe are really making a great effort to produce good wines at reasonable prices.
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Permalink Reply by Grace Hoffman on -
As one of the top writers for Facebook's Wine Beagles, my reviews have gained a lot of notoriety and I am starting to receive samples from time to time. I do accept them but I don't expect a winery to send me more than one bottle of something. One question I am asked a lot is whether I feel obligated to give a stellar review just because the winery sent
me the wine. The answer is no. If I don't care for something, I make it known, perhaps in a humorous way as to not completely offend the winery in question.
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Permalink Reply by Debbie Gioquindo on -
Yes, I believe it is okay to accept a bottle for tasting and review. Anything more would be unprofessional.
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Permalink Reply by Joann Farrell Quinn on -
For what it is worth- I will throw my two cents in. For a boutique winery like mine, sending samples is the only way that anyone will taste them. At this point, we are only selling direct, due to our limited production- and I am sure that this is the way it will remain for the next few years. Without people being able to sample and write about what they like (hopefully!), we can't really get the word out about our wine.
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Permalink Reply by Katie Pizzuto on
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Extremely relevant point, Joann. Most of the wine I review tends to be small-production, and boutique wineries are smart to utilize wine writers/bloggers as marketing tools. If distributors aren't putting you on store shelves, blogs and social media are your best bets, and incur minimal costs.
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