Disqus - Latest Comments for thirstforwine

Re: The future of wine writing

jimbudd — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:08:22 -0000

Fiona Beckett: Journalism and blogging are two very different activities, neither inherently superior to the other.

Fiona: I'm intrigued. Are they really different and in what ways?

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 16:09:30 -0000

the great thing is when you COMBINE book writing and engaging with your audience online - look at what Gary Vaynerchuck and Chris Brogan are doing! I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Re: The future of wine writing

jimbudd — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:17:00 -0000

I certainly hope that the Circle will continue to evolve and include bloggers amongst its members as indeed it already does – Gabriella Opaz being one fine example. I would hope now for calm discussion rather than heated debate.

I think it is important to be aware until now The Circle has been for writers who were paid for their work, albeit often poorly. There was also a time in the late 1980s and 1990s when the Circle was seen as a joke by a number of writers, particularly the younger ones. I was amazed to discover when I joined the Circle in late 1989 that people like Tim Atkin, Robert Joseph, Charles Metcalfe and Joanna Simon were not members and instead had some members who did little or no writing.

It took many years for that perception to change and involved weeding out members who did not write or communicate about wine. Unless retired, Circle members have to complete an record of work as the organisation is keen that its members are bona-fide wine communicators, which until recently has involved some sort of payment.

So having repaired its reputation, I think a certain wariness is understandable but I'm sure that the Circle's committee recognises that we are now in much changed times

Clearly there are now wine bloggers/ website owners who do a large amount of independent writing and communicating and who reach a far bigger audience than many trade wine/spirit magazines do. Speaking or writing personally I would certainly like to see them eligible to join the Circle – NB my personal view.

Just as there are membership criteria for people in the traditional media, so there will have to be criteria for applicants from the new social media. I suspect that the criteria will not be very different: how often to you write, who for etc. The Circle has always been more likely to accept an application from the wine correspondent for The Times than the writer with an occasional column in The Penge Electrician. Thus someone with a established blog/site with a substantial audience would be a far stronger candidate than someone whose recently launched blog is read only by their grandmother and her pet dog.

The new social media/net does offer one big advantage here – an applicant's/members work is easily visible.

As I say I hope a time for clam discussion and reflection

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:22:05 -0000

good point, and I apologise for my vague terms. Yes, I was referring to the membership criteria that were rather hotly debated around the LIWF. I can see clearly that if those were to encompass the blogging community, there would be many that would be quite willing to sign up to the objectives of the CWW

I hope to have an opportunity to learn more about the Circle thanks to a friendly invitation to an up-coming event :)

Re: The future of wine writing

jimbudd — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:16:21 -0000

Robert. I think if you look at the Circle's objectives these still largely apply or are still as relevant for the new social media as for more traditional forms:

The objectives of the Circle of Wine Writers are:

* to improve the standard of communication about wines, spirits and beers
* to contribute to the growing knowledge and interest in wine
* to promote wines and spirits of quality and to comment adversely on faulty products and dubious practices
* to establish and maintain good relations with the news media and the wine trade
* to provide members with a strong voice with which to express their views
* to provide a forum for the exchange of information
* to provide a programme of workshops, meetings, talks and tastings

I'm not really clear what you mean by its charter – criteria for membership?

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:01:45 -0000

exactly, and I count you in my group above as one of the well respected, established writers who HAS understood it and got involved to create materials which really could only have emerged online

thank you!

As for the CWW, we shall see! I think the future is radically different from its charter, so it will be interesting to see what it comes up with

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:58:30 -0000

I don't think she is 'worried about' anything (if you watch the video she actually does support blogging as a whole) but she did express the view that I have often heard, that bloggers are all aspiring journalists (in traditional media), and I do want to clarify that this is not the case.

I am always amazed (especially as one who post so infrequently) the effort that Jancis makes for wine in general and her many, many outlets - but in particular her site.

Re: The future of wine writing

Kent_Vineyard — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:23 -0000

Hello

Thank you for contacting me. You email is important to us and I will be in touch soon.

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Speak soon

Richard
Kent Vineyard

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 11:00:13 -0000

We must recognise that even BIG names are still writing for others - and that it is the editorial and advertising agendas of their traditional media employers that determine much of what can be said (if only by the limitations on space that they offer).

I look forward to seeing the faces of these writers when they finally DO switch over and realise how much MORE they can do, not less. That will be an exciting time for us all.

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:57:24 -0000

that's what I mean (I don't expect Robert Parker to aspire to writing a post on Wine Conversation, though he is welcome) :)

I am hoping that established, recognised writers might find the ability to write more freely, and more broadly, about what they really care about and not just what they can get published, by getting involved in these online media channels.

Jancis definitely gets it, as do a few other big names, but too many still cling to their shrinking columns and have not yet invested in the new world. The early innovators will benefit most!

Re: The future of wine writing

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 10:44:30 -0000

I think a lot of what people are after is simply recognition. Unfortunately few bloggers get this, and attention is only paid to those who write in 'proper' media channels (or do both).

With recognition, and quality (and effort), money will hopefully follow, so they are not unrelated, but I can think of very few people who are actually trying to become traditional media writers.

Thanks for your support and comments, and also for making it out to the EWBC! See you again next year?

Re: From Bloggers to Gangs and the Future of Wine

thirstforwine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 06:45:49 -0000

which event are you referring to? The Wine Gang event was for consumers in the UK, whilst the Wine Future was very much a trade event

Re: European Wine Bloggers Conference review

thirstforwine — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:43:33 -0000

oh no, that was a modern 'noughties' invention :)

Re: Bob Iger is freaking out about this Baby Einstein scandal

thirstforwine — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:22:56 -0000

They may not be educational, but they are a hell of a lot better (I guess) than most of the rest of the stuff on the square-babysitter

Hadn't heard of any scandal OR refund (probably not available in UK) but this does rather sound like what I might have thought if I had - oh **** I'm an Apple Zombie under your control!

Re: Are you a wine gamer?

thirstforwine — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 06:38:02 -0000

not sure I need more distraction on the iPhone, but hopefully it will be fun at least.

Re: Wine Accessories: The Corkscrew

WineWonkette — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 10:44:22 -0000

That would be a great trip! We shall put it on our list of things we must do!

Re: Wine Accessories: The Corkscrew

thirstforwine — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:11:25 -0000

Amy

I work with the Vivanco family who created the Dinastia Vivanco Museum of the Culture of Wine in Rioja. Rafael Vivanco has amassed a collection of almost 5000 corkscrews, 3500+ of which are on show in the family museum at the winery in Briones, La Rioja. In fact, they have an original of most of the ones you show here including the monkey.

You should come and check it out!

Re: Am I qualified to give advice?

thirstforwine — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 04:16:33 -0000

thanks - wow, was a while ago I wrote this :)

what does the e-learning course cost? Must say I have not done online courses, but could be interesting to look at

Re: 5 Ways to Visualize Twitter at Events

tojulius — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:34:31 -0000

I have to thank @fabivs for that!

Re: 5 Ways to Visualize Twitter at Events

thirstforwine — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:32:57 -0000

hadn't heard of your top one - checking it out now

Re: Buy me a glass of wine?

thirstforwine — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:15:30 -0000

didn't realise the prosecco event had been there - nice!

Re: Wine Bloggers - One shoe does “not” fit all

1winedude — Thu, 14 May 2009 07:31:50 -0000

Ha!!! Good one...

Re: Wine Bloggers - One shoe does “not” fit all

thirstforwine — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:19:32 -0000

How about making it simple:

* Bloggers
* Blobbers

:)

Re: Catavino Co-Hosts the London Wine and Food Blogger’s Meetup!

andrerib — Thu, 07 May 2009 19:39:40 -0000

I'm used to be like you Robert in that "love" for cheese :) but because of wine I'm now able to go as far as Brie and Camembert. I definitely stay with the creamy ones and lots and lots of prosciutto.

Re: Catavino Co-Hosts the London Wine and Food Blogger’s Meetup!

gabriellaopaz — Thu, 07 May 2009 06:11:53 -0000

I'm thinking now's the time to start anew! Refresh that palate to the perfectly aged dairy goodness from our very generous four legged creatures. Or if all else fails, inhale large amounts of prosciutto :-)